Allenford Avenue, October 12 at 8:57 p.m. Suspects climbed over victim’s front gate, walked over to victim’s garage door. Suspects used unknown means to force door open. Upon hearing the alarm, the suspects fled the location in grey Honda.
Enchanted Way, October 23 at 1 a.m. Suspects smashed window, unlocked door, entered and ransacked interior of vacant home. Information provided by ACS Security. Officers were unable to make contact with the homeowner.
The following updates were shared by Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin on October 23 and 30.
On our last Community Police Advisory Board meeting, our captain mentioned the lessening of the LAPD footprint in the Palisades. This is due to the low volume and frequency of crimes in the area. We will still have our assigned Palisades patrol unit, our Beach Detail unit and one extra patrol unit from one of our neighboring stations. Our command has said they will definitely reevaluate the necessity for increasing resources if there is an increase in crime.
We had our hillside taskforce with our awesome volunteers of the Pacific Palisades Taskforce on Homelessness and our neighboring enforcement and outreach agencies (California State Parks Rangers, LA City Park Rangers, MRCA and The People Concern) on October 22. There were a couple locations where some debris was located and removed by our volunteers.
We had a small cluster of vehicle thefts located within a small area of Santa Monica Canyon. These vehicle thefts occurred on different days and times. Once we see the cluster, our detectives immediately start to look for any similarities or see if they can be connected in any way. As of now the detectives have not seen anything to connect the vehicle thefts, they appear to be isolated incidents.
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.
Provided by LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin. In case of emergency, call 911. To report a non-emergency, call 877-275-5273.
The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a “green tip” to our readers in each newspaper. This edition’s tip was written by Sara G. Marti, board member and communications director.
Recently, Resilient Palisades hosted a webinar with Rewiring America, where Zac Swank of Boulder County shared lessons learned from the Marshall fire. One thing he said stopped me in my tracks: “When stuff is in your head, that’s the cheapest time to change it.”
As a neighbor who also lost a home, I try to approach all of this gently.
“Do your best, you don’t have to be perfect, do what you can when you can.”
But Swank’s reminder hit home. Once rebuilding begins, every change costs more. Planning for electrification early, while ideas are still on paper, saves time, money and stress later on.
In Boulder County, 21% of rebuilds went all-electric, and those homeowners saved and continue to save money. 70% built above code minimum for energy efficiency, just for additional insight. But the lesson: building smarter from the start pays off. In comfort, health and resilience.
If you missed the webinar, the recording is available at resilientpalisades.org/electrify. And if you’d like to see electrification in action, join us on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Paul Revere Charter Middle School for “Our Electric Future: A Community Rebuild Celebration.”
Test an induction stove, see a solar-powered roof sprinkler in action, talk to local contractors and enjoy free food. There will also be face painting, music, and family crafts and activities.
Free admission, RSVP encouraged at resilientpalisades.org/electrify.
Paliskates will host a grand opening on Friday evening, November 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at its store at 212 26th Street in Santa Monica next to Brentwood Country Mart.
“Join us for an intimate evening of music, light bites and community,” read a description of the event. “Stop by our new store, say hello. We’ve got some very cool brand-new styles in stock, plus the classic Paliskates goodies.”
After losing her Swarthmore store in the Palisades fire, Erica Simpson began to welcome customers—and employees—back “home” to Paliskates at the end of October.
“The shop has become more than a retail space—it’s a second home for generations of skaters and surfers,” Simpson said. “What began as a hub for local kids has grown into a multi-generational community, with parents now bringing their own children to share in the vibe and values they grew up with.”
The store is currently open with limited hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. RSVP to the grand opening at: partiful.com/e/IdiP8FsyS5t5SXqb4mmx.
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.
Big Win
Wow, our Palisades High Dolphin football team is 10-0 with a big win over Fairfax High Halloween night. Way to stay strong and persevere. TRIUMPHANT EVERMORE! Oh and Go Dodgers. I remember seeing Vin Scully, poetic voice of the Dodgers, at church on Sunday mornings in the Palisades.
‘Save Our Trees’
Thank you to Jimmy Dunne for his piece in the last print edition. It is important that our trees remain cared for. They are part of what makes up the fabric of our town.
Traditions
I love seeing traditions, like Yee Haw Day, continue. Thank you to the organizers for making it happen.
St. Matthew’s
Great to read the news about St. Matthew’s returning to worship at home, and love that the school plans to return next year.
Survivor Palisades
What a special thing that Emmett created through Survivor Palisades. Sounds like memories that will last a lifetime for all involved in the project, which is an amazing feat!
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.
Jim McGinn, a 57-year resident of Pacific Palisades, died at the age of 93 after several years of failing health. He passed away painlessly, surrounded by family.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, to John T. and Mary (Kidney) McGinn, Jim grew up in Park Ridge, a suburb of Chicago. After graduating from Maine Township High School, he received a Navy scholarship which covered his years at the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University. He graduated with a BFA degree in film & television and entered the U.S. Navy where he served three years as an officer. The young, wide-eyed voyager sailed the Mediterranean, beginning a life-long interest in international travel.
After finishing his Navy stint, Jim returned to Northwestern for an MFA degree, while also starting his long career as a producer and writer in film, TV and theater. His first series, “The Storyteller,” aired on WGN-TV in Chicago where he met his future wife, Patricia McMurtry. (Pattywas always his special name for her.) They were married on April 4, 1959.
While creating several new television shows in the early 1960s, he landed a job as a development executive at Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency in New York City. This presented him with the opportunity to move to Los Angeles with his family in 1967. It fulfilled a dream he had since visiting California as a teenager. He and Patty purchased their home in Pacific Palisades where they lived for 57 years.
Jim began working for Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1969. He was hired to supervise television and film projects sponsored by Bristol-Myers and Clairol. He rented an office above The House of Lee (now Pearl Dragon) and always enjoyed his 10-minute commute “walk” from his nearby home.
Jim and Patty became avid tennis players and were members of Riviera Tennis Club for many years. They were also devoted parishioners of Corpus Christi Church. Jim wrote several scripts for “Insight,”a Paulist Productions series that aired on network TV from 1960 to 1984.
After retiring in 1994, he and Patty traveled extensively, sparking a wanderlust for travel in all three of their children. In his later years, Jim joined a playwriting group and mounted several original plays while also teaching Intro to Screenwritingat USC. He retired in 2018 at the age of 86.
Besides tennis, Jim loved to ride his bike. He was often seen riding down Temescal to the beach and back, always dressed in his blue track suit. He loved living in Pacific Palisades and always spoke about how fortunate he was to have raised his family here. Tragically, their home on Toyopa Drive was lost in the Palisades fire on January 7 of this year.
Jim McGinn will be remembered as a person who impacted so many with his generosity, kindness and twinkly blue eyes. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia, his daughter, Shannon, two sons, J. Michael and Sean (Janie), and his beloved grandchildren, Laney (15) and Perrish McGinn (12).
There will be a Celebration of Life in the coming months for family and friends.
Eight members of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary of Pacific Palisades—Gina Jakel, Lynn Beveridge, Julia Winter, Pat Borgeson, Fran Aponte, Terri Webb, Arlene Vaillancourt and Lorraine Holt—placed flags on the Village Green in honor of September 11. They thanked Anawalt Palisades Hardware for providing spikes that made it “much easier to put the flags in the ground” after discovering they did not have immediate access to the spikes they normally use.
Photos courtesy of Eileen Carry
Palisades Beautiful hosted a tree planting event at the end of September, placing four new trees along Swarthmore Avenue near CVS to replace palms that were lost in the Palisades fire, shared Noah Martin, president of the organization. Over 30 volunteers participated in the event.
Photos courtesy of Noah Martin
Providence hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new locations of Saint John’s Physician Partners and The Doctors of Saint John’s Palisades primary care and pediatric clinics in Santa Monica. The clinics were previously located at 881 Alma Real Drive, which was lost in the Palisades fire.
“These new state-of-the-art facilities underscore Providence’s ongoing commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of both the Palisades and Santa Monica communities,” read a statement. “Each clinic is designed to provide comprehensive and compassionate care with a focus on enhancing patient well-being. Our team of dedicated physicians and caregivers are ready to welcome both new and returning patients, ensuring they receive the high-quality care that our community expects and deserves.”
Photos courtesy of John Dlugolecki Photography
Palisadian Jamie Lee Curtis joined Happy Trails for Kids to launch a fundraising campaign to renovate a 133-acre camp in Acton, where the nonprofit will provide “life-changing programs to Los Angeles County foster youth.”
Curtis spoke at this year’s “Taste of Camp: An Evening Under the Stars in Support of Children in Foster Care” at Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. This year’s event was emceed by ABC7 anchor and foster parent Jory Rand.
“For years, Happy Trails has been a place where foster youth can belong, build confidence and be themselves,” said Lindsay Elliott, executive director of Happy Trails for Kids. “Now, thanks to the incredible support of friends like Jory Rand and Jamie Lee Curtis, we’re expanding that vision to Acton, building a place of hope and healing that will last for generations.”
Pictured, from left: Joseph “McG” Nichol, Nancy Silverton and Rick Caruso Photo by Laura Grier
Caruso Announces the Return of Holiday-Time Events at Palisades Village
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
As rebuilding efforts are underway across Pacific Palisades, Caruso announced several updates regarding Palisades Village, including the addition of new Italian American steakhouse concept Spacca Tutto and return of two holiday-time events.
Spacca Tutto is a partnership between James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton, Caruso and River Jetty Restaurant Group. Silverton is the co-owner of Mozza Restaurant Group, which includes eight locations around the world, with Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Mozza2Go and chi SPACCA in Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles has such a strong community, and the restaurant industry has always been a big part of that,” Silverton said of the space, which is slated to open in August 2026. “I wanted to bring a new concept to the Westside, pulling inspiration from the Italian flavors that Angelenos know well, alongside some new dishes inspired by a classic American steakhouse. I’m honored to be a part of the future of the Palisades.”
The restaurant will draw from its chi SPACCA roots, according to a first look, while “embracing classic steakhouse heritage and everyday dining.” The menu is set to include a “robust” steak program, alongside “American classics.” It will be designed by “global award-winning interior design firm” AvroKO.
It will be open for lunch, dinner or drinks, with lighter fare, including salads, seafood and seasonal vegetable dishes, making it a “natural fit” for both “daytime meals and evening dining.” A bar menu will include “smaller bites.”
There will be a wine program with nearly 250 Italian and domestic labels available, as well as a “fast craft” cocktail menu.
“The name Spacca Tutto reflects resilience, creativity and courage—the same qualities driving the Palisades community to come roaring back in 2026,” said Rick Caruso, founder and executive chairman at Caruso.
In Italian, spacca tutto is used to say “go for it” or “give it your all.”
“With Nancy and River Jetty, we’re creating something bold and unmistakably Palisades,” Caruso continued. “The arrival of best-in-class restaurant partners is yet another signal that the Palisades has a bright and thriving future.”
Partners Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein founded River Jetty Restaurant Group in Newport Beach in 2007. Its portfolio includes A Restaurant and A Market in Newport, CdM Restaurant in Corona del Mar and A PCH in Long Beach.
“At River Jetty, we pride ourselves on creating spaces that bring people together through exceptional food and genuine hospitality,” Nichol said. “We’re honored to partner with Nancy and the Caruso team on a concept that brings that shared passion to life and celebrates the Palisades community we’re so proud to join.”
The group is known for bringing “extensive expertise” and a “passion for creating exceptional dining experiences to each of its distinctive concepts.”
A rendering of the space Courtesy of AvroKO
Spacca Tutto will occupy a 3,500-square-foot space, adjacent to The Park. It will “anchor the heart of Palisades Village, serving as a focal point for the property.”
On the CAL FIRE Palisades Fire Damage Inspection Status map, the inspections of Palisades Village’s 40-plus units were broken up into nine sections: three of which sustained “no damage.” Five were listed as “affected,” meaning they were damaged 1 to 9%, while one received “minor” damage (10 to 25%).
While the development has remained closed since January, Caruso has detailed ongoing remediation efforts, bringing things like The Residences at Palisades Village “down to the studs.”
Caruso announced on Monday, November 3, holiday-time events that would be taking place at Palisades Village in 2025.
A Tree Lighting Celebration will take place at Palisades Village on Saturday, December 6, marking the “meaningful return of a beloved tradition,” giving the community a moment “to gather, reflect and celebrate the season together.” The tree was slated to arrive at Palisades Village on Wednesday, November 12.
Then, on the first night of Hanukkah, Caruso and Chabad of Pacific Palisades will partner to host a Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 14. Those who attend will “gather and honor the tradition of Hanukkah with music, treats and community spirit.”
“We are going to create the most spectacular unifying experience together,” Chabad Rabbi Zushe Cunin said to the Palisadian-Post. “The community has been through so much, we need to find ways to bring everyone together and celebrate.”
Exact timing and additional details regarding the holiday events was anticipated to be available in the coming weeks.
Additional changes underway at Palisades Village for when the development reopens include a flagship store for luxury retailer Elyse Walker, which was announced in May. Walker lost her Antioch Street storefront in the Palisades fire, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
“Reopening in the Palisades and moving to the Village is incredibly exciting and important as we focus our efforts on rebuilding and supporting this incredibly strong and resilient community,” Walker said at the time. “We fully intend to recreate the elysewalker experience at the Village and cannot wait to be back in our beloved Palisades community.”
Walker is moving to a space at Swarthmore Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, which was previously occupied by Saint Laurent and, prior to that, Amazon Books.
“Palisades Village will reopen in 2026 as the vibrant, welcoming destination you remember,” Caruso wrote, “a reflection of our community’s strength, resilience and shared vision for the future.”
Following the Palisades fire, Caruso also launched Steadfast LA, which is supporting Palisades and Altadena through fire recovery efforts.
“Through Steadfast LA, private funding is being raised to revitalize other public spaces that are central to the community, including the rebuilding of the Palisades Recreation Center, aimed at reviving the heart of the community, creating a vibrant space for families to gather,” read a statement about the work.
The Steadfast LA Small Business Initiative recently partnered with Banc of California to distribute its second round of 10 wildfire recovery grants. The program was seeded by Banc of California, which contributed $1 million through its Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund, with Steadfast LA providing additional financial and operational support.
“As the largest independent bank based in Los Angeles, with deep ties to local communities, we see firsthand how much small businesses mean to the neighborhoods we serve,” said Jared Wolff, chairman and CEO of Banc of California. “By helping local entrepreneurs rebuild after these wildfires, we’re strengthening the foundation of the communities that make Los Angeles such a dynamic place to live and work.”
Up to $50,000 in grants were given to area small businesses, including Beach Side Café/Upstage Catering, The Palisades Dentists, Palisades Garden Café, Juicy Ladies, Pacific Palisades Veterinary Center, Vittorio’s and Knolls Pharmacy in the Palisades.
“Steadfast LA, in partnership with Banc of California, distributed a second round of small business recovery grants through its Small Business Initiative, awarding a total of $400,000 to 10 cornerstone businesses in Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena and the Pacific Palisades to help them reopen, restore jobs and bring a sense of normalcy back to their communities,” read information about the program. “When combined with the first round of grants, this initiative has now disbursed $525,000 in direct support to small businesses in these communities.”
Rummy Goodyear with Rick Caruso Photos courtesy of Dana Goodyear
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Rummy Goodyear was only 14 years old when he lost his home in the Palisades fire on January 7. Yet, he was determined to help his community heal.
Seeking a way to channel his grief into something positive for his community and the entire city, the eighth-grader recruited his friends and peers to help make seed bombs, tiny balls of native wildflower seeds, clay and compost to share and spread in fire-ravaged neighborhoods.
“It’s a small ball formed from seeds, oil, clay and water,” Goodyear described. “It’s about the size of a meatball. You scatter it, give it a bit of water and it sprouts into a patch of flowers.”
In its first six months, the Seed Bomb Project has distributed more than 3,000 seed bombs to stakeholders from Altadena to Pacific Palisades, helping heal Los Angeles one wildflower at a time.
“Our mission is to share native wildflower seeds with fire-impacted communities as a way to heal our neighborhoods and ourselves,” Goodyear said. “We use special ‘fire-following’ species, like California poppies and bush sunflowers, which restore the ecosystem, detoxify the soil and make our neighborhoods more resilient in the face of future disasters.”
It has been a busy fall for Goodyear and his team: In September they handed out seed bombs to Altadena neighbors affected by the Eaton fire at the Aveson School of Leaders. On October 1, they gave away more seed bombs in Pasadena at the launch of TREEAMS, a program, spearheaded by Margarita Pagliai, head of school at Seven Arrows and founder of both Seven Arrows and Little Dolphins by the Sea preschool, to plant 5,000 native trees in LA County.
One week later, they met nonprofit and civic leaders at the fourth annual LA2050 Grantee Showcase, and launched a mapping project so they can track their impact around the Southland.
Seed Bomb Project set up a booth at Palisades Charter Elementary School’s annual Yee Haw Day on October 18 at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet.
“We made 591 seed bombs and gave away 200 more,” Goodyear said. “It was awesome.”
On October 26, they joined Steadfast LA to plant hundreds of seed bombs along Sunset Boulevard, south of Palisades Village, from Monument to Hartzell. At that event they also introduced Steadfast LA Founder Rick Caruso to seed bombing with the help of Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69.
“We also saw the first shoots from the seed bombs we planted at our cleared lot in the Alphabet Streets,” Goodyear added. “It rained on a Tuesday and by Friday we had growth. We sincerely thank Eli Johnson and Nicole Gyarmathy from Johnson Tree Company for helping make our dream of turning cleared lots into wildflower meadows a reality.”
Seed Bomb Project has received fiscal sponsorship from Malibu-based Creative Visions Foundation so it can get tax-deductible donations that will allow it to grow. The Goodyears are looking for volunteers to help package seed bombs at a home in Santa Monica on November 30. To help, email rummy@theseedbombproject.com and write “11/30/25 volunteer” in the subject line.
“We’ll be giving seed bombs to fire-affected families at Home for the Holidays, an immense winter wonderland experience created by our friends at Your Next Door Neighbor,” Goodyear said. “We’ll also be running a seed bomb making workshop, so come get your hands dirty with us.”
On December 16, Seed Bomb Project members will be handing out seed bombs while demonstrating best practices for planting.
Anyone interested in turning their lot in the Alphabet Streets into a meadow should meet at the corner of Hartzell and Carey from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own trowel.
Goodyear grew up in the Alphabet Streets, attending kindergarten at Seven Arrows and playing basketball and tennis at the Palisades Recreation Center. He hopes his project creates a visual symbol of hope and a literal site of renewal for area residents.
Visit theseedbombproject.com or instagram.com/theseedbombproject
to learn more.
A look at three of the Sitrick family homes before the Palisades fire Photo courtesy of Nancy Sitrick
After Losing Four Family Homes in the Palisades Fire, Mike Sitrick Helps Launch Rebuild Organization
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
For Mike Sitrick—a Palisadian of more than 40 years—rebuilding the community is personal.
His family lost four homes in the Palisades fire: his home, the homes of two of his daughters, Sheri Sitrick in Marquez Knolls and Jewlz Fahn in the Alphabet Streets, and a rental property on Haverford (previously the home of his third daughter, who moved to Hawaii to teach).
“It’s a generational collective trauma here,” Sheri shared about the community since the fire. “It wasn’t just our homes, it was our hometown … to lose everything myself, and then my kids losing everything and my sister … I think seeing my parents really broke me the hardest. They’ve been married 56 years … it was our family home.”
Mike’s personal losses, as well as his longtime connection to architect and builder John Kilbane, inspired him to launch Save the Palisades.
“We care very much about the community and wanted to do something to help,” Mike described. “After the fire, a number of friends and friends of friends contacted my wife Nancy, my daughters, Julie and Sheri, and me and expressed concern about knowing what to do and how to do it and who to do it with.”
Kilbane has designed and built five houses for Mike and Nancy Sitrick, including their first Palisades residence in 1985, then their home on Via Cresta 10 years later, which they moved into in 1995 and had remodeled a few times. He also built Sheri and Fahn’s homes.
After the fire, Mike described asking Kilbane to come out of retirement to rebuild his daughters’ homes and also help additional Palisadians. Over the course of his 40-year career, Kilbane has worked on over 200 custom houses in Malibu and the Palisades.
“Slowly but surely, what we determined was we wanted to figure out how we could help people get back in their homes,” Kilbane said.
Photo courtesy of Jewlz Fahn
With partner Scott Watt, they set up Watt Palisades, which is devoted “solely to rebuilding homes in the Palisades for people that want to return.” Mike is a partner, and Scott’s daughter, Nadine, is also involved.
“I do know that for the people that want to go back, we just want to go back,” Fahn said, “even if there’s not an entire town yet, and it’ll be piece by piece.”
Kilbane said that a number of his clients lost homes in the fire in both the Palisades and Malibu. He described a “real strong connection” with his clients in both communities, developing “lifelong friendships with clients that you design and build homes for.” When it comes to the Sitrick family, Kilbane said he has watched Sheri and Fahn grow up.
“We’re rebuilding two of the Sitrick family homes right now, and it’s personal for everyone involved,” described Kevin Webb, who serves as president of Watt Palisades and director of construction. “The Sitricks’ story gets right to the heart of what Watt Palisades is about: helping longtime residents work through the mess of rebuilding after losing their homes.”
As of mid-October, they were under contract with between eight and 10 people, describing fielding “more interest” but “being very careful in terms of not over committing.”
“One of our mantras is: ‘Don’t over commit and underperform,” Kilbane said, “and we plan on holding up to that.”
When working with potential clients, Kilbane said they are not turning people away, but are evaluating their needs with “a whole bunch of criteria that determine whether or not we can accommodate” on a case by case basis.
“We have very good bandwidth—bench strength—with the subcontractor pool that we control,” Kilbane said. “So our ability to build houses is limitless, really, in terms of, as Kevin said, we could jump up to 30 or 40 houses without a problem … We want to do as much as we can. I mean, we’re not going to make a dent … if we stay small, so we plan on expanding in the months.”
Webb said that their role is to make sure the process is “as organized, as affordable and as predictable as possible.” This applies whether their client has a “tight budget” or is looking to replace their “high-end home.”
“We handle everything: insurance coordination, design, engineering, permitting and construction, all under one roof,” Webb said. “One team, one process, start to finish.”
The Watt Palisades rebuild process begins with initial consultation and site evaluation, including meeting with the homeowner to understand insurance coverage, timeline and goals.
Photo courtesy of Sheri Sitrick
Then they enter pre-construction and design, pairing families with an architect or one of their pre-engineered plans. This step also includes managing survey, engineering, energy compliance and city coordination.
When it comes to picking an architect, Kilbane noted the importance of research, as well as finding someone who can do the type of work that is being sought.
“It’s like any other important decision you make, you have to investigate the person that you’re considering, and that means getting referrals and talking to those referrals,” he said, later adding, “An architect becomes a very, very long-term partner in the process. And if you don’t get along with that person or you don’t feel like they communicate with you properly, it’s going to be difficult.”
Next in the process is budget and bidding, including providing “transparent cost breakdowns and allowances.”
“For most folks, if the approach is we just want to get a house, we can improve or make it better later,” Webb said of budgeting, “you can really be careful in your finishes, do standard finishes, standard flooring, and get in the house … then, as time goes by, you can upgrade or update.”
Construction then begins, with weekly updates, including photos, draw schedules and progress tracking.
“We handle inspections, utilities and coordination, so owners can focus on getting their lives back,” Webb said.
The final stage is close-out and move-in, which includes conducting a “full quality inspection and final walk-through,” delivering warranties, maintenance documents and occupancy certification.
When it comes to rebuilding in the Palisades, Kilbane cited concerns about the length of time for permits to get approved by the city, as well as infrastructure, like traffic control as construction ramps up. He also mentioned unknown timelines for other amenities to return, like additional grocery stores.
“That’s the part of the community that we as builders don’t have any control over,” Kilbane said. “We’re going to help everybody get their homes rebuilt, but the city and other people are going to have to see that those other needs are met.”
He said that once 500 or 1,000 homes are underway, it will be “something unlike anything anybody’s ever seen before.”
“The Palisades is a magical, special, special place,” Kilbane said. “I spent 40 years of my life going out there, building houses, meeting people, going to Mort’s, getting coffee … It was like a small town in a big city, and I want to see it get back to that.”
Patrick Simmons of The Doobie Brothers with signed guitar Photos by Craig Weston
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
The 2025 Backyard Concert took place at the Kaplan family home in the Riviera the evening of Friday, October 3, raising funds for Teen Cancer America and hospital partner, UCLA Health.
Hosted by director and comedian Judd Apatow, the event raised $6.2 million. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Sugar Ray Leonard shared on stage auction items they donated.
The bands that performed were The Who, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty and special guest Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam.
Eddie Vedder and John Fogerty
“Eddie Vedder, who met our Play It Back Artist, Letty, at a previous Backyard Concert, surprised Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend with a giant check for the charities,” Teen Cancer America wrote in an event recap.
Live auction items included vacation packages from the Montage; ticket packets for the Rams, Lakers and Dodgers; a FlyHouse private air travel package; “A Day with Ray” Golfing with Hall of Fame boxer Leonard (former honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades); autographed guitars; as well as The Who tour memorabilia.
The five-hour concert marked the 10th in a series started in 2006 at the three-acre property of Jordan Kaplan, a third-generation Palisadian who went to Canyon Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools and is now CEO of Douglas Emmett, Inc.
“This event is led by TCA Board Members and supported by our Advisory Board, staff and TCA/UCLA volunteers,” TCA wrote. “Thank you to all who came out in support. Special thanks to Jordan Kaplan, Rebecca Rothstein and Becky Mancuso-Winding. You have made a difference for the young people we serve.”
Peter FramptonSugar Ray Leonard and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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