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Palisadian Larry David to Return in Season 12 of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

After more than two decades, HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is ending: Palisadian Larry David is back for the 12th—and final—season, scheduled to premiere on Max on Sunday, February 4.

The comedy television series—created by David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself—first premiered on October 15, 2000. The plot follows David as a semi-retired television writer and producer, largely in Los Angeles and one season in New York. Previous seasons of the show have featured scenes filmed throughout the Palisades, including a home in The Huntington.

“The iconic Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning comedy series … offers a tongue-in-cheek depiction of the writer/producer/comedian’s fictionalized life,” according to Warner Bros. Discovery. “The comedy series continues to prove how seemingly trivial details of one’s day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events. To keep the narrative spontaneous, the series is shot without a script, and cast members are given scene outlines and improvise lines as they go.”

The trailer for the show’s latest season was released on January 11. The season is also set to star Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Cheryl Hines, J.B. Smoove, Richard Lewis, fellow Palisadian Ted Danson, Vince Vaughn and Tracey Ullman.

Season 12 comes over two years after the season 11 finale—which is not the longest gap between seasons of the series. There was a six-year gap between seasons eight and nine, according to Collider.

In December 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced season 12 would mark the end of the series.

“As ‘Curb’ comes to an end, I will now have the opportunity to finally shed this ‘Larry David’ persona and become the person God intended me to be—the thoughtful, kind, caring, considerate human being I was until I got derailed by portraying this malignant character,” David shared in a statement. “And so ‘Larry David,’ I bid you farewell. Your misanthropy will not be missed. And for those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at Doctors Without Borders.”

The final season will be comprised of 10 episodes, airing each Sundays at 10 p.m. until the series finale on April 7. Catch up on past seasons on Max.

Emmy Awards Feature Ties to Pacific Palisades

Photo courtesy of YouTube

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The 75th Emmy Awards took place January 15—which featured many nominees with ties to Pacific Palisades, as well as honored two late Palisadians.

Toward the end of the annual In Memoriam segment, which featured a performance of “See You Again” by Charlie Puth and The War and Treaty, the song transitioned to “I’ll Be There for You,” The Rembrandts’ theme song for the “Friends” series, honoring late Palisadian Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023.

Perry had been nominated for five Emmy Awards over the course of his career, most recently in 2021 for Outstanding Variety Special as executive producer of “Friends: The Reunion.” He was nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2002 for his role of Chandler Bing in “Friends.”

Late Palisadian Ray Liotta, who died in 2022, was nominated posthumously in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his role of Big Jim Keene in “Black Bird.” The award went to Paul Walter Hauser for his role of Larry Hall in the same show.

“Thank you to the Academy for acknowledging my dad with a ‘Best Supporting Actor’ nomination,” Liotta’s daughter Karsen wrote after the show. “It was beautiful to attend The Emmys on his behalf. He would have been so incredibly proud for being honored for his powerful work in ‘Black Bird.’ … A big shout out to Paul Walter Hauser for your graciousness, as well as much gratitude to Greg Kinnear, Bradley Thomas, Alexa Fogel and everyone involved in the project.”

One former Palisadian was honored for her Super Bowl Halftime Show: “The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna” took home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special, a category that also included “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter,” “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” “The 65th Annual Grammy Awards” and “The Oscars.” Hamish Hamilton and Shawn Carter won the Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special award for the show as well.

Among the nominees, “Barry,” the creation of Marquez Knolls resident Bill Hader, which concluded its four-season run in May 2023, and “Only Murders in the Building”—starring longtime Palisadian and former Honorary Mayor Martin Short—were nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, with the award going to “The Bear.”

Short and Hader were also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, which went to Jeremy Allen White for his role of Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in “The Bear.”

Hader won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his titular role of Barry Berkman in both 2018 and 2019. He was nominated again in 2022, but the award went to Jason Sudeikis for his role in “Ted Lasso.”

Hader was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the “wow” episode of “Barry,” a category that went to Christopher Storer for the “Review” episode of “The Bear.” Hader was also nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the same episode, which went to Storer for the “System” episode of “The Bear.”

An episode of “Saturday Night Live” that was co-hosted by Short and Steve Martin was nominated for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Special or Series—an award that went to “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” the final piece in John’s EGOT status.

“We won an Emmy and I am on cloud nine,” John wrote on Instagram. “Receiving this recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone involved, and I am so deeply grateful.”

Green Tip: We Are What We Eat

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a “green tip” to our readers in each newspaper. This edition’s tip was written by Lisa Kaas Boyle, Esq., environmental attorney and Resilient Palisades Zero Waste Team member.


The statement “we are what we eat” has come to haunt us in an industrialized world where:

Animals are bred and processed in mechanized food factories that rely on hormones to stimulate growth and antibiotics to prevent infections in the dirty and crowded conditions;

Crops are grown with corporate patented seeds engineered to be resistant to the chemical herbicides sold along with the seeds, and the produce grown is doused in herbicides and pesticides that are retained by the food;

Processed food is packaged in plastic that contaminates the food with the petrochemicals that make the plastic; and

Our reliance on plastic for packaging, single-use products and clothing that sheds in the washer has created an abundance of microplastics and nanoplastics (even smaller and able to cross the blood-brain barrier) that have infiltrated our water cycle, soil and even the air we breathe.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Kaas Boyle

It is impossible in the modern world to insulate ourselves completely, but we can reduce our exposure and fight for better control of chemicals, as seen in the European Union. If you care about your health and the safety of your food, here are some resources to inform your food choices.

“You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” was released on New Year’s Day on Netflix, and presents veganism as a win for health, animals and the environment. “Feeding Tomorrow,” released on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and other streaming services on January 23, proposes developing a “just and regenerative” food system through multiple pathways, including agroforestry, urban farming and food education.

“Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story” presents a soon-to-be mother who wants a healthy pregnancy and child, seeking guidance from world-renowned physicians and environmental leaders, scientists, and politicians to uncover how we got to be so overloaded with chemicals and if there is anything we can do to take control of our exposure (The answer is yes, and the film shows how.). Watch on Apple TV and Google Play.

“The Story of Plastic” is a detailed look into the environmental damage and human rights abuses that occur throughout the lifecycle of plastic. What can companies, countries and people do to fix the issues? See on Prime Video.

And here are some nonprofits to follow and/or join for continuing education on these issues:

  • Environmental Working Group
  • Plastic Pollution Coalition
  • Food and Water Watch
  • And locally, join us at Resilient Palisades

Palisades Neighborhood News

PPDC Annual Meeting | Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades Democratic Club will host its annual meeting—open to all members of the community—on Sunday, February 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Palisades Charter High School in Mercer Hall and via Zoom.

“This event serves as the club’s official ‘annual meeting’ (though the club holds many events throughout the year and its board meets monthly),” according to the PPDC website, “at which the 2024 board candidate slate will be up for ratification by all club members in good standing who are present.”

The meeting will include updates and Q&A with elected officials in person, including State Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and City Councilmember Traci Park. LA Mayor Karen Bass will appear live via video feed, while United States Representative Brad Sherman will be featured in a pre-taped recording, made for the event.

Admission to the event is free, with a $10 donation requested to help offset costs. Doors and Zoom will open at 1:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, visit palidems.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING


Dedication Ceremony | The Village

Palisades P.R.I.D.E.—which stands for Protect & Renew our Identity and Environment—will host a dedication ceremony for the organization’s latest project, a new town clock at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Swarthmore Avenue.

“We have been raising funds through private donations for the beautification of the Pacific Palisades since 1992,” according to its website. Palisades P.R.I.D.E. was recently named Pride of the Palisades by Pacific Palisades Community Council at the end of 2023.

“Come and be a part of this historic moment as the community can officially celebrate the town clock that will stand tall as a symbol of time, community and the enduring charm of Pacific Palisades,” Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce wrote on Instagram ahead of the event.

The clock dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

—SARAH SHMERLING


Getty Villa Celebrates 50 Years | Castellammare

The Getty Villa Museum, located on Pacific Coast Highway in the Castellammare neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, celebrated its 50th birthday on January 16.

“Fascinated by the classical world, J. Paul Getty built a Roman-styled villa now called the Getty Villa Museum, to serve as a museum for his growing art collection and provide the public with greater access,” according to a press release. “On January 16, 1974, the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades opened its doors to the public and, throughout its 50 years, has continued to be a beloved Los Angeles destination and landmark.”

To celebrate its anniversary, Getty Villa is offering daily 45-minute tours beginning at 1 p.m. that delve “into the artworks purchased by J. Paul Getty” through March 4.

—SARAH SHMERLING


Give Love & Be Loved GalaSanta Monica

Tickets are on sale for the fourth annual Give Love & Be Loved Gala, hosted by PRESENT NOW, founded by Palisadian mothers Melanie Neumann and Erica Fisher to provide children’s services to transitional domestic violence shelters.

The event will feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, present packing and short program, according to information shared by the organization.

“The ‘Healing Hearts’ theme serves as a platform to draw attention to the positive impact our Presents Program provides by creating normative and healing experiences for children and youth who are overcoming trauma, and survivors of domestic abuse,” according to the gala’s website.

It will take place on Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at Tiato Bar + Kitchen, located at 2700 Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit presentnow.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

The Doctor Is In

By Damon Raskin, M.D. | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Q:With this colder weather, I am running my heater more than I can remember in years past. I am also waking up with a sore throat, and sometimes congestion, more than I can remember! Can these two be associated? Are there any tips and tricks for maintaining respiratory health, even with the heat on?


Yes, indeed it has been cold lately, at least for us used to Pacific Palisades winters. Time to bring out the sweaters and jackets, woolly socks, and heavier blankets that we have stored away in a closet because we hardly ever use them. But sometimes we just need to finally turn up the thermostat and let the heater in our houses help with the chill in our bones.

Are there possible downsides to your physical health when you heat your home? Absolutely, you are correct that you may in fact suffer from respiratory ailments associated with turning up the heat.

Before turning on your heater for the first time this season, it is a good idea to check and clean or replace your filters because dirty or moldy filters can make asthma and allergies worse. Dust, pollen and other allergens collect in the ductwork during the spring and summer. When you go to turn on the heater in the fall, they can come rushing out into your rooms and lungs. More of these indoor allergens will then circulate, and may cause sinus congestion and make you feel sick.

By making the air in your home much drier than normal, this can also cause flare-ups of asthma, and can trigger coughing or shortness of breath. Central heating can also irritate the nose, which can exacerbate sinus infections.

Normally the lining of your nose and sinuses have a layer of mucus on top of little hairs called cilia, which help guard against infection. When the air is too dry, this mucus layer turns into glue and paralyzes the cilia so they can’t do their job. This can lead to blocked sinuses, sinusitis, nosebleeds and scabs.

In addition, central heating can also lead to dry or itchy eyes, which can be quite uncomfortable. When the air is too dry, our eyes can’t make enough tear film to protect them, and this will often lead to a gritty sensation.

So, what are some strategies to stay warm and avoid these potential problems? Consider using a humidifier in your bedroom, but don’t forget to properly maintain and clean this item as well.

Keep your nasal passages and eyes moist by using some saline nasal spray and natural tears. It is also vital to stay well hydrated by drinking enough water in the winter months.

In addition, you may consider investing in a HEPA filter for your bedroom, which helps screen out over 90% of particles in the air around you, which can help prevent illness.

Of course, you may be waking up with a sore throat and congestion because this is a particularly vicious season for respiratory bugs and may not have anything to do with the heater being on. With the triple whammy of the latest variant of COVID, RSV and influenza cases, as well as just more cold viruses circulating this time of year, call or see your primary care provider to get checked when these symptoms appear. If you are not actually suffering from an infection, consider turning down the heat and getting a new down comforter.

Crime Report

The following crime report includes two weeks of reported incidents.


Theft

16000 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 2 between 4:05 and 4:20 p.m. Suspect removed victim’s bike from vehicle bike rack and fled location.

16900 Sunset Blvd, January 6 between 11:25 and 11:40 p.m. Suspects jumped over fence into construction site. Suspects took construction tools and fled location.

17300 Sunset Blvd, January 9 at 8:30 p.m. Suspect took victim’s purse from shopping cart and fled in white van.

15200 Sunset Blvd, January 10 between 6:13 and 7:05 p.m. Suspect entered store and removed victim’s property without paying for merchandise.

15200 Palisades Village Lane, January 13 at 3:40 p.m. Suspect entered store and removed victim’s property without paying for merchandise.


Burglary

16700 Bollinger Drive, January 4 at 5:30 p.m. Suspect pried rear door open, ransacked residence and fled with property on electric scooters.

16000 Linda Ter, January 10 between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Suspect gained entry into victim’s property by unknown method, took jewelry and watches, and fled to unknown location.

600 Swarthmore Ave, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. Suspect shattered second-floor bedroom glass door, entered location and ransacked drawers. Fled immediately when victim yelled.

400 Swarthmore Ave, January 12 at 7:15 p.m. Suspect broke glass to residence using unknown means, ransacked location and fled with property.


Grand Theft Auto

16900 Sunset Blvd, January 6 at 11:40 p.m. Vehicle taken from street or driveway.

Burglary/Theft From Vehicle

17000 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 6 between 12 and 1:30 p.m. Suspect entered secured vehicle, fled with victim’s property.

Pacific Coast Hwy & Sunset Blvd, January 8 between 4 and 5 p.m. Suspect entered vehicle, took victim’s property and fled.

15900 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 9 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Suspects entered victim’s vehicle by unknown means, fled with victim’s property.

17200 Sunset Blvd, between January 9 at 7:30 p.m. and January 10 at 7:20 a.m. Suspect used unknown hard object to smash victim’s window, fled with victim’s property.

17300 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 9 at 3 p.m. Suspect obtained victim’s hide a key, entered vehicle and fled with victim’s property.

1100 Las Pulgas Road, January 11 at 3 a.m. Suspect entered secured vehicle, removed victim’s property and fled location.

16900 Livorno Drive, between January 11 at 9 p.m. and January 13 at 2:20 p.m. Suspect removed the victim’s property from unsecured vehicle, fled with victim’s property.

1100 Kagawa Street, between January 12 at 6 p.m. and January 13 at 8 a.m. Suspect made entry into secured vehicle using unknown means, fled with property.


Attempted Burglary

1000 Swarthmore Ave, January 13 at 3:40 a.m. Suspects attempted to break window to store with hammer, fled when unsuccessful.


Provided by LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin. In case of emergency, call 911. To report a non-emergency, call 877-275-5273.

The Ribbon is Cut

Photo by Sarah Shmerling

Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce celebrated the recent grand opening of Jemma Pizzeria in Palisades Village with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday evening, January 11.

Less than three weeks after the forthcoming pop-up was first announced, Jemma Pizzeria opened on December 18, 2023, in a spot previously occupied by ROCA Pizza.

Jemma Pizzeria offers a selection of antipasti, salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Chef and restaurateur Jackson Kalb, who grew up in Pacific Palisades on Via De La Paz, described it as a homecoming, years in the making.

“Coming back is the most exciting part for me,” Kalb told the Palisadian-Post on December 5, 2023.

Kalb said he always knew that when he reached a certain point in his career where it was feasible, he would expand to the Palisades. With Kalb at the helm, the Memento Mori Hospitality group operates Jemma Hollywood, Jemma di Mare, Ospi Venice and Jame.

“Jemma Pizzeria pays homage to old-school Italian-American joints with a touch of modern California flair,” according to the Palisades Village website. “Their pizzas are made with an organic flour dough that took over four years to perfect and Lodi, California, tomatoes that feature the perfect blend of sweetness and acidity.”

St. Matthew’s Music Guild to Present Upcoming Concert

Raehann Bryce-Davis
Photo courtesy of Music Guild

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

St. Matthew’s Music Guild will present the next concert in its 39th season on Friday, February 2, beginning at 8 p.m.

The program will feature a recital by Raehann Bryce-Davis, dubbed a “striking mezzo soprano” by The New York Times.

“Bryce-Davis has most recently been heard in the role of Fricka in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s production of Wagner’s ‘Das Rheingold,’” according to Music Guild. “Other notable recent performances include her Metropolitan Opera debut in Stravinsky’s ‘The Rake’s Progress’ and in Verdi’s ‘Il trovatore’ at the Glimmerglass Festival.”

Bryce-Davis will be accompanied by pianist Jeanne-Minette Cilliers in the program, “In Honor of Women.”

“In Honor of Women” will feature “Three Browning Songs” by Amy Beach, “Fi Mi Love Have Lion Heart” by Peter Ashbourne, Wagner’s “Wesendonck Lieder,” and songs by Margaret Bonds and Maria Thompson Corley.

Bryce-Davis is a 2018 recipient of the George London Award at the George London Competition, Audience Prize-winner of the Concorso Lirico Internazionale di Portofino competition and other accolades. She holds a Master of Music and Professional Studies certificate from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“Additional credits include Leonora in Donizetti’s ‘La Favorite’ at the Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Marguerite in Berlioz’s ‘La Damnation de Faust’ conducted by Maestro John Nelson with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, Ms. Alexander in ‘Satyagraha’ at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Kristina in ‘The Makropulos Affair’ at the Janáček Brno Festival, Wellgunde in Wagner’s ‘Die Ring-Trilogie’ at Theater an der Wien, Madeline Mitchell in Heggie’s ‘Three Decembers’ at Opera Maine, and Nezhata in Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Sadko’ at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen,” according to Music Guild.

The February 2 concert will take place at St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades, located at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue. Tickets are $45.

A free pre-concert lecture will be offered by Music Guild President Tom Neenan, beginning at 7:10 p.m.

For tickets, season subscriptions or additional information, visit musicguildonline.org or call 310-573-7422.

Our Town


Italian writer and director Daphne Di Cinto, who also had a role in the “Bridgerton” series, visited Palisades Charter High School to screen her short, “The Moor.”

“The short, which has been longlisted for Oscars nominations, is about Alessandro de’ Medici, a Black man who was the son of the Medici Pope and a slave that became the first duke of Florence,” explained Arianna Strippoli, a teacher in the World Languages Department at Pali High. “The event was quite successful, there were about 100 students during the first screening and over 200 during the second.”

Photo by Emmett Whitaker

The Class of 2026 was featured at National Charity League, Inc., Westside Chapter’s Annual Chapter Tea & Fashion Show, which took place at Brentwood Country Club. Fashion showcased on the runway included garments provided by Palisades Village vendors PAIGE, Favorite Daughter, MISA and lululemon. The event also included a toy and gift drive, with items given to NCL partner Hollygrove.

Photo by Hal Horowitz Photography

Calvary Christian School hosted its fall musical, “Elf Jr. the Musical,” performed by students in third through eighth grade in the after school program.

Photo courtesy of Victory Ludwig

Veterans Gardens at Palisades Recreation Center received an award in the landscape category at the 53rd annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards, hosted by Los Angeles Business Council.

“The winning projects were selected from a pool of hundreds of submissions to win the prestigious awards in design categories ranging from adaptive reuse to landscape architecture,” according to a statement. “Winners … were selected by a jury panel of industry experts, including architects, construction firms, owners and developers.”

The award honored Bill McGregor and The McGregor Company as the developer, Pamela Burton & Company as the design/landscape architect, Gensler as the graphic design architect, and City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks as the owner.

Photo courtesy of LABC

Favorite After School Bites

Photos courtesy of Avery Zemlak

Popular Selections Among Students Include Palisades Garden Café, Flour Pizzeria

By AVERY ZEMLAK | Contributing Writer

When school is in session, there is a lot of commotion in the Village area of Pacific Palisades around 3 p.m. most weekday afternoons. After a long day of school, teens look forward to going to their favorite restaurants and stores to hang with friends and grab a snack.

 

One of the most popular restaurants seems to be Palisades Garden Cafe. The line tends to snake outside the door frequently, the tables are always filled up, and kids linger on the sidewalk outside the restaurant talking to their friends in between bites of food and sips of their drinks.

The options at Garden Cafe are endless—with a menu that ranges from breakfast to sandwiches, burgers, sides and beyond.

If you find yourself at Palisades Garden Cafe unsure of what to order, local students have some recommendations: Palisades Charter High School junior Gabi Traum recommended the seasoned French fries paired with chicken nuggets. For a drink, Traum said to go with the mango-flavored Italian soda or the mint chocolate chip milkshake

Pali High juniors Shayan Naeim and Devin Badkar recommended the hamburger and turkey pesto sandwich from Garden as well. Poppy Stevenson, a current eighth-grader at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, said she also often finds herself at Garden, ordering the pot stickers and French fries.

If you want pizza after school, Traum suggested a slice of the house special pizza from Flour Pizzeria & Cafe on Via De La Paz—another popular after school spot for students. I personally like the classic slice of cheese pizza from there.

Located next to one of the metro bus stops that greets many students from Paul Revere each day is another fan-favorite: Chipotle—great for those in the mood for a more filling snack.

Naeim and Badkar advised getting the chicken quesadilla and chicken bowl. My personal favorite is the veggie bowl, hold the sour cream.

In the theme of more filling snacks, Stevenson also said she gets her after school snacks from Erewhon. She said she loves the pizza, creamy mac and cheese, and spicy buffalo cauliflower.

If you find yourself in the Village around breakfast time, Pali High junior Emma Yoffe recommended a toasted plain bagel with chive cream cheese from Noah’s Bagels. Traum suggested Juice Crafters to get the refreshing “U Like Um” smoothie, which has almond milk, strawberries, dates and vanilla. (This bagel and smoothie combo sounds like a great way to start or end the day.)

All of the restaurants listed above are great, however, I tend to go for ice cream as my after school snack. My go-to spots are Toppings, where I get the vanilla tart yogurt topped with mini M&Ms and Reese’s peanut butter cups, and, when I’m not in the yogurt mood, I head to McConnell’s for the peanut butter chip, and cookies and cream ice cream.

For savory snacks, you can find me at Erewhon getting an avocado cucumber roll or a slice of mushroom pizza.

Whether you are taking the Metro bus from Paul Revere, walking up from Pali High or coming to the Village from any public or private school in the area, there are a lot of great options for after school snacks in the area for all ages.