Home Blog Page 150

Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness Conducts Ninth Annual Homeless Count

By
Lily Tinoco
-
Photo courtesy of Sharon Kilbride

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Approximately 40 individuals volunteered early Wednesday morning, January 24, to help conduct the annual Homeless Count in Pacific Palisades—with an unofficial tally by Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness showing a “few more” people experiencing homelessness in the area than the previous year.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is a three-day census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a biennial point-in-time count of individuals experiencing homelessness. LAHSA began conducting the Homeless Count in 2016 to provide an “improved analysis regarding the trends of people experiencing homelessness.”

Government agencies, including LAHSA, use the data to develop strategies to combat homelessness, and determine where funding and resources would be the most beneficial.

“The annual Homeless Count is an important tool to understand where our neighbors experiencing homelessness are located and to know where services are needed most, so we can help as many people as possible come home,” Chief Executive Officer of LAHSA Va Lecia Adams Kellum said in a statement. “However, we can’t do it alone. We need thousands of people to come out and count as many census tracts as possible so we can deliver accurate results.”

This year, the agency sought 8,000 volunteers to conduct the count. In the Palisades, about 40 volunteers worked the morning, which included members of PPTFH and its Outreach Team, Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin, LAPD officers and the Beach Patrol team, CD 11 Field Deputy Michael Amster, former member of Santa Monica City Council Greg Morena, and citizen volunteers.

This was PPTFH’s ninth time conducting the count locally since forming in 2015. The count was scheduled for the early morning, beginning at 4 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church.

Individuals were then divvied up into teams and made their way to the streets—spanning the Highlands, Alphabet Streets and beyond—taking count of encampments, cars, tents and individuals.

“This was my second year participating in the homeless count and I really enjoyed it,” Palisadian Sue Kohl, who serves as vice chair of Pacific Palisades Community Council, said to the Palisadian-Post. “This year, for the first time, we each had [a mobile application] to use, which more accurately counted the unhoused and their locations and situations … and sent the data directly to LAHSA representatives. It was a rewarding experience.”

This year, PPTFH Co-President Cindi Young said a few changes were made to the process. LAHSA is expected to publish area-wide totals, and will no longer provide specific totals for the Palisades or similar communities.

“They base this conclusion on the presumption that people experiencing homelessness move around,” Young explained.

Also this year, volunteers in the Palisades were requested to not count people experiencing homelessness on the beach or in vehicles along Pacific Coast Highway, according to Young. They were told that other area officials, including Caltrans and Recreation and Parks, would be conducting the count in those areas. It was unclear at press time if the data collected at these sites would be part of the total official count.

“PPTFH and PPCC reached out to LAHSA to ask why these areas were not to be counted,” Young said.

As the Post went to print Tuesday evening, February 6, LAHSA had not responded to a request for comment on the count in those areas.

PPTFH leaders were able to get an unofficial count of the area through the efforts of Espin, Amster and Morena, who counted the area. Espin reported three people on the beach, one tent, 12 cars and four RVs.

PPTFH’s preliminary count results saw a total of 62 people experiencing homelessness—including the beach and PCH—or 45—excluding the beach and PCH. These numbers were “a few more” than last year.

Official results and findings from the countywide count were anticipated to be available in June.

Area Elected Officials Speak at Pacific Palisades Democratic Club Annual Meeting

By
Lily Tinoco
-
PPDC President Steve Cron and Councilmember Traci Park
Photos courtesy of PPDC

By LILY TINOCO  | Assistant Editor

The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club hosted its annual meeting—which was open to all and featured appearances by area elected officials—on Sunday, February 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The event, which was originally supposed to take place both in person at Palisades Charter High School and virtually via Zoom, was switched to online only in response to inclement weather.

“Thank you all for being flexible and being here by Zoom,” PPDC President Steve Cron said at the start of the meeting. “One of the things that I love about this club is that we are nimble, we are quick … We read the news and everybody decided … it wasn’t worth endangering people’s safety and here we are.”

Cron went on to thank everybody for attending and gathering ahead of what he described as “the most important election of our generation.”

This year’s annual meeting featured State Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Councilmember Traci Park, as well as a pre-taped segment by Congressmember Brad Sherman.

“I hope you’re having a wonderful, annual soirée,” Sherman said. “I want to salute the work of this club.”

Allen and Irwin succeeded Sherman’s address. Cron then introduced Councilmember Traci Park—who represents Council District 11, which includes the Palisades.

Park shared that her first year in office has been “a whirlwind,” that she and her team were sure to hit the ground running.

She spoke on a few initiatives in the works, including a goal for the city of Los Angeles to boost tourism and generate approximately $300 million each year, as part of her work as chair of the Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee.

“That is money that goes directly to our city’s general fund for things like fire, police, sanitation, tree trimming and other services,” Park explained. “I have the opportunity to lead our city as we recover economically from the pandemic, and I am really excited about the work that we are doing.”

Regarding the issue of homelessness, Park said her team has successfully abated all of the large tent encampments in CD 11. And while there are still a number of individuals residing in tents, she said the team works with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority each day to ensure they are connected to the services they may need.

“We have housed hundreds of people who were living on the streets [of] CD 11, and I’m very proud to report that we have one of the highest levels of retention in interim housing and one of the highest rates of moving people into permanent supportive housing,” Park said. “I’m going to continue this work into 2024, and we are now turning our attention and our focus to tackling the RV crisis in CD 11 with the same focus that we brought to tackling the tent encampments last year.”

Following Park, Cron explained that PPDC had planned to have Mayor Karen Bass make an appearance, but “because of the storm” and other circumstances, she was unable to attend. Bass asked Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jared Rivera to speak on her behalf.

Cron and other members of PPDC closed the meeting with words of thanks and extended an invitation for attendees to get involved.

Your Two Cents’ Worth

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

January 25 Edition

Thanks so much for Lisa Kaas Boyle’s environmental film and organizational Green Tip and David Grinsfelder’s insightful look at Europe’s North/South divide as it is encapsulated in Italy. The schism has been repeatedly examined in European novels, and is memorably played out in Franco Brusati’s 1974 movie “Bread and Chocolate,” with Switzerland standing in for Milan!

Dogs

The dog situation at the Sunday Farmers’ Market is out of hand. I’m tired of “nice” dogs coming up behind me and licking or sniffing my hand and others darting in front with a taut leash. The operators of the market have abandoned any enforcement of the Health Department’s rule. Dogs are not allowed just like at Erewhon around the corner where there is a friendly sign explaining that you cannot bring your dog. I like dogs, but not where they don’t belong.

(Editor’s note: The Palisadian-Post reached out to California Certified Farmers Market, which runs the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market asking what their policy is on dogs and what they are doing to enforce it. This is the response from Melissa Farwell, director of coordination and development: “We have signage all throughout the market and our managers are continuously asking customers to exit the market with their dogs. Many dog owners either say their dog is a service animal, in which we can only ask two questions legally—is your animal a service animal and what service does it perform? If they answer correctly, our hands are tied … I do want to say that I actually appreciate this being placed in the paper as to hopefully prevent anyone that reads the paper from not bringing their dog to the market unless it TRULY is a real service animal.”)

Election

The definition of insanity is repeating history and expecting a different outcome. And yet, despite nearly 70% of Californians expressing that the state is headed in the wrong direction, we continue to re-elect the same left leaning, progressive liberals or their clones. We need to stop robotically picking the same failed politicians and policies just because the vast majority of this state belongs to one particular party. With election season coming up, it’s time to think, to pivot or to suffer the continued insanity.

Got something to say? Call 310-454-1321 or email 2cents@palipost.com and get those kudos or concerns off your chest. Names will not be used.

Mission Accomplished

By
Sarah Shmerling
-
Photos courtesy of Stephen Silberkraus

Pali High Graduate Stephen Silberkraus Follows Endeavour Space Shuttle from Florida to its Final Destination at the Under-Construction Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Endeavour space shuttle made it to its final destination at California Science Center at the end of January, resting as the forthcoming star attraction at what will eventually be the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center—the beginning of its next chapter, but the end of its previous journey.

It is also the end of the journey for Palisades Charter High School graduate Stephen Silberkraus, who has followed Endeavour as a volunteer documentary videographer/photographer for the last decade-plus.

“I’m the only person—the only photographer/videographer—that has been with her since she returned to Kennedy [Space Center] after her last mission, all the way through her being installed at [California Science Center],” Silberkraus explained to the Palisadian-Post. “There have been people who pop in for pieces here and there, but I’ve been there for every step of the project.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Silberkraus’ father was an engineer on the third stage of the Saturn V, designed as part of the Apollo program for human exploration of the moon.

“I grew up around space and I’ve always loved it,” Silberkraus said. “I wanted to be an astronaut—what kid doesn’t have a phase where at some point, they want to be an astronaut? But I really did.”

Silberkraus began preparation for his future dream career at an early age, even attending space camp. But when he was at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, he grew to be six-foot, two-inches tall—too tall for a space shuttle, which had a height limit, he said.

“Very quickly, I was too tall to be an astronaut,” Silberkraus lamented, explaining that he went on to pursue other interests and dreams instead—including as a state assemblymember in Nevada and now pursuing a master’s in government through the extension school at Harvard—but that he always had a passion for space.

Around 2010, he met someone who was working with the team documenting the end of the space shuttle program Endeavour was a part of, planning its trip to California. Silberkraus, who had a background in photography, volunteered to help.

“There’s no money, it’s all volunteer,” he explained. “The Society of Camera Operators—which is kind of like the DGA or SAG but for camera operators—is volunteering a bunch of their equipment and time.”

So, on his own dime, Silberkraus began his journey alongside the Endeavour with a trip to Florida. He estimated that over the course of 12 years, he probably spent three months working on the project.

“You get to talk to these people who devoted their whole lives to this program and to this incredible machine,” Silberkraus said of the work. “And they’ve all got this fantastic story to tell you … my experience has really been living through the experiences of all these other incredible individuals.”

Silberkraus has been able to speak with over two dozen astronauts, talking about their experiences and stories—which he said allowed him to “almost get that astronaut experience” he has wanted since growing up.

“Anytime you’re playing with rockets and spaceships, it’s going to be fun and interesting,” Silberkraus said to the Post of Endeavour’s final move in January. “You kind of had a sense of, I almost want to say sorrow, because it was the end of something.”

The first leg of Silberkraus’ work with the Endeavour was in 2012 when it made a several-day journey to the West Coast from Florida, landing at LAX and then embarking on a tour through the streets of Los Angeles—sometimes with only inches of clearance—before arriving at California Science Center in a temporary home before being moved for the final time.

“That night was the last night she was ever going to fly, that she was ever going to be in the air and traveling,” Silberkraus said of Monday, January 29. “There was something kind of sad about that—beautiful as well—but knowing that this is finally her final.”

Endeavour, which will be part of a 20-story shuttle stack exhibit, marks the world’s only “ready-to-launch” shuttle display, with an external tank and two solid rocket boosters—the “grand finale of the unprecedented ‘Go for Stack’ process,” according to a statement from California Science Center. It was officially detached from the 450-foot crane and metal sling just after 12 a.m. on January 31 following 14 hours of work.

“It looks like this big tough thing, but it’s actually incredibly fragile,” Silberkraus said of how precise the crews had to be when working on moving Endeavour. “The tiles … look strong and tough and everything that you’d expect—and they are for what they are—but if you look at the back … if you took your finger, you could push right through it. It’s that fragile.”

Work at the science center began on Monday, January 29, around 9:30 p.m. The first night, Endeavour was lifted into the construction site, where it was captured at attach points on ET-94, the orange external tank. The next evening, the “flight hardware bolts were completely torqued,” firmly securing Endeavour in place at 9:15 p.m.

“With the lift and mating of Endeavour, we have successfully completed the last-ever space shuttle stack,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, president and CEO of California Science Center. “This is a dream over 30 years in the making, and a feat that has never before been accomplished outside of a NASA or Air Force facility. The California Science Center has been fortunate to have a remarkable group of experts devoted to this project who have decades of experience working with NASA and the shuttle program—some from the very first space shuttle launch in 1981.”

Endeavour is 122 feet long, with a wingspan of 78 feet. A retired orbiter from NASA’s Space Shuttle program, it flew 25 missions between May 1992 and May 2011 before arriving at the science center in October 2012.

“The final preparations to move the orbiter to its new home began immediately after Endeavour’s exhibition closed to the public on December 31, 2023,” according to California Science Center. “On the morning of January 2, crews began to carefully envelope Endeavour in shrink wrap to protect it during its journey, installation and for the duration of construction. Endeavour moved out of its previous and temporary home, the Samuel Oschin Pavilion at the California Science Center, on January 18 and made the 1,000-foot journey down State Drive to the site of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center on January 26.”

Construction of Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center began in 2022 and will now continue around the 20-story shuttle display. When completed in “a few years,” the 200,000-square-foot expansion of California Science Center will serve as “a launchpad for creativity and innovation to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and explorers.” It will feature a collection of 100 artifacts as well as 100 new hands-on exhibits.

Even though Endeavour’s traveling journey has come to an end, Silberkraus will continue to volunteer his time and efforts with other shuttles, recently attending the launch of Artemis 1 with his family and returning by himself for its recovery. He said he plans to be there for Artemis II, which will likely launch at the beginning of 2025, and Artemis III, which will land on the moon.

His work documenting the Endeavour is also available in a book by Arcadia Publishing—the first book they published in color, Silberkraus explained.

And, in his spare time, Silberkraus helps to inspire the next generation of astronauts—hoping to spark that same interest in space that he had growing up.

“This last week, I went and spoke to three different classes—a second-grade and two fifth-grade classes—and just got to share some of these stories and these experiences with them,” Silberkraus said. “And you could see them light up. And you know, that’s that spirit of adventure and interest and intrigue and what’s out there. It’s alive and strong with these kids.”

Protect Your Brain, Skip the Polystyrene

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a “green tip” to our readers in each newspaper. This edition’s tip was written by Lisa Kaas Boyle, Esq., a member of the Resilient Palisades Zero Waste Team.

Most of us order food delivered to our homes, eat at restaurants that serve in single-use materials and take-home leftovers in single-use packaging.

Polystyrene, often referred to by the DuPont trade name Styrofoam, is a chemical that can be solid or foamed. You are probably familiar with polystyrene foam cups for coffee and soup containers, but plastic cutlery is also polystyrene.

Did you know that this material is a neurotoxin that can cause disease? For example, a study reported in Parkinson’s Foundation’s Science News on January 19 has linked polystyrene to Parkinson’s disease.

“According to past research, it is common for blood samples to contain polystyrene nanoparticles, which come from pieces of foam packing materials, cups and cutlery,” the report read, but now we know traces of polystyrene can be found in human brain tissues and this may be causing disease, including Parkinson’s.

“Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed when a protein, called alpha-synuclein, begins to clump in vulnerable neurons in the brain,” the report continued. “The clumping ultimately affects dopamine, the neurotransmitter that gets progressively lost in PD, leading to early signs of the disease. This new study shows that polystyrene nanoparticles can interact with alpha-synuclein and promote its clumping in test tubes, in brain cells grown in a petri dish and in mice.”

Polystyrene bans exist in many places around the world and in several U.S. jurisdictions. In California the legislature passed SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, in June 2022.

The law sets forth Extended Producer Responsibility requirements for plastic, including a requirement that polystyrene be banned if recycling rates do not reach 25% by 2025. Recycling rates averaged 6% at passage, leading some to call the law a “de facto ban,” anticipating an inability to comply within three years.

But to protect yourself today, refuse to use polystyrene. Do not accept to-go plastic cutlery or Styrofoam packaging. CA Assembly Bill No. 619 permits diners to bring their own clean dining ware for in-store use, refill and to go.

It’s best to use glass or stainless steel, as these materials do not contaminate food.

Letters To The Editor

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

The Bills

I have always been a big reactor when it comes to television. When Rory Gilmore rejected Logan’s proposal, I audibly gasped by myself in my bed. When Devi was packing for college, I was silently crying, again by myself in my bed. But nothing, NOTHING, has ever made me so angry as a football game.

In October of 2023, I decided to learn football. Initially, yes, it was because of Taylor Swift, but it was mostly because I would rather spend time watching giant men chase a ball than sit on my phone with my sister. I started picking up bits and pieces of the game with the help of my willing dad and slightly frustrated cousin. I knew touchdown, first through fourth down, some other basic terminology and that’s about it.

Flash forward a month or two. My football knowledge had not expanded, but I was determined to learn. After getting a full rundown of the AFC West, the NFC South and everything in between, I was overwhelmed by the amount of teams—I soon came to understand it was only 32 and not that bad.

I knew I had to pick a team. Pretty quickly, I was able to eliminate a few teams from my roster.

First, the New York Jets. I knew already that they sucked, their supposedly savior quarterback Aaron Rodgers got injured in the first game of the season (shocking that I even knew that) and that it was my dad’s team, so why would I pick the same as him?

Secondly, the Los Angeles Chargers. Again, they also sucked and it was my cousin’s team. A lot of decisions were made out of spite.

Afterward, I was able to get rid of a few others. The Washington Commanders, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns had dumb logos. The Texans from Texas? Really? Los Angeles Rams, basic. Dallas Cowboys, basic. The Kansas City Chiefs, BASIC.

After weeks and weeks of tireless contemplation, I narrowed it down to five teams. The Baltimore Ravens, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills.

To make my decision, I did what any teenage girl would do: rank the teams based upon various criteria, including colors, logos, helmets, uniforms, social media page, fanbase name, celebrity clout and, with minimal research, their group standing.

The Eagles were out because their fans are crazy and I didn’t like one of their shades of green. The Ravens were out because I thought their uniforms were ugly. The Dolphins really had everything going right for them, until they lost to a bad team and I was quickly over them.

And then there were two. It was a really close call, but the Bills won by a landslide. Good colors, good standings, Hailee Steinfeld, good logo and good social media page (I saw one funny video and thought it was sufficient enough to back the whole social media claim).

I became invested—or a true member of the Bills Mafia, as one might say. I started watching every game from start to finish, only going on my phone minimally, seeing football videos on my Explore Page and moving the ESPN app to a convenient spot on my home screen. The most unfortunate part about all of this though, was that it was the week before the first round of playoffs.

So I watched the first playoff game, easy money for the Bills. I was feeling pumped for my team and happy that I didn’t pick the Dolphins or Eagles who crashed out big time. So onto round two we went.

I will never forget the anger I felt at that loss. They’re all professional football players. They should not be missing game-tying, overtime-sending field goals three points down.

I was pissed, not only because the Bills lost, but because my hatred for the Chiefs was only growing. While I do like the Kelce family, I DO NOT like Patrick Mahomes and I DO NOT like the fact that they rig the NFL. I’m still angry.

So now, as we enter the week before the Super Bowl that nobody wanted, I can only reminisce about what could have been for my team as a Chiefs hater, ex-Swiftie and your new favorite football fan. However, I am also grateful that a simple question led to a new passion that has completely opened my eyes to the world of Brads, Chads, and Dads. And don’t worry, I’ll still be watching the game.

Parker Keston
Junior Reporter

Palisades Safari

You don’t have to go far to enjoy an active and wild game drive. Early morning walks with my lab Hank bring the loud hooting of a nearby owl. Never can spot the owl but know he/she is enjoying a morning snack.

Another great morning sound is the loud buzz of hummingbirds lining up at the feeder for a dawn shot of energy. Last week a large coyote stared me down from across the street. I clapped my hands but he just gave me a slow hard look and moved on in his search for rabbits.

In the spring, flocks of green parrots go to the top of a nearby tree to bask in the warm first sunlight. As they warm, they get more active and louder.

Early Palisades morning walks may not bring sights of lions and tigers but it’s always a great morning on Palisades Safari.

Kent Sather

Crime Report

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Burglary/Theft From Vehicle

15100 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 14 between 12 and 12:55 p.m. Suspect gained access into victim’s vehicle by unknown means. Suspects fled with victim’s property.

W Sunset Blvd and Temescal Canyon Road, January 14 between 1:10 and 2:35 p.m. Suspect entered secured vehicle, removed victim’s property and fled location.

Pacific Coast Hwy and Temescal Canyon Road, January 15 at 11 a.m. Suspect entered victim’s secured vehicle. Suspects fled with victim’s property.

17500 Pacific Coast Hwy, between January 15 at 12 p.m. and January 16 at 2 p.m. Victim secured vehicle and placed key in lockbox at rear of vehicle. Suspect gained access into lockbox, opened victim’s vehicle and fled with property.

Pacific Coast Hwy and Sunset Blvd, January 20 between 10:15 and 11 a.m. Victim parked and possibly left vehicle unsecured. Suspect entered vehicle and fled with victim’s property.

15500 Pacific Coast Hwy, January 20 at 3:30 p.m. Suspect took keys from victim’s property on the beach. Suspect gained access to victim’s vehicle using key. Victim intervened while suspect was in the process of ransacking vehicle. Suspect fled without property.

Grand Theft Auto

16000 W Sunset Blvd, between January 14 at 9 p.m. and January 15 at 9:15 a.m. Motorcycle taken from parking lot.

Theft

1000 Swarthmore Ave, January 15 at 6:20 p.m. Two suspect entered store, selected items and left the store without paying for the items.

Burglary

800 Via De La Paz, January 16 at 1:38 a.m. Suspect smashed glass door to business, entered and took credit card machine, and fled.

Provided by LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin. In case of emergency, call 911. To report a non-emergency, call 877-275-5273

Palisadians Receive 96th Academy Award Nominations

By
Sarah Shmerling
-
Jack Quaid and Zazie Beetz host the announcement of the 96th Oscars® nominations, on Tuesday, January 23.
Photo by Richard Harbaugh/ ©A.M.P.A.S

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently revealed its nominations for the 96th Academy Awards—honoring movies that were released in 2023—and several Palisadians have been nominated.

Palisadian Bradley Cooper has been nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for “Maestro,” a category that also includes Colman Domingo for “Rustin,” Paul Giamatti for “The Holdovers,” Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer” and Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction.”

Cooper has been nominated for Oscars nine previous times, including Best Actor in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook,” in 2015 for “American Sniper” and 2019 for “A Star is Born.”

As producers of “Maestro,” Cooper, fellow Palisadian Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger are nominated for Best Picture, a category that also includes “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.”

Cooper is also nominated for Writing (Original Screenplay) alongside Josh Singer, a category that includes Justin Triet and Arthur Harari for “Anatomy of a Fall,” David Hemingson for “The Holdovers,” Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik for “May December,” and Celine Song for “Past Lives.”

“We are all so grateful to be recognized alongside all of these incredible works of art this year,” Cooper said in a statement. “And the performances from every actor who I so admire. Thank you to Jamie, Alex and Nina Bernstein for allowing their parents’ story to be out there in the world, and thank you to the Academy. We are very honored to be included.”

When it comes to Actor in a Supporting Role, Palisadian Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for “Oppenheimer,” alongside Sterling K. Brown for “American Fiction,” Robert De Niro for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Mark Ruffalo for “Poor Things” and Ryan Gosling for “Barbie.”

“Waking up to all of these nominations for Christopher Nolan and his many talented collaborators is an absolute delight,” Downey Jr. said in a statement. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the cinematic masterpiece that is ‘Oppenheimer,’ and it’s a privilege to be an Academy member nominated alongside such esteemed company.”

Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou and Lori McCoy-Bell are nominated for Makeup and Hairstyling for “Maestro,” as well as Luisa Abel for “Oppenheimer.” Both films are also nominated for Sound (Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic for “Maestro” and Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell for “Oppenheimer”).

Ludwig Göransson is nominated for Music (Original Score); Ruth De Jong and Claire Kaufman for Production Design; Christopher Nolan for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) for “Oppenheimer.”

The Oscars, which will take place at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, are set to air on March 10, beginning at 4 p.m. They will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Forging Ahead

By
Lily Tinoco
-
Photos courtesy of Jeran Bruce

Jeran Bruce Opens an Engineering Makerspace on Via De La Paz

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Santa Monica native Jeran Bruce has brought his engineering expertise to Pacific Palisades—ready to provide mentorship and tools to the youth in an engineering makerspace for students 10 to 18 years old.

Owned and operated by Bruce, Forge Makerspace opened in December 2023. Located at 869 Via De La Paz, it offers students access to engineering tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and hand and power tools.

Bruce grew up in Santa Monica, he told the Palisadian-Post, and an interest in engineering sparked when he was just 12 years old.

“I was lucky enough that my dad was very hands on, and got me interested in electronics and building things,” Bruce said. “Throughout all of middle and high school, I was just building projects like electric skateboards and solar panels for my room.”

He attended University of California, Santa Barbara, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering before working as an intern at Tesla. After interning, he had the idea to open a makerspace in the Palisades.

“This space provides the tools for the kids, and also provides mentorship and supervision,” Bruce explained. “It’s something that I wasn’t able to find as a kid, and I was lucky enough to have my dad to teach me about stuff, but not all students are … It’s definitely something that I would have been all over as a kid.”

Forge Makerspace has open hours of “workshop time” every day—described as unstructured time for students to use the workshop and tools for their own projects. Students have the option to drop in for $25 per hour or pay $300 per month for unlimited time. In the unlimited plan, all weekly classes are included at no extra charge, and members have their own storage space in the workshop to leave projects.

“There currently isn’t anything else out there like this, at least in LA, and without a parent who has experience in this stuff, students wouldn’t get exposure to these tools,” Bruce said to the Post. “In our world of electronics overload, it seems that many young adults are missing out on learning to work with their hands. Being creative and building things.”

Bruce explained that for young adults interested in pursuing engineering at the university level or as a career, hands-on work is the “number one” way to better their chances of being accepted into engineering schools, as well as landing internships and jobs.

“I know first-hand from working on the battery engineering team at Tesla that recruiters want to see real hands-on experience, not just book knowledge,” Bruce explained. “Having done many of my own personal engineering projects was a big part of why I got my job at Tesla in the first place.”

Of choosing the Palisades, Bruce said he spent a lot of time in the town growing up and saw the value in opening the workshop in the community.

“The Palisades seemed like the perfect place,” he said. “Everyone is so community oriented … And this location popped up and ended up being exactly what I needed, in terms of size. I didn’t want to start too big, I wanted to start small and see if people were interested in it.”

Bruce said the experience has been gratifying.

“It’s so wonderful to see groups of kids actually using the tools and learning things at even a younger age than when I started,” he said. “And knowing how much that is going to compound over the … years before they go to college and how much more they’re going to learn is really incredible to think about. So far, it has been awesome.”

Forge Makerspace is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit forgemakerspace.com.

Palisades Neighborhood News

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Home Invasion | Marquez Knolls

A home invasion incident at the 16000 block of Charmel Lane in Marquez Knolls led to a pursuit and arrest Friday evening, February 2, according to Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin.

The suspect reportedly entered the home through an unlocked rear door, drew a gun at the victims, and demanded money and property. The suspect also was reported to demand property from the victim’s safe, before fleeing in a black SUV.

“The suspect was being monitored by a regional surveillance taskforce for other alleged burglaries … committed along the Westside,” Espin wrote. “The surveillance group requested assistance from LAPD West LA to conduct a stop on the suspect to affect an arrest. Once LAPD units were able to get behind the suspect and vehicle, the suspect took off, ensuing a pursuit by LAPD patrol officers down PCH and onto the 10 freeway.

“Due to the unsafe speed and reckless driving of the suspect, for the safety of community members out on the road, the pursuit was called off and our LAPD air unit (helicopter) was able to track the suspect vehicle to an apartment in the city of Torrance.”

The suspect fled into an apartment unit where they barricaded themselves and “refused to come out,” later voluntarily giving up and being taken into custody, Espin said.

“Due to the suspect using force or fear (using a handgun) to coerce the victims into giving up property,” Espin explained, “the suspect was arrested for robbery.”

The victim’s property was returned, and detectives are now working with other agencies to determine if the suspect is connected to additional burglaries, Espin concluded.

—LILY TINOCO

Fourth Annual Palisades Animal Shelter
Donation Drive | Marquez Knolls

The fourth annual Palisades Animal Shelter Donation Drive, hosted by Nancy Jackson and Leslie Buck to benefit the six Los Angeles County animal shelters, began on February 5 and will last three to four weeks, depending on the influx of donations.

Items like dog and cat beds, toys, food, blankets, clothing, collars and leashes, as well as cash donations, can be dropped off Tuesdays to Saturdays at Paws N‘ Claws, located at 16634 Marquez Avenue. In 2023, 18 “massive loads” were donated to the shelters.

“Nancy Jackson started the Palisades Donation Drive four years ago to help bring comfort to the animals stuck in the shelters,” according to a statement. “Leslie Buck of Paws N‘ Claws was kind enough to offer her dog grooming salon as a drop off location for the donations.”

Items that will not be accepted are pillows, expired food, fitted sheets and stuffies with holes. There is also an Amazon Wishlist set up: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ACB7BWOVCAGN?ref_=wl_share.

“Together, the drive has proven to be a huge success the past three years,” the statement continued. “This year we hope to double what we were able to do last year. Your donations play a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of these animals in need. Please join us in making a difference and helping our four-legged friends.”

For donation inquiries or to volunteer to transport donations to shelters, contact Jackson at athlete1@msn.com or 310-570-6714.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Singing Valentines | Pacific Palisades

 

Singing Valentines are now available for purchase from The Oceanaires A Cappella Chorus: “the perfect gift for your favorite person.”

“A quartet from The Oceanaires A Cappella Chorus will personally deliver two songs with a balloon and a personalized card from you,” read a flyer.

Those who order before February 10 will receive a discount and guaranteed delivery on February 14. Orders will be $50, or $75 after February 10. The Singing Valentines “sell out every year,” according to The Oceanaires website.

For more information, including a map of delivery range, which includes the West Los Angeles area, visit oceanaires.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Think Pink 2024 | Pacific Palisades

Community members are invited to save the date for Irene Dunne Guild’s 18th annual Think Pink for Women’s Wellness fundraiser on May 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Upper Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades. The event serves as a fundraiser for Saint John’s Health Center.

“Think Pink is a popular event that focuses on health education and awareness for women and their families,” according to a statement about the event. “The Irene Dunne Guild, a support group of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, raises funds for women’s health, nursing scholarships, new medical equipment, programs for care givers and family support services.”

This year’s event chairs are Lorena Craven and Suzanne Caldwell. For more information, visit irenedunneguild.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

1...149150151...2,558Page 150 of 2,558
© Pacific Palisades Post, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272