January 12
Over the course of 2023, Palisades Village faced several shifts in tenants, beginning with the closing of The Little Market, which was later replaced by Eres. Other changes include the opening of Saint Laurent where Amazon Books was previously located; the closing of ROCA Pizza on Swarthmore Avenue six months after it opened, replaced by Jemma Pizzeria on December 18; and the opening of TOTOME (taking over Carbon38’s space), Jacques Marie Mage (replacing Tamara Mellon) and Officine Générale (replacing See’s Candies).
January 26
When it comes to dining options, 2023 brought some changes in the Palisades. Among them, DELIzioso opened in January on Monument Street in a space formerly occupied by Sweet Rose Creamery, marking an expansion of Gianbattista “Gianba” and Marlo Vinzoni’s Cinque Terre WEST family of restaurants; Casa Nostra reopened its Highlands location on Palisades Drive in April following a two-year closure after a fire in 2021; and Flour Cafe & Pizzeria opened on Via De La Paz in May, marking an expansion and reinvention of Estate Coffee.
Honoring a tradition started in the paper in 1954, the Palisadian-Post found the first baby born to a local family in 2023. El Medio Bluffs residents Aly and Sean Uytengsu welcomed their first baby, Ford, on January 3 at 4:43 p.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Baby Ford was 20 inches long, and he weighed six pounds, 15 and a half ounces. The tradition will continue in 2024—Palisadian families who have a baby in the new year are encouraged to email mypost@palipost.com to participate.
February 2
About 400 people attended the American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283’s grand reopening and naming ceremony of its headquarters on Saturday, January 28. The Pacific Palisades Design Review Board voted unanimously to approve proposed changes to the Post headquarters during a virtual meeting Wednesday, October 13, 2021, which included facade improvements, a lobby expansion, flag pole, two wall signs and two window decals.
After hosting a well-attended virtual scoping meeting regarding a proposed Marquez Knolls distributing station, representatives from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced at the January 26 Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting that it would be modeling options before returning to the community and moving forward with the project. In lieu of making a planned presentation about the proposed station, LADWP reported that LADWP would “model” options and come back with “several options and work with [the] community, and then move forward with the project.” LADWP Senior Public Relations Specialist Deborah Hong confirmed to the Post on December 21 that there were no updates on the proposed project available but that the office would be in touch “as soon as there is an update.”
February 16
After nearly two decades of serving the Palisades, Pharmaca closed, effective February 25, following its purchase by Walgreens. The Pharmaca chain was acquired by Medly Health Inc., a digital-pharmacy company, in 2021, which filed for bankruptcy in late 2022 and was then purchased by Walgreens. Medly offered a “full-service, digital pharmacy,” with “free prescription delivery for all types of medications,” according to its website. There was no update available on who would take over the Sunset Boulevard space at the time of print. Other long-established storefronts in the Palisades that closed in 2023 include Denise Carolyn on Antioch Street (who opened in Tennessee in September with plans to launch online as well), Black Ink on Swarthmore (which has pivoted online), and Collections Antiques and Books on Antioch at the end of September. Among new stores to open in the Palisades this year was The Gray Dragon on Marquez Avenue in November.
March 16
Pacific Palisades Library Association continued its Writers, Artists and Musicians Series on Thursday evening, March 9, with a conversation with Eugene Levy, Emmy- and Grammy-winning actor, producer and writer—and honorary mayor of the Palisades. When it came to his role of honorary mayor, moderator Tim Schneider asked Levy if any of his predecessors offered him words of advice before taking on the position: “I remember Billy and Janice Crystal said, ‘Just embrace it,’” Levy said. “‘And just get into everything that they ask you to do, and you’ll find that you’re actually going to have a great time, and it’s going to be fun.’”
March 30
Two Palisadians—Maryam Zar and Rabbi Amy Bernstein—received Woman of the Year honors for 2023, which were celebrated during a ceremony in Sacramento on March 20. Zar was honored as Woman of the Year by Senator Ben Allen, who represents Senate District 24, while Rabbi Bernstein was selected by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who represents Assembly District 42.
April 27
The California Coastal Commission passed a resolution in regard to a trailhead property located at 16701 Via La Costa in Pacific Palisades during its Thursday, April 13, meeting. Designed to serve as the Temescal Ridge Trailhead, the half-acre property has been a topic of discussion—and concern—in the Palisades for years. Work was underway, as reported on September 14. “The trash is now gone, as well as the graffiti, and I’ve been assured that they will soon fix the toilets and sinks on the inside,” Highlands resident and PPCC Area 2 Representative Steve Cron wrote to the Post at the time. “We’re not done yet, but it’s a great start.”
May 11
The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club hosted its annual Grant Awards Night during its general meeting Tuesday, May 2, in the hall of the clubhouse on Haverford Avenue. PPWC President Samantha Dale handed out checks to representatives from 23 nonprofit organizations providing services and programs that benefit the Palisades community.
June 8
An air of anticipation hovered over Rustic Canyon Recreation Center on the morning of Tuesday, May 30, as a “surprise” was in store for all who attended The Uplifters’ Centennial Celebration to see what was inside a box buried 100 years ago. Local historian Randy Young lifted the lid to reveal dust, paper fragments and one fist-sized clump of rock appearing to subsume several coins.
June 22
At the conclusion of Palisades Charter High School’s graduation ceremony June 8 at Stadium by the Sea, Principal Pam Magee instructed the 751 seniors seated before her to flip their tassels from right to left as a symbolic gesture of the crossing over to the next phase in life, shouting: “You made it!”
July 13
On the afternoon of the Fourth of July, chairs lined the streets of the Village area as residents, friends, family and visitors gathered to watch the “Diamond Jubilee in 2023” Palisades Parade, which began after members of the Adrenaline Nation skydiving team landed at Sunset Boulevard and Swarthmore Avenue at 2 p.m. Actress and Palisadian Denise Crosby served as this year’s grand marshal, while longtime Palisades Americanism Parade Association volunteer Sylvia Boyd took on the role of parade marshal. Also part of the day’s festivities, first place in this year’s Patriotic Home Contest went to the Mass family, followed by runners up the Grigsby family in second place and the Gold family, which won the Joan Sather Memorial Sponsorship Award for best homemade decorations. Two additional runners up were also selected: Mary Dekernion and Nina Almaraz.
July 27
During the most recent rainy season—which was measured through June 30—local weather authority Craig Weston reported that the Palisades more than doubled the annual average rainfall in Los Angeles. The yearly rain total is measured from July to June, so for this most recent season, it was measured from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. “In our most recent rain season, the Palisades received a very healthy 31.51 inches of rain,” Weston explained, “which far exceeded the average annual rainfall in Los Angeles of just under 15 inches.” To be calculated as part of the next rainy season, Tropical Storm Hilary brought 3.88 inches of rain measured August 20 through 21 from The Huntington, which prompted school closures.
August 10
Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness discussed the annual Los Angeles Homeless Count results in a letter circulated Tuesday, August 1. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority revealed an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in LA County and the city of LA: An estimated 75,518 people were found to be experiencing homelessness in LA County on any given night, a 9% increase from 2022. An estimated 46,260 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness citywide, a 10% increase from 2022. PPTFH Co-Chair Sharon Browning said she expected the data for the Palisades to show no increase in individuals, tents and make-shift shelters, but an increase in vans and vehicles concentrated along PCH. PPTFH later hosted a webinar on November 13, introducing the organization’s incoming co-chairs, Carmen Kallberg and Cindi Young.
August 24
It was awards night at Pierson Playhouse on Sunday, August 13, when Theatre Palisades hosted its annual meeting and awards show, recognizing performers, directors, producers and technicians of the 2022-23 season. The local community theater celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, and the 2024 season will begin with “Beau Jest,” which will premiere at Pierson Playhouse on January 12.
September 28
Several years in the making, Ciela—located at 17310 West Vereda De La Montura in the Highlands—welcomed residents to begin moving into its “modern resort-style retirement community” starting November 27, delayed one month from its original October 23 projected date. “We believe in providing seniors with an environment that fosters joy and rejuvenation as they age,” Ciela Founder and President Rony Shram said in a statement. “Our location overlooks the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains from every corner of the property, providing a connection to nature that’s vital for residents’ well-being.”
October 12
Dozens of local organizations, hundreds of community members, several area businesses and many local officials gathered at Simon Meadow with Pacific Palisades Community Council on Saturday, September 30, for its 50th Anniversary Jubilee & Community Celebration. Alongside PPCC, several other entities celebrated milestone anniversaries, including Palisades Village Green (50 years), Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association (75 years) and Pacific Palisades Historical Society (50 years).
At the start of October, Los Angeles Police Department West Los Angeles Community Station reported an uptick in burglaries over the previous several months, targeting homes specifically on the Westside, including Pacific Palisades. At the time, Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin said the Palisades in particular had seen an 8% increase in burglaries in year-to-date information, with 54 in 2023 compared to 50 in 2022. Following another spike in burglaries in December, LAPD West LA Station hosted a Burglary Town Hall on December 21. Coverage of the town hall will be available in the January 11, 2024, edition of the Post.
October 26
Equinox is slated to open a “luxury fitness club” at a Sunset Boulevard space previously occupied by Bay Club. “We are looking toward a summer of 2024 opening,” Equinox Senior Vice President, Communications, Events and Philanthropy, Judy Taylor told the Post on October 24. The proposed project is slated to be presented to the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board in January 2024.
November 9
Three winners were selected in the Post’s 10th annual Creep Your Crypt Halloween home decorating contest: Creepiest Crypt went to Deborah and Randy Nonberg, Best Theme to Chuck Peil, and DIY/Originality to John Trousdale. The 10th annual Deck Your Halls contest is now underway. To vote, visit palipost.com/deck-your-hall-2023.
November 23
Five “dedicated Palisadians” and one “special Palisades organization” were honored by Pacific Palisades Community Council during its annual Holiday Dinner & Awards Gala on December 6 at The Draycott. Golden Sparkplug awards went to Laura Schneider, John Dwight, Sara Marti and Steve Cron; Cindy Kirven was named Citizen of the Year; and Palisades P.R.I.D.E. received Pride of the Palisades honors.
December 14
Two beloved holiday-time traditions returned to Pacific Palisades in 2023. Hundreds of community members gathered in Palisades Village along Swarthmore Avenue the evening of Thursday, December 7, to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at the annual “Palisades Unity Menorah Lighting,” and, gathering each year since 1949, the holiday HoHoHo! took place at the Palisades-Malibu YMCA Tree Lot at Simon Meadow on Saturday, December 9.
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