Bocce Season Opening, Town Celebrates

It was the opening of the fall bocce league and a town party on September 7.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

By CHAZ PLAGER

Eight months on the dot after the fire that ravaged our community, nearly 200 Palisadians gathered at the edge of Palisades Rec Center to celebrate the re–opening of the bocce ball courts and to participate in a town party.

Due to the mostly superficial level of damage, the bocce courts were able to reopen the fastest, requiring only replacing the wooden paneling and surrounding grass. A new shed was also built after the old one was destroyed in the fire. Naturally, since bocce ball courts are sunken into the ground, this makes them a hard target for the flames to hit, much to the relief of the Palisades bocce league.

This reopening celebration was organized by Jimmy Dunne a 2018 Citizen of the Year, a longtime community figure and bocce enthusiast. Drinks and appetizers were provided by the Palisades Garden Cafe and Yogurt Shoppe.

After the bulk of the guests arrived, most wearing all-white ensembles, Dunne invited guests to the stage to speak.

Jimmy Dunne introduced the town’s honorary co-mayor Ted McGinley.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

First up was the recently installed honorary Pacific Palisades Co-Mayor Ted McGinley, always at the forefront of every Palisades celebration. “The Palisades isn’t just a collection of houses and churches,” said Ted McGinley. “It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

Dunne thanked him for their kind words and began to speak through tears: “When we hug each other after every bocce ball match, it’s not just each other we’re hugging… It’s our whole town. Our community. What an amazing town we live in.”

Dunne then invited those gathered to sing a song he had written  The Palisades Song. “Lucky, lucky, lucky me,” the crowd roared, arms around one another. The talented Pacific Palisades resident has written, composed, and scored music for several films and television shows, such as: Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi, As the World Turns, ABC Wide World of Sports, NBC Sports,  Fame, Princess Diaries II, Dear God,  Heart Like a Wheel and Pretty Woman.

Rick Caruso came next, smiling apologetically as he picked up the microphone. “I feel so bad I didn’t write a song,” he joked. “I knew I should’ve done something else this morning.”

Rick Caruso joked with the crowd.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

“I have to say, I pulled up this morning and nearly started crying, seeing everyone gathered here. I keep calling people asking them to set up new restaurants and businesses,” Caruso said. “I say ‘Please help me rebuild this city’. And they say ‘city?’ And I say yes; the way we will rebuild the Palisades will set the tone for every city that comes after.”

Traci Park spoke next to cheers and applause.

“Jimmy, I want to thank you for your leadership and how you captured the spirit of this community. Reopening this town is all of our dreams,” Park said. “We are going to set a new standard as Rick said. We won’t just set the model for California; we’ll set it for the whole world. I believe in you, Palisades!”

Dunne presented Park with the “Phoenix of the Palisades,” the first person to receive the inaugural award. This award will be dedicated yearly to a Palisadian who has “truly stepped up to honor people’s lives.”

Councilmember Traci Park was overcome with emotion when Jimmy Dunne presented her with the “Phoenix of the Palisades” award.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

After one final round of applause, the bocce courts were opened for all to finally play as the fall league got underway.

“We were playing at Douglas Park before we could get here,” said avid bocce baller Susan Sullivan, a member of the league. “Now that we’re back it feels the same, but different— thankfully, our comradery is the same as it ever was. There’s joy again.”

Palisades Rene Rodman tries her luck at throwing the bocce ball.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT