Which Westside neighborhoods could Palisades band together and secede from LA with? Asking for a few thousand now-homeless friends.
Fourth of July
It was really encouraging to see PAPA plans to celebrate Fourth of July in the Palisades. What a bright spot that would be for us all. Rooting for their plans to work out.
Jimmy Dunne
Love that Jimmy Dunne is always able to put to paper what people are feeling. We are all missing our community so much. Thank you for the story in the last Pali-Post.
Luxe
I got chills reading Steve’s story about Luxe Homecare and their efforts to save their home.
Lara Ganz
Kudos to Lara Ganz for all the work she is doing for Theatre Palisades Youth and beyond.
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.
The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”
The Heart of a Town A Palisades Story
A tale of the thief—on that forever cursed day
Who scorched our dear town, turning life into clay
All of our lives have been tossed in the air
Scattering helplessly, just everywhere
We now are all wondering—just what is a town
Is there a heartbeat somewhere to be found
The real question is—what’s the heart around here
The magic, the thing—that we all hold sodear?
I used to think—it’s the homes in our town
And the trees arching over our streets all around
And our Village, so stunning—to stroll by the stores Evenif you never walked in a door!
Is the heart all the restaurants—sipping drinks with a friend
You can walk to ’em all—your choices don’tend!
Or the treasure we share—stunning mountains surround us
With breathtaking trails and views that astound us
Or our backyard—the most beautiful, warm ocean sea
With bike paths and beaches to sun you and me
But maybe, just maybe—this fire, you see
Lit a new light for both you and me
The wondrous thing—it isn’tathing It isn’t a thingthat makes Palisades sing
The people, you see, that’sthe thing that’s so dear The thing that I love is the peopleright here
The churches and synagogues—the places we pray
All the clubs that we join—at the end of the day
All the great families at all of the schools Theseare the harbors of all our town’s jewels
These places, they’ll come back—maybe better, who knows And when those doors open—just watch the joy flow!
All of these places are pillars, you see They ground us, engageus, they guide you and me
Scouts, and the sports teams, the seniors’ clubs, too Belonging.The homeof all that we do
It’s a hundred years now since our settlers came
They gave us farmore than the “Palisades”name
Our town was born from the dreamthat they shared
To build something special—as no place compared
From under an oak tree, they gathered around
These samedreams today are alivein our town…
“To a place in the world where kindness is king
To a place with the doors to be anything
To family, sweet family—a most precious word
To the voice of our youth that needsto be heard
To living a life where integrity shines
Where listening is themost exquisitefine wine
To finding a wonder in all that we see
To savoring each note of life’s symphony”
Tonight, when you’re home—when you turn out the lights
Step out of your place—and look up at the night
Look around, and look up at that paintingof stars
To remember how truly grateful we are
Back to the questionthat we asked tonight…
What truly is the Palisades’ light?
So often in life, we don’t recognize When an answer is rightthere in front of our eyes
I’m sohappy to know as I’m looking around
It’s you—my dear friend… You’rethe heartof our town
Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.
Madi returns to the Palisades with her father, Charlie Bisharat. Photos courtesy of Madi Rindge
Palisadian Native Madi Rindge Recounts the Day She Returned to the Palisades to See Her Home After the Fire
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Pacific Palisades native Madi Rindge hiked to her neighborhood days after the Palisades fire broke out, hoping to find that her home withstood the flames.
For Rindge, the Palisades held a timeline of memories: from befriending her neighbors at a young age and exchanging toys, to enjoying the annual Fourth of July parade and watching the fireworks at Stadium by the Sea.
Rindge—a singer, songwriter and producer—also said that her neighborhood was the backdrop for a handful of her music videos.
“I am 31, I’ll be 32 soon … I grew up there,” Rindge said to the Palisadian-Post. “I walked to school every day, learned to bike ride in my cul-de-sac. [The Palisades] was my home for my whole life.”
Though Rindge eventually moved to East Hollywood, her brother, Remy, and father, Charlie, stayed in the Marquez Knolls home—which Rindge described as a “revolving door kind of house.”
“In the best way,” Rindge said. “We had so many people over all the time, and hosted friends and family from out of town.”
Madi Rindge
When the Palisades fire began on Tuesday, January 7, Rindge—a recording studio manager—said she was at work.
“At first, I thought it was no big deal … we grew up with fires all the time,” Rindge said to the Post. “And then I had all these people texting and calling me, asking, ‘Where are you? Are you safe?’ … and then I realized the gravity of the situation.”
She called her father and couldn’t get a hold of him. She called her neighbor Archie—who she grew up with—and said she could hear water spraying. Archie was putting out fires from his deck.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, my God, it’s in our backyard,’” Rindge said. “I started getting really, really concerned … I didn’t really know what to do.”
Rindge said she became worried that her father wouldn’t make it out in time and had to leave work.
She heard back from her father at 6:30 p.m. He said, “I got out, I’m OK, but I have nowhere to go.” She invited him to stay with her in East Hollywood.
Rindge said her father wasn’t able to pack very much upon evacuating—he grabbed his violin, computer and passport, as well as some items for her brother.
“My dad really thought [and] felt really strongly that he was going to come back the next day,” Rindge said. “He was so focused on watering the grounds and making sure everything was soaking wet, so there would be little change of the fire encroaching on the house. He thought, ‘I’ll just come back tomorrow. No big deal.’”
Rindge, her father and boyfriend set out to the Palisades on Thursday, January 9—walking 10 miles from Santa Monica, scaling hills and climbing fences, to see what remained of the house and neighborhood.
Sharing a moment from the Marquez Knolls home before the fire.
“We got blisters on our feet and it was definitely super dangerous,” Rindge said of the trek. “I didn’t realize how dangerous it was to do that, but we were honestly so desperate. I had this gut feeling that my house was fine, mine would be fine … It was shocking to be so wrong.”
Rindge said her childhood home was completely gone, and nothing was retrievable from the fire.
“There was nothing standing … It was really, really, really hard to see that in real life,” she said.
While she was there with her father and boyfriend, she said they saw a nearby house catch on fire and watched it burn. Rindge described the scene as an “apocalyptic war zone,” and that she had never seen anything like it.
“Sadly, and really, really tragically, all of my childhood friends lost their homes,” Rindge said. “The places I used to go over for dinner, have sleepovers, build things or make forts in the living room … All those places are just gone, all of them. There’s no town. There’s no houses. You can’t go back. It’s so weird.”
Of returning to the Palisades in the future, Rindge said there is an interest to rebuild and return, but “it just depends.”
“My parents bought that house 30 years ago, and it’s not like they can buy a new house at market value,” she explained. “If they were to just restart … I don’t know how they would do that.”
Build Back Pali founders Mason Cohen, Jake Yoon and Dylan Fullmer Photos by Steve Galluzzo
Trio of Teenage Friends Committed to “Build Back Pali”
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
There is an adage “it takes a village”—but three teenage boys who saw their homes lost or damaged in the Palisades fire are proof that individuals can also make an impact if they have the right game plan.
Uniting, the three formed the Build Back Pali effort to revitalize the Palisades community each proudly grew up in.
Windward School sophomore Mason Cohen has teamed with two childhood friends, Harvard-Westlake sophomores Jake Yoon and Dylan Fullmer, in the wake of the fire to create a fundraising campaign that has received over $100,000 in less than one month.
All funding will go directly toward local restoration projects and initiatives that benefit the community, including rebuilding and maintaining local businesses, schools, places of worship, supporting community programs, and preserving the character of the Palisades. Funding comes through donations from individuals, corporations, grants and foundations, and the mission statement is three words: Rebuild. Restore. Revive.
Over the course of the project, the three plan to share “success stories” and highlight “the individuals and businesses” they help, aiming to “inspire continued collaboration and demonstrate the power of working together to rebuild and strengthen” the community.
Cohen, Yoon and Fullmer with firefighters in front of Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69
The three have known each other for 11 years, since they were in kindergarten at Village School. Growing up, they spent time at their favorite shops and restaurants, playing sports, biking around town, going to the beach, and surfing.
Often they met in the Village or spent weekends at Yoon’s house—but after the January 7 fire, reconnecting and sharing their experiences made them realize how much the Palisades meant to them. The inspiration to start Build Back Pali was born.
The idea for Build Back Pali spawned when the boys hung out for the first time after the fire, and talked of their experiences of evacuating and witnessing their homes and community in danger. Their instincts were to do something to help rebuild.
The “turning point” came after they watched a video of manager Albino Fuentes walking through the ruins of Cafe Vida.
Build Back Pali hat with logo
“It was heartbreaking to see such a cornerstone of the Palisades community reduced to ashes—a place we’d eaten at countless times for over a decade,” Cohen said. “Seeing the devastation on Albie’s face made it clear that we had to take action and give back to the community that was such a big part of our childhood.”
Cohen said that running Build Back Pali takes up a “significant amount” of their time, but that the “long nights and weekends” are worth it to support their community.
“We’ve spent countless hours setting up the nonprofit, organizing fundraising, managing our website and social media, and reaching out to the community for support,” Cohen said. “It’s a big commitment but we’re passionate about doing our part to help our town rebuild.”
Yoon said at this point, the best way to support their efforts is by donating to the GoFundMe, spreading the word, attending future fundraisers or volunteering.
Fullmer said that the group wants the Palisades to know: “We’re all in this together.”
“The fires may have taken our homes and businesses, but they haven’t taken away the strength, resilience and sense of unity that makes this community special,” Fullmer said. “Our goal is to support and uplift those affected to show that even in the most difficult times, we can all come together to rebuild something even stronger.”
The name Build Back Pali came up naturally in conversation while they were brainstorming ideas.
“Dylan probably said it first, but we all immediately felt it captured our mission to help restore the Palisades while keeping the spirit of our community alive,” Cohen said. “Our initial goal was $100,000 to support the rebuilding of our local businesses.”
Build Back Pali raised 70% of the initial goal in two weeks, with donations coming from the LA area, but also across the country as their story was shared.
“The businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods,” Yoon explained. “They provide jobs, services and a sense of belonging to countless people. In times of need, they stepped up for us. Now it’s our turn to step up for them.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of friends, families and dedicated citizens, as well as compassionate supporters from beyond, we made great progress in a short amount of time, but there’s still work to be done. Every contribution—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to helping these businesses recover, reopen and continue serving the people who depend on them.”
“We launched [Build Back Pali] by creating an Instagram account, website and a GoFundMe page, then spread the word to everyone we knew via text, email, phone calls and in-person conversations,” Fullmer said. “Whether it was our friends from school, teachers or our parents’ colleagues, we made sure they knew about our cause and what we’re trying to accomplish. We sought to rally as much support as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Cohen, who is currently staying in a hotel, has lived in the Palisades his whole life.
“My childhood house that I was born and raised in for 14 years [in the Alphabet Streets] was a block from Palisades Village and it burned down,” he said. “Luckily, with the help of brave firefighters from [LAFD] Station 69, the house I’d recently moved into was narrowly saved. However, it’ll be a while until we can move back in due to smoke damage and other factors, so we’re looking for a rental place to stay in for the meantime.”
Among his favorite hang outs were the yogurt shoppe, Toppings, Beech Street Cafe, Casa Nostra, Cafe Vida and Modo Mio. He played for years in PPBA, went trick or treating in the Alphabet Streets and Huntington neighborhoods, attended the Fourth of July Parade, and ran in the Turkey Trot.
“I found out by looking at the news reports in the early morning and seeing the Alphabets decimated,” Cohen said. “It was very sad to see it go. I’d made so many memories, and my whole life was there. I saw my elementary school, my favorite hangout spots and my friends’ homes all destroyed. I knew right away I wanted to help rebuild the community I love, so the next generation of kids can have the same special experiences I’ve had.”
Fullmer is also a lifelong Palisadian, and the 16-year-old is coping with the situation as best he can.
“We’re currently staying at my grandma’s house in Westwood while we search for housing at a reasonable price,” Fullmer said. “Our family’s currently unsure about our plans in the Palisades for the future.”
Living in Sunset Mesa, Fullmer feared the worst when the blaze began.
“It was immediately a massive threat to my house and the area,” he recalled. “The first night I believed my house was burned down. However, three days later, with a police escort, my dad and I went to see it and were shocked that the roof was torn off but the first floor was intact. Our backyard got burned but due to the bravery of firefighters, many parts of the house were saved. I was extremely blessed to be able to gather irreplaceable items from my house.”
Yoon has been a Palisades resident since he was 2 years old when his family moved to Los Angeles from Hong Kong.
“After the fire, we initially stayed in Manhattan Beach, but the long commute to school in Studio City made things difficult,” he explained. “Right now, we’re at a hotel while looking for a more permanent place. My family plans to rebuild but with so many other residents doing the same thing, the process will take time. My parents estimate our house will be finished by the time I’m in college.”
Optimistic at first, Yoon did not learn about the fate of his home on De Pauw until the following day, January 8.
“It was about a day after the initial evacuation warning when I woke up and checked with my parents for an update on the house,” Yoon explained. “The night before they’d reassured my sister and I there wasn’t much reason to worry, but when I walked upstairs for breakfast, I immediately knew something was wrong just by the looks on their faces. A few hours later they showed me a photo. Our house had burned down. I almost broke into tears, but then I reminded myself that my family and loved ones were safe.”
The trio set up Build Back Pali as a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible. They have now exceeded their initial goal with donations on top of their GoFundMe page, which are from donor advised funds and foundations coming in last week to the nonprofit.
The boys created new hats that were an instant hit with first responders, LAFD, the National Guard and community. The grassroots effort was referenced on a KTLA news clip with all three boys commenting.
“Even small can contributions make a big impact, whether it’s through financial support or simply sharing our mission with others,” Yoon said. “Anyone interested can visit our website or follow us on social media to learn more and get involved.”
Theatre Palisades Youth will present “Crazy for You: Youth Edition,” which is set to open on Friday, February 28, for a two-weekend run in the Paul Revere Charter Middle School auditorium.
The program—led by Director Lara Ganz—pivoted following the Palisades fire: Pierson Playhouse, which Theatre Palisades and Theatre Palisades Youth/Teen use as a performance space, was one of the first structures widely shown on the news to have been lost to the flames on January 7.
“Watching that video—we understood that the Palisades as we knew it was gone, that our lives had changed so much in that moment,” said lifelong resident Bruce Wallin, whose 13-year-old daughter had begun rehearsing her fifth production with TPY the day before the fires.
Just four days later, on Saturday, January 11, Ganz, despite losing her own home in the fire, had worked with her team to secure a rehearsal space at St. Monica. And now, just one week after it was originally set to open, “Crazy for You” will soon take the stage, supported by Paul Revere PEP.
“‘Crazy for You’ is the classic tale of a boy, a girl and a theater in need of salvation,” read a synopsis. “The musical follows Bobby Child, a New York banker with a passion for dance, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a theater. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for Polly Baker, the owner’s daughter. Determined to win her heart and save the theater, he plans a spectacular show.”
Before the fire, 58 kids from the Palisades, Brentwood, Mar Vista, Venice, Topanga, Westwood, Eagle Rock, Woodland Hills and Sherman Oaks had been cast in TPY’s winter musical, according to the organization.
“Of the 45 cast members who remained in ‘Crazy for You,’ at least 22 suffered a total loss or severe damage of their homes,” the statement continued. “Many struggled emotionally and logistically to even show up for rehearsal. But Lara and her team worked with them to adjust demands and make them feel supported.”
“Crazy for You” is directed by Ganz, with Rebecca Barragan as co-director and choreographer. Musical director is gaba, Aaron Jung is associate director and choreographer, and CL Kumpata and Laura Dicterow are producers.
“Everyone is so scared of losing this community of love and performing arts that we built together,” Ganz said. “We have had so many ‘what ifs?’ flooding our minds. But we decided to ask: ‘What if we do everything possible to ensure that the show will go on?’”
Performances will take place on February 28 at 7 p.m.; March 1 at 4 and 7 p.m.; March 2 at 1 and 4 p.m.; March 7 at 5 and 7:30 p.m.; March 8 at 4 and 7 p.m.; and March 9 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $25 to $30 for VIP, $22 for general admission, and $17 for students and seniors. There will also be complimentary tickets available for people impacted by the fires.
Paul Revere is located at 1450 Allenford Avenue.
TPY reported that with all that was lost in the fire, the organization is working to replace costumes, props and gear. There is also a gofundme: gofundme.com/f/help-restore-theater-palisades-youths-home.
“We still need more people and institutions to come in and say, ‘I’d like to sponsor props’ or ‘I’d like to sponsor costumes,’” Dicterow said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org/youth, which is also where Jon Ganz can be contacted for complimentary tickets. For sponsorship opportunities, Dicterow can be reached at lmd7@mac.com.
One of the items that was saved from the home was a previous feature in the Palisadian-Post. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Doran
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
When evacuating her house in the Alphabet Streets on January 7 due to the Palisades fire, Caitlin Doran made sure to retrieve one of her most treasured items: a framed Pali Life feature about her and her TikTok celebrity tortoise Tiptoe that ran in the Palisadian-Post in March 2021.
“My fiancé actually ran into the house while it was on fire to save that article for me,” Doran shared. “I’m so happy to have it.”
Doran said that she got Tiptoe out early that day, between 3 and 3:30 p.m.
“Unfortunately, all the homes are going, including the one we worked on for three months prior,” she continued. “The brand-new house was built with Lee Ford (my grandpa) in his workshop on 1117. The house made it to 1118 … but it is beyond gone. There’s a video of it on my social media pages—it’s the one that starts with me bawling, but it’s just been a week.”
It took less than one year for Doran and Tiptoe to attract 3.5 million followers on TikTok and an additional 80,000 on Instagram. She released a coloring book titled “A Day in the Life of Tiptoe” three and a half years ago.
The two had since become celebrities—not just on social media but around their neighborhood, as they were frequently stopped by curious fans on their morning walks around the block.
Doran is now 28 and Tiptoe is 23. She got him when she was 7 and she gave him his name because “when he walks he goes up on his tip toes.”
“We have Grandma, Bopa, Mom, Dad, Tiptoe, three dogs and a cat living at my house in Marina Del Rey,” she said. “I’m renting over here and thank goodness because we’re all holding it down here as we figure out our next steps, we learn and get through all of the insurance headaches. My parents and grandparents will be moving in together in Westchester until it’s safe enough for us to rebuild, bigger, better and stronger.”
Doran said Tiptoe is adjusting fine to his new situation: “He’s been a champ, but we’re just doing our best to get his needs met right now.”
As for Doran, the long-term goal is to go home. For her, that is the Palisades.
“I want to raise my kids in the Palisades, so the dream is to bring the Palisades back to what it used to be,” she said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Tiptoe first graced the pages of the Palisadian-Post in a piece written by Junior Reporter Gavin Alexander in 2020. In the next four months after that story was published, Tiptoe and Doran gained over one million additional followers.
A fifth-generation Palisadian, Doran went to Palisades Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools. She earned an undergraduate degree in special education and rehab, and a master’s in special education and applied behavior analysis.
Tiptoe is a sulcata, one of the largest tortoise species in the world. Doran has chronicled his life through hundreds of videos: “He’s with me for life,” she said.
The Palisadian-Post accepts poem submissions throughout the year. Here are two submissions penned by local authors following the Palisades fire. To submit a poem for consideration, email mypost@palipost.com.
Starved
By Michael Desrochers
One month without the food
I’ve lived on for decades:
Dante’s Friday-night duck special,
reintroduced at Vittorio, aka
the House of Pellegrini, whose
garlicky knots I wiped from chin
then used to clean my plate
of favorite fra diavolo sauce, heat
matched by Mastro’s spicy mambo salad
(which should be named black mamba),
Beech Street’s horseradish dressing
even hotter, but no match for Taj Palace’s
lamb vindaloo, extra spicy, cooled
by Hayward’s 10,000 Indian beer.
India discontinued Palisades –
my first choice in Indian brew.
You can surely bank on it that
Moku’s drunken udon got to me.
Casa Nostra’s pappardelle d’anatra
was a huge hit in our house.
How many hundreds of mornings
I arrived at 6:30 a.m., to join
the bus-transported housekeepers,
and ofttimes the body known as Jake,
for Palisades Garden’s pecan rolls,
substituted occasionally by Café Vida’s
brown rice almond pancakes.
Oh, for an early bird edition burger,
grill the onions, at The Golden Bull.
How the Reel Inn’s daily sign hooked me
with their curious lines and seafood chowder.
I’m starved for those dishes, but
I miss the cooks and servers more:
Vanessa, James, Mercedes, Sonny,
Alfredo, José, Marcio, Maria, Julián,
Cheryl, David, Nick, Martín, Michele,
Kelly, Pancho, Esteban, Tim, and the ghosts
of Kay ‘n Dave, the one and only Mort,
Modo Mio, the Oak Room, the House of Lee
(where has Albert gone?), Cathay Palisades,
and so many more who gave life to the food.
“Pali Strong” was written by fourth-grade Palisades Charter Elementary School students Hannah Shockley, Winnie Sacks, Sutton Stewart, Rafael Ruzumna, Sydney Senis, Lily Malin, Ada Grace Cannon, Chloe Davis, Lainey Berman and Dylan Ellisson, who are participating in MARNEY’S, ran by Palisadian Marney Sobel. Photo courtesy of Marney Sobel
St. Matthew’s Music Guild will continue its 40th season of concerts with a program of “romantic and soulful music” for Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s-by-the-Sea in Santa Monica.
“The Music Guild’s regular home, St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades, was miraculously spared in the Palisades fire,” read a statement from Music Guild, “and the Music Guild will return to present concerts there as soon as possible.”
The Valentine’s Day program will feature pianist David Kaplan, alongside violinist YuEun Gemma Kim, soprano Liv Redpath, violist Che-Yen Chen, cellist Ben Hong and bassist Jory Herman. They will perform “the romantic and intimate vocal and chamber music” of Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Aaron Copland and Caroline Shaw.
“David Kaplan has been called ‘excellent and adventurous’ by the New York Times and praised by the Boston Globe for ‘grace and fire’ at the keyboard,” according to Music Guild. “He has appeared as a soloist with the Britten Sinfonia at London’s Barbican and Das Sinfonie Orchester Berlin at the Philharmonie. As a recitalist, he has performed at the Ravinia Festival, Sarasota Opera House, Washington’s National Gallery, and New York’s Carnegie and Merkin Halls. Kaplan has consistently drawn critical acclaim for creative programs that interweave classical and contemporary repertoire.”
YuEun Gemma Kim
Redpath—described by Berliner Umschau as possessing “such a radiant voice, effortless even in the highest register”—will join Kaplan in Copland’s “Songs of Emily Dickinson,” as well as songs of Schubert, Brahms and Shaw.
“Violinist YuEun Gemma Kim studied with renowned violinist Midori Goto at the USC Thornton School of Music,” according to Music Guild. “She is concertmaster of The Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s, a member of the Yu&I Duo and performs regularly with the chamber ensemble Delirium Musicum based in Los Angeles, of which she is a founding member.”
Chen is a member of LA Philharmonic, and professor of viola performance and chamber music at UCLA. Hong, who joined LA Philharmonic in 1993 at the age of 24, currently serves as associate principal cellist.
“Jory Herman is ‘proof that bassists can be just as nimble and expressive as cellists,’ according to The Strad Magazine,” the Music Guild statement continued. “He joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2017 and is the professor of bass at California State University, Northridge.”
St. Augustine’s-by-the-Sea is located at 1227 Fourth Street. Tickets for the concert are available for $45 or as part of a Music Guild season pass.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit musicguildonline.org or call 310-573-7422.
Gurevitch family home by artist Ginger Jackson Photos courtesy of Homes in Memoriam
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
When her parents lost their home in the Palisades fire, Ashley Miller created Homes in Memoriam, a collective of artists creating art in the likeness of homes lost in the recent Los Angeles area fires, with the hope of providing families a small piece of what they have lost.
The project has spread throughout the communities, and Miller—along with her business partner Amy Beemer Lev—said she is hopeful it continues to grow as the word gets out.
“The idea is that we connect with artists who create pro bono portraits of the homes that were lost in the Palisades, Malibu and Altadena fires,” Miller said. “We’ve also started commissioning Palisades businesses that were lost. Amy and I are both Palisadians, so this project is near and dear to us.”
The two have already accumulated more than 150 home requests with a group of over 100 artist volunteers. Nearly all who have reached out about their home have been assigned an artist. As of last week, over 40 homes had been painted and $16,000 dollars has been raised.
Ashley MillerAmy Beemer Lev
The pair’s mission for the future is to do a gallery pop-up for the community and sell prints of their favorite Pacific Palisades staples. Cafe Vida has been painted while places like Amazing Music, Paliskates and Village Green are in the works.
“We’ve received an outpouring of support from artists wanting to help,” Miller added. “All homes are being added to a list where artists can sign up. Once a piece is finished, you receive a picture of it. It’ll then be sent to us to be framed, and from there we can either deliver it to you or hang on to it until you have a more permanent place to go.”
Miller moved to the Palisades with her family the summer before she started fourth grade.
“My parents decided to make the move to the Palisades because they’d heard the public schools in and around the area were amazing, and they wanted me and my sister to get the best public education possible,” she said.
Palisades Drive home by artist Krista Veit
Miller attended Marquez Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools. She got her first taste of independence walking to Ronny’s Market after school, spent Friday afternoons at the Village park and had dinner every Friday night at Casa Nostra.
“My parents continued to live up in the Summit and did unfortunately lose their home in the fires,” Miller said. “We lost everything, except for what Mom could fit in one reusable grocery bag. My family home was filled with so many fond memories: Christmas mornings in the living room, jam sessions between my dad and sister in the den, paintings and quilts made by my mom in the art room, and summer days spent with friends and family out by the pool.”
Beemer Lev also has fond memories of growing up in the Palisades.
“My mom grew up in the Alphabet Streets and went to Pali Elementary, Paul Revere and Pali High,” she recalled. “I always heard stories of her days in the Village hanging at Bay Theater and working her first job at Hacienda Galvan. Dad went to Loyola High and he often spent the night with his friends in the Palisades and say, ‘I’ll never forget the thrill I got coming through the McClure Tunnel revealing the beautiful ocean. One day I’ll live here.’
“In the 1990s, my parents bought an empty lot in the Highlands and built their dream home. My childhood was learning to ride a bike in the Huntington, summer swims at the Summit Club, AYSO, Fancy Feet, KI and basically living at Cafe Vida. I went to all the local schools—Marquez, Corpus Christi and took a bus to Marymount from the Highlands.”
Although her parents recently moved out of the Palisades, Beemer Lev always had a lifelong dream to buy back her childhood home.
“I was gutted to find my old address on a spreadsheet of homes destroyed in the fires,” she said. “One by one, everyone I knew lost their home and childhood memories. As so many Palisadians will relate, my best friends’ families were like my own family. They welcomed me with open arms with a seat at their dinner table, always making me feel at home. When the fires happened, I was gutted and at a loss for how to help my friends and community.”
Upon finding out on the news that the home she grew up in had burned down, Miller frantically threw together a logo and some posts, and launched the Homes in Memoriam Instagram.
At the same time, Beemer Lev was posting on Instagram seeking to commission art pieces to honor her friends’ homes. To her surprise, so many artists reached out willing to donate their time for free.
What started as a small endeavor for friends and family led Beemer Lev to Miller. Combining Beemer Lev’s background in operations and interior design with Miller’s background in psychology and graphic design, it proved to be a match. Thus, two people who were previously total strangers became a dream team.
“Our artist community exists on GroupMe, where artists ask for opinions from each other and share finished pieces,” Miller said. “Even though most of us have never met, it’s become the most warm, creative, supportive community we could possibly imagine.
“As for families, they typically find us either through Instagram or after seeing a piece created for a friend. Amy manages all the requests from families who’ve lost their homes, and she also reviews submissions from artists wanting to join the team. To say that Amy is the spreadsheet guru would be an understatement.”
Beemer Lev added: “Once the pieces are complete, Ashley connects with both the families and the artists to coordinate getting the artwork framed and to the families. Ashley’s apartment has become the equivalent of Santa’s workshop—filled with finished pieces, frames, packaging materials and various handwritten notecards to the families.”
Miller and Beemer Lev have begun to get all of the paperwork together to make Homes in Memoriam a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Keep the home requests coming,” Miller implored. “We’re all in the early stages of this grief process … so whether a home is requested now or a year from now, the goal is to get everyone a portrait to hold dear.”
Follow the project on Instagram: @homesinmemoriam. To request a house portrait, email homesinmemoriam@gmail.com with the family name, address of home lost, contact person’s name and phone, photos of the home, and any personal requests for the artist.
By THE EDLEN TEAM | Special to the Palisadian-Post
The recent wildfires have devastated our coastal community, destroying 70% of the area, including homes, schools and commercial buildings.
This catastrophe has significantly impacted property values, with current estimates indicating a steep decline. Understanding the factors influencing these valuations and the potential for future recovery is crucial for homeowners navigating this challenging period.
Before the fires it was not difficult for us to evaluate and establish a reasonably accurate range of value for specific properties because we knew the different neighborhoods, streets and homes so well for many decades. The nuances involved location, size of lot and home, view qualities, condition of the home, etc.
It is not clear this soon after the devastation how much the values have depreciated, and the factors involved in evaluation now must take into consideration the surrounding condition of properties near an intact home.
Immediate Impact on Property Values
In the aftermath of wildfires, property values typically experience a sharp decline. Homes that remain habitable may see reduced values due to the surrounding destruction and compromised infrastructure.
Empty lots—once home to residences—now face uncertain valuations influenced by cleanup timelines and rebuilding prospects. The perception of increased risk and the immediate visual impact of a charred landscape contribute to this depreciation.
Factors Contributing to Depressed Values
Several elements are currently suppressing property values:
Infrastructure Damage: The destruction of schools, commercial buildings and essential services diminishes the area’s appeal and functionality, leading to lower property valuations.
Environmental Degradation: The loss of vegetation and scenic beauty, which once enhanced property desirability, now detracts from it.
Insurance Challenges: Homeowners are grappling with increased insurance premiums or, in some cases, the inability to secure coverage. This financial strain can deter potential buyers, further depressing property values.
Historical Context and Recovery Prospects
Historically, property values in disaster-stricken areas have shown resilience over time. For instance, following the 2018 Camp fire in Paradise, California, property values initially plummeted but began to recover as rebuilding efforts progressed.
Similarly, areas affected by the Tubbs, Woolsey and other brushfires saw property values rebound within several years, especially in communities that rebuilt promptly and implemented improved building standards.
Anticipated Recovery
Given the projected timeline for debris removal and reconstruction, property values are expected to recover gradually. As the infrastructure is restored and new, resilient homes are built, the community’s appeal is definitely going to return, attracting new and old residents and investors alike.
However, as has been discussed in many public forums, the pace of recovery will depend on several factors:
Efficiency of Rebuilding Efforts: Streamlined permitting processes and support for homeowners will expedite reconstruction.
Community Engagement: Active participation from residents in rebuilding will foster a sense of unity and shared purpose, enhancing our area’s attractiveness.
Policy Support: Government initiatives, such as property tax relief and incentives for resilient construction, will alleviate financial burdens and encourage investment.
Future Outlook
While the current outlook may seem bleak to many, the resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters offers hope.
As rebuilding progresses, our property values will stabilize and eventually appreciate, particularly as efforts are made to enhance infrastructure, implement fire-resistant building practices and restore the natural landscape. Homeowners are encouraged to stay informed about rebuilding plans, engage with local authorities and consider the long-term benefits of investing in resilient construction.
Many people have contacted us to try to buy lots for $1 million or less, that would have been worth two to three times that if available before the fires. Some of our clients have received unsolicited and undervalue offers. We have also received dozens of calls and emails from people wanting to sell, but we urge them to take a deep breath and hold on until at least the debris removal process has been completed, if they can.
Your land value could theoretically double once the debris removal has been completed and the infrastructure is well underway. The Palisades has been one of the most desirable places to live in the United States for more than 70 years, and it will remain so as the recovery process continues into the future.
In conclusion, while wildfires have dealt a severe blow to property values in our community, historical precedents and proactive rebuilding strategies provide a roadmap for recovery. By focusing on resilient reconstruction and community cohesion, we can anticipate a gradual restoration of property values, paving the way for a revitalized and thriving community in the years to come.
The Edlen Team has been trusted advisors to the Palisades community since 1986 and continue to be of service from their new office at 1608 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. You can contact them at 310-600-7422 or michael@theedlenteam.com.
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