News Updates: Year In Review

January 23 The legacy of late beloved community member Arnie Wishnick was cemented with a commemorative renaming of a portion of Antioch Street in his honor. Attendees gathered at the corner of Via De La Paz and Antioch on Thursday, January 16, for a special unveiling celebration of Arnie Wishnick Way signs.

February 6 Michelle Homme welcomed Dashiell Cove Homme at 9:53 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at UCLA Santa Monica—the first baby of 2020 in Pacific Palisades, a tradition celebrated in the Palisadian-Post since 1954.

February 13 Long-time community activist and Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Emeritus George Wolfberg died Wednesday, February 5, after battling a long illness. “He was a cherished friend and mentor to countless Palisadians and colleagues throughout the city of Los Angeles,” PPCC shared in a statement.

February 20 Since Norris’ closure in July 2018, countless Palisadians requested the return of a hardware store—and their wishes were answered. Anawalt Lumber, a family-owned and operated company that was founded in 1923, took over a portion of the space formerly occupied by Norris Hardware.

March 12 As the number of coronavirus disease 2019, formally COVID-19, cases increased around the world and across the United States, Palisadians were preparing. An email from Palisades Charter High School’s Principal Pamela Magee on March 5 asked students and school employees with ill health to stay home.

According to the Los Angeles County of Public Health Department, there was no immediate threat to the general public at this time.

April 2 Individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic were offered temporary housing in recreation centers across Los Angeles. Palisades Recreation Center was listed as a designated emergency shelter, prompting community members to express opposition.

April 9 As Safer at Home orders in place across the city of Los Angeles extended into the fourth week, residents were encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and County of Los Angeles Public Health to wear non-medical face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

April 16 During an address to the school community on Monday, April 13, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner reported campuses across the district would remain closed through the 2019-20 academic year in response to the pandemic.

May 7 Palisades Charter High School aimed to honor its students with a #BeTheLight display, which included illuminating the stadium, pool and baseball field areas on Friday, May 1, at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 in Military Time). The display went on for 20 minutes and 20 seconds to honor Pali High students for what they’ve gone through in 2020 and the Class of 2020.

June 4 As protests over police brutality and the death of George Floyd continued across Southern California and around the globe—including a group in the Palisades—the National Guard arrived in the business district of Pacific Palisades on Sunday, May 31.

June 4 Following state and county guidelines, Los Angeles took its first steps toward reopening its economy after more than two months of being largely shut down. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the approval of reopening non-essential businesses, including all retail, in-person dining, barbershops, hair salons and more—with restrictions and protocols in place.

June 11 The Palisades Charter High School Class of 2020 made history June 4 with the first-ever virtual commencement ceremony—complete with a bevy of guest appearances by local celebrities tied to the school and community. Pali High graduates told the Palisadian-Post the virtual graduation turned out to be more fun than expected and said they enjoyed seeing themselves in the videos.

June 11 In the wake of George Floyd’s death on May 25, protests against police brutality across the globe continued, with demonstrations of various sizes taking place in Pacific Palisades.

Over the weekend of June 6 and 7, marches were well attended across Los Angeles, including two peaceful Palisades protests planned by local organizers.

June 18 While many Pacific Palisades businesses adapted to limitations in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, other businesses permanently closed their doors. 90272 Dance and Fitness Wear, started by Palisadians Terry Ross and Traci Chorna two years ago, closed its doors at the end of June. Additional closures include Robeks Fresh Juices and Smoothies located on Antioch Street.

June 25 Following nearly three-month closures due to Safer at Home orders, wellness and beauty spot Botanica Bazaar and children’s clothing store mini mioche permanently closed their Palisades Village locations.

June 25 After nearly 40 years in business, Mely and Tim Parmelee decided to retire and close the doors of their family-owned and operated Pacific Palisades boutique, Special Moments, located at 873 Via De La Paz.

July 9 This year Pacific Palisades rocked the Fourth of July in a different fashion: virtually. Palisades Americanism Parade Association presented its annual Palisades Rocks the Fourth as a virtual concert that was live-streamed for free across social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitch—allowing viewers to enjoy music from afar during Safer at Home orders.

July 23 The Pacific Palisades Residents Association filed a notice of appeal in Superior Court on Tuesday, July 14, to overturn the ruling on the Palisades Highlands eldercare project to be constructed on Palisades Drive. PPRA has been fighting against aspects of the development since 2018, appealing exemptions and approvals by the city and California Coastal Commission of the project by Brentwood-based developer Rony Shram.

August 13 As departing Palisades Charter Elementary School Principal Joan Ingle entered her re-retirement, the school welcomed Juliet Herman to fill the position. She shared that she felt very lucky to be a part of the community in spite of the “daunting” challenges that lied ahead of the year.

August 20 Nonprofit environmental organization Resilient Palisades hosted its inaugural event virtually on Thursday, August 13. The event took place via Zoom and introduced its current members as well as California State Senator and Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee Ben Allen.

September 3 The Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved plans to reimagine a former Jack in the Box site on Thursday, August 27. The project, located at 17346 West Sunset Blvd., called for the demolition of the former fast food restaurant and construction of a five-story, mixed-use building.

September 24 Following a two-week voting period, the Pacific Palisades Community Council announced the results of the 2020 election of area and at-large representatives that will serve on the board for the 2020-22 term.

There were three contested seats in this term’s election: Area 4, Area 6 and Area 7. Area 4 went to Karen Ridgley, Matthew Quiat filled Area 6 and Area 7 went to Jenny Li.

September 24 Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Sarah Knauer and President & CEO Bob Benton confirmed on Monday, September 21, that Eugene Levy, a resident of the Alphabet Streets, would be taking over for Co-Honorary Mayors Billy and Janice Crystal. Levy became honorary mayor-elect of the Palisades.

October 1 Palisadian Paul Davis organized a peaceful protest that took place in the heart of Pacific Palisades on Thursday, September 24. A few dozen community members supporting Black Lives Matter started a march at Palisades Recreation Center and made their way through the Village, holding signs calling for justice and reform.

November 5 Pacific Palisades residents took to the Palisades Recreation Center, located at 851 Alma Real Drive, the only voting center in town. This year’s Presidential Election, with President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden on the ballot, was on track to break the voter turnout record set in 2016.

November 12 Several private schools in Pacific Palisades, including Seven Arrows Elementary, Calvary Christian, Westside Waldorf and Corpus Christi, were granted waivers from Los Angeles County to reopen classrooms for in-person instruction to youngest grades.

December 10 As Los Angeles County continued to
break its own record for new cases of COVID-19 reported in a day, the countywide Health Officer Order was modified to align with the State Regional Stay Home Order, which went into effect as the Southern California Region ICU capacity fell below 15%, according to the state. The updated order went into effect Sunday, December 6.

December 17 After several virtual discussions since the beginning of summer, the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board approved proposed changes to the historic Business Block Building—located on Sunset Boulevard and a centerpiece structure in the Palisades since 1924. Two of the main features discussed at length were changes in the “distinctive” pink color and the striped awnings.