The Pacific Palisades Community Council awards banquet was filled with speeches and laughter.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
By ALISON BURMEISTER
The Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) gathered for its annual Awards Gala and Holiday Dinner generously hosted by Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar at the base of the Palisades Highlands.
The December 11 celebration honored outstanding individuals for their contributions during an unprecedented year and to celebrate the community’s unwavering resilience after the devastating fires that destroyed so much of the town.
As guests arrived, the patio and dining room of Spruzzo overflowed with champagne toasts and heartfelt hugs. Photographer Rich Schmitt moved seamlessly through the packed room, capturing the joy, determination, and unmistakable spirit of a community refusing to be defined by tragedy.
PPCC President Sue Kohl opened the evening by welcoming what she called the “brave community of Pacific Palisades.” Acknowledging those who traveled long distances because they are still displaced, she said “We will recover, and we will rebuild our beloved Palisades.”
The evening began with recognition of past PPCC presidents and prior awardees in attendance. Many civic leaders and elected officials, including Councilwoman Traci Park, LAUSD Board Vice President Nick Melvoin, representatives from Senator Ben Allen’s office, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office, and Congressman Brad Sherman’soffice, congratulated award winners.
Jim Cragg was named Citizen of the Year.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
Citizen of the Year 2025 was presented to Jim Cragg, a U.S. Army veteran with 30 years in special operations. Cragg has served on all continents, in 75 countries and through three wars, He was recognized for his efforts after the fire and for founding the Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), which has provided critical post-fire support to vulnerable and underinsured Palisadians.
Cragg called the award the “most meaningful of his career.” He spoke candidly of the devastation he witnessed during his Army career. “When I left the military in August 2024,” he said, “five months later, that same level of destruction came to us.”
Looking around the room, Cragg compared his days in the military to fighting for the recovery of Pacific Palisades. “You are the people I am fighting shoulder to shoulder with to bring back the community,” he said. “History will not forget what you have done for your community.”
Jessica Rogers was awarded a Golden Sparkplug Award.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
The first of two Golden Sparkplug Awards, which honors individuals whose advocacy sparked tangible change, went to Jessica Rogers. She was recognized for her tireless efforts to enhance community safety, including championing the installation of Flock security cameras at Palisades exit points.
“Together is how we get it done,” Rogers said. “We are unstoppable if we remain united.”
Maryam Zar received her Sparkplug award for founding the Palisades Recovery Coalition, leading initiatives such as visioning charrettes and community forums with public officials. A two-time PPCC president with service spanning the Palisades Park Advisory and YMCA boards, Zar described Pacific Palisades as “the tapestry that will lift this recovery off the ground.”
The Pride of the Palisades Award went to Chuck Hart, a fourth-generation Palisadian honored for his courage and hands-on service immediately after the fire, clearing debris-filled streets so residents and emergency vehicles could pass.
Hart credited the institutions that shaped him, St. Matthew’s, Troop 223, Loyola High School, the Methodist Church, and spoke of a deep tradition of service. After the fire, “service,” he said, “has been rocketed into the fourth dimension of existence.”
The Team Palisades Award recognized a formidable group of residents who built and operated the Block Captain system during recovery and rebuilding. Honorees included Darragh Danton, Rob Jernigan, Elissa Ashwood, Tony Hocking, Lee Ann Daly, May Sung, Dennis Smith, Steve Danton, Jenny Weigle-Bonds, Allison Holdorff, and Daphne Gronich.
Recognizing that 2025 demanded advocacy unlike any other year, PPCC introduced the Awesome Advocates Award.
Sue Pascoe, founder of Circling the News, was honored for providing essential reporting before and after the fire. She has covered Palisades news for decades, while also volunteering to clear homeless camps, serving as an announcer at the annual 4th of July Parade, refereeing countless AYSO, club and high school soccer games, and stepping in as Mrs. Claus at the holiday HO!HO!HO! for years. Her husband, John Pascoe accepted the award while Sue traveled with her daughter in Japan.
Sue Kohl presented the Pride of the Palisades award to Chuck Hart (left) and the Awesome Advocate Award to Spencer Pratt.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
Spencer Pratt, a reality television star and social media personality, received recognition for using his national platform to draw attention to the fire’s impact and to demand accountability.
In an impassioned acceptance, Pratt emphasized the importance of truth, justice, and persistence on behalf of victims and families, underscoring why advocacy, even when controversial, matters. He said, “And all the dorks who slandered and libeled us and our attorneys, like they were just ambulance chasers, I’m accepting apologies now.
“I have said repeatedly, this lawsuit is the only chance at justice for the Palisades fire victims,” Pratt said. “There are cowards that were going to keep this buried, the scum bags at the state were going to keep this buried, the atrocious lap dog media weren’t interested in investigating this, only us opportunistic plaintiffs, and our attorneys are doing every damn thing to seek justice for the 12 souls who died in the fire, this is why I speak up, this is why others speak up,” Pratt said. “Even if it bothers some folks, we must keep the fight, the truth is coming out.”
To conclude the evening, Kohl reflected on Councilwoman Traci Park Park’s extraordinary leadership this past year. “No one moves hearts and minds quite like Traci Park,” Kohl said. “Already grappling with homelessness, public safety, and environmental crises, Park faced the fire with relentless determination, attending endless meetings, navigating bureaucracy, challenging resistance and showing up at every community gathering.”
Park spoke directly to the community, “I fight for you because you deserve it. I fight for you because you need it. I fight for you because I love you.”
In a moving speech, she promised to keep pushing, through every mountain and every path, until every resident has a way home.
The evening filled with hope and harmony was made complete when Jimmy Dunne, joined by the Events Committee, serenaded the crowd in a spirited chorus of “Jingle Bells” dedicated to Councilwoman Park. Laughter and applause filled the room, a moment of levity that reminded everyone present that joy, too, is part of recovery.
In a year defined by loss, the 2025 PPCC Awards Gala affirmed something enduring: Pacific Palisades is strong, united, and unwavering in its commitment to rebuild, together.
Jimmy Dunne led the events committee in serenading the crowd.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT