Home Blog Page 3

Determined to Run

Joanne “Jojo” Levey
Photos courtesy of Joanne Levey

Pali High Grad Joanne Levey Will Participate in the New York City Marathon, Raising Funds With OAR’s Run for Autism Team

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Though she has never ran a marathon in her life, Palisades Charter High School graduate Joanne “Jojo” Levey is up for the challenge.

The Class of 2018 alum is now training for the 2024 New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3—while raising funds for the Organization for Autism Research’s Run for Autism team.

In preparation for the marathon, Levey said she will have completed more than 25 weeks of training. Her previous athletic training includes growing up playing soccer competitively from the age of 5 to about 17 through club and school teams.

“When I went to college, I moved from Los Angeles to New York and went to NYU, graduated 2021,” Levey explained. “I tried to stay athletic in New York City, but it wasn’t more than core workouts in my room, the occasional gym membership that barely lasted a month and then running around the neighborhood.”

She said it is “nothing like LA,” since the city is all “concrete.” But last year, she had a coworker who ran the marathon, which inspired Levey to try to do it as well.

“I love giving myself really big challenges,” she explained. “It’s one of my favorite things to do.”

The training sessions started “very small,” Levey described, beginning with a one-mile run, then two miles, once or twice per week.

“About six months ago,” she said, “I decided to make this massive spreadsheet that basically was a 25-week plan of how I would run in preparation for the actual marathon.”

Levey said she feels “awesome,” that it has been “insane to watch” her body “transform back into being an actual athlete.”

In order to run in the New York City Marathon, participants either need to qualify at a previous race or be sponsored by a charity. A friend who had previously run in NYC with OAR’s team suggested Levey check it out.

Levey said she joined OAR’s Run for Autism NYC team—which includes 110 runners—because she has “personal experience with schooling and health care” for individuals with autism, beginning while she was attending Pali High.

“When I worked as a tutor for children with developmental disorders, I learned the importance of helping adolescents through proper encouragement and lesson plans geared to their understanding,” Levey wrote. “I also assisted my mother in California, who works as an aid for autistic adults. The relationships I built have changed me forever and helped me recognize how we all must become a better support system for the autistic community.”

Levey said she “developed such attachments to the children,” and she saw “how important it was” that each student received a good education. This prompted her to learn more and develop a tutoring plan geared toward each participant as individuals.

“It felt so rewarding to get their report cards back and see that they were progressing,” Levey said of tutoring with the specific plan, “and teachers making comments that they could see the kids were all doing better in school.”

“[The Organization for Autism Research] was founded 20-plus years ago by the loved ones of children with autism who now act as the Board of Directors,” Levey explained. “Alongside the board, educators, self-advocates, researchers and volunteers work toward OAR’s mission of bettering the quality of life for those with autism. This is done by improving educational resources, social interactions, family spheres, workplaces and other environments of everyday interaction for those with autism.”

OAR’s Run for Autism team—which is the main fundraising branch for the organization—takes part in several athletic events throughout the year, including the Pittsburgh Marathon, Big Sur Marathon, Chicago Marathon and Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.

“While the program is called ‘Run’ for Autism, we invite you to take part in whatever athletic adventure you choose,” the website read. “Whether you are summiting a mountain, walking a local 5K or competing in a bike race, you can dedicate your miles to life-changing autism research.”

For the New York City Marathon, Levey has set a fundraising goal of $3,500—of which she had raised just over $2,700 at print time on Tuesday, October 22. She listed some of the ways OAR will use the funds raised through the team, including $10 for a “Curriculum in a Box” professional development set for general education teachers to $3,000, which provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.

“Thank you so much for your support during this crucial period of my life, as both a participant in the NYC Marathon and advocate for OAR: Run for Autism,” Levey said. “Any amount you can donate is appreciated.”

The Doctor Is In

By DAMON RASKIN, M.D. | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Q:My aunt was diagnosed with an allergy to cashews in her 50s. Prior to that, she had no signs of being allergic to them, which got me thinking about it: What causes allergies to develop later in life versus ones that are discovered much younger (like when someone is a baby)? Is it possible to develop an allergy at any age to anything, like dairy, eggs or nuts?


I distinctly recall being in my second year of medical school and receiving a phone call from my mom telling me that while my parents were on vacation in Hawaii, my dad was rushed to the hospital with a severe allergic reaction to the shrimp he had at dinner.

He turned red, developed hives and then began to get a swollen lip. He got to the hospital in time for treatment, and he was fine after receiving the appropriate medications.

The strange thing was that he had eaten shrimp his entire life without a problem. He has not eaten any since.

Allergies, which are abnormal immune responses to typically harmless substances, can develop at any age, from early childhood to later stages of life. Understanding the factors that lead to early-onset versus adult-onset allergies provides insight into the complex interplay between genetics, environment and the immune system.

While some individuals are born with a predisposition to allergies that emerge in infancy or childhood, others may develop allergies much later in life, even to substances they have previously encountered without issue. So, what causes this difference in timing, and is it possible to develop an allergy to anything at any age?

Allergies that develop early in life are often the result of genetics. Children born to parents with allergies have a higher likelihood of developing similar conditions, a phenomenon known as atopy. This genetic susceptibility primes the immune system to overreact to common allergens like pollen, pet dander, certain foods or dust mites.

I come from a long line of family members who are allergic to cats. I found out about my allergy when going to a friend’s house in the first grade who had a cat, and I had to leave after 15 minutes because I could not stop sneezing.

Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to food allergens. Common culprits include milk, eggs, tree nuts and shellfish. Immature immune systems are more sensitive to new substances, and once they encounter a particular allergen, they may produce an exaggerated immune response.

Environmental factors may also play a significant role. For instance, children exposed to high levels of pollution, tobacco smoke or even cleaning chemicals have been found to have higher rates of asthma or other allergic reactions. Early microbial exposure, such as interactions with pets, can also influence immune development, and either promote or even prevent allergies, depending on the exposure.

Allergies later in life, like with my dad, are more mysterious. One theory is that the immune system changes over time, particularly as we age or encounter new environmental stressors. In some cases, immune systems weaken due to age, illness or chronic conditions that may cause an allergic reaction to emerge as the body’s defense mechanisms shift.

On the other hand, heightened immune activation caused by stress, infections or hormonal changes, such as in pregnancy or menopause, can prompt the immune system to overreact to substances it previously tolerated.

In addition, relocating to a different part of the country can expose adults to new allergens. Changes in diet or a new climate may introduce new plants or molds that can trigger an allergic response for the first time in adulthood.

So yes, it is possible to develop an allergy at any age, underscoring the need for ongoing awareness and proper management of allergic reactions throughout life. Listen to your body, and if you develop any new allergy symptoms, please speak to your medical provider.

Music Guild Continues 40th Anniversary Season With All-Beethoven Concert

Robert Thies
Photo courtesy of Music Guild

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

St. Matthew’s Music Guild will continue its 40th anniversary season of concerts on Friday, November 1, at 8 p.m. with an all-Beethoven program conducted by Dwayne Milburn.

“Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as a pianist of ‘unerring, warm-toned refinement, revealing judicious glimmers of power,’ Robert Thies joins us as we spend an evening with the music of Beethoven,” Music Guild wrote in a statement. “Thies first captured worldwide attention in 1995 when he won the gold medal at the Second International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, thus becoming the only American pianist to win first prize in a Russian piano competition since Van Cliburn’s famed triumph in Moscow in 1958.”

The Los Angeles resident—taught by Robert Turner and Daniel Pollack—has had a “diverse” career as an orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He has performed 40 concerti with orchestras across the world, according to his biography, including Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, National Symphony of Mexico, Virginia Symphony and Pasadena Symphony.

Thies’ concerts have been broadcast across the globe, in such places like the United States, Russia, Estonia, Bolivia, Hungary, Latvia, Mexico and New Zealand.

The Music Guild program will begin with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Creatures of Prometheus Overture,” followed by “Symphony No. 5.” Thies will then join the orchestra for “Third Piano Concerto.”

“Originally believed to have been composed in 1800, scholars now believe Beethoven completed the work in the summer and fall of 1802,” Music Guild President Tom Neenan wrote about “Third Piano Concerto.” “The only one of the five piano concertos in a minor key, many scholars consider the ‘Piano Concerto No. 3’ to be the first major work of Beethoven’s middle period, that is music written after he struck out on his ‘new path.’”

The concert will take place at St. Matthew’s Church, located at 1035 Bienveneda Avenue. It has been underwritten by a “generous grant” from the Colburn Foundation.

Pre-concert “Liner Notes”—free for all ticket holders—will begin at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are available for $45 or as part of a season subscription.

Palisadian Tom Hanks to Star in ‘Here’

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Palisadian Tom Hanks has taken on a starring role in the film “Here,” adapted from Richard McGuire’s eponymous novel, set to release on Friday, November 1.

The film reunites the director, writer and stars of “Forrest Gump,” with director and co-writer Robert Zemeckis, co-writer Eric Roth, starring Hanks and Robin Wright—all of whom collaborated on the 1994 film.

“Here” is described as a “generational story about families and the special place they inhabit, sharing in love, loss, laughter and life,” according to IMDb. The characters traverse through age and time throughout the film.

Zemeckis explained that “Here” follows a single perspective that never changes, but everything around it does, similar to a traditional playhouse experience.

“It’s actually never been done before,” Zemeckis said to Vanity Fair. “There are similar scenes in very early silent movies, before the language of montage was invented. But other than that, yeah, it was a risky venture”

Zemeckis said he mused the idea of adapting McGuire’s 2014’s novel “Here” with Hanks on set of Disney’s “Pinocchio” while they were in London: “That night, Tom went home, bought the book on Kindle, and came back the next morning and said, ‘My God, that’s it. That’s the one.’

In September, the American Film Institute announced that the world premiere of “Here” was selected as the Centerpiece Gala at this year’s AFI Fest. The film will debut at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Friday, October 25.

“Robert Zemeckis is, first and foremost, a master storyteller and, uniquely, one who has spent a lifetime utilizing the latest technologies to tell the human story,” AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale said in a statement. “‘Here’ presents a profoundly powerful emotional experience while also bringing the art of film into the future.”

AFI will honor Zemeckis with a Directors Spotlight on Thursday, October 24.

“AFI serves as a valued institution in the important preservation and celebration of motion pictures, and it is an honor to premiere ‘Here’ at AFI Fest,” Zemeckis said. “I hope audiences will enjoy the film as much as Tom, Robin, Eric and I loved reuniting to bring this story to the screen.”

“Here” has a runtime of one hour and 44 minutes, and a PG-13 rating.

The Other New York Marathon

The Grinsfelder brothers in NYC
Photos courtesy of David Grinsfelder

Contributing Writer David Grinsfelder Reports on the Social Chaos Summer Brings to NYC

By DAVID GRINSFELDER | Contributing Writer

On a crisp autumn morning in early November, thousands of people gather at the starting line of the New York City Marathon, having prepared and qualified for this storied event.

As this race gets underway, another one is coming to an inauspicious end. It is a marathon of sorts—albeit much longer and far more grueling. This, dear readers, is the New York City Social Marathon.

Born and raised in Pacific Palisades, I am entirely accustomed to our comfortable temperate climate that oscillates between pleasant, a little less pleasant and pleasant again. This repetitive weather pattern gives rise to “season monotony” that, in my opinion, neutralizes enthusiasm for the golden rays of summer.

When you can enjoy sunshine and moderate temperatures 300-plus days per year, summer doesn’t quite pack the same punch as it does when there is no “dead period” with which to compare it. Enter the seasons of New York.

Because residents of the Big Apple spend the months of December to March scurrying from one heated indoor location to the next, they breathe a collective, quasi-spiritual sigh of relief when the frost breaks and the air finally begins to warm.

At a Yankees game

As winter succumbs to spring, New Yorkers cautiously begin their metamorphosis, shedding peacoats and puffer jackets (and doing an apprehensive wardrobe inventory, lest it be an infamous “false spring” that comes just before winter’s end and blindsides them with another 10 days of bitter temperatures). By late April, there is no denying it: Summer is weeks, if not days, away.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is when the real New York City marathon begins.

There is no official starting line, but at some point after Father’s Day in mid-June, a silent starting gun goes off and the race is suddenly underway. As the days grow in length, so do the social calendars.

More daylight hours mean evening picnics after work on Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park. Rooftop soirées that would be impossible in January become a staple of the weekly itinerary.

Proverbial “hot girl walks” (ask your resident Gen Z friend or family member for a definition) on the Westside Highway would be a lonely affair on any winter day, but they provide a flurry of 10-second romances from July through September.

Dinner in New York

Of course, there is good reason I felt like a zoo animal whose keeper left the gates open on the most perfect days of the year. Anyone who has done a full 12-month cycle in Manhattan knows this incredible season of sociability, and the limitless sips and trips that go with it, is tantalizingly short.

Twelve weeks is not much time when you factor in several weekend getaways to the Hamptons, a flurry of friends visiting from out of town, and endless happy hours and solicitations to “grab a drink sometime.” Did someone suggest an impromptu trip to London? I guess that trip home for Labor Day can wait until next year.

It is a time-honored tradition for New Yorkers to leave it all on the field during the marvelously long days of summer. And it is precisely because these idyllic days seem to fly by that residents tolerate the frenetic sprint toward fall that grips the city each year.

Does it occasionally get overwhelming? Yes. Is it actually necessary to leave New York City every few weeks, lest one get swept up in a social current of dinners, drinks and U.S. Open festivities, never to be heard from again? Absolutely.

U.S. Open

But in the end, most New Yorkers will agree that winter’s quietude and indoor-ness juxtaposes summer’s exquisite social chaos in a way that begets genuine appreciation.

In many respects, summer season in the concrete jungle is much like the 26.2 miles that runners will travel on Sunday, November 3. Crowds of people line the streets. It is loud. It is chaotic. Participants are never drinking as much water as they probably should. And inevitably, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by the vibe of a neighborhood you had no intention of ever visiting.

In the end, regardless of which marathon they run, New Yorkers can look back on the experience and be proud that they gave it their all.


David Grinsfelder is a graduate of Palisades Charter High School (2015) and UC Berkeley (2019). He currently lives in New York and is writing a series of travel stories for the Palisadian-Post. The Grinsfelders have been Highlands residents since 1989.

Summer Creative Writing Contest 2024

Bill Jones reads a winning story during the 2024 awards ceremony.
Photo by Sarah Shmerling

The Palisadian-Post is highlighting winners of Pacific Palisades Library Association’s Summer Creative Writing Contest 2024, which had the theme “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to…” Here is the third-place piece in the Scribblers category (first and second grade), written by Roman McNitt. For a complete list of winners from this year’s contest, see Page 13.


‘The Missing Fruit Guy’

A funny thing happened on the way to the park, the fruit guy I checked
And he was not their. And I went home and I had fun, a good time.
And then I had a good time I went to the park and got some fruit.
And the fruit was yummy! And the fruit guy was there and I paid
Ten $. But he was out of mango but the watermelon was juicy and then I walked home.
And eat allot of fruit and the fruit was yummy! and eat all the fruit.
And the fruit was very juicy and I eat all of the fruit.
The fruit guy cut the fruit very good and the water melon.
And the water melon was fighting me.
And finally I won yay!
But it was hard and I’m not fighting a water melon again.

Our Town


Chabad of Pacific Palisades Friendship Circle began its new season with a Sunday Circle event on September 29.

“The Friendship Circle is dedicated to creating a supportive community for children and teens with special needs, providing them with meaningful friendships through various programs,” according to Rabbi Shimon Goldberg. “The organization’s mission is to promote inclusion in the Palisades and West LA areas, and it has become a vital resource for families seeking connection and support.”

The event included an “array of activities” that were “designed to foster connection and creativity.” This included Palisades Studio and a petting zoo, as well as crafting cards for Rosh Hashanah.

“The environment was warm and welcoming, allowing every child and teen to engage freely and make lasting memories,” Goldberg said.

In addition to Sunday Circle, Friendship Circle also offers the Friends at Home program, which partners children with teen volunteers for weekly hangouts.

For those interested in joining, more information is available at fcpalisades.com.

 

Photos courtesy of Rabbi Shimon Goldberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The National League of Young Men Palisades/Brentwood Chapter All League Philanthropy kick-off event took place in September at Calvary Christian School.

“This year we supported Operation Gratitude, Hope in a Suitcase, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, No-Kill Los Angeles and St. Francis Center,” according to NLYM Palisades/Brentwood Chapter Public Relations Coordinator Kate Burke. “We also collected gently used shoes and Halloween costumes at the event for St. Francis Center. The event was a success, and we look forward to our next event to support our community.”

Photos courtesy of Kate Burke


SkinLocal Pacific Palisades partnered with Malibu-Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce to host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the end of September. The event invited attendees to meet the team, partake in jewelry styling, watch live demos, and receive gift bags and giveaways.

Photos courtesy of SkinLocal Pacific Palisades

 

William Dean Douglass, Jr.

Rocket-nut. Pizza aficionado. Beer king.

Former Palisades resident William “Bill” Douglass died peacefully at his daughter’s Santa Monica home on October 6 at age 92. Bill was a great, humble man with a heart of gold.

People loved Bill’s warmth, spontaneity and good-natured encouragement. He was a lively, humorous storyteller, told in his deep voice that was “made for radio.” Bill could explain how anything scientific or technological worked, and fixed everything from toasters to rebuilding a car engine from scratch.

Bill’s family was his pride and joy, and he was a fantastic, hands-on grandfather. He was also passionate about science fiction, rockets and space, trains, skiing, rollerblading, country music, pizza, and Budweiser long necks.

Bill grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his younger sister Ann. He was an Eagle Scout, and then a proud Cornhusker where he swam four years and received a BSEE in electronics and communication.

He served our country in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant, where he was a champion shooter.

In 1956, he married Kathleen Curran of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. They resided mainly in Syracuse, New York, prior to raising their children in Pacific Palisades. In later years Bill moved to San Jose, then Scotts Valley, California.

Bill worked for GE (16 years) on rocket and space programs, including work on the Guidance System for Mercury-Atlas 9. He then worked for AMP Inc. (18 years) in computer connectors. One of his entertaining stories was his very quick—and unsuccessful—meeting with Steve Jobs.

Since he retired in 2000, Bill saw almost every Cape Canaveral space shuttle launch. Well into his 80s he made the four-day, cross-county drive, often accompanied by one of his grandchildren, to the Motel 6 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he stayed for each send-off.

Bill served as president of the Palisades-Malibu YMCA swim team and was the original founder of the Palisades High School girls swim team. For years he was the popular official starter at Pali-Y home swim meets and was very involved in his three kids’ swimming careers.

Bill leaves this following ‘herd of turtles’:  daughter Kelly Johnson, son William Douglass III, and daughter Mary Pat Hastings (Duane); 8 grandchildren: Beck Johnson, Teal Johnson Marsili, Tait Johnson, Bryn Hastings, Cort Hastings, Jake Hastings, Olivia Douglass and Emmarose Douglass; and 2 great-grandchildren: Giorgio Marsili and Chiara Marsili.

Linda G. Grant

Beloved mother, grandmother and community member Linda G. Grant passed away in her home on October 8.

A resident of Pacific Palisades for over 40 years, Linda earned two master’s degrees in social work and gerontology from the University of Southern California. She was a cherished member of the Palisades Presbyterian Church and touched the lives of all who knew her.

She loved nothing more than spending time with friends and family, and enjoyed camping in her “Scamp” travel trailer whenever possible.

A friend to many, she leaves a profound legacy of love, kindness and community service, and will be deeply missed.

She was predeceased by her daughter Lisa Katzman and is survived by her sons, Andrew Grant and Patrick Katzman, eight grandchildren, as well as countless friends who felt her warmth and generosity.

Week 9: Palisadian-Post Football Contest

The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, continues to week two.

“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you predict will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”

There is an online submission process: Contestants can download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo, and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. This week’s deadline is Friday, November 1, at 5 p.m.

One entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card from our contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe, via email. Last week’s winner was Tom Zaret (+8, 55 PTS)