OBITUARY: Elias Soufo, 74, Long-time Resident, Beloved Shell Mechanic

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

Elias Soufo, who was born August 1, 1947, passed away on July 13, two weeks shy of his 75th birthday.

He was beloved by many in town because of his expertise and honesty in providing car maintenance and repairs at the Shell station on Sunset at Via de la Paz.

Eli was born in Aleppo, Syria, the son of Gabriel and Odette Soufo. He was in the Boy Scouts for several years and served in the Syrian military for five years, where he made first lieutenant.

He attended the University of Aleppo and graduated with a degree in French literature. Afterwards, he moved to Saudi Arabia, where he worked for Datsun.

He met his spouse Amy, in 1979 in Saudi Arabia, and were engaged for just a month before they married on November 4, 1979, in Syria.

The couple moved to Pacific Palisades in 1981, and Eli owned Marquez Liquor from 1982 to 1986.

From there he moved to the Shell station for a short stint, before stepping away to own his own gas station.

Eli returned to the Palisades Shell around 1992 and then spent the next 30 years of his life dedicated to helping residents in this community.

News about Eli’s passing elicited an outpouring on Nextdoor Palisades, the social media site.

One resident wrote: “Oh this makes me so sad…….He was always so nice to me and greeted me every time by showing me that he remembered me. We’d occasionally speak a little French and I just loved that. To have Eli recognize me always confirmed why I’ve loved living in the Palisades all these years: it’s a real home-town kind of place and made raising my boys here such a happy thing!”

Another resident added, “Eli was a gentleman who treated us customers with kindness and honesty. He will be missed in the community.”

Another Shell customer responded, “Eli saw me through countless auto mishaps, from tires to batteries, and his kindness will be missed.”

One person summed up Eli perfectly: “He was one of the nicest and kindest persons in the Palisades. He will be missed.”

In addition to being a businessman, Eli was active at Corpus Christi Church, where he was an usher for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday mass for nearly 40 years.

He worked with the parade committee (PAPA) on the golf cart patrol every July 4 and was also president of his homeowners association.

Eli is survived by his wife Amy Soufo, daughter Christina Soufo and son Gaby Soufo. He is also survived by his sister Layla and brothers George and Antoine.

His daughter Christina wrote: “He was literally only in three places: the Shell station Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Corpus on Sunday or at home. He never owned a cell phone; we always knew where to find him.”

Eli’s funeral will be held at Corpus Christi at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23. Members of the community are welcomed. No flowers are needed, but if someone wants, they can donate to the charity of their choice in Eli’s name. He loved Veterans and Catholic charities.

Posted in Obituaries | 14 Comments

Alan Eisenstock’s Playlist: Taking it “Covid” Easy

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

(Editor’s note: Palisadian Alan Eisenstock’s 20th book, “Fierce Love,” came out May 3. He wrote it with Sonya Curry, the mom of NBA Legend Stephen Curry. A copy of the book  can be found at Collections Antiques and Books on Antioch Street in Pacific Palisades.

When Eisenstock is not writing, he pursues what he calls “a crazy labor of love side project” that he started in March 2020: sending a weekly Covid-themed playlist of songs to his family and friends. These playlists, which can be downloaded on Spotify  click here span rock ‘n’ roll and pop music from the 1950s to 2020, and Eisenstock adds one or two lines of commentary about each song that is clever, amusing and informative.)

 

 

Hi, Everyone,

Got Covid? Take it easy! Doctors and the CDC are now theorizing that those who contract Covid often don’t get enough rest during recovery, which may be why we ‘re seeing a Covid rebound effect. Taking time off from work and simply staying in bed is part of the prescription. Easier said than done. What to do? Idea. Here are 18 songs about “taking it easy,” “slowing down,” “laying down”– you get the idea. Listen up!

  1. “Slow Down” The Beatles. Originally written and recorded by Larry Williams in 1957, The Beatles covered this raucous rocker in 1964. “Baby, slow down, now you’re moving way too fast.” Slow down, especially if you have Covid.
  2. “Time Won’t Let Me” The Outsiders. One-hit wonders from Cleveland. This 1966 song, their one hit, was written by their guitarist Tom King. You have to take time off to recover from Covid, but… “time won’t let me.”
  3. “Take It Easy” Eagles. Jackson Browne and his buddy Glenn Frey, who lived in the same apartment building in Echo Park, in L.A., collaborated on this great song and huge hit in 1972. Good advice. LOVE.
  4. “Lay Down Sally” Eric Clapton. Clapton co-wrote this country ditty with Marcella Detroit and George Terry and put it on his 1977 album Slowhand. If Marcella Detroit is her real name, then my real name is Alan Holyoke.
  5. “Mellow Yellow” Donovan. Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan Leitch had a string of hits in the sixties, including this one from 1967. The song is allegedly about getting high from smoking bananas, which, by the way, doesn’t get you high. Paul McCartney sings backup.
  6. “Mellow Mood” Bob Marley & The Wailers. The Jamaican ska & reggae legends sing about getting high. Well, what else is new? There was actually a drink called “Marley’s Mellow Mood” that was made from valerian root, lemon balm, chamomile, and some other disgusting stuff.
  7. “All The Time In The World” The Subdudes. New Orleans swamp rockers sing this 1996 party song from their album Primitive Streak. Take your time if you have Covid. Take all the time in the world.
  8. “We Have All the Time In The World” Louis Armstrong. Iconic trumpeter and jazz vocalist with a voice like sandpaper. “Satchmo” or “Pops” records a 1969 John Barry/Hal David song that made its way into the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
  9. “Two Weeks” Grizzly Bear. Brooklyn alt rockers recorded this 2009 hit with backup singing from Victoria Legrand of the dreamy rock group Beach House. My message? If you come down with Covid, you should rest for two weeks.
  10. “One Week” Barenaked Ladies. Okay, you can’t afford to rest for two weeks? Go for a week. Here are Canadian rocking melody makers with their biggest hit, from 1998.
  11. “Chasing Cars” Snow Patrol. Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rockers with their biggest hit. You need to lie down, rest, and think about chasing cars. In other words, do nothing. Plus, this is one of my wife’s favorite songs. LOVE (Both wife & song).
  12. “Daydream” The Lovin’ Spoonful. One of my favorite bands, led by John Sebastian. John wrote this 1966 classic, sings lead, plays harmonica, and whistles.
  13. “Take Some Time” Wilderado. Rock group out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Main band members are Max Rainer and Tyler Wimpee. They’re new — really new — and I like this song and it fits our list, so relax, chill, check it out.
  14. “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me” Linda Ronstadt. Karla Bonoff wrote this song, which became a big hit for Linda in 1976. Karla sings backup on this song– her song — on Linda’s album Hasten Down the Wind, which is a Warren Zevon song.
  15. “Angel Dream (#4)” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Gainesville, Florida’s finest rock band led by one of the most underrated songwriters. Here Tom & company provide the soundtrack to the 1996 film She’s The One, written and directed by Edward Burns. LOVE.
  16. “Lay Down Beside Me” Alison Krauss, John Waite. Bluegrass-country singer Krauss and English pop singer Waite combine on this country music classic written by Don Williams in 1977. Kenny Rogers first sang the song, but I prefer Krauss and Waite. Lay down already. Rest.
  17. “All Is Well” Avi Kaplan, Joy Williams. Kaplan, a basso profondo and charter member of the a cappella group Pentatonix, teams up with Joy Williams, formerly of the folk duo Civil Wars, on this gorgeous song. In our Covid playlist journey, you’ve rested enough, and all is well! LOVE.
  18. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” Simon & Garfunkel. We end with this 1966 classic from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.” Slow down, you’re moving too fast…”

And there we are –18 songs about resting, laying down, etc. Some advice:

 

Don’t Forget To Disinfect and… PLAY IT LOUD!

 

The link again:  click here.

 

Fact Check

Marcella Detroit’s real name is Marcella Levy, but she was born in Detroit.

 

‘Mellow Yellow’ is about getting high from smoking bananas. Do not try it at home. Your house will smell like a tire factory.

LAST WEEK’S POLL QUESTION:

“Teach Your Children” skipped past “God Bless The Child.”

 

THIS WEEK’S POLL QUESTION:

Battle of the apostrophes: “Daydream” by The Lovin’ Spoonful v. “Feelin’ Groovy” by Simon & Garfunkel. Who you got?

 

And that’s it for this week.

 

Alan Eisenstock

Thanks again,

 

Alan

alaneisenstock.com

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

LETTERS: Regarding the Library Situation

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

(Editor’s note: After Circling the News ran two letters from Palisades Library patrons on July 13, two more were received which are below.)

This photo to the entrance to the library was taken July 14 around 9:20 a.m.

We Have Stopped Using the Library:

As a young family we love the opportunity (especially in the warmer months) to use the community library. It’s a great place to cool off and read a few books after playing at the park. Over the past year we have stopped frequenting the library as a result of a few things-

  1. The homeless that live at the library seem to hold court in the entrance. For a while they were storing their stuff in the breezeway but now library staff is allowing them to leave their stuff on the side of the library. Boxes filled with trash, old books and food line the corridor… why is no one tasked to clean this? Let alone allow this?

They stare you down, loiter, smoke cigarettes, empty their trash in the parking lot. Just overall make just entering the library an unpleasant experience.

I’d love to know if sleeping on LAPL property is legal? Is it legal to loiter and store belongings on the property?

  1. The library staff is unfriendly, mask obsessed and unwelcoming. We are often scolded if we don’t wear our mask “correctly,” told the children’s section “echos” so to “keep it down” and barely acknowledged when we enter.

It’s no wonder the library is often empty… they’re not the friendliest group!

  1. Where is the board? Where are The Friends of the Library? Is there anyone who can take charge here and restore such a special part of our community? Welcome back weekly story time for the kids, encourage reading and laughter in the children’s area, maybe get a weekly music class going on the patio with some umbrellas?

It’s a real shame what’s going on at the library… action should be taken quickly before it gets too out of hand.

A Patron

As campers are greeted for the bus ride to camp (youth in blue), the homeless woman is passed out/sleeping on the bench in front of the library.

Friends of the Library Responds:

The serious issues raised in CTN regarding library patron safety are of utmost concern to the Pacific Palisades Library Association (The Friends of the Library).  It is an untenable situation when library patrons do not feel safe and welcome when visiting the Palisades branch. Personally, I also believe that it is truly unfortunate that any homeless person feels that our local public library is their best refuge.

Of course, solving the problem of homelessness is beyond the day-to-day scope of the Friends but is something that all of us must work together to accomplish. Speaking personally, I believe the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness has been doing remarkable work and deserves our support as we seek solutions for this crisis. I would also hope that the problems on our doorstep need not divide us as a community but rather bring us together as we work to solve them.

The ways in which we can respond to these serious concerns will be at the top of the agenda for the Friends at our upcoming quarterly board meeting in August. The Friends remain committed to working to foster good will and understanding between the Palisades community and the Palisades branch. As an all-volunteer organization, we depend on the community’s continued support and input as we seek ways to address these very difficult issues.

Laura Schneider

President, PPLA

Posted in Homelessness | 8 Comments

311 Will Work: Here Are Some Tips

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

A CTN reader sent the photo of this tripping hazard by a bus stop. After hearing about 311 issues, CTN tried the 311 process on July 14.

A reader wrote that they had called 311 because a large truck parked on Palisades Drive was blocking the view for people pulling out of a driveway.

Initially, the reader tried the landline, and was directed to a Santa Monica operator.  Next, the resident tried a cell phone and after waiting for 20 minutes, a 311 operator responded, and then asked if the ZIP Code was 90272. When the resident confirmed the zip, the operator told her the City didn’t cover that zip.

Circling the News contacted Councilman Mike Bonin’s office, and Isabella Dennis, the new Brentwood and Pacific Palisades Field Deputy, responded. “I am sorry you were having issues with 311 and were told that your address isn’t covered, that is simply untrue,” Dennis said. “Your address is within the City of Los Angeles.”

Dennis suggested using the website or downloading the 311 app. She also told the reader that she would contact the Department of Transportation about having the vehicle towed.

Former Field Deputy, and now District Director, Noah Fleishman told CTN in a July 11 email that “Sometimes, when constituents call 311, especially if they’re calling right near the Santa Monica/Los Angeles boarder in the Santa Monica Canyon neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, they sometimes get routed by the cell towers to Santa Monica 311, not the Los Angeles 311.

“Los Angeles 311 can always be reached at (213) 473-3231,” he said. “The resident who contacted you may have been connected to a non-Los Angeles City 311 operator if they made the call outside of the City of Los Angeles boarder or very close to it. The resident can always provide feedback by emailing  [email protected].

Fleishman said, “I always advise people who have a smart phone or computer to submit 311 requests via the app or website because it gives the opportunity to submit photos and detailed location information. The website and apps can be found HERE.

He shared a presentation with CTN about 311 that he had made to the Brentwood Community Council in March.

Ways to submit a MyLA311 request:

  1. Online at www.lacity.org/myla311
  2. Mobile phone application for Apple or Android
  3. A YouTube video tutorial for using the MyLA311 phone app is available HERE.
  4. Call 311 when inside the City of Los Angeles or call (213) 473-3231 from outside the City.

Available service requests:

  1. A searchable list of over 1,000 City services is available at click here.

MyLA311 Frequently Asked Questions

  1. To get answers to some frequently asked questions about MyLA311, click here.

 

A CTN reader had sent a photo of a tripping hazard by the bus stop at the 76 Station on Sunset. CTN went to the website and filed a service request and received a number 1-2403262701. It was an easy process. We will keep you updated about any progress with the 311 request.

Posted in Community, Councilman Mike Bonin | 2 Comments

High School Students Interested in Service Academies Can Meet Cadets

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

Commander Jim Cragg is mentoring two cadets from West Point who will speak to interested students on Wednesday, July 20.

If you have a high school student that might be interested in attending one of the five service academies, West Point (Army), Annapolis (U.S. Navel Academy), Colorado Springs (U.S. Air Force), Kings Point (U.S. Merchant Marines) or New London (U.S. Coast Guard), the American Legion Ronald Reagan Post 283 is hosting two cadets that can help answer questions.

Regardless of Legion affiliation, any family/student who would like more information is invited to come the Palisades Presbyterian Church meeting hall, 15821 Sunset Boulevard, at 5:30 p.m. on July 20.

Legion commander and Palisades resident Jim Cragg said, “The Cadets are looking forward to talking to kids, who might be interested in applying.”

Cragg, a businessman, is mentoring the two for an internship in entrepreneurism.

Several Palisades residents have attended different academies, including Brandon Newman, who attended the U.S. Coast Guard and now serves as a public information officer for that branch: West Point alums included twins Jack and Liam Palladino, “Sudsy” Dyke and most recently Caroline Vincent, who is a senior and won the 2022 ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award, which is endowed by Billie Jean King.

Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion are invited to RSVP for the dinner, and at the Legion meeting, after the dinner, the USMA Cadets will speak about Cadet life at West Point.

Posted in Kids/Parenting | Leave a comment

CTN: Fact or B.S.: Rose Avenue is Affordable Housing

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

This new apartment building, located across from Whole Foods on Lincoln, is called affordable  housing and is the location of the Venice Community Housing Corporation offices.

Myth Busters B.S. #2 – Rose Avenue

One of my son’s favorite television shows growing up was Mythbusters. Each episode focused on popular beliefs, Internet rumors or other myths. The cast would examine each myth and then either confirm or debunk it.

Circling the News is now offering its own series “Fact or B.S.”

In Councilman Mike Bonin’s June 26 Newsletter, he stated “We need more affordable housing. It has been decades since most Westside neighborhoods had new 100% affordable housing project, and I am working hard to change that.

He then listed projects, such as Rose Avenue, and concluded “Projects like these are the answer to our homelessness and affordable housing crisis.”

Fact or B.S.?

In May, the Rose Avenue Apartments, 34 “affordable” units, were given to the nonprofit Venice Community Housing (VHC). (According to some stats there are 1,685 homeless living in Venice.)

This project, 718-720 Rose Avenue, was designed by the architectural firm Brooks + Scarpa and is four-stories tall. The Rose Apartments cost a total of $20.2 million, or $577,142 per unit, with $6.8 million funded by Proposition HHH. It is located across from the Whole Foods on Lincoln. Neighbors attended City meetings trying to have the proposed building be built more in scale with the neighborhood.

Although Venice residents gave input at hearings, they were told that since it was affordable housing there were no discussions, because anything they might object to was NIMBYism.

How many of the 34 rooms are filled? CTN has repeatedly called VHC, but no one has responded with an answer. The website says there’s a wait list (but no number is given).

This editor asked the Pacific Palisades Taskforce on Homelessness to call and see if they could have someone placed. They never received a response.

Maybe they didn’t get a response because Rose Avenue was supposed to house Venice homeless? But Venice residents haven’t been able to get a homeless guy, who’s lived there for decades into the project.

Westside Current also reached out to find out how many homeless had been housed, but no one returned the call.

The nonprofit VCH moved its offices into that building. Even though the land and building were developed through taxpayer money, it was given to that nonprofit, which now owns the property and building.

It is no longer City property. There is no accountability.

To call 34 apartments, at a cost of $20.2 million, a solution to affordable housing is

B.S.

To turn over a taxpayer-funded project to a nonprofit –

Double B.S.

Posted in * Fact or B.S., businesses/stores, Councilman Mike Bonin, Homelessness | 5 Comments

Palisades Library Issues Need to be Addressed

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

This is one of the homeless women that now claims the Palisades Library is her home. The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness has tried to help her.

(Editor’s note: CTN has now received two letters (below) about problems at the local library. This editor, who used to be an avid user of the branch library, now goes to Collections Antiques and Books on Antioch, run by Jeff Ridgway. If he doesn’t have a book, he will order it. This editor stopped by the library today and the head librarian acknowledged they need the community’s help. They are short-staffed and just trying to stay open.)

LETTER: Nightmare at the Library

I have recently been screamed at by the blonde homeless woman residing with Ruby at the library portico when I had the audacity to walk up to the doors to check library hours after she and Ruby had moved back in for the night.

She screamed at my dog and me to “get out of her home” and said we “have no right to invade her home.” When I said that it was actually public property, she ran at us and screamed, “It’s not after closing time! It’s mine.”

Another day when I tried to go to the library during open hours Ruby stood menacingly in the driveway until I walked away.

I went back when she took a break and went into the library to ask what the “rules” are for dealing with the homeless residents there. The library employee I asked insisted she didn’t know what I was talking about and suggested I return to speak with the librarian (Mary?) in two days when she would be there. I have been unable to speak to Mary.

I did email the PPTFH to ask how to handle these situations and received no reply. I am afraid to go to the library and have not been able to take my granddaughter there since it reopened, for fear of such a terrifying encounter with her.

I love the library so much and have contributed to its maintenance for many years, have spent many happy times there.  This situation and others like it make me want to leave the Palisades. I do not feel safe here anymore.

“Ruby” has lived at the library for several years, even though she had been housed at an apartment in Santa Monica.

LETTER: Library Is a Sketchy Place

I went to drop off some movies at the library and Ruby was holding court as well as an older woman with white hair who had her stuff spread out all over the exterior corridor.

There was someone else in the bushes in front that seemed to be changing clothes or storing their belongings. There was a shopping cart randomly in front of the walkway. Could the library be any more uninviting?

I walked into it and the lady behind the Lucite screen was deep into reading her book and then very focused on me putting on a mask.

The library is a dead place and becoming a gathering place for the destitute. It’s sketchy and gives off a vibe of avoidance rather than take the chance of walking by Ruby smoking, or trash all over the corridor. One must walk on the parking lot to avoid it – not the entry walkway.

There is zero interaction between the library staff and the transients directly outside. Why is the library staff not taking some sort of action outside their entry? It feels hopeless.

The Library and Friends of the Library can announce all the fun programs you want, but when the entry is surrounded by unkempt persons and a corridor filled with their belongings and old boxes of books (why are those books even there? Is no one in charge of picking them up and either tossing or storing or donating them?) how can you expect families to be excited to participate?

The library board should either take action or announce they are refusing to get involved in any beautification effort and call it a day – just acknowledge they are content with the situation as is.

Or maybe it’s time to hire a library employee who is tasked with building a treasured resource for our community to enjoy.

At least three shopping carts filled with items have been tucked away by the library patio.

Posted in Community, Homelessness, Kids/Parenting | 7 Comments

Naming “THAT” Area North of Sunset Is a Problem

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

This is the green at the center of the Caruso complex.

Anyone who has ever argued with a spouse about what to name a child—or even a pet — knows there is no easy compromise.

That’s why when my daughter was named Shelby, it wasn’t clear how that happened because my husband and I used ranked-choice voting.

I’m pretty sure my third choice was Shelby behind Taylor and Alexandria—but… Anyway that brings us to Carusoville versus Palisades Village as a name for the development that is north of Sunset and contains numerous restaurants and high-end clothing stores. It is generally a pleasant place to walk, people watch—and now has the best public bathrooms in the town (sorry Gelson’s).

After I was reprimanded for using Carusoville in a Musing, I put it out to readers, who I have to say are some of the sharpest, nicest people you might meet, if there could be a compromise for the “mall.”

First, I apologize to Midwest readers, who routinely refer to shopping areas as a mall. A reader wrote: “At the risk of making your head explode, please don’t refer to it as a ‘mall’ either. That is frequently also used as a pejorative.”

Who knew that the word mall had negative connotations?

The Bay Theater has reopened through Netflix.

Okay, so now we know we can’t call that area a mall – even though if you Google “mall,” The Grove, The Americana at Brand, the Glendale Galleria and even Palisades Village pop up on the list.

One reader wrote: “How about ‘Palisades Village Mall?’ I know Caruso doesn’t build malls, but this keeps it simple. Carusoville disrespectful? Time for a reality check — that there’s even a debate about what to call a private enterprise that has co-opted the name of the main business district while disrespecting the community and our long-time local businesses, makes any name fair game.”

One person explained the historical aspect of the Village name. “For decades, we Palisadians have called our central business area The Village.

“Too bad we never trademarked the name. Caruso apparently checked to see if we had. Nope, we hayseeds probably never thought of doing so or that it was necessary.

“Rick Caruso has officially trademarked the name Palisades Village. A little too close to the name The Village?” The reader concluded.

Another reader wrote: “We should certainly have objected to the registration and use of the term Palisades Village for what is Carusoville, because we did indeed already have a village in the Palisades — a quaint and wonderful one that predated Caruso.”

One wrote: “Take the name Palisades Village. Caruso did. There’s so much more. But I try not to dwell on it these days, except when asked to detail the Caruso Saga.”

Yet another reader wrote: “I like that you use the term, Carusoville. I agree with the writer the other day that reminded us that the ‘Village’ is the greater Palisades downtown area, and the Caruso property has attempted to take this historic term as its own.”

Another said: “The bottom line is that Carusoville is a fine name. It is a good description of that part of the Village area. It’s not derogatory. That’s only in the minds of some people. What’s derogatory? Depends how it’s used – ‘I love the new Carusoville and its restaurants’ – or ‘Carusoville is ruining the neighborhood vibe.’”

There were those that preferred that it be called Palisades Village:

One wrote: “Palisades shopping should all be called Palisades Village. Only the unhappy angry people call it Carusoville!”

A long-time resident wrote: “I consider everything from Gelson’s to Ralphs, north and south of Sunset, as the Village. I make no real distinction between Caruso’s project and other commercial establishments. Swarthmore, north and south, has traditionally been referred to as the Village, so nothing has really changed.”

Entirely different name suggestions included: The Caruso Center, Neo-ville, Caruso Plaza, North Village, North Palisades and Upper Sunset.

Maybe in the future, to keep peace in Pacific Palisades, Circling the News will adapt the Harry Potter books and just call it “The area that shall not be named.”

The Draycott is a popular eatery in the complex north of Sunset.

Posted in businesses/stores | 5 Comments

Proposed Potrero Trail to Temescal Funded by Representative Lieu

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

A trail has been funded, which will extend along Pacific Coast Highway from the George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon to Temescal Canyon road (where the pipes are).

U.S. House of Representative Ted Lieu announced on July 5 that a community grant of $1.15 million had been approved to pay for the construction of a trail that will connect the George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon Park with Temescal Canyon Road.

Funds will allow for the grading and installation of a half-mile long, 12-foot-wide decomposed granite trail and protective fence that will meander over the naturally hilly terrain along Pacific Coast Highway to the nearest signaled intersection and crosswalk at Temescal Canyon Road.

Since there is no traffic signal or pedestrian crossing at the mouth of the canyon, a safe pathway to the Temescal Canyon intersection leading to the beach will provide public access to the coast and is necessary to prevent park and beachgoers from attempting to cross Pacific Coast Highway.

“I’m pleased to be able to advocate once again for valuable and impactful projects in Los Angeles,” Lieu said in a press release (visit: https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-secures-over-75-million-city-los-angeles-projects).

A pedestrian bridge at the base of Potrero has been funded by the state for $11 million and the City Bureau of Engineering is working on the design.

At a July 7 Board of Commissioners Recreation and Park meeting, attendees were told that the landscaping is 50 percent done and Potrero Park is slated to open in the fall.

Currently the Park will be open at Frontera, with a second smaller gate planned for Friends Street for residents to utilize.

Some Friends Street residents have submitted a letter to the Coastal Commission arguing there should be no gate because there had been no traffic study, the gate is in the Very High Fire Hazard Zone and public safety had not been considered.

Palisades Highlands resident Harris Leven submitted a letter to the Coastal Commission for its July 14 hearing.

Leven commiserated with the Friends Street residents: We “raised the exact same concerns in filings with the City of Los Angeles and the Coastal Commission about the construction of a four-story, 64,600+ sq. ft. building intended to house a for-profit institution. That building is being constructed in our 99.98% residential neighborhood of homes and townhomes of no more than three-stories and of structures, including those encompassing as many as ten townhomes, that are less than half the size of the building.

“We were supported by petition signatures from more than 1,600 people evidencing, like the West Rim Neighborhood asserts, overwhelming opposition to the building project. In addition, my neighbors and I argued that the building project also violated numerous sections of the Coastal Act and in particular PRC§§ 30240, 30250, 30251, 30253, 30620, and 30620.5. . . .

“The City rejected our neighborhood’s arguments and misapplied the Coastal Act reasoning that the Act’s protections did not apply to the building because the building’s site is two and a half miles from the coast and does not have a view of the ocean. The City essentially ignored that the building’s site is within the Coastal Zone, adjacent to the City’s Santa Ynez Canyon Park and Topanga State Park, and amidst the Santa Monica Mountains for which the provisions of the Coastal Act do apply. Most unfortunately, the Coastal Commission established a hard precedent against the arguments of the West Rim Neighborhood when the Commission found “no substantial issue” in my neighbors’ appeal of the City’s decision to the Commission in Appeal No. A-5-PPL-18-0035.

“I do not see how the Commission can in any way entertain the West Rim Neighborhood’s concerns when the Commission has flat out rejected those concerns elsewhere in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.”

Leven concluded “I understand and appreciate the concerns expressed about the Friends Street access to George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon and the related path and planned kiosk. I do not expect the Commission to order the closure of that access, but if the Commission wants to do so, or even entertain the idea of doing so, the Commission must first act to reverse the contrary precedent involving my neighborhood in the case currently pending in the California 2nd District Court of Appeal. (Pacific Palisades Residents Association, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Case No. B306658).

Some Friend Street residents objected to the small gate that will provide access to the George Wolfberg Park at Potrero and sent letters to the Coastal Commission opposing the entrance.

(Editor’s note: The Highlands Edlercare Facility, at 1525 Palisades Drive is located in the Very High Fire Severity Zone, surrounded by a state and city park. The project did not undergo an environmental review nor a traffic study. Those residents who opposed the project were called NIMBY’s.)

The eldercare facility, which is four stories high, takes away the mountain views as one motors up Palisades Drive. The project was approved by the Coastal Commission and there is a case pending in the California 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Posted in Community, Environmental, Parks | Leave a comment

Pacific Palisades Residents Receive Emmy Nominations

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Sue Pascoe

Bill Hader received a nomination for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Curb Your Enthusiasm. He has several nominations for Barry, including Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Photo: HBO

By BERNICE FOX

It’s always a good day to be a Palisadian.

But Tuesday was even better than usual for some Palisadians in the world of entertainment.

Tuesday was Emmy nomination day. And several in and around Pacific Palisades heard their name or project when those nominations were announced.

This was a good one for former Palisades Honorary Mayor Martin Short. He’s nominated for lead actor in a comedy for Only Murders in the Building. Short is listed as an executive producer on the series which is up for outstanding comedy series as one of its 17 nominations.

Former Palisades Honorary Mayor Martin Short received an Emmy nomination for his work in Only Murders in the Building.
Photo by: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

Michael Keaton had a super day as his series about the opioid crisis, Dopesick, came away with 14 nominations, including outstanding limited series. Keaton is an executive producer on the series and is nominated for lead actor.

Another Palisades resident who heard his show and name announced over and over is Bill Hader. The black comedy he produces, Barry, also has 14 nominations, including outstanding comedy series. And Hader is nominated for lead actor in a comedy series, as well as for his writing and directing.

After the nominations were announced, Hader was in his car on his phone talking with Variety. Hader told the reporter he was driving to a location he was considering for the fourth season of Barry. He said the new season starts filming in August.

Hader also is nominated for his guest role on the most recent season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

And Curb is up for outstanding comedy series – one of its four nominations. Curb’s creator and star, longtime Palisadian Larry David, is not nominated for acting, though he has been nominated in that category many times in the past.

Larry David’s show Curb Your Enthusiasm was nominated for in four categories. To date the show has received 51 nominations and won twice across all categories.
Photo: HBO

Former Palisadian Reese Witherspoon, who switched to Brentwood, has an Emmy nomination as lead actress in a drama for The Morning Show.

Also in Brentwood is Henry Winkler, who won his first-ever Emmy for his role on Barry, and is nominated again for the comedy.

Three of Palisadian producer Chuck Lorre’s sitcoms are up for Emmys, including Bob Hearts Abishola. The other two are for shows that have been canceled: United States of Al and B Positive.

And Brentwood’s Austin Winsberg is thrilled that Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas with Palisadian co-star Mary Steenburgen, has two nominations: for outstanding TV movie and choreography.

Winsberg, who is creator and writer, tweeted “Wow. It happened. Shocked. Surprised. Extremely grateful.” He also thanked fans for their campaign for a TV movie to wrap up loose ends from the two seasons of the original NBC series. Roku also was thanked.

The Emmy awards will air Monday, September 12 on NBC.

Michael Keaton from a scene in Dopesick.
Photo: Hulu

Posted in Film/Television | Leave a comment