Air Quality in Pacific Palisades Excellent

Larry Newman (right) shows Senator Ben Allen the air sensor that was placed in his backyard on the El Medio Bluffs by UCLA.

Although this editor was accused of displaying elitism and snobbery because she proclaimed the air in Pacific Palisades superior, it turns out that statement is based in fact.

There are two air monitoring stations, one at Fire Station 69 and a second at Fire Station 23. Resident Larry Newman wrote in an email to this editor “One quick clarification I thought might interest you: while the two air testing stations near the fire stations are part of the broader monitoring effort, there’s also a separate UCLA-run project that’s tracking air quality with sensors placed throughout the Palisades—including one in my own backyard (Sensor #7 ). This network has been quietly collecting data since February as well.”

There are 20 UCLA sensors located in the Palisades. Newman the founder of Children’s Music Workshop also invited this editor to stop by and see it – and promised a cup of cappuccino. Today, accompanied by State Senator Ben Allen, we visited the El Medio bluffs and looked at the sensor.

Newman, who has won five Emmys, described the instrument as nothing fancy, but “it’s reliably gathering readings —and showing some very reassuring numbers.” He noted that the air in the Palisades was good and “better than what we were breathing in the Mid-Wilshire area,” where they were living when they were evacuated.

You can view the readings here:
https://capairdemo.lovable.app/
(just zoom in on Pacific Palisades to see real-time data)

Newman admitted that one day there was horrible air at that location—but it coincided with his grilling in the backyard.

And true to his word, the coffee and cookies were as good as the air.