Chamber Music Palisades will host its next free matinee concert of the season on Sunday, February 23, beginning at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, which is located at 1008 11th Street.
“Chamber Music Palisades presents ‘An Afternoon Concert’ with music for all ages, featuring piano, flute and violins, introduced by the musicians,” read a flyer.
The concert will feature Hui Wu (piano), Stephanie Yu (violin), Pierre Long-Tao Tang (piano), Susan Greenberg (flute) and Suzanne Snizek (flute). The program is set to include excerpts from Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Violin Sonata No. 7 in c minor, op. 100,” Francis Poulenc’s “Sonata for flute and piano,” Antonín Dvořák’s “Slavonic Dances, op. 46 for four hands” and more.
The concert is sponsored in part by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Though admission is free, Chamber Music Palisades welcomes donations in person or at cmpalisades.org.
Palisades Symphony will present a Fire Recovery Benefit Concert on Sunday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Westwood United Methodist Church, located at 10497 Wilshire Boulevard.
“Join us for a heartfelt evening as we stand with our neighbors recovering from the devastating fires,” read a statement from Palisades Symphony. “Some Palisades Symphony members lost their homes, making this free Fire Recovery Benefit Concert all the more meaningful. Alexander Wasserman has donated his performance for this cause and will be playing on a grand piano generously provided by Kawai. Donations will help musicians, singers and organizations affected by the fire as we aim to bring hope and healing through music. We invite you to come to this special benefit concert at this challenging time to support the victims of the fire.”
The program is set to include Mykola Lysenko’s “Overture to Taras Bulba,” Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor,” Wasserman (soloist) and César Franck’s “Symphony in D minor.”
“Our main concert venue, Palisades Lutheran Church, miraculously survived the fire that surrounded it,” read a statement. “It is being used for relief efforts and may need some repair, so we anticipate performing in alternative venues for some time.”
Owner Robert Flutie Offers Free Pizza to Palisadians, First Responders and Law Enforcement
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
After its location on Via De La Paz was lost in the Palisades fire, Robert Flutie is opening Flour Pizzeria & Cafe in Brentwood at 11684 San Vicente Boulevard.
To “make sure he’s giving back to the community which he has called home for more than 20 years,” Flour Pizzeria will offer free pizza to impacted residents and first responders.
“After losing both his home and his business last month, Flutie is focusing on the future and moving forward with the Brentwood location, originally intended as his second outpost,” read a statement. “While Flutie hopes to rebuild in the Palisades, for now, his focus is on building Brentwood.”
During its grand opening weekend, Flour Pizzeria will offer Palisades residents, first responders and law enforcement a free pie on Friday, February 14, for those who order at flourpizzeria.com and click “Flour Pizza Community” to preorder.
“As a thank you for the warm welcome, the Brentwood community can grab a free slice from 12 p.m. until sold out” on Saturday, February 15. Flour Pizzeria will open for regular business hours beginning Sunday, February 16.
Palisadian Anthony Marguleas, owner of Amalfi Estates, recently launched 1 Pali—a website and resource for the Palisades community to help rebuild.
1 Pali’s first meeting, held on Monday, February 3, invited attendees to an introduction of its mission, plan and goals.
Co-hosted by Palisadian Lou Kamer, he explained that 1 Pali’s mission is to connect the community, and to provide a “trusted, calm and factual place for sharing our collective knowledge that will help us take action to rebuild our community.”
“This is for residents, by residents,” Kamer said.
Kamer explained that the webinars—slated to be held via Zoom every Monday moving forward—will invite different perspectives.
“Our goal is to be one unified voice, and merge as many of the websites and groups as possible,” Marguleas explained.
On Monday, February 10, 1 Pali expanded on its goals, and announced a call for community leadership in the form of block and neighborhood captains, who will engage residents and advocate for their needs.
1 Pali’s next meeting will be held on Monday, February 17, at 6 p.m.
To register for future meetings, visit palizoom.com. For more information, and to watch previous meetings, visit 1pali.com.
Like you, we have been devastated by the Palisades wildfire that, with little warning, mercilessly took from us our homes, schools, places of worship, businesses and our entire town.
What the fire could not take from us are our memories and our perseverance to carry on. One of those important community underpinnings is a day that many of us believe to be the best day in the Palisades, July 4th.
For 77 years the July 4th Parade, with the later addition of the Palisades Will Rogers 5 & 10K Race in the morning and music and fireworks in the evening, has been a long-standing and loved tradition in our community.
It’s with incredible pride that Palisades 4th is pleased to announce our intention to have a celebration for our community this July 4th, 2025.
While there are many more details to come in the months ahead, rest assured that we will do our part to stand with our neighbors, partners and friends to bring back our community.
The Pacific Palisades has been an incredibly special place for all of us to raise families and live our lives, and we know that it will be again. We have the support of our elected and appointed officials and know that they will do everything they can to support our celebration.
In time, we will call upon our past volunteers and ask for new ones to help on July 4th and will endeavor to provide a day for Palisadians to gather, greet, reminisce and celebrate the independence of our nation, and the strength of our community.
Matthew Rodman and Daphne Gronich Palisades Americanism Parade Association
Which Westside neighborhoods could Palisades band together and secede from LA with? Asking for a few thousand now-homeless friends.
Fourth of July
It was really encouraging to see PAPA plans to celebrate Fourth of July in the Palisades. What a bright spot that would be for us all. Rooting for their plans to work out.
Jimmy Dunne
Love that Jimmy Dunne is always able to put to paper what people are feeling. We are all missing our community so much. Thank you for the story in the last Pali-Post.
Luxe
I got chills reading Steve’s story about Luxe Homecare and their efforts to save their home.
Lara Ganz
Kudos to Lara Ganz for all the work she is doing for Theatre Palisades Youth and beyond.
Got something to say? Call 310-454-1321 or email 2cents@palipost.com and get those kudos or concerns off your chest. Names will not be used.
The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”
The Heart of a Town A Palisades Story
A tale of the thief—on that forever cursed day
Who scorched our dear town, turning life into clay
All of our lives have been tossed in the air
Scattering helplessly, just everywhere
We now are all wondering—just what is a town
Is there a heartbeat somewhere to be found
The real question is—what’s the heart around here
The magic, the thing—that we all hold sodear?
I used to think—it’s the homes in our town
And the trees arching over our streets all around
And our Village, so stunning—to stroll by the stores Evenif you never walked in a door!
Is the heart all the restaurants—sipping drinks with a friend
You can walk to ’em all—your choices don’tend!
Or the treasure we share—stunning mountains surround us
With breathtaking trails and views that astound us
Or our backyard—the most beautiful, warm ocean sea
With bike paths and beaches to sun you and me
But maybe, just maybe—this fire, you see
Lit a new light for both you and me
The wondrous thing—it isn’tathing It isn’t a thingthat makes Palisades sing
The people, you see, that’sthe thing that’s so dear The thing that I love is the peopleright here
The churches and synagogues—the places we pray
All the clubs that we join—at the end of the day
All the great families at all of the schools Theseare the harbors of all our town’s jewels
These places, they’ll come back—maybe better, who knows And when those doors open—just watch the joy flow!
All of these places are pillars, you see They ground us, engageus, they guide you and me
Scouts, and the sports teams, the seniors’ clubs, too Belonging.The homeof all that we do
It’s a hundred years now since our settlers came
They gave us farmore than the “Palisades”name
Our town was born from the dreamthat they shared
To build something special—as no place compared
From under an oak tree, they gathered around
These samedreams today are alivein our town…
“To a place in the world where kindness is king
To a place with the doors to be anything
To family, sweet family—a most precious word
To the voice of our youth that needsto be heard
To living a life where integrity shines
Where listening is themost exquisitefine wine
To finding a wonder in all that we see
To savoring each note of life’s symphony”
Tonight, when you’re home—when you turn out the lights
Step out of your place—and look up at the night
Look around, and look up at that paintingof stars
To remember how truly grateful we are
Back to the questionthat we asked tonight…
What truly is the Palisades’ light?
So often in life, we don’t recognize When an answer is rightthere in front of our eyes
I’m sohappy to know as I’m looking around
It’s you—my dear friend… You’rethe heartof our town
Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.
Madi returns to the Palisades with her father, Charlie Bisharat. Photos courtesy of Madi Rindge
Palisadian Native Madi Rindge Recounts the Day She Returned to the Palisades to See Her Home After the Fire
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Pacific Palisades native Madi Rindge hiked to her neighborhood days after the Palisades fire broke out, hoping to find that her home withstood the flames.
For Rindge, the Palisades held a timeline of memories: from befriending her neighbors at a young age and exchanging toys, to enjoying the annual Fourth of July parade and watching the fireworks at Stadium by the Sea.
Rindge—a singer, songwriter and producer—also said that her neighborhood was the backdrop for a handful of her music videos.
“I am 31, I’ll be 32 soon … I grew up there,” Rindge said to the Palisadian-Post. “I walked to school every day, learned to bike ride in my cul-de-sac. [The Palisades] was my home for my whole life.”
Though Rindge eventually moved to East Hollywood, her brother, Remy, and father, Charlie, stayed in the Marquez Knolls home—which Rindge described as a “revolving door kind of house.”
“In the best way,” Rindge said. “We had so many people over all the time, and hosted friends and family from out of town.”
Madi Rindge
When the Palisades fire began on Tuesday, January 7, Rindge—a recording studio manager—said she was at work.
“At first, I thought it was no big deal … we grew up with fires all the time,” Rindge said to the Post. “And then I had all these people texting and calling me, asking, ‘Where are you? Are you safe?’ … and then I realized the gravity of the situation.”
She called her father and couldn’t get a hold of him. She called her neighbor Archie—who she grew up with—and said she could hear water spraying. Archie was putting out fires from his deck.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, my God, it’s in our backyard,’” Rindge said. “I started getting really, really concerned … I didn’t really know what to do.”
Rindge said she became worried that her father wouldn’t make it out in time and had to leave work.
She heard back from her father at 6:30 p.m. He said, “I got out, I’m OK, but I have nowhere to go.” She invited him to stay with her in East Hollywood.
Rindge said her father wasn’t able to pack very much upon evacuating—he grabbed his violin, computer and passport, as well as some items for her brother.
“My dad really thought [and] felt really strongly that he was going to come back the next day,” Rindge said. “He was so focused on watering the grounds and making sure everything was soaking wet, so there would be little change of the fire encroaching on the house. He thought, ‘I’ll just come back tomorrow. No big deal.’”
Rindge, her father and boyfriend set out to the Palisades on Thursday, January 9—walking 10 miles from Santa Monica, scaling hills and climbing fences, to see what remained of the house and neighborhood.
Sharing a moment from the Marquez Knolls home before the fire.
“We got blisters on our feet and it was definitely super dangerous,” Rindge said of the trek. “I didn’t realize how dangerous it was to do that, but we were honestly so desperate. I had this gut feeling that my house was fine, mine would be fine … It was shocking to be so wrong.”
Rindge said her childhood home was completely gone, and nothing was retrievable from the fire.
“There was nothing standing … It was really, really, really hard to see that in real life,” she said.
While she was there with her father and boyfriend, she said they saw a nearby house catch on fire and watched it burn. Rindge described the scene as an “apocalyptic war zone,” and that she had never seen anything like it.
“Sadly, and really, really tragically, all of my childhood friends lost their homes,” Rindge said. “The places I used to go over for dinner, have sleepovers, build things or make forts in the living room … All those places are just gone, all of them. There’s no town. There’s no houses. You can’t go back. It’s so weird.”
Of returning to the Palisades in the future, Rindge said there is an interest to rebuild and return, but “it just depends.”
“My parents bought that house 30 years ago, and it’s not like they can buy a new house at market value,” she explained. “If they were to just restart … I don’t know how they would do that.”
Build Back Pali founders Mason Cohen, Jake Yoon and Dylan Fullmer Photos by Steve Galluzzo
Trio of Teenage Friends Committed to “Build Back Pali”
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
There is an adage “it takes a village”—but three teenage boys who saw their homes lost or damaged in the Palisades fire are proof that individuals can also make an impact if they have the right game plan.
Uniting, the three formed the Build Back Pali effort to revitalize the Palisades community each proudly grew up in.
Windward School sophomore Mason Cohen has teamed with two childhood friends, Harvard-Westlake sophomores Jake Yoon and Dylan Fullmer, in the wake of the fire to create a fundraising campaign that has received over $100,000 in less than one month.
All funding will go directly toward local restoration projects and initiatives that benefit the community, including rebuilding and maintaining local businesses, schools, places of worship, supporting community programs, and preserving the character of the Palisades. Funding comes through donations from individuals, corporations, grants and foundations, and the mission statement is three words: Rebuild. Restore. Revive.
Over the course of the project, the three plan to share “success stories” and highlight “the individuals and businesses” they help, aiming to “inspire continued collaboration and demonstrate the power of working together to rebuild and strengthen” the community.
Cohen, Yoon and Fullmer with firefighters in front of Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69
The three have known each other for 11 years, since they were in kindergarten at Village School. Growing up, they spent time at their favorite shops and restaurants, playing sports, biking around town, going to the beach, and surfing.
Often they met in the Village or spent weekends at Yoon’s house—but after the January 7 fire, reconnecting and sharing their experiences made them realize how much the Palisades meant to them. The inspiration to start Build Back Pali was born.
The idea for Build Back Pali spawned when the boys hung out for the first time after the fire, and talked of their experiences of evacuating and witnessing their homes and community in danger. Their instincts were to do something to help rebuild.
The “turning point” came after they watched a video of manager Albino Fuentes walking through the ruins of Cafe Vida.
Build Back Pali hat with logo
“It was heartbreaking to see such a cornerstone of the Palisades community reduced to ashes—a place we’d eaten at countless times for over a decade,” Cohen said. “Seeing the devastation on Albie’s face made it clear that we had to take action and give back to the community that was such a big part of our childhood.”
Cohen said that running Build Back Pali takes up a “significant amount” of their time, but that the “long nights and weekends” are worth it to support their community.
“We’ve spent countless hours setting up the nonprofit, organizing fundraising, managing our website and social media, and reaching out to the community for support,” Cohen said. “It’s a big commitment but we’re passionate about doing our part to help our town rebuild.”
Yoon said at this point, the best way to support their efforts is by donating to the GoFundMe, spreading the word, attending future fundraisers or volunteering.
Fullmer said that the group wants the Palisades to know: “We’re all in this together.”
“The fires may have taken our homes and businesses, but they haven’t taken away the strength, resilience and sense of unity that makes this community special,” Fullmer said. “Our goal is to support and uplift those affected to show that even in the most difficult times, we can all come together to rebuild something even stronger.”
The name Build Back Pali came up naturally in conversation while they were brainstorming ideas.
“Dylan probably said it first, but we all immediately felt it captured our mission to help restore the Palisades while keeping the spirit of our community alive,” Cohen said. “Our initial goal was $100,000 to support the rebuilding of our local businesses.”
Build Back Pali raised 70% of the initial goal in two weeks, with donations coming from the LA area, but also across the country as their story was shared.
“The businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods,” Yoon explained. “They provide jobs, services and a sense of belonging to countless people. In times of need, they stepped up for us. Now it’s our turn to step up for them.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of friends, families and dedicated citizens, as well as compassionate supporters from beyond, we made great progress in a short amount of time, but there’s still work to be done. Every contribution—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to helping these businesses recover, reopen and continue serving the people who depend on them.”
“We launched [Build Back Pali] by creating an Instagram account, website and a GoFundMe page, then spread the word to everyone we knew via text, email, phone calls and in-person conversations,” Fullmer said. “Whether it was our friends from school, teachers or our parents’ colleagues, we made sure they knew about our cause and what we’re trying to accomplish. We sought to rally as much support as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Cohen, who is currently staying in a hotel, has lived in the Palisades his whole life.
“My childhood house that I was born and raised in for 14 years [in the Alphabet Streets] was a block from Palisades Village and it burned down,” he said. “Luckily, with the help of brave firefighters from [LAFD] Station 69, the house I’d recently moved into was narrowly saved. However, it’ll be a while until we can move back in due to smoke damage and other factors, so we’re looking for a rental place to stay in for the meantime.”
Among his favorite hang outs were the yogurt shoppe, Toppings, Beech Street Cafe, Casa Nostra, Cafe Vida and Modo Mio. He played for years in PPBA, went trick or treating in the Alphabet Streets and Huntington neighborhoods, attended the Fourth of July Parade, and ran in the Turkey Trot.
“I found out by looking at the news reports in the early morning and seeing the Alphabets decimated,” Cohen said. “It was very sad to see it go. I’d made so many memories, and my whole life was there. I saw my elementary school, my favorite hangout spots and my friends’ homes all destroyed. I knew right away I wanted to help rebuild the community I love, so the next generation of kids can have the same special experiences I’ve had.”
Fullmer is also a lifelong Palisadian, and the 16-year-old is coping with the situation as best he can.
“We’re currently staying at my grandma’s house in Westwood while we search for housing at a reasonable price,” Fullmer said. “Our family’s currently unsure about our plans in the Palisades for the future.”
Living in Sunset Mesa, Fullmer feared the worst when the blaze began.
“It was immediately a massive threat to my house and the area,” he recalled. “The first night I believed my house was burned down. However, three days later, with a police escort, my dad and I went to see it and were shocked that the roof was torn off but the first floor was intact. Our backyard got burned but due to the bravery of firefighters, many parts of the house were saved. I was extremely blessed to be able to gather irreplaceable items from my house.”
Yoon has been a Palisades resident since he was 2 years old when his family moved to Los Angeles from Hong Kong.
“After the fire, we initially stayed in Manhattan Beach, but the long commute to school in Studio City made things difficult,” he explained. “Right now, we’re at a hotel while looking for a more permanent place. My family plans to rebuild but with so many other residents doing the same thing, the process will take time. My parents estimate our house will be finished by the time I’m in college.”
Optimistic at first, Yoon did not learn about the fate of his home on De Pauw until the following day, January 8.
“It was about a day after the initial evacuation warning when I woke up and checked with my parents for an update on the house,” Yoon explained. “The night before they’d reassured my sister and I there wasn’t much reason to worry, but when I walked upstairs for breakfast, I immediately knew something was wrong just by the looks on their faces. A few hours later they showed me a photo. Our house had burned down. I almost broke into tears, but then I reminded myself that my family and loved ones were safe.”
The trio set up Build Back Pali as a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible. They have now exceeded their initial goal with donations on top of their GoFundMe page, which are from donor advised funds and foundations coming in last week to the nonprofit.
The boys created new hats that were an instant hit with first responders, LAFD, the National Guard and community. The grassroots effort was referenced on a KTLA news clip with all three boys commenting.
“Even small can contributions make a big impact, whether it’s through financial support or simply sharing our mission with others,” Yoon said. “Anyone interested can visit our website or follow us on social media to learn more and get involved.”
Theatre Palisades Youth will present “Crazy for You: Youth Edition,” which is set to open on Friday, February 28, for a two-weekend run in the Paul Revere Charter Middle School auditorium.
The program—led by Director Lara Ganz—pivoted following the Palisades fire: Pierson Playhouse, which Theatre Palisades and Theatre Palisades Youth/Teen use as a performance space, was one of the first structures widely shown on the news to have been lost to the flames on January 7.
“Watching that video—we understood that the Palisades as we knew it was gone, that our lives had changed so much in that moment,” said lifelong resident Bruce Wallin, whose 13-year-old daughter had begun rehearsing her fifth production with TPY the day before the fires.
Just four days later, on Saturday, January 11, Ganz, despite losing her own home in the fire, had worked with her team to secure a rehearsal space at St. Monica. And now, just one week after it was originally set to open, “Crazy for You” will soon take the stage, supported by Paul Revere PEP.
“‘Crazy for You’ is the classic tale of a boy, a girl and a theater in need of salvation,” read a synopsis. “The musical follows Bobby Child, a New York banker with a passion for dance, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a theater. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for Polly Baker, the owner’s daughter. Determined to win her heart and save the theater, he plans a spectacular show.”
Before the fire, 58 kids from the Palisades, Brentwood, Mar Vista, Venice, Topanga, Westwood, Eagle Rock, Woodland Hills and Sherman Oaks had been cast in TPY’s winter musical, according to the organization.
“Of the 45 cast members who remained in ‘Crazy for You,’ at least 22 suffered a total loss or severe damage of their homes,” the statement continued. “Many struggled emotionally and logistically to even show up for rehearsal. But Lara and her team worked with them to adjust demands and make them feel supported.”
“Crazy for You” is directed by Ganz, with Rebecca Barragan as co-director and choreographer. Musical director is gaba, Aaron Jung is associate director and choreographer, and CL Kumpata and Laura Dicterow are producers.
“Everyone is so scared of losing this community of love and performing arts that we built together,” Ganz said. “We have had so many ‘what ifs?’ flooding our minds. But we decided to ask: ‘What if we do everything possible to ensure that the show will go on?’”
Performances will take place on February 28 at 7 p.m.; March 1 at 4 and 7 p.m.; March 2 at 1 and 4 p.m.; March 7 at 5 and 7:30 p.m.; March 8 at 4 and 7 p.m.; and March 9 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $25 to $30 for VIP, $22 for general admission, and $17 for students and seniors. There will also be complimentary tickets available for people impacted by the fires.
Paul Revere is located at 1450 Allenford Avenue.
TPY reported that with all that was lost in the fire, the organization is working to replace costumes, props and gear. There is also a gofundme: gofundme.com/f/help-restore-theater-palisades-youths-home.
“We still need more people and institutions to come in and say, ‘I’d like to sponsor props’ or ‘I’d like to sponsor costumes,’” Dicterow said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org/youth, which is also where Jon Ganz can be contacted for complimentary tickets. For sponsorship opportunities, Dicterow can be reached at lmd7@mac.com.
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