By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

St. Matthew’s Music Guild’s 39th season will continue on March 8 with a concert featuring the Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s and violinist Hye-Jin Kim.

“Kim will be heard in the lyrical ‘Violin Concerto’ by Gian-Carlo Menotti,” read a press release. “The world-premiere of ‘Tamit and Moar’ by New York composer and saxophonist Ethan Helm and music of Florence Price (‘Andante moderato’ from ‘String Quartet in G major’) fill out the program.”

Kim’s career includes work as a soloist, recitalist, educator and chamber musician, beginning with her First Prize win at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition at the age of 19. She is known for her “musical sensitivity” and “deeply engaging performances that transport audiences beyond mere technical virtuosity,” according to the press release.

Kim has performed with orchestras across the globe, including Philadelphia, BBC, Seoul, Hong Kong and Hannover Chamber orchestras.

Helm—born in Southern California—works in contemporary jazz, classical and musical theatre genres. “Tamit and Moar” was written to honor two central deities: “Grandfather Sun” and “Grandmother Moon,” central to Tongva creation myths.

“Tamit is joyful, adventurous and sunny, while Moar darkens the landscape with long shadows,” Heml wrote. “Straddling and connecting both personalities is the soprano saxophone soloist whose passages are sometimes notated, sometimes improvised—part storyteller, part wanderer. The creation myths are hundreds of years old but are inspired by the same Southern California landscape that fills my childhood memories: hills, ocean, desert critters, chaparral … ”

A free pre-concert lecture by Music Guild President Tom Neenan will begin at 7:10 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, located at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue.

Tickets start at $45 or are available as part of a season pass. For more information or to buy tickets, visit musicguildonline.org.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The deadline is approaching for the Palisadian-Post’s 2024 Travel Tales Contest, which will run in an upcoming edition.

Readers are encouraged to share their tales—whether they traveled near or far—in up to 600 words, plus one to four high-res images, for consideration by Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m. for a chance to be featured in print and to win a prize.

Past Travel Tales have included stories about visits to Peru, Greece, Botswana and beyond.

Submissions may be sent to mypost@palipost.com, which is also where questions can be directed.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Palisades Branch Library will host “Sow Seeds for Spring” on Saturday, March 2, at 12 p.m.—a health and wellness event designed for teenagers and adults.

“Come spend an afternoon learning all about sowing seeds for veggies, herbs and flowers with Emi Carvell,” read an announcement.

Carvell has spent years in the community working as a master gardener, previously hosting a Succulent Container Garden Workshop.

According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources department, a master gardener is a local resident who is certified by the University of California after completing a training course and passing a final examination.

“Master Gardeners help the community,” according to the University of California. “They share their UC-based knowledge with the public to promote environmentally responsible horticultural practices. Master Gardeners … attend demonstrations, publish newsletters and continue their gardening education.”

All supplies for the Sow Seeds for Spring event will be provided, but space is limited. It is suggested that interested individuals RSVP to Carvell at oneiemi3@gmail.com.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades Community Council met virtually on Thursday, February 8—covering a wide variety of topics on the agenda, including the introduction of new area officials and updates regarding cameras in public spaces.

At Councilmember Traci Park’s office, Juan Fregoso has taken over the district director position, replacing Gabriela Medina, and Dellarose Santos has joined as a constituent services deputy.

Fregoso previously served one year as director of homelessness and housing for Park’s office, but has garnered almost a decade of experience with the city of Los Angeles under Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (CD 13), so he said that while he was relatively new to CD 11, he is not new to city processes.

Fregoso explained during the PPCC meeting that the team at Park’s office was expanding, expecting to be fully staffed in two to three weeks. The bigger vision for the district is to bring additional resources to areas like the coastal zone, to aid in things like tourism, disaster impact and beyond.

Santos joined the office with a background at Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. In her position, she will work closely with Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and West Los Angeles Field Deputy Michael Amster on individual cases related to things like maintenance and infrastructure.

“There’s a lot of stuff that I’ve just been handling on my own,” Amster explained, “and it’s just awesome to have a partner like Dellarose who’s really well versed in dealing with very complicated issues, especially with the unsheltered population.”

Also introduced during the meeting was Los Angeles Police Department Patrol Captain Alisha Jordan, who has returned to the West Los Angeles Division with nearly 30 years of experience. She previously served West LA beginning in 2011 as a police sergeant.

“Every division has two captains,” explained LAPD Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin. “You have an area captain that runs the whole gamut of the division, and then you have a patrol captain, which is specific to the boots on the ground—all patrol officers that are out driving around in the black and whites handling the radio calls. She is responsible for deployment, how they’re conducting their work and responsible for them.”

Jordan, who had been on the job for eight weeks at the time, said that she is looking forward to getting reacquainted with Pacific Palisades. Her time with LAPD has included patrol, detective and investigations.

“For the years I’ve been on the job, I have enjoyed every bit of it,” Jordan said. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I take taking care of my community seriously. And I want to ensure that my officers are also out there doing their part.”

Jordan said she speaks with the officers daily, making sure they understand what she expects from them and that she is available for them to reach out to as well—noting the importance of “open communication” about how to best serve the community.

“What I’ve learned in the 29 years that I’ve been here is that when they have access to their command, that the officers feel more confident about going out there and doing their job and they’re typically more productive,” Jordan said. “So that has always been a part of my goal, as well as listening to my leadership team, my sergeants and my watch commanders.”

Over the next few months, Jordan planned to go out with some of the senior lead officers to meet members of the various communities in person.

PPCC Chair Maryam Zar and Vice Chair Sue Kohl provided updates regarding the placement of cameras in open spaces, including at Palisades Recreation Center—a topic that had been discussed at previous PPCC board meetings.

Zar reported that after speaking to LA Parks Foundation, she and Kohl were informed they would need to use Recreation and Parks technology for the cameras versus going through a company, like Flock Safety.

Before installing cameras, it was suggested to Zar and Kohl that Palisades Recreation Center gets an electric systems upgrade so that the park could accommodate better lights and cameras, which has been done by RAP at other parks.

Kohl reported that she spoke with RAP technician Jimmy Newsom, who said the park would need about 15 cameras and that a minimum $500,000 investment in the electric infrastructure upgrade would be needed.

It was suggested that interested parties advocate with City Council for budgeting.

“We’ll have a plan in the next couple of months and we’ll advocate for it,” Zar said.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Residents of Pacific Palisades have several options when it comes to casting a ballot in the 2024 California Presidential Primary on March 5.

“Voters in Los Angeles County have the option to cast their ballot in-person at a participating Vote Center,” according to the California Secretary of State website. “Vote Centers provide modern features to make voting safe, easy and convenient.”

In-person Vote Centers will be available beginning as early as Saturday, February 24.

The Meeting Room at Palisades Branch Library (861 Alma Real Drive), Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church (15821 Sunset Boulevard), Rustic Canyon Recreation Center (601 Latimer Road) and Paul Revere Charter Middle School (1450 Allenford Avenue) are LA County Vote Centers, according to the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website.

They will be open March 2 through March 4 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Tuesday, March 5, the hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Vote Centers also serve as a Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box location—no need to wait, simply drop off your voted ballot at the front,” according to the California Secretary of State website. “There are convenient and secure Ballot Drop Box locations open and available to voters throughout their communities … Ballot Drop Boxes provide voters with a safe, accessible and contact free method to return their voted ballot.”

Votes can be dropped off through March 5 at 8 p.m.

“If your ballot is postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days … by our department, we will process, verify and count that ballot,” the California Secretary of State website read. “By mail, remember, no postage is necessary.”

Same Day Voter Registration will be available for Californians who missed the deadline to register to vote or to update their registration information. Individuals can complete this process at the county elections office, a polling place or Vote Center.

In California, the Primary Election determines who will be on the November 5, General Election ballot. Voters will see a number of candidates running for a spot on the March ballot, but—in most cases—only two will make it to the General Election.

The Primary Election ballot will include candidates for running for President, the U.S. Senate—one for the six-year term, and another for the remainder of the current term, which is slated to end in January 2025—representatives in U.S. Congress and the California State Legislature and Proposition 1, a proposed law for California.

On a hyper-local level, the ballot includes Measure HLA and Los Angeles District Attorney.

For more information or to register to vote, visit lavote.gov.

Palisadian Ingrid Steinberg to Receive Woman in Philanthropy Award

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The Malibu-Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce has revealed its picks for the 2024 Women’s Leadership Awards Luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, March 21, and honor local leaders in both communities—including Palisadian Ingrid Steinberg.

Honors to be bestowed at the event include the Emerging Leader Award, Member of the Year-Women’s Leadership Committee, Woman in Philanthropy, Lifetime Legacy Award and Woman of the Year.

Steinberg will be honored with the Woman in Philanthropy Award, which honors those who have significantly contributed to the community through philanthropic efforts.

“It recognizes a woman whose generosity and commitment to giving back have made a substantial difference in the lives of others in our community,” according to the Chamber.

Steinberg co-founded and serves as board president of Resilient Palisades, the community’s first environmentally focused nonprofit organization. Resilient Palisades’ goal is to unite residents and local institutions to address climate and ecological crises.

“I am honored to be recognized by the Chamber of Commerce for my work in co-founding and growing Resilient Palisades,” Steinberg said to the Palisadian-Post. “Resilient Palisades is a valuable resource and community ally for any local business that would like to become more sustainable. I hope that this award will be a vehicle for forming new collaborations as well as strengthening existing relationships between neighborhood businesses and Resilient Palisades.”

Steinberg was previously recognized by Pacific Palisades Community Council in 2021, when she was honored with a Golden Sparkplug award.

“Ingrid’s environmental organization is focused on educating, empowering and supporting the reduction of local emissions and the establishment of new community alliances and infrastructure in order to face environmental challenges,” PPCC wrote in 2021.

The Emerging Leader Award, which celebrates a “dynamic individual” early in their career, who shows “remarkable” leadership potential, will be granted to Bridget Thompson.

The Member of the Year-Women’s Leadership Committee Award will be presented to Diane Kale. This award recognizes an “outstanding” member of the Women’s Leadership Committee for their contributions over the past year.

Ani Dermenjian will be honored with the Lifetime Legacy Award, a prestigious award that celebrates a woman who has an extensive track record in leadership, and the Woman of the Year Award—recognizing a woman who has demonstrated excellence not only in business, but in her community and the world—will be presented to Alice Meyering.

The fourth annual Women’s Leadership Awards Luncheon, which will take place at Duke’s Malibu from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature Deborah Crown, dean of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, as its keynote speaker, as well as live entertainment by Eduardo Del Signore.

The Awards Celebration will continue into the following day, March 22, with an invitation-only cocktail soirée. Councilmember Traci Park will be a guest panelist for the event.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

“Do you hear the people sing?”

If so, that could be the 54 students of Theatre Palisades Youth and Theatre Palisades Teens who are performing in “Les Misérables School Edition” over the course of two weekends, February 23 to March 3 at Pierson Playhouse.

“‘Les Misérables’ recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th-century France,” according to a synopsis. “Arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean spends 19 years in prison. Upon his release, he becomes an honest man, the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father—violating his parole in the process and causing him to be relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert. Only after a bloody student uprising, when Valjean saves the life of a young man who’s in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.”

The show is directed by Lara Ganz—who said she felt like the program was “called to do this show”—with gaba as music director and choreography by Rebecca Barragan, Mark Marchillo and Aaron Jung.

The production focused on “innovative costumes,” which are designed to “pull from past, present and future,” all with an “eco-conscious bend.” The show’s costume designer—Gillian Calof—has dedicated her career, as director of finance and grants management at ClimateWorks Foundation, to “sustainability and justice for communities most impacted by climate change.”

“The issues of social justice so prominently highlighted in ‘Les Mis’ are many of the same we face today,” Calof said. She “weaves this passion for the environment” into design work—repurposing, reimagining and reusing materials and existing pieces whenever possible.

The costumes in the show are designed to be “steam punk meets the Paris Uprising of 1832,” with the costume team featuring Calof, multimedia artist Zoë Poledouris-Roché, David Montgomery and Vanessa Schachter.

“I like to reconstruct and alter clothing to become extensions of the characters who wear them,” Poledouris-Roché explained. “Lara’s vision of a timeless ‘Les Misérables’ opens the costume doors open a bit wider than with a traditional, period-based presentation. We maintain the overarching themes of the haves and have-nots, but with a few modern and futuristic touches alongside the familiar, timeless looks.”

Donning the costumes will be the cast, comprised of students, ranging in age from 7 to 17, from schools in the Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Topanga, as well as Pasadena, West Hollywood and West Hills.

“At the end of every rehearsal, gaba and I have the kids sing ‘One Day More,’” Ganz said. “We keep telling them it’s because they need to practice it—but really, we just want to hear them again because they sing it with such bright, strong energy. It’s a moment in the story where everyone is gathering their courage, feeling their fears and deciding to take the next step, even though they don’t know what’s going to happen. This inspiring song speaks to us every time, and we know it will be a healing experience for the audience, too.”

Performances of “Les Misérables School Edition” will take place at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road, on Friday, February 23, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 24, at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 25, at 1 p.m.; Thursday, February 29, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 1, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 2, at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $22 for general admission, and $17 for students or seniors.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org/youth.