By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisadians are invited to review the Proposed Final Environmental Impact Report for the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project through Tuesday, August 13.

The Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project is a “multi-agency effort to restore and enhance Topanga Lagoon,” which is located within Topanga State Park along Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Pacific Palisades.

“Once containing 30 acres of pristine wetlands, Topanga Lagoon has been whittled down to less than one acre due to long-term development patterns,” read information from Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, which is leading the project. “By restoring Topanga Lagoon in a coordinated and proactive way, we can preserve this haven of unique biological, cultural and recreational resources, while improving existing public infrastructure.”

The project aims to “enhance coastal access,” “expand recreation opportunities” and “develop buffers for projected sea level rise.” Design is anticipated to take place between 2024 and 2026, with construction in 2027 and beyond.

“The FEIR identifies the range of alternatives considered for the project, as well as the preferred alternative selected after receipt of extensive public, agency and land manager feedback,” read a statement from RCDSMM.

The FEIR builds upon information that was part of the Draft Environmental Impact Report earlier this year, according to RCDSMM: “Both documents should be considered to fully understand the proposed project.” The DEIR considered four project alternatives—one “no project” alternative and three “build” alternatives.

There will be a virtual meeting regarding the proposed FEIR and the “preferred hybrid alternative” on Monday, August 5, from 6 to 8 p.m.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Getty Villa will host a “Mythical Creature Mask Making: Family Workshop” on Saturday, August 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Explore the art of ancient Greek theater masks in this free drop-in workshop,” according to Getty Villa. “Create and wear masks inspired by mythological creatures found in the Getty Villa’s collections.”

After the workshop, attendees are invited to join local performers portraying “Medusa and the Minotaur” for theatrical play in an interactive program.

The event is free to attend. Those interested are required to reserve tickets to visit Getty Villa, located at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades. The workshop will be held at the Outer Peristyle.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The community is invited to attend “Again Again: Music For Kids” on Thursday, August 1, beginning at 4 p.m. at Palisades Branch Library.

The program will feature Again Again, a Los Angeles-based, interactive DJ-drive pop duo “full of movement, stage props and audience interaction,” according to the library.

“As a kids-at-heart pair of singer-songwriters, musicians and parents, Anne Montone and Jennifer Cook have developed a distinctive style of progressive music for all, to be experienced again and again,” the event description read.

The event—intended for babies, toddlers and children—will take place at Palisades Branch Library, located at 861 Alma Real Drive. It is made possible with “generous support” from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Wildfire is at the top of the mind for residents of Pacific Palisades—but for those who are looking to learn more, or need a refresher, about how to protect homes, Resource Conservation District of Santa Monica Mountains has created and launched a 12-part video series.

“Wildfire Defense Video Series,” funded by CALFire, covers topics like wildfire preparedness, fire ecology, and how-tos for home hardening and creating defensible space.

“The videos come at a time when many residents living in high fire risk areas are searching for more information on how to protect their homes from wildfire,” read a statement about the series. “With the introduction of AB 3074 in January 2021 and anticipated enforcement of defensible space in zone zero, many people are asking ‘What is Allowed in Zone Zero, the 0-5ft Zone?; With the rising cost of home insurance, many people are asking ‘How to Create Proper Defensible Space’ and ‘How to Harden a Home for Wildfire: Vents, Gutter Guards and Gaps,’ especially how to do so affordably.

“The Wildfire Defense Video Series, available with both Spanish and English subtitles, aims to answer these questions, and provide information for residents to get started on their own wildfire mitigation.”

The release of the virtual series was celebrated at Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Malibu Forestry Unit in Calabasas with a party attended by 100 guests and partners.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Catherine Tirr will present a watercolor demonstration through Pacific Palisades Art Association on Thursday evening, August 1, at Palisades Branch Library.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce we will be having a watercolor demonstration by Catherine Tirr … from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.,” wrote PPAA President Annette Alexakis ahead of the event.

Tirr studied at Chelsea School of Art and Design in London, according to PPAA, before living in Michigan, New York and Los Angeles.

“Her work has been featured all over the globe, including exhibitions in England, Iceland and Japan,” PPAA wrote. “More locally, she has exhibited at Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Hammer Museum.”

Palisades Branch Library is located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Library Film Society is offering a series of movie screenings on Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. through August 31.

“Join us for six films by or about LA Dreamers,” read a synopsis of the series. “These films are curated by our resident film expert, Raymond Parker, who will provide insights into the films and their makers.”

The series kicked off on July 27. It will continue August 3, August 10, August 17 and August 24, and conclude August 31. All screenings take place at Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real Drive.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Getty will present “Charles Phoenix: Southern California in Kodachrome” on Wednesday, August 7, beginning at 7 p.m. in person and online.

The event will showcase the history of Los Angeles through a “retro slideshow” that celebrates Southern California in the ’50s and ’60s.

“While thrift shopping in 1992, Charles Phoenix discovered a shoe box full of Kodachrome slides marked ‘Trip Across the USA, 1957,’” read information shared by Getty. “The contents of that box changed the course of his life.”

Since then, Phoenix has collected “orphaned” Kodachrome slides, performing retro slideshows.

“With his keen expertise, unbridled enthusiasm and eagle eye for oddball detail, Charles leads us on a colorful mid-century tour of Southern California’s space age suburbia, iconic landmarks, famous attractions, classic car culture, unique architecture, theme parks and more galore,” the statement continued.

Free tickets are needed to attend at Getty Center, as well as registration to watch online via Zoom.