Our Town

The cast, crew and pit orchestra of the Palisades Charter High School performances of “Legally Blonde the Musical” enjoyed a two-weekend, sold-out run at the Santa Monica High School Humanities Center.

“The show was an amazing celebration of the resilience of our Pali performing arts community,” Directors Cheri and Monique Smith said. “The spring musical took place against all odds with both virtual rehearsals and meetings at numerous in-person locations on the Westside. Pali’s unbelievable talent was on full display in this collaboration between the theater, choral music, instrumental music and dance programs.”

The directors “raved” about the “dedication of their students, parents and colleagues,” including Allison Cheng, Peter Ye and Chris Barton.

“This show was one we will never forget,” the directors said. “Watching these artists come together, after all they have been through, was so inspiring. Hope and generosity were on full display.”

Former Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades Steve Guttenberg won a Christopher Award for his memoir “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.” The book was one of 12 awarded in the program’s 76th year.

“The Christopher Awards celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work ‘affirms the highest values of the human spirit’ and reflect the Christopher motto: ‘It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,’” read a statement about the program. “After his father—the hero and strength of the family—is diagnosed with kidney failure, Guttenberg dedicates himself to becoming a caregiver and reflects on their life together, from childhood through his Hollywood career.”

Guttenberg told the Palisadian-Post that he is “proud” of the Christopher Award and “delighted” by its choosing the book as one of the honorees.

“Any time one’s work gets acknowledged, it is an honor,” he said.

Sharif Ossayran and Khalid Al Mukhater joined mother and son Steve and Ann Kerr for dinner after Ossayran was selected as the winner of a fundraising raffle with tickets sold by Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades, which resulted in a $10,000 donation to Palisades Charter High School athletic programs and club activities. Steve, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and a Pali High graduate, partnered with the club to sponsor, with a grand prize of joining him for dinner.

An opening reception with a “packed crowd of a few hundred attendees” for Rustic Canyon artist and resident Marta Chaffee took place on March 22 at Gallery 169 in Canyon Square. Her new body of work, “Grasses”— described as a collection of closely observed drawings that “reflect both the majesty, resilience and the often-overlooked complexity of … humble plants”—will be on display at the gallery through April 27.

“After several years away from painting, a life-altering event pulled her back into the studio,” according to information shared about the artist. “When a 50-year-old live oak tree fell on her Pacific Palisades home, it also cracked open her studio and stimulated her art practice, pushing her to create again.”

The 18 “deeply meditative drawings” were among the few possessions Chaffee took with her when evacuating during the Palisades fire.