The following update was provided by Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin on September 5.
The security companies that have been contracted by the city will be leaving the Palisades. They have done a great job of assisting us (LAPD) with the extra eyes and ears for the community. We will still have our LAPD footprint staying in the Palisades.
Please remind any of your contractors working in the area to keep their tools and equipment secured at all times, even if they are physically there working.
Now that summer is winding down, it also means a lot of people will be traveling in the morning and afternoon traffic hours to and from schools. Please be patient on the roadways and always plan to have a little extra time to get to your destination. Most accidents happen when people are in a rush or not paying attention to what’s going on around them.
Check your property often (or have someone check it for you) to prevent squatters or someone frequently entering your property.
Tell your construction crews to secure their tools and equipment to prevent theft. Do not leave tools lying in the back of trucks or unlocked vehicles.
Have construction crews GPS tag all high-end equipment.
Place and secure tools and equipment in well-lit areas of the property and monitored by security cameras.
Aria Mashkouri, aka DJ Ace, at the inaugural fundraising event at Spruzzo Photos by MikeyB Loveslife
Andrew Hires and Nima Mashkouri Plan Series of Fundraising Community Events
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Searching for a way to contribute to rebuilding the community, two Palisadians discovered a win-win-win situation.
Andrew Hires described looking for a way to rebuild the community experience that people are missing, as well as support businesses that are trying to restart operations while fundraising to support Palisades workers.
Combining these avenues, Pali ❤️ Beats was founded by Hires and Nima Mashkouri—both residents of the Highlands—to host fundraising events at still-standing venues in the community, providing music and a place for people to gather.
“We are all too familiar with the experience of our friends and family losing or being displaced from their homes and community,” the organizers wrote. “As we have been traversing this experience, one thing we wanted to make sure of is that the supporting members of our community, the workers whose livelihood depends on the Palisades, also feel our reciprocal support.”
The collective was formed to “hold a series of dance music events that serve complementary goals,” which are to “bring displaced community members and friends back to reconnect with the people and the area,” “support businesses that have reopened to serve the small but growing community,” “provide direct support to severely impacted Palisades workers,” and “have fun.”
“We invite anyone with a love of dance music or the Palisades to join,” Hires said.
Andrew Hires with Nima and Aria Mashkouri
The two behind the campaign provide music under the names DJ Nimazzo (Mashkouri) and DJ Godwin (Hires), as well as DJ Ace (Mashkouri’s 13-year-old son, Aria). When not working on Pali ❤️ Beats’ events, Mashkouri is a full-time dentist, while Hires is a professor of neuroscience at USC.
The first fundraiser took place at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar in the Highlands on Friday, August 15, billed as “a night of house and deep grooves for a cause.”
“The support we got was really touching,” Mashkouri said, adding that prompted them to think: “OK, maybe we’re onto something … the intention is so pure and genuine. How can we bring that to our community that’s going through major trauma?”
Hires described connecting with the manager at Spruzzo ahead of the event, who he said was “super excited” to host it there.
Proceeds from the sold-out inaugural evening went to support Palisades workers who were impacted by the fires, with one recipient in particular.
“We were thrilled to partner with Spruzzo for our first event,” the organizers said. “There were over 100 attendees, whose contributions allowed us to directly give over $2,500 to our first recipient, Coach Tara [Shriner].”
Over the course of 30 years, Coach Tara has taught “thousands of Palisades children” in the Palisades Hills Recreation Center pool, hosting up to 37 open group lessons per week at the time of the fire, they said.
“Unfortunately, the Palisades [Hills] rec center burned in the fire and the pool is expected to be non-functional until at least mid 2026, severely impacting her livelihood,” the organizers said.
DJ Ace has been “making a name for himself on the local Palisades birthday party and school dance circuit,” the organizers said. Recent events, in addition to Spruzzo, include a Marquez Charter Elementary School dance.
“At Spruzzo, he was able to deploy a deeper dance groove than a typical kids party, to the delight of the crowd,” organizers said.
Local organizations and businesses also provided support for the event, with security “generously donated” by ACS and lighting by Angels Music Productions. Visual support and recording was done by Pali ❤️ Beats partner Michael Boidy of Boidy Films, who is “developing a documentary, ‘Heart Beat,’ which examines the profound connection between sound and healing through stories of doctors, patients and musicians currently leading the charge in this revolutionary field.”
Hires said he felt “it truly showcases evidence of a nascent return to Palisades movement.”
“We love the Palisades and are committed to rebuilding and restoring the community,” he said.
Hires has lived in the Palisades since 2014, first in Marquez Knolls before moving to the Highlands. His wife grew up in the Palisades, attending Marquez Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools.
“We have three children, all of whom attended Marquez, including two on January 7,” he said. “All three learned to swim from Coach Tara.”
Mashkouri, who practices dentistry in Santa Monica, has lived with his wife and two children in the Highlands for 12 years.
“Both our children attended Marquez and are now attending Paul Revere,” he said. “Both were Tara Shriner’s swim students.”
After the Spruzzo event, Hires said they asked themselves, “What can we do next?” They said they also took into consideration that families would want to attend with kids, prompting an event that wouldn’t have attendees staying “out too late.”
Pali ❤️ Beats is currently “building energy” for its next event, which will be a “free sunset dance party” on the deck at Gladstones the evening of Friday, September 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. They are expecting a “substantially bigger crowd” between 200 and 400 attendees.
In addition to supporting businesses and fundraising for workers, the events also give the community a chance to gather with Palisadian friends: “Having that conversation with people is going to allow—and gives people a vision that they can—return,” Hires said.
He said the events are also designed to be something to look forward to.
“Pali ❤️ Beats believes in the power of music to connect, heal and transform,” Hires said. “Optional on-site donations will directly support a new set of impacted Palisades workers. All people and all ages are invited to share in the experience in one of the most beautiful locations in all of Los Angeles.”
St. Matthew’s Music Guild announced its 2025-26 concert season on Wednesday, September 3, which marks its 41st anniversary.
The upcoming season, featuring the “critically acclaimed Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s,” will be led by Music Director Dwayne Milburn—and is set to include “an array of world-class soloists and ensembles.”
“The community of Pacific Palisades has been devastated by the January 2025 fires,” Milburn said. “Our subscribers and patrons know how powerfully music heals and brings people together.”
The season will open on Friday, September 26, with “renowned violinist” Movses Pogossian, who will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor.” The program also includes the overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2.”
Next will be Raehann Bryce-Davis—“in an evening of operatic fireworks”—on November 7, followed by Bach Collegium San Diego in George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” on December 5.
The first performance of 2026 will take place on February 6, featuring The Gesualdo Six: “Queen of Hearts.”
“LA Phil principals Boris Allakhverdyan (clarinet) and Whitney Crockett (bassoon) in [Richard] Strauss’ ‘Duet-Concertino’ [is next on] March 20, 2026,” according to Music Guild. “David Garrett plays [Joseph] Haydn’s ‘Cello Concerto in D major’ on ‘A Classical Journey’ [on] April 24, 2026.”
Raehann Bryce-Davis
The season will conclude with a finale on May 29, 2026, with concertmaster YuEun Gemma Kim in Antonín Dvořák’s ‘Violin Concerto.”
The Music Guild season typically takes place at St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades, but since the fire damaged the structure, it has convened in an alternate venue.
“The remediation of our beloved church has reached an encouraging milestone, passing the halfway point with completion anticipated this fall,” read information on the church website. “Our renowned musical instruments (especially our world class organ and pianos) require specialized and extensive cleaning and renovation from the smoke and ash deposited on and in them during the fire. Though this process will take several months, it will not hold us back from returning to the church. Given the current schedule for cleaning both the inside and outside of the church, including the pews, walls, ceilings and sacraments, we expect to return to limited services and some Parish events in the church by early October.”
Music Guild concerts will temporarily take place at St. Augustine by-the-Sea Church, which is located at 1227 Fourth Street in Santa Monica. September and November performances are set to take place in Santa Monica, with “an anticipated return to St. Matthew’s Church in December.”
Single tickets for concerts are available for $45, while a season pass for the seven concerts begin at $285.
“We look forward to the coming season,” Milburn said, “and our return to St. Matthew’s Church soon.”
Theatre Palisades’ “The Wisdom of Eve” opened at The Blue Door theater on Friday evening, September 5.
“Though we have lost our physical space, our dedication to the arts and our community remains steadfast,” Theatre Palisades wrote on its website.
Since the destruction of Pierson Playhouse in the Palisades fire, Theatre Palisades has presented two shows at alternate locations: first “Jest a Second!” and now, “The Wisdom of Eve,” the stage version of “All About Eve,” written by Mary Orr.
“‘The Wisdom of Eve’ pulls back the curtain on the cutthroat world of Broadway, centered around the seemingly innocent Eve Harrington,” read a synopsis. “She arrives as a devoted fan of the legendary actress Margo Crane and is hired as her personal assistant. But as Eve sets her sights on the spotlight, her relentless ambition unleashes a chain of manipulation and betrayal that threatens to destroy careers and friendships. This masterful play explores themes of envy, manipulation and the ruthless pursuit of success, mirroring the intense drama of its cinematic inspiration.”
The Theater Palisades version is directed by Sherman Wayne and produced by Martha Hunter. The cast includes, in alphabetical order, Philip Bartolf, Isabella DiBernardino, Steve Frankenfield, Manfred Hofer, Hunter, Richard Johnson, Sara Kaner, Maria O’Connor, Eric Trigg and Amy Witkowski.
Photo by Rich Schmitt
Though overall the casting of the show is A-plus, DiBernardino in particular plays a convincing Eve Harrington—an intense, emotional part throughout the two acts. From the audience standpoint, she really seems to immerse herself fully into the role, leaving viewers on the edge of their seat from start to finish to see how it all unfolds.
The show includes a host of characters—from a reporter to an agent to those involved with putting on plays—with each actor bringing a unique personality to each role, making for a memorable performance.
“Praised for its sharp wit and clever humor, ‘The Wisdom of Eve’ is a behind-the-scenes theatrical experience you won’t want to miss,” Theatre Palisades shared, “especially those who work in the entertainment industry or ever wanted to find their way onto the stage or silver screen.”
Remaining performances will take place Friday, September 12 and 19, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 13 and 20, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, September 14 and 21, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available for “The Wisdom of Eve” for $25 for general admission and $22 for seniors and students. All performances take place at The Blue Door theater, located at 9617 Venice Boulevard in Culver City.
New Hollywood String Quartet Photo courtesy of Rafael Rishik
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Chamber Music Palisades announced its 29th season of concerts on Thursday, August 28, featuring a lineup of “exciting chamber music.”
“Our roster of musicians includes the New Hollywood String Quartet, the Los Angeles Wind and Piano Sextet, the harpist from the Hollywood Bowl and LA Phil, and a trio of violin, viola and flute,” Chamber Music Palisades President and Artistic Director Susan Greenberg said. “Join us for works by [Johann Sebastian] Bach, [Joseph] Haydn, [Johannes] Brahms, [Maurice] Ravel, [George] Gershwin, [Billy] Childs and [Bruce] Broughton, along with a world premiere by local film composer Lolita Ritmanis. The ever-popular Alan Chapman—who has been our commentator since our inception 29 years ago—will be joining us once again this season.”
The season will officially begin on Wednesday, October 8, with Greenberg (flute), Tereza Stanislav (violin), Rafael Rishik (violin), Rob Brophy (viola) and Andrew Shulman (cello). The program includes Arthur Foote’s “A Night Piece for flute and string quartet,” Haydn’s “Symphony #101 in D Major,” the “Clock” for flute and string quartet, arranged by Lisa Portus, and Ravel’s “String quartet in F Major.”
The next concert will take place Wednesday, December 3, with Greenberg, Cristina Montes Mateo (harp), Maya Magub (violin) and Brophy. The program includes works by Federigo Fiorillo, Broughton and Ravel.
The first concert of 2026 will take place Wednesday, February 4, with Greenberg, John Walz (cello), Barry Tan (piano) and Ritmanis (composer). The program will feature the world premiere of “Duo for flute and cello.”
The season will conclude on April 15, 2026, with Bernadene Blaha (piano), Kevin Fitz-Gerald (piano), Greenberg, Jonathan Davis (oboe), Sérgio Coelho (clarinet), Judith Farmer (bassoon) and Amy Jo Rhine (horn).
Prior to the fire, Chamber Music Palisades performed in venues like Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades and St. Matthew’s Church. Until further notice, concerts will take place at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, which is located at 12000 San Vicente Boulevard.
In addition to the formal season, Chamber Music Palisades also hosts free concerts for the community throughout the year, the next of which will take place Saturday, September 27, at 3 p.m. at Brentwood Presbyterian Church.
“This program features the artistry of flutist Susan Greenberg alongside the acclaimed and award-winning Zelter String Quartet,” Chamber Music Palisades wrote. “The program includes beloved masterpieces by [Wolfgang Amadeus] Mozart, Beethoven, [Felix] Mendelssohn and Ravel, and a vivacious modern piece, ‘City of Angels,’ by Los Angeles composer Todd Mason.”
Subscriptions for the season are available for the four Wednesday evening concerts for $120, as well as individual tickets for $35. Students with a valid school ID are free.
“Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you,” Greenberg concluded.
For more information, including full programs and links to purchase tickets, visit cmpalisades.org.
A monument of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter will be unveiled in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2026. Photo courtesy of Steven Barber
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Palisadian Steven Barber likes nothing better than shining the light on American history.
He was able to build Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 monuments for NASA, he finished his second Sally Ride (the first American woman in space) monument at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley in 2023, and his vision led to the unveiling of a monument of President Donald Trump in Florida earlier this year.
“In our country’s history, nobody’s ever been able to build a monument of a sitting president while in office,” Barber said. “That was my finest moment.”
Barber is busy these days, as he is now orchestrating the building of the bust and podium for the 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who served one term (from 1977-81) and died in December 2024 at the age of 100.
The sculptors are brothers Mark and George Lundeen and artist Joey Bainer. Barber said the unveiling will take place at U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis in 2026 during the 250th anniversary of America celebrations.
Barber has also been commissioned to build a second Trump monument, this one of the moment he came down the escalator at Trump Tower upon announcing he was running for president. That could be unveiled next July 4 on America’s 250th birthday.
Barber said he is working with the Trump administration on building monuments of additional former presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, as well as Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.
“This journey has been absolutely amazing,” Barber said. “I started out eight years ago with a vision to build the Apollo 11 monument, and I’ve been going strong ever since. I’m about shining the light on American exceptionalism, whether that be in the areas of science, government or entertainment. I try to rise above all of the political fray because I don’t make policy and I don’t make history, I simply record it.”
Barber said talks are going well in regards to a monument for the 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton. He has also pitched a monument of hockey star Alexander Ovechkin, who became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer on April 6 when he tallied the 895th of his career to pass Wayne Gretzky.
“What I love about America is that if you have a vision, if you never quit, if you improvise, if you stay the course, you can’t fail in America,” Barber said. “Failure is simply not an option.”
When 90% of current transactions involve land with complex development constraints, choosing a truly local agent isn’t a preference. It’s financial protection for both sellers and buyers.
Online portals make it easy to see what’s for sale, but discovery isn’t the challenge—making smart decisions in this radically transformed landscape is. After the wildfire, an estimated 2,000 vacant lots are likely to change hands over the next several years.
Why Lot Pricing Requires Local Expertise
House comparables translate features into price. Lot comparables translate buildability into value—and that’s where highly informed agents are essential.
Two lots on the same Palisades block may differ by $100,000 to $800,000 once you account for accurate price positioning, slope stability, usable pad size, foundation requirements, view corridors and the true cost to reach a comparable finished home.
Last month, similar lots next to each other on Chautauqua Boulevard sold $200,000 apart because one agent understood the price range while the other focused solely on what the seller hoped to attain.
A non-local agent may cite a “comparable” sale across the street without adjusting for superior views, construction challenges or CC&R limitations. That oversight typically results in lots sitting on market for three to fourth months and ultimately selling for 10 to 20% below optimal value.
Palisades agents can defend pricing—or negotiate more effectively—with credible understanding of the block-by-block context.
Dealing With Complex Issues
Lots in Pacific Palisades sell on what can actually be built—and when. Non-local agents may underestimate rebuild timelines by eight to 18 months because they don’t understand the approval sequence.
Hillside overlays, Coastal Commission requirements, baseline hillside ordinances, setbacks, easements, drainage studies and view protection rules create a regulatory obstacle course that varies dramatically by location. Experienced Palisades agents know which architects move files efficiently through planning, which geotechnical firms the city trusts and which contractors can best navigate both permitting and actual construction.
More importantly, they educate buyers to write offers reflecting realistic timelines and budgets rather than wishful thinking that leads to deal collapse during due diligence.
Unexpected Costs Can Derail Transactions
The initial offer price is often just an opening bid. Real buyer commitment gets tested when inspection contingencies reveal unexpected expenses—or when they discover a more attractive alternative.
Will this lot require $200,000 extra foundation work? Is there a realistic path to preserve ocean views during construction? Can you build the home you actually want within current height restrictions?
Local agents have seen enough transactions derail over these issues to flag problems early—or assemble pre-listing documentation (soils reports, surveys, pre-fire building plans, geological studies) that eliminates buyer anxiety and strengthens seller leverage.
Matchmaking in This Specialized Market
In this lot-dominated environment, successful outcomes depend on matching specific properties with the right buyer profiles. Custom home builders, build-to-rent investors and end-user families value completely different attributes—pad size versus school proximity, entitlement speed versus ultimate design flexibility, privacy versus accessibility.
A seasoned Palisades agent can know who’s actively writing offers this month, which buyers will pay premiums for different views and who prefers corner lots for design flexibility. They understand buyer financial capabilities and track records, shaping marketing strategy and guiding off-market conversations that can save or generate substantial money.
Negotiation Skills That Succeed
When the asset is raw land, terms matter as much as price. Experienced agents craft creative solutions: seller carryback financing at favorable rates, helping the buyer find acquisition-plus-construction loans with reasonable down payments, extended due diligence periods that accommodate lengthy approval processes.
For sellers, the right agent can make a convincing argument for their property value versus other properties a buyer is considering. They can also help limit the time a buyer has for contingencies.
For buyers, a local advocate identifies information that prevents expensive surprises.
Why Fiduciary Clarity Matters More Than Ever
Some buyers still call listing agents directly, assuming they’ll get a “better deal.” But that agent owes legal loyalty to the seller. In a market where small misreads compound into six-figure mistakes, you deserve dedicated Palisades representation that will tell you when a lot is overpriced for its buildability—or suggest a better-situated alternative two blocks away.
Sellers equally deserve advocates who can credibly argue for premium pricing and support it with actual data and documentation.
The Bottom Line
Over the next five years, Palisades lot transactions will likely total over $2 billion. In this environment, small pricing or marketing errors get magnified across an unprecedented scale of rebuilding activity.
A local Palisades agent brings neighborhood information, regulatory awareness, established professional relationships and negotiating expertise that translates into a competitive advantage. In this market, “local” is potentially the difference between a costly lesson and a successful outcome.
The Edlen Team has counseled and provided information and guidance to hundreds of
Palisades property owners and potential buyers since the fire in January. Contact them at team@edlenteam.com or 310-600-7422.
Palisades Recovery Coalition hosted its third community visioning charrette on August 23, focused on Castellammare and Paseo Miramar. It was organized by PRC President Maryam Zar, who is Pacific Palisades Community Council chair emeritus. The next visioning charrette will focus on the Bluffs communities and will take place September 20.
The Castellammare neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is facing the dual crises of geological instability and post-wildfire vulnerability, compounded by inadequate infrastructure, insurance gaps and recovery delays. The January 2025 Palisades fire destabilized slopes, destroyed homes and amplified long-standing risks, from landslides to evacuation challenges.
Residents gathered with RAND facilitators, AIA volunteers and PRC leadership to articulate priorities, document lived experiences and propose actionable strategies.
The findings are organized under five key themes, integrating charrette notes, community input and technical realities.
The premise of each of our charrettes is to envision the Palisades of 2035 and determine how we got there—e.g. what tradeoffs we made for resilience, and how we wish our built environment to be different or the same as it was on January 6, 2025.
Community & Governance
Neighborhood Identity: Castellammare’s unique hillside geography and historic character must be preserved, while ensuring recovery integrates resilience.
Rebuild Authority (2035 Vision):
Residents supported a formal recovery/rebuilding authority to coordinate sanitation, utilities, grading and permitting. This formation would have residents codified specifically in the legislation to serve on the governing structure.
Authority would issue clear rebuild rules on fire resilience, infrastructure and financing.
Coordination across state, county and city is critical, with transparency on taxation and funding.
Preventative & Long-Term Measures:
Underground water cisterns for firefighting and suppression. There is a high water table in this neighborhood, and this water can be captured to fill the cisterns and maintain a defensive green belt. This defensive space can also include fire breaks wind breaks, hyper-local flora (Quercus Agrifolia (known as a live oak)), which is evergreen and large with deep roots and also work as erosion control and habitat for local biodiversity.
Preventive upgrades for power lines, transformers and drainage.
Enforce new fuel modification zones and resilient codes. This requires advocacy at the city and county level to ensure there is an enforcement authority that proactively enforces fuel modification regulations. (LADBS imposes to oversight on itself right now to enforce these codes.)
Education on ecosystems and how they interact with fore is needed. Most homes do not maintain their outdoor space defensively. The removal of well-maintained/irrigated vegetation would amplify fire, not suppress or protect homes. Wood fences and other combustible items, such as furniture, wood piles, flammable patio furniture, are more hazardous.
Governance Options:
Discussion of alternative governance models (special districts, self-governance unincorporated options).
Timing seen as an opportunity to rethink governance while external funds (federal, state, county) are available.
Infrastructure & Land Stability
Landslides as Top Priority:
Repeated concern about unstable slopes, worsened by loss of vegetation after the fire.
Residents recalled past cost estimates (~$25M in 2010) for stabilization, noting urgent need for updated RFPs.
A strong push emerged for economies of scale: stabilizing slopes collectively rather than piecemeal.
Drainage & Utilities:
Long-standing issues with inadequate storm drains and runoff remain unresolved, contributing to landslides.
Call for underground utilities (where they aren’t already) to reduce ignition risks and harden the system.
Shared Process Efficiencies:
Streamline rebuild sequencing, align inspections and share contractors to reduce costs.
Residents supported a model of collective contracting for slope stabilization and infrastructure staging.
Emergency Access:
Extremely narrow streets (as little as 12 feet wide) and dead ends remain a lifesafety concern.
Roads fail to meet fire code standards (20 feet minimum), complicating evacuation and fire apparatus access.
Insurance & Financing
Coverage Gaps:
Survivors face challenges with IRS loss claims, SBA loans and underinsurance.
Onerous requirements for detailed personal property inventories and remediation reimbursement slow recovery.
Resilient Insurance Models:
Vision of an insurable, resilient community: If homes are hardened collectively, premiums may stabilize.
The “herd immunity” concept resonated—risk drops when all properties adopt ember-safe measures.
Financial Tools:
Acknowledgment of major financing gaps between payouts and rebuilding costs.
Calls for creative solutions: pooled funds, resilience bonds, federal/state block grants and philanthropy.
Fairness Concerns:
Some residents noted stricter code enforcement for rebuilds, while new developments proceed without matching resilience standards.
Fire-Resilient Homes
Design & Materials:
Ember-safe roofs, hardened siding, enclosed eaves and ignition-resistant decks/fences emphasized.
Note: Many January fire losses began when embers ignited inside the home—interior ignition protection is critical.
Zone 0 Standards:
Requests for clarification and flexibility: residents want privacy and greenery but also compliance with defensible space standards.
Fire-resistant landscaping should balance beauty, privacy and safety. Chaparral and coastal sage scrub are beautiful and vibrant, full of life (biodiversity hotspot: native bugs, birds—food chain). We must learn to value a fire-resistant aesthetic that does not conflict with the bioregion.
Ongoing Maintenance:
Brush clearance, smoke mitigation and landscape management must be institutionalized.
Invasive plants, which escape gardens and then spread on hillsides, are highly flammable, dry out and outcompete native vegetation which has a higher heat threshold and is adapted to burn. In addition to the “Brush Clearance Unit,” irrigation and soil care should be implemented.
Education & Resources:
Widespread call for better education and outreach so residents adopt recommendations.
Key partners: MySafeLA (free assessments), Santa Monica Conservancy and fire-resilience consultants/architects.
FireWise communities, like Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness, can bring the education and awareness we need to create and sustain resilience.
Strategic Questions for the Future
Who pays for the improvements we implement for our 2035 vision? Shared responsibility between agencies and homeowners remains unclear. Could a recovery authority or Climate Resilience District carry some costs?
How to balance affordability with resilience? Residents worry resilience will price people out. How much more does resilience really cost?
What governance model ensures accountability? Options include recovery authorities, resilience districts, or other structures.
How to leverage economies of scale? Shared contractors, bulk procurement, ready workforce and collective stabilization could cut costs.
How to ensure insurability long-term? Will insurers provide clear checklists of hardening measures and timelines for premium relief? How can we engage insurers?
Conclusion
The Castellammare charrette underscored the interconnectedness of landslides, fire resilience, infrastructure, insurance and governance.
Residents see slope stabilization and resilient infrastructure as prerequisites for recovery, not optional add-ons. Insurance will not return until the community demonstrates large-scale mitigation, and homeowners cannot shoulder costs alone.
Councilmember Traci Park discussed how a coordinated resilience district or recovery authority can marshal funds, set rules and deliver projects at scale with community input. Without such a structure, Castellammare risks repeating cycles of fire, landslide and displacement. With it, the community has a chance to rebuild stronger, safer and insurable for generations to come.
Joan “Joey” Barnes, 90, of Libby, Montana, passed away on August 7 at the Libby Care Center.
She was born March 22, 1935, in Los Angeles to Joseph T. and Jean E. (Spenker) Koller. Joey graduated from Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College.
She married Ronald A. Barnes on September 4, 1957, in Pacific Palisades. Joey worked for the Boeing Space Medicine Program and McDonnell Douglas in Seattle, Washington.
In 1969, she and Ron purchased McCarthy Drugs in Pacific Palisades and later opened Palisades Drugs, operating it with Jay and Judy Steuerwald until 1995.
Joey was truly a “California Girl,” but had a great love for Montana. She was an accomplished horseback rider and an award-winning artist, who shared her creativity through drawing and painting. She was also a proud member of American Legion Posts 283 (CA) and 97 (MT).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; brother-in law, Robert (Tryn) Barnes; “other mother” Marie Koller; niece Jini (Barnes) Huth; and her cousin Gloria Woehler.
She is survived by cousins Tom Koller, Joanie Woehler; families of Tracie (Joni) Barnes, Chris (Barnes) Andrusco (Cort); Holly Decker, Russ (Brenda) Kirkham, Justin Barnes, Juli (Brent) Cooper, Anika (Josh) Conrad, along with extended family and friends who will miss her vibrant spirit.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting schnackenbergfh.com.
Demare Dezeurn returns a kickoff in the first half of the Charter Bowl.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo
Palisades’ Offense Sets Charter Bowl Record in 59-44 Triumph over Granada Hills at Santa Monica College
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Seeing the Charter Bowl trophy brings out the best in Jack Thomas. After throwing four touchdown passes in last year’s grudge game against Granada Hills, Palisades High’s senior quarterback tossed a career-best six in last Friday’s 59-44 triumph at Santa Monica College.
Thomas also ran for a score as the Dolphins (2-0) broke the record for points in the Charter Bowl, bettering the 56 they hung on the Highlanders in 2016, and improved to 13-5 in a series that began in 2006.
In two Charter Bowl performances, Thomas has been a maestro: 39 completions for 696 yards, 10 touchdowns, zero interceptions, a 139.3 rating and, most importantly, he has led his team to two victories.
It did not take long for the offense to take flight Friday. On the fifth play from scrimmage, Thomas connected with Malachi Ross for a 38-yard TD. The next time the Dolphins had the football they scored twice, but only one of them counted. Harrison Carter’s 43-yard catch and run was nullified by a holding penalty but two snaps later Deveron Kearney found a hole up the middle and ran for an 11-yard score to make it 13-6.Thomas whipped a short pass to Ross in the flat and the junior wideoutfaked out several defenders on his way to a 26-yard touchdown to capPalisades’ third drive. Thomas got flushed from the pocket but scrambled for a five-yard score, then threw to King Demethris for a two-point conversion that made it 27-22 late in the second quarter and Demethris caught a 43-yard TD pass to put the Dolphins up 35-30 at halftime.
The Highlanders (1-2) were as effective on the ground as Palisades was through the air and took their last lead, 36-35, on a short run by Jonathan Hernandez midway through the third quarter. Thomas answered with a 15-yard strike to Demare Dezeurn on fourth-and-goal and closed the show with scoring tosses of 37 and seven yards to Demethris. Skyler Walters led the defense with 22 tackles. Palisades travels to Brentwood on Friday for the annual “Sunset Showdown.” Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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Malachi Ross makes a leaping grab in front of cornerback Troy Verso.
Receiver King Demethris after his third touchdown catch of the game.
Quarterback Jack Thomas threw a career-high six touchdown passes.
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