Palisadians with questions about technology now have one more resource to get answers.
Palisades Branch Library welcomed Cybernaut Multimedia Assistant Jake Folsom, who is available to help from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
“In working as a Cybernaut, Jake’s aim is to serve the vibrant community of Pacific Palisades while he builds his experience as a library professional in preparation for his graduate-level studies in library and information science,” read a statement from Pacific Palisades Library Association.
Cybernauts are described on the Los Angeles Public Library website as “trained computer aides that offer technology assistance, computer support and mobile device support.”
In his role, Folsom will “help library patrons navigate all of their technology questions,” including about cell phones, laptops, tablets or the library’s e-media applications, such as OverDrive’s Libby. He can also help people learn how to use social media, find information online and learn basic computer skills.
“The Palisades Cybernaut is made possible thanks to a generous multi-year grant from the estate of Mary Calfas Janos,” the statement continued.
Folsom, a graduate of NYU Tisch with a double major in film/TV and journalism, grew up in Minneapolis.
“He has a passion for helping people and a love of technology,” PPLA wrote, “which makes him well equipped to help address your technology questions.”
Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club will host a Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the clubhouse, located at 901 Haverford Avenue.
“The need for blood continues to be constant,” read an announcement from PPWC. “Please join us in saving lives. Come by our beautiful and spacious PPWC Clubhouse.”
Donors can choose between giving Power Red, a donation that collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets, or Blood, where approximately one pint of blood is given. This type of donation takes about an hour, according to the registration website.
Power Red donors must meet specific eligibility requirements, and have type A, B Neg or O blood.
Serving the community since 1925, PPWC is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to the enhancement and quality of life in the Palisades through education, recreation, beautification, community service and charitable cause,” according to its website.
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code PPWC.
For more information, email theppwc@gmail.com or call 800-RED-CROSS. For eligibility questions, call 866-236-3276.
Sages & Seekers is seeking sages—adults ages 60 and older—and seekers—students between 15 and 24 years old—to participate in its spring session, which will begin on Monday, April 15, and run through Thursday, May 30.
The intergenerational program, which will meet in-person at Palisades Charter High School, is described as an opportunity to build meaningful relationships.
Launched in 2009 with a mission to combat social isolation and “dissolve age-related segregation,” the nonprofit program has been implemented across the country, in private and public schools, universities, senior centers, and beyond.
“This is achieved by creating a sense of intergenerational community in our programs, through the art of authentic conversation,” according to the program. “Many of the issues both teens and older adults deal with are mutual in nature, even though they seem miles apart.
“Both generations are searching for meaning and relevance; fighting feelings of loneliness, and many of ‘not fitting in’ or being marginalized. Sages & Seekers addresses these concerns for two generations at once.”
The Pali High program will begin Wednesday, April 17, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Subsequent meeting dates are April 24, and May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. An online program will also kick off on Monday, April 15.
Teens Leading Change will host a rock painting event on Tuesday, March 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real Drive.
Kids of all ages who attend will be invited to paint rocks for a forthcoming native plant garden at the library, which is being created by Teens Leading Change. Anyone who is interested can learn more about pollinators and California native plants at the event.
“Come for snacks, rock paintings and a fun time,” read a flyer for the event.
The Teens Leading Change program will celebrate the native garden with kick-off and open house events in May, with more details expected to be revealed soon.
In a ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, one Palisadian celebrated his first Academy Award win during the 96th Oscars on March 10 at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
Palisadian Robert Downey Jr. won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Oppenheimer,” a category that also included Sterling K. Brown for “American Fiction,” Robert De Niro for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Mark Ruffalo for “Poor Things” and Ryan Gosling for “Barbie.”
Though Downey Jr. has many other accolades, this marked his first Oscar. He had been nominated twice before.
“I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order,” Downey Jr. said when accepting the award. “I’d like to thank my veterinarian—I meant, wife, Susan Downey over there. She found me a snarling rescue pet and you loved me back to life, and that’s why I’m here.”
Palisadian Bradley Cooper was nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for “Maestro,” a category that went to Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer” and included Colman Domingo for “Rustin,” Paul Giamatti for “The Holdovers” and Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction.”
Cooper has been nominated for Oscars nine previous times, including Best Actor in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook,” in 2015 for “American Sniper” and 2019 for “A Star is Born.”
As producers of “Maestro,” Cooper, fellow Palisadian Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger were nominated for Best Picture, a category that also went to “Oppenheimer” and included “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.”
Cooper was also nominated for Writing (Original Screenplay) alongside Josh Singer, a category that went to “Anatomy of a Fall” and included “The Holdovers,” “May December” and “Past Lives.”
There was no shortage of Palisadian presenters throughout the ceremony, including Sally Field, Spielberg, Mary Steenburgen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Keaton and Palisades Charter High School alum Forest Whitaker.
Girls emPOWERment Experience will offer an eight-week “Self Defense Sundays” course in Pacific Palisades, which begins on April 7.
“This new and exciting group takes our mission and one-of-a-kind program—empowering every girl with confidence, courage and connection to ‘be her own hero’ through movement, mindfulness, mindset and mental health,” read a description, “and it expands it with an incredible foundation of life skills through self-defense and martial arts that will keep them strong, safe, resilient and capable as they navigate life.”
Each 90-minute session in the course will allow for “exploration of our inner and outer worlds” via “age-appropriate self-defense/martial arts,” fitness, situational awareness, mindfulness, nature time, meditation and breathwork. The course also includes conversations woven into each session about confidence, self-awareness, courage, strength, mindsets, self-talk and more.
The course will be led by Josh Wingate, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field of martial arts, as well as 20 years of experience working with children, teenagers and young adults.
“His ability to connect to the individual, inspire, and empower and bring out the best in them is unparalleled,” the statement continued. “He makes learning fun, while challenging the individual and group to reach new heights in mind, body and soul.”
Girls emPOWERment Experience—operated by Palisadian Mauri Wingate—offers movement, mindfulness, mindset and mental health programs for confidence, courage and connection.
The group will meet at Temescal Park at 10 a.m. The eight-week series is available for $555.
The Los Angeles City Section released its All-City basketball teams last week—and Palisades Charter High School players made both the boys and girls lists.
The Open Division boys squad included Dolphins junior center Aten Hassan and senior guard Jordan Farhadian. Both were instrumental in Palisades winning 10 of its last 13 regular season contests to earn a spot in the Open Division bracket as one of the top eight teams in the City.
Palisades was one of three Western League teams selected to the Open Division (along with Westchester and LACES). The Dolphins were seeded seventh and fell to No. 2 King/Drew in the first round.
Farhadian led Palisades with 16 points. The Golden Eagles went on to take the championship under Lloyd Webster, who was named Coach of the Year.
Donald Thompson of King/Drew and Alijah Arenas of Chatsworth were named Co-Players of the Year. Ryan Conner and Donovan Cornelius of LACES and Khaeden Grady-Asher and Dillon Chelsea of Westchester were also Open Division picks.
The Open Division girls squad included Dolphins sophomore guard Elly Tierney and senior forward Aniah Bradley. Each played a pivotal role in Palisades’ third-place finish in the Western League, which netted them the fifth seed in the Open Division. League champion Westchester and runner-up Hamilton were No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Palisades lost to No. 4 King/Drew in the first round, despite Tierney’s 18 points. She also made the All-League first team along with junior Alyssa Ramirez while Bradley earned second team recognition with fellow Dolphin Ayla Teegardin.
Open Division Player of the Year honors were shared by DeeDee Berry, Nat Lopez and Sammy Velasquez from City champion Birmingham while Patriots pilot Victor Koopongsakorn was voted Coach of the Year. Also among the All-Open honorees were Mariah Blake, Savannah Myles of runner-up Westchester, and Jade Fort and Kinidi Curl of Hamilton.
On Monday, March 18, the City Section released its All-City boys and girls soccer teams, and Palisades was represented on both lists.
Senior forward Jayce Jones made the Division I boys team after leading Palisades to the Western League title and the Division I quarterfinals, where they lost 2-1 in overtime to eventual finalist El Camino Real. Jones scored a team-high 19 goals and added 12 assists for a team-best total of 50 points.
Senior defender Daniel Romero of City champion Birmingham was chosen Player of the Year while Patriots pilot Gus Villalobos was named Coach of the Year.
Meanwhile, two Dolphins were selected for the Division I girls squad: senior striker Erica Hamilton and senior midfielder Alex DiGennaro, after powering their team to the Western League title and the City semifinals, where Palisades fell in a shootout to eventual champion Cleveland.
Hamilton tallied a school-record 33 goals in 21 games played, including a four-goal effort in the quarterfinals against Venice. She also converted her penalty kick in the shootout versus Cleveland.
DiGennaro also played 21 games, scoring eight times and racking up a team-high 14 assists, including four in the playoffs. Grace Kehr of Venice also made the Division I team.
Cleveland midfielder Alexa Monge was selected Player of the Year, and Cavaliers pilot Greg Ibach was chosen Coach of the Year.
Sunday, March 17, marked the 39th edition of the Los Angeles Marathon. The 26.2-mile route started at Dodger Stadium and ended on the Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
The field of 26,000 runners included the following Palisadians:
That was the mindset of the Palisades Charter High School varsity baseball team last week in its initial Western League contests versus Fairfax. The Dolphins outscored the Lions 22-1 to sweep the two-game home-and-home set and improved to 5-3 heading into this week’s matchups with Venice, which won its first two league games against Hamilton.
After the bullpen was unable to protect a big lead late in March 11’s 8-6 setback against Los Angeles Wilson, the Dolphins bounced back two days later with an 11-1 five-inning victory over Fairfax at George Robert Field. Logan Bailey, Reece Frankel, Noah Andrews, Isaac Buenrostro and Jack Kurland all hit singles, and Alex Loos and Yonah Cohen each doubled and drove in two runs while pitcher Roman Hawk tossed a three-hitter with seven strikeouts.
The teams were back at it Friday, March 15, in Los Angeles, and this time Palisades needed six innings to mercy the host Lions (1-6), scoring three times in the top of that frame after plating two runs in the second, four in the third and two in the fourth to build an 8-0 lead.
Bailey had a double, a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored, Hawk and John Iacono had RBI triples, Conor Greene had two singles and two RBIs, and Noah Andrews hit an inside-the-park home run for the Dolphins (5-3), who also stole five bases. Ian Sullivan threw a two-hitter with eight strikeouts to record the win.
There is a lot at stake this week against the Gondoliers (3-5), who appear to be the Dolphins’ biggest obstacle in their pursuit of a sixth straight league crown. Palisades hosts the first game Wednesday, March 20, at 3 p.m. riding a 72-game winning streak in league. The Dolphins last dropped a league contest on March 16, 2017, when Venice beat them 7-3 on its way to the league title.
Softball
March 14’s showdown with Venice evolved into a classic pitchers’ duel between Palisades’ Briana Vasquez and Venice’s Monserrath Zapata. Neither yielded a run through five innings but the Dolphins thought they had scored in the top of the sixth but the run was disallowed after the home plate umpire ruled Rikka Richardson out for running inside the base line. In the bottom of the frame, Venice scored on a squeeze bunt and an error to take a 2-0 lead.
Olivia Stanley singled to lead off the top of the seventh and eventually scored on Stella Honda’s hard hit grounder to first, but that was all the offense the Dolphins could muster in a 2-1 defeat. Palisades will host a rematch April 15 that could determine the Western League championship.
Palisades was back in action Friday, March 15, at the TNT Tournament in Torrance, falling to Piedra Vista 11-0 and La Serna 4-1 in the Bronze bracket. The Dolphins wrapped up the tournament with a 13-5 loss Saturday, March 16, to Peninsula. Stanley had a double and three RBIs and Vasquez also drove in a run as Palisades dropped to 1-8-1 overall.
Boys Volleyball
The Dolphins headed north to Santa Barbara last Saturday for their second tournament of the season and finished 2-2 in the Dos Pueblos Invitational at UCSB. They beat Capistrano Valley Christian and Santa Maria St. Joseph in their first two pool play matches and took the first set from eventual champion San Marcos before losing the next two 25-12, 15-7. In the elimination phase the host Chargers swept Palisades 25-17, 25-20 on their way to third place.
Palisades (13-6, 4-0) swept University and Fairfax last week to remain undefeated in league.
Boys Tennis
Reigning City Individual singles champion Neel Joshi won his pro set at the No. 1 spot as the Dolphins blanked Viewpoint 6-0 Monday, March 18, at Palisades Tennis Center. Caleb Scott and Max May posted an impressive intersectional victory at No. 1 doubles for the Dolphins (7-4, 4-0).
Palisades will compete in the 23rd annual All-American Invitational Tournament on Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23. The 16-team event is being hosted by Peninsula High and will be played at various sites in the South Bay, with the semifinals and finals being at the Jack Kramer Club in Rolling Hills Estates. The reigning City champion Dolphins are seeded 14th and open against Torrey Pines, which made the San Diego Section Open Division semifinals last spring.
Boys Lacrosse
Palisades split a pair of intersectional contests last week, losing 9-4 at El Segundo on Thursday, March 14, before rebounding to edge Redondo Union 10-9 the next day at Stadium by the Sea to improve to 4-3-1. The Dolphins host St. Francis at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, and Saugus at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 22.
Girls Lacrosse
Ela Blyumkin scored four times, Mallie McGowan scored three times, Harlowe Hrankek added two goals, and Jianling Horton, AJ Morris, Carla Atallah and Cielo Taylor all added one goal in Monday, March 18’s, 13-5 victory over Hamilton. Giada Rice won five draws and goalie EllaRose Matlins made four saves.
It was the third straight win for the Dolphins (5-6), who got five goals from McGowan in a 9-8 triumph over Compton last Wednesday, March 13, and downed visiting Hart 13-2 on Saturday, March 16.
Track & Field
Sophomore Blake Sigworth clocked a personal-record 4:22.98 to take first place in the boys’ 1600 meters Saturday, March 16, at the Mustang Relays in Manhattan Beach. Senior teammate Axel Mammen was fifth in 4:31.23 and sophomore Andrew Razo took 10th place in a season-best 4:40.58. Junior Ronin Sherertz (50.79) was third in the 400 meters and the Dolphins’ 4×100 relay team placed fourth in 44.30.
For the girls, senior Mikayla Murphy ran a season-best 12.28 to take second in the 100-meter dash, sophomore Annabelle Refnes clocked a season-best 1:01.11 for second in the 400 and also cleared 4-08 to win the high jump, while freshman Gabriella Gilyard ran a personal-record 5:27:39 to take second place in the 1600. In the 400 hurdles, Dolphins junior Ava Bondar was second in 1:13.35, and the 4×400 relay team took fourth in 4:23.64.
Master Sign Program Hearing Continued to Future Date
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
During its most recent meeting on February 28, Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Design Review Board had two public hearings, first voting unanimously to support amended proposed plans to renovate the interior and exterior building of a forthcoming Equinox and then to continue an item related to a Master Sign Program for a Sunset boulevard building.
Equinox, a “luxury fitness club,” confirmed to the Palisadian-Post in September 2023 it was slated to open at 17383 Sunset Boulevard in summer 2024, in a space previously occupied by Bay Club, which closed in May 2021.
The Equinox item, which was originally heard by the Design Review Board on January 10, was continued, pending requests from board members to change a portion of the design of two outdoor walls.
The area of work for the project includes approximately 24,700 square feet of space. The project includes “tenant improvement/interior remodel of existing health club/gym” on three floors of Building C and the third floor of Building B, according to a planning package.
“The proposed project includes the installation of new storefronts, solid walls and landscaping,” according to Los Angeles City Planning Department. “The proposed project also includes the demolition of 248 square feet of floor area at Building B (third floor) and addition of 192 square feet of floor area at Building B (third floor) and 43 square feet of floor area at Building C (second floor), resulting in a 24,718-square-foot health club/gym.”
As proposed, the locker room would be on the ground floor, the main entrance on the second floor, and the majority of the workout and exercise space on the third floor. The applicant originally proposed to install an “opaque film” on the ground floor of Building C at the locker room—“otherwise, the building finishes are remaining,” according to project architect Lulu Saleh, who spoke at the January meeting.
After a presentation from project representatives, the members of the board posed a series of questions regarding the design, primarily focused on the proposed look of two outdoor facades. At the time, DRB Board Member Tammy McKerrow-Poulos cited concern over a “patchwork” look of the two different types of film (translucent and opaque) that Equinox proposed to have, as well as a “blank white wall” that is “very visible” from Sunset Boulevard, including the Juicy Ladies space.
They voted unanimously January 10 to continue the hearing until the applicant could return with an updated design, with “a visual activation element at the ground level and to revert the proposed wall on the third floor to the existing glass panels,” Planning Assistant Brenden Lau confirmed.
At the February 28 meeting, Saleh explained that Equinox would now essentially be “restoring the existing storefronts and installing opaque privacy film” on the third floor instead of the originally proposed wall.
When it came to the “visual activation element,” Equinox project representatives returned with five options for the decorative window, including two based on the waves/ocean, two related to landscaping and one that tied into the planned indoor elements of the project.
The members of the DRB then deliberated, touching on the pros and cons of the various options for the window—coming to the consensus that they prefer the first option, which was described by Saleh as an “abstract graphic visualization of ocean waves.” They voted unanimously to support the project as proposed with the amendments in place following its original continuation.
Master Sign Program
The second hearing during the February 28 meeting was regarding a proposed Master Sign Program for 10 potential on-site wall signs for 15130, 15140 and 15150 W Sunset Boulevard, which currently houses Anawalt’s Palisades Hardware and Sotheby’s International Realty, as well as vacant space previously occupied by Pharmaca.
“There’s no sign permit or application before you today,” said Mark Davis of Trifiletti Consulting, who was representing the project on behalf of the applicant/owner, Leland S. Ford, Leland M. Ford & Associates L.P. “We’re just ultimately looking for a plan and program that sets the framework for this so that each of our tenants can successfully file for a permit in the future.”
As proposed, the project includes the demolition of existing signs on site, as well as the installation of six new signs, according to the project description. This would break down to approximately 240 square feet of sign space for Tenant A (15150 W Sunset Blvd.), 91 square feet for Tenant B (15140 W Sunset Blvd.) and 152 square feet for Tenant C (15130 W Sunset Blvd.). No new sign area is being requested, according to a presentation.
The existing building was previously occupied by two commercial tenants until April 2023, when the building was partitioned into three commercial tenant spaces through a Change of Use Permit, read the presentation.
“Under its current condition, Anawalt Hardware store’s available signage is dependent on Sotheby’s street frontage … ,” the presentation continued. “As a result, Anawalt does not have sufficient sign area to support its business. Due to this limitation, the applicant is seeking Master Sign Program … ”
The project’s goals and objectives, as per the presentation, include to “provide creative and tasteful signage that enhances the property and is compliant with the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village Design Guidelines.” It also would “equally distribute signage between three tenants to functionally and effectively serve their identification needs.”
The proposed Master Sign Program would also “establish uniform standards that ensures existing and future tenant signage is harmonious, integrates with the architecture of the building and provides coordinated proportional exposure for all tenants.” In the future, tenants would be provided with an “efficient permitting process.”
Members of the Design Review Board discussed the project as proposed, citing concerns over the building materials/colors included in the project package and one of the signs that would potentially be put in place at the building which is currently occupied by Anawalt.
“We have been with Building and Safety now for two-plus years trying to get this design plan together,” said James Arico, who serves as counsel for the building owner. “We now have two consultants … I don’t believe, unless I’m wrong, you can have a complete strip sign in the area that is of concern, because the square footage is not only length, it’s also height.”
He explained that the project applicants would be back “as soon as possible” to try to get the design plan approved.
“It’s not about colors, it’s not about individual sign permits,” he explained. “It’s about understanding what the parameters are so our tenants can have an easier time with the permitting process, which is very difficult.”
The DRB voted unanimously to continue the hearing to a later date, requesting “uniformity in the signs,” as well as Anawalt’s proposed sign to not be a roof band, but instead broken up into individual signs, Lau confirmed.
“More information was requested about the sign’s size,” Lau continued. “The DRB would also like to see a three-color palette for the proposed signs in the next meeting for review.”
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