By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

St. Matthew’s Parish will present its 33rd annual Christmas Faire, with the theme “Together in Unity,” on Friday, November 22, beginning at 5 p.m.

“We are thrilled to kick-off the holiday season together and Together in Unity at the 33rd annual St. Matthew’s Christmas Faire,” read the website for the event. “This year we are bringing back bidding with stickers for the silent auction and will be holding an all in-person event.”

The event will feature a holiday market, wine and silent auctions, and food and thrift boutiques, with all net proceeds going toward the charitable outreach partners of St. Matthew’s, which include A Sense of Home, Angel Interfaith Network, Westside Food Bank, Safe Place for Youth and more.

“Our charitable outreach partners provide critical support, including food, medical and housing services, to low-income individuals, children and families throughout Los Angeles and beyond,” according to St. Matthew’s.

Tickets for a selection of parties—including an Easter Egg Hunt, Bienveneda Pizza Party and Sushi Class—are available for purchase online only as part of the faire. They went on sale on Tuesday, November 19, at 10 a.m.

The faire will take place in Sprague Auditorium at St. Matthew’s Parish School, 1031 Bienveneda Avenue. Pre-registration and outdoor dining begin at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the event concluding at 9 p.m. Admission tickets are $20 per person.

“We look forward to coming together in unity to support these wonderful organizations,” read a flyer.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Tickets are now on sale for the Pacific Palisades Community Council annual Holiday Dinner & Awards Gala, which will take place on Thursday, December 12, starting at 6 p.m. at Casa Nostra Ristorante in The Highlands.

“Seating is limited, and tickets can be purchased until December 6 or until the event is sold out, whichever comes first,” according to PPCC.

During this year’s awards gala, Citizen of the Year Cindi Young, Golden Sparkplugs Leslie Campbell and Carlos Rodriguez, and Pride of the Palisades Thomas Hathaway will be honored.

Tickets are available for purchase for $125 per person. There is also an option to donate a ticket so that a member of Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department or another government agency can attend.

“PPCC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which receives no financial support from any agency and is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions from the Palisades community,” read the ticket page. “For more information … contact info@pacpalicc.org.”

A full story about this year’s award winners will be published in the November 28 print edition of the Palisadian-Post.

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.