By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Mitch Feinstein is preparing to debut his solo play on Sunday, November 9—and “100% of your ticket purchase goes directly toward Theatre Palisades’ rebuild efforts.”

“‘79 and a Half’ tells the story of what happens to a hard-driving, compulsive, high-power attorney when he retires and must suddenly figure out what to do with the rest of his life,” read a synopsis.  “The play chronicles his one-month journey as he faces a possible life-ending diagnosis. Told with true wit, humor and a resilient spirit, this is a powerful story about the lessons learned in life: acceptance and gratitude. It’s a journey that inspires others to embrace the cycle of life.”

Feinstein is an actor and “dedicated” Theatre Palisades board member. The theater lost its space, Pierson Playhouse, in the Palisades fire.

The show, written and performed by Feinstein, will take place at 2 p.m. at Zephyr Theatre (7456 Melrose Avenue). Tickets are available for $30.

“I hope you can come watch my play and share this experience with me,” Feinstein wrote of the show. “Follow my journey into retirement, where humor and heartbreak meet as I discover life’s most important lessons.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

A six-performance run of “The Diviners,” presented by Palisades Charter High School, will begin Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m.

By Jim Leonard Jr., “The Diviners” is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on Behalf of Samuel French as Pali High’s fall play.

All performances will take place at Lincoln Middle School, located at 1501 California Avenue in Santa Monica. Performances are scheduled for November 6, 8, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m., as well as November 15 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at $10 for students, $18 general admission and $25 VIP. Watch a trailer for the play here.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Works by members of Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore and Malibu Art Association will be showcased in the third annual Autumn Artapalooza, which will take place on Sunday, November 9, at Malibou Lake Mountain Club.

“The show is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” read information about the show, which is hosted by Malibu Art Association. “All the artwork is for sale.”

Art media on exhibit, created by 18 artists, including several members with ties to Pacific Palisades, will include original paintings, photography and sculpture.

“Join us in celebrating the vibrant talents of local artists as they showcase their incredible works in a diverse range of styles and mediums,” read an event description. “Artists from the local prestigious art associations—the Malibu Art Association and the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore—will be on hand with their paintings and sculptures for you to enjoy and purchase.”

Featured artists include Barbara Freund, who will be exhibiting her “favorite Malibu scenes,” including the lake, beaches, Malibu Pier, and area trails and canyons. Freund is “well known for her paintings depicting how we interact with and enjoy our beautiful surroundings.”

Other artists include Pamela LeGrand (exhibiting paintings inspired by the Pacific Ocean), Carla Bates (exhibiting “Ocean Portraits,” depicting her vision of the “Malibu experience”) and Wallace Wyss (showcasing pictures of exotic cars in local settings, including Paradise Cove).

“Martha Meade will be exhibiting works of still life, botanicals and, of course, her highly sought-after hand-painted tote bags,” according to information about the event. “Ruth Askren will be showing her paintings that interpret the wilderness alongside the architecture that is Los Angeles.”

Additional exhibiting artists include photographer Tim Horton, colorfield artist John De Herrera and landscape painter Inchol Kim. There will be live music on the lawn during the sale.

“Malibou Lake Mountain Club is a charming, historic venue,” read information about the venue, which is located at 29033 Lake Vista Drive in Agoura Hills. “Nestled in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains, the location is surrounded by majestic sycamore and oak trees, and sits alongside a picturesque private lake.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Lowe Family YMCA is seeking community feedback through listening sessions and surveys regarding the future of its programming and services, as well an upcoming tree lot.

“The YMCA is rebuilding, and we want to hear from you,” Executive Director Jim Kirtley wrote. “Join us for one of our upcoming Community Engagement Listening Sessions and share your voice on what programs, services and support matter most to our families, youth and neighborhoods.”

Formerly Palisades-Malibu YMCA, Lowe Family YMCA is hosting a listening session on Thursday, November 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Calvary Christian in the Waterside Room. The next session will take place at Collins & Katz Family YMCA (1466 S Westgate Avenue) on Wednesday, November 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

RSVP to either of the listening sessions here. These sessions follow the first one, which took place on Tuesday, November 4, at Palisades Recovery Coalition.

Those who cannot attend in person are encouraged to complete an online survey.

“As part of the community engagement process, we are gathering insights on how the YMCA can support Palisades and surrounding area families,” the survey link read. “Your input is invaluable in shaping programs and services that meet the needs of our diverse community. Please take a few moments to complete this survey. Your responses will help ensure the YMCA is a welcoming and resourceful space for all.”

Kirtley is also seeking feedback through a survey for the Lowe Family YMCA’s upcoming Tree Lot, which is slated to run between November 28 and December 19 at Simon Meadow.

“Before we finalize preparations, we’d love your feedback,” Kirtley wrote. “We want to make sure this year’s Tree Lot truly meets the needs of our community. Thank you for being part of the Lowe Family YMCA family. Together, we can make this season bright for all.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Councilmember Traci Park will host a virtual meeting regarding the forthcoming Temescal Canyon Dog Park in Pacific Palisades on Thursday evening, November 6, from 5 to 6 p.m.

The meeting will be hosted in partnership with City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

“Join me and our partners at LA Rec and Parks for a virtual community meeting … to review plans for the Temescal Canyon Dog Park and share your input,” Park wrote on November 1. “Your feedback will help shape the final design and guide next steps as we move this long-awaited project forward.”

The history of the dog park dates back decades, with Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group members Leslie Campbell, Carol Ross and Lynn Miller involved with bringing it to fruition.

The dog park will be located on Temescal Canyon Road near Pacific Coast Highway on the east side of the road. It will be north (or to the left, if looking at the space) of the playground/bathrooms.

As of a community engagement meeting in October 2024, draft designs of the 33,255-square-foot dog park featured two areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The design included shade and seating, as well as agility features, hydration stations, fencing (at least six feet high), gates, and native landscaping.

Sign up here to receive a link to attend the November 6 meeting.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Multiple state, county and local agencies, as well as volunteers from the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, gathered at Will Rogers State Beach near Lifeguard Headquarters on Wednesday morning, October 22, at 7 a.m. to assist in the annual Pacific Palisades Hillside Task Force.

The task force, which has taken place since 2019, was organized by Sharon Kilbride. The day includes groups splitting up to traverse hillside areas across the Palisades to monitor for people experiencing homelessness and clear out abandoned camps, to help mitigate potential fire hazards.

Kilbride described putting out a call for volunteers for this year’s task force and, despite many of them losing their homes in the Palisades fire, hearing mostly yesses within minutes.

“That’s the part that warms my heart,” Kilbride said.

Participating agencies included PPTFH, LAPD, The People Concern, park rangers, and representatives from the offices of CD 11 and the mayor.

“The task force is a very important part of our ongoing community engagement and enforcement in the [Very] High Fire Severity Zones of the Pacific Palisades,” Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin said ahead of the day.

Kilbride reported results of the findings: In Area 1 (Corona Del Mar Bluffs), one abandoned camp was cleaned up. Area 2 (Temescal Canyon Road) five abandoned camps were cleaned up.

One “old abandoned camp” was cleaned up in Area 4, which is along Palisades Drive.

Ahead of splitting up, PPTFH Co-President Cindi Young was presented with a replacement for her 2024 Citizen of the Year award, which was lost in the Palisades fire, by Councilmember Traci Park.

“We are going to keep doing the work,” Park said of the community coming together for things like the task force, describing them as the “glue that keeps us all together.”

Several members of LAPD spoke before the groups dispersed, including Commander Jonathan Tom (who, before changing roles within LAPD, helped assemble the task force), Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard and Captain Richard Gabaldon.

“Thank you for the work,” Gabaldon said to volunteers for their service.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Nonprofit Saved By A Story—founded by Palisadian Kathy Katims—will host a fundraising event on Saturday, November 1, at BLANKSPACES in Venice.

“After losing my Pacific Palisades home in the 2025 wildfires, I created an ongoing group for other survivors to process and heal,” Katims said. “To sustain this and other work, we’re hosting our annual fundraising event, the Storytelling Salon, on November 1.”

Storytellers from the Palisades, Altadena and greater Los Angeles area will share stories and songs during the event on the theme “Still Here,” which “honors the resilient Palisades and Altadena communities.”

Writers and storytellers slated to present are Tamara Rawitt, Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jason Katims, Shermaine Barlaan, Megan Chan Meinero, Chris Douridas, David Israel, Jessica Goldberg and Al Madrigal. Musicians include Priscilla Ahn, mehro and Lucy Schwartz.

“I lost more than my home in the wildfire,” Katims said. “For me the diaspora of community was a profound grief. I also was so overwhelmed with all the things that needed to be done that I wanted to create a space apart from the doing. I wanted to come together in community and give voice to all the things we lost and all that we were finding. Monthly meetups of the Wildfire Survivor Writing Workshop at the Wende Museum helped knit our community together and give voice to our pain and our hope.”

Founded a decade ago, Saved By A Story hosts “free community writing workshops for under-resourced and under-served populations” to “empower voices and build connection.” More than 500 storytellers have participated in programming.

The November 1 event will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at 606 Venice Boulevard.

“100% of ticket sales go toward free community writing workshops for under-resourced, underrepresented people, including senior citizens, wildfire survivors, intergenerational participants and former foster youth,” read the description.

Tickets start at $150, with a sliding scale available for those who reach out to Katims.