Billy Crystal Honored by Basketball Hall of Fame

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Billy Crystal at a Clippers game in April.
Photo: LA CLIPPERS ON X 

Pacific Palisades former Honorary Co-Mayor Billy Crystal continues to rack up honors. Today, October 13, he was officially named a Superfan at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2024 Enshrinement festivities at the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Crystal, a diehard fan of the Clippers, joined Alan Horwitz (Philadelphia 76ers), Spike Lee (Knicks) and Jack Nicholson (Lakers) as Superfans.

Established in 2018, the SuperFan Gallery was created to recognize and celebrate some of the most iconic and dedicated fans in basketball history. SuperFans are selected based on: 1) A proven history of attending games for a particular team or teams; 2) A genuine love for basketball, demonstrated by their deep knowledge and passion, 3) A recognizable and respected reputation within the basketball community, and 4) A profound respect and appreciation for the history of the game.

When he was told about the award, Crystal, who played basketball in high school, quipped “Well, I guess this means I’m not getting in as a player. Very grateful to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for this honor. I merely represent all devoted fans of the game we love.”

In a funny appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, he explains what happens when he and Jack Nicholson were attending a Lakers game and ended up on the “kiss cam” click here.

Crystal also spoke about his new series Before, which premieres Friday, October 25 on Apple TV+. Crystal plays a child psychiatrist Dr. Eli Adler, who has tragically lost his wife. He encounters a troubled young boy who seems to have a connection to Eil’s past.

The limited series is called a character-driven psychological thriller. Alongside Crystal, the supernatural mystery series stars multi-Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light, Jacobi Jupe, Academy Award nominee Rosie Perez, Tony Award nominee Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh.

Crystal, an actor, comedian and filmmaker has won Tony and Emmy Awards, and is known for his feature films “When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and Analyze This.”

He received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2007. This past June he was selected as a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 46th Honoree.

Crystal and wife Janice have two daughters, Jennifer and Lindsay, and four grandchildren, Ella, Dylan, Hudson and Griffin.

Billy Crystal stars in Before with child actor Jacobi Jupe.
Photo: Apple TV+

 

 

 

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Speaker Will Discuss Paphiopedilum Orchids

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Paphiopedilum will be the topic of the next Malibu Orchid society’s meeting.

Orchid lovers, the Malibu Orchid Society meeting scheduled at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, will be highly informative. Carol Klonowski we give an “Overview of Paphiopedilum” and will cover the major sections of the genus and how they differ from one another. The meeting will be held at the Hart Lounge Community United Methodist Church on 801 Via de la Paz.

Carol Klonowski

Klonowski feels that anyone can grow these slipper orchids from Asia and will speak about the conditions that need to be met to grow them. She will also demonstrate the best way to repot them.

Klonowski has been growing orchids since the 1980’s when a friend in Berkeley, California, gave her a cattleya and it bloomed out with three big, dark lavender flowers and an intoxicating fragrance.

She built an entire greenhouse in her backyard to accommodate the precious plant, which only led her to buy more orchids. Then another friend gave her a gift membership to the Orchid Society of California and it’s been a serious hobby and passion ever since. Carol is President of the Orchid Society of California and is currently a Fully Accredited Judge with the American Orchid Society, California Sierra Nevada Judging Center.

At the meeting, it will be explained how members of the Malibu Orchid can participate in an exhibit at the Huntington Orchid Show October 18 thru October 20.  If one can’t go to the setup on October 16, plants may be brought to this meeting and will be transported to the Huntington.

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN:

Bat Orchid

Although many people decorate for Halloween, orchid growers know that some orchids have natural features that could be straight out of a horror movie. Adding these spooky orchids to your collection not only shows off the darker side of nature but can also transform your home or garden into a haunted botanical wonderland for Halloween.

Consider growing the Bat Orchid (Tacca chantrieri). While not a true orchid, this plant is often mistaken for one and adds a chilling effect to any Halloween decor. Its black, bat-shaped flowers are accented with long, whisker-like tendrils, making it look like something you’d expect to find in a witch’s lair.

Or add the Dracula Orchid (Dracula simia) to your collection. Often called the “Monkey Orchid,” this plant is known for its flowers resembling a monkey’s face. But under dim light, these features can take on an unsettling look, especially with the dark, blood-red petals. The genus name Dracula means “little dragon,” adding to its Halloween allure.

Monkey Orchid

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Pali Dolphins Top Westchester Comets 42-34

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

The Palisades High School Football team is 6-1 on the season.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

The Palisades High School football team defeated the Westchester Comets at home, 42-34, improving their record to 6-1 for the season and 2-0 in league play. On October 18, they face Venice at Stadium by the Sea for homecoming weekend.

Head coach Dylen Smith said after the game “We came out fast and they had to play catch up.”

He praised his team, “They did a great job.” And admitted that Westchester was tough, played and passed well, and “caught us off guard,” but the team effort, defensively and offensively made the difference. “It was a team effort.”

And he pointed out that the teams in the Western League (Westchester, Fairfax, Venice, University and Hamilton) “are itching to beat us, so we have to be our best.”

After a kickoff to Westchester, two plays later Palisades’ Connor Petoyan intercepted a pass on the Palisades 47-yard line and ran it in for a touchdown. Kicker Jack Malloy would make the first of his six PATS, and two minutes into the game the Dolphins were up 7-0.

With 18 seconds left in the first quarter, the Comets scored but were unable to convert for an extra point.

With seconds left, there was still time in the first quarter for Pali’s Lehenry A. Solomon to take a kickoff return 78 yards ending the first quarter 14-6.

Palisades added two touchdowns in the second, the first a 20-yard pass to Solomon and the second came with a pass to Max Hejazi from the 45-yard line.

In the third, a run by Thomas, put the Dolphins up with the score 35-14 and it appeared the Dolphins were on the brink of a victory. But Westchester, led by quarterback Jayden Hightower fought back with 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Palisades added their final score in the fourth with a pass from Thomas to Harrison Carter.

Quarterback Jack Thomas threw for 225 yards for three touchdowns and rushed for 39 yards and touchdown. Carter would have 75 rushing yards, and 80 receiving yards.

Defensively, Juniors Nico Townsley had four solo tackles and five assists, and Petoryan had five solo tackles and four assists. J. Bucher-Leighton recorded a sack against Westchester.

Pali’s quarterback Jack Thomas is credited with 225 passing yards.                              Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

 

 

 

 

 

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Summer Writing Contest: Grade 3 & 4 Winner: Phoebe Hanelin

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Grades 3 and 4 summer writing contest winners were congratulated by actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian at a ceremony at the Palisades Library.

The annual summer youth writing contest winners were announced at a ceremony at the Palisades Library on October 9. The contest, with the theme “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to . .. ” opened in June and closed on September 5. Submissions were judged on creativity, originality, effort, plot and theme.

The top three stories in each of the categories were read/acted by professional actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian. “Writers” are generally thrilled to hear their words come alive and Jones and Kludjian joked they’ve been reading the winning stories “about 40 years.”

The event was extremely entertaining, as Jones and Kludjian dramatized and found humorous moments in each story.

The top winners in the Jotters category (Grades 3 & 4) were first: Phoebe Hanelin, second Emma Kerdiles and third Clara Bowles.

 

Something Funny Happened On the Way to the Zoo

By PHOEBE HANELIN

Have you ever seen something that was lost and had to return it? Well I did and it was a crazy adventure.

I was so excited because we had tickets to go to the zoo! I was especially excited to see the Koala bears, because they are my favorite animal at the zoo.

The drive to the zoo is pretty long so it was kind of boring, until it wasn’t. When we were still a ways away we saw the most crazy thing- a koala bear! It was an escaped koala bear from the zoo and it was up in a tree!

We stopped at the side of the road to try to get it out of the tree. My dad started climbing the tree but couldn’t get to it. So then I tried and I reached the koala bear! I was struggling to pick it up though, so my sister had to come and help me.

Once we finally got the koala bear down, we had to put it in the car. My mom wasn’t thrilled to put a wild animal in the car, but we eventually convinced her. Our dog was with us though, and she wasn’t too crazy about it either. She kept barking at the koala, but eventually she stopped.

We were still a ways away from the zoo, so we had to make the most of having a koala in the car. It kept climbing everywhere and she bit my sister! It didn’t hurt much though, my sister said.

When we were so close to the zoo, my dad rolled down the car window. The koala bear jumped at the chance to escape the car. And when I say jumped, I mean jumped! The koala tried to jump out the window! We were lucky though, because my mom caught it right in time.

After that, we had to put it in the seatbelt so it couldn’t get out. When we finally got to the zoo, we had to carry the koala in.  We found the trainer and gave the koala to her. She said she didn’t even know it was missing! But, when we were handing it to her, the koala jumped out of her arms and started to crawl away! But luckily, koala bears aren’t very fast, so it was easy to pick her up again. Then we followed the trainer to the exhibit and then gave the koala to her, and she put the koala back in her exhibit. Now I could enjoy visiting the koalas at the zoo!

Posted in Education, Kids/Parenting, Schools | Leave a comment

“Social Studies” a Must See Documentary for Parents

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Social Studies a new documentary about teens and social media was shot at Palisades Charter High School.

Venice resident and documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield has produced a five-part series Social Studies, which is being presented on Hulu.

Filmed in Los Angeles, Social Studies follows 15 students over the 2012-22 school year, as they navigate school after the Covid lockdown. During the year, isolated from other teens, living at home, they found their social life on TikTok, Instagram and through texting.

Instead of learning to interact and read social cues in real life with three-dimensional people, their existence was tied to a flat screen, limiting the ability to interact successfully. Screens permit bullying and encourage unrealistic expectations.

Social Studies premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival in August. In this documentary, Greenfield was able to convince the teens to share their screen shots and social posts, which unfold with the teen’s stories. The first episode debuted on September 27, Sex Ed the fourth show airs on October 11 and Deletions and Culminations is the final episode, which airs October 18.

In an October 2 story in the Hollywood Reporter (“In FX’s Social Studies, Social Media is a “a Lifeline and a Loaded Gun” for L.A. Teenagers”), Greenfield said she conducted over 200 mini-interviews, but this was only a jumping-off point, as the final group of 15 teens, most of whom attend the Palisades Charter High School and hail from across the Southland, evolved more organically.

“It’s probably very diverse kids because I didn’t want at the end of the day for people to be like, ‘OK, those crazy kids in L.A., or those rich kids, or those people from whatever area,” she said. “And so, the kids come from all different neighborhoods, different socioeconomic backgrounds, and also have different relationships with social media.”

In the first two episodes, which this editor viewed, Palisades Principal Dr. Pam Magee welcomes kids back to school, but the scene in the gym seems surreal. After a year away from school, rather than interacting with each other or expressing excitement about being back, kids are glued to their phone screens.

During Social Studies, Ellie, a senior, details the aftermath of her breakup with a famous young actor and the backlash she experienced on social media. Bella’s former friend seeks revenge, because Bella has kissed her friend’s crush. An aspiring DJ,  Keshawn finds he has to mix work and school with teenage fatherhood. Jack, a young entrepreneur with a large social following, throws a wild party that gets out of hand and involves an overdose.

The reality of typical teen’s life, which includes bullying, hoping to go viral, fixating on unrealistic beauty, is grim.  The hate dumped on kids, by other kids, which is freely doled out on social media, goes unchecked.

In August 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report that detailed the positive and negative effects of social media that indicated it can be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain, including the amygdala, which is important for emotional learning and the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for impulse control, emotional regulation, and moderating social behavior.

This year, the Los Angeles Unified School District board voted 5-2 to ban student cell phones and social media in schools while classes are in session.

Greenfield, who won directing prize at Sundance for her 2012 hit “The Queen of Versailles, captures the students, social media and the dysfunction.

It is heartbreaking.

She was asked in an interview if this all-encompassing medium is more difficult than in years’ past.

“I think it’s way harder,” Greenfield said. “And that was one of the surprising things: almost every kid said if they had a choice, they would rather live in their parents’ generation, before social media. Like Jonathan at the end: ‘It’s a lifeline, but it’s also a loaded gun.’ They admit they can’t live without it because it’s the way their age group communicates. They know what’s going on. And as another person at the end says, ‘Do you even exist if you’re not on it?’ It feels existential.”

Greenfield, who with her producing and life-partner Frank Evers has two sons, explained the genesis of the Social Studies project to THR. She said it started when she noticed her teenage son’s despondence following periods of heavy social media engagement during the COVID-19 lockdown.

In addition to filming at Palisades High School, Greenfield also filmed at Archer School for Girls, Venice Skills Center, Los Angeles High School and Hamilton High.

On the website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.80/10

Joel Keller of Decider suggested viewing the series writing: “The sheer volume of what Greenfield shows teens being up to will scare any parent more than any blood-and-guts show Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) can come up with.” click here.

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Winners Announced for 2024 Writing Contest

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian read the top three winning stories for first and second grade. One of the authors was ill, so a sister accepted the award for him.

The annual summer youth writing contest winners were announced at a ceremony at the Palisades Library. The contest, with the theme “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to . .. ” opened in June and closed on September 5. Submissions were judged on creativity, originality, effort, plot and theme.

At the October 9 ceremony, the top three stories in each of the categories were read/acted by professional actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian. “Writers” are generally thrilled to hear their words come alive and Jones and Kludjian joked they’ve been reading the winning stories “about 40 years.”

The event was extremely entertaining, as Jones and Kludjian dramatized and found humorous moments in each story.

The two actors praised the writers. “Keep writing,” Jones said. “Whatever you do, keep writing.”

Kludjian added, “It’s great watching you grow over the years.” They read stories from children when they are the primary grades, and then watch as they go onto win in high school.

The top three entries in five grade categories (1-2; 3-4; 5-6; 7-8; and high school) won gift certificates to Diesel Books. The contest was open to all residents of Los Angeles or for those who attend a school in Los Angeles. CTN will run the winning story in each category over the next five publications.

All participants received a a free ice cream cone/dish from McConnells. Bay Theater offered a raffle prize of four free tickets, popcorns and drinks, which all in attendance were eligible to enter.

Scribblers (Grades 1 & 2)

1st Place: The Hunt for the Diamond –– by Mark James “MJ” Brown  (Calvary Christian School)

2nd Place: Taco Night Terror – by Jack Kervin (Calvary Christian School)
3rd Place: The Missing Fruit Guy – by Roman McNitt (Village School)

Jotters (Grades  3 & 4)

1st Place: Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Zoo – by Phoebe Hanelin (Marquez Charter School)

2nd Place: A Dream – by Emma Kerdiles  (Santa Monica Preparatory School)
3rd Place: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Ice Cream with My Friends  – by Clara Bowles  (Corpus Christi)

Scrawlers (Grades 5 & 6)

1st Place: A Voice of Encouragement  – by Scarlett Taylor  (Brawerman East Elementary)

2nd Place: Escape from Ziatonia – by Ella Kervin  (Calvary Christian School)

Scribes (Grades  7 & 8)

1st Place: The Bank Heist – by Rohan Mukhopadhyay  (Paul Revere Middle School)

2nd Place: A Lucky Find – by Sydney Lee  (Mirman School)
3rd Place: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Mountain – by Hudson Marks  (Milken Community School)

Authors (High School)

1st Place: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Ground – by James Corman  (Harvard-Westlake)

2nd Place: Checkmate – by Audrey Yael Smith  (Palisades Charter High School)
3rd Place: A Funny Thing Happened on the way to Tuesday – by James Marks  (Milken Community School)

(Editor’s note: the stories are not edited. The contest was intended to reflect a child’s best effort for his/her age—and parents were asked not to “help.”)

The Hunt for The Diamond

By: MARK JAMES BROWN (Scribbler winner, Grade 1 & 2)

A funny thing happened on the way to the grocery store.  Sam was walking to the grocery store when he saw a sign that read missing diamond in the red gold mines.

Sam had no idea what the red gold mines were.  Then he saw a snake shop.  Sam then thought maybe I could buy some snakes to protect me, so he went inside.  He bought five snakes.  Then he asked the cashier if he knew about the red gold mines.  He said yes and handed Sam a map of the Oxygen World and he saw the red gold mines.

Then he went to the camping store and bought all the stuff he needed and walked home.  He called his friends to see if they wanted to come.  They both said yes.  They walked to Sam’s house.  Sam, Axel, and Jack fell into the floor and they whooshed out of earth and to the Oxygen World.  Then they landed on a trampoline.  They got off and started their quest.

They were in a forest but not just any forest, the wacky forest.  All the trees looked really weird.  They saw a lot of squirrels.  Then they finally got out.  By then it was nighttime so they set up their tent, ate dinner, and went to bed.

The next morning, it was raining.  Sam, Axel, and Jack went into a cave.  Sam saw a bunch of statues.  Then Axel heard snakes.  Jack thought it was Medusa, so the three of them shut their eyes tight but Axel was too late so now he was a statue.  Jack ran but he looked at Medusa.

Luckily, Sam was prepared so he sprayed them with a special spray and they ran out of the cave and hid behind a rock.  Once the coast was clear they set up their tent and went to bed.  The next morning, they walked until they got to the red gold mines and there was 1000 zombies.

Sam, Axel, and Jack grabbed a peace of bark and used it as a sword.  They were so good they knocked out 500 in the first 5 minutes.  Then Sam saw a path he ran away from the zombies.

Then Sam started digging, he found three diamonds and a Lamborghini.  Jack and Axel hopped in and they drove off.  They drove for a long time then they saw 1000 zombies, Medusa, and 1,000,000,000 monsters they knew they had to fight.

So they drove over the monsters but some of them had cars so the monsters kept trying to ram them, but they kept dodging  them.  They zoomed around.   They got past, but the zombies with cars chased them.  They got to the portal and whooshed back to earth.

They were in California. Sam ,Axel, and Jack jumped behind some bushes. They saw Sams house and parked in the garage. They went inside and Sam told his parents about the diamond and from then on there was a diamond in Sam, Axel, and Jacks rooms.

 

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What is it #42

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

This is an old oaken wooden bucket that I bought for $10 at the local Salvation Army.

It was hand made by a “Wet” cooper from six oak staves carefully carpentered and held together by grooves and tiny dowels and two hammered steel metal rings. It must have been relatively expensive in the 1800’s because of the precise construction necessary to be watertight.

There’s a spigot hole near the bottom. The bucket’s most likely use was to draw water from a well.

This bucket was probably made between 1830 and 1860. Starting in 1837 wood buckets began to be replaced by sheet metal pails made in factories because they were much less expensive.

In turn the metal pails began to be replaced by plastic ones starting in the1960’s.

People loved their wells and buckets. In 1817 Samuel Woodworth wrote a famous poem called The Old Oaken Bucket. Let me quote a couple of the sentimental lines:

“And dripping with coolness it rose from the well. The old oaken bucket, the iron bound bucket. The moss-covered bucket arose from the well ”

(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.

In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.

While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.

The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)

 

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Paper Sculptor Featured at Palisades Art Association Meeting

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

The Palisades Art Association is hosting a talk by Jeff Nishinaka, a paper sculptor at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, at the Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real.

Jeff Nishinaka’s handcrafted work is commissioned around the globe by private and public companies and celebrities. From ethereal lines in a mythical creature to geometric shapes in a cityscape, the artist draws from fantasy and reality to create monochromatic objects in relief.

Nishinaka’s fascination with art started at a young age, as a fan of Norman Rockwell, 1960s cartoons, Marvel comic books and the Japanese comic book “Astro Boy.” After attending University of California, Los Angeles, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

As an art student, Nishinaka challenged himself by using paper to create a multidimensional fish sculpture. During this creative process, he felt compelled to discover new ways to shape, bend and round edges on different types of paper.

Nishinaka’s work has been featured in numerous galleries, public art displays, retail displays and ad campaigns for clients such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Ralph Lauren, United Airlines, Clinique, MGM Studios, Lexus, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Qualcomm and Iggesund Paperboard. Art publications from around the world and media outlets such as USA Today, The New York Times, V Magazine and The Atlantic have touted his work.

The artist attributes his successful 30-year career to the special relationship he has with paper. He feels that the medium has an energy and life of its own and that it is his part to release or reveal what is already there. Each sculpture begins with an idea, a rough sketch and research.

When ready to construct, Nishinaka uses simple tools: a pencil, X-Acto knife, wood dowel, tweezers, glue and an eraser. Above all, his most treasured tools are his hands. He feels that the human touch lends a textural quality that cannot be achieved digitally.

To Nishinaka, creating art for clients is just as fun as it is teaching it. He serves as an instructor at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where he says “fresh young minds” inspire and motivate him to continually refine his skills.

Along with teaching, Nishinaka enjoys traveling, playing the drums, building model airplanes and sharing tips about his craft with social media followers.

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Pot Shot #29

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Ashleigh Brilliant writes:

WHAT EXACTLY IS A “POT-SHOT” OR “BRILLIANT THOUGHT?”

Pot-Shots are epigrams, composed according to the following very strict rules.

The length must never exceed 17 English words. Note that this is a maximum. Some Pot-Shots are much shorter. Hyphenated words count as a single word.

Pot-Shots must be easy to translate into other languages. Therefore there can be no use of rhyme or rhythm, idioms, puns, or other word-play.

Pot-Shots should be capable of being appreciated in all times and cultures. Topical and cultural references must be avoided.

Every Pot-Shot should be as different as possible from every other one.

Every Pot-Shot must be totally original, and unlike anything else the author, or anyone else, has ever said before.

The words of a Pot-Shot must be able to stand on their own, and not require any illustration in order to be understood or appreciated.

Whatever is being said should be worth saying and said in the best possible way.

NOTE: These are ideal standards, and I myself have failed to meet some of them occasionally — but in general I have adhered to them quite scrupulously

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Chance to Own an Award-Winning Einstein Quilt

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Sue Pascoe

Reuben Hovde continues to win prizes with his Einstein quilt.

The Einstein Quilt, crafted by seventh grader Ruben Hovde, continues to win awards. The most recent award, for the Rapid City, South Dakota native, was at the Northeast Wyoming Quilt Show in Gillette, Wyoming.

Hovde took the prize for Best Youth Quilt (nine- to 18-year-old-year-old category) and the prize for Best Energy Quilt.

In September his quilt won Best of Show (over adult entries) and Best in the Youth Division, at the Hill City Quilt Show in Hill City, South Dakota beating out 300 other quilts (https://www.hillcityarts.org/quilt-show).

In August the quilt took a blue ribbon at one the state’s biggest county fairs: the Central States Fair.

Hovde’s quilt is 80 x140 inches, with 2-inch finished squares. A standard California king-sized bed is 84 x 72, but the youth did not want to cut it down because it would have meant losing some of Einstein’s face.

He was asked how he got the idea for the quilt. “I saw a bunch of Rubik’s cubes that were put together to form Einstein’s face and thought I could make a quilt like that.”

He told his mom, a graphic designer, about his idea and she made a pattern on graph paper for him to follow. The quilt is made up of black, white and six shades of gray material.

Hovde, who plays tuba in his middle school band, started quilting several years ago with help from his mother Melissa, an exquisite quilter. His first quilt was a rag quilt and his second was a simple 9-patch quilt with scraps.

“I like doing it, because I like the end results,” Hovde said.

Hovde’s favorite subject in school is P.E. and he was on the wrestling team for two years, but mom and dad, Erik, nixed it this year, “After two broken arms, two separate times, he is not doing it this year,” mom said.

Would Hovde sell his Einstein quilt? Yes, for $1,000. . .a bargain for all the material, the time spent constructing it – and a three-time winner.

And why? “I can always make another,” Hovde said.

More than 300 quilts were entered in the Hill City Quilt Show.

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