(Back row: left to right) Kylie Blessings, Jack Marguleas, Jordan Corral, Sara Marti, Alita and (front row: left to right) Renee Kazimiroff, Carl Mellinger, Cindy Kirven and Tracey Price all enjoy the Village Green during the check presentation.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
For 13 years, just as reliable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, Amalfi founder Anthony Marguleas has made a $5,000 donation to the Village Green, the little triangular private park located at Sunset/Swarthmore/Antioch.
Even when the town was destroyed by fire last year, somehow, against odds, the “heart” of the village survived, with only a storage shed and the pear tree next to it damaged.
Village Green Board President Cindy Kirven said that because the grass was well watered, the trees were also filled with moisture, and caught embers, preventing more fires. The benches were untouched.
This year’s check presentation ceremony on January 8 was especially poignant.
“This check is special because of the refurbishment we have to do,” Kirven said. “No one ever donates for operational costs. But maintenance is critical to keep this park pristine for people to enjoy.”
“The consistency of the donations over the years is remarkable,” Kirven said. “This donation is a statement in the belief of the community.”
This year, through the Pacific Palisades Business Improvement District and Rich Caruso, lighting was supplied to the park over the holidays. But each December the lights have been vandalized and even this year, when so few people are back in town, it was no different, the lights were cut. Pali Electric had to repair them.
Kirven also noted that Marguleas’ sons Jack and Max, who grew up playing in the Green, and are now adults have joined in the check presentation and now sit on the Village Green board. “We’re especially appreciative of a younger viewpoint of how the park should be used,” Kirven said.
At the Green, Jack said, “It means more and more to me. This is such an important part of the community. This is a familiar place, welcoming and as people come back to town, we want it to look like something they’re used to seeing.”
His father pointed out that “the Village Green has always been an integral part of the town.” On January 7, the memorial and then the rally, saw more than 1,000 people gather around the little park.
“We’ve always said the Green is the heart of the town and yesterday proved it,” Marguleas said.