By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 will host a Community Lounge Night on Wednesday, November 27, from 6 to 9 p.m., benefitting Village for Vets, a local nonprofit that supports services for homeless and at-risk veterans.

“Fifty percent of the proceeds from admission ticket sales will be donated to Village for Vets,” according to an event description. “One hundred percent of donation ticket proceeds will be given to Village for Vets.”

Festivities will include tacos from a local food truck, a full bar with a variety of options and music.

“By attending, you’re not only treating yourself to a great night out but also making a positive impact in the veteran community,” the event description read.

Community Lounge Night will open its doors at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 online or $20 at the door. The event will take place at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283, located at 15247 La Cruz.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The final day to donate gently read books to Pacific Palisades Library Association ahead of its next parking lot sale is Saturday, November 23, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Please note that we can only accept books in good condition,” PPLA wrote in an emailed flyer. “Books should not be written in or highlighted, or show excessive wear and tear. We cannot accept magazines, textbooks, CDs, DVDs, encyclopedias or library books.”

PPLA, also known as Friends of the Palisades Library, has requested that donations are not left at times other than specified, when a volunteer is on hand to collect them.

Books collected will be sold at future parking lot sales, with funds raised supporting programming by PPLA.

Volunteers will be inside Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real Drive, on November 23.

“Our work in the community would not be possible without members and volunteers,” the flyer read. “To join us or for more information on how to volunteer, please email us at friends@friendsofpalilibrary.org.”

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Palisades Branch Library will host an adult painting event on Saturday, November 23, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The event invites community members to spend an afternoon learning how to paint with Martha Meade, a Pacific Palisades-based painter who works primarily in oils on canvas. Meade is a longtime Palisadian and member of the Pacific Palisades Art Association, according to the event description.

“We will be painting with acrylics on canvas, and producing a masterpiece each of you can take home and hang on your wall,” the event description read. “If you came to the last class, come again. The content is different.”

The event will take place in person at Palisades Branch Library, located at 861 Alma Real Drive. Space is limited so attendees are encouraged to RSVP to palsds@lapl.org or by stopping at the reference desk.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The votes are in and three winners have been selected by the community in the Palisadian-Post’s 11th annual Creep Your Crypt Halloween home decorating contest—with prizes going to homes spanning from The Highlands to The Huntington.

Taking home the prize for Creepiest Crypt was the Brewer family—led by 13-year-old decorator Mehana—in The Huntington (#12 on this year’s ballot).

“I was really happy,” said Mehana, who has lived in the Palisades her whole life, of the win. “It felt incredible. This is the third year that I have tried to win, and I put my all into it. I was really hoping we would win this year, and I am really happy we won.”

The Brewer family has generations of roots, dating back to Mehana’s great-grandparents, Rob and Barbara Klein, who moved to the area in 1942.

Mehana said that she spent “a lot of time making the decorations,” that it was “cool to see” her idea come to life. One of the key elements was a handmade corpse decoration in the front, which Mehana said “seemed to scare many people” who came to the house or walked by.

She received some help from her sister, as well as Annabella and Annaya Drysdale, who helped put “a lot of the decorations up.”

When it comes to Best Theme, Cali Ben-Victor (this year’s final entry at #17) was awarded the prize for her Highlands home.

“After moving into the Highlands, we were instantly inspired by our neighbor, Randy Nonberg,” Cali said. “Every year he has brought so much joy to my daughters’ face by going all out with his spectacular decorations.”

The decorations were a family effort, Cali explained, with husband Paul and daughter Arabella helping “right up until the first trick-or-treater” arrived. She said they had “so much fun” planning everything out and sharing in the community excitement.

“My favorite decorations are the ones that come together to create a cohesive experience,” the three-year resident of the Palisades said. “Last year, we purchased a graveyard set from a Sony Studios auction, and it’s been exciting to add to it. This year, I crafted all the characters from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ by hand using foam boards … I can’t wait to do it even bigger next year.”

The Peil family—who have previously been awarded Creepiest Crypt and Best Theme in years prior—received the DIY/Originality award for the first time in 2024 for their Boolinger Cemetery in Marquez Knolls (#3 on the ballot).

Kimber led the charge, with help from husband, Chuck, and kids, Kennedy and Holland.

“We have lived here over 17 years and work very hard every year to put up (and take down) all the decorations, and to change things up to keep it exciting,” Kimber said. “The kids start asking a month before: ‘When are the decorations going up? You’re decorating, right?’ We have neighbors stop by on a daily basis leading up to Halloween to see all the different elements close up.”

The decorations include spiders, zombies and ghouls, with around 350 trick-or-treaters stopping by to enjoy.

“On Halloween night we amp it up with smoke machines, spooky lighting, an awesome (and loud) soundtrack and finally my husband as an eight-foot ghost handing out candy—engaging with the kids,” Kimber said. “I would have to say that my favorite decoration is the ‘Boolinger Cemetery’ gates, which we made and serve as the entry to our yard. It has become an annual selfie spot and really sets the tone for the entire decor.”

Winners will receive prizes from this year’s sponsors, which include McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Palisades Gas & Wash, Alfred, Porta Via Palisades, Theatre Palisades and Jemma Pizzeria.

For the next chance to participate, stay tuned for the Post’s annual Deck Your Halls holiday home decorating contest, which begins in December.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

When it comes to the 2024 General Election, residents of Pacific Palisades had a chance to vote on issues on a local level.

Leading up to and on Election Day, polls were open at several spaces across the community, including Palisades Branch Library, Rustic Canyon Recreation Center and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church.

In Los Angeles County, there were 5,736,803 registered voters and a turnout of 3,675,213 voters, as of the count on Tuesday, November 12. The LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office estimated there were 187,300 outstanding ballots as of Monday.

In the United States Senator full term race, Adam Schiff has 65.72% of votes, while Steve Garvey has 34.28%. In the short term (unexpired term ending January 3, 2025) Schiff has 65.37% and Garvey has 34.63%.

When it comes to United States Representative for the 32nd District, which includes Pacific Palisades, incumbent Brad Sherman has received 66.42% of votes, while Larry Thompson received 33.58%.

For State Assembly, 42nd District, incumbent Jacqui Irwin has received 60.06% of the vote, while Ted Nordblum has received 39.94%.

In the race for District Attorney, Nathan Hochman has received 60.07% of votes, while incumbent George Gascón has received 39.93%.

“The voters of Los Angeles County have spoken and have said enough is enough of D.A. Gascón’s pro-criminal extreme policies; they look forward to a safer future,” Hochman wrote in a statement. “As D.A., I look forward to representing all of the people, whether they voted for me or not, since their safety will be my responsibility.”

In her weekly update email, Councilmember Traci Park relayed a message of congratulations to Hochman.

“This victory marks a pivotal moment for Los Angeles, and I’m eager for a new partner in the continued fight to restore public safety,” Park wrote. “And, with the landslide victory of Prop 36 across every county in California, we have the opportunity to prioritize rehabilitation and reduce crime by holding repeat offenders accountable. Together, we will create a safer, more just Los Angeles for everyone.”

On a county level, Los Angeles voters approved Measure A—which is designed to provide funding to address homelessness, expand affordable housing and more—with 57.43% of votes counted in favor and 42.57% in opposition.

“This is a monumental victory for the entire Los Angeles community,” The People Concern CEO John Maceri said in a statement. “The passage of Measure A will provide critical funding to ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors receive the housing, services and support they need … This measure is more than just a step forward, it is a commitment to building a more equitable Los Angeles, where everyone has access to safe housing and the support they need to thrive.”

Angelenos also voted on Measure G—officially titled the “Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics and Accountability Charter Amendment”—an amendment that would change the makeup of the County Board of Supervisors, increasing its seats from five to nine. The increase of seats is said “to increase representation and equity on the Board of Supervisors,” according to Measure G’s website.

Measure G was proposed by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn in 2023. Los Angeles County voters approved it with 51.40% of votes in favor so far and 48.60% of votes in opposition.

“The people of Los Angeles County have made history in passing Measure G, ushering in the change necessary for a more effective Los Angeles County,’’ Board of Supervisors Chair Horvath said in a statement. “We will now have the ability to fix what is broken and deliver the results our communities are counting on, especially in the face of threats to our most vulnerable residents from the next federal administration. Through this historic change, we will address the most pressing issues facing Angelenos with greater urgency and accountability, and create a more ethical and representative government fit for the 21st century.”

For more information, or to see howLos Angeles County voted in the General Election, visit results.lavote.gov.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The 2024 Palisades Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place this year at Corpus Christi Church on Monday evening, November 25, beginning at 7 p.m.

The annual event is hosted by the Pacific Palisades Interfaith Clergy and invites all community members to attend.

The event welcomes “fellow Palisadians” to “give thanks for … unity and blessings in song, prayer and scripture,” read a flyer about the event.

“Every year, just before Thanksgiving, the churches, temples and synagogues of Pacific Palisades offer an interfaith service for the community and all congregations,” Self-Realization Fellowship wrote ahead of the service.

Participating congregations this year include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Self Realization Lake Shrine, St. Matthew’s Church, Kehillat Israel, Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, Palisades Lutheran Church and Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades.

“I’ve been coordinating this service for 20 years and am always so grateful that we have such a unique Ministerial Association that gathers each month to share lunch, support each other and, once a year … plan this community event,” Corpus Christi Director of Liturgy Jane Slevin Richardson said to the Palisadian-Post. “The annual gathering kicks off Thanksgiving week with a reminder of what a special community we live in, and gathering the faith communities together for an evening of song, reflection and fellowship is a tradition many look forward to all year.”

This year’s event will feature music, reflections by the leaders of the congregations and time to mingle after the program.

“All Palisadians are invited to attend the annual gathering of faith communities of the Palisades,” according to an event description. “We welcome all to celebrate this annual treasured event for neighbors to meet and be thankful for our beautiful community.”

At the event, which will take place at 880 Toyopa Drive, items will be collected to benefit the Westside Food Bank.