Celebrating the Birthdays of Pacific Palisades Residents Age 90 and Above With PPWC

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

A treasured tradition in Pacific Palisades, community members age 90 and above gathered for the return of the in-person Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club 90th Birthday Club Celebration—“The Winner’s Circle”—on Saturday, May 4.

“We are thrilled to be back meeting in person, as we did food drop-offs for a few years due to protecting against the spread of Covid,” PPWC shared in a statement. “We have had this tradition since 1996.”

The luncheon, attended by dozens of Palisadians and friends, was themed Derby Day and took place at PPWC’s Clubhouse.

Upon arrival, guests checked in and headed over to a photobooth, operated by 1Heart Caregiver Services of Beverly Hills. Then they were seated to socialize before a lunch of asparagus soup, chicken salad and croissants was served—provided by the chef of Seven Arrows Elementary School.

PPWC Vice President Maureen Roth and area real estate agent/event sponsor Margaux Glaser began the program with opening remarks.

“We are so happy to recognize the ‘young’ 90-year-olds, as they have influenced this community and are being honored because of the contributions they have made,” Glaser said after the event. “You have made Pacific Palisades what it is today.”

As lunch service came to an end, Palisadian Diane Elder took the stage with pianist David Silverman to perform hit songs, including “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” and “Summertime.”

PPWC members and event organizers then gathered at the front of the room to sing “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating—complete with cake.

Former Palisadian-Post editor and town historian Bill Bruns was the featured speaker for the event, sharing facts about the history of the event since its start as a backyard party on Via De La Paz and life in the Palisades 90 years ago.

Toward the end of his talk, Bruns called out several Palisadians who have spent decades advocating for the town, including Jack Allen (who fought the Reseda-to-Sea highway, which would have connected the San Fernando Valley to the beach through Temescal Canyon), Bob and Marge Gold (“stalwarts of the Village Green for many years”), and Lee Calvert (who said she wants to celebrate her 100th birthday in August by doing pushups).

Julia Winter and Robin Weitz read trivia questions about the year 1934, including about the first golf Masters Tournament and the premiere of “Bright Eyes,” starring Shirley Temple.

Bruns returned to announce the King and Queen of the event—the attendees celebrating the highest birthday. Former Senior Pastor of Palisades Lutheran Church and twice President of Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades Richard “Dick” Meyer was honored as the King at 96 years old. Grace Gonzalez, who has attended the lunch for 20 years, since her late husband Angel turned 90, was named Queen at the age of 100.

Honorable mentions included Ruth Foy, who will turn 100 in July, Bruns reported, and Calvert. Bruns also called out the longest marriage in the room: Jerry and Emily Meyer, celebrating 71 years. Jerry described the longtime union as “beginner’s luck” and “a miracle marriage.”

Raffle prizes were awarded, with gifts and certificates from Ciela, The Palisades Dentists, Atria Park, blueview ATELIER, Pearl Dragon, K Bakery Eatery + Bakeshop and more.

The event ended with thank yous to some of its sponsors, including Platinum Patrons American Legion Ronald Reagan-Palisades Post 283, Fay Vahdani of Luxe Homecare and Hospice, and Michael Edlen of Coldwell Banker.

Bonjour Fête Slated to Reopen in New Space in June

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

As Golden Goose welcomed its first customers at its new Palisades Village store, Bonjour Fête reported plans of moving to a different spot within the development.

Golden Goose, which opened on Friday, April 26, in the space previously occupied by FRAME on Swarthmore Avenue, is a “luxury fashion and accessories brand founded on the value of Perfect Imperfection.” It offers a “Venice-inspired” collection of accessories, “for men and women and the world of co-creation.”

The 1,300-square-foot space opened with a “strong selection of men’s and women’s footwear.” Golden Goose’s latest handbag collection will become available at the Palisades’ store in the coming months.

“The brand has become synonymous with high-quality materials made to last, meticulous attention to detail, an iconic lived-in signature aesthetic and bringing the Italian art of hand-made tradition to the rest of the world,” according to the Palisades Village website.

The brand encourages people to “immerse themselves in the Golden World through Co-Creation,” which is available daily at Palisades Village.

“This highly unique customization experience gives customers the opportunity to participate in the design of one-of-a-kind accessories together with Golden Goose Dream Makers, who ultimately translate each story into wearable art,” the website continued.

The Golden Goose Palisades Dream Maker will be available to “dream up Co-Created footwear gifts with customers ahead of, and in celebration of, Mother’s Day” on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11.

On the other side of Palisades Village, Flannel closed its Palisades Village store on March 30, with signage going up reporting that boutique party supply shop Bonjour Fête—with its iconic pink door—would be coming soon in its place.

“A destination for the everyday host, the shop is home to a carefully curated selection of unique tableware, party decor, gifts and entertaining home goods, all with a French flair,” read the Palisades Village website.

The store will close its current location on Sunday, May 12, with the plan to hopefully reopen in the new space by June 1. Bonjour Fête CEO and Founder Rachel Huntington said the brand is “thrilled” to be moving “just outside of The Park.”

“This location is known for being extremely family-friendly, where parents and children frequently gather for picnics, storytime and other fun activities,” Huntington said. “We’re confident that our new location will provide us with the perfect opportunity to … create new memories.”

The store will reopen with a “renewed focus” on serving “valued customers in Pacific Palisades.” Huntington said they have been “actively listening to clients’ needs and preferences,” “working hard to create” its own party line that caters to those needs.

“Over the years, we have received feedback about the need for more beautiful and versatile basics, and we have responded by creating high-quality products that meet those requirements,” Huntington continued. “Our inspiration comes from Palisades shoppers who are trendsetters in their own right. We are proud to serve them, and be a part of their community and celebrations.”

The shop will offer “holiday-specific party supplies, decor and gifts” during each holiday season—in a manner Huntington described as similar to a holiday pop-up.

“Bonjour Fête has seen so much growth as a brand, and I am grateful for the support of our local community and appreciative of their support,” Huntington concluded. “Being a part of so many birthdays, life moments and holidays gives me endless amounts of joy.”

Another tenant that is slated to open soon at Palisades Village is Cult Gaia, which will take the place of the now-closed Cuyana sometime this summer.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Pacific Palisades Community Council invited Palisadian Hank Wright to its Thursday, April 25, meeting to discuss community safety, preparedness and communication in the event of an emergency.

Wright said he has been in the Palisades since the 1990s and is a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary Communications Service in Battalion Nine, serving communities on the Westside, including the Palisades.

“Our primary purpose is to provide backup throughout the city of Los Angeles if cells go down or [first responders] can’t communicate,” Wright explained. “This becomes very important in situations like the Northridge earthquake where, because of the problems that they had, they had to put a LAPD cruiser every mile across the Valley to be able to send information back to LAPD headquarters. The city of LA has a backup mechanism for that now, it is run out of LAFD, and that’s what ACS does.”

Wright explained that communication is “the foundation of the world,” and with technological advances, the world is able to communicate effectively today: “But what happens if the infrastructure fails?” Wright asked attendees.

“This is the biggest thing that I want to … drive into everyone’s thinking process,” Wright said. “If you don’t have a plan, you’re planning to fail.”

He explained that copper landlines are being cycled out—and can be too expensive to maintain—with fiber optic lines taking their place, which would not be operable in the event of a power failure.

Wright said American Legion Ronald Reagan-Palisades Post 283 has done a “fantastic job” at building and investing in an emergency communication infrastructure that is similar to one at the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center.

He proposed the idea of forming groups of individuals in each neighborhood in the Palisades that would be connected and would feed data back to the American Legion.

“We need organizations like the Pacific Palisades Community Council, neighborhood watch … CERT groups to be able to organize it,” Wright said. “If we all watch out for our neighbors … we can be able to provide that situational awareness. My call to action is to start to become aware of what you can do …  to watch out for your neighbors, to get to know them, to be able to figure out what’s going to be your communication.”

Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin broke down the potential flow of information, explaining that a block or two of homes would report to a higher entity—similar to an HOA—which would report to Wright and his team, who would eventually report to LAPD.

Though this community plan is being discussed, Wright said it is ultimately important to have a family plan and stressed the importance of emergency preparedness. This can look like acquiring Family Radio Service radios, Community Emergency Response Training and ham radio operations.

A free, weekly, three-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class kicked off on Thursday, April 4, and will run through June 20 via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. ET.

“The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects,” according to PPCC. “Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes.”

For more information or to register, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net. To watch Wright’s April 25 presentation, visit PPCC’s YouTube: youtube.com/@ppcccalendarandyoutube6950.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor 

Palisadians are surely familiar with Patrick’s Roadhouse, with its shamrock-green exterior and roof topped with eccentric sculptures. It has stood at the mouth of Santa Monica Canyon since 1973.

Today, the restaurant faces closure—and over $60,000 has been raised in support of keeping the eatery’s doors open.

Owner Anthony Fischler told the Palisadian-Post the restaurant has been in business for over 50 years, serving customers from the Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu and all over the world.

“We became a part of the community over decades,” Fischler said. “It became an icon … not just in the area, but all over Los Angeles. It’s listed as one of the things to do when you visit LA.”

Longtime customer Kurt Benjamin described it as “an institution that has been woven into the fabric of the community.”

Benjamin told the Post he grew up visiting Patrick’s Roadhouse often. His father taught swimming at the Santa Monica Pier and would take him to the restaurant when he was younger.

“Then I lived in Malibu for many, many years … moved to Santa Monica, and now I live in Brentwood,” Benjamin said. “I carried on the tradition of going to Patrick’s, and then I got married and my wife was inducted into my routine … Then we had a daughter, and we brought her into that same routine. The history is long and enduring.”

Now, Patrick’s Roadhouse has been faced with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and deferred rent that has accumulated. The restaurant’s doors closed on Thursday, April 25.

“During COVID … about 10% of U.S. restaurants went out of business,” Benjamin explained, “and Patrick’s wasn’t the place you would think of [going] to get your takeout food. Quick service restaurants survived really well and they were set up to survive the onslaught of COVID. There was deferred rent … and just the pure plight of survival for the years that followed … All of this came due and it was impossible to bear for Anthony.”

When Benjamin heard of the news, he moved quickly to push to save the restaurant.

“That’s when I decided that [Patrick’s Roadhouse] not only should be saved, but could be saved,” he said to the Post.

He reached out to Fischler and his legal team, and launched a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $250,000.

“The immediate goal is to raise $250,000, with $200,000 allocated for back rent, which will be paid to the landlord, and $50,000 for immediate building improvements,” according to the GoFundMe.

Benjamin said a group of private investors and longtime customers have also committed to filling the gap where the GoFundMe may fall short.

He explained that “there is dialogue happening in regards to initiating [lease] negotiations.”

“If all of the terms are not met, meaning … we have a lease that’s acceptable [and] enough funds to open the restaurant guaranteed, we are not taking any money out of the GoFundMe and it would be sent back to all of the donors,” he said. “But we’ve had multiple donors, and every donation counts.”

As the Post went to print Tuesday evening, over $65,000 of the $250,000 goal had been raised.

“It makes me want to cry,” Fischler said of the donations. “I’m completely overwhelmed by the response by the community and how important Patrick’s was to so many people. It warms my heart … and makes it worth continuing for another 50 years, hopefully.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit gofund.me/f33f3487.

By LILY TINOCO and SARAH SHMERLING

The Palisades-Will Rogers 5 and 10K Run Foundation awarded $40,000 in grants, generated by the 2023 July 4th Race, to local charitable, educational and community programs.

This year, awardees included Foster Warriors, Friends of Marquez, Pacific Palisades Art Association, Palisades Charter High School Band, Pali High Booster Club, Palisades Presbyterian Preschool, Palisades Village Green, Palisades-Malibu YMCA, Palisades Americanism Parade Association, Resilient Palisades, Theatre Palisades Youth, and more.

Interested organizations were invited to fill out a Grant Request Application earlier this year, which requested details about the applicant, funds needed and when, the program, how the funds would be spent, and any other additional information “that may be helpful in the consideration of applications.”

The run foundation partnered with Palisades Optimist Foundation and the Optimist Club of Pacific Palisades to identify “qualified organizations” to receive grants from the run’s net proceeds.

Grants are awarded each year based on various criteria, including: “the impact on youth in Pacific Palisades, the number of youths impacted by the program, the effectiveness of the program and the likely longevity of the program.”

Preference—although not required—was given to applicants that are based in the Palisades and/or provide services that benefit the youth in the Palisades community; request funds for a specific event, equipment, facility or service; request funds to be spent within a year; and cosponsor or assist Palisades Optimists “in their programs and services for Palisades youth and the community.”

Additional grant recipients this year included Brentwood Art Center, Optimist Youth Home and Pali High Quarterback Club. Funds raised will also support the Optimist Foundation’s youth scholarships and Optimist International oratorical contest.

The Optimist Club of Pacific Palisades’ motto is “friend of youth,” with a goal to “bring out the best in youth,” according to a press release.

“For over 70 years, the Palisades Optimists have provided funding and volunteers to help accomplish this goal,” the press release read. “The Palisades Optimists have established a process to award grants annually to assist community organizations, schools and groups serving youth and promoting worthwhile youth activities.”

The Optimist Club invited interested individuals to one of the organization’s meetings, held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:45 a.m. at Palisades Presbyterian Church.

Longtime Palisadian and “Santa Baby” composer Philip Springer won the Best Individual Performance in Video in the 28th annual Webby Awards Internet Celebration for his rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”

“Hailed as the ‘internet’s highest honor’ by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the internet,” read a statement following his win.

His daughter, Tamar Springer, will attend the awards on Monday, May 13, to deliver a five-word acceptance speech on Philip’s behalf—one day after his 98th birthday on May 12.