Resilient Palisades has partnered with Rewiring America and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to host “Pacific Palisades: Electrify the Rebuild Webinar” on Friday, October 17, from 12 to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
“We’re gathering (virtually) for a free community webinar with Rewiring America and LADWP’s HOME-LA program to talk about simple, affordable steps toward electrifying our homes—heat pumps, induction cooking, solar and batteries, and all the rebates that make it easier,” Resilient Palisades Social Media Lead Sara Marti wrote.
Attendees are invited to join for “a conversation about how going electric can help us rebuild with care—for our families, our community and the place we love,” according to an event page.
The event will include Zac Swank from the Boulder County Office of Sustainability and Build Forward Collective to share lessons from Colorado’s rebuild following the Marshall fire.
Palisadian Adam McCrory is producing and starring in a classical music concert, which will take place on Saturday evening, October 18.
“I’m a long-time resident of the Palisades area, a grad of [Palisades Charter High School] and my family owned a business in the heart of the Palisades for decades until the Palisades fire: Michele International,” Adam told the Palisadian-Post.
Adam is the nephew of salon owners and sisters Marice McCrory-Irwin and Anne Egan. His father, Martin McCrory, is the salon’s business manager, while his mother and cousin are stylists there. The salon reopened at 1106 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica at the end of June.
“My family home was partially destroyed by the fire also, displacing my parents and destroying many of our possessions,” Adam said.
At the time of the fire, Adam was finishing a master’s degree in music at California State University, Northridge, so was living temporarily with family in Sunset Mesa near Getty Villa.
“I was displaced also and ended up having to go through the process of living in a hotel then finding a new place to live,” Adam described.
Now, with a finished degree, Adam is producing and starring in the classical music concert, titled “Liederabend: An Evening of Romantic German Song,” which he described as a “way to bounce back from the upheaval of the fires.” Music will include German classical songs from 1795 to 1910.
“It is a traditional style of concert that dates back about 200 years,” Adam described. “German songs, or Lieder, are famous pieces from some of the most iconic composers that use lyrics from major German poets of the 1800s. The songs are often about love, loss, pain, hope, nature and humanity—but above all they focus on storytelling.”
Adam will sing the majority of songs, but will be joined by “other up-and-coming local artists, including a classical pianist and three soprano singers.” The concert will feature Adam (“Irish baritone”) and Alyssa French (“emerging collaborative pianist”), with guests Virginia Douglas (“dynamic American soprano”), Julia Behbudov (“Ukranian dramatic soprano”) and Agnese Gallenzi (“Italian coloratura soprano”).
The program will feature an intermission, as well as a wine-and-cheese reception.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, located at 580 Hilgard Avenue in Los Angeles. Adam said the venue is a “beautiful church, with great acoustics.” There will be “limited free parking” available on site, with additional parking at Hilgard Avenue or UCLA Lot 2.
Attendees are encouraged to “pay-what-you-can,” with a $20 suggested donation to support 580 Café, which is a “community dedicated to building justice through dialogue, creative expression, belief and activism” for UCLA students.
Quarterback Jack Thomas throws one of his five touchdown passes in the Dolphins’ 56-54 victory at Venice. Photos by Steve Galluzzo
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
“Don’t let up!”
That was the message Palisades Charter High School football coach Dylen Smith had for his players minutes after the Friday, October 10, 56-54 triumph over Venice.
In a back-and-affair that saw the lead change hands seven times, it took an interception by Enzo Allen with 10 seconds left to finally subdue the host Gondoliers, who won last year’s encounter 45-44 at Stadium by the Sea.
The 59th meeting between the schools was one of the best in the rivalry’s storied history, which started the year Pali High opened in 1961. Smith can now claim two victories in three tries, having led his team to a 28-24 victory on the same field in 2023—a win that secured the Western League title.
It was a night to remember for senior quarterback Jack Thomas, who made one big play after another and finished with a career-high 473 yards and five touchdowns. Afterward, he still saw room for improvement.
“I’ve got to play better—we came up empty on five drives and that’s on me,” he said after completing 25 of 43 passes. “The defense made some big stops. We expected it to be a shootout.”
Harrison Carter runs for a first down in the first half. He rushed for two scores and caught a touchdown pass.
Thomas also ran for 52 yards, using his legs to buy time for receivers to get open downfield or scrambling out of the pocket to keep drives alive. He did just that in the final minute of the first half when he sidestepped a blitz, then launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to Demare Dezeurn to pull the visiting Dolphins to within 28-27.
Dezeurn, who transferred from Alemany over the summer, also caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and a one-yard touchdown pass with 6:35 left in the game that proved to be the decisive score. The junior receiver/defensive back also returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown to put the Dolphins ahead for good midway through the third quarter. He had seven receptions for 151 yards.
Palisades scored 22 unanswered points in the third quarter to build a 49-35 advantage, but the Gondoliers got back-to-back touchdowns to pull within two points early in the fourth quarter.
Harrison Carter carried 16 times for 71 yards and scored on runs of 14 and 10 yards in the first half. He also had four receptions for 116 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown catch that gave the Dolphins a 14-point lead with five seconds left in the third quarter. Malachi Ross had 10 catches for 154 yards, including a seven-yard scoring grab for Palisades’ first points of the second half.
The schools have split the last six league titles, and Friday’s win moved the Dolphins (7-0, 2-0) into sole possession of first place with three games left. Palisades crept closer to leveling the head-to-head series but for now Venice still has a narrow 31-27-1 lead.
Palisades teammates congratulate Enzo Allen on his game-clinching interception with 10 seconds remaining.
Bennett Dome completed 24 of 39 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score for Venice (3-4, 1-1) but was intercepted three times, the first by Tavian Talbert at the Dolphins’ 38 late in the first quarter.
Aaron Minter caught 13 passes for 248 yards—including touchdown grabs of 10 and 63 yards for Venice, while Joshua Aaron rushed 20 times for 151 yards and four touchdowns, the last from 10 yards out that cut the Dolphins’ lead to 56-54 with 4:02 left.
Palisades drove from its own 20 to the Venice 15 before a fourth-down pass was incomplete with 59 seconds left, giving the ball back to the Gondoliers, who marched to their own 40 in four plays before a pass got tipped past the line of scrimmage and grabbed by Allen near midfield. Having already used its three timeouts, Venice could not stop the clock and with the offense lined up in victory formation, Thomas took a knee to let the final seconds tick off.
Palisades, which plays University on homecoming Friday, October 17, at Santa Monica College, stayed on track for an Open Division playoff berth as one of the top eight reams in the City Section.
“We have to keep getting better,” said Thomas, who has 2,196 yards through the air with 28 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 138.7 quarterback rating this season. “Open is no joke.”
Augie Evans paced the defense with 12 tackles. Allen had 11, Skyler Walters had 10, and Talbert had eight tackles and two pass deflections. Carter Schwartz continued his reliable kicking, booming one of his kickoffs into the end zone for a touchback, placing three punts inside the 20 and converting six of seven extra point tries.
“I’m proud of everyone—this is a huge win,” Smith said. “We have to keep working and it starts with practice on Monday.”
The Palisades-Venice winner went on to capture eight of the last 10 league titles. If the Dolphins are victors in their last three games they will continue that trend.
The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, is back in season.
“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you think will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”
There is an online submission process, making it easier than ever to participate. Contestants can simply download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. The contest runs through the end of the NFL regular season.
The deadline to enter for Week 7 is October 17 at 5 p.m. The entry form will be posted no later than Thursday each week on the Post website, Facebook and Instagram.
Only one entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card by email from our new contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe (located at 11726 Barrington Ct. in Brentwood Village). The Post thanks The Yogurt Shoppe for allowing us to continue this 30-year-old tradition.
Good luck to all participants and happy prognosticating!
A map provided by Genasys Protect with the evacuation warning
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Ahead of anticipated rain, the city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning for “possible debris flows” in the Palisades fire burn scar area, according to Los Angeles Fire Department, which will be in effect from Monday, October 13, at 10 p.m. through Wednesday, October 15, at 6 a.m.
There are approximately 60 properties the city has reported to be “especially vulnerable to any potential debris flows,” which will be contacted by LAPD.
“The National Weather Service has forecasted rain and potential thunderstorms through Tuesday, October 14, across the LA region,” according to the city. “The NWS has also issued a Flood Watch impacting burn scar areas, including the Pacific Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, that will go into effect at 8 p.m. tonight, October 13, through Tuesday afternoon, October 14, with peak rainfall anticipated Tuesday morning.”
“Four to six hours of rain is likely with the coasts/valleys receiving up to 1.5 inches and the foothills/mountains up to 3.5 inches,” according to LAFD. “Additionally, winds of 40 to 55 mph are anticipated. There is a chance (10 to 20%) of significant flash flooding/debris flows across recent burn scars.”
LAFD provides sand and up to 25 free sandbags per household at “all LAFD fire stations” year-round. “As seasonal conditions warrant,” free sand is available at locations across city of LA, including LAFD Station 23, located at 17281 Sunset Boulevard in the Palisades.
“If you live near a hillside, please take precautions: clear gutters, move vehicles off the street and pickup sandbags at your nearest LAFD station,” Councilmember Traci Park said. “Stay indoors during heavy rain and sign up for updates at emergency.lacity.gov. Please stay alert and stay safe.”
Caltrans is closing a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard—from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive—two hours early at 10 p.m. on Monday until Tuesday at 5 a.m. in advance of the storm. The stretch of highway, which is “an active work zone for ongoing recovery efforts from the Palisades fire and winter storms,” is typically closed to the public between 12 and 5 a.m. daily.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced at 6:15 p.m. on Monday that his office pre-deployed additional storm safety resources to Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and Santa Barbara counties ahead of “extreme weather.”
“California is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to ensure every community is protected as this major Pacific storm moves in,” Newsom said. “State and local partners are mobilized, resources are in place and we urge all residents to heed safety guidance and stay vigilant as this weather evolves.”
Some of the pre-deployed resources include “swift-water rescue teams, mud and debris flow crews, as well as heavy-duty high-water vehicles.” More than 200 personnel and dozens of pieces of equipment, including fire engines, bulldozers, hand crews, helicopters and front loaders, have been prepositioned, according to Newsom.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. with additional information from the city and updated again at 6:50 p.m. with information from Caltrans regarding Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the office of the governor regarding pre-deployed resources.
Mayor Karen Bass at Palisades Recreation Center on Monday, January 27 Photo by Sarah Shmerling
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Mayor Karen Bass called on City Council to adopt an ordinance that would assist in establishing a “one-time exemption to Measure ULA” for Pacific Palisades homeowners, as announced Thursday, October 9.
The “Measure United to House Los Angeles” was approved by voters in the city of Los Angeles in November 2022 to create a real estate transfer tax. The tax applies to the sale of properties valued over a certain threshold (currently 4% for sales over $5.3 million and 5.5% for sales over $10.6 million), to “fund affordable housing projects and provide resources to tenants at risk of homelessness.”
“I don’t want you to lose hope over the ULA issue, as I do believe we’re going to get that done,” Bass said during a webinar on September 17. “I feel passionately that anyone who lost their home or was affected by the fires shouldn’t have to pay the transfer tax.”
Bass is requesting in a letter to City Council dated October 9 exemption for owners of homes, condominiums and other residential housing whose ownership was affected by the “devastating wildfires” from Measure ULA for a “one-time exemption over three years,” which will “speed up sales of these properties and spur rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Palisades.”
“This will create more housing citywide, and generate higher Measure ULA tax revenue when these rebuilt or renovated properties are subsequently sold to new homeowners because those second and subsequent sales will remain subject to Measure ULA,” she continued.
Bass wrote that the exemption for fire-affected properties from Measure ULA could be accomplished in two steps.
“For the first step, I request that the City Council adopt an ordinance giving the director of finance increased delegated authority to promulgate rules that grant this limited one-time exemption to Measure ULA,” she wrote. “I request that the council adopt such an ordinance as soon as possible. I look forward to signing it into law.
“After adoption of the ordinance, I will issue an executive directive instructing the director of finance to promulgate a temporary exemption that provides much-needed relief for those Palisades residents who owned and occupied residential property in the Palisades at the time of the fire, avoids unintended loopholes and furthers the purpose of ULA.”
The letter follows a meeting between Bass and Steadfast LA Founder Rick Caruso, who she said proposed ideas to help address the issue.
“The mayor’s plan to create a time-limited exemption from the Measure ULA property transfer tax will help homeowners who need to or wish to move from the fire-impacted area and speed up sales of these properties and spur rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Palisades,” read a statement.
Since Measure ULA was adopted by voters, it has generated “hundreds of millions of dollars” to fund “affordable housing development and preservation,” according to Bass.
“Yet, the measure, as written, is silent on an issue now affecting our Palisades community: how to exempt natural disaster survivors who are impacted by Measure ULA’s costs as they attempt to rebuild their families’ lives,” Bass said. “The successful rebuilding and revitalization of the Palisades is contingent on new homes quickly being built on vacant residential lots and on the timely sale of those lots or of those residences left standing by homeowners who want to leave the area. Many homeowners affected by the fires are long-time residents living on fixed incomes and with much of their life savings tied to the equity in their property. Some of these owners want to leave the fire zone area and rebuild their lives in other communities, giving an opportunity for a new owner to rebuild on the now vacant lot or renovate an older home still standing.
“But potential buyers of these Palisades residential properties are factoring in the cost of Measure ULA to make lower than market value offers. Sellers may be unable or unwilling to accept these low offers resulting in vacant residential lots that continue to sit empty and houses not destroyed being stuck on the market. This makes it harder for homeowners, even if they need to or wish to move, and delays or potentially misses the opportunity for the recovery and rebuilding of the Palisades.”
Temporary Buildings Placed While Permanent Reconstruction Plans Are Underway
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Just under nine months after the Palisades fire began, students returned to the Marquez Charter Elementary School campus on Tuesday, September 30.
The school, which had been temporarily co-housed with Nora Sterry Elementary School, is now convening in the lower portion of the Marquez campus in temporary buildings while plans to build permanent facilities are underway. A series of design update community meetings regarding the rebuild have begun, with an additional meeting anticipated to take place this fall.
The decision to return to the campus during the reconstruction process was made following a survey of Marquez families and staff, Los Angeles Unified School District officials said during a media briefing on Monday, September 29.
“As some families begin to rebuild and others return to their standing homes in the area, I’m proud that LA Unified has an option for kids to attend school near home,” LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin said in a statement. “With input from the school community at each step, my office and district officials have worked diligently to build this facility, and to reassure families through extensive and ongoing environmental testing that this is a safe environment.”
Following the Palisades fire, Marquez was considered a “total loss,” including 37 classrooms, four permanent buildings, 20 relocatable buildings, three lunch shelter/shade structures, and two play structures.
The families at Palisades Charter Elementary School, whose campus was also damaged in the fire, have elected to stay at Brentwood Science Magnet School through the rebuild process, officials explained, citing that the Marquez campus has additional space, which allowed the interim buildings to be set up while permanent construction will take place.
Marquez’ current enrollment is 130 students, according to LAUSD. Prior to the Palisades fire, it was approximately 310. The temporary campus has 19 classrooms, which means that it can hold up to 300-plus students. It is also staffed as if 310 students are enrolled.
LAUSD estimated that 75% of Marquez families are currently living outside of the Palisades. Prior to the fire, 85% of Marquez families were living within the community.
Debris at Marquez was removed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in spring, with further assessments, including infrastructure, completed in the summer, LAUSD reported. Portable classrooms with administration/support, library and food services were then installed.
“Planning, design and construction of proposed permanent facilities will occur over the next few years,” LAUSD reported, “with an eye on fully reopening in 2028.”
LAUSD explained that the temporary campus cost about $19 million, including “cleanup, decontamination and construction.” Funding sources for the rebuild at Marquez include voter-approved bond funds (approximately $202.6 million), according to LAUSD. Officials said anything received from insurance and FEMA funding would go toward reimbursing the bond.
After Phase 1 (Household Hazardous Waste Removal) and Phase 2 (Debris Removal, including site assessment and removal of asbestos and the top three to six inches of surface soils within burnt building footprints), LAUSD completed site-wide debris removal.
There was also an environmental assessment of soils, comprehensive environmental assessment and cleanup of building interiors, and LAUSD pre-occupancy testing and inspection. Officials reported that the temporary buildings that have been placed, which were not on campus during the fire, were also tested.
There will be on-going environmental monitoring at Marquez at three locations, according to officials, through the LA Unified Know Your Air Network 2.0. This includes “enhanced air quality monitoring for PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and weather data,” which will be available in “real-time with online public access.”
The school hosted a press conference on campus its first day back, where local officials spoke to media and parents gathered, including LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Councilmember Traci Park, Principal Lisa Timmerman, Melvoin’s District Director & Senior Advisor Allison Holdorff Polhill, and two Marquez students and teachers.
Carvalho spoke first, thanking Timmerman for her leadership during “very trying times” and for the “elegance” with which she welcomed students, teachers, support staff and families. He also spoke on accelerating the rebuild process “as much as we can.”
“This isn’t just a school reopening,” Park said on September 30. “As the superintendent said, it’s a promise kept that our children will always have a place to learn and to dream, and it’s also a reminder that the Palisades may bend, but it doesn’t break. No doubt, there’s a long road ahead, but by 2028, a brand-new Marquez will rise right here.”
February 2024 Marvin Braude Beach Trail storm damage Photo courtesy of LA County Public Works
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The Pacific Palisades Community Council board meeting on Thursday, September 25, included several updates, including the approval of additional grants, an update on Marvin Braude Bike Trail repairs and Santa Monica Canyon Channel Outlet restoration, and a presentation on Palisades Long Term Recovery Group.
The board approved five additional grants from donations received by PPCC that were recommended by its Grants Committee, chaired by Quentin Fleming: Pali LTRG, Lotus Rising LA, Friends of Marquez, St. Matthew’s Parish School and Pacific Palisades Baseball Association.
Pali LTRG received $17,500 to support its Senior Recovery & Resilience Program, while Lotus Rising LA received $4,000 to “help defray the cost of producing a ‘Ready Rebuild – Prefab 101’ event,” which took place at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 on September 27.
Friends of Marquez received $11,833 to purchase a “large ‘pole tent’ to be used for student, family and school-wide events” at the Marquez Charter Elementary School campus, and St. Matthew’s received $25,000 to go toward the renovation of its outdoor gathering spaces.
PPBA received $50,000 to go toward the restoration of the “Field of Dreams,” as well as associated facilities at Palisades Recreation Center, including replacing landscaping, fencing and storage infrastructure; rebuilding a burned dugout; replacing destroyed equipment containers; replacing maintenance equipment, including lawnmowers; and purchasing replacement equipment for league and community use.
Later in the meeting, Kerjon Lee and Yggy Ruiz of Los Angeles County Public Works gave a presentation with updates on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail repairs and Santa Monica Canyon Channel Outlet restoration—with work expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The “region’s most popular bike path,” with an estimated 10,000 users per day, Marvin Braude Beach Trail stretches 22 miles from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance. An extended portion between Will Rogers State Beach and Santa Monica with a new trail added for cyclists opened to the public in May 2023. It was then damaged in February 2024 following a series of storms where the Palisades saw about 15 inches of rain, Lee explained.
Repair work began on Monday, August 4, according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. The project was approved in December 2024, with FEMA authorization granted on May 20 and a construction contract executed on May 27. The project is FEMA eligible, due to a federal disaster declaration, Ruiz explained.
Repair work, with a budget of $4.2 million, includes restoring and improving the bike trail, Ruiz said, as well as modifying the channel outlet for “better flow and erosion control.” This will “enhance safety, resilience and recreational access.” Trail improvements include a bike path shift, eliminating the lower loop near the tidal zone, grading and replacement of the new trail, and enhanced durability and accessibility, Ruiz reported.
The final presentation of the evening was given by Jim Cragg, president of Pali LTRG, which is part of the VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disasters) network and established after the Palisades fire to provide “recovery assistance to the community”—particularly to “vulnerable and/or at-risk residents, including those without insurance and the elderly.”
Jessica Rogers serves as vice chair/executive director, with Richard Lombari as vice chair, Martin Hak as finance chair/treasurer and Elynor Chiu as secretary. The group launched on August 8 at Post 283
Its primary goal is to provide “disaster case management to affected residents with unmet needs.” Secondary and supporting efforts include communication, wellness and education, construction and safety, volunteers, and small business and employment.
“Disaster Case Managers serve as the primary link between people with disaster-related unmet needs and the LTRG,” read the presentation. “Families and residents often don’t know what assistance is available, how to access it and where to turn for support. Those in greatest need … may require specific forms of information and communication.”
VOAD works with 40-plus charity organizations, like the Salvation Army and Red Cross, Cragg explained, with roughly 10% of the population qualifying for support through the effort.
“These major relief organizations have turned to our group to help identify and vet over 10,000 Palisades families in need of money, manpower, materials and information to get their lives back,” Cragg said at the launch event in August. “Palisadians are relying on us.”
The other 90% of the population will be able to benefit from other efforts Pali LTRG will put on, including classes and informational fairs.
For more information, including links to the presentations, visit pacpalicc.org.
Seven Arrows Head of School and Founder Margarita Pagliai speaks at the event and leads a moment of silence for Dr. Jane Goodall. Photos courtesy of EF Academy
The Student-Led Movement’s Goal is to Plant 5,000 Trees in the Next Three to Five Years
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Seven Arrows Elementary School students participated in the TREEAMS kickoff event on Wednesday, October 1, at the EF Academy campus in Pasadena.
The gathering of students, educators and community leaders, a student-led movement for reforestation and restoration, was anticipating a speech by world-renowned conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, who died earlier that morning.
TREEAMS is the brainchild of Margarita Pagliai, head of school at Seven Arrows and founder of both Seven Arrows and Little Dolphins by the Sea preschool.
Uniting students from Altadena to Pacific Palisades following the January fires, TREEAMS (which stands for Trees + Dreams) is designed to empower youth to learn, grow and move forward together as they transform Los Angeles into a model of ecological renewal and harmony for generations to come.
Through environmental education, tree mapping and large-scale tree planting, the project seeks to transform grief into action by restoring burned landscapes, replanting lost trees and cultivating resilience.
The facility’s gym was converted into an auditorium with a makeshift stage. Seven Arrows participants were among 1,000 students invited from schools on the Westside, Los Angeles and Altadena, including Rosebud Academy, Saint Mark’s, Loyola, Windward, Brentwood, Crossroads, Archer, Marlborough, New Roads, Calvary Christian and Santa Monica Pacifica Christian.
The event began with adults and kids singing “Let it Grow” from the 2012 animated movie “The Lorax,” based on the 1971 children’s book by Dr. Seuss.
“When you plant a tree, you feel good and the earth feels good,” said Pagliai, who conceived of the idea in the aftermath of the January wildfires. “Jane told me 42 years ago that if we work together we can accomplish anything … she’s one of the most incredible human beings I’ve ever met.”
Speaking next on behalf of the Jane Goodall Institute, Erin McCombs stepped to the podium to announce that the famed primatologist (known best for her 60 years of study and research of chimpanzees in Tanzania) had just died at the age of 91. A moment of silence was observed, after which a video message was shared in Goodall’s memory from a talk she had given at the EF Global Student Leaders Summit in Costa Rica in 2015 during which she shared her thoughts on the environment and youth empowerment.
Students share their hopes and dreams.
“I’ve been working on trying to make this a better world for animals, people and the environment since 1986 … and one of my greatest reasons for hope is the youth,” she said in the four-minute clip. “The key thing is to realize that everyday on this planet you make a difference and if you start thinking about the consequences of the small choices you make—what you buy and what you eat—and if millions of people are thinking like that then you start to get the kind of world that we cannot be too embarrassed to leave to our children.”
Then, at Pagliai’s direction, everyone in the room shouted in unison one of Goodall’s messages: “Together we can, together we will, together we must change the world.”
Now with key partners, including Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots Foundation, Steadfast LA, TreePeople, UCLA School of Education, Saint Mark’s School, EF Academy Pasadena, the SoLa Foundation and EcoRise, plus dozens of other public and private schools across LA as well as local expert advisors on tree planting, the goal is to plant more than 5,000 trees over the next three to five years.
“This movement shows what is possible when schools and communities unite in a shared purpose,” Pagliai added. “I’m very concerned about the depression among young people. We want to provide the scaffolding for students across Los Angeles to lead the way in turning loss into a vision for a brighter and greener future, and we’re honored to stand beside them.”
The kickoff event concluded with a ceremonial tree planting of a coast live oak on site at EF Academy, a private high school that partnered with Saint Mark’s School in the immediate aftermath of the Eaton fire to house the Catholic school’s 250 kindergarten through sixth-graders.
“Hosting the launch of TREEAMS and planting the first tree in support of this incredible program on our campus is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Dr. Sally Mingarelli, head of school at EF Academy Pasadena. “Our students understand healing the earth begins in our own communities, and they’re eager to lead with compassion, courage and action.”
The students also created a time capsule box into which they dropped handwritten letters containing their hopes and dreams for the future of Los Angeles. One such message, penned by Nathaniel, said: “I hope future generations do not pollute the world so much” and was read out loud by Pasadena City Councilmember Rick Cole.
“Through TREEAMS, our students aren’t only planting trees, they’re planting seeds of hope, unity and leadership,” said Jennifer Tolbert, head of school at Saint Mark’s School. “This initiative shows how young people can take real action to address the climate crisis while also rebuilding their communities after hardship, something we know first-hand after losing our beloved campus in Altadena.”
The first of 5,000 trees is planted at EF Academy in honor of Dr. Jane Goodall.
TREEAMS goals are four-pronged: unity (bringing together public and private schools, students and community in Altadena and the Palisades), healing through connection (connecting to process the emotional toll of the January wildfires through nature), ecological restoration (planting 5,000 trees in the Palisades, Altadena, Malibu and beyond) and student empowerment (teaching students environmental literacy and leadership skills).
Over the next six months, the TREEAMS leadership team will be focused on fundraising, organizing participating schools and educating students before the planting phase is slated to begin on April 22, 2026—Earth Day—with a large-scale tree-planting event at Will Rogers State Historic Park.
The Jane Goodall Institute is a global, community-led conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances the vision and work of Goodall in 25 chapters around the world. JGI uses research, community-led conservation, best-in-class animal welfare standards and the use of science and technology to inspire hope and transform it into action for the common good.
Through its Roots & Shoots program for young people of all ages, presently active in 75 countries around the world, JGI is aiming to create a movement of compassionate people who will help create a better world for people, animals and the environment.
Immediately following the assembly, the first tree of the project’s 5,000 was planted in Goodall’s honor on the EF Academy campus. Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined Cole, Mingarelli, Tolbert and Pagliai in digging the hole in which the tree was placed and leaders of the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California sang a song, the lyrics of which translate to “Good day to ancestors.”
“It’s devastating news that casts a shadow over this because students didn’t get to see her today, but hopeful in the sense that she wanted to be here,” a teary-eyed Cole said. “Her name was Goodall and she was the epitome of that. We’re going to hold her in our hearts.”
Shortly after, the Jane Goodall Institute released the following statement:
“The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes. She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”
To learn how to get involved with TREEAMS, visit treeams.org.
A previous Yee Haw Day Photos courtesy of Palisades Enrichment Programs
Inaugural Main Stage to Feature Fitz and the Tantrums With Special Guest X Ambassadors
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Palisades Charter Elementary School is preparing to host its community Yee Haw Day festival on Saturday, October 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.—and this year, for the first time ever, there will be a main stage, headlined by Fitz and the Tantrums with special guest X Ambassadors.
The event, hosted by Palisades Enrichment Programs, will take place at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet (740 S Gretna Green Way), which is serving as Pali Elementary’s temporary campus while rebuild plans are underway.
“In the wake of the Palisades fire, our school community has faced unimaginable loss—but through it all, we’ve stayed strong,” read information about the event. “On October 18, we come together to reconnect, to uplift our children and to remind each other that healing happens when we gather with purpose. With exciting games, delicious food trucks, hands-on activities and live music all day—there’s something for everyone.”
The annual Yee Haw Day serves as a fundraising effort, with proceeds from this year’s event benefiting PEP, a nonprofit that “funds essential programs” at Pali Elementary, including music, drama, STEAM and physical education; instructional aides and smaller class sizes; and enrichment experiences that “make learning vibrant and engaging.”
Fitz and the Tantrums
“We’re thrilled to welcome Fitz and the Tantrums, with Pali Elementary dad Jeremy Ruzumna on keys, to headline Yee Haw Day—and to have X Ambassadors join us as a special guest,” Yee Haw Day Chair Cali Tendle said.
Known for songs like “HandClap” and “The Walker,” Fitz and the Trantrums will deliver a “signature high-energy acoustic show” at 5 p.m. on the Frontier Stage in “what promises to be the most exciting Yee Haw Day yet.” X Ambassadors, with songs like “Renegades” and “Unsteady,” will join as special guests at 4:15 p.m.: “Their dynamic sound and powerful live performance will add an unforgettable layer to this year’s festival, making the 2025 lineup the most ambitious in Yee Haw Day history.”
The main stage will also feature a lineup of “incredible local performers,” including School of Rock West LA and Ford the Lord. There will be a Honky Tonk Stage, with “family-friendly entertainment,” like Mr. Silly, Sharpo the Magician and Celebration Station.
Other festivities set to take place include Twinkle Town hair braiding extensions, airbrush art and a bracelet bead bar. There will be a “bustling Marketplace,” with local artisans and vendors.
Rides and carnival games will be available for all ages, with MOTHER as the lead ride sponsor, as well as “interactive experiences and hands-on STEAM activities.” There will be “delicious bites” from “top local food trucks and restaurants.”
Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation is this year’s premiere sponsor, supporting the main stage, as well as a free bundle of game and ride tickets for each Pali Elementary student.
X Ambassadors
The Palisades fire damaged Pali Elementary’s campus in January, leaving approximately 70% of students displaced from their homes, according to the school. Yee Haw Day will mark the first “large-scale gathering” since then—designed to be “a day to reconnect, heal and experience joy together.”
Last year’s event drew more than 1,300 attendees, according to organizers, with an expectation to exceed that number this year.
“To ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone, entry tickets are required to manage capacity,” according to organizers.
Attendees 12 and under are free, but a ticket is required for entry. For guests 13 and older, a ticket bundle must be purchased for $50, which includes an entry wristband and $30 in ride/game tickets. Unlimited ride wristbands are sold separately for $25.
Games are one ticket to play, with rides ranging from one to three tickets. Experiences, including a photo booth and hair braiding, will range from two to seven tickets. Food can be purchased separately (not with tickets).
“This year’s celebration will be unforgettable,” Tendle said. “More than entertainment, it’s a gift to our students, families and neighbors, and a testament to the resilience, strength and spirit of our community.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit yeehawpali.com.
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