Home Blog Page 3

Super Season for PPBA All-Stars

Maddox Martin
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

A winter of tragedy turned into a summer of triumph for a resilient group of young players from the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association.

Under the tutelage of head coach Matt Underwood and assistants Chad Martin and Jeremy Elbaum, the league’s Mustang 10U All-Stars advanced to the Super Regionals of the PONY sanctioned playoffs.

The roster included right fielders Nate Underwood and Milo Rotter; left fielders Brady Elbaum and Bowie Thorne; center fielder Dax Skinner; first baseman Tristan Kawasaki; second baseman Maddox Martin; third basemen Ben Underwood and Will Fiel; shortstop Carter Bergman; and catcher Jack Hetherington.

“We were 19-4 in All-Star tournaments and we were 12-2 in sanctions,” Coach Elbaum said. “Six of 11 kids lost their houses in the Palisades Fire. We practiced in Santa Monica. We won the Open (maybe the first Pali team to ever do it) and we won our region. We were two wins away from Zone.  We’re coming back next year to win the World Series.”

Riley Returns to Angel City FC

Ali Riley
Courtesy of Angel City FC

On July 29, Angel City Football Club announced that veteran defender and Palisadian Ali Riley was being taken off the National Women’s Soccer  League season-ending injury list. She haf been placed on the list midway through the 2024 NWSL season due to a leg injury.   

In a statement posted on the team’s website, Riley said: “This could easily have been a career-ending injury and nobody could tell me for sure that it wasn’t, so I’m overwhelmed with joy at reaching this milestone…

“While I’m really proud of myself for not giving up, I’m even more grateful for all of the medical professionals who never gave up on me and my teammates for supporting me when I didn’t know if I’d ever kick a ball again.

“I was out for a long time, so I’m going to have to work really hard to wear the jersey again, but I’m going to give it everything I’ve got and with these players by my side I have to believe anything’s possible.”

Riley’s childhood home in the Alphabet Streets burned down in the Palisades Fire.

Temescal Canyon Road Reopens

Temescal Canyon Road on Wednesday morning, August 13
Photo by Sharon Kilbride

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Following a seven-month closure since the Palisades fire, Temescal Canyon Road has reopened for public access, beginning Wednesday, August 13, Councilmember Traci Park announced.

The route has been used as a staging area for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during its fire debris removal operation, Park detailed, to “recycle steel and concrete.”

“They moved over one million tons of fire debris right through this corridor through the Pacific Palisades,” Park said. “With its closure for the last seven months, obviously that has impacted the flow of traffic in and around the Palisades area. Now, with schools just on the brink of reopening in the Palisades, we could not be any more excited to finally have Temescal Canyon back open.”

Temescal Canyon Road serves as one of the main arteries into the Palisades from Pacific Coast Highway, alongside Sunset and Chautauqua boulevards.

PPCC, CD 11 to Co-Host Special Meeting

Courtesy of CD 11/Instagram

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades Community Council and Councilmember Traci Park will co-host a special meeting on Thursday, August 7, beginning at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

“Councilwoman Traci Park will introduce global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM (tasked with developing a long-term rebuilding plan for the Palisades) and will also present her Vision Plan for long-term Palisades recovery, along with remarks and answers to questions on SB 9 matters,” according to PPCC. “We’ll also have a presentation by AECOM representatives, who will respond to questions from the community.”

The agenda for the special meeting is available via the PPCC website. The next regular meeting of PPCC will take place on Thursday, August 14, at 6 p.m.

LAUSD to Present Pali High Design Update Community Meeting

Courtesy of LAUSD

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Los Angeles Unified School District will present a Design Update Community Meeting focused on Palisades Charter High School on Monday, August 11, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

“We invite you to join us for a design development community meeting for the rebuilding of your school,” read a flyer for the meeting.

The LAUSD team is slated to present and lead a discussion on design vision and guiding principles, overview of design progress, key design features, safety and accessibility, and construction timeline.

“We look forward to receiving your feedback and answering your questions,” read the flyer.

The Pali High meeting follows two previous meetings centered on Marquez and Palisades charter elementary schools on July 23 and July 24, respectively. Coverage of the meetings is planned for the August 14 edition of the Palisadian-Post.

Restoration Work Begins on Marvin Braude Bike Trail, Santa Monica Canyon Channel

Courtesy of the office of Supervisor Lindsey Horvath

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Repair work on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and the outlet of Santa Monica Canyon Channel at Will Rogers State Beach began on Monday, August 4, according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

“The Marvin Braude Trail is a vital part of our coastal infrastructure and a cherished community space,” Horvath said. “We heard the voices of our community, and decided to step in to ensure a full and lasting restoration. With support from FEMA and the expertise of LA County Public Works, we’re making the trail stronger, safer and more resilient—ensuring it remains open and accessible for generations to come.”

Estimated to take about six months, the $4.2 million project will “restore and reinforce this popular coastal corridor” to ensure “a safe, scenic experience.” The bike trail extends from just north of Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach.

“While the bridge crossing Santa Monica Canyon Channel remains structurally sound, a small section of the bike trail just north of the outlet experienced a critical washout in February 2024,” according to Horvath’s office. ”The damage was caused by a combination of King Tides and intense February storms, which led to a federally declared disaster. As a result, the repair project is eligible for FEMA funding. It is important to note that there were no issues with the pedestrian bridge design or construction—only the adjacent bike pathway was impacted.”

Some beach access points may be closed temporarily during construction, but the existing bike and pedestrian path will remain open for the duration.

“Beachgoers are advised to steer clear of active work zones during construction hours,” Horvath’s office concluded.

Upcoming Events Planned at Getty Villa

Photo courtesy of Getty

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Getty Villa—which recently expanded its hours and offerings—is hosting several upcoming events, including a perfume workshop and wine tasting.

Making Scents of the Ancient World: Pylos Perfume Workshop is a drop-in workshop that will take place next on August 9 and 23 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece,” according to Getty Villa. “Build custom perfumes by exploring the spices and oils favored by the Mycenaeans, some of which are still in use today, and discover how these materials were applied in antiquity.”

Bacchus Uncorked: Wine from a Golden Goblet will take place on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $125, which include a “thematic selection of wine, hearty appetizers, beautiful surroundings and friendly conversation.” Bacchus Uncorked events are for guests 21 years and older.

“During the Late Bronze Age in Greece, the Mycenaeans drank wine to accompany social gatherings and religious worship,” Getty Villa said. “Join archaeologist James Wright as he shares his personal experiences excavating and studying the remains of grapes, wine vessels and other evidence for drinking and feasting 3,500 years ago.”

Getty Villa reopened after an almost six-month closure following the Palisades fire at the end of June. Its expanded hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays.

Getty Villa is located at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway. Free reserved tickets are required to visit.

Starbucks Reopens Highlands Location

Photos by Jude De Pastino

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Starbucks has reopened in Palisades Highlands Plaza on Monday, July 28, after an almost seven-month closure following the Palisades fire.

“To us, this moment is more than a reopening,” a Starbucks spokesperson said, “it’s a sign we are on the path of rebuilding together.”

The space, located at 514 Palisades Drive, has been renovated, according to the spokesperson.

“We love the new design,” the spokesperson explained. “There is more seating, soft chairs, community tables, live plants, a dark and cozy color palette—all of which together create a warm and welcoming coffeehouse vibe for our Palisades customers.”

A full menu available includes hot and cold coffee, hot and cold tea, Refreshers, Frappuccino Blended Beverages, and food, including breakfast, bakery items, lunch and more.

There is a team of eight working in the coffeehouse, which is currently open between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

“We will be expanding hours very soon as we learn more about the community’s needs,” the spokesperson said.

Items can be ordered ahead via the website and app. There are indoor and outdoor seating options available.

Other businesses open in the shopping center include Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar, Highland Postal Center and Moku Sushi.

Starbucks is also available via its Vons Pacific Palisades location at 17380 Sunset Boulevard, which is currently open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect information provided by a Starbucks spokesperson.

Village Green Board to Discuss Potential Public Art Installation

Courtesy of Palisades Village Green/Instagram

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Palisades Village Green Board will host a virtual meeting on Thursday, July 31, beginning at 5 p.m. for a discussion about a potential public art installation at the site.

“The Board of the Village Green is actively engaged in discussions with philanthropic benefactors (prior Palisades residents) who have offered to underwrite the creation and installation of a significant piece of public art on the Green,” according Palisades Village Green President Cindy Wilkinson Kirven. “This project is intended to honor the community, respect the tragedy of the fires and look to the rebuilt future through something beautiful, inspiring and additive.”

Palisades Village Green is a privately owned park, located at 15280 Sunset Boulevard.

Kirven wrote that the board is interested in sharing a presentation about the proposed project with all interested community members. There will be a question and answer session after the presentation, and comments and opinions on the project will be sought.

To obtain a link to the Zoom, names and email addresses can be sent to info@palisadesvillagegreen.org.

Palisadian-Post Seeks Fall Interns

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Palisadian-Post is currently seeking participants who are interested in writing or photography for its fall internship program.

Those who intern will be asked to commit between two and six hours per week to composing stories or taking photos, editing, and participating in events.

To be considered, send a resume and brief background, including interest in journalism and ties to Pacific Palisades, as well as two or three writing or photography samples to mypost@palipost.com.