Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations conducted a “capture” operation for a lost, uninjured male hiker on Sunday, August 4, around 11 a.m. near 20800 Entrada Road in Topanga State Park, according to LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart.
“Due to the precarious location of the hiker, it is safer to conduct a capture (the rescuer is lowered and safely attaches the hiker) versus a standard hoist operation,” Stewart wrote. “Air Ops will then transport the patient to a helispot to meet ground-based firefighters so they can assist the hiker in returning to his transport.”
The rescue call was originally received at 10:17 a.m.
—SARAH SHMERLING
YMCA Family Fun Day | Simon Meadow
Palisades-Malibu YMCA will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 10, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Simon Meadow.
“Get ready for a day of bonding, making memories and enjoying a wide range of fun-filled activities,” read a flyer.
Festivities will include face painting, family sports, painting, and arts and crafts. Family Fun Days are free to attend.
“Bring your picnic blankets and enjoy the Y’s beautiful Simon Meadow, Winding Way and The Palisades Path,” Program Director Isai Elias wrote.
For more information, visit ymcala.org or call 310-454-5591.
—SARAH SHMERLING
PPDC Events | Pacific Palisades
Pacific Palisades Democratic Club will be hosting a Political Musical Satire at a home in the Alphabet Streets on August 17 at 3 p.m., as well as the opening of an election headquarters at the Third Street Promenade on August 22.
The Political Musical Satire event will feature TV writer and “sought-after speaker” David Misch. Tickets are available for $25 for PPDC members and $35 for non-members.
The 2024 Westside Democratic HQ is set to kickoff on August 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. with a watch party for Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.
For more information, visit palidems.org.
—SARAH SHMERLING
Summer Luau | Castellammare
Gladstones will host a summer luau on Saturday, August 10, from 2 to 8 p.m., featuring “traditional Hawaiian food, tropical beverages, live hula performances, fire dancing, Hawaiian music and a live music set by the Royal Rats,” according to a press release.
No tickets or purchases are required to attend the event, which will take place on the public deck. Attendees are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts and “Aloha attire” to receive a ticket for food, beverage or ice cream.
“Our summer luau is a perfect way for people to come out to the beach and enjoy the summer with great festive food, entertainment and a stunning backdrop,” said Jim Harris, chef partner and co-owner, Gladstones Legacy Group, in a statement. “We are looking forward to sharing this unique experience with our community.”
For more information, visit gladstones.com.
—SARAH SHMERLING
Author Event | Santa Monica
The “Till Death Do Us Part” book tour will make a stop at Zibby’s Bookshop, owned and operated by Palisadian Zibby Owens, and located at 1113 Montana Avenue, on Friday, August 16, from 6 to 7 p.m.
“Till Death Do Us Part,” billed as a “high-stakes thriller,” will be published on August 13. The book’s author, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, will be in conversation with Eliza Jane Brazier during the stop.
“Set against the backdrop of Napa Valley vineyards, this is a sumptuous, deeply atmospheric novel about the sacrifices women make for their families and how we all have secrets that we bury—though the lengths Laurie’s characters go to in order to keep theirs hidden can be deadly,” read a statement about the book.
The event will include a discussion, Q&A and book signing. For more information, visit zibbymedia.com.
Authors With Ties to Pacific Palisades Have Recently Published Books
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Recent books by authors with ties to Pacific Palisades cover everything from memories of the ’50s to a memoir about caring for one’s aging father. From children to adults, these books offer something for every aged reader.
“Jimmy Dunne Says”
By Jimmy Dunne
Songwriter, screenwriter/producer of television series, entrepreneur, Palisadian Citizen of the Year and author Jimmy Dunne recently published a collection of his column, “Jimmy Dunne Says: 47 Short Stories That Are Sure to Make You Laugh, Cry—and Think.”
The column—an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says”—has been published in the Palisadian-Post since it launched in August 2021.
“‘Jimmy Dunne Says’ is a collection of author Jimmy Dunne’s best bite-sized stories that Americans everywhere are spreading and sharing,” read the book description. “These stories are heartfelt, smart and thought-provoking, and some will have you absolutely belly-laughing.”
Column topics have ranged from new fatherhood to the importance of family and friends, celebrating local events, down-sizing the family home, and slowing down to take it all in—some of which have gone viral online, amassing hundreds of thousands of comments and 35,000-plus shares.
“One thing is for sure,” the description concluded. “They’ll remind you how truly blessed you are—to be alive right now, with so much possibility knocking on your amazing door.”
Marquez Knolls resident Zibby Owens—founder and CEO of Zibby Media, which includes publishing house Zibby Books, online magazine Zibby Mag, Zibby’s Book Club and more, and owner of Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica—is the author of recently published novel “Blank.”
“A wife, mother and frustrated writer faces an impossible deadline for turning her life around in a hilarious debut novel about family, friendship, success and exhilarating self-(re)discovery,” read a synopsis of the book.
Fortyish-year-old Pippa Jones is a “former literary sensation” with a fear that “she will be a one-hit wonder.” With a looming deadline of five days left to finish her currently blank book, Jones follows a “brilliantly original idea.”
“From the courtyards of posh Beverly Hills hotels and Malibu mega-mansions to Brentwood and Santa Monica bookstores, Pippa races against time—in her used Volvo—and discovers more about her career, marriage, family, friends and herself than she ever could have dreamed up,” the synopsis concluded.
Author Cambria Gordon—a Palisadian for more than three decades—wrote “Trajectory,” a historical fiction novel geared toward young adults.
“The stirring and dramatic story of one young woman who must find a way to overcome her deepest fears in order to unlock the secret that will help America and the Allies to victory as World War II rages on,” read a synopsis of the book.
When it came to creating the main character, Eleanor, the Riviera resident said she hopes that readers are able to see themselves on the page: “Even if the characters lived 80 years ago.” The story is crafted around the previously unknown role women mathematicians played during World War II.”
“Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is nothing like her hero Eleanor Roosevelt,” read the synopsis. “She is timid and all together uncertain that she has much to offer the world … when a chance encounter proves her to be a one-in-a-generation math whiz—a fact she has worked hard all her life to hide—Eleanor gets recruited by the U.S. Army and entrusted with the ultimate challenge: to fine-tune a top-secret weapon that will help America defeat its enemies and secure the world’s freedom.”
Longtime Palisadian Steve Guttenberg—who most recently served as grand marshal of the town’s Fourth of July festivities—pivoted from his work to take care of his father following a kidney failure diagnosis about six years ago, which he shared through a memoir: “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.”
“Steve dropped everything—put his career and life on hold … including moving back to the West Coast from New York City so he could be closer to tend to his father,” read a statement about the book, “ultimately becoming one of his father’s caregivers—a task he took on with his sister.”
Guttenberg—a former honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades and known for roles in films like “Diner,” “Police Academy” and “Short Circuit—became a trained dialysis technician so he could treat his dad at his home, driving back and forth between the Palisades and Arizona each week.
“During this journey, which is two-fold—physically (he drove about 800 miles roundtrip) and emotionally—Steve wrote a book, almost like a journal,” the statement continued. “The book chronicles his life as an adolescent in New York/Long Island, his road to Hollywood and his latest role, caretaker to his father, his hero.”
“Imperfect Environmentalist: How to Reduce Waste and Create Change for a Better Planet”
By Sheila Morovati
Environmental activist Sheila Morovati—founder of Habits of Waste and Crayon Collection—wrote “Imperfect Environmentalist: How to Reduce Waste and Create Change for a Better Planet” to share “her expertise and passion for sustainable living.”
The Highlands resident aimed to offer “readers practical and actionable strategies to make a positive impact on the planet,” according to a statement. The book follows her journey creating Crayon Collection and Habits of Waste, exploring “the impact and motivation” behind her “desire to mitigate the impact of waste.”
“I believe that everyone can make a difference, regardless of how big or small their actions are,” Morovati wrote. “People regularly asked me how I was able to create so much change. This book is the story of how I did it, and how you can too.”
The book offers “sustainable action” items, like switching to eight plant-based meals per week, opting for reusable ware, and using or repurposing materials already available.
Music, plant-based lifestyle, solar power, rescue animals, a trip to an island on a boat … all fit into one children’s book: “Lil Redfoo’s Ridiculous Adventure” is written by Palisadian Nancy Leiviska and Stefan “Redfoo” Gordy.
Both authors are well known for their work in the music industry: Gordy for being part of international pop duo LMFAO (“Party Rock Anthem,” “Sexy and I Know It”) and Leiviska as “a pioneer in the music video world.” Leiviska has lived in the Palisades since 1976, and Gordy graduated from Palisades Charter High School and played sports in the community.
“Lil Redfoo’s Ridiculous Adventure” follows Momfoo and Lil’ Redfoo—characters inspired by their likeness. Lil’ Redfoo wakes up from a “ridiculous” dream where the two of them head off to Dogalina Island—inspired by Catalina Island. There are QR codes placed in the book, which, when scanned, play Gordy’s song “Let’s Get Ridiculous”—which is also the inspiration for the title of the book.
“We pledge to always include music, plant-based lifestyle, animals and plenty of fun to share with your children,” the authors said in a statement. “Thank you for taking the time to read to your children.”
“Memory-Go-Round: Ride of a Lifetime” and “With Or Without Camel: Reporting from India, Atlantis, the Santa Barbara jail … ”
By Stewart Slavin
Palisades High School alum Stewart Slavin, who graduated with the Class of 1964, wrote not one, but two books that were published in 2024: “Memory-Go-Round: Ride of a Lifetime” and “With Or Without Camel: Reporting from India, Atlantis, the Santa Barbara jail … ”
Slavin—who retired after a 40-year career in journalism, covering the Asia-Pacific region as a foreign correspondent in addition to other places as a reporter and editor—said that he wondered what to do next, but knew that he had to keep writing.
“‘Memory-Go-Round: Ride of a Lifetime’ is a compilation of short stories I have written, along with photos, many involving the Palisades of the 1950s through the ’70s,” Slavin said of the book. “I found myself drawn to the memories I had growing up, and the people and places that had fascinated me. I dove into newspaper archives to discover even more tales of the past.”
It includes “mini histories and personality profiles of Hollywood stars,” restaurants (including The Hot Dog Show and House of Lee), music, events and more.
“With Or Without Camel” covers Slavin’s two-decade-plus career with a wire service, United Press International.
“Reporters and foreign correspondents are supposed to report the news, not wind up in the headlines themselves,” Slavin wrote, “but that’s exactly what happened to me … ”
Now residing in Asheville, North Carolina, Slavin grew up in Rustic Canyon and was editor of Pali High’s newspaper, Tideline. He then attended UCLA and UC Santa Barbara before his career as a journalist.
Getty Villa Museum and Classical Theatre of Harlem will present the world premiere of “Memnon,” beginning in September, with tickets now on sale.
Classical Theatre of Harlem is an American theater company that tells stories “through the lens of the African diaspora,” according to Getty Villa. The organization combines original adaptations, music and dance to present classics of world literature and contemporary works.
“With bold, vivid language and gripping dramatic conflict, ‘Memnon’ tells the tale of an Ethiopian king who journeys to the city of Troy to fight alongside the Trojans in their darkest hour,” according to Getty Villa. “This epic story, from the ancient Greek legend of the fall of Troy, has been overlooked for over a millennium, until now.”
Classical Theatre of Harlem previously performed a virtual rendition of “Memnon” in 2022 as part of the Getty Villa Museum’s Theater Lab Program.
“Memnon” is directed by Associate Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem Carl Cofield and written by Will Power.
“I’m delighted to partner again with Will Power to bring this remarkable story to the forefront of our mythology,” Cofield said in a statement. “This is exactly the type of work that inspires me. Stories that force us to ask big questions and interrogate inherited folklore.”
The cast includes Eric Berryman in the title role of Memnon, Jennifer Mogbock as Helen and Daniel Molina as Polydamas/Antilochus. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
“Memnon” features choreography by EMERGE125 Executive Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher, set design by Riw Rakkulchon, costumes by Celeste Jennings, lighting design by Brandon Baruch, original composition and sound design by David R. Molina, and projection design by Yee Eun Nam.
“We are thrilled to welcome the esteemed Classical Theatre of Harlem to the Getty Villa for their first major West Coast theatrical production as part of our annual outdoor theater program,” Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle Director of the Getty Museum Timothy Potts said in a statement. “The Villa’s theater program bridges the past and the present, showcasing the continuing relevance of classical dramas to modern day audiences. The world premiere of ‘Memnon’ this September is a must-see for all.”
Performances of “Memnon” will run Thursdays through Saturdays, September 5 through September 28, at 8 p.m. Previews of the show will run August 29 through August 31 at 8 p.m.
American Sign Language interpreted performances will take place on September 19 and 26.
Tickets for the show are available and on sale. Thursday night performances are $45, or $40 for students and seniors; Friday night performances are $50, and Saturday night performances are $55. Student and senior discounts are only available for Thursday night performances.
Ticket prices for the preview shows are $30.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit getty.edu/visit/cal/performances.html or call 310-440-7300.
Area Nonprofit Launches Coinciding Donation Collection Campaign
Former Palisadian Zooey Deschanel joins Zachary Levi to star in the live-action, adventure-comedy, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” which premiered on Friday, August 2, while locally founded Crayon Collection has launched a coinciding campaign.
Directed by Carlos Saldanha and produced by John Davis, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” marks the first film adaptation of the eponymous 1955 children’s book by Crockett Johnson.
“Inside of his book, adventurous Harold can make anything come to life simply by drawing it,” according to Sony Pictures. “After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life—and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible.
“When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own.”
The film stars Levi as Harold, Lil Rel Howery as Moose, Benjamin Bottani as Mel, Jemaine Clement as Gary, Tanya Reynolds as Porcupine, Deschanel as Terry and Alfred Molina as the film’s narrator.
The Crayon Collection, founded by Highlands resident Sheila Morovati, recently celebrated the film with a National Crayon Collection campaign that kicked off Sunday, July 20.
Teachers, parents, children and restaurant managers alike were invited to participate in the campaign by downloading and printing a “recycling asset” and attaching it to any box. The donation box would be placed in local community areas to collect like-new crayons in time for the 2024-25 academic school year.
The Crayon Collection’s mission is to “inspire a commitment to environmental consciousness and the infusion of art education in underfunded schools,” according to the organization. To date, the organization has collected and redistributed over 22 million crayons and served over 200,000 children in all 50 states and 10 countries.
“With National Crayon Collection Month just around the corner, we were inspired to launch a National Crayon Collection campaign so that everyone across the country can participate in donating like-new crayons to kids in need, instead of throwing them into our environment where they may take up to 500 years to decompose,” Morovati shared in a statement.
According to Yahoo! Entertainment, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is anticipated to release on Netflix at a later date.
“Sony’s existing distribution deal with Netflix will lead to the movie’s release on the streaming service,” according to Yahoo! Entertainment. “Typically, Sony films transition to Netflix after their theatrical run, which usually spans 90 to 120 days. Considering the movie’s theatrical release date of August 2, 2024, it aligns with the usual pattern for Sony’s releases to be available for streaming on Netflix by October 2024.”
Born in 1980, Deschanel grew up in Pacific Palisades, where her parents still reside. She has spanned a career in television and film, with memorable roles in “New Girl,” “500 Days of Summer,” “Elf” and more.
Nominated for six Academy Awards in cinematography, her father, Caleb Deschanel, is known for films such as “Never Look Away,” “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Patriot” and “The Natural.” Her mother, actress Mary Jo Deschanel, is known for her role in the television series “Twin Peaks.”Her sister, Emily Deschanel, is also an actress, known for her role as Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan in the crime series “Bones.”
“Harold and the Purple Crayon,” rated PG with a runtime of one hour and 30 minutes, can be seen in theaters.
Palisadian Chuck Lorre (left), television producer, writer, director and composer, and Robby Krieger, guitarist and founding member of The Doors who grew up in Pacific Palisades, attended Venice Family Clinic’s inaugural HEART (Health + Art) Gala at 3Labs in Culver City, which honored clinic supporters U2’s The Edge and Morleigh Steinberg with the first HEART Award. The evening was hosted by comedian Matt Friend and included a performance by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Beck. The evening raised $2.7 million to support the nonprofit clinic’s various health services, which are provided to “more than 45,000 people in need annually, regardless of their income, insurance or immigration status,” read a statement about the gala.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock for Venice Family Clinic
Los Angeles-based foster youth nonprofit Ready to Succeed—founded by Palisadians Romi Lassally and Patrick McCabe—hosted its annual Camp Ready, a “summer boot camp … designed to inspire and ensure that former foster youth and first-generation college students have a toolkit and confidence ready for entering college and their future careers.” This year’s camp featured speaker Leah Thomas (right), an author, environmental justice expert and founder of nonprofit Intersectional Environmentalist. Shannon de Laat, Hoai Scott, Karen Jones, Jean Batthany, Gloria Garcia Cisneros and Eddie Valcin participated in a panel discussion of “The Power of Storytelling: Communication Strategies for the Modern Workforce.”
Photos courtesy of Bailey Oliver
Keira Doughtery was the bike design winner in the 2024 Kids on Bikes Fourth of July parade unit, sponsored by the yogurt shoppe, which included the “Best Decorated Bike/Scooter Contest.”
Author P.C. Verrone Reflects on the Pacific Palisades Library Association Summer Creative Writing Contest, Which is Now Underway for 2024
By P.C. VERRONE | Contributing Writer
P.C. Verrone Photo courtesy of P.C. Verrone
When I sold my first short story last year, I thought back to the stories that I wrote for the Friends of the Palisades Library Summer Creative Writing Contest.
I remembered the award ceremony, which, of course, looked so much grander in my memory: the warm wood and tall windows of that side room, those rows of chairs leading up to a table of certificates for winners.
Though it has been almost 20 years, I can easily recall my hands gripping my seat as the host read off the names of the prize-winning entries, praying that mine might come next. On that October afternoon, I couldn’t help but think that this must be exactly like being nominated for an Oscar.
I’d always felt like a misfit growing up. I think, to some extent, everyone does. That was why I made up new characters to go on fantastical adventures in distant locales.
Coming of age at the height of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, I felt at home in realms of myth and magic, though I also held a deep love for classics like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” I wrote down daring escapades like a scribe recording some magnificent history. A wonderful feedback loop emerged: Writing made me want to read more, which inspired me to write more.
Christine Kludjian read winning contest stories each year. Photo by Steve Galluzzo
When the Summer Writing Contest came around, I saw it as an opportunity to take these worlds to a wider audience. It was motivation to write something really stellar: something somebody might actually pluck off a bookshelf to discover this new realm I had chronicled.
I recall sitting in the family van on a road trip to Sequoia National Park, knowing that the contest was coming up and furiously scribbling into a composition notebook a tale of getting lost in the woods, climbing waterfalls and fighting (then befriending) bears. It was my riff on Jean George’s “My Side of the Mountain,” which had made me dream of earning my own falcon familiar in the wilderness.
Nothing ever came of that story, I think, but memory of it remains. I can visit those woods and that boy and his bear and falcon now, if I please.
Year after year, I submitted new stories to the Summer Writing Contest, hoping for that elusive first prize. I learned that you can work very, very hard, pour all your time and effort into something, and still only get runner-up or a participation ribbon. I also learned to keep writing after that.
These are two invaluable lessons, not just for making a career as a writer, but for life. I have received countless rejections since I was that kid on the edge of his seat in Palisades Branch Library. But weathering those storms has made the international prizes and recognition of my work even more meaningful.
Bill Jones read winning contest stories each year. Photo by Steve Galluzzo
In the words of Toni Morrison: “We do language.” No matter how we prefer to engage with storytelling—whether through books or television or video games—we have a spark within us to tell our own tales.
When I teach creative writing to young adults, it excites me to see the light enter their eyes when they realize what “doing language” truly means. Creating entire worlds and scenarios just from our own minds is one of the most empowering experiences we can have. There is an extra special shift that happens when we write it down and pull our creations just a bit more into reality.
These days, as we are inundated with ceaseless flows of information from across the globe, doing something meaningful can seem futile or overwhelming, especially for young folks. But by doing language, by actively crafting a story, we can workshop the worlds we want to live in and the people we want to be.
I often say that my writing career began submitting stories to Palisades Branch Library. It was through these opportunities to showcase and celebrate my writing as a young person that I built my voice and my confidence in it. Those stories made me the writer I am today.
P.C. Verrone is an awarded author and playwright. His short stories have appeared in FIYAH Magazine, “Bridport Prize Anthology” and the forthcoming “Elemental Forces Anthology” (Flame Tree Press). His novel, “The Nightlife,” won the inaugural Black Creatives Revisions Workshop (We Need Diverse Books/Penguin Random House). His theatrical work has been featured Off-Broadway and across California. His play, “Crocodile Day,” was published by Playscripts, Inc. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Rutgers University-Newark. He will be a resident at Tin House this fall. For information about the Friends of the Palisades Library and this year’s contest, visit friendsofpalilibrary.org.
A 3.3-acre equestrian compound in Rivas Canyon that was previously owned at times by Will Rogers and Michelle Pfeiffer sold in July for $14,044,000.
“Built as the personal residence of Will Rogers in the 1930s, this ultra-private equestrian estate set on 3.3 acres of luxuriant grounds is hidden in the heart of Pacific Palisades where neighbors ride their horses down the street,” the property description read. “This historic compound boasts five distinct structures: an expansive single-story main house, a staff house, a pool house, stables converted into a state-of-the-art home gym and a newly constructed two-story guest house.”
Since its construction, the home has been “restored and expanded” by former owners, including Pfeiffer. It was “reimagined” by “renowned interior designer” Michael S. Smith.
“This property exudes understated refinement, complementing the rustic setting with its luxuriant park-like grounds, magical gardens and meandering pathways,” the description continued.
The 6,250-square-foot main residence—with four bedrooms and five bathrooms—includes high ceilings and rustic wood beams throughout the living spaces, including a “country-style kitchen” which opens to a “romantic” dining room and “enchanting” two-level library.
“The tranquil primary retreat has direct access to the garden and a spa-like en suite bath,” read the description.
The living spaces “flow out” to covered patios, which feature “stately columns.” The outdoor amenities include a pool and spa, as well as a “fully equipped,” 1,031-square-foot pool house, offering “the ideal summer sanctuary.”
At 446 square feet, the staff house has one bedroom and one bathroom, while the guest house has two stories, each with a bedroom and bathroom, at 1,244 square feet. The gym is approximately 800 square feet.
“This estate is also uniquely suited for equestrian lovers wishing to keep their beloved horses close to home,” the property description concluded. “A rare opportunity for only the most discerning buyers, this unparalleled estate is an enduring piece of Palisades’ history.”
R. Ron Smith and David Berg of Smith & Berg Partners at Compass represented the buyer, while the seller was represented by Cindy Ambuehl, Elizabeth Gottainer and Jeeb O’Reilly of AKG | CHRISTIE’S International Real Estate.
Pfeiffer is an Academy- and Emmy-Award-nominated actress whose career began in the late 1970s, with starring roles in films like “The Russia House” and “What Lies Beneath.”
Vaudeville performer, actor and social commentator Rogers was in 70-plus films throughout his career. He also wrote over 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. He ran a production company while living in the Palisades—where several areas are now named for him, including Will Rogers State Beach and Will Rogers State Historic Park.
As of July 31, there were 72 single-family Palisades residences listed in the Multiple Listing Service, which is 14% lower than this time last year. So far this year 127 Palisades homes have sold, which is 5% fewer sales than last year’s first seven months. There are currently 22 Palisades homes in escrow.
The median sale price per square foot has fallen by 5% as compared with the same period in 2023 and is now at $1,492 per square foot. The median sales price has decreased by 16% and is currently $3.75 million, as compared to $4.45 million a year ago.
Sales in the beginning of 2023 were unusually strong due to the interest rates being at near-historic low levels at that time. As a result, homes were selling for far more than was feasible during the same period this year, with interest rates about doubled.
The lowest-priced available home is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard asking $1,895,000. The highest-priced property is a seven-bedroom, 11-bath on Casale Road, asking $49.95 million. The median list price for Pacific Palisades is now $5.89 million.
The lowest sale price so far this year was a three-bedroom, three-bathroom on Chalet Terrace, which sold for $1,395,000. The highest sale so far this year was a six-bedroom, 12-bathroom on Chautauqua, which sold for just over $32 million.
There are 17 Palisades condominiums/townhouses on the market now, which is a 15% decrease in the level of inventory from this time last year. They range from a two-bedroom, two-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard offered at $1,349,000 to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Haverford offered at $1,949,000.
Five condos are currently in escrow. There have been 39 condo sales so far this year, ranging from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $500,000, to a two-bedroom, three-bathroom unit on Sunset, which sold for $2.5 million. The current median sale price is $1,355,000, which is an 11% drop from last year.
There are currently eight pieces of raw land available, ranging from a 3,703-square-foot lot on Castellammare being offered at $699,000 to $14,995,000 for approximately six acres off Casale Road in the Riviera. So far this year, one lot sold—nearly two acres off Via Santa Ynez, which sold at a 40% discount for $550,000.
There are currently 73 available leases in the Palisades, which is a 29% decrease from this time last year. They range from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset asking $2,650 per month to an eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom home on DePauw asking $98,000 per month.
There have been 179 units or homes leased so far this year—11% higher as this period last year. The highest lease so far this year was a four-bedroom, seven-bathroom on Toulon, which leased for $65,000 per month. The lowest was $2,700 per month for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit on Sunset Boulevard, and the median leased price was $11,600 per month, up 16% from this time last year.
Michael Edlen, an agent with Coldwell Banker, has been keeping statistics on Pacific Palisades housing prices for the last 38 years.
Sometimes, the smallest of details results in significant costs in home maintenance and repairs. This is especially true regarding the constant battle with water-related issues in or around a house. Vigilance can save huge expenses.
Scenario One
A home we sold had a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker. Water entered the fridge from a line connected to it from the rear.
Several years after it was installed, that line began to leak, and a small amount of water came out on the floor underneath the unit. The owner’s housekeeper thought nothing of a tiny bit of water on the floor and wiped it up.
After several months, the owner also noticed the small amount of water. She, too, assumed it was nothing of consequence.
After a year or so, the flooring showed signs of slight warping in front of the refrigerator, and the owner mentioned it to a friend. Although urged to have a refrigerator repairman come out to investigate and repair whatever was causing the leak, the owner turned off the icemaker and assumed that would take care of the problem, at least for the time being.
Although periodically some moisture was noticed again on the floor, no further action was taken for another year when a relative noticed an odd odor in that area of the house. It did not take long to realize that the source of the smell was immediately around the refrigerator, and no spoiled food was found to be the cause. Subsequently, it was discovered that there was some mold on the back of the cabinet adjacent to the refrigerator.
Remediation of the problem became a complicated process because by then, the mold had spread several feet in the wall in each direction behind the refrigerator and under the wood flooring for more than 10 feet, fed by the continuous flow of moisture from the small leak in the line.
Eventually, when the owner hired a remediator to clean all the mold and replace the damaged materials, new cabinetry and countertops were also required. The new flooring alone was costly, as the entire kitchen and breakfast area had to be replaced.
Scenario Two
We recently sold a home that had been well maintained by a meticulous owner for many years. During the inspection process, someone discovered that water had often entered the crawl space, creating several problems.
The water source was a mystery at first since it was not low on a hill where water would logically come downhill and either into or under the foundation, and it looked like far more water had gotten in there than would be probable from a leak in the plumbing system.
The problems included surface mold from apparent continuous moisture, uneven settlement of the foundation because the soil was much softer where the water tended to flow, some cracking in the foundation due to the soil movement and several supports that had become dislocated by the other issues.
The solutions proposed by a drainage expert included repairing all of the under-house issues, installing an entirely new property drainage system, regrading all the soil around the perimeter and increasing the number and size of the ventilation holes on all sides.
A structural engineer was called out for a second opinion, as the drainage expert’s proposal was quite costly. It took about 20 minutes of general exterior assessment for the structural man to identify the causes of the problem—and without even having been under the house yet.
A simple attention to landscape changes years before could have prevented the entire scenario. It would have required two actions: change the sprinkler heads so they only sprayed away from the structure, rather than in a full circle toward the foundation, and slope the ground away from two ventilation openings rather than toward them.
Conclusion
In many instances, costly problems stemming from water issues could be avoided entirely by simple and inexpensive actions if taken as soon as an issue is noticed. Many other signs of apparent water-related problems might cost a fraction of the later repairs and remediation expenses required if dealt with promptly upon discovery.
Have you ever noticed paint bubbling on a wall below a window sill? It could be a sign that water from rain or sprinklers is getting through the frame or that a tiny hole in caulking needs attention.
Do you have a shower with some deterioration of the plaster at the bottom outside corner near its door? It could indicate a leak from the fixture inside the wall or that the door seal requires caulking.
Is there a slight staining visible on the ceiling below a bathroom? Possibly there is a small pipe leak under a sink or the toilet seal has begun to fail.
Are there darkish spots in the back wall of a closet? Maybe your clothes or shoes have been a source of moisture that has resulted in surface mold. Improving the air circulation in any way and watching not to put damp things in the closet until they are dry could eliminate the situation before it becomes a possibly serious mold issue.
There are many more such examples of how to win the battles with moisture around your home. The key lies in being proactively aware of potential problems and regularly assessing at least a few times yearly to check all possibly affected areas.
Michael Edlen has counseled thousands of homeowners on various home maintenance and safety issues. Please contact him for a confidential, complimentary conversation about any questions about such issues or any other real estate matter. He can be reached at 310-600-7422 or michael@edlenteam.com.
Ben Affleck has closed escrow on a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Brentwood for $20.5 million, according to Architectural Digest.
Enveloped in nature, the 6,247-square-foot home is set on two-thirds of an acre in an “ultra-exclusive enclave” of Sullivan Canyon, according to the listing.
“Through the walled and gated entrance, you’re met with lush, landscaped gardens and grounds that whisk you away to the pages of a storybook,” the listing read.
The home, built in 1941, was renovated in 2010. The original home was designed by architect Cliff May, and later reimagined by architect Steve Giannetti with interior design by Kelly Harmon.
The main house boasts an open floor plan with “soaring” wood-beamed ceilings and garden views all throughout. As guests ascend the stairs, they are met with an office with a fireplace.
The “serene” primary suite features a fireplace, steel windows and doors that allow access to the gardens.
As an equestrian estate, the grounds are complete with stables, a walking ring and tack room. Additional amenities include a pool, spa and two-story guest house.
The home is “conveniently close” to Brentwood Country Mart, both Riviera and Brentwood Country Clubs, and Sunset Boulevard. The listing described the home as “the epitome of a garden retreat in an ultimate private and luxurious setting.”
Affleck is an Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker who has appeared in more than 50 films, including “Good Will Hunting,” “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor.” He has also taken on the role of Batman in the DC Extended Universe.
The actor has previously called Pacific Palisades home—which is a stone’s throw from his new home.
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“Jimmy Dunne Says”
