Palisades Tree Watering Project – The LA Bureau of Street Services and Urban Forestry have completed tree inspections in the Palisades, mapping 305 trees in need of regular watering — and now they're getting it. A big shout out to the CD11 Foundation and American Growers Company for their commitment to ensuring these trees get the watering they need to survive. I’m also grateful for the advocacy of the Palisades Forestry Committee, PPCC, Resilient Palisades, and all the organizations dedicated to protecting and strengthening our community's tree canopy.
Swarthmore Tree Planting – Rebuilding the Palisades is about more than repairing homes and infrastructure — it’s about restoring the character and beauty of our community. This week, our team partnered with Palisades Beautiful, led by Noah Martin, and the CD11 Foundation to plant new trees along Swarthmore outside the newly reopened CVS Pharmacy. These plantings not only bring life back to one of our main neighborhood streets but also symbolize resilience and growth as the Palisades continues its recovery from January’s devastating fire. Every project, big or small, is a step toward a stronger, greener future for our community.
Marquez Charter Elementary Returns Home – In another step toward normalcy in the Palisades, Marquez Charter Elementary has reopened on its original campus after being destroyed in the January fire. For the past year, students studied at Nora Sterry Elementary in West LA, whose faculty, staff, and parents welcomed them with open arms. Temporary classrooms now stand on the Marquez grounds, a reminder that while the buildings were lost, the spirit of this community was not. Every day we are writing a new page in the Palisades’ recovery story.
Village School Visit – Earlier this week I took time to join the Village School and spend some time listening to our future generation of leaders give their student council speeches. It was both adorable and inspiring to hear these young people share their ideas, treat each other with courtesy and respect, and offer their visions for a better school environment – like the “Bring Your Pet to School” idea. I’m all in!
CASA Gateway Reopens – This week I joined residents and partners to mark the reopening of Casa Gateway in Pacific Palisades—another step in bringing people home after the fires. Thanks to focused smoke remediation, repairs, and a lot of coordination, seniors and families are moving back into safe, clean homes. Deep thanks to CORE for the remediation effort, The Change Reaction and California Community Foundation for philanthropic muscle, All Hands & Hearts and NDLON for on-the-ground support, our Emergency Management Department for logistics, and Casa Gateway’s team for sticking with it. Welcome home.
Protecting Our Drains, Protecting Our Ocean – After the Palisades Fire, the state installed temporary protections—filter socks and sandbags—around storm drains. These act like giant coffee filters, trapping ash, dirt, and toxic debris before they can flow into our drains, pumping stations, and ultimately the ocean. Eight months later, some of these protections don’t look great. They can be dirty, worn down, or even damaged. But they’re still doing an important job. If they’re removed, stormwater carries debris straight into our drainage system, increasing the risk of blockages, damage, and pollution in the ocean.
Please don’t throw away or remove the filter socks or sandbags on your own.If one looks broken, missing, or unsafe, call the City or Council District 11. We’ll send a crew to repair or replace it. Remember: with the rainy season starting October 1, these protections are more important than ever.
LADWP Rebuild Support – My office has received a lot of questions related to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). To better assist with the Palisades rebuilding effort, LADWP set up the Unified Utilities Rebuild Operations Center (UUROC) located at 3931 South Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The center is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and serves as a direct resource for Palisades residents. For local rebuilding inquiries, email PalisadesRebuild@ladwp.com. For general customer service, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP (800-342-5397). More information is also available HERE.
LA Conservation Corps Still Making Progress – The LA Conservation Corps continues its work in the Palisades, clearing litter, bulky items, and overgrown vegetation along Sunset from Pampas Ricas to Palisades Drive. Partnering with the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, these efforts are helping restore our community as we rebuild from January’s wildfires.
Palisades Recovery Coalition – Last weekend my team stopped in on the latest Palisades Recovery Coalition meeting. The group was formed to bring together community leaders and partners in the spirit of collaboration to drive recovery and rebuilding with a focus on resilience.This fourth visioning charrette focused on the communities in the bluffs. I want to express my thanks to every neighbor, volunteer, and partner who showed up to share ideas, voice concerns, and help shape a safer, swifter rebuild.
Medical Commercial Building reopening – We hit another important milestone last weekend with the reopening of the Palisades first restored medical commercial medical building. In a true demonstration of resilience and an example of restoring our community, the Moadeb Family proudly reopened its remediated & remodeled commercial and medical building that was damaged during the fires. Tenants have already returned, occupying more than half the units, becoming a symbol of resilience, renewal, and community strength.
The Longest Table: You’re Invited – Palisadians are invited to gather for “The Longest Table,” a free community event on Sunday, October 5, from 12–2:00 PM, along Pampas Ricas Boulevard in The Huntington. Picture a table long enough to seat 500 neighbors sharing food, stories, and connection. Tables and chairs will be provided — just bring enough food, non-alcoholic drinks, and utensils for your party. Seating is first come, first served, and Pampas Ricas will be closed to traffic between Sunset/Chautauqua and Ocampo. Hosted by Team Palisades and local partners, this event is all about celebrating our community and building new connections as we continue the road to recovery together.
RSVP >HERE<