A toilet paper ghost or is it a mummy was on the loose at the Marquez Carnival.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Halloween was special in the Palisades. It all started in early October with the YMCA pumpkin patch where pumpkins of all sizes were purchased, carved and placed on the front porch or steps.
People went all out with decorations. Homes became haunted houses with skeletons, little and big, witches, jack o lanterns and lights. This editor was particularly fond of a witch flying into the moon that was hung in her window.
Leading up to Halloween, there were carnivals at the Palisades and Rustic Canyon Recreation Centers. The elementary and preschools held parades prior to full school celebrations.
And on Halloween night, trick or treaters went up and down the local streets. People drove in from out of the area to walk in the Alphabet Streets or the Huntington Palisades. This editor loved equally the toddlers, whose parents reminded them “what do you say?” after they received the treat, to the Palisades High School students, who were still kids in teen bodies, and always said “thank you.”
Adults celebrated with costumes and parties, and it was only the next day, All Saints Day, when quiet returned to the streets.
Lots of fun was had at the Livorno block party.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
LIVORNO TRICK OR TREAT:
CTN received a note from Livorno resident Alicia Cohen who wrote that “although we don’t have our block, the party must go on!” Annually, the residents hold a Halloween party for that street. This year, Cohen wrote on the invitation “Think of this as our Block Party on tour until we’re back in the Palisades.” About 45 people gathered for a potluck in the AMLI apartment building in Marina Del Rey, where so many had been displaced after the fire.
Adults got in the Halloween spirit at the Livorno party. Organizer Alicia Cohen and Anya Zadeh (right) were among those having fun.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
HOUSE DECORATING IN BRENTWOOD:
Today I received an email via resident Allison Holdorff from Robert Glassman, who wrote “I thought you may be interested in this fun and happy story taking place in the AMC streets in Brentwood.
“After my family and I lost our home in the Palisades Fire on January 7, we moved to S. Anita in Brentwood. One of the things we treasured the most about living in the Palisades was Halloween. It was always an epic and magical time for the entire family.
“My wife, Layla, decided that she would try to replicate that Palisades feeling for our kids to the AMC streets this year for Halloween. Together with our neighbors on Anita, they created the first ever AMC Decoration Contest.”
The flyer went out to neighbors and urged “Get out your lights, ghosts, goblins and ghouls. Winning house will receive $100 gift card to Farm Shop, bragging rights and a special trophy.”
MARQUEZ HALLOWEEN ‘BOO BASH’
It was the “usual suspects” (in disguise) at the Marquez Carnival.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Although no one could remember the date the Marquez Elementary Halloween Carnival originated, one resident wrote CTN, “This event was held at Marquez when I attended in the late 1960s (so it’s at least 55 years old), although I don’t believe that it was called a Boo Bash back then. I remember being lucky enough to actually win a goldfish by bouncing a ping pong ball into a fishbowl and participating in the costume contest. Lots of fond memories of those days.”
The memories continued on October 26 as games and activities took place at an off-campus site. As photographer Rich Schmitt said, “This was a nice event, and everyone was good cheer.”
After the Palisades Fire destroyed campus buildings, kids only recently returned to campus at the end of September, under new principal Lisa Timmerman. She invites perspective families to tour the school, November 4 at 8:30 a.m. click here.