January 3
Caruso revealed that they “decided not to move forward with Tocaya [Organica]” in a Sunset Boulevard space—the second tenant slated to fill the space, following Al Forte by Madeo withdrawing in August 2018. The space, which was converted from restaurant to retail, is now occupied by lululemon, which opened in October.
January 17
Palisadian teachers participated in the first districtwide strike in 30 years. More than 31,000 teachers that are part of the United Teachers of Los Angeles agreed to walk out on Monday, January 14, as nearly 20-month-long negotiations with LAUSD deteriorated over the preceding week. An agreement was reached, ending the strike, on Tuesday, January 22.
January 24
Richard Blumenberg was installed as the chairman of the board for the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce at its 70th annual installation dinner, which had a “Dancing With the Chamber Stars” theme.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Potrero Canyon Park—close to 35 years after plans to turn Potrero Canyon into a public park were announced. When completed, the park will offer picnic areas and a pathway from Palisades Recreation Center to Pacific Coast Highway.
January 31
The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club 33rd annual Home Tour—which was delayed from November 2018, due to the Woolsey fire—came packed with surprises, from breathtaking ocean views to walls adorned with signed Ansel Adams prints to Superman- and Beatles-themed private chambers.
Laura Solomon, her husband Michael and their almost-3-year-old daughter Caroline welcomed Catherine Elisabeth on January 16 around 9:45 p.m.—the first baby of 2019 in Pacific Palisades, a tradition celebrated in the Post since 1954.
February 14
The Pacific Palisades Farmers Market revealed that they would host a second, smaller market location in The Highlands starting March 3. The market was short-lived, closing by June. Caruso also confirmed the Palisades market, which currently operates at Pali High, will not be returning to Swarthmore, due to “impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.” California Certified Farmers Markets continues to search for a suitable location for the market’s return to the Village area.
February 28
In late February, a representative from Westside Retail confirmed that two tenants were lined up to fill the vacant space once occupied by Norris Hardware. Nearly a year later—and more than 16 months after Norris closed—the space remains vacant, with no word of what tenants may fill the space and when.
March 21
On Friday, March 15, Vintage Grocers suddenly shuttered its Pacific Palisades and Westlake Village locations—leaving the Malibu store the sole location still operating. Signs and decals at the Palisades store were replaced with Erewhon by Tuesday, March 19, which opened in June. Less than two weeks later, General Porpoise closed its doughnut/coffee spot without warning as well, replaced by Alfred, which opened in July.
May 2
Beloved community member Arnie Wishnick died on Saturday morning, April 27. Arnie was known throughout town for his dedication to all things Palisades—from his work with the Chamber of Commerce, Palisades Americanism Parade Association, Optimist Club of Pacific Palisades, and so, so much more. In September, a plaque at the Village Green was dedicated to Wishnick and LA City Council voted to approve renaming a portion of Antioch to Arnie Wishnick Way.
May 9
Hundreds of Palisadians filled the pews of Pacific Palisades Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 5, in support of Pastor Kenneth Davis and his daughter Cassidi after the two were accosted in the Ralphs parking lot the evening of April 18 by a woman who hurled racial epithets and threats of gun violence against the pastor and his daughter. Davis left his position with the church in June to “focus on issues like racism, hate and bigotry, and use my voice to speak out against them in whatever form they take.”
June 6
“Eat, Drink and Be Ninety”: More than 150 people gathered on the afternoon of Saturday, June 1, to honor local nonagenarians at Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club at the annual birthday celebration. “It makes me so happy to see all the people at this event,” PPWC Director Fay Vahdani told the Post. “It melts my heart.”
June 13
The Pali High Class of 2019 stepped foot into their post-high school lives on Thursday, June 6, at the Stadium by the Sea. More than 700 students flipped their tassels over as family and friends filled the bleachers to support their loved ones.
June 27
Palisadian developer Thomas Tellefsen took the next step in building his seaside project on PCH that will take over Gladstones in a community outreach presentation on Tuesday, June 18. “I’d like to be in construction by 2020 and be open in late 2021,” Tellefsen said. “That’s doable, but it’s all an unknown right now.”
July 4
After multiple hearings on a proposed commercial and residential project at the old Jack in the Box site, the Pacific Palisades Land Use Committee took a position against the development at its June 27 meeting. The Pacific Palisades Community Council later voted to not support the project on August 22, followed by the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board on August 28.
July 11
As is tradition in Pacific Palisades, thousands turned out along Sunset Boulevard on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day at the 71st annual Palisades Parade, this year, with the theme “May the Fourth be With You.”
August 15
Palisades Charter Elementary School welcomed back longtime Principal Joan Ingle on an interim basis after the departure of Gary Saunders. “Great leaders make great schools,” said Nick Melvoin, District 4 representative of LAUSD. “We are grateful to Principal Ingle for helping fill that role while we engage the community to find the best new leader for Palisades Elementary.”
September 12
The Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce geared up for the inaugural Taste of the Palisades—highlighting 17 spots across town, from Santa Monica Canyon to the Village and The Highlands, which ran September 22 through 26. Taste of the Palisades will return in January 2020.
September 19
Coffee Bean closed its Antioch Street location after more than two decades in the Palisades on September 29. An employee shared that competitions grew too fierce and the store was not making enough money.
September 26
The youth of Pacific Palisades took the Village area by storm on Friday, September 20, as part of a global climate strike that drew millions around the world. Organized by Paul Revere student Éva Milan Engel, hundreds occupied Swarthmore Avenue and surrounding sidewalks to raise awareness and demand action on the climate crisis.
October 10
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on September 19 that Palisadian Alan Smolinisky has become an owner in the team. In the Dodgers press release announcing his purchase, Smolinisky said, “I’m a lifelong Dodger fan and to now be a part of their ownership group is an exciting opportunity and time for me and my family.” Smolinisky is the owner of the Post.
October 17
Longtime local veterinarian John Condello announced that he would retire after taking care of pets for more than 30 years at Palisades Animal Clinic in Marquez Knolls. Dr. Dean and Dr. Dana Graulich, who run the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital practice, offered to take over the clinic.
October 24
The Palisades fire, which first broke out on Monday, October 21, at 10:39 a.m., burned more than 40 acres through steep, cliff-like terrain. Within the first hour of burning, the fire had grown to more than 30 acres, threatening several homes along Vista Grande Drive and Charmel Lane, with evacuations that were lifted in the evening.
October 31
One week after the Palisades fire, the Getty fire broke out—prompting Palisadian evacuations and school closures that lasted through Wednesday. The fire, which was caused by a branch hitting a power line, burned 745 acres near Sepulveda Boulevard.
Pacific Palisades Community Council and the Land Use Committee voted to not object to improvements being proposed at Calvary Christian School, a private school on Palisades Drive, following a presentation at the October 24 meeting. School administrators have proposed improvements to the playground, the addition of trees, a new servery area, and the ability to increase its capacity of students, as well as a 10,219-square-foot building slated to be built in eight to 10 years.
November 14
Hundreds of residents from the Palisades and Brentwood gathered at Paul Revere on Saturday, November 9—still shaken from the Getty and Palisades fires that scorched parts of their respective neighborhoods—for a town hall organized by Councilmember Mike Bonin, fire officials like Ralph Terrazas and Armando Hogan.
November 28
In a packed room full of community members at Palisades Branch Library, the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness and The People Concern Outreach Team presented a speaker panel in an open meeting on November 18. “Everything you’ve told me has come true,” said Scott Davis, a veteran who spoke on the panel about his transition out of homelessness.
December 12
Several years in the making, the Veterans’ Garden project broke ground at Palisades Recreation Center on Saturday morning, December 7. “It was great—it was absolutely great,” project founder Jimmy Dunne shared with the Post after the ceremony. When complete in 2020, the renovated upper picnic area will offer an updated picnic and barbecue area, five “living rooms in the park,” bocce courts, and a flagpole and monument honoring veterans.
December 19
Pacific Palisades Community Council honored six Palisadians for their commitment to the community at this year’s Awards Celebration and Holiday Meeting: George Wolfberg received the Pride of the Palisades; Lisa Glantz, Don Camacho and Mike Lanning received Golden Sparkplugs; and Kevin Niles was named Citizen of the Year.
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