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Favorite After School Bites

By
the Palisadian-Post
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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.

Life & Culture in Milan: Sibling Rivalry

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Photos courtesy of David Grinsfelder

By DAVID GRINSFELDER | Contributing Writer

It’s 7:30 p.m. on a bustling Saturday evening in Navigli and the topic of discussion for tonight’s apertivo is the north/south divide in Italy.

Vittorio, who hails from the industrial northern capital of Milan, has been single-handedly debating three Sicilian friends who flatly refused to acknowledge that northern Italy is in any way superior to the southern part of the country. The rest of us howled with laughter as Vittorio worked himself into hysterics, eventually retreating to the bar to order another beer.

Different regions within Italy are renowned for touting themselves as the best or most quintessentially Italian. Of course, people in other countries share a similar affinity for distinguishing themselves based on local food, traditions and manners of speech.

But while these latitudinal differences are a source of harmless humor and occasional regional peacocking, in Italy, there are often a source of more serious contention.

Italy’s long-standing north/south divide is far more pronounced than in its European neighbors. The divergence dates back to 1816, when the south was ruled by a sovereign state known as the “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.”

Overwhelmingly agrarian, its identity was carved in opposition to repeated attempts at its conquest by the northern Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. The downfall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1861 and its subsequent annexation by northern Italy led to a complete collapse of the south’s industry.

On the contrary, northern Italy was, from its initial settlement, a hub of industrial innovation that fostered a strong economy. Its superior economic status caused increasing tensions with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies for nearly 50 years prior to unification in 1861. After the Italian peninsula united, the north continued to treat the south as a barbaric region in need of state intervention.

To make matters worse, in the decades after unification, the southern economy only worsened, leading to massive emigration and an Italian diaspora from the mezzogiorno region (a microregion of Italy consisting of its southern regions: Abruzzi, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia).

Issues like high rates of poverty, a resurgence in organized crime and chronic underinvestment in infrastructure went unaddressed, which fueled further relocation to industrial northern cities, like Genoa, Milan and Turin.

In the 21st century, outright political and cultural hostility between Italy’s northern and southern regions has subsided. Italy’s economy, however, is more geographically divided than any other country in Europe: Northern Italy has GDP per capita equal to 127% of the EU average, while the GDP of Calabria, in the south, is only 56% of the EU average, according to Eurostat in 2021.

So, if you’re looking for a concise answer to explain the north/south divide in Italy, it really boils down to the uneven advantages enjoyed by northern Italy in both agriculture and industry.

In daily life, the most prevalent manifestation of this north/south divide are in the small jokes and barbs that people will toss at one another.

Despite these vestiges of Italy’s north/south divide, the country’s population is much more intertwined today than in any previous era. There is strong seasonal movement and migration between north and south Italy, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continued, the direction of migration actually reversed, as it completely shut down cities.

But Italians will never totally lose their sense of campanilismo (neighborhood pride), with many still referring to themselves as Sicilians, Neapolitans, Venetians and Florentines.

David Grinsfelder is a graduate of Palisades Charter High School (2015) and UC Berkeley (2019). He currently lives in New York and Milan, Italy, working as a model and writing a series of travel stories for the Palisadian-Post. The Grinsfelders have been Highlands residents since 1989.

Good Turn Trip: Westside Food Bank

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Members of Phoenix Patrol on a Good Turn Trip
Photo courtesy of Presley Travali

By PRESLEY TRAVALI | Phoenix Patrol Leader

We are the Phoenix Patrol from the girls scout troop 223. We did a Good Turn Trip, which is a group event where we help out the community.

We chose to go to the Westside Food Bank because distributing food to those in need, like children, families, seniors, veterans and people experiencing homelessness, is very important.

The way we were able to help at the Food Bank was to package carrots. We started with a box of carrots that was almost as tall as we were and our job was to put the carrots into smaller boxes which would be sent out to those who needed them.

The box held over 1,000 pounds of carrots and they were donated because they were unsuitable for the grocery store. They were too big, too small, bent, or broken.

Two hours later, we had packaged 57 boxes of carrots, stacked them onto a pallet, and wrapped them in saran wrap for shipping. Afterwards, the volunteer director told us about their program. We learned that they are non-profit and that they receive food and money from generous donors. A lot of the food that is donated is damaged or imperfect, such as bent cans.

We felt like we helped the community in a positive way. Some ways you can help are donating, volunteering, or running a food drive. If you want to learn more, you can contact them at wsfb.org.

To learn more or visit a Troop 223 meeting, please contact Greg Frost at frostfamily@frostinvestigations.com (Boys) or Scoutmaster Larry Kirven at lkirven@gmail.com (Girls).

Bradford Davis Lusk

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Bradford Davis Lusk, born October 25, 1947, in San Bernardino, California, to proud parents Benton and Louise Lusk, left us on September 19, 2023, to embark on his next journey. Brad spent his formative years in this same city that he held dear to his heart.

From an early age, Brad’s passion for learning shone brightly, earning him many honors throughout the years. His proudest accomplishment was being elected as the mayor and class president of his high school by his classmates. Following his graduation, he pursued higher education at the University of Southern California (Go Trojans!), Brooklyn University and New York University.

Throughout his career, Brad dedicated many beloved years to the radio sales industry, leaving his mark in Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and his home state of California. It was during this time that Brad developed an unrelenting passion for running—a love affair that began in the 1980s and never waned. He amassed a profound collection of medals from marathons run in Los Angeles, New York and St. George, Utah.

In 1992, Brad found another love, Sharon Smiley, who he was finally able to convince to marry him in 1996. Together they resided in the picturesque Pacific Palisades where he thrived as the facilities manager at Self-Realization Fellowship – Lake Shrine and served as the president of the Chamber of Commerce in the Palisades.

In 2020, Brad and Sharon retired to the stunning landscapes of St. George where the breathtaking red rock mountains graced their living room windows daily.

Brad’s energy and love for being active extended to his volunteer work, first at Monrovia State Park (California) and later at Snow Canyon State Park (Utah). He found immense joy and fulfillment while being in nature and contributing to his community.

Bradford is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Smiley of St. George, Utah, and leaves behind cherished memories for his sisters: Karen Wainwright (Jim) of Visalia, California, and Janet Lusk Sugihara (Glenn) of Santa Cruz, California. His legacy continues through his nephews: James Wainwright (Sandy) and Daniel Wainwright (Tiffany), as well as his nieces: Lauren Sugihara (Austin) and Jackie Sugihara (Jeff). Brad’s influence also extends to the lives of his stepson, Neal Bird, along with Brianne Bird, and their daughters Nicole, Olivia and Rachel. Brad was preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Nancy Bird, in 2010.

To honor Brad’s rich and vibrant life, a celebration of life will take place on February 3 at SRF Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades. Let us gather together to celebrate the remarkable journey of a man whose passion, kindness and zest for life will forever remain in our hearts.

Louis Del Pozzo

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

July 11, 1930 – January 9, 2024

Louis “Lou” Michael Del Pozzo, beloved father, grandfather, teacher and friend, died in his home on January 9.

He was born on July 11, 1930, in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, to Lucy DeStefano Del Pozzo and Luigi Del Pozzo, and was the last surviving sibling among nine sisters and three brothers. Lou grew up in Ridgway and moved to Los Angeles in 1948 after his parents visited on vacation and determined it was “heaven.”

Lou earned an AA degree at East LA College before transferring to UCLA where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and education in 1952, amidst the draft for the Korean War. He attended Officers Training School and joined the Navy serving as the Communications Officer on the USS Bairoko during Operation Castle (the hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll) and the USS Shangri-La throughout the Pacific.

After serving in the Navy, Lou was able to pursue his chosen career and in 1957 started his dream job as a teacher at Culver City High School where he taught business classes (typing and bookkeeping) for the next 34 years. Early in his teaching career, he attended UCLA during several summers and earned a master’s degree in business and education.

Lou lived in his home in Pacific Palisades for the last 45 years of his life and, after retiring from teaching, worked part-time in the area as a real estate agent and served on the Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association. He was well known among his neighbors (and their dogs), and for many years could be seen walking in the neighborhood every day at the same time (sometimes backward), always willing to stop for a chat, witty remark, or friendly smile and wave.

He will be dearly missed by his children Dominic Del Pozzo (Ginger Revercomb) and Gina Brogi (David van Beek), two grandchildren Nico and Lucas Del Pozzo, many nieces and nephews, and countless neighbors.

Rebounders

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Jordan Farhadian scores on Ryan Conner of LACES in the Dolphins’ 63-60 victory.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Under Interim Coach LeBre Merritt the Palisades High Boys Basketball Team Is Climbing Up the Western League Ladder

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Just believe. That is the rallying cry of the Palisades High boys basketball team, which is silencing all doubters with a remarkable turnaround that has put the City on notice: here come the Dolphins! After dropping 11 of its first 12 games and struggling to find an identity, the squad has revealed its character by winning eight of nine to vault into the thick of the Western League race and is the hottest squad. Since losing 11 of their first 12 games the Dolphins have won seven of eight and, remarkably, are playing their way into contention for the City Open Division playoffs under interim coach LeBre Merritt.

“I told the guys that opponents are going to look at our record and underestimate us so it’s our job to make them pay,” said Merritt, who was
an assistant for the girls team before stepping in to coach the boys one
game into the season. “We embraced the underdog role and are playing
with a chip on our shoulder.”

The Dolphins will not be overlooked anymore after Friday’s 48-44 upset at Western League frontrunner Westchester—only their second win in 56 league meetings with the Comets since 1997. “I’m not thinking about the playoffs or seedings or any of that,” said Merritt, the point guard and captain of Palisades’ varsity in 2008-09. “Our goal from Day 1 was to win league and it’s still the goal. My message all along has been this: if we don’t believe in ourselves why should anyone else believe in us?”

A cloud of suspicion hung over the program when nine high-profile players transferred to the school in a span of six weeks over the summer but by the time the season started all but three had either been denied eligibility or left campus. Another senior quit the team five weeks in. Juniors Muhammed Butler from IMG Academy and Eli Levi from Santa
Monica suited up for the first game while the other remaining transfer Devin Carey from Loyola, has a broke finger and has yet to see action. Previous coach Donzell Hayes and his staff were asked to step away from the program a day before the season opener November 13 and Athletic Director Rocky Montz served as acting coach in a 49-point defeat to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Blowout losses to Southern Section powerhouses Harvard-Westlake and Corona Centennial followed.

Merritt opted to pull his team out of the Maranatha Tournament, forfeiting a game but giving the Dolphins a much-needed week of practice to regroup and build chemistry.

Despite losing three of four games in the Silver Division of The Classic at Damien the Palisades High boys basketball team accomplished its goal December 26-30 and returned to Western League action Wednesday with renewed purpose and confidence, thanks to a hard earned and much needed 61-59 victory over San Marin that ended a sixgame losing streak and earned the Dolphins 15th place in the Silver Division.

“It was a pivotal win coming off our meltdown the night before when we blew a 20-point lead at halftime versus Paraclete,” interim coach LeBre Merritt said. “It was a true test of character. We were able to stick together. We’re still learning our personnel but for once we were able to get timely stops when it mattered. Even though we dropped
our first three games I consider this tournament a win. I didn’t want to cancel it because win or lose this was important for our growth. It’s just what we needed heading into the second half of the season.” Muhammed Butler scored 13 points to lead the Dolphins (2-11), who outscored San Marin by three points in each of the first two quarters and widened the lead in the third on clutch shooting by Butler and Donovan Knighten, who finished with
12 points. Palisades saw a 15-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter whittled down to one before Butler got fouled intentionally with 12.1 seconds left. He made the second of two free throws to make it 61-59. The Mustangs opted to play for the win but a 3-point shot from the corner at the buzzer fell short and the Dolphins celebrated their first win since Dec. 6 when they beat league rival University on the road 65-41.

Aten Hassan did not play, having injured his wrist earlier in the tournament. Cassian Aguet scored eight points, Jordan Farhadian had seven, Jack Levey and Matin Farhangnia each had five and Mike Stewart added two.

*** click on any photo below to see slide show ***

Gene Pool

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Senior Taylor Gair and freshman sister Bailey hope to lead the Dolphins to the City title.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

Gair Sisters Are Heart and Soul of Pali High Girls Water Polo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When the opposing team failed to show up for a water polo game at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center, Palisades had an intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, presenting freshman Bailey Gair a rare opportunity to go one-on-one with her senior sister Taylor. In the end, Taylor’s white caps prevailed over Bailey’s blue caps but there were no hard feelings. It was just another day in the life of two teenage girls who live under the same roof, play the same sport, shop at the same stores, eat the same foods and, most importantly, share the same desire to win. It is in their DNA as their parents were both NCAA Division I swimmers.

“Yes, there’s a lot of screaming at home,” says Taylor, the team captain and top goal scorer who is headed to UC Davis. “I tell Bailey as much as all the effort you put in, the bonds you form with your teammates are lasting. She has improved the most of anyone on the team. I’m teaching her all my tricks. She aspires to be the next me.”

Taylor’s high school journey is nearing an end but Bailey’s is just beginning. Taylor has already won a City water polo title and Bailey may win several before she graduates, but this is their only chance to win one together—and they know it.

“I’m pretty confident we can win this year,” says Taylor, the more serious of the two. She helped the Dolphins beat Birmingham in the finals her sophomore year and led them to a runner-up finish last winter.

“Me too!,” Bailey chimes in. “I’m gonna have a huge responsibility when Taylor leaves but she’s preparing me. I really love being part of this team! [Sophomores] Dylan Kuperberg and Yasmine Santini are two of my best friends.”

What is the best advice Bailey has gotten from her older sibling?

“To show up and do my best,” she says. “Stay determined and serious even when I don’t want to. I love how Taylor can be serious but also kind and funny at the same time.”

Taylor just turned 18 while Bailey just turned 15 (their birthdays are 11 days apart) and they live in the Highlands with their wiener dogs Sunny and Luna. Their father Tim was teammates with Dolphins swim coach Maggie Nance, graduating from Pali High in 1992, and swam butterfly and freestyle at UCSB. He also set the time record for the 32-mile Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon. Their mom Ericka swam for Pepperdine and set a 200 backstroke record that stood for 26 years.

“Dad definitely passed his competitive nature along,” says Taylor, who is also on the swim team and took fifth in the 500 freestyle at the City Championships last May.

Bailey confirms in the spring she will join the swim team too—a sport she has participated in longer than water polo.

“I’m her chauffeur,” Taylor jokes on the way to their new favorite eatery: Layla Bagels on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica. “After practice, that’s where I’ll be.”

Pali High Boys Soccer Remains Atop Western League Standings

By
Steve Galluzzo
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alisades’ Noah Ferrero avoids a slide tackle in the Dolphins’ 4-2 league victory over Fairfax Monday.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Winning league titles is normal at Palisades High but when it comes to boys soccer the Dolphins’ mindset is “nothing less will do.”

Hudson Weinberger

Tied 1-1 with Fairfax at halftime and in danger of falling out of first place, Palisades gave coach Marvin Lemus what he wanted—maximum effort for 40 minutes—and came away with a 4-2 victory in the rain Monday night. Coupled with University’s loss to LACES by the same score the Dolphins exited a soggy Stadium by the Sea atop the Western League with four games left.

Fairfax scored first in the 19th minute before Hudson Weinberger got the equalizer on a laser from 15 yards out off a centering pass from Jayce Jones five minutes before the 10-miute intermission.

Angel Diaz slammed home the rebound after Jones’ point-blank bid was saved in the six-yard box and the Dolphins led 2-1 in the 48th minute. The last two goals were by Weinberger and Noah Ferrero while Jones tallied two assists. He scored one of the goals in last Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over LACES and both goals in Friday’s 2-1 win at Venice.

On January 10, Palisades battled Universty to the last whistle. Josh Portela and Sonny Gethin scored for the Dolphins, but Mubarak Ndoley

banged in a rebound off a direct free kick from 25 yards away in the final seconds of regulation and it ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Palisades fell 3-1 to Animo Leadership on Jan. 17.

Pali High Football Players Earn All-City and All-League Honors

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Braydon Sanford
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

After leading the Palisades High football team to the Western League title and the Open Division playoffs, eight Dolphins have been named to the All-City Team.

Braydon Sanford
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Senior end Evan Nehrenberg was seleced the Defensive Line Most Valuable Player, having recorded 46 tackles (21 for losses) and a team-best 10.5 sacks in the eight games he played.

Teammates joining Nehrenberg on the Defensive First Team are senior safety and cornerback Matthew Spoonamore (49 tackles, three interceptions, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery) and senior punter Caden Robertson (35.6-yard average). Making the Second Team are senior safety Saxon Wald (56 tackles) and junior linebacker Jake Treibatch (a team-best 60 tackles and 2.5 sacks).

Senior Maynor Morales of City champion Birmingham is the Defensive MVP.

Saxon Wald

Three Pali High players earned Offensive First Team recognition: junior tailback Teralle Watson (who won the Joe Spector trophy as Varsity MVP at the team banquet in December after pacing the Dolphins with 741 yards rushing, 223 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns); senior center Alfonso Orozco; and senior wide receiver Braydon Sanford, who led the squad with 23 catches for 418 yards and seven touchdowns.

Birmingham wide receiver Peyton Waters is the Open Division Player of the Year for the second straight season. Patriots quarterback Kingston Tisdell is the Offensive MVP and Abdoni Ubeda is the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Birmingham’s Jim Rose was voted Coach of the Year.

Alfonso Orozsco

“I’m so proud of the Palisades High football players who were named All-League and All-City,” Dolphins first-year coach Dylan Smith said on social media. “Your hard work and dedication has paid off!”

Highlighting the All-Western League First Team are Orozco and Nehrenberg, who were chosen Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year, respectively. Smith got picked Coach of the Year.

Making the All-League Offensive First Team were Watson and Sanford and earning Defensive First Team accolades were Treibatch, Spoonamore and Wald. Venice receiver/cornerback Amir Smith was chosen MVP.

Howard Powers Buckeyes to No. 1 with Wins against UCLA and USC

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Dillon Klein
Justin Howard

Paced by the hitting and blocking of native Palisadian and Palisades High alum Justin Howard, the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team pulled off back-to-back five-set victories over UCLA and USC at the First Point Collegiate Challenge last weekend in Austin, TX to move up to No. 1 in the AVCA rankings.

On Friday, the Buckeyes’ 6-foot-6 redshirt senior middle blocker had four kills, four blocks and one dig against the then top-ranked Bruins, who received 11

Cooper Robinson

kills, five blocks and two digs from 6-foot-7 Palisadian and former Loyola High standout Cooper Robinson, a redshirt sophomore outside hitter. On Saturday, Howard had five kills, two blocks and two aces against the 13th-ranked Trojans, who got got 12 kills, six blocks and four digs from Palisadian and former Loyola High star Dillon Klein, a 5-foot-6 sophomore outside hitter who earned CIF Player of the Year and Palisadian-Post Athlete of the Year honors in 2022.

Howard was selected the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week on Jan. 7 after powering the then No. 4-ranked Buckeyes with nine blocks in the team’s first two matches, victories over North Greenville and Daemen College.

The son of David and Nicole Howard, Justin won three City titles at Pali High and he captained both the Dolphins and his Pac6 Volleyball Club squad to championships in 2019. He also led Pac6 VC to a third-place finish in the 2018 Junior Nationals. Howard powered the Southern California Volleyball Association (SCVA) to its first USAV High Performance national title in 2018, serving the winning ace in the semifinals. A journalism major, Howard was the 2023 recipient of the Ken Dunlap Award, an annual honor given to a player who exhibits the character of the program’s very first men’s volleyball coach Ken Dunlap (1968-71) after whom the award is named.

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