A Party in the Garden

Pacific Palisades Democratic Club Hosts Annual Garden Party, Area Electeds Speak and Answer Questions

By MARYAM ZAR | Contributing Writer

Pacific Palisades Democratic Club hosted its 2023 Garden Party on August 6 in a bucolic backyard setting in The Riviera neighborhood—welcoming an overflow crowd of civic-minded friends and acquaintances, political enthusiasts, elected officials, candidates for upcoming races, and PPDC board members who count on this annual gathering to raise awareness about the club and its activities.

PPDC President Steve Cron observed that the event, traditionally well attended because local electeds speak and take questions, “got a boost this year, thanks to the appeal of newly elected officials with exciting campaign promises and daunting challenges they’re tackling with a fresh outlook.”

This year’s Garden Party featured Congressmember Brad Sherman, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and City Councilmember Traci Park. Every one of them was new for our district, either by virtue of having been elected in the last cycle or having been redistricted to represent our community for the first time.

“The last time I was here, I was a first-time candidate, with no political experience, running for office,” Park said during her speaking time. “I told you about my platform: the urgent need to address homelessness, the need to restore public safety on the Westside and the fight to protect our coastal environment. I am so excited at the work that we have been able to do in the first 238 days in office, but who’s counting?”

Park then touched on a number of items she has tackled since taking office, including putting together an “incredible CD 11 team” and launching a new CD 11 website.

“I have also recently been appointed to chair the committee on the 2028 Olympics, and I could not be more excited about the opportunity to get our city ready to host this incredible event where we have the opportunity to showcase all of the wonderful things in and around Los Angeles,” Park continued. “I will also be working very closely with my colleagues to try to bring some Olympic magic over here to the Westside.”

Park reported that she has also been focused on wildfire preparation and mitigation issues, alongside her team, spearheaded by Senior Advisor Jacob Burman who leads a meeting with 12 different city departments that have a hand in emergency preparedness and response.

“We have partnered with regional organizations, including LA County Fire, to identify opportunities for collaboration and wildfire preparation,” Park explained.

Speakers throughout the event were well received by an attentive audience who posed unique questions to each official. Among attendees were County Assessor Jeff Prang and two candidates for DA, John McKiney and Jeff Chemerinsky.

The hobnobbing before and after the presentations was substantive for many, creating opportunities to discuss issues that matter most to Palisadians and our neighbors, and to share policy ideas with the people who implement them.

The food and setting suited a casual Southern California afternoon, with discussions centering on how to make our surroundings better, keep our resources safe, protect the environment, help the county tackle its homeless crisis, protect our parks, and preserve open spaces from the constant threat of fire—sharing ideas on common concerns and priorities.

Upcoming events for PPDC include September 10, when the club is scheduled to host former County Supervisor and City Councilmember Zev Yaroslavsky for a book signing in the Alphabet Streets at a more intimate backyard spot.

Planning also continues for the club’s highest-profile event, the Political Courage | Human Rights Awards, celebrating honored guests for their significant political impact.

Past recipients include Senator Barbara Boxer, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Dolores Huerta and Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. Paula Poundstone has been a favorite emcee.