Photo courtesy of American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283
American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 is the title sponsor for the inaugural Military Veteran Entertainment Awards, which will take place Saturday, May 24, at the Beverly Wilshire.
The event is being hosted to celebrate “the outstanding contributions” of military service members and veterans in the entertainment industry.
“The evening will feature a red-carpet reception, inspiring award presentations and heartfelt tributes to those who have dedicated their lives to service both in uniform and on screen,” according to We Are The Mighty. “The event serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, talent and dedication of military personnel who have seamlessly transitioned into the world of entertainment.”
Some of the guests who are slated to be in attendance include Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, Palisadian actor and former Honorary Mayor Steve Guttenberg, Medal of Honor Gary Littrell, United States Army Green Beret Nate Boyer and reality TV host Maria Mendez Reed.
The event, hosted by Amy Forsythe and BJ Lange, will take place at the Beverly Wilshire, located at 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, beginning at 4:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, visit mvawards.org.
I loved to see that Prima Cantina has reopened! And Spruzzo! Thank you to our restaurants for doing so.
Driving
While driving PCH, I noticed a lot of cars and trucks being pulled over—some even from utility companies. The speed limit along PCH in the fire area is still 25 MPH and each light is flashing red, which means to stop.
Repopulating
I would like to see stories of what our neighbors’ experiences have been like if they have repopulated the area.
(Editor’s note: If you have repopulated Pacific Palisades and are willing to share your story, please reach to mypost@palipost.com.)
All-Stars
CONGRATS to the Pali Rec Center Minor All-Stars on a truly triumphant season!
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.
Rebuilding After Wildfire: Smarter, Safer, More Sustainable
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 Erik Gonzales-Kramer.
In January 2025, Los Angeles County experienced the most devastating wildfire event in its history. At least 30 lives were lost. Over 16,000 structures were destroyed, and 180,000 residents were forced to evacuate.
Homeowners are understandably eager to begin rebuilding their cherished homes. But rebuilding should be more than replacing what was lost.
It’s critical to design and rebuild with the future in mind. Meeting the minimum building code is no longer enough. We need homes—and communities—that are built to withstand a changing climate.
That’s why the U.S. Green Building Council of California, in collaboration with Arup, created the California Wildfire Rebuilding Guide: usgbc-ca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11-USGBC-x-Arup-Rebuilding-V1.pdf.
This free, easy-to-navigate resource is designed to support homeowners, community leaders and building professionals in navigating the early design decisions that shape resilient recovery.
A Resource Built for Recovery
The California Wildfire Rebuilding Guide offers practical steps, helpful tools and trusted guidance to everyone who is ready to move forward with the challenging process of rebuilding their more resilient home.
The guide answers commonly asked questions about city and county permitting policies around “like-for-like” rebuild requirements, and breaks down the costs and co-benefits of resilient strategies across every part of the home—from roofing and landscaping to wall materials and windows.
Beyond the edges of the property, the guide emphasizes community resilience. It explores how shared purchasing power and neighborhood-scale solutions can help us not only recover—but come back stronger, together.
Rebuilding isn’t just about structures—it’s about healing, connection and preparing our communities for a more resilient future.
Learn More at Upcoming Workshops
To help support LA’s rebuilding efforts, USGBC-CA is hosting a series of in-person workshops. The next workshop—organized in partnership with Resilient Palisades—will be on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Santa Monica Business Park, located at 3250 Ocean Park Boulevard.
This workshop will kick off with a brief overview of the guide from the experts who helped write it. Afterward, attendees will have the opportunity to meet directly with government agencies, experts in disaster recovery and industry professionals at an interactive resource fair designed to provide the community with the critical knowledge and resources needed for wildfire recovery and resilient rebuilding.
In short, these workshops are more than a presentation—it’s a space for connection, collaboration and moving forward together. RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/wildfire-recovery-rebuilding-community-workshop-tickets-1330253557199.
Together, we can turn this moment of hardship into an opportunity for lasting resilience. Let’s not just rebuild what was lost—let’s create a California that’s safer, healthier and more sustainable for generations to come.
Julia Wolinsky is Creating Pieces Featuring Palisades Past and Present After Losing Her Childhood Home in the Fire
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
After her childhood home was destroyed in the Palisades fire, Julia Wolinsky has turned to art to help her process the grief—while raising funds to support the community.
“It’s really emotional,” Wolinsky said of losing the home. “I think I took it for granted. I felt like this was a house that would always be and exist. I think the hardest part for me is to process and grapple with the fact that it’s truly gone. It’s not that it was sold to someone else or there’s another family living there … The hardest part is that it is truly to the ground—and there’s nothing left.”
The last time Wolinsky was in the neighborhood before the Palisades fire started was January 4—just three days before. She returned at the start of April to draw what the debris removal process looked like at the home.
“If I knew it was finite,” Wolinsky said, “I would have made more of an effort to be there and spend more time there.”
Wolinsky, now a freelance illustrator that specializes in food and botanical illustrations, grew up in the Via Bluffs on Beirut Avenue, which she described as “a really beautiful” and “lovely” place to grow up. She said that part of her hoped—“maybe like a fairy tale”—that she would move back to the home and raise kids there.
She said she thinks about “how hard” her parents worked to remodel the home to be “their dream home,” with the “little personalized touches they had in it.” It has also been hard to learn about her friends’ parents, many of which have also lost their homes, Wolinsky said.
Julia Wolinsky
“Some families have been in their homes more than 30 years,” Wolinsky said. “I would go on social media and learn about home after home that burned.”
These were the places Wolinsky said she went to birthday parties and playdates at.
“It still doesn’t really feel real,” Wolinsky said. “Even though I’ve gone and I’ve seen it—even though I was standing in front of it—you go to bed at night, you wake up, you almost forget that this really happened.”
Wolinsky attended Palisades Charter Elementary School—when she was old enough, she would walk to school—followed by Paul Revere Charter Middle School, eventually graduating from Palisades Charter High School. After graduating, she went to UCLA, which is when she moved out of the Palisades home.
“I’ve been living all over the place,” Wolinsky described. “I moved around a lot.”
Wolinsky lived in New Orleans, where she was a middle school teacher for reading and art. She moved to Boston to get a master’s degree in education before returning to New Orleans to teach. She moved to Chicago for an administrative role in the education realm.
“At that point, it was 2013 or 2014, I felt like I wanted to make a career change,” Wolinsky said, adding that she wanted to create art. “I’m a more creative person. I missed making art.”
She moved to San Francisco for six years to pursue a career in UX design.
“Then the pandemic hit,” Wolinsky said, “and I was, again, sort of like: ‘Well, where should I live?’”
Without needing to be in San Francisco for her work anymore, Wolinsky traveled to Los Angeles often to visit and work remotely. It was there where she met her then-future husband Gerald, who is from Altadena.
“We connected and I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready to move back down and prioritize my personal life,’” Wolinsky said.
She is currently living in the Mid-City area, which had afforded her the opportunity to visit the Palisades and her childhood neighborhood. Her parents—who still own the Palisades home and were renting it out to tenants who lost everything—relocated a few years ago to Dallas for work.
Following the fire, what has helped Wolinsky to process her grief and wrap her head around the devastation, has been creating Palisades-centric art.
“It’s been hard to believe it’s true,” Wolinsky said of the destruction caused by the fire. “I think when I put it on paper and make an image of it, it’s like saying, ‘Yes this is what happened.’”
For her, she said, it has helped her accept the reality and “mourn the loss.”
Photos courtesy of Julia Wolinsky
The pieces she has been creating include documenting what happened, as well as images that reflect “happier memories” of the Palisades, like the Business Building Block in the Village area when it was painted pink and Palisades Village Green, which is still standing.
“When the fires hit I immediately thought about all the small businesses and food restaurants I frequented that are now gone,” Wolinsky said.
She said another purpose is to commemorate the lost restaurants, including Cholada and Reel Inn, both of which she would eat at while attending Pali High.
“I found that it helps to do the sad reality, to acknowledge it, but then also think about the things that we loved about it and drawing those,” Wolinsky said. “It’s all, for me, a process of accepting what happened and grieving, because the only way I know how to express myself really very strongly is through art. For me, that’s been very helpful to come to terms with what has happened.”
As rebuilding efforts are underway in the community, Wolinsky shared hopes of continuing to create, including additional pieces of businesses that she used to frequent with her family that are no longer standing to help people “remember what the Palisades was like and what they loved about it,” describing the “unique charm” of the community with “a mom-and-pop feel.”
Further down the line, Wolinsky said she hopes to put a show together, but for now, she has reached out to her alma mater, Pali High. She will be selling prints of her drawing of a lifeguard tower with “100% of the proceeds” going toward the school’s rebuilding efforts.
“I see this as the beginning, I’m just starting these works,” Wolinsky said. “I hope to keep doing them and figure out a way to help connect with other folks from the Palisades to share those memories … for now, it’s just me processing as we go and trying to make sense of what happened.”
Palisades Beautiful hosts its first cleanup event on April 22. Photos courtesy of Noah Martin
Noah Martin Launches Local Nonprofit to Revitalize the Palisades by “Restoring Natural Spaces”
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
While rebuilding and recovery work is underway across Pacific Palisades, one resident with multi-generational roots is hoping to do his part to beautify public and private spaces.
Noah Martin is the president of Palisades Beautiful—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that he launched in February “dedicated to restoring natural spaces” in the community.
“We’re dedicated to revitalizing our neighborhood through native landscaping,” read the Palisades Beautiful website. “Our mission is to make the Palisades more beautiful and sustainable one plant at a time.”
Martin—who grew up in the Palisades and lived in El Medio Bluffs—explained that the nonprofit is a nod to a previous group of the same name that had formed in the 1970s.
“The original Palisades Beautiful planted over 1,500 trees in our community,” read the website. “Starting with the jacarandas on Northfield, it grew into a project that spanned across the Palisades.”
Longstanding board members included Barbara Marinacci, Michael Terry, and founders Dorothy Bissell and Hilda Sauer. In addition to planting trees, Palisades Beautiful maintained the Native/Environmental/Xeriscape/Temescal/Garden.
“We aim to bring its idea back with a focus on drought-tolerant, native or naturalized vegetation in the community,” the website continued. “Our focus now is on fire recovery and replanting efforts, and we hope to expand to more community events in the future.”
The first event Palisades Beautiful hosted was a trash cleanup on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, along Bowdoin Street near the Palisades Charter High School campus. Martin picked the spot because it was part of the path he used to take from his home to Noah’s Bagels to school each morning.
“I haven’t done that [walk] for months, but I did it a couple of weeks ago to see what that walk looks like now,” Martin said.
Martin described finding an area where “much of the vegetation burned,” which “left behind a layer of trash”—“mainly bottles and cans.” They also found a discarded chair, which they called the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation to pick up as a bulky item.
“Hopefully we made the area look better,” Martin said.
Eight volunteers—including Preston O’Connell, who attended Marquez Charter Elementary School with Martin and is now a firefighter who responded to the Palisades fire, and his 4.5-year-old daughter—gathered to collect what ended up filling 14 trash bags, as well as planting “native vegetation in parts of the median that burned.”
“Debris clearance is very important,” Martin said, adding that he is grateful for the work being done around the community: “The little bit I can help with is the stuff on the side of the road,” as debris clearance is underway.
Martin said that the nonprofit has plans to plant bigger items in public spaces, like trees, but is working with entities like the city of Los Angeles and Palisades Forestry Committee to ensure everything is properly permitted and well placed.
When it comes to private properties, Martin explained that the group has worked with a couple of homeowners to replace items that were burned in the fire, including shrubs at a house in El Medio Bluffs and an oak tree in Marquez Knolls.
The nonprofit’s board members include Martin, his sister, Rachel Martin, Chetan Munugala, Orestis Lykouropoulos and JJ Amis—a swim coach at Pali High.
“He and I met when we were both students at Pali and on the swim team,” Martin explained.
Martin described living in the Palisades most of his life, with his parents moving to El Medio Bluffs when he was 2 years old, down the street from his grandparents’ house, which they inherited and moved into in 2020.
The house his grandparents’ had owned was lost in the Palisades fire, but his parents’ original home is still standing—Martin shared hopes of returning to the neighborhood when it is safe to do so, but for now, he is splitting his time between the West and East coasts, working as a software engineer and studying for a computer science PhD in Boston. His family is currently living in Marina del Rey.
He has started a few companies prior to creating Palisades Beautiful—most recently Emerge Tools, which he described as an “enterprise software company” that he co-founded and currently has 10 employees.
Martin’s drive to volunteer dates back several generations: His late grandfather, Harry Sondheim, was an active member of Pacific Palisades Community Council and Pacific Palisades Library Association, as well as a past president of Kehillat Israel.
Palisades Beautiful will be participating in a Palisades Village Cleanup event on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event is being co-hosted by Gates Security, Palisades P.R.I.D.E., Palisades Village Green, American Legion – Ronald Reagan Post 283 and Palisades Garden Cafe.
“Join us for a morning of community service as we work together to clean up the Palisades,” read an event description. “While incredible work is being done to clear debris from the Palisades, we are helping to do our part by cleaning up the trash that has accumulated around community spaces.”
Those who want to participate can meet at Post 283 on La Cruz Drive, where people will “split into teams to cover as much of the Village” as possible. Lunch will be provided by Palisades Garden Cafe after the cleanup has concluded. A resident pass is currently required to reach the meeting spot.
“Please wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes,” read the description. “We’ll provide all the necessary cleanup supplies, but feel free to bring your own gloves if you have them.”
Palisades Beautiful also accepts donations to cover costs of items used to clean up, including trash bags and protective gear, as well as new plants and trees.
“Our work is made possible entirely by donations,” read the Palisades Beautiful website. “Your donations go directly to trees and other plants, supplies for community cleanups, and essential materials, including soil, mulch and nursery pots.”
Another way people can contribute is by providing suggestions for areas they believe new items could be planted.
For more information, including a link to sign up for the Palisades Beautiful newsletter and receive news about future events and ways to get involved, visit palisadesbeautiful.org.
Former Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades and longtime Palisadian Steve Guttenberg will star in a new Lifetime film: “Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story.”
Based on a true story, Heather, who was raised in Illinois, had reportedly known that she had been adopted as an infant and grew up in a loving family. But in 2000, the then-15-year-old discovered the man she knew as her uncle—John Edward Robinson—was a serial killer, “accused of murdering multiple women in the Kansas City area, including her biological mother,” according to ABC News.
“After her uncle’s arrest, the true story of Heather Robinson’s adoption began to unravel,” ABC News reported in 2019.
Guttenberg will be depicting convicted serial killer John Edward Robinson in the upcoming film.
“Creating the character of John Robinson on screen required my attention to the darker side of humanity,” Guttenberg said to the Palisadian-Post. “It was an exciting role to play, as these aberrant personalities are psychologically fascinating and an actor has to pay attention to the details. As Robinson has affected many lives, I am respectful of those people who have to live with his actions. The story is compelling.”
Rachel Stubington (“Shrinking”) will join Guttenberg in the film, taking on the role of Heather. Jana Kramer (“One Tree Hill”) will portray an investigator working on the case, according to IMDb. Additional cast members include Ross Crain, Sarah Hudson, Rose Decker and Jackie Sanders.
Directed by Lee Gabiana, “Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story” is produced by Marwar Junction Productions and Allegheny Image Factory. Executive producers include Joseph Freed and Allison Berkley of Marwar Junction Productions, Jeffrey Tinnell and Robert Tinnell of Allegheny Image Factory, Melissa G. Moore of Redletter Media, and Maritte Lee Go.
Guttenberg—who served as honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades from 2002 to 2006—is an actor, author, businessman and producer. He made his acting debut in “The Boys From Brazil,” and is well known for roles in films from the 1980s and ’90s, “Cocoon,” “Police Academy,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Diner,” “The Big Green” and more.
In 2023, he wrote and starred in an autobiographical comedic play—sharing his life story in “Tales from the Guttenberg Bible,” which held a several-week run in New York. He also wrote “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero” about his time as a caretaker for his father, who was diagnosed with kidney failure.
“Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story” is slated to premiere on Saturday, June 7.
More Than 1,500 Community Members Attend 1Pali Event at Clover Park
By KAMRAN YASHOUAFAR | Contributing Writer
More than 1,500 community members gathered at Clover Park in Santa Monica to attend Rooted in Resilience on Saturday, April 19—hosted by 1Pali to serve as a day of “reflection, support and unity for displaced and fire-impacted residents.”
1Pali was founded by locals Ben Perlman, Anthony Marguleas and Andrew Grant to reconnect the community following the Palisades fire, which began on January 7. The organization’s mission is to unite the Palisades community through in-person gatherings and storytelling, “fostering hope and celebrating shared resilience.” It has also hosted a series of Zoom webinars with guest speakers, including Rick Caruso of Steadfast LA.
Perlman has described 1Pali as a “living testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Palisades.”
“After the fire took so much from us, I saw neighbors rise not just to rebuild homes, but to support one another and rekindle hope in our community,” he said. “To me, 1Pali is about harnessing that collective resilience, giving every resident a voice shaping the future of the Palisades. It’s a reminder that in our deepest challenges lies the power to create something extraordinary together.”
Rooted in Resilience—the organization’s first communitywide event—aimed to revive hope, strengthen the displaced community and offer resources.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to share the experience, reflect and reconnect,” Marguleas said. “It was a day full of positive energy, great music and unforgettable moments we’ll always remember.”
The event started with an introduction by Sam Laganá, announcer for the Los Angeles Rams and a longtime Palisadian.
Throughout the event, various public officials, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel and leaders from houses of worship addressed attendees, recognizing both the hardships endured and the community’s commitment to recovery. Speakers included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Traci Park and Colonel Eric Swenson of USACE.
Park noted that rebuilding efforts would be led by the community with government support.
Swenson gave an update on the debris removal and cleanup efforts. He said that a variety of crews were active in the area and that reopening Pacific Coast Highway to the public is a priority, as Governor Gavin Newsom announced it was on track to do so by the end of May.
Food was served by several local food trucks and vendors, including Gracias Señor, Flour Pizzeria, McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream, John Que’s Smokeout and The Tropic Truck. Robert Flutie, owner of Flour, lost both his home and his Via De La Paz restaurant in the fire, but has since reopened a location in Brentwood and is planning to return to the Palisades after the area is rebuilt.
Local firefighters from the Palisades and Santa Monica were honored on stage for their work during the fires.
The event featured musical performances by the Palisades Charter High School band, 1969 Rock Band—which performs ’60s classic rock and blues covers—led by Robert Resnick and Outer Reef led by Evan Brau.
Shawna McConald of 1969 performed the national anthem to open the event. The Pali High band performed the school’s traditional fight song.
In addition to speeches and performances, Rooted in Resilience offered a variety of activities: There were dozens of informational booths from local organizations and schools, including Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness. There were also activities for children—hosted by St. Matthew’s Day Camp and Sandy Days Kids Camp—and a community mural project.
Wellness activities, with SuperBloom, included yoga, creative storytelling and a live piano meditation.
Jake Steinfeld, former honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, read the poem “Don’t Quit,” Steinfeld’s mantra that was recently printed on copies of the Palisades flag that were available for sale.
Organizers described the event as an opportunity to reconnect with neighbors and inspire collective optimism for the future. Residents who had been displaced across Southern California came together to celebrate their community’s strength.
1Pali organizers said they are committed to reviving the Palisades community—with hopes of planning more future events to bring the community back together.
“I see ‘Rooted in Resilience’ as a celebration of the Palisades we all call home,” Perlman said to the Palisadian-Post. “It rekindles our community’s magic, uniting us to rebuild this cherished place together, inspiring hope and honoring our unbreakable spirit as we rise stronger than ever.”
Thomas James Homes shares an aerial view of work at a home on Iliff Street. Photo courtesy of Jamie Tamkin
AI Tool Launched to “Supercharge” Building Permit Approval
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Rebuilding construction is now underway at some properties following the Palisades fire, while Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a new AI tool to “supercharge the approval of building permits.”
Thomas James Homes announced on April 9 that it broke vertical construction in Pacific Palisades during a launch day attended by area officials, including Mayor Karen Bass.
Bass visited two sites in the Palisades that had been issued building permits by the city on April 9. The first permits were issued 57 days after the start of the fire, according to Bass’ office.
As of May 2, 31 permits for 23 addresses related to rebuilding efforts have been issued for projects in the Palisades, according to Bass’ office.
The TJH team told the Palisadian-Post there are currently two homes actively under construction in the Alphabet Streets, with several permits in the works, all pending approval.
“TJH has been deeply committed to the affected families through forums and consultations, resulting in active discussions with 300 households and 14 signed rebuilding agreements,” a representative said to the Post.
The team reported that site development work has commenced in the form of grading for one home on Kagawa Street, as well as digging the footings for another home’s foundation on Iliff Street in the coming week.
“Pacific Palisades holds a special place in our hearts for over a decade,” CEO Jamie Mead said to the Post. “We’re … humbled to play a role in restoring this resilient community. Our main goal is to help families reclaim a sense of normalcy and hope, and we are committed to delivering certainty to residents and locals.”
Since the Palisades fire started January 7, Thomas James Homes said it has worked closely with the city to navigate permitting and expedited timelines—including directly with Bass to discuss the latest in rebuilding efforts. Thomas James Homes reported the partnership between the public and private sectors has been successful to date.
The state of California will provide Los Angeles City and County with a “new, AI-powered e-check software,” free of charge, to “speed the pace at which local governments are approving building permits,” according to the governor’s office on April 30.
Created by Archistar, the software is available through a partnership between the state and philanthropic partners, including LA Rises and Steadfast LA, with contributions from Autodesk and Amazon.
“Bringing AI into permitting will allow us to rebuild faster and safer, reducing costs and turning a process that can take weeks and months into one that can happen in hours or days,” Steadfast LA Chairman Rick Caruso said. “Working with our coalition partner Mike Hopkins and Amazon, I’m proud Steadfast LA identified Archistar as the right company to develop and apply this game-changing technology. Now we can work with great philanthropic organizations, including LA Rises, to provide this critical tool at no cost to taxpayers.”
Archistar uses “computer vision,” “machine learning” and “automated rulesets” to check designs against local zoning and building codes in the assessment process for building permits, according to the governor’s office.
“This technology will allow property owners to pre-check their building plans before submission to ensure they submit valid plans, thus avoiding frustrating delays and expediting the review process once received by city or county staff,” the governor’s office continued.
Bass announced during her State of the City address on April 21 that she was signing an executive directive to “spearhead an AI pilot program” to “streamline the permitting process for Palisades residents.”
The county has also committed to using the software, according to the governor, and has passed a Board Resolution to “establish a unified permitting authority for the Altadena one-stop recovery center.”
As construction throughout the Palisades continues, Thomas James Homes told the Post it will keep providing updates on progress in the community.
“This is more than just a construction project—it’s a symbol of resilience for Pacific Palisades residents,” Mead said in a statement. “Together, we are rebuilding homes and restoring hope.”
120 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90401 424-238-3000 pacificcatch.com
By MERV HECHT | Restaurant Critic
While chatter about restaurant closures swirls on the Westside, new openings like Pacific Catch at Second and Wilshire deserve the spotlight.
It’s not aiming for the upscale polish of Water Grill, but it nails a different vibe—spacious, relaxed, with private rooms ideal for groups or those who need a quieter corner to catch every word.
Early reviews mentioned shaky service, but my regular visits paint a different picture. The staff here holds their own against Santa Monica’s best—friendly, attentive and quick. We’ve even bonded with a server, Hannah, who goes out of her way to make every visit smooth, whether it’s a casual drop-in or a planned gathering.
Just last week, I brought friends for a small party, and Pacific Catch delivered. The fish and chips, priced at $24, came as a hearty portion, crispy and paired with a pile of fries that didn’t disappoint.
I switched things up with the clam chowder, expecting the usual creamy standard. Instead, it was a briny, clam-packed surprise—light, fresh and maybe even better than the traditional kind.
My standby, the $35 miso black cod, was as stellar as ever, its delicate umami flavors hitting all the right notes. We added Thai Brussels sprouts for a spicy kick and split a pineapple upside-down cake that disappeared fast.
The Mexican corn and Japanese glazed eggplant sides—grilled with a soy glaze, sesame-pepita crumble and wasabi aioli? Those are must-orders, bursting with bold, balanced flavors.
Pacific Catch is a welcome addition to Santa Monica—big enough to handle a crowd, inviting enough to feel like your own find. I’m not worried my praise will pack it out; there’s plenty of space to go around. Absolutely worth a visit.
Merv Hecht, like many Harvard Law School graduates, went into the wine business after law. In 1988, he began writing restaurant reviews and books. His latest book, “The Instant Wine Connoisseur, 3rd edition,” is available on Amazon. He currently works for several companies that source and distribute food and wine products internationally. Send comments to mervynhecht@yahoo.com.
A look at the temporary Pali High campus in Santa Monica. Photos courtesy of Pali High
By SOPHIA MASSERAT | Tideline Staff Writer
The Palisades Charter High School Tideline journalism class is coordinating the submission of a series of pieces the Palisadian-Post is publishing from the school’s periodical. A version of this piece originally appeared in Tideline on March 19. Students have since returned to in-person learning at the former Sears site in Santa Monica on April 22.
The culmination of high school marks the cusp of adulthood and the end of childhood; teenagers finally graduate, starting the next chapter of their lives.
Coming-of-age movies like “High School Musical 3” and “Grease” have idealized senior year to be the peak of their adolescence, creating high expectations for many seniors as they begin their last semester of high school.
However, for Palisades Charter High School’s Class of 2025, reality has been far from this cinematic dream.
Due to the temporary unavailability of the Pali campus following the Palisades fire, the Class of 2025 has faced the unexpected transition to online learning, hindering their opportunity to experience a “regular” spring semester. Students who have been eagerly anticipating senior milestone events that have traditionally been held on campus, such as the senior picnic and the graduation ceremony, faced a final semester full of unknowns.
As the senior class president and previous freshman class president, Taylor Beljon-Regen shared the sentiment many seniors are experiencing about missing this semester in person.
“I feel like such a key part of everyone’s high school experience that they dream about is prom and graduation and having that final semester where you’re done with college [applications],” she said. “There’s a lot less stress on you, and you’re having a lot of fun experiences in person with your friends.”
After experiencing nearly half of middle school online, the Class of 2025 entered their freshman year of high school in person after the height of the pandemic. Like Beljon-Regen, this has made seniors feel like these current unprecedented changes to the school year have been especially challenging.
“It’s just been really shocking, and I think obviously no one expected this, but it’s been really hard to adapt,” Beljon-Regen said.
In addition to the lack of a typical senior year, Beljon-Regen said she believes that online learning has intensified the symptoms of senioritis, a colloquial term to describe the decline in motivation toward academic performance, which has affected many senior students, including herself.
The Class of 2025 graduation will take place at Hollywood Bowl. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Bowl
“Senioritis is a really real disease, and I have it very badly,” she said. “I think being online only exacerbates it.”
To counteract these challenges, Beljon-Regen and senior advisor Logan Milburn have been working closely with Pali administration to give the senior class a memorable end to their high school experience.
“Something that I don’t think has been spoken enough about is that we’re going to have all of our usual events,” Beljon-Regen said. “[Events] have been impacted by the fire, because of the lack of Pali space, but no events have been canceled.”
According to Beljon-Regen, events that have traditionally been held on campus, such as the senior picnic and the Senior Dating Game, have become more difficult to plan. However, she hopes to find alternative locations for these events to ensure the senior class remains satisfied. Furthermore, Milburn confirmed that all of the long-awaited events, including prom and Grad Nite, would occurring, despite the circumstances.
Additionally, other activities that are not affiliated with Pali, such as the Night in Las Vegas dance, also provide opportunities for students to connect during this fragmented semester.
A positive aspect of the situation has been the introduction of new senior events and the reenvisioning of others. Pali’s annual senior breakfast was held on Saturday, March 8, at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Associated Student Body and administration also planned a Senior Movie Night at La Cienega Park.
Beljon-Regen explained that a major struggle in the process of planning her class’s senior year has been securing locations that can sufficiently accommodate Pali’s large senior class.
“It’s been impossible to get locations for 750 people,” she said. “I think people [believe] it’s a lot easier than it actually is, like we can just snap our fingers and a venue will appear. But that’s just not what happens.”
Beljon-Regen expressed that organizing events to everyone’s satisfaction has been challenging. While she has received support from Pali parents who have generously donated spaces and services, she has had trouble working with laws and regulations.
“People have definitely been very generous, but with that generosity comes permits and health codes and all these rules we have to follow naturally just by getting these services,” Beljon-Regen said.
One of the most significant concerns of students and parents was the plan for graduation, which has historically been held at Pali’s Stadium by the Sea. It has since been announced that it would take place at Hollywood Bowl on June 4.
“We are excited to share some amazing news with our school community,” Pali High wrote across social media. “After a thorough search and months of planning, we are proud to announce that the Class of 2025 Graduation will be held at the Hollywood Bowl.”
Details like time, tickets and logistics will be announced closer to the date, Pali High wrote.
Even before knowing the location, Beljon-Regen was certain that graduation would be a special and memorable day for everyone.
“We’ve gotten some really amazing Pali alumni who are very famous in the worlds of sports [and] the worlds of film, reaching out and offering to speak at graduation,” she said.
Additionally, Beljon-Regen is working to ensure that students have a voice in graduation plans. She sent out a form to the senior class for requests and said she received ideas to enhance the experience, including having more student speakers during the ceremony and smaller details like confetti or a larger screen.
Even among the uncertainty, Beljon-Regen maintained hope that the class of 2025 will be able to have an enjoyable end to their senior year.
“Even if we’re only back for six weeks in person, I think our class is really great at bonding and we’re all such a tight-knit group, so I’m confident that we will leave [our senior year] with a lot of memories, both good and bad,” she concluded.
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