Dr. Dan F. Didden, DVM, a beloved and highly respected veterinarian in West Los Angeles, passed away on March 22. A longtime resident of Pacific Palisades for 57 years, he was known for his dedication to animal care, his love of the outdoors and the joy he brought to those around him.
Born in Bakersfield, California, to Viola Mae Anderson and Fred Didden, Dan spent his early years in La Crescenta. He graduated from Glendale High School and Glendale Junior College, where he was voted Outstanding Graduate of his class by his peers. He went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis.
Upon graduating in 1964, Dan began his career at the California Animal Hospital on Sepulveda Boulevard in West Los Angeles. There, with his partner, Larry Lippincott, they built a hospital renowned throughout Southern California for its advanced techniques in veterinary medicine. He took great pride in mentoring the many veterinary technicians who passed through his practice, many of whom went on to become veterinarians themselves, carrying forward the skills and ethics he instilled in them.
A true outdoorsman throughout his life, Dan’s love for nature began in childhood, hiking the hills behind his home, raising homing pigeons, fishing in Baja and bird hunting with his grandfather, father, and brother. He cherished the time spent passing on his passion for hunting to his sons, Brant and Craig, alongside their loyal black Labradors.
Dan was an active member of several clubs, including the Riviera Tennis Club, Los Angeles Country Club, La Grulla Hunting Club and the Bel-Air Bay Club, where he enjoyed playing paddle tennis and bocce ball for over 40 years.
He will be remembered for his deep love of family and friends, his unwavering commitment to his profession, and his infectious laughter that brought joy to so many lives.
Dan is survived by his wife of 61 years, the love of his life, Gail; their children, Brant and his partner, Jacinta Ryan, and Craig and his wife, Lara; and his four grandsons, Diego, Henry, Niko, and Ry, of whom he was immensely proud. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Didden, and his wife, Donna; his sister-in-law, Lorraine; his nieces, Nicole and her husband, Frank, and their son, Dylan; and Kimberly and her husband, Brad, and their son, Haydan. He also leaves behind dear friends, extended family, and his beloved black Labrador Retrievers, Sam and Willow.
A celebration of Dan’s life will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ducks Unlimited or the Lange Foundation.
Palisades High Alums and Coaches Honored at City Section Induction Ceremony in Granada Hills
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
More history was made on Sunday afternoon at Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills, where four accomplished individuals joined the distinguished list of Palisades High inductees into the CIF City Section Athletic Hall of Fame.
Niot only was Pali High well represented—no surprise given that Palisades is the winningest school in Los Angeles—but Dolphins alum Sam Lagana, stadium voice of the LA Rams, served as master of ceremonies and kept the ceremony moving with his flare for the dramatic.
Volleyball player Dave Saunders (Class of 1978) with Commissioner Vicky Lagos at Sunday’s induction ceremony. Photos by Steve GalluzzoLA Lakers President Jeanie Buss (Class of 1979) with Commissioner Vicky Lagos at Sunday’s induction ceremony.
“There were only 49 City schools when I went to Palisades and today I’m told there are 156… that’s a lot of growth in five years,” joked Lagana, who graduated in 1980. “This event is all about bringing us together people together and today we get to unify more people.”
The Legacy Group was introduced first via video presentation and among the 15 honorees was Harold “Bud” Ware. A founding member of the Pali High faculty, he was a math teacher and coached boys and girls tennis in addition to football and basketball. Ware built the tennis program into a dynasty, piloting the Dolphins to nine City boys crowns from 1965-77 (including a then-record five straight from 1969-73) along with six City girls titles from 1975-84. Before the playoffs in 1979, Ware turned the boys’ program over to current coach and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Bud Kling, who attended Sunday’s festivities with his wife Cheryl and Pali High assistant coach Robert Silvers. Upon retirement, Ware lived in Topanga Canyon until he passed away in the summer of 2012 at the age of 86. Receiving the award on his behalf was Harold’s son John.
The Los Angeles City Section Ahletic Hall of Fame will honor its 2025 class at a ceremony from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills and among the 35 recipients are four individuals from Palisades High.
John Ware accepted the Legacy award on behalf of his father Harold (nicknamed “Bud,” Pali High’s first tennis coach.Lifelong Palisadian Sam Lagana served as master of ceremonies for the CIF City Section’s eighth Hall of Fame Class.
One of the three 2025 inductees in theContributors category was none other than 1979 Pali High alum Jeanie Buss, now the President and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. A master at multi-tasking, Buss checked her phone periodically for updates on the game (the Lakers were playing in Oklahoma City) while enjoying lunch and chatting with Lagana and fellow inductee Dave Saunders, who was a year ahead of her at Palisades.
“I played JV basketball and was the stat keeper for the boys team, which served me well for the job I have now,” began Buss, one of the most respected and successful executives in professional sports. “In 10th grade my P.E. teacher said ‘you’re on the golf team.’ I’d never played before in my life but she said we need a girls team to meet Title IX.”
Buss grew up on Ranch Lane in Rustic Canyon and won the Miss Palisades Pageant when she was 17. Two years later she began her career while enrolled in Business classes at USC. She took ownership of the Lakers upon her father’s death in 2013 and seven years later became the first female owner to guide her franchise to an NBA championship.
When he learned he was included in the City’s eighth Hall of Fame class, former Pali High aquatics coach Dave Anderson was overcome with joy and he shared the moment Sunday with his wife Mary Lou, his longtime co-coach John Apgar and members of his first City championship teams. Anderson coached for 22 years (1971-93), leading the Dolphins to six straight boys water polo crowns in the 1970s, eight boys swim titles and 11 girls swim titles.
Former Palisades swim and water polo coach Dave Anderson (right) with 2017 inductee, tennis coach Bud Kling.
“The best part is the interaction I’ve had with everyone who helped me those first few years… the parents were really involved back then,” said Anderson, who lives in Woodland Hills. “I was in a time capsule.”
As the only volleyball player among this year’s inductees, Saunders gave the last acceptance speech last and shared how his destiny changed forever when he drew the attention of Pali High coach Howard Enstedt.
“I was a baseball player until my junior year at Pali when Howard walked by and saw me playing mixed doubles volleyball on the outdoor courts next to the gym,” Saunders reminisced. “He said ‘you;’ve got a great arm swing… how come you’re not on the volleyball team?’ I grew nine inches, played JV as a junior and practiced all summer before my senior year.”
Saunders became of the best to ever don a Dolphins uniform. After leading his varsity team to City glory under Enstedt (a 2015 City Hall of Fame inductee) he played on three NCAA title teams at UCLA and joined fellow Pali High alums Chris Marlowe and Steve Salmons on the USA’s gold-medal-winning indoor team at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He won gold again at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and represented his country at the Pan American Games in 1983 and 1987.
The Palisades High boys tennis traveled to Newport Coast for the Lightning Classic last Saturday and emerged victorious, sweeping the team, singles and doubles titles.
In the schools competition the Dolphins defeated JSerra, Ayala and host Sage Hill. Lorenzo Brunkow met teammate Neel Joshi in the singles final and Brunkow prevailed. Owen Chin Rust took fourth place. Caleb Scott and Max May won the doubles competition while fellow Dolphins Zach Cohen and Teddy Brainard took fifth.
Palisades was in danger of dropping its second league match of the season April 3 but rallied to win two of the last three matches to beat Venice, 4-3. Dash Hansford won a champion’s tiebreakerat No. 3 singles to notch a crucial point after Rocco Weinberg fell in three tough sets at the No. 1 spot.
A year ago, Briana Vasquez was racking up wins and strikeouts at Palisades High. Now, she is doing it at the University of La Verne.
On March 10, the Leopards freshman was selected Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week after throwing a three-hitter with five strikeouts in a six-inning, 10-1 triumph over Bethel.
Vasquez improved to 2-1 and lowered her season earned run average to 3.71. Entering Friday’s game versus conference rival Pomona Pitzer she is 5-5 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 20 strikeouts and four complete games in 56 innings in the circle.
A Kinesiology major, Vasquezhad a stellar varsity career at Palisades, earning All-City honors as a senior last spring when she recorded 165 strikeouts in 118.2 innings and allowed only eight extra base hits. She led the Dolphins to the Division I semifinals and threw a perfect game against Hamilton, striking out 13 of the 15 batters she faced.
As a sophomore, Vasquez had 83 strikeouts, posting a 3.01 ERA and a 7-5 record in 72 innings. In her junior year she went 3-3 with 72 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.
Assistant coach Phallynn Hill claps for her team at the Chatsworth Invitational. Photo: Steve Galluzzo
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Winning the Silver Division championship at last weekend’s Chatsworth Invitational was thrilling for the Palisades High boys volleyball team, but beating archrival Venice in the finals made it even sweeter.
Piloting the Dolphins in the first stage of pool play on Friday at Birmingham was assistant Phallynn Hill, a former star libero at Los Osos High in Rancho Cucamonga who went on to play collegiately at Rutgers, graduating in 2019. A P.E. teacher at Pali High, she is grateful for the tutelage of head coach Carlos Gray.
“I tell him ‘you’re like my Yoda,’” Hill said of her mentor, who she started working with during the girls season in the fall. “I watch how he analyzes the game and adjusts to what he sees.”
Palisades opened the tournament with a sweep of Cate, then outlasted Cleveland to set up a showdown with Canyon to determine the winner of Friday’s pool. The teams split the first two sets by identical 25-19 scores before the Cowboys took the third, 15-10. Assistant coach Jeff Nakamura guiding the squad on Day 2 at Calabasas, where the Dolphins finished 1-2 in pool play and dropped to the Silver bracket. They beat Calabasas and Oak Park to set up a finals meeting with the Gondos, who had beaten Palisades twice in Western League play. Venice led 25-24 before the Dolphins reeled off three straight points (the last on a block by Kirill Deev) to prevail 27-25.
Jack (left) and Chase Zucker at the Callaway FCG Championships in Auburn, Washington last October. Courtesy of Eric Zucker
Jack and Chase Zucker Hope to Lead Revere Golf Team to Repeat
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
The sport of golf is challenging, but identical twins Chase and Jack Zucker sure make it look easy at times. The 13-year-olds are in seventh grade and in the Magnet Program within Paul Revere Middle School. Both get stellar grades on the course and in the classroom.
Amazingly, both play guard for their AAU basketball team called Bucket Boys that recently received the distinction of being an Adidas sponsored program.
Jack and Chase play either golf or basketball almost every day of the week. For them, there is no such thing as “time off” for the offspring of proud parents Eric and Dr. Lanvi Do-Zucker.
Chase has been on a tear on the links of late, earning medalist honors after shooting 1-under par 26 with three birdies on the nine-hole layout at the 2024 Delphic League Championships last May. at Sinalloa Golf Course in Simi Valley. He was only in sixth grade then and his effort also led Revere to the team title with a cumulative score of 174. Chase vaulted into the lead with three consecutive birdies on holes 6, 7 and 8.
Jack also contributed to the team crown, tying for 11th overall at +3. Under the guidance of coach under the watchful eye of Coach Jeremy Alpert, Revere went 9-1 in Delphic League regular season matches against all private schools, gled by the Zucker boys’ steady low scores.
In October, Chase gained national recognition after winning the Future Champions Golf Callaway World Series Golf Event in Auburn, Washington with a two-day total of two under par. Chase was handed the Husky Trophy, as the tournament is hosted by the University of Washington, and automatically qualified for the Callaway World Championship in Palm Desert in July—an event reserved for the top 100 juniors in the world.
Chase’s hot streak continued November 23-24 when he tied for first in the Ventura County Junior Golf Association event at Alisol River Course in Solvang, where he carded a 75.
Chase got his first hole-in-one at the Santa Barbra County Junior Championship in December,, placing fourth with a 79.
On January 14, playing a US Kids Los Angeles Tour event at Los Robles Golf Course in Thousand Oaks, Chase fired a 77 to tie for first and last month in yet another Ventura County Junior Golf Association event at one of Chase’s favorite courses—Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo—he was absoultely thrilled to shoot a 77, which was good enough for second place.
To punctuate his stellar play of late, less than three weeks ago, Chase resumed his remarkable striong of Top Five finishes by becoming the runner-up with rounds of 77 and 73 at a California Junior Golf Tournament in Diamond Bar.
Chase’s next goal is to defend his Delphic League title and help Revere repeat as team champion.
Caleb Gitlin Photos by Steve GalluzzoRoman HawkJett TeegardinIan Sullivan
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
In all his years coaching baseball, Palisades High coach Mike Voelkel cannot recall a more bizarre box score than the one from Monday’s game at Fairfax. The Dolphins were supposed to make quick work of their Western League rivals, yet it did not quite go according to the script.
Palisades won 11-5 to improve to 8-6 overall, 7-3 in league, but it was hardly a clean outing. On the positive side, pitchers Roman Hawk (four innings) and Caleb Gitlin (three innings) combined to no-hit the host Lions, with each recording four strikeouts. The Dolphins racked up 11 hits and stole a season-high 12 bases. On the negative side, however, they committed nine errors—their most in a game in Voelkel’s 18-year tenure. Gifted numerous extra outs and a pair of walks in the bottom of the third, Fairfax loaded the bases then proceeded to plate five unearned runs, pulling to within two before its rally was squelched.
Watching from the dugout, Voelkel called his team’s defense “really bad” and likened it to “scratching on the chalk board.” Fortunately for Palisades, the Lions had fielding and throwing issues also, making eight errors of their own. In all, the teams combined for 17 miscues in seven innings.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, their offense had no trouble scoring. It was a productive day for Jack Kurland, who had a double, a single, one RBI, two runs scored and three steals. Ian Sullivan had three hits, including a double, and two runs scored; Andreas Konnari had two hits, two RBIs and one run scored; Jett Teegardin had a single, a triple and a run scored; Logan Bailey had one hit, one RBI and one run scored; Isaac Buenrostro had one run and one hit; Hawk and Noah Andrews each scored a run; and Sammy Dunn and Gitlin each drove in one run.
Last week, Palisades beat Westchester 20-1 and 11-1 (both ended in five innings) and outscored University 13-4. Relief pitcher Yamato Yukimoto struck out the side in the fifth inning of the first game against the Comets while Gitlin and Hudson Ramberg each had two hits and three RBIs and Hawk added two doubles and three runs scored. In the second game versus the Comets, Gitlin had two hits and four RBIs, Kurland hit a two-run double and Hawk scored four runs. On the mound, Teegardin tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Andrews led the way against the Wildcats with two doubles, a pair of RBIs and two runs, Hawk blasted a two-run homer (the team’s third of the season), Kurland had a double and three runs scored and Bailey added an RBI double.
The Dolphins play at Fairfax today (varsity at 2, JV at 4:15)before tournament games with North Hollywood on Saturday, Taft on Tuesday, Verdugo Hills on Thursday and a nonleaguer April 19 at Granada Hills.
Chef Gianbattista “Gianba” and Marlo Vinzoni are now serving a full menu at The Colony in Venice through Cinque Terre West and DELIzioso Cinque, which opened on March 18.
“Our Palisades community’s resilience and strength continue to inspire us,” the Vinzonis wrote in a statement. “It’s the connections we share that keep us going, and we’re so grateful to all of you.”
The Vinzonis owned and operated Monument Street eatery DELIzioso Cinque, which was open at the time of the Palisades fire, as well as Cinque Terre West and Enoteca Cinque, which had previously closed in June 2024.
The menu includes items from DELIzioso Cinque and the previous Cinque Terre West iteration, including cornetti (chocolate and plain croissants), soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and main courses, with items like Pollo al Limone and Branzino alla Mediterranea. Saffron Seafood Paella—“Chef Gianba’s special”—is also available with 48-hour notice.
“After a challenging time for us all, reconnecting with the Palisades through food has been our goal—and we couldn’t be happier to serve our friends, family and neighbors once again,” the Vinzonis said. “Whether you’re craving your favorite Cinque Terre West or DELIzioso Cinque dishes, we’re here to bring a taste of home to you.”
For anyone who would like to see Marlo at The Colony when picking up food or eating, she recommended emailing to let her know in advance. She envisions offering the space as a meeting ground for Palisadians.
“The people in town, those are the people I hold close to my heart,” Marlo said. “If somebody wants to meet, I’m happy to come and say hello.”
Cinque Terre West and DELIzioso Cinque are available for dine-in, pickup and delivery. In addition to the restaurant, Gianba also continues to be available for catering.
“Chef Gianba will collaborate with you to craft a personalized menu that perfectly reflects your tastes and fulfills your event’s needs,” read information about catering. “From dietary preferences to highlighting your favorite dishes, every detail is meticulously curated.”
They are also able to host catering event at The Colony—whether it’s a meeting, book club, etc.—for no additional charge.
Cinque Terre West, known for its “regional Ligurian dishes … reminiscent of the small Mediterranean coastal villages of the Cinque Terre region Gianba grew up in,” opened in May 2019. The wine bar—Enoteca Cinque by Cinque Terre West—followed in August 2021. DELIzioso Cinque opened in January 2023.
Cinque Terre West and DELIzioso Cinque are open Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Colony, which is located at 401 Lincoln Boulevard.
“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do what we love—bringing you the flavors and experiences we’re passionate about,” the Vinzonis wrote. “We’re thrilled to be back and can’t wait to serve you again.”
The Hollywood Bowl Photo courtesy of Hollywood Bowl
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Palisades Charter High School announced on March 28 that its graduation for the Class of 2025 will take place at the Hollywood Bowl.
“We are excited to share some amazing news with our school community,” Pali High wrote across social media. “After a thorough search and months of planning, we are proud to announce that the Class of 2025 Graduation will be held at the Hollywood Bowl.”
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 4. Details like time, tickets and logistics will be announced closer to the date, Pali High wrote.
“Thank you for your patience and support during this process,” the post continued. “A special thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. We look forward to celebrating our seniors and giving them the send-off they deserve at this iconic venue.”
The school, whose campus has been closed since the Palisades fire started on January 7, also recently announced that it had secured a lease for a temporary learning center at the former Sears building in Santa Monica.
“We plan to have an all-staff day on Monday, April 21, with students reporting for classes on Tuesday, April 22,” Principal Dr. Pam Magee wrote on March 29.
The build-out is “on schedule,” according to Magee, and “many classrooms have already been constructed.”
An informational town hall, “Transition to Pali South @ Sears Santa Monica,” is being planned for Wednesday, April 9, at 6 p.m. Additional details, including a link to the Zoom, will be available before the meeting, Magee confirmed.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and the Contractors State License Board will host a live webinar to support people affected by the Southern California wildfires on Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The webinar is designed to assist individuals navigate the rebuilding process, covering topics like hiring and working with licensed contractors; understanding contracts, change orders and protections; and fraud prevention and how to avoid project delays.
“Fire victims are understandably concerned about being taken advantage of by unethical contractors during the process of rebuilding of their homes and businesses,” Irwin said in a statement. “They have suffered enough already, and nobody wants them to be further victimized during the rebuilding process. The purpose of this seminar is to provide information that will further protect them during the process of engaging with and hiring a contractor.”
The Zoom capacity for the webinar is set to 500—those who receive a message that the room is full are encouraged to join the Facebook Live feed on Irwin’s page. The presentation in its entirety will be available on the assembly website in the days following.
“Rebuild with confidence,” Irwin said in a statement, “don’t miss this important discussion.”
To join the webinar or submit questions, visit a42.asmdc.org/event. For more information, contact the District Office at 805-370-0542.
Irwin is also hosting a Sidewalk Session in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, April 5, from 12 to 2 p.m. at The Five07 Coffee Bar + Eatery (2036 Avenida de los Arboles).
“Come join a discussion on local issues in a relaxed, informal setting,” read information about the session. “District Office staff will be available to take information to address questions or community concerns, and schedule future meetings as time permits. Be sure to sign in upon arrival to get on the list for a conversation with Assemblymember Irwin.”
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