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Vassar’s Avery Lee Is Liberty TLeague Rookie of the Week

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Vassar guard Avery Lee averaged 24 points in two games last week.

T he Liberty League announced its weekly award winners Monday and in men’s basketball Vassar College freshman guard Avery Lee was named the league’s Rookie of the Week for the first time this season.

The Palisades High graduate put together back-to-back impressive performances off the bench against Union and Bard, posting 22 points, six rebounds and one assist while playing 19 minutes the first game and netting a career-best 26 points with five three-pointers in 25 minutes of action the next night.

Lee currently ranks second on the team in points per game with 10.0 while ranking third in assists and fourth in steals. The first-year Brewer has already recorded double digit points in eight contests this season and broke the 20-point mark twice last weekend.

Lee has played in all 17 of his team’s games this season, including one start. The Brewers are 6-11 heading into Friday’s league game at Clarkson University in Potsdam.

As a senior guard for Pali High last season, Lee was the Dolphins’ leading scorer and made the All-City Division I first team. He scored a season-high 30 points in a double-overtime loss to Servite in the Harvey Kitani Classic at Fairfax.

Lee grew up in Westwood near UCLA, went to Westwood Charter Elementary and Paul Revere Middle School and honed his skills on travel teams like Fastbreak and Pacific Hoops. He played AYSO until age 8 and learnd Taekwondo, His older brother Kyle is a junor guard at Colorado College.

Heineman Claimed by Mets

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Tyler Heineman

His Major League career has been like a merry-go-round but Tyler Heineman does not mind one bit. On December 1 he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets and should he see action it would mark the fifth MLB team for whom he has played since making his debut on Sept. 4, 2019. The 32-year-old catcher has previously played for Miami, San Francisco, Toronto and Pittsburgh. In 104 MLB games he has a .218 batting average with 54 hits, 15 RBIs, 25 runs, 20 walks, 11 doubles and one home run.

A Palisades native, Heineman grew up on Radcliffe and starred at Windward High in Mar Vista before playing for John Savage at UCLA .

He was drafted in the eighth round (249th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2012. After signing he played for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League and batted a league-best .358. He played for the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League in 2013 and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League in 2014, after which he got assigned to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. In 2015 he played for Corpus Christi and the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, batting .285 with three homers and 30 RBIs. He remained in Fresno in 2016 and hit .259 with three homers and 14 RBIs.

He got dealt to Milwaukee in 2017 and the Brewers sent him to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, for whom he hit .281 with 20 RBIs. In 2018 he signed a minor-league contract with Arizona and opened the 2019 season with the Reno Aces, batting .325. He got traded to Miami in June and played five games that year. He played in 15 games in 2020 with San Francisco.

Goal Getter

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Senior forward Erica Hamilton is a scoring machine for the Pali High girls soccer team.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

In the last 20 years the Palisades High girls soccer team has had a number of prolific scorers and Erica Hamilton is right there with the best of them. Going into yesterday’s contest at league rival Hamilton the Dolphins’ senior striker had netted 21 goals in 13 games played (an average of 1.6 per game), including a four-goal performance January 3 versus Windward and three-goal efforts versus Hamilton (Dec. 6) and Birmingham (Jan. 20). She needs seven goals to surpass the school single-season record set by Kathryn Gaskin, who pumped in 27 goals in 20 games as a junior in 2009-10.

Hamilton has powered Palisades to a 12-1-2 mark, the only defeat being to reigning City Division I champion El Camino Real. She is also steadily climbing the program ranks in career goals—remarkable considering she has only played three varsity seasons, not four. She tallied 15 goals as a sophomore and 18 more last winter. Her total of 54 equals that of Jordan Darrow (Class of 2019). Lucy Miller (2006) set the program record of 88 career goals, tallying 26 in 20 games as a senior. Katie van Daalen Wetters (2012) had a four-year total of 68, Gaskin (2011) scored 64 and Kaitlyn Parcell (2016) finished with 57, becoming the only player in school annals to accumulate 50+ goals and 50+ assists in her varsity career. Parcell had 17 goals and 20 assists in just 15 games as a senior. No matter what happens from here on out, Hamilton is in elite company.

PPTFH Seeks Additional Volunteers for Annual Homeless Count

By
Lily Tinoco
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The 2023 count
Photo by Rich Schmitt

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Volunteers are needed in Pacific Palisades to count the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and their location in the community as part of the annual Point in Time Homeless Count, which will take place on Wednesday, January 24.

The count is scheduled for the early morning, beginning at 5 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church—located at 880 Toyopa Drive.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is a three-day census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Palisades first participated in the count in 2015 and has assisted annually since, with the leadership of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.

The 2023 count took place from January 24 to 26 across LA County. LAHSA reported a number of changes were implemented “to improve the count,” including a new counting app, hiring a demographer and two data scientists, simplifying volunteer training, and adding accountability measures.

An estimated 75,518 people were found to be experiencing homelessness in LA County on any given night, a 9% increase from 2022. An estimated 46,260 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness citywide, a 10% increase from 2022.

LAHSA described the count as “a snapshot of homelessness at the regional level,” going through extensive quality control to provide a countywide view, not a neighborhood-level survey.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is currently seeking 50 volunteers to help in the Palisades.

“This count provides crucial data and cannot be conducted without adequate help,” according to an announcement.

For more information or to sign up, visit theycountwillyou.org/palisades.

‘Beau Jest’ Opens at Pierson Playhouse

By
Sarah Shmerling
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A scene from "Beau Jest" at Pierson Playhouse
Photo by Sarah Shmerling

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Theatre Palisades opened its six-week run of “Beau Jest” at Pierson Playhouse beginning Friday, January 12.

“Sarah Goldman is worried that her Jewish parents will not be accepting of her WASP boyfriend, so she hires an actor to pose as a Jewish doctor she’s dating,” according to a synopsis provided by Theatre Palisades. “However, he turns out not to be Jewish either, but is so convincing in a role that he could just win over her parents … and quite possibly Sarah as well.”

The show is directed by Jonathan Fahn and produced by Martha Hunter. The cast features Jasmine Haver as Sarah Goldman, as well as James Jobs as her brother Joel, Laura Goldstein as her mother Miriam and Lou Saliba as her father Abe. Thomas McDonough plays her boyfriend, Chris, while Jeff Coppage plays her hired boyfriend Bob/David.

Performances run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays at 2 p.m., through February 18 at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road. Tickets are $22 for general admission, and $20 for students and seniors.

A full review of the show is slated to appear in the January 25 print edition of the Palisadian-Post. (Not-so-spoiler alert: The show is very funny.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.com.

Palisades Recreation Center to Host Volleyball Dedication

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Courtesy of Palisades Park Advisory Board

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Recreation Center and the Park Advisory Board are hosting a volleyball dedication celebration—honoring the Toppel family—on Thursday, January 18, beginning at 6 p.m.

“Join us to thank [Haldis Toppel and the Toppel family] for their generous donation to make volleyball possible at the rec center,” read a flyer ahead of the event.

Haldis has been a longtime member of Pacific Palisades Community Council and Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association. Her late husband, Kurt, led both boards before he died in February 2018.

Kurt was instrumental in raising almost $2 million and protecting an additional $1 million in Prop A funds to assure the construction of a new gym in Palisades Recreation Center. For this effort he was honored with the Pacific Palisades Citizen of the Year award and the Sparkplug Award.

Their son, Curt, grew up in Marquez Knolls and attended St. Matthew’s before embarking on a prep career at Loyola High School. Playing volleyball at Stanford he led the country as a freshman in kills per game, and was third as a sophomore and fifth as a junior. In 2001 he played on the USA’s World University Games squad that won a gold medal in Beijing, China, and in the summer of 2002, he trained with the U.S. National Team.

Palisades Recreation Center Senior Facility Director Jasmine Dowlatshahi will present a plaque to the Toppel family, and refreshments will be provided by the Park Advisory Board.

The 2024 Spring season at Palisades Recreation Center includes girls minor (born in 2013-14) and girls major (born in 2011-12) volleyball leagues. Evaluations are March 12 and 14, with minors at 6:30 p.m. and majors at 7:30 p.m.

RSVPs for the dedication can be sent to palisadespab@gmail.com. Palisades Recreation Center is located at 851 Alma Real Drive.

Music Guild, CMP Continue Seasons With January Concerts

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Yale Whiffenpoofs
Photo courtesy of Music Guild

By SARAH SHMERLING and LILY TINOCO

Two Pacific Palisades institutions will continue their respective seasons with concerts in the next week: St. Matthew’s Music Guild will host a program that features the Yale Whiffenpoofs on Friday, January 19, followed by Chamber Music Palisades on Wednesday, January 24.

St. Matthew’s Music Guild will continue its 39th season on Friday, January 19, with a concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.

“Every year, 14 senior Yale students are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group,” according to a press release. “Founded in 1909, the ‘Whiffs’ began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory’s Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions, with over a century of musical excellence.”

Their performances feature a mixture of Yale tunes, jazz standards and other hits from various decades, according to Music Guild. The concert will take place at St. Matthew’s Church, located at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue.

Tickets are $35 for general admission, $10 for students (available at the door only) and free for attendees under 16. They are available through musicguildonline.org.

Photo courtesy of CMP

Chamber Music Palisades will host the next concert in its 27th season, featuring harp, violin, viola and flute, on Wednesday, January 24, in the sanctuary of St. Matthew’s.

The concert will feature professional performers from Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the studios, showcasing works by Mozart, Prokofiev, Bach, del Aguila and a world premiere by local composer Todd Mason, according to a press release.

“Enjoy the sounds of our extraordinary performers: Cristina Montes Mateo, world-renowned harpist and frequent soloist with major orchestras; Maya Magub, British violinist who has performed in the world’s greatest concert halls and played on numerous movies and records,” CMP wrote, “Rob Brophy, violist with the New Hollywood String quartet and member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; and Susan Greenberg, long-time flutist at Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, principal flute at Santa Monica Symphony, and president and artistic director of Chamber Music Palisades.”

Todd Mason will also present commentary on “Magical,” his world-premiere, CMP-commissioned piece for flute, viola and harp, and KUSC host and CMP associate Alan Chapman will provide program notes.

Tickets will be available for $35 online or at the door at St. Matthew’s. Full-time students will be admitted free of charge with an ID. For more information, visit cmpalisades.org.

Pacific Palisades Art Association to Present Artist Talk

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo courtesy of PPAA

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades Art Association will host guest speaker Teresa Bernadette on Tuesday, January 23, beginning at 6 p.m. at Palisades Branch Library for an artist talk.

“Teresa Bernadette will present a selection of drawing, painting and sculpture at an artist talk at the library,” according to PPAA. “A multidisciplinary local artist, Teresa’s work looks to the ancient, archaic and arcane as tools of innovative storytelling. Experimenting across media, scale and form, they wrestle with ephemerality, interrogating the bittersweetness of time and transformation.”

Bernadette’s work has appeared in local group shows, as well as publications, according to PPAA. Four of Bernadette’s pieces will appear in the Screenland 5K tribute to Motion Picture Magic on Sunday, March 10, in Culver City.

“Follow the yellow brick road and the iconic steps of legendary stars and directors along the Heart of Screenland’s 100 Points of Motion Picture Magic,” read the website for the 5K. “Families are in for an exciting treat, Oscar Sunday, March 10, as they play a part in movie- and TV-themed experiences, and celebrate the centennials of MGM Studios, Culver Hotel and other motion picture landmarks. Guests will move through cinematic magic, visiting exotic places in adventures that could take them into outer space or under the sea, and into a springtime of surprises.”

For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/Screenland5K/Page/EventInfo.

Palisades Branch Library to Host Series of Bridge Games

By
Lily Tinoco
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By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

This January, Palisades Branch Library is launching “Bridge for Beginners” and “Duplicate Bridge,” two new monthly series of games.

Bridge for Beginners welcomes those just starting out playing bridge to the library to learn from a “skilled player” who will be volunteering their time to teach others how to play the game. The first session of Bridge for Beginners will take place on Friday, January 26, at 1 p.m.

Bridge was described as a card game using a standard, 52-card deck, enjoyed by players of all ages.

“If you’ve always wanted to learn bridge, this is your chance,” according to the library. “Just come on by.”

The first session of the Duplicate Bridge series will take place on Friday, January 19, from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Space is limited and attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing franblaustein@gmail.com.

Duplicate Bridge is a form of the game, but the set of bridge deals are played by different competitors.

“The organizer has requested that people come with partners, but if you don’t have one, please come anyway,” according to the library. “There may be other people who don’t have partners with whom you can partner for the afternoon.”

All events take place at Palisades Branch Library, located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

Pali High Football Players Earn All-City Honors

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Safety Matthew Spoonamore earned All-League and All-City First First Team honors after leading Palisades to the league title.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

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

Senior end Evan Nehrenberg was selected 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.

Center Alfonso Orozco was named Western League Offensive Lineman of the Year and made the All-City Offensive First Team.

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 2023 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.

“I’m so proud of the Palisades High football players who were named All-League and All-City,” Dolphins first-year coach Dylen 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. 

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