Community Gathers to Celebrate Clock Dedication With Palisades P.R.I.D.E.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

A dream was realized January 28 for Palisades P.R.I.D.E. board member Sam Rubin, who addressed a crowd at the corner of Swarthmore and Sunset, acknowledging everyone who made it a reality during the dedication of the four-sided town clock—the organization’s latest project.

“My 15-year obsession with installing a town clock in the Palisades Village was worth the wait,” said Rubin, a local real estate developer and Palisadian since 1987. “I’ve seen many town clocks across the United States and Europe, and I thought that’s what our town needs and how fortunate we are to have it on this corner in the heart of the Village.”

The clock is dedicated to Robert Lindtrathen McBain Wilson (1898-1994), Richard Otto Wahlgren (1933-2020) and Arnie Wishnick (1942-2019)—“prominent business members for this community whose good works touched the lives of many,” read the plaque.

“This clock is a gathering place for the families and businesses of Pacific Palisades,” an inscription on the plaque continued. “So until we meet again!”

Rubin, who grew up in Hancock Park but now lives in lower Marquez, has been a P.R.I.D.E. member for almost 20 years. He persevered in first finding a location and then the funding for the clock itself.

“They say ‘it takes a village,’ well this clock project was achieved due to our Pacific Palisades Village collaboration,” Rubin continued. “This Palisades P.R.I.D.E. project would not be possible without the generous support and donations from numerous parties. I want to thank you all for being here today and being part of history for our wonderful community. We hope you enjoy this addition to the Village and please get involved in any of the many great community volunteer organizations.”

With that, Rubin proceeded to thank the Vard Stephen Hunt Foundation for permitting P.R.I.D.E. to use their property; U.S. Bank for allowing them to occupy their lease premises; Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades for being part of the community project; contributor Helen Wahlgren; and Jackie Maduff, wife of the late Wishnick.

Rubin also thanked Palisades architect Rich Wilken; Rubin’s neighbor and attorney with CGS3 Law David Schwartz; Pacific Coast Design Group with owner Frank DiMarco (president of the Rotary Club) and his crew who handled the construction of the clock foundation work; Greg Heller with Stone Age Masonry; Pacific Palisades Community Council for supporting the project since P.R.I.D.E. presented it to the board in 2019; and Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria, who supplied pizzas for the dedication.

Rubin gave thanks to late Palisades P.R.I.D.E. co-founder and board member Wally Miller who, as Rubin put it, “recruited me to Palisades P.R.I.D.E. almost 20 years ago.”

Palisades P.R.I.D.E., which stands for Protect and Renew our Identity and Environment, has been raising funds via private donations for the beautification of the Palisades since 1992. The organization was named Pride of the Palisades by PPCC at the end of 2023.

Lifelong Palisadian Sam Laganà, a 2011 PPCC Sparkplug Award winner and current stadium voice of the Los Angeles Rams, also spoke at the dedication, offering historical perspective and vision of the three movers and shakers for whom the clock is dedicated.