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Comeback Kids

By
Steve Galluzzo
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The Dolphins celebrate after stunning Chatsworth in the Venice Invitational semifinals.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Skill got the Palisades High boys volleyball team to the Gold Division semifinals of the Venice Invitational on March 2, but sheer guts put the Dolphins in the finals. Having lost to Birmingham to drop to second in pool play a day before, the Dolphins knew they needed to raise their level and they did, winning their next four matches to set up a showdown with Chatsworth, which swept them in the City finals last spring. The Chancellors easily took the first set 25-11, but Palisades built a 12-4 lead in the second and held on for a 25-19 win. Chatsworth took a 14-12 lead in the deciding third set and was controlling a rally when a ball came to rest on the backboard of the basketball stanchion, forcing the point to be replayed. The reprieve allowed the Dolphins to regroup and they fought off three match points before prevailing 17-15—a stunning comeback head coach Carlos Gray did not believe was possible given the way his squad had performed earlier in the tournament.

In the final Palisades faced Windward and Josh Lande’s kill gave the Dolphins the first set, 25-20. The Wildcats won the second 25-20 and once again one set to 15 points would decide the winner. Palisades took an 11-8 lead, but Windward reeled off five straight to move in front 13-11. A Pierce Bergstein kill and a hitting error tied it but a serve long put the Wildcats on the brink and an ace by MVP outside hitter Maxwell Stostsky ended it.

Lande had nine kills and Bergstein and Enzo Torres had seven apiece in the final match. Running Palisades’ 6-2 offense neatly were sophomore setters/opposite hitters Kyle McKnight and Landon Zappaterrino and both earned All-Tournament honors.

The Dolphins produced more heroics in their Western League opener last Wednesday at Venice, rallying from a two-set deficit to win 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-6.

Court Master

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Palisadian Matt Guirguis (left) shows his 1938 Buggati to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Photos by Mike Tomas

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic hits
on Court 1 at the PTC

Before traveling to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked tennis player int he world, sharpened his skills at the Palisades Tennis Center on Feb. 27, much to the delight of the facility’s academy kids, who got to trade groundstrokes and volleys with the player many regard as the best of all time.

PTC owner Mike Tomas connected with Djokovic through a mutual friend and invited the 36-year-old Serbian and his family to come to the public park to play with the local juniors as well as Matt Guirguis, an active member in the community and an avid player himself.

Djokovic spent over two hours playing with the academy kids and helping them one-on-one with their strokes. He was kind, engaging and enjoyed the park while also admiring the beauty of Guirguis’ car— a classic Art decco 1938 Buggati.

Djokovic won his first two matches at Indian Wells before being upset Monday in the round of 32 by Italian Luca Nardi. He has won the event five times, including three in a row (2014-16) and was runner-up to Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2007.

Djokovic adds his name to a long and distinguished list of pros who have graced the PTC at exhibitions, Q&As, Shotgun 21 tournaments or clinics in the last 25 years, including Anna Kournikova, Pam Shriver, Patrick Rafter, Mike and Bob Bryan, Marcos Ondruska, John Lloyd, Jimmy Connors, Michael Joyce, Jan Michael-Gambill, Taylor Dent, Byron Black, Clay Thompson, Michael Russell, Alex Bogdanovic, Artem Sitak, Noah Newman, Vince Spadea, Phillip Simmonds, Thomas Blake, Sandor Noszaly, Alex Bogomolov, Sam Querrey, Phillip King, Jeff Tarango, Kimberly Po, Maureen Diaz, Tim Kpulun, Ramon Delgado, Ashley Harkleroad, Wade McGwire, Devin Britton, Chuck Adams, Jill Craybas, Donald Young, Robert Kendrick, Alex Reichel, Kevin Ullyett, Andre Sa, Alexandra Stevenson, John Isner, Zack Fleishman, JP Fruttero, Eric Taino and Cecil Mamiit, Scott Davis and Derrick Rostagno.

Since turning pro in 2003 Djokovic has dominated the sport like no one before, winning a record 24 Grand Slam men’s singles crowns, 98 singles titles (third most in the Open era) ansd has been ranked No. 1 for a record total of 416 weeks. He has won the Australian Open 10 times, Wimbledon seven times, the U.S. Open four times and the French Open three times. He was the bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and has and finished as the year-end No. 1 eight times, also a record.He beat Danilo Medvedev in straight sets in the U.S. Open final last September after losing in the Wimbledon final.

Project Officials to Discuss Potrero Canyon Bridge at Virtual Community Meeting

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo courtesy of City of LA Bureau of Engineering

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The city of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering will host a virtual community meeting to discuss facets of the Potrero Canyon Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge project on Thursday evening, March 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Learn how the project will include enhanced safety features, integration with the George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon, community connectivity, sustainable, active transportation, [and] landmark aesthetic and recreational value,” read a flyer ahead of the meeting.

The meeting will include representatives from Jacobs Engineering and Arellano Associates (the outreach contractor), according to information shared by Pacific Palisades Community Council. Speakers will include Potrero Canyon Pedestrian/Bridge Project Manager Matt Negrete of Jacobs Engineering, Erin De Marco of Jacobs Engineering, Project Manager Jason Jackson of Arellano Associates and Project Manager Jose Beristain from the Bureau of Engineering.

“Outreach for the Potrero Canyon Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge project will consist of three rounds of public engagement for this development phase, which concludes in April 2025,” Arellano Associates wrote to PPCC. “Public input is welcome throughout the project cycle; however, each round will include a community meeting with the first focusing on building project awareness and presenting the technical process and path forward. Public engagement will also include the use of surveys to better understand public use and preferences.”

The city is soliciting responses to a survey about the project (potrerocanyonbridgesurvey.org), with a chance to win a $50 gift card.

“Help the city understand how the bridge will benefit you and your community,” read an email. “Be sure to share the survey and project with your friends and family. The more input … the better the project.”

The Bureau of Engineering, alongside Council District 11 and “in collaboration with the local community,” is undertaking work on the bridge project, which, when complete, will connect Will Rogers State Beach to George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon—“transforming the area into a vibrant and accessible space.”

“This project is a key part of the city’s broader initiative to support the connectivity and accessibility of recreational areas, and enhance the quality of life for local residents and visitors through active transportation modes,” read a project overview. “The project will also be designed to emphasize environmental stewardship and the beautification of the landscape, aligning with the city’s goals of sustainable and responsible development.”

To register for the webinar, visit us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Oto2aaiCSAS9KWtGWXyTUQ#/registration or potrerocanyonpedbridge.org.

Pali High VAPA Department Presents ‘9 to 5 the Musical’

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo by Alix Levy

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Charter High School Visual and Performing Arts Department will present performances of “9 to 5 the Musical,” beginning Thursday, March 7, at Mercer Hall.

The show, VAPA’s Spring Musical, features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, with book by Patricia Resnick. It is based on the 1980 film of the same name.

“Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Roledex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic,” read a synopsis on Music Theatre International. “Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy—giving their boss the boot. While Hart remains ‘otherwise engaged,’ the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.”

Performances will take place March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., as well as March 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students, $17 for general admission and $25 for VIP.

All performances take place at Pali High’s Mercer Hall, located at 15777 Bowdoin Street.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit gofan.co/app/school/CA18976.

Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club Seeks Residents Celebrating Birthdays 90 Years and Above

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Celebrating in 2022
Photo by Rich Schmitt

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Ahead of its return to celebrating birthdays of residents age 90 and above in person, Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club is seeking participants for this year’s party, which will be celebrated on Saturday, May 4.

“Are you or do you know someone in the Pacific Palisades that is 90 years old or older?” asked the PPWC website.

Those who are or do are asked to fill out a form at the PPWC website in order to receive an invitation to the party. The entries will also be used to determine the King and Queen of the party—the two oldest attendees.

The form asked for information like name, date of birth, phone number, and email and street address.

This year’s party, which is the first celebrated in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be a Derby Day luncheon. The tradition dates back to 1996.

The event was canceled in 2020, then took place in a virtual fashion in 2021, where Palisadians were gifted a special food package, complete with a turkey pot pie, fresh soup and pumpkin bread prepared by K Bakery Eatery + Bakeshop, along with a birthday cupcake, card and commemorative collectible coffee mug.

In 2022, volunteers on behalf of PPWC went around town and celebrated the birthdays of those turning 90 and older with special deliveries in November.

“The meal—tea party inspired—[included] tea sandwiches, mini scones, petite fruit, a tea bag and a festive individual cake,” catered by K Bakery Eatery + Bakeshop, explained a PPWC board member at the time. Each participant also received a birthday card and a night light for safety.

The birthday party form can be found at theppwc.org/90-birthday. For questions, or to email the information instead of filing out the form, write to info@theppwc.org.

PPLA Suspends Book Donation Intake, Plans Parking Lot Sale

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo by Sarah Shmerling

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

After a few months of accepting book donations, Pacific Palisades Library Association is pausing its collection days to focus on its first parking lot book sale in several years, which will take place on Saturday, April 13.

“Due to the overwhelming response received by way of excellent donations,” a representative from PPLA, also known as Friends of the Palisades Library, wrote in an email, “we have decided to stop accepting donations and instead focus on preparing for our next sale … We simply don’t have the space to store the high volume of books received.”

Following the April 13 sale, donations will be resumed. PPLA said it is “deeply grateful” for the donations received so far, which were originally going to be accepted on Wednesdays through the end of March.

“Please do not leave donations outside of the library at any time or in the book slot,” the email continued. “Our wonderful library staff cannot accept book donations.”

More details about the upcoming sale, which will take place in the Palisades Branch Library parking lot, will be available soon. The sale will feature a “fabulous selection” of gently read books.

Parking lot sales, which have been taking place in the Palisades for more than three decades, provide funds for library books, educational materials, community programs and other improvements of the library, as well as assistance to “underserved libraries in other parts of Los Angeles.”

“Our work in the community would not be possible without members and volunteers,” the email concluded. “To join us or for more information on how to volunteer, please email us at friends@friendsofpalilibrary.org.”

Pali High Board of Trustees Election Committee Accepting Applications for 2024-25 School Year

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo courtesy of Pali High

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Applications are now open for Palisades Charter High School Board of Trustees election, which includes a two-year community seat, open to all school stakeholders.

“Interested in making a difference at Pali High?” read a statement from the school. “Run for the PCHS Board of Trustees.”

Those who wish to apply need a candidate form, candidate statement (100 words or less), candidate ballot statement (25 words or less), candidate resume, roles and responsibilities form, and candidate photo.

“All terms begin July 1,” according to information from the school. “All terms are two years unless otherwise noted. Prior to completing this application, candidates are required to review the Board Member responsibilities.”

Applicants for the community seat on the board must not be and will not become the parent of a Pali High student for the entire term of the seat. They must live in the communities served by the school at the time of the election.

Other seats that are open for the 2024-25 year include a parent seat and a parent seat (traveling) to be filled by parents, faulty seat to be filled by faculty, faculty seat to be filled by a Pali High student, and an administrative seat to be filled by an administrator.

Applications are due by March 13 at 3 p.m. to Karen Cox (kcox@palihigh.org). Questions or concerns can be sent to Election Committee Chair David Pickard IV (dpickard@palihigh.org).

More information, including the application, is available at palihigh.org under the 2024 PCHS Board of Trustees Election tab.

Annual CHLA ‘Make March Matter’ Campaign Features Palisadian Businesses

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Kaia Gerber attends the ninth annual Children's Hospital Los Angeles Make March Matter Kick-Off on March 1.
Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles invites community members to participate in the ninth annual “Make March Matter” fundraising campaign—including several entities with ties to Pacific Palisades.

“All March long, celebrities, local businesses and organizations across food, fashion, fitness, beauty and more will rally together to support CHLA’s lifesaving programs to provide care for all children regardless of health insurance,” read a statement about the campaign. “Last year, CHLA raised more than $1 million to support the hospital’s programs.”

The campaign was first launched in 2016 with 65 businesses. In 2023, there were more than 100 businesses participating.

“The goal is to raise $1 million or more during the month of March through fundraising efforts with local business across Los Angeles to support programs and services at CHLA that create hope and build healthier futures,” read the campaign’s website.

Photo courtesy of LATE Clothing LA

Participating in the campaign again in 2024 is LATE Clothing LA, founded by Paul Revere Charter Middle School student Lalia Susini, which will donate a portion of sales to CHLA. My Hand In Yours, operated by Palisadian Jamie Lee Curtis, who founded MHIY in 2020 to support CHLA through its sales, will donate 100% of proceeds.

“My Hand In Yours has teamed up with MiiR for a heartwarming collaboration to support the incredible #MakeMarchMatter campaign by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” read a post on the My Hand In Yours Instagram page. “For every donation made through our partnership, MiiR will double the love by matching donations up to $5,000. Let’s make a difference together. Your support means everything to a child in need.”

Another participating partner this year is Palisades Village coffee stop Alfred.

“Order an espresso or matcha Lavender Latte or Lavender Latte Cold Foam beverage bought during the month of March, and Alfred will donate $1 to CHLA,” according to the statement. “Customers are also encouraged to make additional donations to CHLA at the register upon checkout.”

The campaign kicked off March 1 with an event featuring model, actress and CHLA supporter Kaia Gerber, who, after sharing personal remarks about how her mother, Cindy Crawford, lost her brother “at a very young age,” read bedside stories, as well as created arts and crafts, with young patients.

The event was also attended by Danny Trejo (actor and owner of campaign partner Trejo’s Tacos), CHLA Board of Trustees Chair Nikki Deloach, CHLA patient Sawyer and his family, CHLA President and CEO Paul Viviano, and Senior Vice President/Chief of Development Office Alex Carter.

For more information, including a complete list of 2024 partners, visit makemarchmatter.org/partners.

‘Harpsichord Night’ With Chamber Music Palisades

By
Lily Tinoco
-
Photo courtesy of Chamber Music Palisades

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Chamber Music Palisades will continue its 27th season of concerts on Wednesday, March 13, with “Harpsichord Night” in the sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Church at 8 p.m.

“Music will flow from the old to the new,” read an announcement about the concert.

The program will feature J.C. Bach “Quintet in D major,” A. Vivaldi “Sonata in E minor,” and D. Scarlatti “Sonatas in C Major K132,” “E minor K394,” and “C major K159.” Following an intermission, the program resumes with J.S. Bach “Trio Sonata in G major, BMV 1038,” F.J. Haydn “Duo in D major,” M. Arnold “Divertimento” and De Falla “Harpsichord Concerto.”

“Kristian Nyquist (harpsichordist) is coming from Germany to perform with our local musicians Roger Wilkie (violinist), John Walz (cellist), Leslie Reed (oboist), Laura Stoutenborough (clarinetist) and Susan Greenberg (flutist and Chamber Music Palisades artistic director),” read the announcement.

The musicians play with various entities, including Los Angeles Opera, Santa Monica Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Long Beach Symphony, as well as studio musicians.

Host of Classical KUSC Alan Chapman will be the host for the evening, “offering his fascinating program notes to enlighten [the] evening,” the announcement read.

Tickets will be available for $35 online or at the door at St. Matthew’s, located at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue. Full-time students will be admitted free of charge with an ID.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cmpalisades.org.

Em Allyn to Speak on ‘What Does It Mean To Be An Artist?’

By
Lily Tinoco
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Photo courtesy of Pacific Palisades Art Association

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Em Allyn will discuss “What Does It Mean To Be An Artist?” at Palisades Branch Library with Pacific Palisades Art Association on Monday, March 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Em Allyn will be discussing the designation ‘artist’ and how it challenges us,” according to a statement about the event. “For example, when or in what context do we call ourselves artists as opposed to waiting for others to recognize us as such? Further the question of whether, once you either choose or are given the title or role of ‘artist’ then everything you do becomes somehow a part of or enmeshed in your art?”

Allyn also plans to examine and discuss how interest and aptitude in one field of art corresponds to an interest in—and aptitude for—other areas of expression.

Palisades Branch Library is located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

For more information about this event and Pacific Palisades Art Association, visit pacificpalisadesartassociation.com.

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