




On the morning of January 7th, 2025, our community changed forever. What started as a brushfire in the Highlands of Pacific Palisades quickly spread down the hillside and into the outskirts of town. When I picked up my son from preschool at noon in Santa Monica, I could clearly see the flames high on the ridge—yet never in a million years could I have imagined the magnitude of what was to come. By the time my older son returned home, our own evacuation was looming. That night, packed into a hotel room with my family of five, I watched the news in horror as firefighters fought what can only be described as a hurricane of fire, and our beloved Pacific Palisades (and much of Malibu and Altadena, we would later learn) burned to the ground.
We all have stories from that fateful day that I’m sure will play in our minds and collective grief for years to come. The depth of the destruction is unfathomable—so many families, loved ones, businesses, schools and neighborhoods lost everything in an instant. And although Brentwood was eventually spared, after nearly two weeks of uncertainty and worry, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it feels like there is a giant hole here in our community. Brentwood and the Palisades are completely intertwined—one simply cannot exist without the other—and we all know so many people who are suffering right now.
Yet in the wake of so much hardship, there are glimmers of hope. I tried to capture a bit of that in this issue, which ironically was originally supposed to be devoted to the Home. It has been so inspiring to see the way the community has rallied together, and the City Scene section is devoted to these efforts—from donation drives to delivering food to raising funds and even providing a bit of pampering and care. We also check in with the owners of beloved Palisades salon Canale-Martinez, and speak with members of the local design community about projects they have lost and their thoughts and hopes for how to rebuild. Lastly, there is a heartbreakingly beautiful photo essay by Rustic Canyon resident Bob Bronstein, who drove through the Palisades in the days following the fire, paired with a poignant poem from Palisadian Dr. Zelana Montminy, whose insightful social media posts have been a bright light during these challenging times.
Here at Brentwood City Lifestyle, we are committed to doing whatever we can to help our community in the months and years to come. We would like to dedicate this issue to everyone affected by the Los Angeles fires, as well as the firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to protect us all.
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Amanda Eberstein | amanda.eberstein@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Laura SanchezQuan
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Zelana Montminy, Maile Pingel
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Meghan Beierle-O'Brien, Natalie Blackman, Bob Bronstein, Sam Frost, Sue Hudelson, Manolo Langis, Karyn Millet, Julia Lola Wang
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
AMANDA EBERSTEIN, PUBLISHER @BRENTWOODCITYLIFESTYLE
The Palisades Fire brought unimaginable loss. In the wake of such devastation, may we find the courage to grieve, to hope and to begin anew
Cherished members of the Palisades design community reflect on their experiences—and how to rebuild
Michael Canalé and Jeffrey Martinez may have temporarily lost their beloved salon, but their commitment to the community is stronger than ever
Smoke from the Palisades Fire descending over the Brentwood Country Mart on the morning of January 11, 2025, the day the winds shifted towards Mandeville Canyon.
1: Palisades native Lily Berg launched Moms4Relief, a grassroots organization devoted to providing immediate support to families impacted by the fires. 2: Founding members include Jessie Robinson, Ashley Lewis, Berg, Jessie Flesh, Olivia Pollock, Molly McQueen, Shawna Wexler, Jenna Parris, Alex Bort and Kate Berg, pictured here at their donation market in Venice. 3: The first Moms4Relief product drive provided more than 30,000 units from over 100 beauty and wellness brands to people in need. 4: Wexler lugging goods and displaying her LA pride. 5: Real estate agent Shelton Wilder also created a donation hub in Venice. 6: Tony Black and Selby Bay with some of the brands on display. 7: The space was a place where those in need could pick up essentials and comforting items while also fostering connection and support.
Photography courtesy of Moms4Relief (1-4) & by Natalie Blackman (5-7)
1: Ospi Brentwood delivered food to firefighters and first responders across the city. 2: Grateful recipients of Ospi’s famous spicy rigatoni. 3: Julie Baris and Scott Hillenbrand of Equity Union Real Estate with Raquel and Gabby Hillenbrand at Equity Union’s clothing donation event. 4: The parking lot of Equity Union’s Sherman Oaks office was transformed into a distribution center. 5: Local journalist and politician Christina Pascucci with Heidi Joseph—a Palisades nanny whose longtime family lost its home—at an event hosted by The Change Reaction. 6: The Change Reaction founders Jodi and Greg Perlman at the Collins & Katz Family YMCA in West LA. 7: About 500 fire victims attended the event, where each family or business owner received a check from the organization’s Wildfire Direct Relief Giving Fund, totaling more than $1.2 million.
1: Comfy Dental Studio in Beverly Hills hosted a soothing sound bath therapy in support of the Fire Relief Fund established by the Beverly Hills Rotary. 2: Sound healer Jasmine Amirah, Comfy Dental Studio founder Dr. Sara Sabokpey and Maria Shapley of Figaro & Co., which provided specialty crafted chocolates. 3: Lara Berthoin. 4: Chelsie Scheitler. 5: Regent Santa Monica Beach held a “Yappy Hour” gathering for evacuees and their furry friends, featuring pup massages courtesy of the hotel’s Guerlain Wellness spa. 6: The event was held on the hotel’s Seascape Terrace in partnership with Healthy Spot, with “puptails,” a treat bar and goodie bags. 7: An adorable doggie and owner.
For over 40 years, The Help Company has been connecting domestic employees with local families. Now, they are helping to raise funds to provide direct aid to workers who have lost employment due to the Palisades Fire. These hardworking individuals are crucial to our communities but often the first to lose income and last to receive assistance. Please visit gofundme.com and search for “The Help Company” to access this fundraiser and ensure that these cherished caretakers are cared for as well. thehelpcompany.com
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Founded by certified arborist Carlos Mendoza in 2014, Green Valley Tree Care is an independently owned-and-operated company that offers comprehensive tree services for any landscaping needs. Offerings include first-class tree removal, trimming and installation, as well as brush clearing, tree mapping and complete property health checkup and disease management. The proactive and experienced staff is also available for after-hours and emergency calls. Use code “March 2025” for 10% off your first service. 800-487-1392; greenvalleytc.com
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Sanhu House, the premiere postpartum luxury hotel retreat in Santa Monica, is now bringing its renowned rest and recovery services to the comfort and privacy of the home. Inspired by South Korea’s sanhu-jori tradition, new mothers—and newborns— can enjoy a blend of unsurpassed doula care, spa services, grounding meditation and nourishing meals delivered each day, custom designed to meet each patient’s healing and individual family needs. Let Sanhu House's expert team create a sanctuary to replenish the mind, body and soul after birth. sanhuhouse.com
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THE PALISADES FIRE BROUGHT UNIMAGINABLE LOSS. IN THE WAKE OF SUCH DEVASTATION, MAY WE FIND THE COURAGE TO GRIEVE, TO HOPE AND TO BEGIN ANEW
ARTICLE BY DR. ZELANA MONTMINY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOB BRONSTEIN
In the moment, when the world feels unrecognizable, We stand in the space between what was and what will be.
We name our loss: For the homes where we grew, For the laughter that filled the walls, For the ordinary moments now swept away—
We grieve.
For the memories etched in ash, For the roads that feel foreign, For the lives forever changed, We weep.
And yet, even here, in the wreckage, We reach for something unbroken. To the unseen, the eternal, the whisper of hope—
Meet us in this silence.
Help us find footing on this shifting ground. Be the breath in lungs that feel too heavy to expand, the steady presence in a sea of uncertainty.
Teach us that what truly matters— love, connection, resilience— Was never confined to walls or things.
Show us how to carry forward the invisible: The bonds that no fire can consume.
And as the nights stretch long, When despair threatens to take root, Remind us: We are still here. The light within us flickers but does not fade.
Help us to rise— not just from the ashes, But into something new. Stronger. Closer. Unbreakable.
Dr. Zelana Montminy is a behavioral scientist, author of 21 Days to Resilience & Finding Focus (2025), keynote speaker and longtime resident of Pacific Palisades. For more information, visit drzelana.com or follow her on Instagram at @dr.zelana
Bob Bronstein lives in Rustic Canyon with his wife, Jill, and is designer and principal of AOY Design. His practice focuses on singlefamily and multiunit residential projects in and outside California. aoydesign.net
CHERISHED MEMBERS OF THE PALISADES DESIGN COMMUNITY REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCES—AND HOW TO REBUILD
ARTICLE BY MAILE PINGEL
When the evacuation order came, I was in denial about losing our home. The fire would have to burn through thousands from the Highlands before us, and I was sure that couldn’t happen. I didn’t grab my kids’ footprints, their artwork or my late father’s watch. My husband took a picture of me in the driveway, and I never thought it would be the last time I saw our home. Of all the projects I built in the Palisades, only one survived. My office was destroyed, too—twenty years wiped out in an instant. I want to see this community return with sustainable practices and prevention measures in place, but public agencies need to recognize that climate change is real. We can make beautiful buildings without being cookie cutter, but there will be fundamental changes to aesthetics, materials and landscaping.
Like so many other residents of the Pacific Palisades, I experienced the anxiety and chaos of evacuation firsthand, not knowing if my home would survive. Fortunately, it did. My heart broke seeing the treasured spaces of my family, friends and clients lost. These are more than just structures, they’re the settings for lives, but this is an opportunity for the Palisades and Altadena to explore how we design for safety without losing beauty and character. I’ve been inspired to take action by founding LA CAN DO (Los Angeles Creatives Aid in Natural Disasters Organization; lacando.org), a non-profit dedicated to helping those displaced by the California wildfires. Our mission is to provide essential furnishings to families who have lost everything, helping them recreate spaces that feel like home again.
Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl
Interior Designers; Studio
This is our community. These were the places we went to, and these are our clients and our friends. It’s been hard to bear witness to pure devastation and this kind of experience makes us take nothing for granted. Our possessions are more than material goods—they’re heirlooms, our stories, our histories—and a home provides a security that’s been completely rattled. The question now is, what’s next? Whether it’s a temporary or new permanent house, we want to help people get that sense of security again, especially families with children. We want to get them back on their feet and offer one-onone attention for anyone who needs support. We’ve all seen the love in this community and this city, and it’s given us hope for what’s possible as we begin to rebuild.
Kitchen Designer; Caren Rideau Kitchen Design Group; kitchendesigngroup.com
On the day of the fire, I vividly recall my office door open and sirens filling the air. I thought it was just another brush fire, but reality set in when I watched Gelson’s evacuate. I thought we’d be back by morning and didn’t take anything with me, but watching the news that night, I understood my showroom was gone. With increasing occurrences of unpredictable weather patterns, we cannot afford to be complacent. I’ve now learned the hard way that not all policies include coverage for natural disasters. As a renter for my business, I found myself without protection. Every situation is unique, but it’s imperative that we safeguard ourselves and our investments. This event has profoundly changed my outlook on life and only strengthened my resolve to rebuild and continue serving our community.
Most of my work over my thirty-year career in residential architecture has been in Pacific Palisades, in each and every neighborhood. My career grew up there, and I am heartbroken at the devastation—my heart goes out to every family who lost its home and sacred memories. In all likelihood, in excess of fifty homes that I designed have been lost to this disaster. But I see the resilience in people to rebuild their homes and their lives. Residents of Pacific Palisades love their community, and I see it coming back sooner than anybody would think, provided politicians don’t get in the way. I ask them to please let the builders, vendors, architects and tradespeople who are familiar with the Palisades do their jobs and bring the community back to life. I know we are up to the task.
As a fourth-generation Angeleno and lifelong westside resident, the devastation of the Palisades Fire hit close to home. The Palisades is where I watched my children grow—celebrating milestones at KI temple, Le Lycée Français and Fancy Feet. Fourth of Julys spent camped out on Sunset, athletic victories celebrated at Café Vida or Beech Street, dance recitals at Pali High. As a real estate agent and founder of The House of Porter, I’ve spent more than 25 years building, selling and designing homes in Brentwood and the Palisades, helping families and businesses craft spaces that reflect their stories and aspirations. Whether buying, building, furnishing, or renovating, my mission is to help people rebuild and create environments that honor their history and offer spaces they’ll love for years to come.
Interior Designer; The House of Porter; thehouseofporter.com Architect; Tim Barber Architects; timbarberarchitects.com
As a sustainably minded firm, we’ve always aimed to design homes that create positive and healing change for the environment, and this tragedy strengthens that resolve. We have already shifted to fire-resistant building materials, rooftop sprinklers and pool reservoirs, but we’re wondering how a reimagined Los Angeles can improve fire resiliency. Bury power lines? Remove gas lines from all replacement development? Limit the scale, density and materiality of new work? We can design not just net-zero new buildings, but buildings that generate more power than they use, and to stop climate change, we must stop burning fossil fuels. We owe it to our communities to build back better: safer, healthier and invested in the well-being of our neighbors and the planet.
This is a huge wake up call for California. We’ve weathered many fires over the 35 years that I’ve been proud to call this great state my home, but nothing like this. The fires have never reached these larger urban areas—from my new home in Santa Monica, we had a front row viewing of the devastation—and there needs to be change. All buildings should have updated regulations, electrical companies must update their poles and wires and our tax dollars must be spent more responsibly. As citizens, we must all take part in our community and make sure that what Los Angeles experienced never happens again.
Pacific Palisades has played a central role in the story of Bureau Namas, from my first project with my mentor Philip Vertoch to the founding of my practice. Over the years, we’ve designed homes that reflect this community’s unique blend of architectural charm, natural beauty and spirit. Having witnessed the devastation caused by the recent fires, the contrast between loss and resilience serves as a humbling reminder of the fragility of the spaces we build. This moment reaffirms our deep connection to this community and the responsibility we feel to help rebuild it by creating spaces that honor families’ histories, preserve the community’s character and adapt to a changing environment.
On the night of the fire, we were waiting for friends evacuated from the Palisades to arrive and stay with us when we realized our area of Brentwood was next. No matter where we live, weather can put us on alert—the beach and tsunamis, the hills and mudslides—and everyone is thinking of ways to increase safety. My hope is that people will find their way home again and rebuild in a unique way that keeps the Palisades charming. Our design and architecture community will be the cornerstone of what’s next. I’ve photographed dozens of projects in the Palisades and am offering those images to the homeowners for insurance purposes, but I also hope they are helpful for rebuilding and for memories.
Cousins Michael Canalé and Jeffrey Martinez were both already established hair stylists with A-list clienteles when they decided to join forces and open a jewelbox salon, Canale-Martinez, in Pacific Palisades in 2015. Canalé had made a name for himself as the longtime colorist for celebrities that included Jennifer Aniston, collaborating on the iconic “Rachel” bob with stylist Chris McMillan, and even opening a salon with him in Malibu, as well as a solo spot in Beverly Hills. Martinez, meanwhile, trained at Vidal Sassoon in London before founding his own highly successful salon, Martinez Samuel in West Hollywood, which remains one of Los Angeles’ top hair destinations to this day.
“It was Jeffrey’s great idea to come to the Palisades,” says Canalé, adding that many of Martinez’s clients lived there, and they both wanted to open a spot to cater to the westside. “He told me that there was an amazing place, a hidden gem, and that we should move our business there as a partnership. And that is how Canale-Martinez was formed.”
The duo found a prime second-floor space in the Gardens shopping center on Monument Street, with wrap-around windows that brought in plenty of natural light, as well as picturesque views of the village and surrounding hillside. They decorated the intimate space, which accommodated 12 stations, with chic minimalistic furnishings and a touch of Hollywood flair.
Over the last decade, Canale-Martinez has become known as the preeminent hair salon on the westside—a place that has all of the talent and glamour of a Hollywood hair studio, but with the heart and familiarity of a laidback neighborhood salon. It has also served as the unofficial watering hole for so many of the area’s bold-name residents, who come to the salon as much to socialize and see-and-be-seen as they do to get coiffed and beautified. “Jeffrey and I have been honored to be able to be part of this family and community,” says Canalé, who recently launched his own line of hair care products, Color by Canalé.
Michael Canalé and Jeffrey Martinez may have temporarily lost their Palisades salon, but their commitment to the community is stronger than ever
“We take care of the whole family—fathers, mothers, children. It doesn’t matter who you are: the most important person is always the one who is in our chair!” Canale-Martinez is also recognized for its charitable contributions, often donating services to various local organizations and participating in fundraisers and auctions for nearby schools.
Now, in the wake of the Palisades Fire, Canalé and Martinez cherish this tight-knit community more than ever. Although the salon is miraculously still standing, its future remains uncertain while the city works through plans to rebuild. For the time being, the entire staff—hairdressers, colorists, washers, receptionists and more—has moved to Martinez Samuel, where they are able to serve their loyal customers, many of whom also lost their homes, and are grateful for the comfort and familiarity of some time with their beloved stylists.
“The salon has always been more than just a workplace for me, it’s a space where connections are made and a sense of community thrives,” says longtime stylist Desiree Gonzales. “While I’m now working at a new location, I carry the spirit of that community with me every day. It’s a reminder of resilience, support and the bonds that keep us going during difficult times.”
Visit Canale-Martinez at its new home at Martinez Samuel at 8590 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 310-659-5150; martinezsamuelsalon.com; canalemartinezsalon.com
Ruby Hong Tran and her team of talented nail technicians have been a cherished part of the Palisades community for more than 10 years. While the studio is displaced, Ruby is offering mobile at-home services to help support the salon and staff. Contact Ruby directly at 714-592-9273 to set up.
Legendary local martial arts instructor Gerry Blanck lost his home as well as his beloved dojo—a cornerstone of the community for 43 years. As he searches for a new space, friends have set up a Go Fund Me to help him through this time. gerryblanck.com
Since opening in 2002, Café Vida has been a staple of the Palisades, known for its health-conscious California-style fare and warm and welcoming staff. Visit the restaurant’s satellite locations in Culver City and El Segundo while they work on plans to rebuild. cafevida.net
Ronny Naidoo has been an icon on Marquez Avenue for over four decades, first as the owner of classic convenience store Ronny’s Market & Liquor, and more recently as the proprietor of the drycleaners two doors down. His children have set up a Go Fund Me for him and his wife, who also lost their home.
ARTICLE BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN
MARCH 4TH
Artisan Bread Baking: Baguettes & Pain de Campagne
Violet LA, 1121 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Violet’s Artisan Bread Baking series blends chef demonstrations with hands-on learning, teaching foundational skills like mixing, fermenting, shaping, proofing, baking and cooling. For this evening, learn how to create two timeless French favorites, led by chef Isaac Kerem and featuring a light dinner of Violet’s signature quiche, a simple salad and wine. violetla.com
MARCH 8TH
The Santa Monica Symphony’s Spring Concert: An Eclectic Night
John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 1630 Pearl St., Santa Monica | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The Santa Monica Symphony presents an evening of diverse and captivating music led by guest conductor Pola Benke. Felix Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides Overture opens the concert with a sweeping seascape of emotional depth, followed by Dmitry Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto No. 1, Josef Strauss’ enchanting Sphärenklänge Waltz and concluding with Joseph Haydn’s delightful “Surprise” Symphony No. 94 smsymphony.org
MARCH 16TH
40th Annual Los Angeles Marathon
Starting Line: Dodger Stadium | 7:00 AM
The Los Angeles Marathon marks its 40th anniversary in what is sure to be a momentous celebration at a time when the city needs it most. The 26.2-mile course will begin at Dodger Stadium and follow its traditional route through Brentwood—always a prime spot for viewing—where runners will double back on San Vicente, then go through Sepulveda and Santa Monica Blvd. before finishing in Century City on Avenue of the Stars. mccourtfoundation.org
MARCH 18TH
11th
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd. | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
This one-day mini-retreat is focused on women’s wellness, with SoCal Moms Founder Tracy Fredkin joined by top experts and influential content creators. The event features intimate mini-sessions, experiences and expert-advice covering timely industry topics, from clean beauty and hot new products to biohacking to menopause. socalwellnessevent.com
MARCH 22ND
A Tribute to Bob Rosen
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles | 7:30 PM
Bob Rosen, the legendary archivist, scholar, educator and critic—and founding director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive and former dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television—passed away in late 2024. Celebrate his life with this special screening of Robert Aldrich’s 1955 classic Kiss Me Deadly. hammer.ucla.edu
MARCH 22ND
The Art of Elysium’s Heaven Gala
Location to be determined | 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
This elegant black-tie affair benefiting the Art of Elysium—a nonprofit focused on healing and inspiring through art—is held annually and features an elaborate installation conceived and curated by an appointed visionary. This year, the evening will honor filmmaker Lee Daniels, who will depict his version of “Heaven on Earth”: eternal peace. theartofelysium.org
In the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires, a number of brands and organizations throughout LA quickly began creating merchandise to help fund relief. Some new groups were even formed with this purpose in mind. “It’s truly uplifting and heartwarming to see not only the parents of the community rally together, but also the kids such as myself,” says Erel Israel, who grew up in the Palisades and lost his family home of nearly 20 years. Israel joined eight childhood friends to form Together Palisades, a grassroots effort committed to restoring and rebuilding their treasured hometown. All proceeds from their poignant Tower 15 T-shirts—which feature the iconic Palisades lifeguard stand covered in ash on the front, and a list of classic local locations, businesses and schools on the back—will be donated to help mobilize cleanup efforts, provide aid for displaced families, assist the recovery of local businesses, support firefighters and more. Here, a look at some of the other products designed to provide aid—and a glimmer of hope.
Display local pride and assist recovery efforts with these products designed to do good
1. Tower 15 Tee, $30, Together Palisades, togetherpalisades.com | 2. Gold & Diamond Eye Heart LA Necklace, $925, Sydney Evan, sydneyevan.com. 100% of proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. | 3. Palisades Forever Large Tote, $32, Palisades Gift Shop, palisadesgiftshop.com. 10% of proceeds benefit fire victims, while the rest goes towards this beloved local boutique that was lost. | 4. Pacific Palisades Crewneck, $90, Like a Friend Said, likeafriendsaid.com. 100% of profits will be donated to small businesses lost in the Palisades Fire. | 5. Palisades Strong Trucker Hat, $35, Only the Lonely, shoponlythelonely.com. $20 from each purchase goes directly to the California Fire Foundation.