By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The Resilient Palisades Plant Based Solutions team will host its fifth iteration of Pali Veg Fest on Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Palisades Village Green—with organizers sharing they expect it will be the “biggest” yet.

“Join us at Pali Veg Fest, the vegan street food festival happening right here in the Palisades,” Resilient Palisades wrote in an email ahead of the event. “It’s not just about the food, but also about connecting with your neighbors and getting answers to all your questions about living a sustainable lifestyle.”

The event will feature food trucks and local vendors, including Prana by Lana, Shane’s Tamales, La Crepe de Jardin, Vegan Hooligans and more. Festivities will also include music and giveaways.

“Don’t forget to bring your reusables to help us in our mission to waste less and support the zero waste movement,” the email continued. “Water refill stations and a zero waste station providing reusable cutlery and cups will be available in case you forget to bring your own.”

Pacific Palisades-based environmental nonprofit Resilient Palisades, which was launched in 2020, has multiple teams, including Zero Waste, Clean Air and Water: Green Gardens and Clean Energy Resilience.

The Plant Based Solutions team was created to “effectively communicate the power of a plant-based diet and lifestyle to help stop and reverse climate change while supporting [the] local community in becoming more vegan-friendly,” according to the organization’s website.

Previous Pali Veg Fests have included one in January, which featured food trucks, vendors and a visit from Porkchop the pig.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Palisadian-Post is now seeking messages for its fifth annual graduation special, celebrating the Class of 2024.

To be considered, send a graduation message and high-resolution photo to mypost@palipost.com by Sunday, June 9, at 8 p.m.

Messages can be sent for students who live or attend school in Pacific Palisades who are graduating elementary school, middle school, high school or college. Include the student’s name and school from which they are graduating in the message.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Caltrans reopened Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) on Sunday, June 2—three months ahead of anticipated following a closure due to a landslide in March.

Crews worked around the clock to “remove materials and repair the damage” in order to safely and quickly reopen both lanes of the road, which Caltrans originally estimated to remain closed until September.

“Caltrans revised its original estimate of 50,000 to 90,000 cubic yards of material needing to be removed once a geotechnical report determined that the slide was shallower than first thought,” Caltrans reported. “Crews did not encounter any anomalies in the soil during removal, which benefited the expedited opening.”

The closure, which had been in effect since March 9, had “disrupted the lives of individuals living in the canyon, visitors to Topanga and beachgoers,” according to a statement from Caltrans.

“I cannot overstate just how important it has been for the state and everyone involved to see Topanga Canyon Boulevard open as quickly and as safely as possible,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in the statement. “Thanks to the diligent efforts by the state along with crews assisting on the ground and the support of locals, this repair work has exceeded all our expectations by opening months ahead of initial estimates.”

The road will have one-lane traffic control on off-peak hours using flaggers, Caltrans reported, as emergency repairs continue. Around 15,000 cubic yards of material were removed and repurposed for various entities, including Ventura County farmers, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and an art installation.

With the slope stabilized and material removed, geotechnical engineers and geologists will continue to monitor the site for any movement, according to Caltrans. A cable mesh drapery system may be recommended to prevent “any sloughing of remaining loose materials,” as well as planting native seeds to “further stabilize the slope.”

“I want to commend all those responsible for the quick reopening of this critical route,” Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin said in the statement. “Caltrans District 7 and the California State Transportation Agency, along with their contractors, have once again come through in record time … Thank you to all involved and in particular, thank you to the residents of Topanga who have experienced this disruption firsthand over these past months.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath—who both represent Pacific Palisades and beyond—have partnered to host the “Be Prepared Safety Fair” on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Calabasas.

The event is slated to include presentations from area entities, including Resource Conservation District on home hardening for fires at 10:15 a.m., Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Services and “earthquake expert” Margret Vinci from CalTech on earthquake preparedness at 12:15 p.m.

There will also be a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, blood pressure checks, Narcan education and hands-only CPR demonstrations.

“Events like this are important to the community so they become aware of the resources available to help prepare for natural disasters such as fires, floods and earthquakes,” Irwin said in a statement. “With the help of the resources we’ve gathered, residents will be provided with the information necessary to help them protect their homes and families during the next emergency.”

Lost Hills Sheriff’s Captain Jennifer Seetoo will host storytime at 10:30 a.m. with a reading of “Star’s Great Adventure: Becoming a Deputy Sheriff,” alongside a mini therapy horse. There will also be a “number of emergency response vehicles” from LA County Sheriff’s Department, LACoFD, CalFire, Animal Control and the City of Calabasas for a touch-a-truck.

The safety fair will take place at the Calabasas Community Center, located at 27040 Malibu Hills Road.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Wise & Healthy Aging will host “Fall Prevention Dos and Don’ts” on Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at Palisades Branch Library.

The health and wellness event is geared toward older adults.

“Falling is not a natural part of aging,” according to the event description. “Wise & Healthy Aging will teach about the risks of falling and how to prevent them.”

Wise & Healthy Aging is a nonprofit, community-based organization that works to advance “the dignity and quality of life of older adults through leadership, advocacy and high-quality, innovative services,” according to its website. The organization serves more than 20,000 older adults each year.

Free nightlights will be given out at the end of the program. RSVPs are requested, but not required by calling 310-459-2754.