By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

California Department of Transportation began construction to create a second northbound lane on Pacific Coast Highway at Porto Marina Way on Tuesday night, May 28, the department reported earlier that day.

“As of Thursday morning, May 30, there are two lanes open in each direction on Pacific Coast Highway at Porto Marina Way (north of Sunset Boulevard) at the Tramonto Slide,” Caltrans wrote in an update sent May 30. “Overnight work will continue tonight, Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, to place k-rail at the base of the slide and to place more signs … There may be more overnight work next week, but two lanes will remain open in each direction during the day. Please drive carefully and do not speed.”

The right lane of PCH has been closed following the Tramonto Slide that occurred in February, later saturated by a series of storms in March, according to Caltrans.

Construction was anticipated to take place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night. At least one lane in each direction of Pacific Coast Highway from Sunset Boulevard to Coastline Drive would remain open.

“Construction will include removing the existing curb along the southbound shoulder; removing existing pavement delineation, markers, and markings; realigning lanes around the slide area; grinding; repaving; restriping; and placing k-rail at the toe of the slide,” according to Caltrans.

Caltrans recently stated the department would not clear the landslide debris from PCH “unless and until the city stabilizes the Tramonto Slide above the roadway,” according to Pacific Palisades Community Council.

“The existing northbound right lane must remain closed due to the instability of the slide,” Caltrans reported. “There is no additional space in the median to create another lane. All northbound and southbound lanes will be realigned toward the shoreline to create space for a second northbound travel lane that allows the safe and smooth flow of traffic.”

PPCC hosted a special meeting on May 20 to discuss the landslide and proposed construction in Castellammare. Full coverage of the meeting can be found in the May 23 edition of the Palisadian-Post, as well as online.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated on Thursday, May 30, to reflect updates from Caltrans.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The Pacific Palisades Library Association Summer Creative Writing Contest is now underway with the theme “A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To … ”

Open to grades one through 12, student writers have the opportunity to win gift certificate prizes from DIESEL, A Bookstore and be a part of an awards ceremony in the fall. There are five age categories: Scribblers (grades one and two); Jotters (three and four); Scrawlers (five and six); Scribes (seven and eight); and Authors (nine through 12).

“Entries should be family friendly and relate to this year’s theme,” PPLA, also known as The Friends of the Palisades Library, wrote on the contest website.

Entries can be in any literary style, and contestants are limited to one entry, not to exceed two double-spaced pages. This page length is shorter than previous years, PPLA noted on the website.

Contestants may not copy anybody else’s work or use “any form of [artificial intelligence],” and contestants may not submit entries that have won prizes in other contests.

Contestants must reside or attend school in the city of Los Angeles. Entries may be submitted online or in person at Palisades Branch Library, located at 861 Alma Real Drive. The contest is open through September 3.

“The charm of many entries is in the creative mistakes of a beginning writer,” PPLA wrote. “Good luck, we look forward to reading your work.”

For more information, including a complete set of rules and the form to enter, visit friendsofpalilibrary.org/contest.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” by John Bishop is set to open its five-weekend run at Pierson Playhouse, beginning Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m.

“A backer’s audition in a mansion in Chappaqua, New York, gathers together a team of successful Broadway show folk, and it turns out one of them is the infamous ‘Stage Door Slasher’—but who?” read a synopsis provided by Theatre Palisades. “The snow falls, the jokes fly, the bodies drop and the power keeps going out as the group tries to find the killer in this hilarious farce.”

The Theatre Palisades iteration is directed by Lee Costello, and produced by Martha Hunter and Hahnah Jackson. The cast features Josh Farrell, Susan Stangl, Michele Schultz, Brendan Serapiglia, Joshua Farrell, Steven Frankenfield, Cara Kluver, Ian Riegler, Hunter, Richard R. Rosales and Mari King.

The audience will be “treated to a sidesplitting good time and generous serving of the author’s biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit,” read the Theatre Palisades website.

Performances will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission, and $20 for students and seniors.

“We look forward to hearing you laugh … and see you jump,” Theatre Palisades concluded.

All performances will take place at Pierson Playhouse in Pacific Palisades, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades Democratic Club will host a visit to Skirball Cultural Center to have a guided tour of the “Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak” exhibit on Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m.

“‘Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ celebrates the work of Jewish American artist Maurice Sendak, creator of the acclaimed children’s books ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ (1963), ‘In the Night Kitchen’ (1970) and ‘Outside Over There’ (1980),” read a description on the Skirball website. “Organized by The Columbus Museum of Art, where it premiered in October 2022, it is the first major Sendak retrospective since his death in 2012, and the largest and most complete exhibition of his work to date.”

The exhibit features more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings that are part of The Maurice Sendak Foundation. It will be on display through September 1.

“This groundbreaking exhibition also adds new depth to audiences’ understanding of Sendak’s life—as a child of Jewish immigrants, a lover of music, someone with close personal relationships—and how it dovetailed with his creative work, which drew inspiration from writers ranging from William Shakespeare to Herman Melville,” the description concluded. “From portraits that he made of loved ones to archival photographs of family members to toys he designed as a young adult, the exhibition brings Sendak and his work to life in three dimensions.”

Tickets for admission to the PPDC event include everything at Skirball (located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard) apart from the Noah’s Ark exhibit. They are available for $15 for under 18 years old or full-time student; $20 for adult PPDC members; and $22 for adult non-members.

For more information, including a link to purchase tickets, visit the PPDC website.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Teen Cancer America, a national nonprofit organization founded by rock musicians Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend from The Who, will host Rock ‘n Polo V at Will Rogers State Historic Park on Saturday, June 15, at 12:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now.

The event raises funds and awareness for the TCA mission, which develops specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults fighting cancer.

“Don your sun dresses, hats and dapper bow ties, and join Teen Cancer America for an afternoon polo match, family activities, live music, and a gourmet lunch and desserts,” according to the organization.

The event is set to feature music by Ryan Ellis and iHeart DJ Von Bellows. Children are invited to participate in the Kids Stick Pony Race, as well as an Activity Meadow, complete with henna hand painting, a visit from puppies of A Purposeful Rescue, a silent auction and raffle, and more.

“The charity works to bring young people with cancer together to show them that there’s support and people that care,” Michelle Aland, director of development and partnerships for TCA, said of the event in 2022. “The event is to raise funds for the charity … and then to also raise awareness.”

The event takes place at Will Rogers Polo Club at the park.

“It’s a really lovely event where parents can go and have a great day, and watch polo and have a nice glass of wine, and then the young people have a safe place to play and enjoy the day,” Aland continued.

All ages are welcome. Tickets are $10 for children ages 2 to 5; $20 for ages 6 to 18; and $120 for adults. VIP tickets, with VIP table seating, are available for $700.

For more information or to donate, visit polo24.givesmart.com.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Studio Performing Arts & Fitness will present its spring concert, “Barbie: Get Your Sparkle On,” Sunday, June 2, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The performance will take place at Palisades Charter High School, located at 15777 Bowdoin Street, in Mercer Hall.

Tickets are available at the Palisades Studio website for $20.

Palisades Studio, which is located in The Highlands at 522 Palisades Drive, is offering a range of programming in 2024, including Hip Hop, Ballet, Acrobatics/Tumbling, Contemporary, Aerial Silks/Acro and more. Private lessons are also available.

The studio’s dance camps, which take place in June and July, are available for campers ages 3 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sessions will include Aerial Silks, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tumbling, Art and more.