Highlands neighbors gathered to share stories and to celebrate community.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
By LAUREL BUSBY
Contributing Writer
Carolyn Kalil hasn’t cried since her Highlands home was destroyed in the Palisades fire, and a reunion with around a hundred neighbors didn’t bring forth tears either.
“I can’t believe how well I’m taking it,” said Kalil, who had lived in her house for 45 years. “I’ve never felt bad. It’s been an interesting experience. I couldn’t have predicted that I would react this way.”
Her husband Emil also remained upbeat in the face of their loss “For every door that closes, a bigger one opens,” he said. His charred Mercedes had been replaced with a newer model. “That’s my phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s a new beginning.”
A little over seven weeks after the disaster, which took out 53 of the 116 homes in their Avenida de la Herradura neighborhood, the Kalils and their neighbors reunited for food and companionship at the Baja Cantina in Marina del Rey.
“They’re thirsty to interact with people they know,” said Tim Meade, who helped his wife, Xylina, organize the event. “It’s heartwarming.”
“It’s a glimmer of hope in a murky time,” said fellow association board member Carrie Soppe.
They shared stories of loss, including tales of Soppe’s flooded home, many ash-coated interiors, and numerous demolished homes. They also reminisced about their escapes down Palisades Drive, which was enclosed by flames on both sides while palm trees burned in the median. Some made it out in the early hours, but others became trapped after people were encouraged to abandon their cars and run to safety.
“The whole sky was black in like ten minutes,” said Camden Harding, 12, who with her older brother Chase, 14, and twin sisters Brooklyn and Blake, 8, was in class at Calvary Christian School when the fire began.
Luckily, a family friend was able to pick them up and take them to the Century City mall, so they didn’t have to walk to safety like many of their classmates. One family traveled in a caravan of five other cars, following the bright red lights of a fire department vehicle through the intense smoke to safety. Elizabeth Smokler was trapped by the blocked roadway and kept circling the Highlands, driving in the opposite direction whenever fire loomed close.
“Even the fire road was on fire,” she said. “They need to build another exit road.”
People shared evacuation stories and their plans to come back to their homes.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Many were so disoriented by the chaos and confusion that they saved few if any items from their home. Sue Caldwell, a widow who lost her house of more than 30 years, only grabbed some dirty clothes, leaving her wedding pictures and other valuable mementos behind.
“It’s been very challenging,” she said. But “I feel very lucky because we still have a neighborhood,” noting that whenever she learns of a neighbor’s home that still stands, she feels an emotional boost.
The center of their community remains, including their clubhouse, tennis courts, basketball court, and pool, but even so, the damages to these facilities are substantial. The hillside irrigation system was wiped out, which will require $163,000 in repairs, according to Tim Meade, the treasurer of their homeowners association. Other damage includes suspected toxins in the common area, such as the kids’ playground and the clubhouse. In addition, the burned perimeter fence must be replaced, and the pool needs to have an acid wash and may require a $30,000 re-plastering. Testing and remediation are needed plus replacement of items like the pool furniture, and it is not clear how many of these expenses will be covered by insurance.
The residents have been gathering online in a Slack group to share knowledge about the myriad issues of relocation and rebuilding, such as struggles with particular insurance companies and group buys for testing, remediation, and construction.
It was emotional for some as they greeted neighbors.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Like some attendees, Caldwell lost her insurance last year and joined the state’s FAIR plan, which reimbursed her for her home quickly. Unfortunately, they sent the check, three times the value of her mortgage, to her bank, which has thus far refused to refund the excess. The FAIR plan also doesn’t cover her rental costs during rebuilding. She initially bounced among friends’ homes before finding an apartment in Marina del Rey, but due to her issues with the bank, she’s having trouble accessing the money to pay for initial costs, such as an architect.
Even those with homes that weren’t engulfed in flames have to deal with toxic ash and polluted drinking water, but they were happy to take a break from those issues to socialize with dear friends.
“I’m excited to see my neighbors and have that normalcy that I’m craving,” said Koko Finestone, who was chatting with neighbor Heather Godsey.
The two reminisced about their first meeting when Godsey was looking for a house eight years ago. Finestone immediately welcomed her into her home, and the warmth of the neighborhood convinced Godsey that it was the place for her.
The two discussed their hopes for the next incarnation of Pacific Palisades.
Before the fire, “It had a little bit of that sleepy beach town feeling,” lifelong Palisadian Godsey said. As the rebuilding occurs, “I hope it doesn’t all change and that some of that feel remains.”
The director of the recreation center, Kenia Moreno, even stopped by. She’s been looking for a new job, but she doesn’t want one.
“I just want to go back to the rec center,” she said. “This is a very united community. Hopefully everyone comes back.”
That was the stated intention of almost everyone at the reunion. Peter Branch, whose home of 15 years was leveled, has found himself overwhelmed by the fire and its aftermath, but the gathering brought him some joy.
“There are a lot of happy faces here,” he said. “This community is priceless.”
Xylina Meade agreed. “It’s all warm fuzzies tonight, and it’s a testament to this neighborhood.”
The neighborhood before the fire was a mix of families and retirees and all came to celebrate their Highlands community.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN