2025 Year in Review: Traditions

December 25, 2025

From the first baby of the year to Pacific Palisades Community Council’s annual Holiday Dinner & Awards Gala, Pacific Palisades is home to many traditions. Here are some that continued this year.

March 27

Lifelong Palisadian Sam Laganà was sworn in as Honorary Town Sheriff during a ceremony on Wednesday, March 12, at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283. Accompanied by Councilmember Traci Park, Laganà raised his right hand and took the oath as recited to him by Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Emeritus Maryam Zar.

May 8

Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice were named co-honorary mayors of Pacific Palisades—a tradition in the community that dates back more than seven decades. Rice and McGinley took over the position from Eugene Levy, who served as honorary mayor from 2021 to 2024.

June 12

The first baby born to a Palisadian family in 2025 was Violet Chapman Robinson, who arrived the morning of January 10 to parents Lizzy and Brian Robinson at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. The tradition of honoring the baby born closest to 12 a.m. on January 1 began in the paper in 1954 and has been published since. In past years, entries have been sought at the start of the year, with the story published at the end of January or early February. This year’s selection process and story were postponed following the Palisades fire.

August 28

Theatre Palisades hosted its Annual Meeting and Awards Show on Sunday evening, August 17, at Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club in Marina del Rey—with a program featuring preview scenes, musical numbers and reflections on the loss of Pierson Playhouse. The playhouse—home to Theatre Palisades, Theatre Palisades Youth and Teen, and Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe—was destroyed in the Palisades fire. Despite this loss, programming for the theater groups has continued since January 7, taking place at venues like Paul Revere Charter Middle School, Westchester Playhouse and The Blue Door.

September 25

The Lowe Family YMCA continued two traditions at Simon Meadow in 2025: A Pumpkin Patch in October and Christmas Tree Lot in December. Both serve as fundraisers for the YMCA, while also host to several events, including the annual Holiday HoHoHo! and Santa Monica College Glass Pumpkin sales.

November 27

Pacific Palisades Interfaith Council hosted its annual Thanksgiving service on Monday evening, November 24, at Palisades Lutheran Church with the theme “Foundations of Faith: A Time to Renew and Connect.”

The Pacific Palisades Troop 223 annual Eagle Scout Court of Honor took place on Sunday afternoon, November 23, for 25 candidates in the chapel at the Parish of Saint Matthew—marking the first time the troop had been back at the church since the Palisades fire in January.

December 25

Pacific Palisades Community Council honored its 2025 award recipients at the annual Holiday Dinner & Awards Gala at Spruzzo Restaurant and Bar—which the organization described as a “great success” and “enjoyed by all.” This year’s honorees were Citizen of the Year Jim Cragg, Golden Sparkplugs Jessica Rogers and Maryam Zar, Pride of the Palisades Chuck Hart and Team Palisades, and Awesome Advocates Spencer Pratt and Sue Pascoe. PPCC President Sue Kohl acknowledged Councilmember Traci Park and Field Deputy Arus Grigoryan for their “amazing, unwavering dedication to the Palisades” throughout the year.

Our History

the Palisadian-Post

December 25, 2025

Pacific Palisades was founded in early 1922 by Methodists who migrated west. In September 1924, the fledgling Methodist-based community’s governing body, the Pacific Palisades Association, began publishing a monthly news sheet known as the “Progress,” edited by Thomas R. Gettys. Each issue carried local church and social items and the latest real estate sales in a town being marketed with the slogan “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea.”

Thirty-two-year-old Telford Work moved to the Palisades in March 1926 as director of public relations for the Pacific Palisades Association. A journalism graduate from the University of Southern California who had assembled a small chain of local newspapers near Fresno, Work became editor of the “Progress.” On May 4, 1928, he launched The Palisadian, an eight-page weekly tabloid that sold for five cents a copy.

“It is with the confidence that an alert, constructive-spirited newspaper, distinctive in format and devoting itself resolutely in its news and editorial columns to making Pacific Palisades the business, banking, school and religious center of the north shore section … will meet with a hearty welcome from the residents of Pacific Palisades and the surrounding sections that the publisher herewith presents the first issue of The Palisadian,” Work wrote in his front-page introduction. The lead story announced that $1 million was being spent to pave Marquez Avenue (now Chautauqua) and plant trees along the community’s link with Santa Monica Canyon.

On September 7, 1934, Work sold The Palisadian to his friend Clifford D. Clearwater, who in 1922 had been one of the first settlers in the community with his young wife, Zola. In fact, the first of their three children was the second child ever born in the Palisades.

Although untrained as a journalist (his previous jobs included delivering the mail by horseback as the town’s original postal carrier), Clearwater had natural talents that enabled him to serve with distinction as editor, publisher, photographer and civic leader until his death in 1956.

When Clearwater died of a heart attack in 1956 at the age of 59, his widow Zola took over as editor and publisher. By 1960 she was ready to retire and sell her newspaper to “crosstown” rivals Charles Brown and William Brown, twin brothers who in 1954 had acquired the Pacific Palisades Post, a separate publication that was established in 1950. The Browns immediately consolidated both papers into one operation at 839 Via de la Paz, where two years earlier they had built their own printing plant. The plant enabled the Browns to publish their paper in a broadsheet format (today’s standard newspaper format), as opposed to The Palisadian’s smaller tabloid size.

Charlie and Bill Brown ran a thriving operation, financially and editorially, until August 1981, when they sold their business to the Small family of Kankakee, Illinois. Jean Alice Small, her daughter, Jennifer Small, and her two sons, Len R. Small and Thomas P. Small, led the newspaper until 2012 when they sold the paper to Alan Smolinisky, a real estate entrepreneur born and raised in the Palisades. At the time of the sale, Rob Small said, “It has been a great privilege to have been part of this wonderful community since 1981, and to work with the magnificent staff at the Palisadian-Post … I am proud of what we have achieved and know that [the new ownership] will build on that tradition for even greater success.”

Thirty-three-year-old Alan Smolinisky purchased the Palisadian-Post, Post Printing and the building located at 839 Via de la Paz on December 5, 2012. Smolinisky, a graduate of Palisades High and the University of Southern California, is a dedicated newspaper enthusiast who spends four to five hours per day reading. Smolinisky wrote a Viewpoint titled “Why I Bought the Palisadian-Post” in the December 7, 2012, issue of the newspaper explaining his love of the town and its only newspaper. He and his wife, Caroline, a native of Indiana and a fellow USC graduate, live in the Huntington Palisades with their children, dogs and newspapers.

“I love that the Post has always been family-owned,” Smolinisky said.

On January 30, 2013, the Los Angeles Times ran a front-page article titled “Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper.”

“Pacific Palisades is my favorite place on Earth, and the Palisadian-Post is my favorite newspaper,” Smolinisky said. “Since 1928, the Palisadian-Post has never missed a Thursday issue—through fires, floods, earthquakes, the Great Depression and wars, the paper has always made it to subscribers each week.”

The final issue of the Post was printed on December 25, 2025.

2025 Year In Review: Community Gatherings

the Palisadian-Post

December 25, 2025

In 2025, organizers worked behind the scenes to ensure the community could continue to gather. Below are some of the events that took place this year, including the Pali High graduation at Hollywood Bowl and Fourth of July festivities.

June 12

Palisades Charter High School seniors walked the stage to receive their diplomas at the end of their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 4, at Hollywood Bowl. Graduation traditionally takes place at Stadium by the Sea, but the 17,500-seat amphitheater was the alternative for the 740 graduating seniors whose last few months of in-person classes were in the former Sears building in Santa Monica.

July 10

Known as “the greatest day of the year” in Pacific Palisades, Fourth of July traditions had to be amended—but the community found ways to gather, from the Palisades Will Rogers 5K Run in Venice to a Palisades contingent in the Santa Monica 4th of July Parade and the annual Palisades Americanism Parade Association celebration, which took place at Paul Revere Charter Middle School and concluded with a drone show.

September 11

Eight months to the day of the start of the Palisades fire, Veterans Gardens reopened Sunday evening, September 7, with a 16-team bocce wildcard round robin tournament. The event, hosted by longtime Palisadian and Palisades Bocce Club Founder Jimmy Dunne, featured music, food and drinks, and everyone singing “The Palisades Song” (written by Dunne).

October 23

More than 2,000 families, volunteers, sponsors and guests attended Palisades Charter Elementary School’s annual Yee Haw Day on Saturday, October 18, raising $171,000 through sponsorships, ticket tales and a silent auction. Palisades Enrichment Programs organizes the fundraising event each year, this time taking place at Pali Elementary’s temporary shared campus following the Palisades fire: Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet.

November 27

Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce hosted a Recovery Expo on Sunday, November 23, where over 60 exhibitors and hundreds of community members assembled along Alma Real and La Cruz drives for a “full day of resources, conversations and hands-on support for wildfire recovery.” Studio. Palibu Chamber CEO Maryam Zar and Councilmember Traci Park spoke during the event.

December 11

More than 1,200 people participated in the 11th Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning—and hundreds more ran the race for fun. Powered by XBP Global, this year’s race featured a new and flatter course, which started and finished at Palisades Village Green at Swarthmore and Antioch. The 5/10K event was preceded by a Kids Race from Antioch to Bowdoin.

Thousands of community members gathered along Monument Street for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Palisades Village on the evening of Saturday, December 6: “It was never even a question that we would do this,” Rick Caruso, founder and executive chairman of Caruso, which developed and operates Palisades Village, told the Palisadian-Post when asked why it was important to continue the tradition of the tree lighting this year. “We’re part of this community, and this community needs a way to come together and celebrate. We’re just so proud to have it happen.”

December 25

With a theme of “Return to Joy,” the 76th annual Pacific Palisades Holiday HoHoHo! took place on Saturday, December 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lowe Family YMCA Christmas Tree Lot: “This year’s theme, ‘Return to Joy,’ reflects the community’s resilience and unity following the devastating January fires,” read information about the event, which was planned to “bring neighbors together with live entertainment, children’s activities, crafts, treats and the warm, festive spirit that defines Pacific Palisades.”

Palisades Village hosted its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday evening, December 14—the first night of Hanukkah—in partnership with Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades. The community gathered on Monument Street for a program that included live musical entertainment, traditional Hanukkah refreshments, family-friendly crafts and activities (including a collaborative art piece), photo opportunities, and blessings from Rabbi Zushe Cunin. Also to speak or perform were Rick Caruso, Co-Honorary Mayors of Pacific Palisades Gigi Rice and Ted McGinley, Kehillat Israel Cantor Chayim Frenkel, and Sam Laganà. The evening concluded with the lighting of the menorah, followed by snowfall.

Letter From the Editor

Sarah Shmerling

December 25, 2025

Pacific Palisades: The Community That Shaped Me

There have been many challenging stories to write in 2025, and this letter is among them. After 97 years, this is the final edition of the Palisadian-Post.

Over the course of this year, I have cried with you, celebrated victories with you, laughed with you and gathered with you. But most of all, I have been in deep admiration of the community, which has faced unimaginable challenges and losses.

I have learned so much in this position—especially in 2025, but prior to that too. All of the feedback I have received, positive and negative, has shaped the journalist and person I am today. The interviews I have conducted, the meetings I have attended and the people I have met have left a lasting impression and informed who I am.

I am not going to use this space to say goodbye, because I will see you again. I look forward to continuing to bring my family to the Palisades I know and love. Instead, I will express the gratitude I have for this community and the people that are part of it.

After almost 10 years with the Post, space would not allow me to thank all of the people I need to, but I am so grateful to our team and what we were able to accomplish this year. Thank you, Steve, Michael, Carolyn, Marie, Lily, Gina and Alan.

Thank you to every single person I have worked with over the years—each of our reporters, our interns, our junior reporters, our contributing writers—your voices lifted the publication and I am grateful for you allowing us to print your work.

Thank you to our subscribers, some of whom have been reading the Post for multiple decades, and our advertisers for your support of the publication.

Thank you to everyone who worked at the Post before me. I have learned from interacting and speaking with you throughout my time with the paper.

Thank you for letting me be an honorary member of the community for all these years. I love you, Pacific Palisades, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for you. I’ll be here, cheering you on.

Please stay in touch. I am active on social media, especially Instagram, and would love to connect: instagram.com/sarah_shmerling.

2025 Year in Review: Pali Life

Sarah Shmerling

December 25, 2025

Each cover of Pali Life featured a story highlighting everything from local nonprofits to area artists—many of which pivoted operations and offerings this year to support the Palisades after the fire. Read below to see some of the stories that were published throughout 2025.

January 23

In the face of uncertainty, Director Lara Ganz worked behind the scenes to ensure the show went on for Theatre Palisades Youth and Paul Revere Charter Middle School students—with rehearsals for shows resuming four days after the Palisades fire started. Ganz, despite losing her own home, worked with her team, including choreographer Rebecca Brancato Barragan, to secure a rehearsal space at St. Monica Catholic Church. The students presented several performances in 2025, including “Crazy for You,” “HADESTOWN: Teen Edition” and “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.”

March 27

Looking for a way to give back to the community and help heal through art, a group of artists with nearly three decades of history in Pacific Palisades, Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, launched the “Art is the Healing Force” fundraising campaign to benefit wildfire recovery.

April 10

One Palisadian used his recently launched brand to help bring the community closer together—no matter where they were residing. After launching in October 2024, Pali Life founder Colton Etheridge lost his home and inventory in the Palisades fire—but then focused on rebuilding the brand, as well as used it to give back through a fire relief initiative.

May 8

More than 1,500 community members gathered at Clover Park in Santa Monica to attend “Rooted in Resilience” on Saturday, April 19—hosted by 1Pali to serve as a day of “reflection, support and unity for displaced and fire-impacted residents.” 1Pali was founded by Ben Perlman, Anthony Marguleas and Andrew Grant to reconnect the community following the Palisades fire.

June 26

Kristen Goldberg was embarking on a project to get back into painting, centered on a series of meaningful objects to people—starting with her friend, Liz Madden, who had just moved into a new apartment and requested a piece from Goldberg. Madden suggested Goldberg call the series “Objects of Affection.” The project took on a new meaning after the fire, shifting into a fundraising event that took place on June 1 to support Together Palisades, put on by Goldberg, Madden and Josie Washburn, a trio of friends who originally met while attending St. Matthew’s Parish School.

August 14

For 65 years, Patty Ryan Bearer Burns lived on McKendree Avenue in the Alphabet Streets, but since her house burned in the Palisades fire, Patty has coped with the tragedy thanks to the love and support of her children. They have rallied around their mom, who, for decades, has been an active member of the community near and dear to her heart.

August 28

Palisadians Shamon and Sara Shamonki are seeking to provide a sense of connection and support through The Faces of Pacific Palisades—a campaign devoted to the community they love that gives fellow residents a platform to share their stories with the world. Whether the person is retired, a student, a teacher, a doctor, a business owner, a government official or a military officer, the Shamonkis have featured a range of voices since they launched the series in July.

October 23

For Emmett Whitaker, the final season of “Survivor Palisades” marks the end of an almost-decade-long era, but the show took on an even deeper meaning following the Palisades fire. The locations he used for filming were damaged or destroyed in the Palisades fire, offering viewers video footage of the town from June 2024: “This season is incredibly sentimental, as it was filmed before the fires and shows an untouched, majestic Pacific Palisades,” Whitaker, who lost his home in the Alphabet Streets, told the Palisadian-Post.

November 13

From St. Matthew’s Music Guild to Chamber Music Palisades and beyond, community members had the opportunity to attend a concert or performance in 2025. Multiple organizations, including Palisades Symphony and Pali High Visual Performing Arts Department, pivoted from performance spaces that were lost or damaged in the fire, and continued to offer performances throughout the year.

November 27

Palisadian Kathleen Katims has been “empowering voices, building community” and “changing lives—one story at a time” for over 10 years. Now, following the January fires, she has built a space for wildfire survivors from Pacific Palisades and Altadena to come together to share their stories.

‘Jimmy Dunne Says’

the Palisadian-Post

December 25, 2025

news122525_23 — Photo courtesy of Jimmy Dunne

The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”

A Note from Santa

A few days ago, my just-3-year-old grandkid picked out a Christmas tree for his Grandma and “P” (for Grampie) at Simon Meadow.

Passed all the big, tall, full ones. Saw one just about his height.

Not much wider than a hug.

“This one’s the best,” Whit said.

With Whit in charge of putting on the decorations, ornaments are hung too low, and clumped all together—and placed with the kind of confidence only a kid can have.

Most beautiful tree we’ve ever had.

This morning, I spotted something tucked into the branches like it had been waiting for me.

A note.

No envelope. No stamp. Just a folded piece of paper resting on a limb, as if the tree itself had grown it overnight.

On the front, it said, “To my dearest Palisadians.” It was signed, “Santa.”

I’m including a picture in this story, just in case you don’t believe me.

I felt like I was being asked to do one simple thing.

Share it. So here it is …

——————

My Dearest Palisadians,

I hope you all know something. It doesn’t matter where you are right now.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a rental across town, staying with friends, living in another zip code or another state.

I’ll find you. I’ll be there for you …

That’s not poetry. That’s a promise.

——————

Let’s talk about the fire in January.

Over many, many years, I’ve seen a lot of ’em, all over the world.

Most of the time, the towns that burn never really come back.

That’s not your story.

The important thing about the Palisades—isn’t what burned.

It’s what didn’t.

The only thing still standing is you. Palisadians.

It’s the heart of your town. The part that was never made of wood or brick in the first place.

And that’s the part you’re going to rebuild with.

——————

Here’s my “tough love” part.

You are walking into a new year—getting to do something that almost never, ever happens.

You get to reimagine your very own town.

A one-time-only opportunity.

With new houses, new schools, new churches and synagogues, new stores, a new town library, a new town theatre, a new park …

Here’s what I’m sure of.

There’s nothing you can do to change yesterday. But you can do a lot about tomorrow.

To make it the happiest, most family-friendly, most full of heart, full of promise, full of the greatest neighbors—hometown. Not just in the city, not just in the state, not just in the country—in the whole wide world.

Built for you, for your kids and their kids. For generations to come.

Why not?

You are one of the new founding mothers and fathers.

——————

And I know what the secret recipe is.

It’s the thing that you need to make this happen.

It’s a thing I know a little something about …

You need to believe.

In yourself. How wonderful and gifted and joyful you are. In how absolutely incredible and unique your neighbors are, how your town truly is a one-of-a-kind.

This is your moment to close your eyes—and to dream.

And to dream big.

Of what could be. Not a “library.” Maybe the Palisades Imaginarium, a spectacular home that nurtures and celebrates wonder, and the joy of learning, and a place for our amazing town to gather.

With every techie bell and whistle. A place to feel, to love life and to evolve in every possible way. For the wee ones, for families, for moms and dads, for old folks like the Mrs. and me.

Same with the park. Same with your home. With new stores, and restaurants, and barber shops. Same with what a classroom looks like for the kids.

And all these places? It’s believing they’re not amenities. They’re the glue. They’re where neighbors turn into friends. They’re where new Palisadians become Palisadians.

And all without a single telephone pole in the town.

Just for the record, I built a pretty snappy place at the North Pole. You think that came easy? You think it was easy building that place—when it’s freezing outside? With elves?

You gotta believe you can do it.

Because if you believe you really can, things start to happen.

Not the first day, but the snow starts to give under your boots.

And before you know it, something bigger than you is growing.

——————

Believe. It’s a big word. Comes from “to love.” To hold dear.

And that is the greatest gift I can leave under your tree this year.

Hold it close. Hold each other closer.

Love fiercely the town you have lost, love more fiercely the town you will dream into being.

Because when you believe—truly believe—you are not just rebuilding homes. You are rebuilding hearts.

You are planting seeds of wonder in the ashes, so that one day, a child just like little Whit will pick out a tree in Simon Meadow again, declare it the best in the world and hang ornaments with the same fearless joy.

And on some quiet Christmas morning, someone will find a note tucked in the branches—not from me, perhaps, but from the magic you created together.

Because believing is loving. And love, my friends, never burns away.

It only grows brighter.

With all my heart, and believing in you,

Santa

Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.

2025 Year in Review: Organizations

Sarah Shmerling

December 25, 2025

life122525_32 — Photo courtesy of Palisades Beautiful

Following the Palisades fire, local organizations have been formed to support various aspects of the community and rebuild efforts. Some of the organizations founded in 2025 are highlighted here.

Palisades Beautiful

With rebuilding and recovery work underway across Pacific Palisades, one resident with multi-generational roots hoped to do his part to beautify public and private spaces. Noah Martin is the president of Palisades Beautiful—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that he launched in February “dedicated to restoring natural spaces” in the community. The group hosted several events over the course of the year, including a tree planting and a cleanup near Palisades Charter High School along Bowdoin Street.

palisadesbeautiful.org

Build Back Pali

Three teenage boys who saw their homes lost or damaged in the Palisades fire formed Build Back Pali to revitalize the community they grew up in. Mason Cohen teamed up with two childhood friends, Jake Yoon and Dylan Fullmer, in the wake of the fire to create a fundraising campaign that received over $100,000 in less than one month. All funding goes toward restoration projects and initiatives, including rebuilding and maintaining local businesses, schools, places of worship, supporting community programs, and preserving the character of the Palisades. The mission statement is three words: Rebuild. Restore. Revive.

buildbackpali.org

PaliStrong2025

In the wake of the January wildfires, a group of students started their own initiative to help rebuild Palisades Charter High School—both as a school and as a home. Alessandra and Yasmine Santini, along with Lily Yadegar, created PaliStrong2025, a project focused on restoring the Palisades community. This initiative launched on January 8, and has continued to host events and fundraisers, including recently partnering with Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood and a donation drive through Barry’s Bootcamp.

instagram.com/palistrong2025

Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group

Jim Cragg addressed fellow residents Friday morning, August 8, at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283—marking the official launch of Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group. In direct response to ongoing challenges following the Palisades fire in January, Pacific Palisades community members, including Cragg (the 2025 Pacific Palisades Community Council Citizen of the Year), formed Pali LTRG, which is dedicated to identifying and connecting local survivors to a network of associated donor relief organizations. They also conduct and coordinate wellness programs, recovery education and events designed to reconnect the community.

paliltrg.org

Palisades Recovery Coalition

Described as a “community-rooted, volunteer-led coalition,” Palisades Recovery Coalition was founded by Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Emeritus Maryam Zar with a “simple but urgent” goal: “To help Pacific Palisades rebuild smarter, faster and stronger—without losing the character, charm and close-knit spirit that makes this place home.”

With a headquarters on Sunset Boulevard, PRC has since hosted a series of community visioning charrettes, insurance roundtables and more. Zar received a Golden Sparkplug award from Pacific Palisades Community Council for her work on PRC.

palirecovery.org

Pali ❤️ Beats

Searching for a way to contribute to rebuilding the community, two Palisadians discovered a win-win-win situation. Andrew Hires described looking for a way to rebuild the community experience that people are missing, as well as support businesses that are trying to restart operations while also fundraising to support Palisades workers. Combining these avenues, Pali ❤️ Beats was founded by Hires and Nima Mashkouri—both residents of the Highlands—to host fundraising events at still-standing venues in the community, providing music and a place for people to gather. They have hosted events at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar and Gladstones.

instagram.com/dj.nimazzo

Team Palisades

Team Palisades—whose founders were named a 2025 Pacific Palisades Community Council Pride of the Palisades honoree—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. One of the events the organization helped host was “The Longest Table” meal along Pampas Ricas Boulevard in The Huntington on Sunday, October 5, with around 650 people registering to attend.

teampalisades.org

Palisades Forever

Four Palisadians are committed to rebuilding the community they grew up in and hold dear: In the aftermath of the Palisades fire, brothers Spencer and Justin Howard teamed with twins Will and Haley Holbrow to found Palisades Forever, an organization that is solely devoted to the restoration and revitalization of public spaces, businesses, schools, landmarks and recreational areas. The group recently gave $12,000 to replace Pali High yearbooks lost in the fire.

palisadesforever.com

Green Tip: One Last Time With Feeling

the Palisadian-Post

December 25, 2025

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a “green tip” to our readers in each newspaper. This edition’s tip was written by Resilient Palisades Communications Director and Board Member Sara G. Marti.

One Last Time With Feeling

I’d love to sit here and say, “In 2025, we filtered through the noise so you didn’t have to.”

But the noise hit everyone. Fast and loud. Like air rushing past your ears on a roller coaster you didn’t choose to get on. Rebuild advice from everywhere. Policy changes mid-process. Incentives expiring mid-sentence. Experts contradicting each other. Confident takes with no local context.

Our hope is that somewhere in the middle of all of it, you started to feel a little more confident. Not because we said anything magical, but because we kept repeating what held up. We pressure-tested information and checked whether it actually applied to this place, this moment, this community.

So instead of pretending we shielded anyone from the chaos, here’s what we really did.

We put real time into soil, water and air. We elevated testing, remediation and bioremediation so families could make informed decisions about land that no longer felt safe. We worked on invasive plant removal and native restoration, because what grows back determines how safe our hillsides will be for decades. We fought hard in those early months to save what we could of a tree canopy that still lost 30%.

We continue to advocate for policy change around rebuilding, electrification, park safety and public health. That fight is not over.

We showed up publicly and consistently. We published op-eds in CityWatch LA and Santa Monica Daily Press, a letter to the editor in the Los Angeles Times, and were quoted in LAist. We hosted webinars, workshops, trainings, restoration days and community gatherings focused on safer rebuilding.

We supported youth leadership. We guided students and scouts in hands-on habitat restoration, hosted a student field trip tied to Electrify the Rebuild, and awarded five $800 scholarships to student environmental advocates.

We led restoration at Temescal Canyon Park, Santa Ynez Canyon, Will Rogers State Historic Park, Big Tujunga Canyon, Westwood Greenway, the Rotary Site and beyond the Palisades when others asked for help.

Along the way, we were named Nonprofit of the Year, received the Los Angeles Business Council Community Impact Award, were recognized by Plant Based Treaty LA and acknowledged by partners, including LACI for leadership in resilient rebuilding.

We did none of this alone. We built deep collaborations across Palisades, Malibu and Eaton fire communities, and organizations, schools, scientists and recovery groups.

That’s the Green Tip this final week: progress after disaster is cumulative, not flashy.

For those who like receipts:

We did say “fire” 585 times but also “resilient” 583 times.

We mentioned clean energy 504 times.

We referenced safety and healing 494 times.

We spoke up for youth 137 times.

We said love 91 times.

We said thank you 166 times.

If you’re in a position to support this work as we head into the new year, donations help us keep doing this work: resilientpalisades.org/donate. And if donating isn’t possible right now, staying connected still matters.

One more time before the year is over: Thank you for being here.

With love,
Resilient Palisades

Year in Review: Your Two Cents’ Worth

the Palisadian-Post

December 25, 2025

Throughout the year, anonymous messages of kudos and concerns were published in Two Cents’ Worth column.

January 23

DRC

We took my parents to the Disaster Recovery Center at the Westside Pavilion where over 75 agencies are available to assist. It was incredibly helpful.

June 12

Grads

Congratulations to all the grads—Upwards and onwards! The world is yours!

October 23

Businesses

Please support the local businesses that have reopened. I went to Ruby’s Nails today and they were so happy to see me.

November 13

Big Win

Wow, our Palisades High Dolphin football team is 10-0 with a big win over Fairfax High Halloween night. Way to stay strong and persevere. TRIUMPHANT EVERMORE!

2025 Year in Review: Postcards

Sarah Shmerling

December 25, 2025

For many years, Palisadian-Post readers have taken a print edition of the newspaper along with them as they traveled the globe. Here are some of the places the Post has traveled to in 2025 for our Postcard section, including Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69.

March 13

The Build Back Pali team—a student-run organization featured on the Pali Life cover on February 13 dedicated to supporting the community through rebuilding efforts—brought a copy of the Palisadian-Post to Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69.

June 12

Sara G. Marti is pictured in Rome with a copy of the Palisadian-Post.

July 10

Nicole and David Kramer with the Palisadian-Post in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

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