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Deadline for PPCC Citizen of the Year, Golden Sparkplug Awards Nominations Approaches

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Courtesy of PPCC

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The deadline for nominations for Pacific Palisades Community Council 2025 Citizen of the Year and Golden Sparkplug awards is approaching Friday, October 17.

“We continue to encourage Palisadians to submit nominations of worthy community members for these special honors,” PPCC wrote on Tuesday, October 14.

Nominations must be submitted by email to info@pacpalicc.org by Friday, October 17, at 5 p.m. The awards will be presented at the organization’s annual Awards Gala on December 11 at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar, with “plans for the special evening” underway.

“The Citizen of the Year Award honors long-term, steady, reliable and continuing outstanding volunteer service, as well as a recent extraordinary accomplishment by an individual that resulted in a substantial benefit to the Palisades community at large,” according to information from PPCC. “The recipient must be an adult resident of the Palisades at the time the accomplishment and long-term services were rendered.”

Nominations must “state the nature of the extraordinary recent accomplishment” of the candidate and also summarize their “steady, reliable, long-term service within the community.”

Golden Sparkplug Awards are designed to honor citizens who “ignite original ideas and projects into community action that benefit Palisadians throughout the community.”

“The project must have been initiated, in progress or completed during the current or prior calendar year,” according to PPCC. “Adults and youth are both eligible, and must either reside in, own real property in or operate a business in the Palisades at the time the services were rendered.”

Nominations should include the nature of the original idea, effort or project, how it benefitted the community at-large, and how it was initiated, in progress or completed during the current or prior calendar year.

PPCC explained that the requirements for residency and/or business or property ownership in the Palisades will apply to those who have been temporarily displaced by the Palisades fire but “who, with the intent of returning to Pacific Palisades, are either involved in planning or in the process of rebuilding their home/business or of remediating their standing home/business.”

For both awards, the services, accomplishment or project must have been voluntary and “not related to nor a beneficial outcome of the nominee’s business, professional or occupation.”

“Any organization or individual in the community may nominate a candidate,” according to PPCC. “There is no limit on the number of nominations an individual or organization may submit.”

In some years, PPCC also awards the Pride of the Palisades, a distinction that is discretionary and bestowed from “time to time only in exceptional circumstances,” which is determined by the Awards Selection Committee.

This year’s committee includes Chair Daphne Gronich, Chris Spitz and Cindi Young (past Citizens of the Year), as well as Richard Blumenberg and Karen Ridgley.

The Awards Event Committee includes Chair Lorie Cudzil, Kimberly Bloom, Beth Holden-Garland and Lee Anne Sanderson.

In 2024, Young was named Citizen of the Year, while Leslie Campbell and Carlos Rodriguez received Golden Sparkplugs. Thomas Hathaway was selected as Pride of the Palisades.

YMCA T-Ball Set to Begin at Simon Meadow

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo by Rich Schmitt

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Lowe Family YMCA will offer a six-session T-Ball program for participants between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, which will begin on Saturday, October 18, and run through November 22 at Simon Meadow.

“The Lowe Family YMCA (formerly the Palisades-Malibu YMCA) T-Ball program is perfect for kids ages 3 to 6 to learn the basics of baseball in a fun and supportive environment,” read information about the program. “Parent volunteers serve as our coaches, creating a community-focused experience that emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship and skill-building for all players.”

Those who participate will have “plenty of chances” to “hit, throw and run the bases” during a 30-minute practice, followed by a 30-minute game.

“No prior experience is needed,” according to YMCA. “Just bring your enthusiasm.”

Signups are now open. Volunteer coaches are also needed, according to YMCA.

The six-week program, which meets Saturdays between October 18 and November 22, will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. The cost is $120, but free for members and those affected by the January fires.

Simon Meadow is located at 15551 W Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.

Resilient Palisades to Host ‘Electrify the Rebuild’ Webinar

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Courtesy of Resilient Palisades

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Resilient Palisades has partnered with Rewiring America and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to host “Pacific Palisades: Electrify the Rebuild Webinar” on Friday, October 17, from 12 to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

“We’re gathering (virtually) for a free community webinar with Rewiring America and LADWP’s HOME-LA program to talk about simple, affordable steps toward electrifying our homes—heat pumps, induction cooking, solar and batteries, and all the rebates that make it easier,” Resilient Palisades Social Media Lead Sara Marti wrote.

Attendees are invited to join for “a conversation about how going electric can help us rebuild with care—for our families, our community and the place we love,” according to an event page.

The event will include Zac Swank from the Boulder County Office of Sustainability and Build Forward Collective to share lessons from Colorado’s rebuild following the Marshall fire.

Those who wish to attend can RSVP at the event page.

Pali High Grad Produces, Stars In Upcoming Classical Music Concert

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Adam McCrory
Photo courtesy of Adam McCrory

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisadian Adam McCrory is producing and starring in a classical music concert, which will take place on Saturday evening, October 18.

“I’m a long-time resident of the Palisades area, a grad of [Palisades Charter High School] and my family owned a business in the heart of the Palisades for decades until the Palisades fire: Michele International,” Adam told the Palisadian-Post.

Adam is the nephew of salon owners and sisters Marice McCrory-Irwin and Anne Egan. His father, Martin McCrory, is the salon’s business manager, while his mother and cousin are stylists there. The salon reopened at 1106 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica at the end of June.

“My family home was partially destroyed by the fire also, displacing my parents and destroying many of our possessions,” Adam said.

At the time of the fire, Adam was finishing a master’s degree in music at California State University, Northridge, so was living temporarily with family in Sunset Mesa near Getty Villa.

“I was displaced also and ended up having to go through the process of living in a hotel then finding a new place to live,” Adam described.

Now, with a finished degree, Adam is producing and starring in the classical music concert, titled “Liederabend: An Evening of Romantic German Song,” which he described as a “way to bounce back from the upheaval of the fires.” Music will include German classical songs from 1795 to 1910.

“It is a traditional style of concert that dates back about 200 years,” Adam described. “German songs, or Lieder, are famous pieces from some of the most iconic composers that use lyrics from major German poets of the 1800s. The songs are often about love, loss, pain, hope, nature and humanity—but above all they focus on storytelling.”

Adam will sing the majority of songs, but will be joined by “other up-and-coming local artists, including a classical pianist and three soprano singers.” The concert will feature Adam (“Irish baritone”) and Alyssa French (“emerging collaborative pianist”), with guests Virginia Douglas (“dynamic American soprano”), Julia Behbudov (“Ukranian dramatic soprano”) and Agnese Gallenzi (“Italian coloratura soprano”).

The program will feature an intermission, as well as a wine-and-cheese reception.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, located at 580 Hilgard Avenue in Los Angeles. Adam said the venue is a “beautiful church, with great acoustics.” There will be “limited free parking” available on site, with additional parking at Hilgard Avenue or UCLA Lot 2.

Attendees are encouraged to “pay-what-you-can,” with a $20 suggested donation to support 580 Café, which is a “community dedicated to building justice through dialogue, creative expression, belief and activism” for UCLA students.

For those who are unable to attend the concert in person, Adam will be livestreaming it via YouTube.

Dolphins Outscore Venice in League Showdown

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Quarterback Jack Thomas throws one of his five touchdown passes in the Dolphins’ 56-54 victory at Venice.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

“Don’t let up!”

That was the message Palisades Charter High School football coach Dylen Smith had for his players minutes after the Friday, October 10, 56-54 triumph over Venice.

In a back-and-affair that saw the lead change hands seven times, it took an interception by Enzo Allen with 10 seconds left to finally subdue the host Gondoliers, who won last year’s encounter 45-44 at Stadium by the Sea.

The 59th meeting between the schools was one of the best in the rivalry’s storied history, which started the year Pali High opened in 1961. Smith can now claim two victories in three tries, having led his team to a 28-24 victory on the same field in 2023—a win that secured the Western League title.

It was a night to remember for senior quarterback Jack Thomas, who made one big play after another and finished with a career-high 473 yards and five touchdowns. Afterward, he still saw room for improvement.

“I’ve got to play better—we came up empty on five drives and that’s on me,” he said after completing 25 of 43 passes. “The defense made some big stops. We expected it to be a shootout.”

Harrison Carter runs for a first down in the first half. He rushed for two scores and caught a touchdown pass.

Thomas also ran for 52 yards, using his legs to buy time for receivers to get open downfield or scrambling out of the pocket to keep drives alive. He did just that in the final minute of the first half when he sidestepped a blitz, then launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to Demare Dezeurn to pull the visiting Dolphins to within 28-27.

Dezeurn, who transferred from Alemany over the summer, also caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and a one-yard touchdown pass with 6:35 left in the game that proved to be the decisive score. The junior receiver/defensive back also returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown to put the Dolphins ahead for good midway through the third quarter. He had seven receptions for 151 yards.

Palisades scored 22 unanswered points in the third quarter to build a 49-35 advantage, but the Gondoliers got back-to-back touchdowns to pull within two points early in the fourth quarter.

Harrison Carter carried 16 times for 71 yards and scored on runs of 14 and 10 yards in the first half. He also had four receptions for 116 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown catch that gave the Dolphins a 14-point lead with five seconds left in the third quarter. Malachi Ross had 10 catches for 154 yards, including a seven-yard scoring grab for Palisades’ first points of the second half.

The schools have split the last six league titles, and Friday’s win moved the Dolphins (7-0, 2-0) into sole possession of first place with three games left. Palisades crept closer to leveling the head-to-head series but for now Venice still has a narrow 31-27-1 lead.

Palisades teammates congratulate Enzo Allen on his game-clinching interception with 10 seconds remaining.

Bennett Dome completed 24 of 39 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score for Venice (3-4, 1-1) but was intercepted three times, the first by Tavian Talbert at the Dolphins’ 38 late in the first quarter.

Aaron Minter caught 13 passes for 248 yards—including touchdown grabs of 10 and 63 yards for Venice, while Joshua Aaron rushed 20 times for 151 yards and four touchdowns, the last from 10 yards out that cut the Dolphins’ lead to 56-54 with 4:02 left.

Palisades drove from its own 20 to the Venice 15 before a fourth-down pass was incomplete with 59 seconds left, giving the ball back to the Gondoliers, who marched to their own 40 in four plays before a pass got tipped past the line of scrimmage and grabbed by Allen near midfield. Having already used its three timeouts, Venice could not stop the clock and with the offense lined up in victory formation, Thomas took a knee to let the final seconds tick off.

Palisades, which plays University on homecoming Friday, October 17, at Santa Monica College, stayed on track for an Open Division playoff berth as one of the top eight reams in the City Section.

“We have to keep getting better,” said Thomas, who has 2,196 yards through the air with 28 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 138.7 quarterback rating this season. “Open is no joke.”

Augie Evans paced the defense with 12 tackles. Allen had 11, Skyler Walters had 10, and Talbert had eight tackles and two pass deflections. Carter Schwartz continued his reliable kicking, booming one of his kickoffs into the end zone for a touchback, placing three punts inside the 20 and converting six of seven extra point tries.

“I’m proud of everyone—this is a huge win,” Smith said. “We have to keep working and it starts with practice on Monday.”

The Palisades-Venice winner went on to capture eight of the last 10 league titles. If the Dolphins are victors in their last three games they will continue that trend.

Week 7: Palisadian-Post Football Contest

By
Steve Galluzzo
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The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, is back in season.

“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you think will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”

There is an online submission process, making it easier than ever to participate. Contestants can simply download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. The contest runs through the end of the NFL regular season.

The deadline to enter for Week 7 is October 17 at 5 p.m. The entry form will be posted no later than Thursday each week on the Post website, Facebook and Instagram.

Only one entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card by email from our new contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe (located at 11726 Barrington Ct. in Brentwood Village). The Post thanks The Yogurt Shoppe for allowing us to continue this 30-year-old tradition.

Good luck to all participants and happy prognosticating!

Storm-Related Evacuation Warning Issued in Pacific Palisades

By
Sarah Shmerling
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A map provided by Genasys Protect with the evacuation warning

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Ahead of anticipated rain, the city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning for “possible debris flows” in the Palisades fire burn scar area, according to Los Angeles Fire Department, which will be in effect from Monday, October 13, at 10 p.m. through Wednesday, October 15, at 6 a.m.

“Prepare for possible evacuations in the zones: LFD-1081, 1083, 1085, 1087, 1089, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1096, 1097 and 0891 (Mandeville),” according to LAFD Spokesperson Margaret Stewart. “The Los Angeles Police Department will go door to door to visit each high-risk home with additional information.”

There are approximately 60 properties the city has reported to be “especially vulnerable to any potential debris flows,” which will be contacted by LAPD.

“The National Weather Service has forecasted rain and potential thunderstorms through Tuesday, October 14, across the LA region,” according to the city. “The NWS has also issued a Flood Watch impacting burn scar areas, including the Pacific Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, that will go into effect at 8 p.m. tonight, October 13, through Tuesday afternoon, October 14, with peak rainfall anticipated Tuesday morning.”

LAFD provided the following resources:

“Four to six hours of rain is likely with the coasts/valleys receiving up to 1.5 inches and the foothills/mountains up to 3.5 inches,” according to LAFD. “Additionally, winds of 40 to 55 mph are anticipated. There is a chance (10 to 20%) of significant flash flooding/debris flows across recent burn scars.”

LAFD provides sand and up to 25 free sandbags per household at “all LAFD fire stations” year-round. “As seasonal conditions warrant,” free sand is available at locations across city of LA, including LAFD Station 23, located at 17281 Sunset Boulevard in the Palisades.

“If you live near a hillside, please take precautions: clear gutters, move vehicles off the street and pickup sandbags at your nearest LAFD station,” Councilmember Traci Park said. “Stay indoors during heavy rain and sign up for updates at emergency.lacity.gov. Please stay alert and stay safe.”

Caltrans is closing a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard—from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive—two hours early at 10 p.m. on Monday until Tuesday at 5 a.m. in advance of the storm. The stretch of highway, which is “an active work zone for ongoing recovery efforts from the Palisades fire and winter storms,” is typically closed to the public between 12 and 5 a.m. daily.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced at 6:15 p.m. on Monday that his office pre-deployed additional storm safety resources to Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and Santa Barbara counties ahead of “extreme weather.”

“California is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to ensure every community is protected as this major Pacific storm moves in,” Newsom said. “State and local partners are mobilized, resources are in place and we urge all residents to heed safety guidance and stay vigilant as this weather evolves.”

Some of the pre-deployed resources include “swift-water rescue teams, mud and debris flow crews, as well as heavy-duty high-water vehicles.” More than 200 personnel and dozens of pieces of equipment, including fire engines, bulldozers, hand crews, helicopters and front loaders, have been prepositioned, according to Newsom.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. with additional information from the city and updated again at 6:50 p.m. with information from Caltrans regarding Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the office of the governor regarding pre-deployed resources. 

Mayor Bass Seeks Measure ULA Exemption for Palisades Fire Victims

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Mayor Karen Bass at Palisades Recreation Center on Monday, January 27
Photo by Sarah Shmerling

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Mayor Karen Bass called on City Council to adopt an ordinance that would assist in establishing a “one-time exemption to Measure ULA” for Pacific Palisades homeowners, as announced Thursday, October 9.

The “Measure United to House Los Angeles” was approved by voters in the city of Los Angeles in November 2022 to create a real estate transfer tax. The tax applies to the sale of properties valued over a certain threshold (currently 4% for sales over $5.3 million and 5.5% for sales over $10.6 million), to “fund affordable housing projects and provide resources to tenants at risk of homelessness.”

“I don’t want you to lose hope over the ULA issue, as I do believe we’re going to get that done,” Bass said during a webinar on September 17. “I feel passionately that anyone who lost their home or was affected by the fires shouldn’t have to pay the transfer tax.”

Bass is requesting in a letter to City Council dated October 9 exemption for owners of homes, condominiums and other residential housing whose ownership was affected by the “devastating wildfires” from Measure ULA for a “one-time exemption over three years,” which will “speed up sales of these properties and spur rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Palisades.”

“This will create more housing citywide, and generate higher Measure ULA tax revenue when these rebuilt or renovated properties are subsequently sold to new homeowners because those second and subsequent sales will remain subject to Measure ULA,” she continued.

Bass wrote that the exemption for fire-affected properties from Measure ULA could be accomplished in two steps.

“For the first step, I request that the City Council adopt an ordinance giving the director of finance increased delegated authority to promulgate rules that grant this limited one-time exemption to Measure ULA,” she wrote. “I request that the council adopt such an ordinance as soon as possible. I look forward to signing it into law.

“After adoption of the ordinance, I will issue an executive directive instructing the director of finance to promulgate a temporary exemption that provides much-needed relief for those Palisades residents who owned and occupied residential property in the Palisades at the time of the fire, avoids unintended loopholes and furthers the purpose of ULA.”

The letter follows a meeting between Bass and Steadfast LA Founder Rick Caruso, who she said proposed ideas to help address the issue.

“The mayor’s plan to create a time-limited exemption from the Measure ULA property transfer tax will help homeowners who need to or wish to move from the fire-impacted area and speed up sales of these properties and spur rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Palisades,” read a statement.

Since Measure ULA was adopted by voters, it has generated “hundreds of millions of dollars” to fund “affordable housing development and preservation,” according to Bass.

“Yet, the measure, as written, is silent on an issue now affecting our Palisades community: how to exempt natural disaster survivors who are impacted by Measure ULA’s costs as they attempt to rebuild their families’ lives,” Bass said. “The successful rebuilding and revitalization of the Palisades is contingent on new homes quickly being built on vacant residential lots and on the timely sale of those lots or of those residences left standing by homeowners who want to leave the area. Many homeowners affected by the fires are long-time residents living on fixed incomes and with much of their life savings tied to the equity in their property. Some of these owners want to leave the fire zone area and rebuild their lives in other communities, giving an opportunity for a new owner to rebuild on the now vacant lot or renovate an older home still standing.

“But potential buyers of these Palisades residential properties are factoring in the cost of Measure ULA to make lower than market value offers. Sellers may be unable or unwilling to accept these low offers resulting in vacant residential lots that continue to sit empty and houses not destroyed being stuck on the market. This makes it harder for homeowners, even if they need to or wish to move, and delays or potentially misses the opportunity for the recovery and rebuilding of the Palisades.”

Students Return to Marquez Campus

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photos by Sarah Shmerling

Temporary Buildings Placed While Permanent Reconstruction Plans Are Underway

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Just under nine months after the Palisades fire began, students returned to the Marquez Charter Elementary School campus on Tuesday, September 30.

The school, which had been temporarily co-housed with Nora Sterry Elementary School, is now convening in the lower portion of the Marquez campus in temporary buildings while plans to build permanent facilities are underway. A series of design update community meetings regarding the rebuild have begun, with an additional meeting anticipated to take place this fall.

The decision to return to the campus during the reconstruction process was made following a survey of Marquez families and staff, Los Angeles Unified School District officials said during a media briefing on Monday, September 29.

“As some families begin to rebuild and others return to their standing homes in the area, I’m proud that LA Unified has an option for kids to attend school near home,” LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin said in a statement. “With input from the school community at each step, my office and district officials have worked diligently to build this facility, and to reassure families through extensive and ongoing environmental testing that this is a safe environment.”

Following the Palisades fire, Marquez was considered a “total loss,” including 37 classrooms, four permanent buildings, 20 relocatable buildings, three lunch shelter/shade structures, and two play structures.

The families at Palisades Charter Elementary School, whose campus was also damaged in the fire, have elected to stay at Brentwood Science Magnet School through the rebuild process, officials explained, citing that the Marquez campus has additional space, which allowed the interim buildings to be set up while permanent construction will take place.

Marquez’ current enrollment is 130 students, according to LAUSD. Prior to the Palisades fire, it was approximately 310. The temporary campus has 19 classrooms, which means that it can hold up to 300-plus students. It is also staffed as if 310 students are enrolled.

LAUSD estimated that 75% of Marquez families are currently living outside of the Palisades. Prior to the fire, 85% of Marquez families were living within the community.

Debris at Marquez was removed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in spring, with further assessments, including infrastructure, completed in the summer, LAUSD reported. Portable classrooms with administration/support, library and food services were then installed.

“Planning, design and construction of proposed permanent facilities will occur over the next few years,” LAUSD reported, “with an eye on fully reopening in 2028.”

LAUSD explained that the temporary campus cost about $19 million, including “cleanup, decontamination and construction.” Funding sources for the rebuild at Marquez include voter-approved bond funds (approximately $202.6 million), according to LAUSD. Officials said anything received from insurance and FEMA funding would go toward reimbursing the bond.

After Phase 1 (Household Hazardous Waste Removal) and Phase 2 (Debris Removal, including site assessment and removal of asbestos and the top three to six inches of surface soils within burnt building footprints), LAUSD completed site-wide debris removal.

There was also an environmental assessment of soils, comprehensive environmental assessment and cleanup of building interiors, and LAUSD pre-occupancy testing and inspection. Officials reported that the temporary buildings that have been placed, which were not on campus during the fire, were also tested.

There will be on-going environmental monitoring at Marquez at three locations, according to officials, through the LA Unified Know Your Air Network 2.0. This includes “enhanced air quality monitoring for PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and weather data,” which will be available in “real-time with online public access.”

The school hosted a press conference on campus its first day back, where local officials spoke to media and parents gathered, including LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Councilmember Traci Park, Principal Lisa Timmerman, Melvoin’s District Director & Senior Advisor Allison Holdorff Polhill, and two Marquez students and teachers.

Carvalho spoke first, thanking Timmerman for her leadership during “very trying times” and for the “elegance” with which she welcomed students, teachers, support staff and families. He also spoke on accelerating the rebuild process “as much as we can.”

“This isn’t just a school reopening,” Park said on September 30. “As the superintendent said, it’s a promise kept that our children will always have a place to learn and to dream, and it’s also a reminder that the Palisades may bend, but it doesn’t break. No doubt, there’s a long road ahead, but by 2028, a brand-new Marquez will rise right here.”

PPCC Meeting Includes Marvin Braude Bike Trail Repairs Update, Pali LTRG Presentation

By
Sarah Shmerling
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February 2024 Marvin Braude Beach Trail storm damage
Photo courtesy of LA County Public Works

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Pacific Palisades Community Council board meeting on Thursday, September 25, included several updates, including the approval of additional grants, an update on Marvin Braude Bike Trail repairs and Santa Monica Canyon Channel Outlet restoration, and a presentation on Palisades Long Term Recovery Group.

The board approved five additional grants from donations received by PPCC that were recommended by its Grants Committee, chaired by Quentin Fleming: Pali LTRG, Lotus Rising LA, Friends of Marquez, St. Matthew’s Parish School and Pacific Palisades Baseball Association.

Pali LTRG received $17,500 to support its Senior Recovery & Resilience Program, while Lotus Rising LA received $4,000 to “help defray the cost of producing a ‘Ready Rebuild – Prefab 101’ event,” which took place at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 on September 27.

Friends of Marquez received $11,833 to purchase a “large ‘pole tent’ to be used for student, family and school-wide events” at the Marquez Charter Elementary School campus, and St. Matthew’s received $25,000 to go toward the renovation of its outdoor gathering spaces.

PPBA received $50,000 to go toward the restoration of the “Field of Dreams,” as well as associated facilities at Palisades Recreation Center, including replacing landscaping, fencing and storage infrastructure; rebuilding a burned dugout; replacing destroyed equipment containers; replacing maintenance equipment, including lawnmowers; and purchasing replacement equipment for league and community use.

Later in the meeting, Kerjon Lee and Yggy Ruiz of Los Angeles County Public Works gave a presentation with updates on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail repairs and Santa Monica Canyon Channel Outlet restoration—with work expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The “region’s most popular bike path,” with an estimated 10,000 users per day, Marvin Braude Beach Trail stretches 22 miles from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance. An extended portion between Will Rogers State Beach and Santa Monica with a new trail added for cyclists opened to the public in May 2023. It was then damaged in February 2024 following a series of storms where the Palisades saw about 15 inches of rain, Lee explained.

Repair work began on Monday, August 4, according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. The project was approved in December 2024, with FEMA authorization granted on May 20 and a construction contract executed on May 27. The project is FEMA eligible, due to a federal disaster declaration, Ruiz explained.

Repair work, with a budget of $4.2 million, includes restoring and improving the bike trail, Ruiz said, as well as modifying the channel outlet for “better flow and erosion control.” This will “enhance safety, resilience and recreational access.” Trail improvements include a bike path shift, eliminating the lower loop near the tidal zone, grading and replacement of the new trail, and enhanced durability and accessibility, Ruiz reported.

The final presentation of the evening was given by Jim Cragg, president of Pali LTRG, which is part of the VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disasters) network and established after the Palisades fire to provide “recovery assistance to the community”—particularly to “vulnerable and/or at-risk residents, including those without insurance and the elderly.”

Jessica Rogers serves as vice chair/executive director, with Richard Lombari as vice chair, Martin Hak as finance chair/treasurer and Elynor Chiu as secretary. The group launched on August 8 at Post 283

Its primary goal is to provide “disaster case management to affected residents with unmet needs.” Secondary and supporting efforts include communication, wellness and education, construction and safety, volunteers, and small business and employment.

“Disaster Case Managers serve as the primary link between people with disaster-related unmet needs and the LTRG,” read the presentation. “Families and residents often don’t know what assistance is available, how to access it and where to turn for support. Those in greatest need … may require specific forms of information and communication.”

VOAD works with 40-plus charity organizations, like the Salvation Army and Red Cross, Cragg explained, with roughly 10% of the population qualifying for support through the effort.

“These major relief organizations have turned to our group to help identify and vet over 10,000 Palisades families in need of money, manpower, materials and information to get their lives back,” Cragg said at the launch event in August. “Palisadians are relying on us.”

The other 90% of the population will be able to benefit from other efforts Pali LTRG will put on, including classes and informational fairs.

For more information, including links to the presentations, visit pacpalicc.org.

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