Councilmember Traci Park is hosting “Venice Welcomes the Palisades” at Colony on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where attendees are invited to “shop, support and rebuild together.”
“Join us at Colony in Venice for a powerful community benefit supporting Pacific Palisades residents and small businesses affected by the recent wildfires,” Park said ahead of the event.
The event will feature local stores, Blue Crush Artist, community charities, Palisades restaurants and Venice Paparazzi. There will also be a karate exhibition at 12 p.m. by Gerry Blanck.
Colony has two locations that house dozens of food options: Santa Monica and Venice.
“Colony Cooks provides fully-equipped commercial kitchens for food businesses, offering flexible solutions for delivery, pick-up and dine-in services,” read the company’s website. “Turn your culinary dreams into reality with our premium spaces.”
The Venice space includes Sweet Rose Creamery, Main Chick Hot Chicken, Culture Crush, King Taco and more.
Colony is located at 401 N. Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. Admission is free.
“Let’s show up, support our neighbors and stand together,” Colony wrote of the event.
Councilmember Traci Park and Team Palisades have partnered to present a lunch at Rustic Canyon Recreation Center on Thursday, June 5, from 12 to 2 p.m. to honor the “strength and spirit of our elders.”
“I’m proud to partner with Team Palisades to host a special lunch honoring the strength, spirit and lasting contributions of our elders,” Park wrote ahead of the event. “Their resilience has shaped this community—and continues to inspire us every single day. Hope to see you there.”
Those who attend are invited to bring their family to “enjoy some lunch, uplifting conversation and a beautiful afternoon in one of our most cherished parks.”
“Join Councilwoman Traci Park and Team Palisades for a heartfelt luncheon celebrating our community’s elders—especially those 65-plus—whose resilience continues to inspire us all,” the flyer read.
Those who wish to attend can RSVP to Palisades Field Deputy Arus Grigoryan or here.
Palisades Charter Elementary School Photo by Sarah Shmerling
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Los Angeles Unified School District will host a series of design concept community meetings for the three charter school campuses that sustained damage in the Palisades fire.
“The purpose of these meetings is to introduce the architectural teams and begin the important dialogue on the future design concepts for each campus,” LAUSD Community Relations Director Lorena Padilla-Melendez said.
The Palisades Charter Elementary School meeting will take place Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. followed by Palisades Charter High School on Thursday, June 5, at 6 p.m. and Marquez Charter Elementary School on Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m.
The Pali Elementary meeting will take place in-person at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet in the Multi Purpose Room, located at 740 South Gretna Green Way, and via Zoom. Its architectural firm is PRACTICE, which is “nationally recognized for its innovative, sustainable and community-centered design.”
For Pali High—whose architectural firm is DLR Group—the meeting will take place virtually via Zoom.
“For over 25 years, DLR Group has been a trusted partner to LAUSD, and has collaborated with schools and communities to create learning environments that are not only safe and sustainable, but truly transformational,” read information shared by LAUSD.
Marquez’ meeting will take place in person at Nora Sterry Elementary in the Multi Purpose Room, located at 1730 Corinth Avenue. It will also take place virtually via Zoom. The school’s architectural firm is NAC, a “national leader in K-12 educational design and architecture.”
Anna Fulop Sorotzkin, a 30-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on January 24 at age 92 with her beloved family by her side.
Anna (Panni) was born in Budapest, Hungary, on June 13, 1932. She narrowly survived the horrors of the Holocaust in Europe during World War II with her parents, Paul and Ilona, and her brother, Egon. She and her mother were saved by the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who miraculously pulled them from a line destined for extermination camps by vouching for them as Swedish citizens. They were able to survive until the end of the war in the ghetto in Budapest.
Anna and her family were forced to live under communism until the student-led Hungarian Revolution in 1956, when she heroically escaped across the border and ultimately to America to begin a new life. Through the utmost perseverance and hard work, Anna forged a path from Miami, to Detroit, and then to Penn State, where she completed a degree in horticulture. She eventually fulfilled her life-long dream to come to California, having secured a job at Burpee Seed Company in Santa Paula.
Anna met her husband, Joshua Sorotzkin, a new immigrant from Israel, who was working as a chemical engineer for Shell Chemical in Ventura. Josh volunteered with the Jewish Agency with a desire to help Jewish refugees and met Anna. The young immigrants were soon engaged. They married on the 8th of May to commemorate Victory Day in Europe, a symbol of the end of World War II.
Anna decided to pursue a teaching certificate, and she entered the field of education as a middle school teacher. As a civics lesson, Anna invited her students to attend her citizenship ceremony at the courthouse in Ventura. With a deep appreciation for their new homeland, Anna and Josh created a beautiful life in Ventura, rich with family and good friends.
After moving into their first new home, Anna and Josh soon welcomed their first daughter, followed by twin girls a year later. With Josh’s expertise needed at other Shell locations, the couple briefly relocated to Northern California, followed by a transfer to Houston for the next 15 years.
While raising their young family, Anna was a deeply involved mother, enjoying all of her children’s activities and interests. She also pursued her own advanced learning with a Master’s in Education, returning to teaching. She continued to be an active member in the synagogue, establishing and teaching various Jewish educational programs.
Following Josh’s retirement from Shell, the couple returned to their beloved California and resettled in Ventura to be close to Anna’s parents. They eventually moved to Pacific Palisades to be close to their daughters and grandchildren.
Anna taught science in the early years at Village School and actually started the school’s first science fair. She cultivated many deep friendships in the community, including the Chabad of Pacific Palisades, where she was honored with the Woman of Valor award.
After decades of not wanting to talk about her experiences during the Holocaust and her life under communism, Anna published her autobiography, “Panni’s Quest for Freedom,” as a family legacy and a tribute to the lives lost. She also hoped that her book would serve as a cautionary lesson of how crimes against humanity can unfold.
A private family burial was held in Ventura, California. Her family cherishes her memory, with her husband, Josh Sorotzkin (z”l) preceding her in death; daughters Ruth (Bert) Sorotzkin Mandelbaum, Aliza (Ira) Astrachan and Dalia Sorotzkin; her grandchildren, Rachel (Landon), Jordan and Ava Mandelbaum, Talia and Arielle Attia; and her great-grandchildren, Aaron and Miles Polakof.
Anna’s legacy is one of a heroic and indomitable spirit, a pride in her Jewish heritage, a deep gratitude for America, and a charming wit. She will be remembered as a gardener extraordinaire, an avid reader, a connoisseur of classical music and operas, a wondrous baker of delectable pastries, and above all, a profound love for her family.
The names and pictures of Anna’s relatives who perished in the Holocaust are listed at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel, and at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C. Anna’s testimonial can be accessed through the Shoah Foundation’s website.
Two Disaster Recovery Centers—which have been in operation since after the start of the Palisades and Eaton fires—are set to wind down operations on Saturday, May 31.
“Final day to visit Disaster Recovery Centers is Saturday, May 31,” read the LA County Recovers website.
The two DRCs that will be closing are at UCLA Research Park West, located at 10850 West Pico Boulevard, and in Altadena at 540 W. Woodbury Road.
“FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are temporary offices set up after a disaster to provide support to impacted areas and communities,” read the FEMA website. “These offices may assist with the application process, answer questions about your application and help you submit information to FEMA. You may also visit other disaster support partners (Small Business Administration, the Red Cross, etc.) at a DRC.”
LA County departments that are available on-site until the closure include the Assessor’s Office, Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health – Environmental Services, Department of Public Works (Environmental Programs/Municipal Services and Flood Control), Department of Registrar-Recovery/County Clerk, and Department of Treasury Tax Collector.
Also on site are federal agencies, including Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Contractors, residents, business owners and employees who have needed to obtain access passes to enter the Palisades have been able to do so at the UCLA Research Park West DRC Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Once the DRC closes, the access passes will be available starting June 2 at a location determined by the city.
The DRCs are open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Following the closure of the DRCs, “those impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires can continue to receive essential services beginning Monday, June 2” at the One-Stop Rebuilding Center (1828 Sawtelle Boulevard) and Altadena Community Center (730 E. Altadena Drive).
“Come join us for a heartfelt afternoon of art, music and community as we raise money for our Palisades community and honor the cherished objects lost in the fires,” read the event website. “There will be a communal art exhibit, music, nostalgic Palisades lore, dancing, drinks and a whole lot of love. Whether you’re here to reconnect, support or just hang, you’re in the right place.”
All ticket sales and donations from the “grassroots fire fundraiser” and “communal art show,” organized by Kristen Goldberg, Liz Madden and Josie Washburn, will go toward Together Palisades, which Goldberg described as a “community-led initiative dedicated to rebuilding” places like small businesses, parks, gathering spaces and others.
“While the fires may have happened months ago, the need for support and rebuilding is very much ongoing—and this event is a beautiful example of how our neighbors are continuing to show up for each other,” Goldberg wrote. “Through our art show, we’re creating space to transform our collective grief into something connective and healing. We’re also spotlighting local businesses like the Sunset Smash burger truck and Paliskates, whose presence helps weave the fabric of our community back together.”
“Objects of Affection” pieces are designed to explore the “emotional, spiritual and sentimental” weight that is placed on objects.
“In the wake of loss, losing these objects can feel like losing a piece of ourselves,” read the website. “It can even feel irretrievable … until however, we remember art.”
Ahead of the event, people were invited to choose an object that holds “deep personal significance” to them—whether that was an item that they still have, was lost or only exists in memory.
“Express this object and its meaning in any medium that speaks to you—painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, poetry, mixed media, an … iPhone photo that you framed, an audio excerpt of you talking about your item or something else entirely,” read the website. “You may choose to depict the object as it was, as it is now, or as something transformed by memory and feeling. You may even choose to abstract its essence into colors, textures and shapes. The options are endless, and we welcome them all.”
The June 1 event will take place at 3376 Robertson Place in Los Angeles. Tickets to attend start at $35.
The Evening Will Also Serve as a Gallery Opening for Kelly Sena’s “For the Wild”
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association and The Canyon Alliance will host its annual meeting, along with a party, at Canyon Square on Saturday, May 31, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The evening will feature a “Canyon Square party,” with food, a DJ and SMCCA’s annual meeting.
“By having the brief meeting as a portion of a party, residents can meet their representatives while also enjoying a festive get-together with their broader community,” read information from the organization. “Election of the new board will be held online the week before the May 31 event. Another item on the ballot will be a proposed name change to The Canyon Alliance from Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association.”
The Canyon Alliance is a “2025 post-fire/food initiative of SMCCA,” which is a “neighborhood association” founded in 1947 that represents “the general Santa Monica Canyon area.”
“The change is aimed at resolving long-standing confusion about the Canyon’s geographic identity,” read information from The Canyon Alliance. “Despite the name, the Canyon is located within the city of Los Angeles, not Santa Monica—a misunderstanding that became especially problematic during recent emergencies. The proposed new name also reflects the organization’s role as a unified voice for both Rustic and Santa Monica Canyons, and it underscores the importance of collaboration among the area’s five distinct neighborhoods.”
Courtesy of Gallery 166/Kelly Sena
The May 31 evening will also feature a gallery opening from 5 to 8 p.m. of Kelly Sena’s “For the Wild,” which is described as a “collaborative photographic project with seven imprisoned environmental activists.”
In 2006, Sena wrote to the “incarcerated activists,” asking “where are the places you travel to inside your mind’s eye?” and offered to take photos of the places, beginning a “long collaborative project” that spanned from the Pacific Northwest to the Arizona desert, South Dakota Badlands and Atlantic Ocean.
“As a photographer, I sometimes secretly yearn to feel liberated from everything I know about the history of art and photography,” Sena wrote in a statement. “I want to be reckless and make beautiful photographs that celebrate nature. Instead, I work toward resuscitating a clichéd genre—nature photography—while acknowledging that nature and politics will always be inextricably bound together.”
“For the Wild” will be on display at Gallery 169, located at 169 W. Channel Road, through the end of summer.
A sample portrait Photo courtesy of The Vanity Portrait Studio
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The Vanity Portrait Studio is offering free family photo portrait sessions to those affected by the Los Angeles fires and first responders on May 31 and June 1 at LA Convention Center.
“In partnership with LA Tourism, the LA Convention Center and the City Tourism Department, The Vanity Portrait Studio is offering free family portrait sessions to those affected by the LA wildfires,” read information about the event. “With space to welcome hundreds of individuals, families and loved ones, this event is a tribute to healing, love and the resilience of our incredible community. Each 10-minute session includes professional posing, on-site editing and same-day black-and-white prints, plus digital copies.”
The sessions are open to those “directly impacted by the LA wildfires,” as well as “first responders who bravely served.”
“We are a team of California photographers, and we wish to share our gift of portraiture with you as a small gesture of support,” read the event website.
Sessions will take place on May 31 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LA Convention Center, Concourse Hall, located at 1201 S Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Free parking will be provided, with a pass emailed the day before the event.
Photos courtesy of Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes
If you’re seeking a getaway only a few hours from your front door, that combines top-notch amenities, stunning desert vistas with breathing views of blue skies and soft milky red desert sunsets, plus proximity to the excitement of spring training baseball, then Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes and its multi-million-dollar renovation is the place to go.
Situated in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, this luxurious and expansive resort offers a combination of breathtaking scenery, relaxing pools, beautiful cacti, fitness center, outdoor meeting space and a prime location for baseball fans. Whether you’re in Arizona for the Cactus League spring training or simply looking to enjoy a relaxing retreat, this hotel provides the perfect balance of convenience and serenity.
For baseball enthusiasts, the Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes offers an unbeatable location. The resort is ideally situated just a short drive from Scottsdale, where some of the most popular Cactus League teams play their spring training games. With access to multiple stadiums in the Phoenix area, it’s a perfect home base for those looking to catch a game or two during the exciting spring training season with the Los Angeles Angels field right next door or the Los Angeles Dodgers down the road.
In addition to the proximity to baseball, the hotel’s location in the picturesque desert offers an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in Arizona’s natural beauty. The towering, rugged mountains and vast desert landscapes with bountiful cacti provide an idyllic backdrop, making your stay feel like a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and serenity.
Arizona’s year-round sunshine makes outdoor relaxation a priority, and the hotel’s pools, with multiple cascading waterfalls, do not disappoint. The resort boasts two pools and multiple jacuzzi options, all designed to enhance the relaxing atmosphere of the property and offer a peaceful place to unwind.
The main pool area is nothing short of a desert oasis, with lounging set up for a friends gathering or a more secluded spot tucked away by a waterfall. Surrounded by lush landscaping and featuring clear, cool waters, it’s the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the Arizona sunshine.
Lounge chairs decorate the poolside on multiple levels, allowing you to soak up the sun while being treated to panoramic views sweeping from Downtown Phoenix to the Superstition Mountains in Mesa. The pool is large enough to accommodate families or groups, yet tranquil enough for anyone seeking some peaceful solitude.
Whether you’re dipping in to cool off after a hot day or simply lounging with a refreshing drink in hand, the pools at Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes make it easy to relax and recharge. The resort’s pool bar offers a variety of refreshing cocktails and snacks that you can enjoy without ever having to leave your lounge chair.
Kids and adults alike will also love the underwater viewing area of the pool where wet friends and mermaids alike can take photos with those dry on deck. Whether you’re enjoying the pool or viewing from a lounger sipping a crisp margarita and a light bite, the service is attentive and friendly, making your time by the pool effortless and carefree.
After a day lounging by the pool, dining at Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes is an experience that wraps the night in a perfect bow. The resort’s on-site restaurant, Top of the Rock, features sweeping views and an elevated dining experience with a focus on contemporary American cuisine and alfresco dining.
The menu showcases fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often with an Arizona twist, ensuring a delicious and authentic meal. There is also On The Rocks, a new expanded lobby bar featuring a variety of craft cocktails and a vibrant menu. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast, a casual lunch socializing, or a celebration or business dinner, the restaurant provides a warm, welcoming and elevated atmosphere.
Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes provides an experience that perfectly blends luxury, nature, and convenience. The resort’s location, exceptional pools and prime access to spring training baseball make it the perfect destination for those looking to indulge in both relaxation and adventure.
The next time you’re planning your spring training getaway, make Tempe Resort Hotel | Marriott Phoenix Resort The Buttes your home base—it’s a home run.
A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu that has been restricted to residents, contractors, first responders and essential businesses will reopen to all drivers on Friday, May 23, at 8 a.m. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, May 22.
Newsom originally announced a plan to reopen PCH by the of the end of May, with one lane open in each direction. The Friday opening comes “ahead of schedule,” with “up to two lanes in each direction available to travelers.”
“A robust security presence will remain at the neighborhood level following the highway reopening,” according to Newsom. “Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed LAPD to continue its increased deployment in the Palisades, including staffing check points 24 hours a day.”
Newsom, Bass and Councilmember Traci Park confirmed in a joint statement sent May 22 that when PCH reopens, “access into the Palisades will remain restricted to residents, business owners, employees and contractors only.”
“With the reopening of Pacific Coast Highway, the number of checkpoints into the Palisades will increase from five to 16,” according to the statement. “The California Highway Patrol will also continue providing increased patrols of the Palisades.”
Map of the checkpoints Courtesy of LAPD
Park will hosted a virtual town hall on Thursday, May 22, to discuss “security” and “access transition.”
“I’m grateful to Governor Newsom and the state for their unwavering partnership in keeping the Pacific Palisades safe over the past four and a half months,” Park said. “The reopening of PCH marks an important milestone in our recovery, but the work is far from over. As we enter this next phase, safety must remain our top priority—for residents, workers and everyone traveling along the coast. I look forward to continuing this collaboration as we accelerate our rebuilding work.”
The checkpoints into the Palisades will be moved from PCH to the arterial streets. Bass confirmed a “very, very high deployment” of 100-plus LAPD officers, with seven California Highway Patrol officers responsible for patrolling PCH. LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said that 48 private security officers will also be added in about a week or so in three, nine-hour shifts.
Existing access passes will be accepted at the checkpoints, Choi explained during the town hall. Access passes will be available at the Disaster Recovery Center at UCLA Research Park, located at 10850 Pico Boulevard, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until May 30, when it closes.
A new location for pass pickup will become available starting June 2 in West LA on a city-owned property, with the exact address to be announced before then. To pick up a pass, an ID and proof of residency, business ownership, employment or contract is required.
Choi described this as a lifting of restrictions but not a full reopening of the highway, noting that there would be congestion: “If you don’t need to be on PCH, this is not a time to get on PCH,” he said.
Following the highway reopening, repair work will continue, according to the statement from Newsom, Bass and Park, with a 25 MPH speed limit between Temescal Canyon Road and Carbon Beach Terrace to remain in effect, according to Caltrans.
“Due to the volume of traffic expected over the holiday weekend and ongoing construction, drivers should expect delays on PCH,” the statement continued. “Please allow extra time for travel or find an alternate route to your destination. Caltrans and CHP remind drivers that traffic fines can be doubled in an active work zone.”
The following restrictions will also be in place, according to Caltrans:
“On northbound PCH, the right lane is closed near Tuna Canyon, Pena and Las Flores Canyon roads to allow Southern California Edison to underground power utilities for further resiliency.
On southbound PCH, the right lane is subject to closure between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily for debris removal and repair work.
Signals will be turned on from the California Incline through Topanga Canyon Boulevard and from Las Flores to Carbon Canyon roads. The flashing red signal at Big Rock Road will remain to help drivers turning left.
There will only be one lane through the McClure Tunnel from westbound I-10 to northbound PCH.
There is no parking or stopping allowed in the work zone. Please remember that there may be slow vehicles moving in and out of the lanes. Law enforcement will be citing motorists.”
This is a developing story, as updates are available, they will be added. Information was added at 5 p.m. on May 22 from Councilmember Traci Park’s virtual town hall.
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