Punk Band 2 Dust Will Perform September 29

By CHAZ PLAGER

High school is a time of self-discovery, where students learn what they like and how to express themselves. Some do that through rebellion against established authority, while others express it through music and other creative endeavors.

In the case of 2 Dust, a band formed by Palisades Charter High School students, they chose both, and have been taking Southern California’s punk scene by storm.

The band was formed in May 2022 by Pali seniors Michael Gatto (vocalist and lead guitar), Zephyr Gudlow (guitarist), Stellan Jones (bass) and Malin Bird (drums).

Most recently, 2 Dust played from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on September 16 at Sheldon Skate Park in Burbank.

If you’re wondering how they got the permit for that, don’t bother. Inspired by bands like Black Sabbath, Fugazi, and Black Flag, 2 Dust sticks close to the roots of punk rock by toeing the fine line of the law, setting their own rules along the way.

“None of us have plans for after graduation. We’re just trying not to go to jail,” Gatto said. “We’ve had a couple of close calls, but it’s okay. Our slogan is ‘we are the law’.”

Despite being lead guitarist, Gatto denies any position of leadership.

“No one has more power than anyone in our band,” Gatto said. “We only make decisions we all can agree with.”

Some 2 Dust shows are “do it yourself,” meaning that 2 Dust sets up at a certain spot and attempts to play as long as they can before someone tells them to leave.

“One of our shows went for eight hours,” Jones said. “It was so awesome.”

Of course, “skirting the line” means that their venues have no security, leading to more than a few scary situations.

“While we’re not responsible for our fans’ actions, they can get a bit rowdy,” said Jones. “Our shows aren’t for the faint of heart. Show up only if you think you can take it.”

The band 2 Dust is popular to the point where many Pali High students can be seen wearing merchandise from the band’s online shop, linked to on the band’s Instagram. Many students have given their shows rave reviews.

“No one is doing it like them,” one student said.

“I think I partied harder than I ever have, like, ever,” said another.

If these reviews have sold you, 2 Dust will be performing (at a venue) in Compton on September 29. Entry is only $5, so all those interested should show up at 16323 S. Bradfield Avenue.

And for those who can’t make this concert, 2 Dust will be releasing a single, Anomaly, on all streaming platforms before the end of the year.

“We’ve made a lot of great connections and getting to play like this is, like, crazy,” Gatto said. “It’s like a high school dream, you know?”

“If you wanna have a good time, come on down to our Venice show,” Gudlow said. “We’re holding one in Venice on October 29. More details on our Instagram, 2dust.band.”

Members of 2 Dust include (left to right)Zephyr Gudlow, Malin Bird, Michael Gatto and Stellan Jones

Posted in Music, Schools | Leave a comment

Park Neighbors under Siege from Hoodlums on Weekends

 

Palisades Recreation Center on September 23, 2023.

For the last two years, residents who live near the Palisades Recreation Center have complained about the lawlessness among young people that take place after hours.

The most recent was September 23, around 9 p.m. after fireworks were once again set off.

The resident emailed LAPD, members of the Pacific Palisades Park Advisory Board and Circling the News.

The resident received the following response from the police. “I am sorry you are having to deal with this issue. Please generate a radio call. I will also pass his information to the Watch Commander for awareness and see if they have an available unit to respond.”

The resident responded by email and told the police they had called 911.

“We sat on hold with 911. Sending a car over 30 minutes after these regular, predictable explosions does nothing, as we have already watched the kids finish their explosions and walk deeper into the park. The park is wide open, and there is no security or deterrent of any kind.

“Generating a call is the same answer we receive every time to the same issue, and the explosions continue—-same time, same place.”

CTN has reported on firework explosions, drag racing, illegal fires and reported drug usage, by teens, at that location at 851 Alma Real Drive, by the library and across from Corpus Christi School.

Residents have submitted license plate numbers of those drag racing to Los Angeles Police Department.

In April, CTN wrote, “Earlier this month, an explosive firework (described as a M80) was set off in Veterans Garden and destroyed a trash can.”

A June story noted: “Those residents who live on the rim of Palisades Recreation Center off Alma Real, Patterson Place and Frontera, have been subjected to illegal fireworks and drag racing on weekend nights for the past few months.

“Those activities are not harmless youthful activities, but dangerous and illegal.”

Later that month, CTN reported “the first set of fireworks explosions were set off at 7:15 p.m. Another round followed about an hour later and at 10:15 p.m., the sound of an explosion was captured on video. In the video, one kid is shouting, as if he was hurt.”

In a follow up story, CTN wrote “A middle-school boy was badly injured in a fireworks explosion that happened at the Palisades Recreation Center on June 16 around 10:15 p.m. People can tell he is hurt terribly, because his cries of anguish can be heard on the video.

The kid, who was injured, was at the Grossman Burn Center that specializes in comprehensive treatment of burns from acute care and reconstruction. CTN was told he will need surgery and that he may be scarred for life.

The “friends” who were with him when the explosion happened did not call 911. They did not call the kid’s parents for help, instead they ran off, leaving the kid to get home on his own.

CTN was told that neighbors are starting to take action in their own hands. “Last night my husband ran over to confront the teems as they were lighting the fireworks. They laughed as he was trying to get the video and strolled on their merry way, into the park.”

The ongoing problems at the park were discussed on a social media platform, with one person writing that “It’s not my kid,” is the common parental response. “There are HUNDREDS of kids that appear to be middle schoolers running rampant Friday and Saturday nights.

“Check it out for yourself – go to CVS at 9 p.m. next Friday. BTW, some are doing drugs, drinking, stealing [from CVS] and lighting off fireworks.”

The person concluded “This problem is very solvable with one or maybe two police officers spending Friday and Saturday between 6 p.m. to midnight walking/driving between CVS and the park.”

This car crashed near the corner of the Palisades Library and Corpus Christi School, after racing out of the park. Neighbors say kids drag race at that location.

Posted in Parks | 5 Comments

Celebrating a 94th Birthday in Style

Noma Sazama celebrated her 94th birthday.

This editor’s mom, Noma Sazama, turned 94 on September 21.  Generally, it involves a bit of planning because where she now lives, Martin, South Dakota, is wedged between the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations.

Plane travel to the town is limited to medevacs, which are generally flown to either Sioux Falls or Rapid City. The first night in Martin I heard a helicopter and thought there must be some kind of police activity—but my sister started laughing and said I must be from Los Angeles. The helicopter was a medical transport.

A rental car from Rapid City is generally an option, but this September there was, and usually is, a large influx of tourists to see Mount Rushmore, 60-ft-high granite sculpture of the faces of four presidents, and also to see the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is still being carved.

My dad when I was a teenager said, “Crazy Horse won’t be finished in my lifetime.” Now, I don’t think it will be finished in my lifetime either. It was started in 1948, and then the artist thought it would be completed in 30 years. Now, the hand, arm, shoulder and top of the horse’s head is expected to be finished in 2037. If it is ever finished, will be the world’s largest mountain sculpture.

I’m sure many of my readers attended the Sturgis Motorcycle rally held the first week of August, and traveled through Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and Hill City, on their Harley’s. The draw in Hill City is a dinosaur museum started by my cousin Peter Larson. He excavated Sue, the largest T-Rex ever discovered and at this museum you can see Stan, which is the second largest T-Rex excavated click here.

My readers, world travelers, may have traveled the eastern part of the state to Mitchell, taking in the world’s only Corn Palace.

Resident Cindy Simon sent me a text me while I was in South Dakota with the message that she had received about a sculpture. “I don’t know why this hasn’t received more publicity, but this 50-foot sculpture was unveiled recently in South Dakota. It’s called Dignity and was done by artist Dale Lamphere to honor the women of the Sioux Nation.”

The statue was erected in 2016, off Interstate 90, where it overlooks the Missouri River. The sculpture features a star quilt. Automotive paint expert Brook Loobey assisted with the colors for the quilt, and Albertson Engineering of Rapid City ensured the sculpture would endure the strong winds common in the area. This editor was able to see it when she attended the Master Gardener’s convention with her mother in 2021.

Dignity is wrapped in a star quilt.

But I digress. This editor’s sister picked me up at Rapid City and we started the approximately two-hour car ride to Martin. Generally, we take the back way, which routes us through Badlands, Scenic and at Sharps Corner turning off and continuing to Kyle.

This time we decided to try a different route, the back, back way by going straight at Sharp’s Corner to try and hit Highway 18.

This editor put the end point of Martin in Google Maps and we followed it as it had us turn at BIA Highway 23 at Porcupine.

There was indeed a road. It went from a two-lane pavement to gravel – and looked like the road might go through a pasture.

Additionally, cell phone reception went in and out.

There was nothing for miles and miles, no homes and no cars, nothing.

I pointed out the positive to my sister who was driving, “At least we can’t be arrested for speeding.”  Eventually, we did hit a paved road.

A second sister pointed out that many people come out to the Res with phone maps and promptly end up on little gravel roads like the one we took.

Once we finally arrived, we started preparing for the big birthday celebration – what to wear, what to wear!

The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA), receives about 20 to 50 boxes of clothing from across the United States weekly. The nonprofit then delivers items that “so many Native American families will treasure” to the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Crow Creek, Cheyenne River or Lower Brule Reservations.

They dump the boxes on the street about a block from my mom’s house and people go through them. My sisters and I found matching outfits sent from Urban Outfitters.

This editor with two of her four sisters, Nancy and Barbara in clothes found on the street.

NAHA is a well-intentioned program, but someone should ask people what they really need. All of the different xxs gym wear and the clothes that no one else wants in the United States, doesn’t always find a home here, either. Whatever is left is taken to landfill. Luckily some company probably gets a tax write-off, so all is not lost.

Once, boxes and boxes of prescription glasses were left. Of course, no one could use them because they didn’t match what was needed, so a relative took them to the Lion’s Club in Rapid.

Tyler Nolett making this editor a large latte.

One of the best places to get lattes in South Dakota is at Lou’s in Martin. Owner Tyler Nolett crafts a good cup of Joe. He also makes fresh doughnuts every morning — and smothered burritos with sausage gravy, that is large enough to split between three people ($9).

The pubwich, an invention by Warren Peterson, who owns the Pizza Shoppe on Main Street, is a cross between a calzone, a pizza and a sandwich. He makes everything

Warren Peterson chopped fresh tomatoes from a local garden for the sandwich.

from scratch, and while he was working on my order, he managed to babysit three kids (6, 7 and 8) and catch me up on the town gossip. The pubwich was big enough for two people ($13).

Then it was onto the main event, the annual Master Gardener Convention that was held in Spearfish, South Dakota (we took the main roads, including the interstate). The event always falls around my mom’s birthday near the end of September.

Soil science was the main topic this year and absolutely fascinating. Seriously. At the banquet that evening, the group was gracious enough to sing Happy Birthday to my mom, while my sisters and I spruced up for the occasion.

My takeaway is I’m the luckiest person in the world to have a great family, kids and husband, and the opportunity to experience so many different cultures and areas of this country.

Noma Sazama at the Master Gardeners convention with four of her daughters, Mary, Beth, Nancy and Sue. All of the delegates sang “Happy Birthday.”

Posted in History, Holidays, Parks, Seniors | 8 Comments

Karen Berry Rescues Desert Tortoises

Desert tortoise

“People are downsizing and moving out of California,” Karen Berry told the Palisades Rotary Club in August. “And they don’t know what to do with their tortoises.”

Berry, who is the treasurer and adoption team leader for the San Fernando Valley Chapter of California Turtle & Tortoise Club (CTTC), helps with rescue and placement of the reptiles.

It is illegal to take the tortoises out of California, and “you can’t put them back in the desert,” Berry said, noting that since the reptiles have lived domestically, they will not be able to fend for themselves in the wild.

The tortoise, which is the third largest turtle in the world, was placed on both the California and Federal Endangered Species Lists in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Its status is “threatened,” which is just below endangered.

Some animals were taken from the desert before it became illegal to do so in 1973.  Anyone who has a tortoise needs a permit. “We don’t own them,” Berry said. “Every desert tortoise belongs to the state of California.”

She added that “We got one back from Alaska and one from Vermont.”

Karen Berry holding a rescued desert tortoise.

Tortoises, which have good vision and a good sense of smell, are also territorial. During its 50 to 100 years of life, a wild tortoise rarely moves more than a couple of miles from its birthplace. Intruders are not tolerated.

It’s also hard to rehome tortoises because “It is so ingrained in pets, ‘I need to get home,’” said Berry, who explained she first got interested in the reptile when one came into their home, when she was a child. “They’re the perfect pet because they don’t bark, they don’t make noise, they don’t annoy neighbors.”

She described them, “It’s like having your own dinosaur.” The animals have been in the desert for tens of thousands of years. They escape the high temperatures by burrowing deep underground.

“Their back legs are like an elephant,” Berry said. “They are powerful and can shove a cinder block easily. They are very, very strong.”

Tortoises are threatened by raven predation, urbanization, illegal collection for the pet trade, off-highway vehicles and upper-respiratory tract infections, Berry said. “Solar farms have displaced many.”

Berry spoke about the perfect diet for tortoise, which includes hi-fiber, low protein and no sugar. “No fruit other than a cactus pear,” she said.

If someone sees a tortoise flipped on its back, it means it can’t turn itself right side up, and Berry tells people to gently turn it back over.

Tortoises are starting to go into hibernation and generally stay in burrows until mid-to-late March.

Berry said that 100 animals were seized from a house and 80 were tortoises.

“We get calls from shelters,” she said and explained that if someone wants to adopt, they have to fill out an application, followed by an in-person visit. “Fencing is most important because they have to stay in the yard,” said Berry, who spent 34 years in law enforcement, including some years as a crime scene technician.

After retirement, she started volunteering with the CTTC, and also serves as a foster parent to take care of tortoises that can’t be placed right away because of diet or health issues.

Visit: click here.

Posted in Animals/Pets | Leave a comment

Calling Those Who Live in Affordable Housing “Thieves” Is Despicable

The washer and dryer were removed by the new landlords and not replaced. Then tenants were accused of stealing from their former landlord because the machines were not coin-operated.

One of the residents of 16458 Sunset contacted Circling the News to say that a new “narrative,” a lie, is being spread against the residents who live in the six units of affordable housing at that address.

A friend of one of the owners posted on Nextdoor that tenants were stealing from the former landlord because it was not a coined laundry. Those residents are being accused of “replacing the washer and dryer with non-coin operated machines and stealing from former owner Joe Angerman.”

“Not true,” they say and they have emails to prove it.

When Angerman died, the estate sold the 5,363-sq.-ft.-building on a 9,964-sq.-ft.-lot in July for $2 million to Palisades resident Kevin Sabin and Santa Monica resident Lance Zuckerbraun.

The 13 people living in the rental units includes three seniors, 83, 81 and 75 and a family with two children. Tenants have said they were harassed almost immediately when the building was sold in an effort to get them out of the apartments.

In September, Sabin and Zuckerman took the washer and dryer out of the laundry room, leaving tenants with no facilities. The nearest laundromat is in Santa Monica. Sabin told tenants to make up for the loss of the laundry facilities he would deduct $24 a month from their rent.

The Los Angeles Housing Department called the tenants, asking for proof that Angerman was aware that non-coin operated machines had been purchased.

There is an email trail between Angerman and the tenants about the laundry machines. Those emails were shared with CTN, and also with the LAHD.

The dryer was first replaced first in October 2014, when Angerman wrote to a tenant “Do you have time to replace the dryer in the laundry room? It’s giving [one of the tenants] fits.”

A tenant, who served as a handyman, replied “Certainly. I will look into costs and let you know. . .I’ll keep you posted.”

On November 1, the tenant sent the receipt from Sears to Angerman and let him know it had been installed. The original cost of the machine was $829.99, but the tenant was able to purchase it on sale for $601.

The handyman wrote to Angerman October 2018 about the washing machine, “I’ve taken the machine apart and it would seem that some kind of spindle on the main pulley shaft is not turning when the motor turns. Not sure its worth fixing Joe, but up to you if you want me to dig deeper.

“We did just fix the dryer about two weeks ago, so if you think I should just get a new washer and hold off on the dryer let me know. I can get them tomorrow and install after I finish work.”

The tenants did legwork to see what a replacement machine would cost and sent Angerman the pictures of two possible replacements, which could be purchased at Home Depot. The photos were also sent to CTN.

Then Angerman passed away, and the handyman wrote the estate in May 2023 that “I’m sorry to report after the washing machine fix, we performed last weekend, it gave up for good one week later.”

A machine was purchased at Best Buy and the handyman was able to get $1,000 machine for $620. The response he received from the estate was “sounds like a good deal! I’ll send you a check. Thanks for getting that done.”

Tenants had forwarded those emails to the trustees before the sale of the building and property, and now have forwarded those same emails to LAHD.

CTN is still waiting for a return call from Sabins and Zuckerbraun’s attorney Michael C. Earle of Fast Eviction Service https://www.fastevictionservice.com/ .

Walking through the entryway, past the garages on Sunset, the interior of the courtyard is full of plants that were cared for by a tenant.

Posted in Real Estate | 3 Comments

Rustic Canyon “Havana Nights” This Saturday

One of the most highly anticipated social events of the year in Pacific Palisades, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. this Saturday, September 30, at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center.

This year “Havana Nights” is the theme for the annual fundraiser for the historic Rustic Canyon Park Recreation Center.

This event, which includes appetizers and dinner, is for those 21 and older.

Pastel cocktail attire is required, and the cost is $200 per person, $350 for a couple and $1750 for a table of 10. Tickets are available on laparksfoundation.org. and there are still a few left for the event that normally sells out.

One resident wrote, “Come, meet your neighbors and make new friends at “Havana Nights.” You won’t be disappointed.”

Posted in Parks | Leave a comment

Come Celebrate on Saturday at Simon Meadow

He conceived and produced “Religion & Ethics News Weekly” and was its face for 20 years, after four decades as an NBC News correspondent. He was the “father” of the Palisades Community Council.

If a resident belongs to any organization in Pacific Palisades, then put on your “dancing shoes” and come to Simon Meadow for Pacific Palisades Community Council’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee on Saturday, September 30. The free event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. There will be music, food, specialty coffee and desserts.

The event kicks off at 12:30 with Councilmember Traci Park making a special presentation to the Council. Resident Sam Lagana will serve as the emcee for this community-wide event. There will be 25 different local organizations from Palisades Pride to the Pacific Palisades Library Association to AYSO that have booths and information available to all attendees.

After 3 p.m. Senator Ben Allen and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin will also make presentations.

The Community Council is celebrating not only its Golden Anniversary, but other town organizations’ milestones, too. Also celebrating are  Rustic Canyon/The Uplifters (100 years); The Palisadian-Post (95 years); Palisades Garden Club (79 years); Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association and Palisades 4th of July Parade (75 years); Pacific Palisades Baseball Association (71 years); Pacific Palisades Residents Association (62 years); Theatre Palisades (60 years); Temescal Canyon Association (51 years); Historical Society and the Village Green join the PPCC in celebrating 50 years.

Pacific Palisades Community Council President Maryam Zar invites members of the town to come down and celebrate with the organizations that make up the tapestry of the town.

 

Posted in Community, Pacific Palisades Community Council | 1 Comment

Palisades Resident John Alle Beaten by Transient

Alle documented transients and the needles were found in Santa Monica Park and in storm drains.
Photo: John Alle/Santa Monica Coalition

Palisades Resident and Santa Monica Landlord was beaten by a transient on September 19. Around 3:30 p.m. the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a call at Palisades Park in Santa Monica.

According to a Santa Monica Police Department report, the found Alle on the ground, suffering from injuries to his face and head. He was transported to Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center.

It was reported that Alle, who was unconscious for at least 20 minutes had suffered a concussion, a broken jaw and two teeth were broken.

According to the police, the victim was recording video of Palisades Park on his cell phone when he turned his camera on the transient.

The suspect was angry he was being filmed and confronted the victim, striking him and knocking him to the ground. The suspect took Alle’s phone, which had fallen to the ground and fled.

Alle said he did not know the suspect prior to the assault, but “He seemed to be on meth to me.”

In a later interview, Alle said the attack was unprovoked and he was attacked from behind.

Tyler Keating has been arrested for felony battery.

The suspect, identified as Tyler Jordan Keating (DOB: 02-17-1989), and found the victim’s phone. Keating was arrested for felony battery, robbery, and elder abuse and booked into the Santa Monica Jail where he is being held. The case will be presented to the District Attorney for filing.

According to one source, the suspect has a long rap sheet, including a knife attack.

Alle, who was responsible for the now famous “Santa Monica is Not Safe” sign that he put on his storefront on the Third Street Promenade, has been documenting transients and drug use in Santa Monica.

He has long advocated for public safety and asked the City to take steps to ensure streets are safe for tourists and residents. Alle also exposed that L.A. County was using three public parks (Tongva, Palisades and Reed—across from Saint Monica School) for needle exchange programs. He asked the City and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to take the programs away from public parks and incorporate it with the nonprofits that help the homeless.

Posted in Crime/Police | 1 Comment

Palisades Sole Bookstore to Close this Month

Jeff Ridgway is closing his bookstore on Antioch.

Jeff Ridgway, owner of Pacific Palisades only bookstore, will close his shop at the end of the month. Books are on sale: the entire selection is half off. Bookcases are also for sale at the store located at 15326 Antioch Street.

The store opened in December 2021, when Ridgway took over the store lease for Collections Antiques & Accessories. Martha Strang had owned the antique store since 1981 and decided to retire.

Ridgway, who had worked for Strang, was happy with expanding the shop into a bookstore for the community.

Then he said, “It’s a long-time dream come true, and my goal is to make this my happy forever-job — selling treasures to my neighbors.”

He continued to offer antiques, collectibles, and wide-selection of books, from historical to classics to children selections. His faithful companion, Abby, the rescue dog, was always on hand to welcome customers to the store.

But economically, the shop was not feasible.

Ridgway said, “The landlord has been great, letting me out of my lease. It was just too hard making consistent rent payments.”

A native of Sacramento, Ridgway received a bachelor’s degree in English at UC Davis and then followed his future wife, first to Whittier and then Pacific Palisades in 1992.

Although the marriage did not last, Ridgway became hooked on the Palisades. He became manager of Crown Books on Sunset (now Luxe Coffee), and when the store closed, he transitioned to help Katie O’Laughlin open Village Books on Swarthmore, where he became manager. The beloved bookstore became unprofitable when Amazon began selling books at discounted prices and people started buying digital editions at cheaper prices.

With this store’s closing, Ridgway said, “I want to send a thank you to everybody and all my loyal supporters, who made this bookstore so much fun for me.”

Residents are urged to stop by, find a book, say “hi” to Abby and give Ridgway and his store a goodbye.

Humphrey Bogart played the hero in Philip Marlow’s novels, which were sold at Ridgway’s bookstore.

Posted in Books, businesses/stores | 3 Comments

Arrest Made in Rustic Canyon September 19

LAPD made an arrest for burglary on September 19.

In the morning of September 19, a woman came home to her residence in Rustic Canyon and found a suspect had broken into her residence and sat in the garage. According to residents, she reported the incident to LAPD, but when police arrived, the suspect described a male black, 30 years old with long braids and a green T-shirt was no longer there.

According to Palisades Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin, around 5 p.m. the same day a second victim came home to her residence on Rustic Road and found the suspect inside her residence. She ran into a closet while waiting for the police to arrive.

Officers responded, and located the suspect who was on foot.

After a short foot pursuit, the suspect got away. Officers confirmed that the suspect had ransacked the house and took property. Police set up a perimeter. For a time, Mesa and West Channel Roads were blocked.

A resident said there were LAPD and LA County Sheriff helicopters circling and that there were a large number of police cars in the Canyon.

One resident said the man jumped over someone’s fence and tried to get into another house. While waiting for the K9, an officer spotted the suspect and he was taken into custody without incident on Mesa Road.

It appears that the man was homeless.

West Los Angeles Police Department arrested the suspect for burglary.

Posted in Crime/Police | 1 Comment