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.

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.