The voting period for the 11th annual Palisadian-Post Creep Your Crypt Halloween home decorating contest is coming to an end on Friday, November 1, at 5 p.m.
Community members are invited to cast their vote in three categories: Creepiest Crypt, Best Theme and DIY/Originality.
“Do you have the creepiest Halloween ‘crypt’ in Pacific Palisades?” the contest page read. “If your home is decked out with ghouls, goblins, giant spiders, skeletons or other creepy critters, enter the Creep Your Crypt contest for a chance to win great prizes.”
Winners will receive a feature in the Post, as well as prizes from contest sponsors, including Alfred, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Jemma Pizzeria, Porta Via Pacific Palisades, Palisades Gas N Wash, Paliskates and Theatre Palisades.
The Paul Revere Charter Middle School Personal Enrichment Program theater group and Illumevate will present two nights of one-act performances on Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2.
“Led by Directors Lara Ganz and Aaron Jung, the casts include a total of more than 40 youth actors in sixth through eighth grade,” read a statement about the shows.
The two shows featured are “Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook” by Allison Gregory and “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde.
“Written by Oscar Wilde, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ tells the story of two men in 19th century England who both adopt the fictional identity of ‘Ernest’ to escape their social obligations,” according to a synopsis provided by PEP. “Hilarity ensues as the two characters, Jack and Algernon, each face the consequence delivered by their alter, alter egos.”
“Junie B. Jones” is based on a “beloved series” written by Barbara Park.
“‘Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook’ will have you laughing out loud as Junie B. leans a little too hard into the unofficial rule of finders keepers, losers weepers,” the synopsis continued. “Come find out what was lost and found.”
The performances will take place in the school’s auditorium, located at 1450 Allenford Avenue. The November 1 performance begins at 6:30 p.m. and November 2 at 4 p.m.
Tickets are available starting at $10 for students and seniors, $15 for general admission, and VIP—which is the first two center rows within the auditorium—for $20.
Marquez Knolls kids’ store The Gray Dragon will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a “festive holiday kick-off event” on Sunday, November 3, from 12 to 3 p.m.
Festivities will include an appearance from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to begin the holiday season. There will also be “drinks, snacks and surprises.”
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the community,” said Adele Heydenrich, owner of The Gray Dragon, a woman- and single-mom-owned business, which she co-owns with her 8-year-old son, Grayson. “This event is our way of saying thank you and spreading a little holiday cheer as we celebrate a year of bringing well-curated and high-quality products to the Palisades.”
The store offers a “thoughtfully curated selection” of items for children, including clothing for ages newborn to 12 years old, as well as toys and books (like Tonies and Lego).
“The store is located next to Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, and has quickly become a neighborhood favorite for families seeking both fun and function in kids’ apparel, toys and books,” read a statement.
In addition to the storefront at 16620 Marquez Avenue, The Gray Dragon also has a website with online ordering, in-store pickup, nationwide shipping and complimentary gift wrapping for occasions like birthdays, Hanukkah and Christmas.
“Radiance”—a nine-piece exhibition by artist Shell Amega—is on display through Friday, November 15, at Cafe Vida in Pacific Palisades.
The pieces incorporate “high-quality crystals, metallic paints, tinsel and other textural elements,” designed to take viewers “on a journey that shines light on themes of harmony, love and ancient wisdom.”
Amega is a former senior vice president of communications at the California Science Center turned “visionary cosmic artist.”
“Known for weaving together motifs from various ancient wisdom traditions and drawing inspiration from nature, Amega’s artwork transcends the ordinary to explore the extraordinary,” according to a statement.
The artist began publicly showing her collection, acquired from six years of privately painting, one year ago. Her works have been featured at Exhibit A Gallery and California Heritage Museum. It has also been featured in international juried exhibitions and published in the Los Angeles County African American Heritage Guide 2024.
“My journey from the world of space shuttle, museum communications to becoming a cosmic artist has been a transformative exploration,” Amega described. “Through ‘Radiance’ I hope to share the vibrancy and loving essence that fuels my creations, inviting viewers to connect with the wonders within us all, both earthly and cosmic.”
Among the works on display at Cafe Vida are “The Secret Life of Trees,” “Illumination” and “Imagine,” which, “dedicated to world peace and inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of harmony and unity, this painting highlights, through symbolism, the hope for a better future for all.”
American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 Photo by Rich Schmitt
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
American Legion Ronald Reagan-Palisades Post 283 will host its second annual Halloween Spooktacular on Thursday, October 31, beginning at 5 p.m.
“Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly Halloween celebration at Post 283,” according to an event description. “Our second annual Halloween Spooktacular is set to be bigger, better and more scary this year, with an exciting lineup of activities for both kids and adults.”
Event highlights include trick-or-treating, a magician show, a children’s costume parade and contest, and an adult costume contest. Attendees can also look forward to “devilish” drink specials, a dinner with pumpkin pie and cigars “with the Sons.”
The Children’s Costume Contest will run from 5 to 6:15 p.m.; Social Hour from 6:15 to 7 p.m.; Dinner with Pumpkin Pie from 7 to 8 p.m.; an Adult Costume Contest from 8:15 to 8:20 p.m.; and Cigars with the Sons from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m.
Admission to the event costs $5 per person after RSVPing through the American Legion website, or $10 at the door.
“Show off your best costumes, and enjoy the haunted atmosphere, delicious food and thrilling entertainment,” the event description read. “This is a fantastic community outreach event, and we hope to see you and your family there.”
The Getty Villa Theater Lab will host three workshop productions of “The Unraveling” beginning Friday, November 8.
Presented by Ghost Road Company and inspired by the myth of Circe, “The Unraveling” is a new play said to explore the “banishment of women of a certain age in our society,” according to Getty Villa. The show was devised in a workshop with the ensemble and directed by Ghost Road Artistic Director Katharine Noon.
“A classics professor has escaped to a remote mountaintop to exist on her own in isolation, only to have her carefully curated world invaded by a young video gamer and her estranged daughter,” according to a synopsis.
Getty’s Villa Theater Lab is an ongoing series that has provided a forum for reinterpretations of classical theater.
“The Getty Villa Lab Series has been instrumental in Ghost Road’s development process for two of our pieces: ‘Orestes’ and ‘Asterion,’” Noon said in a statement. “Both shows went onto full productions, and toured nationally and internationally. Without the support and resources provided by the Getty Villa none of that would have been possible.”
“The Unraveling” is the third time Ghost Road has participated in the Lab Series.
“The extraordinary team at the Villa have created an essential space for the exploration and creation of new work,” the statement continued. “We are again grateful for this opportunity and the possibilities it provides.”
The workshop performances will run Friday, November 8, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 9, at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, November 10, at 2 p.m. A Q&A with the director and members of the company will take place following Saturday’s performance.
Tickets to the show are free, but a reservation is required for event entrance.
Dwayne Milburn Photo courtesy of The Parish of St. Matthew
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
A newly composed requiem by St. Matthew’s Parish Director of Music Dwayne Milburn will be performed during service on All Saints’ Day, November 3, at 9 a.m.
“Dr. Milburn has composed original music throughout his career as St. Matthew’s director of music, just as he has composed music during his time as a faculty member of the UCLA Herb Albert School of Music, as music director and conductor of the St. Matthew’s Music Guild, and during his lauded career as commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus,” read a statement. “Dr. Milburn’s inspiration continues to flow through all of his musical endeavors.”
Milburn earned the Legion of Merit during his military service, which is given by Presidential Proclamation for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.” For “furthering good relations” between the U.S. and Germany, Milburn was also awarded the German Army Cross in Silver.
A “talented orchestra and group of vocal soloists” are set to perform Milburn’s original composition in harmony with St. Matthew’s Choir. The Parish of St. Matthew is located at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue.
Pictured, from left: Ross, Miller, Park and Campbell Photos by Sarah Shmerling
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The office of Councilmember Traci Park and city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks hosted their first Pacific Palisades Dog Park Community Engagement meeting on Monday evening, October 21, at Palisades Branch Library—sharing details of the proposed space and responding to questions from stakeholders.
Pacific Palisades Field Deputy for CD 11 Michael Amster began the meeting by speaking on the decades-long history of the dog park, inviting Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group members Carol Ross, Lynn Miller and Leslie Campbell up to talk on their involvement in bringing the park to fruition.
“The community has supported us from the get-go,” Ross said about the project.
Amster said the dog park has been a priority for the councilmember since she took office because it is a priority for the community. He said the project, which is a public amenity, aligns with the work that the office of CD 11 is focused on.
Next, Craig Raines, a landscape architect for Rec & Parks, explained details of the dog park, noting that at this point in the project, there is “some flexibility” as far as the design.
The dog park will be located on Temescal Canyon Road near Pacific Coast Highway on the east side of the road. It will be north (or to the left, if looking at the space) of the playground/bathrooms.
It will be fully funded by Measure A, Raines explained. Rec & Parks wrote a grant request, at the request of Park, to ask for the funding, with $1.5 million approved in September.
The 33,255-square-foot dog park will be split into two areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. There will be shade and seating, as well as agility features, hydration stations, fencing (at least six feet high, potentially Omega fencing), gates (at least a double gate, if not triple), and native landscaping. With its current timeline, the project is expected to be completed and open to the public in June 2027, according to Raines.
One topic that was discussed during the meeting was what kind of material to use for the dog park. Synthetic turf is being considered by Rec & Parks, but Raines said the department is open to other options.
Palisadians Lisa Kaas Boyle and Valeria Serna explained some of the potential issues synthetic turf could present (including introducing microplastics to the environment), pitching kurapia grass or another native option as alternatives.
Raines said “we can do whatever,” but “it’s hard” to find material that works in dog parks because of the use and maintenance. CD 11 and Rec & Parks said the conversation would continue at future engagement meetings.
Another topic was safety issues, including the potential for U-turns to be made along Temescal Canyon Road, people crossing the street with their dogs or coyotes in the area. Several options were discussed for the road, including designated parking (which might present an issue with California Coastal Commission, which works to keep parking free and open for beach access) or bollards. Coyote Rollers were suggested by one community member to keep them out of the fenced in area of the park.
When it comes to noise and odors, Palisadian Lou Kamer said the dog park group previously did an acoustic study, noting that most of the noise dissipated before reaching homes above the park space, as well as across the street. He explained that the breeze carried odors away as well.
“This site is the best site,” Kamer said.
Park spoke at the end of the meeting, thanking the community for attending.
“A lot of things we can talk about here,” Park said. “I’m just really excited for your community to be getting this … all things we can address [to] deliver an incredible asset.”
Amster noted that a future community engagement meeting would be slated for the near future.
PPCC meets on October 10. Photo courtesy of Beth Holden-Garland
October 24 Meeting to Feature Guest Speakers on Neighborhood Watch, Public Safety and Crime Prevention
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Pacific Palisades Community Council announced its new area and at-large representative alternates during a hybrid board meeting on Thursday, October 10, which took place virtually via Zoom and in person at American Legion Ronald Reagan-Palisades Post 283.
When it comes to the PPCC Board, the primary area representatives are elected by residents of their respective areas, with the at-large representative elected by “all community stakeholders.” They serve a two-year term, which began October 1 and will run through September 30, 2026.
“The area and at-large representatives’ alternates are first nominated by the Committee of Three Chairs and may then be elected by the PPCC Board at the first meeting in October (of those even years), and serve the same term as the primary representatives,” according to PPCC. “Alternates may also be nominated and elected at other times, should a primary representative or other alternate position become vacant.”
For this term, the Committee of Three Chairs was comprised of former PPCC Chairs: Maryam Zar, David Card and Steve Boyers.
“The elected representatives, which we call primaries, all get two alternates, so if the elected representative can’t be here, there will be one alternate to rely on,” PPCC Chair Emeritus Zar explained. “If that 1st alternate can’t make it, there’s a 2nd alternate.”
Per the PPCC bylaws, Zar continued, there was a one-month period of applications.
“We received quite a few,” Zar added. “I can let you know they were all excellent. We had a lot of great applicants.”
After PPCC Board approval during the October 10 meeting, Cindi Young will serve as 1st alternate and Joanna Spak as 2nd alternate for Area 1 Representative JoAnna Rodriguez. In Area 2, Carole White is 1st alternate and Diana Daniele 2nd alternate for Steve Cron.
Area 3 Representative Julia Nilsen has Robert Trinkkeller as 1st alternate and Joe Layton as 2nd, while Lee Ann Sanderson will serve as 1st alternate and Daphne Gronich as 2nd for Area 4, which is represented by Karen Ridgley.
In Area 5, Sharon Garrett will serve as 1st alternate and Allison Holdorff as 2nd alternate to Kimberly Bloom. The 1st alternate in Area 6—represented by Lorie Cudzil—is Cindy Simon, with 2nd alternate David Schwarz.
For Area 7, Rick McGeagh is 1st alternate and Alex Hoerner 2nd alternate for Representative Sharon Kilbride. In Area 8, there is a vacancy for 2nd alternate, but 1st alternate is Jan Shortz for the area represented by Andrew Wolfberg.
Serving as 1st alternate for At-Large Representative Chris Spitz is Michael Edlen, with Warren Jacob as 2nd alternate.
“PPCC is thrilled to have a such a diverse and strong board truly representing the voice of the community,” the organization wrote after the results were announced.
October 24 Meeting
The next PPCC meeting, which will take place virtually on Thursday, October 24, beginning at 6 p.m., will include “valuable and timely presentations” on Neighborhood Watch, as well as public safety and crime prevention.
Two experts—Cyndi Hench from Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa and Kathy Morgan from Brentwood Community Council—are slated to present during the meeting.
“Palisades HOA members, as well as residents of areas without an HOA (the Via Bluffs, El Medio Bluffs and Alphabet Streets in particular) are strongly encouraged to attend and learn about how to form a Neighborhood Watch to protect your neighborhood,” PPCC wrote ahead of the meeting.
Mercedes with Vanessa and Sabrina Photos by Jimmy Dunne
Contributing Writer Jimmy Dunne Shares the History of the Space
By JIMMY DUNNE | Contributing Writer
This is really a story about what towns and families and passionate hearts bring to the table in people’s lives.
“Bring to the table”—we’ll come back to that.
Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria: We lived down the street from this neighborhood Italian family restaurant. On the evening of October 18—with a whole town of the dearest Palisadians—I was there to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
(The odds of a restaurant in LA pulling that off? About the same I’d give a tyrannosaurus rex crossing Wilshire at the La Brea Tar Pits.)
I knew the original owner, Giovanni Mazzola, a New York Italian. The real deal.
Back on the streets of New York, a guy called him “Vittorio.” Mazzola told him, “You’ll see, I’m gonna be a somebody, open a restaurant and name it ‘Vittorio.’”
And he did. Not exactly at an address that realtors would scream, “Location, location, location.” On Marquez Avenue, one mile outside of the village in the Palisades.
Enter Mercedes Pellegrini. Born and raised in a sweet little town in Brazil in a family of eight. German and Spanish blood.
Mercedes was as ambitious and smart as you get. Graduated from University of São Paulo with a carnival of dreams.
Blink, she’s married in a one-bedroom apartment in Van Nuys, can barely speak English and is raising two sweet-pea girls, Vanessa and Sabrina.
Her pal, the wife of the president of Gemco, tastes one of her dessert cakes and flips—telling her she needs to sell these things. Offers to be her free-of-charge sales team.
Next thing you know, Mercedes is baking up hundreds of them every day in her garage, driving her cakes and her two sleeping girls in her raggedy Datsun to Peppone and lots of other snappy restaurants all over the Westside.
Right out of her garage, she was making wedding cakes for Elizabeth Taylor, with folks like Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood loving on her cakes.
Here’s where our stories merge.
One of her clients—Giovanni Mazzola at Vittorio.
Mazzola offers to sell her the restaurant for a lot more than Mercedes had. She knew how long it would take just to break even.
She put everything—I mean everything—on the line. Took the deal.
Mercedes drove her 10- and 12-year-old daughters over the canyon to her new restaurant. Walked into the kitchen holding her daughters’ hands.
Looked her chefs and crew in the eyes. Promised them she’d treat them like family, with the respect they deserve.
That they’re all going to be on this ride together.
And, right then, they all made a pact that if they do this, they’re going to do it right.
“It’s all homemade,” Vanessa said so proudly. “Nothing, nothing comes out of a jar, a can, a bottle, a freezer. No microwaves. All fresh. We never, never, never skimp. And the cheese? Comes straight from Italy.When you step in here, you’re in your neighborhood kitchen.”
And the “neighbors” sure do love it. Ones down the street, ones all over the Palisades, ones from all over Los Angeles.
Families celebrating important events in their lives, couples having a dinner out and so many regulars stopping by for a glass of wine with those should-be-illegal garlic balls.
Everybody, every age, every walk of life. All walking out with garlic on their breath and a smile on their face.
“Celebrities love it here because we don’t treat them like celebrities,” Vanessa said. “We treat them like neighbors.”
Anthony Hopkins holds court with his pals at “Tony’s Table” in the corner. The Crystals, Guttenbergs, McGinleys, Keatons, Shorts, Sandlers—a handful of the three Musketeers’ “favs.”
Word has it Matt Damon is gaa-gaa about their chicken parmesan: “That’s a big nod since he’s from Boston,” Mercedes grinned.
About those amazing girls.
Vanessa started working after school at 12, cleaning the dishes, cutting lemons, bussing the tables—and she hasn’t stopped working there since. Sabrina followed behind her. They’ve been involved in the creative tapestry of every inch of this town treasure.
“I get to work right beside my daughters, my beautiful, talented daughters,” Mercedes said. “We’re best friends. How blessed am I?”
And giving back, they sure do.
During the holidays, they’ve gathered gifts for Children’s Hospital and Claris Health (helping challenged women all over the city) for 15 years. They’ve partnered with Schools on Wheels, Happy Trails and Sons of the American Legion.
They’ve served thousands of meals to kids and families in need—and handed out 12,000-plus toys and gifts to children throughout our city.
At Friday’s celebration, Mercedes and her daughters spoke about their respect for their landlord, John Wilson.
They told the full-of-love room that he is a part of their family, and he’s been in their corner through the thick and thin of COVID and every other life hiccup.
Vanessa called out all the chefs and staff from the kitchen, most of who had been there for decades. The crowd erupted.
Master Chef Jerry since day one—there for 40 years, missing only two days ever.
Superstar Chef Mario for 39 years. Pizza Chef Lazaro, 28 years (and who makes the garlic rolls). Seafood Chef Eliseo, 24 years. Chef Julian, 14 years (the Italian chopped salad is his creation).
How does this possibly happen in the incredibly transient world of restaurant employees? Or any other business?
Friday night, I found myself standing at the back of the restaurant, taking it in.
Looking at neighbors bringing in flowers. Hugging and loving all over the place. Lots and lots of tears of joy.
I was looking through the menu at what they served. It listed the choices. The ingredients in each one.
It’s just not true. That’s not what you get when you’re there.
You get so much more.
You get served what family means. What friendships mean. What a town means. What passion means. What commitment means.
What making a difference means.
Cheers to all of you in the Vittorio family. How lucky and full you make us feel.
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