Palisades Recreation Center Photo by Arden Seretean
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
An open community meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Palisades Recreation Center regarding its rebuild effort.
Representatives from the city of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, the offices of Mayor Karen Bass and Council District 11, and philanthropic partners Steadfast LA and LA Sports Strong will host the meeting.
The meeting will give attendees the chance to “learn more and discuss the plans to redesign and rebuild the rec center after the damage caused by January’s wildfires.”
Parts of the recreation center property—including the large gym, tennis center and maintenance buildings—were destroyed in the Palisades fire, while the small gym, which dates back to the 1940s, was spared. Some programming has temporarily resumed in the space, including pickleball.
The launch of a public-private partnership that will fund, redesign and rebuild Palisades Recreation Center was announced on April 10, with participation from city entities as well as Steadfast LA and LA Sports Strong.
Steadfast LA—led by Rick Caruso—launched in February to assemble the “expertise, influence and power” of the private sector to expedite the rebuilding of the communities destroyed by the wildfires.
LA Strong Sports was formed by JJ and Chelsea Redick, Charles and Jenna Jackson, and Kylee Kilgore to build and sustain sports, recreation facilities and programs in LA in the aftermath of the wildfires.
“This privately funded project aims to revive the heart of the Palisades community,” read the Steadfast LA website about the rec center, “creating a vibrant space for families to gather, play and create lasting memories for generations to come.”
The October 7 meeting will take place at 851 Alma Real Drive.
2024 Golden Sparkplug Carlos Rodriguez Photo by Steve Galluzzo
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Nominations are now being accepted by Pacific Palisades Community Council for the 2025 Citizen of the Year and Golden Sparkplug awards, which will be presented at the organization’s annual Awards Gala on December 11 at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar.
The deadline for nominations, which must be submitted by email to info@pacpalicc.org, is Friday, October 17, at 5 p.m.
“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.
Palisadians are invited to enjoy a meal at “The Longest Table,” which will be set up along Pampas Ricas Boulevard in The Huntington from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 5.
The event, hosted by Team Palisades, The Longest Table, Huntington Palisades Property Owners Corporation and Council District 11, will include a “potluck lunch, stories and connection.”
“Imagine an outdoor picnic lunch at a table that holds 500 people, from every neighborhood in Pacific Palisades,” read an event description. “The Longest Table is a free community event that aims to represent all of our neighborhoods, celebrate our city, and meet new neighbors and friends.”
Tables and chairs will be provided, with guests encouraged to bring enough food, non-alcoholic beverages and utensils for their party. Seating will be first come, first served, and Pampas Ricas will be closed to traffic from Sunset/Chautauqua boulevards to Ocampo Drive.
“Let’s connect, create community, eat and have fun,” the event description concluded.
Team Palisades is a “neighbor-led support network formed in the aftermath” of the Palisades fire. It is “built on the Block Captain framework developed” by After The Fire USA.
“We mobilize to share trusted resources, challenge broken systems and ensure that every resident—renters, seniors, families—has a fair path home,” read its website. “This isn’t just about recovery. It’s about renewal. We’re building the new Palisades together.”
Casa Gateway—a residential complex for seniors and families in the Highlands—reopened following the completion of remediation work after receiving smoke damage in the Palisades fire and being impacted by following mudslides.
Leaders from local organizations, including Community Organized Relief Effort, California Community Foundation, Department of Angels, Change Reaction, All Hands & Hearts, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, joined Mayor Karen Bass to celebrate the reopening on September 29.
“Casa Gateway shows that when government, philanthropy and community solve problems together, we can move nimbly to meet needs swiftly at a critical time,” said Miguel Santana, president and CEO of California Community Foundation. “This is about much more than repairing fire damage—it’s about restoring dignity, stability and confidence to those who’ve been through so much since the Palisades fire.”
CORE and its partners, which included Change Reaction, NDLON, All Hands & Hearts and Department of Angels, remediated affected units, according to a statement from Bass’ office, removing and replacing attic insulation, replacing interior hallway flooring, and painting interior hallways and community spaces.
“The city’s Emergency Management Department and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships worked to secure funding to facilitate six inches of mud removal caused by wet weather earlier this year, irrigation repairs, and external wall and tile replacement to complete the work to restore Casa Gateway,” the statement continued.
Casa Gateway has been managed by Lordon Management company since October 2024, according to CORE Vice President, Communications & Marketing, Jaya Vadlamudi.
“They reached out to the city to request assistance for remediation,” Vadlamudi said, “and they also were very helpful in getting the CORE team connected to residents to get signed up for remediation.”
Chamber Music Palisades will open its 29th season of concerts on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.
The concert will feature New Hollywood String Quartet—with Tereza Stanislav (violin), Rafael Rishik (violin), Robert Brophy (viola) and Andrew Shulman (cello)—and Susan Greenberg, artistic director and co-founder of Chamber Music Palisades, on flute.
“[Greenberg] is former flutist with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and presently first flute with Santa Monica Symphony,” read information from Chamber Music Palisades. “Tereza Stanislav, currently assistant concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls. Composer and violinist Rafael Rishik spent several years performing with the Camerata Pacifica and is a founding member of the New Hollywood String Quartet.”
Brophy is a member of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and has performed with Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera and other West Coast chamber music series, according to Chamber Music Palisades, and Shulman is a “globally celebrated English cellist and conductor” who has been principal cellist of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 2008.
The program will include three pieces: Arthur Foote’s “A Night Piece” for flute and string quartet, Joseph Hadyn’s “Symphony No. 101 in D Major” (The Clock) and Maurice Ravel’s “String Quartet in F Major.”
KUSC Host and Chamber Music Palisades associate Alan Chapman will provide “informative in-person program notes.”
Tickets are available for $35 online or at the door, with a subscription to all four concerts in the 2025-26 season available online for $120. Full-time students with ID can attend for free.
The concert will take place at Chamber Music Palisades’ “temporary home,” Brentwood Presbyterian Church, located at 12000 San Vicente Boulevard. There is free parking available in the underground parking lot located off Bundy on the east side between San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue, according to Chamber Music Palisades.
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 5 is October 3, 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!
CVS hosts a ribbon cutting and block party on September 19. Photo by Sarah Shmerling
CVS Hosts Ribbon Cutting and Communitywide Block Party
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Additional businesses have reopened in Pacific Palisades this September, including BOCA clothing store and two dental offices.
Patrick C. Park D.D.S.
Dr. Patrick C. Park, a general dentist with a focus on family and cosmetic dentistry, reopened his Monument Street office on Monday, September 15.
After the Palisades fire forced the closure of his office, Park described, like “everyone else,” being “king of stumped”: “I didn’t know what next recourse was.” Then, a friend offered a chair for Park to practice two days per week in Santa Monica on Fridays and Saturdays. He said he was “so grateful,” and that many of his patients were able to come and see him there.
In addition to the office itself being renovated, according to Park, insurance helped replace all of his equipment.
The office of Patrick C. Park, D.D.S. Photo courtesy of Dr. Patrick Park
Park explained to the Palisadian-Post that he immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea at the age of 12, growing up in the El Medio Bluffs area, attending Paul Revere Charter Middle School.
“I love this town and that’s why I’m here,” Park said, noting he wants to “help this community come back.”
The office, which is accepting new patients, is located at 984 Monument Street in Suite #208. Its current hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and evenings are available for patients by appointment only.
For more information, visit patrickparkdds.com.
Palisades Wine & Spirits
In the Highlands area, Palisades Wine & Spirits has reopened with a selection of wines, liquors and beers for sale in September.
“After serving the Pacific Palisades community for more than eight years, it was very challenging to have our doors closed for such a long time,” Owner Tabi Ferede said to the Post. “We are happy to share that Palisades Wine & Spirits has officially reopened.”
The store, located at 544 Palisades Drive, is currently open Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“This reopening means so much to us,” Ferede said. “I have been running the store almost every day sometimes seven days a week on my own … I truly believe in this community, and I am committed to serving it again.”
BOCA
Clothing store BOCA—which has multiple-decade roots in the community—reopened on Friday, September 12, following an eight-month closure since the Palisades fire.
“BOCA is more than a store, it’s a family committed to the Palisades,” read its website. “After 31 years in business, we are standing with our community, stronger than ever, to rebuild what was lost. Together, with time, love and loyalty, we will rise again.”
Owned and operated by Denise and Michael Mangimelli, the store has roots in the community dating back to when it originally opened in September 1994. It is located at 970 Monument Street in Suite 106.
BOCA—short for “Boutique of Contemporary Apparel”—features a “thoughtfully curated selection of casual-chic women’s apparel designed to reflect the effortless elegance of the California lifestyle.” The offerings include “clothing that is both modern and timeless.”
Speaking to the Post on Wednesday, September 17, Denise described having “four unbelievable days” after the store reopened. Denise credited Hilary Barrett—who she affectionately referred to as “The Boss”—with helping get the store back up and running.
The store’s current hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Scott A. Warner
Scott A. Warner, D.D.S.
The Monument Street office of Scott A. Warner, D.D.S., reopened on September 5, following its closure since the Palisades fire.
“After months of remediation, reconstruction and remodeling following the fire, our office will officially reopen on Friday, September 5,” Warner said before the reopening. “The building has been fully restored from the ground up, and our office has been completely refreshed and remodeled with new floors, walls, windows and cabinets.”
The “premiere father-son dental practice” was founded in 1989, read its website, with Warner’s son, Dr. Dylan J. Warner, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Arielle E. Jones, joining in 2017.
Following the Palisades fire, Warner had been temporarily caring for patients out of an office in Brentwood since the end of January. They wrapped up care at the site the last week of August.
“We look forward to welcoming you back and continuing to support your oral health and well-being,” Warner concluded. “Thank you for being a part of our dental family. We’re so excited to see you again in our newly restored office.”
The office is located at 984 Monument Street in Suite 207. Its current hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. by appointment.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 310-459-7861 or visit drwarner.net.
CD 11 Pacific Palisades Field Deputy Arus Grigoryan speaks at CVS. Photo by Sarah Shmerling
CVS Pharmacy
Though the store had a soft reopening on Friday, August 15, CVS Pharmacy celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community block party on Friday, September 19.
“After months of hard work, we’re thrilled to welcome back customers to our Swarthmore Avenue CVS Pharmacy store,” said Michael Ibrahim, division vice president, CVS Pharmacy. “From the day the wildfires devastated the area, our commitment to the community has been unwavering, and I want to thank the store team for working tirelessly over the last several months to reopen this location. With community rebuilding efforts underway, we’re focused on ensuring hardworking first responders, construction workers and community members have access to the products they need.”
The store has been rebuilt with an “expanded pharmacy,” as well as a “private consultation and vaccination area.” There is also an “improved in-store delivery pickup area” and “updated layout.”
“In addition, the initial product mix has been curated to meet the needs of those currently shopping the store, primarily construction teams working in the area, and features an expanded assortment of grab-and-go foods, snacks and drinks,” according to CVS. “As residents begin to return to the Pacific Palisades over the coming months and years, the store’s offerings will shift to meet the evolving needs of the community.”
Located at 864 Swarthmore Avenue, CVS is currently open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The YMCA Pumpkin Patch in 2023 Photo by Sarah Shmerling
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
As summer turns to fall, Palisadians can look forward to the return of a beloved tradition that dates back four decades: The annual YMCA Pumpkin Patch is set to open at Simon Meadow on Thursday, October 2, and run through October 30.
“Come enjoy the YMCA Pumpkin Patch, the best pumpkin patch in the Palisades … since the 1980s,” Lowe Family YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley said to the Palisadian-Post. “We will have a large array of pumpkins, gourds and ornamental squash for everyone to enjoy.”
Special events set to take place at the patch, which serves as a fundraiser for the YMCA, include the Santa Monica College glass pumpkin sale on October 11. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the SMC Art Department, Lowe Family YMCA (previously named the Palisades-Malibu YMCA) and local artists.
“The SMC Glass Pumpkin Sales are wonderful opportunities to buy handcrafted glass pumpkins,” read information about the event. “Each pumpkin is a truly unique work of art that can enhance fall-season home and office decor, as well as satisfy holiday and year-round gift needs.”
There will also be a Winding Way art installation on display, including “upcycled scarecrows and branch webs,” artist Cindy Simon described.
“Winding Way will have a fun art installation brought to you by Cindy Simon, let the little ones try to make it through the Hay Maze or take a family photo with one of our displays,” Kirtley continued. “Make memories at your YMCA Pumpkin Patch.”
This year, the patch hours will be Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We thought it was of vital importance to have the Y Pumpkin Patch for the kids and families to continue to make memories like we all have made in the past,” Kirtley said.
YMCA will also host a “mini pumpkin patch” at Palisades Charter Elementary School’s Yeehaw Day, which will take place on October 18 at the Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet campus.
The patch will also host school field trips on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for interested programs.
Jessica Rogers Photo courtesy of Jessica Rogers
In addition to a truckload of pumpkins, there will be a selection available grown by Palisadian Jessica Rogers with the help of Bruce Schwartz.
“I grew these pumpkins on my burned down lot to bring joy to my land, spark the interest of my neighbors, light up children’s faces as they walked by and help heal my grief,” Rogers said. “It was a tremendous success. Bruce says I am now a farmer.”
Each year, Schwartz partners with local spaces, including Theatre Palisades, to plant a batch of pumpkins to grow for the patch. This year, following the Palisades fire, Rogers volunteered to grow the pumpkins.
“The pumpkins were a huge attraction on my street,” she described. “People more often than not would slow down or stop their cars to look at the pumpkins, which were such a contrast to the dark empty lots. The little pumpkin patch put a smile on everyone’s face and was an incredibly good conversation starter.”
Rogers said the experience allowed her to meet new neighbors. She described spending “many hours listening to survivor stories.”
“The pumpkins proved to be a safe place to make casual conversation while also healing our hearts from the heaviness around us,” she said. “There will be more opportunities to create joy as we rebuild and grow our hearts stronger and more resilient.”
Simon Meadow is located at 15551 W. Sunset Boulevard.
The offices of Councilmember Traci Park and Mayor Karen Bass co-hosted the Return & Rebuild LA Strong webinar on Wednesday evening, September 17, which included a question and answer period for residents to inquire about rebuild and permitting options in the Palisades.
“We reached a major milestone this month with the completion of the [U.S.] Army Corps of Engineers’ Private Property Debris Removal Program nearly a year ahead of original expectations, and overall the debris removal is 99% complete,” Bass said at the beginning of the 90-minute webinar. “Every week more and more Palisadians are starting the rebuilding process.”
At the time of the meeting, more than 1,400 applications had been submitted, according to Bass, with more than 690 plans approved and 220 homes confirmed to have started construction.
“If you’re having problems at any step along the way in the process, please reach out to us,” Bass said. “I was talking to [Pali Strong Founder] Larry Vein and it was mentioned that people are having problems with the hillsides and slopes, so we want to figure out how to address that. As much as I want to say I want to eliminate all red tape, there will be challenges.”
Bass also spoke on ULA tax, created by the “Measure United to House Los Angeles,” which 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. “I feel passionately that anyone who lost their home or was affected by the fires shouldn’t have to pay the transfer tax.”
Next to speak was Park, who also addressed ULA.
“We await a final report back from the city that will be scheduled in the budget and finance committee before it comes to the full city council for a vote,” Park explained. “ULA reform is a huge issue for many of you, and I’ll continue to work closely with [Bass] on that.”
Park also commented on recovery process, citing the mayor’s support, “particularly on the permit fee waivers.”
The first presentation of the webinar was made by Vince Bertoni, planning director for the city of LA, who said single-family homeowners who want to build back what was lost or explore other zoning compliance design options can do it through a streamlined administrative process “which is less time, less cost and less risk.”
“One of the things we started with is removing planning clearances, any discretionary actions and reviews for like for like rebuilds—what you had before with a little more (up to 110%) in the same location—with no public hearing, no discretionary review and no coastal development permit process,” he explained. “This means all properties that are utilizing Executive Order 1 wouldn’t have any planning clearance. The only ones that would have a planning review would be a new Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit on a bluff. No matter where you are, coastal or non-coastal, there’s no planning review in a like for like, except for that rare situation of the ADU that didn’t exist before.”
Senior City Planner Shannon Ryan, who attended Corpus Christi School and would later get married there, detailed Executive Order 1 (like for like) and Executive Order 8 (zoning compliance). She affirmed that “like for like” applies to all buildings (single-family, multi-family and commercial) with 110% of footprint and height and is exempt from CEQA, Coastal Act and Mello Act reviews, but it excludes development that did not exist before the fire, like pools or retaining walls. LA Department of Building and Safety will determine if a project qualifies for EO 1.
“For those who want to build something larger than what the like for like option would allow, EO 8 could be a good path for you,” Ryan said. “It allows for zoning compliance single-family rebuild in the coastal zone. Under this option any damaged or destroyed house can be rebuilt to the maximum size permitted by the zoning code without coastal or environmental review when meeting the requirements of the order, including adding accessory dwelling units, basements, retaining walls and pools. EO 8 reduces what typically would’ve been an 18- to 24-month long review process to one that might only take a few days or a couple of months.”
Setback requirements are 25 feet for coastal bluffs and 10 feet for canyon bluffs.
LADBS General Manager Osama Younan said the Palisades rebuild is a “top priority” and presented a step-by-step plan for getting a permit. The best way to submit is online at eplanla.lacity.org, he said, but it can also be done in person Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the One-Stop Rebuilding Center (1828 Sawtelle Boulevard).
Requirements for a complete submittal are architectural plans; structural plans and calculations; calculations for energy code compliance; and civil plans/reports, if grading activity is being performed. Younan verified that previously approved plans using 2019 California Building Code or later versions will be accepted.
Archistar CEO Dr. Benjamin Coorey used a visual slideshow presentation to diagram how the AI Pre-Plan Check works.
“There are three checks we’re doing—like for like, zoning and building code—and the benefits include streamlined plan reviews, reduced wait-time, and re-submissions and increased consistency of reviews,” he said.
The website to register for a free account is start.archistar.ai/us/lacity.
Regarding the Self-Certification Pilot Program, Younan stated that eligibility applies to homes up to three stories, including ADUs and recreation rooms (excluding projects in geologically sensitive areas and non-standard swimming pools). The newly established Standard Plan for Single Family Home Pilot Program is a way to speed up the permitting process, and Younan encouraged architects, engineers and builders to get design approval from DBS and to submit designs by September 30 to be part of the first batch release. Benefits of using a Standard Plan for homeowners include lower design costs, code compliance for safety and resilience, and customizable interiors.
“We’ve received complaints that work is being done without a permit,” Younan said. “If you see something like this go to our website and report it. Once we get that we’ll have an investigator inspect the property and if we find out there’s a code violation for doing work without a permit we’ll send out an inspection case manager to guide them through the permit process. Every complaint we receive will be addressed.”
When asked if temporary structures will be allowed while waiting for rebuild approvals, Younan answered: “Yes, they’ll be allowed for the duration of the project, however long it takes.”
In response to a question about residents being allowed to add ADUs, duplexes or townhomes during rebuilding, Ryan said: “Under EO 1 and EO 8 applicants can apply for new accessory dwelling units to be added to their single-family home lot but they’re not eligible to add units beyond that. The ADU can be built prior to or concurrently with a single-family dwelling but no additional density can be added. The mayor’s Executive Order 9 suspends the use of Senate Bill 9 in the burn area. That would’ve allowed the development of up to four units on a single-family lot and that’s now been suspended.”
Before (left) and after completed repairs near 17632 Castellammare Drive Photos courtesy of City of LA
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting on the evening of Thursday, September 11, included updates and presentations on grants the board has awarded, a temporary library facility, and current and future Palisades infrastructure projects by the Bureau of Engineering.
Following its reception of donations from entities like California Community Foundation, PPCC assembled a Grants Committee, chaired by Quentin Fleming, which recommended its first two grants: $75,000 to Palisades Forestry Committee and $15,000 to Crayon Collection—both of which were unanimously approved by the PPCC board following a presentation and discussion.
Palisades Forestry Committee, which is chaired by David Card, will use the funds to coordinate the watering of street trees (trees in parkways) in the Palisades with water trucks that are operated and managed by Tracey Price of American Growers Company (a 2,000-gallon truck) and Valeria Serna of Resilient Palisades (500-gallon truck).
The two trucks, with accompanying two-person crews, will water street trees in five specific regions (Marquez Knolls, El Medio Bluffs, Via Mesa, Alphabet Streets and the Huntington) between Marquez Avenue and Chautauqua Boulevard weekly from mid-September through the end of November.
“Thank you very much,” Card said. “We appreciate it, and the trees will really appreciate it.”
When asked about additional trees in other areas of the Palisades, Card explained the funds would cover a “limited number of trees” but could potentially be expanded. He also said he would work with Council District 11’s office, which committed to provide water for 304 street trees in the Palisades.
The second grant, which was also unanimously approved by the PPCC board, will support Crayon Collection, a nonprofit founded in 2013 by Highlands resident Sheila Morovati.
The funds will be a “block grant” to commemorate the “Banners of Hope” project where students from 11 Palisades schools created art that was hung from light poles along Sunset and San Vicente boulevards by funding 4’ by 8’ banners to be gifted to each participating school. The grant will also fund art supplies and other needs for student art projects at Palisades schools, which will be determined by Crayon Collection.
Later in the meeting, Friends of the Palisades Library Board President Cameron Pfizenmaier spoke on a temporary 60’ by 60’ facility for Palisades Branch Library, which will open at Palisades Recreation Center.
Originally planned to be placed on a grassy area near the entrance of the park, the “Book Bungalow,” which will offer a “small browsing collection, holds pickup, Wi-Fi and community meeting space,” is now on track to be placed on tennis courts 7 and 8, with the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation Parks citing during an August 28 Pacific Palisades Recreation Center Park Advisory Board meeting that the department heard feedback from the community regarding preserving green space, prompting the change.
The building will also offer a space for Rec and Parks staff to work and take breaks, while ongoing reconstruction work is being completed at Palisades Recreation Center.
The library will likely be open five days per week, probably Tuesday to Saturday with limited hours, Pfizenmaier explained.
“We’re really excited to come back and have a space,” Pfizenmaier said.
At the time of the PPCC meeting, Pfizenmaier did not have an estimated timeline for when the forthcoming permanent Palisades Branch Library would be constructed or completed, adding the Friends of the Palisades Library has been “extremely vocal” about the engineering team soliciting community input prior to rebuilding.
The final presentation of the evening was delivered by Los Angeles City Bureau of Engineering Program Manager for Hillside Slope Stability Kristen Wong regarding current and future infrastructure projects in the Palisades as part of the city’s fire response.
Wong reported that 21 bulkheads/sites have been evaluated in January and February by city staff following the start of the Palisades fire. They determined that eight city-owned bulkhead or retaining wall sites (located in the public right of way, not private property) were in need of repairs.
A site near 17632 Castellammare Drive was listed as “completed,” with sites near 17470 Revello Drive, Stretto Way at Castellammare Drive and 711 Enchanted Way “substantially completed.”
“Before … there was a timber wall that suffered a lot of fire damage,” Wong said of the site that has been completed, noting repairs had been done with concrete and steel to be more fire resistant.
A site near 505 Bienveneda Avenue and 17432 Posetano Road were listed as “in construction,” with sites near 17537 Tramonto Drive and 559 Bienveneda Avenue “under further investigation.”
The next PPCC meeting is scheduled to take place on September 25. More information, including an agenda and a link to attend, can be found at pacpalicc.org.
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