Palisades News 10.28.22

LAPD Says Encampment Found Near Origin of Recent Palisades Brush Fire

LAPD Says Encampment Found Near Origin of Recent Palisades Brush Fire

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) says officers found a homeless encampment near where a Pacific Palisades brush fire broke out recently, though the cause of the blaze remains unknown.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the incident was reported on Sunday around 8:45 p.m. at 15045 Corona del Mar in Pacific Palisades. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find flames burning uphill in medium-to-heavy brush between Pacific Coast Highway and Corona del Mar.

It took 65 LAFD personnel, Los Angeles County Fire Department crews and firefighters from neighboring agencies around an hour to put out the blaze. No structures were damaged

in the fire, which was con contained to around two acres.

Officials did not implement any formal evacuation orders.

The LAFD has not yet determined the cause of the fire. According to the LAPD, however, police officers on Monday found an encampment near where the fire started. The announcement was made by LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brain Espin in a community brief email.

“At this time, it is unknown how the fire was started. Our Beach Detail Officers frequently check the hillsides on a regular basis. As of Friday, of last week the area behind the wall was clear. Today, the Beach Detail Officers located an encampment behind the wall South from where the fire had started. The PPTFH volunteers responded and cleared the area. It is unknown if the encampment and the fire are somehow related. LA City Fire Department is the investigating agency when it comes to fires. If and when more information is released, I will update everyone at that time,” Espin wrote.

When reached for comment, LAFD Captain II Erik Scott said “We reviewed the LAFD

report, which states that after investigation the cause of the fire was undetermined. Therefore,

we have no further information on the fire cause.”

Madame Wu, Famed Restaurateur and Longtime Palisades Resident, Passes Away at 106

Restaurateur behind Madame Wu’s Garden passes away September 19

By Dolores Quintana

Sylvia Wu, born Sylvia Cheng, was much better known as restauranteur Madame Wu to her customers at her restaurant Madame Wu’s Garden, located in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard. A longtime Pacific Palisades resident, she died at the age of 106 on September 19, as reported by The Associated Press.

Wu opened her famed Hollywood hotspot Madame Wu’s Garden in 1959 which was an industry favorite for four decades. The restaurant’s decor was that of a pagoda with a koi fountain, jade statues and a waterfall and Wu would wear a long silk gown as she took to-go orders on the phone and greeted her

famous guests according to AP.

The reason that Wu became a restaurant owner was that she was appalled by the prevalence of restaurants that served fake Asian cuisine. Indeed, the popularity of restaurants that served chop suey really upset her. Wu said to USA Today, as quoted by AP, “Chop suey everywhere. All you see are chop suey houses.”

At Madam Wu’s Garden, more traditional Asian dishes were served. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mae West’s favorite was the cold melon soup, Paul Newman and Gregory Peck liked the crab puffs and shrimp toast and Princess Grace was a fan of the restaurant’s Peking Duck.

Wu was born on Oct. 24, 1915, her family lived in Jiujiang, near Shangai and Wu learned to cook by observing the maids who cooked for her family according to AP. She took an ocean liner during World War II to the United States. She said, as quoted by “I don’t know how I had the courage. I had no family in America. The trip took 40 days, and because of the war there was a blackout all the way.”

She met and married chemist King Yan Wu and were married for 67 years. King Yan Wu died in 2011. They are survived by two sons and many grandchildren. Wu worked for charitable causes and focused on working to help the City of Hope cancer center after their

daughter Loretta died of cancer.

Talk show host and media mogul Merv Griffin said of Sylvia Wu, as quoted by AP,

“Everybody in this town knows Madame Wu. One of the dearest, sweetest, most elegant women I’ve ever known.”

Photos: Citizen App Footage from a Sunday evening brush fire in Pacific Palisades.

Photo: Los Angeles Public Library (Facebook) Madame Wu, Jack Benny and his wife, Mary Livingstone (right) are pictured at Madame Wu’s Garden in 1974.

Santa Monica Auctions Announces Return of Longtime Annual Fall Auction

Robert Berman’s beloved event returns to Bergamot Station on November 6

By Susan Payne

Santa Monica Auctions, an independently owned and operated gallery since 1984, announced its upcoming fall lively auction to be held Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 1 pm with works by Carlos Almaraz, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams and more.

Located at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, the auction highlights more than 233 lots of more than 25 artists, including a rare 1987 signed and dated work by Ramond Pettibon titled Untitled (My Purpose in Life).

Santa Monica Auctions acquired three estate deaccessions, one of which had a

collection of rare and beautiful Latino works including powerful pastels by Carlos Almaraz and other works by Gronk, Ruffino Tamayo and Francisco Toledo.

“We have a big collection of Latino art including four unique originals by LA’s favorite Chicano artist Carlos Almaraz,” said auction owner Robert Berman, who has held galleries since 1979 in Santa Monica.

Another estate acquisition revealed two important original gouaches by Sonia Delaunay and an original drawing by Richard Prince. These estates also brought in a 1949 Pablo Picasso ceramic plate, glazed and engraved entitled Colombe sur lit de paille, and works by Andy Warhol, Robert Motherwell and Bruce Connor.

“This particular auction, we were lucky to get huge estates of really great art at all different prices starting off as little as $300 all the way to two-piece works that should sell for $200,000, if not more,” said Berman. “We’re having a huge comeback after being a little down before the pandemic, now it’s 100% full.”

In this auction, you can expect amazing contemporary galleries and a large emphasis on photography from artists such as Ansel Adams, Ruth Bernhard, Manuel and Lola

Alvarez Bravo, Charles Brittin, William Eggleston, Elger Esser, Paul McCarthy, Alex Prager and Cindy Sherman.

“This is the biggest culmination of photography galleries west of New York City, with some of the best photography galleries in the world,” Berman said. “It’s a fun afternoon of schmoozing and bidding and walking around.”

Limited edition notable print works by Mike Bidlo, Sam Francis, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Man Ray, Claes Oldenburg, Judy Chicago, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha and Frank Stella will be auctioned, as well.

“We have a very high percentage of buyers because many things in the auction have no reserves, and when we do have reserves, they are low compared to what these pieces would cost at a regular gallery, so it really is a great opportunity to come in knowing the price ahead of time and not raise your paddle for more than what you want to spend,” Berman said.

Previews are available at smauctions. com or in person. Online bidding, absentee or telephone bidding is also available.

Santa Monica Auctions is having an

opening party Saturday, Oct. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m.

After Tuesday, Nov. 1, the auction will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for viewing.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the auction house is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The auction preview is also open by appointment. Call 310-315-1937 to arrange appointments.

The next auction will most likely be in mid May, 2023.

During the Nov. 6 live auction, refreshments and a food truck will be available in a tented, outdoor seating area toward the rear courtyard of Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. For all photo artwork image requests, email info. santamonicaauctions@gmail.com.

E

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BEST OF PALISADES 2022

BEST RESTAURANT

WINNER CAFE VIDA

Phone Number: 310-573-1335

Address: 15317 Antioch St, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.cafevida.net

2ND PLACE

THE DRAYCOTT

Phone Number: 310-573-8938

Address: 15255 Palisades Village Ln, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, United States Website: www.thedraycott.com

BEST HAPPY HOUR

WINNER GOLDEN BULL

Phone Number: 310-230-0402

Address: 170 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402, United States Website: www.goldenbullsantamonica.com

2ND PLACE SPRUZZO RESTAURANT & BAR

Phone Number: 424-426-5900

Address: 538 Palisades Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90272 Website: www.spruzzopalisades.com

3RD PLACE

ROCCO’S CUCINA

Phone Number: 310-573-3727

Address: 17332 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.roccospalisades.com

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT/BROKER

WINNER DAN URBACH | COMPASS

Phone Number: 310-367-9865

Address: 15207 Sunset Boulevard, #A, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.danurbach.com/ www.playarealtyca.com

2ND PLACE

AMALFI ESTATES

Phone Number: 504-462-0911

Address: 984 Monument St #105, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.amalfiestates.com/ www.cavanaughrealtors.com

3RD PLACE

RODEO REALTY

Phone Number: 310-995-6344

Address: 839, Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA, 90272 Website: www.rodeore.com/ real-estate-office/112/pacific-palisades

BEST BOUTIQUE

WINNER

THE LITTLE MARKET

Phone Number: 424-266-4660

Address: 1010 N Swarthmore Ave ste 5-102, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.thelittlemarket.com

2ND PLACE PAIGE

Phone Number: 310-294-6342

Address: 1051 N Swarthmore Ave space 1-104, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.paige.com

3RD PLACE MOKU SUSHI

Phone Number: 424-426-5900

Address: 538 Palisades Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90272 Website: www.spruzzopalisades.com

3RD PLACE A.L.C.

Phone Number: 424-644-6546

Address: 15227 Palisades Village Ln, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.alcltd.com

BEST HOSPITAL/ URGENT CARE

WINNER SAINT JOHN’S PHYSICIANS PARTNERS

Phone Number: 310-829-8441

Address: 901 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States Website: www.providence.org

2ND PLACE SUNSET URGENT CARE MEDICAL CENTER

Phone Number: 310-836-7000

Address: 910 Via De la Paz, 100, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.sunsetucmc.com

3RD PLACE

GARB ALISON MD

Phone Number: 310-459-4321

Address: 970 Monument St # 210, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: N/A

BEST HEALTH STORE

WINNER JUICE CRAFTERSPACIFIC PALISADES

Phone Number: 310-459-4200

Address: 15324 Antioch St, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.juicecrafters.com

2ND PLACE EREWHON

Phone Number: 310-561-8898

Address: 15285 W. Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.erewhonmarket.com

3RD PLACE ALL PRO NUTRITION

Phone Number: 310-454-7457

Address: 847 Via de La Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: N/A

BEST PET STORE/ SERVICE

WINNER COLLAR AND LEASH PALISADES

Phone Number: 310-573-6262

Address: 518 Palisades Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.collarandleashpalisades.com

2ND PLACE PALISADES ANIMAL CLINIC

Phone Number: 424-402-5800

Address: 16636 Marquez Ave., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palisadesanimalclinic.com

3RD PLACE PALIVET

Phone Number: 310-573-7707

Address: 853 Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palivet.com

BEST COFFEE SHOP

WINNER CAFE LUXXE

Phone Number: 310-394-2222

Address: 15200 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.caffeluxxe.com

2ND PLACE

ALFRED COFFEE

Phone Number: 424-364-2500

Address: 15217 Palisades Village Ln, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.alfred.la

3RD PLACE RUSTIC COFFEE

Phone Number: N/A

Address: 169 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402 Website: N/A

BEST MEDICAL/DAY SPA AND MASSAGE

WINNER

JAIMIE GELLER JEWELRY

Phone Number: 310-454-5392

Address: 15310 Antioch Street, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.jaimiegellerjewelry.com

BEST MEDICAL/DAY SPA AND MASSAGE

WINNER FAHI’S SKIN AND WAX BAR

Phone Number: 310-454-3222

Address: 15235 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.skinandwaxbar.com

2ND PLACE

JENNIFER MEYER JEWELRY

Phone Number: 310-230-1271

Address: 1050 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.jennifermeyer.com

3RD PLACE OBSESSED JEWELRY

Phone Number: 310-430-3751

Address: 15224 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.obsessedjewelryshop.com

BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAM/SERVICE

WINNER -

MATH

STORE

BEST NAIL/HAIR SALON

WINNER BELLAGIO NAILS AND SPA

Phone Number: 310-454-8841

Address: 15119 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: N/A

2ND PLACE AQU WELLNESS

Phone Number: 424-258-4292

Address: 845 Via De La Paz Suite 15, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.aqu.co

3RD PLACE SKIN FIVE

Phone Number: 424-322-8780

Address: 970 Monument Street, Suite #216, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.skinfive.com

2ND PLACE

TLC BEAUTY SALON

Phone Number: 310-459-3789

Address: 16650 Marquez Ave Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: N/A

3RD PLACE SENSUAL LASH

Phone Number: 310-927-7538

Address: 845 Via de la Paz #14, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.sensuallash.com

BEST PHARMACY

WINNER PHARMACA

Phone Number: 310-454-1345

Address: 15150 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: https: www.pharmaca.com/ pharmaca-pacific-palisades-los-angelescalifornia-90272

2ND PLACE KNOLLS PHARMACY

Phone Number: 310-454-6000

Address: 16630 Marquez Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.mygnp.com/pharmacies/ knolls-pharmacy-pacific-palisadesca-90272

3RD PLACE

PALI RX

Phone Number: 310-454-0377

Address: 900 Vía De La Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palirx911.com

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

WINNER ECLIPSE PRESCHOOL

Phone Number: 310-570-3547

Address: 16726 Bollinger Dr., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.eclipseschool.org

2ND PLACE VILLAGE SCHOOL

Phone Number: 310-459-8411 Address: 780 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.village-school.org

3RD PLACE LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES: PACIFIC PALISADES CAMPUS

Phone Number: 310-454-9395 Address: 16720 Marquez Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.lyceela.org

BEST DENTIST

WINNER PACIFIC PALISADES DENTISTRY

Phone Number: 310-459-3088

Address: 881 Alma Real Suite 315. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palismiles.com

2ND PLACE DENTISTRY BY DESIGN PALISADES

Phone Number: 530-457-6821

Address: 881 Alma Real Drive, Suite 205A, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palisadesdentistry.com

3RD PLACE DR. ALI VAZIRI

Phone Number: 310-230-8282

Address: 859 Via De La Paz, Suite C, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.palisadesendo.com

BEST TAILOR

WINNER DE’LEONS EXPRESS

Phone Number: 310-204-1947 Address: 9014 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 Website: N/A

2ND PLACE CUSTOM TAILORING BY FERNANDO

Phone Number: 310-822-9847

Address: 13322 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 Website: N/A

3RD PLACE CELESTES TAILORING

Phone Number: 310-391-4708

Address: 12028 Venice Blvd. # 2, Los Angeles, CA 90066 Website: N/A

BEST DESSERT

WINNER THE YOGURT SHOPPE

Phone Number: 310-459-0088 Address: 873 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.theyogurtshoppe.com

2ND PLACE K BAKERY EATERY + BAKESHOP

Phone Number: 310-573-9900 Address: 548 Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Website: www.joyandsweets.com

3RD PLACE

VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM

Phone Number: 424-341-0850

Address: 8820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 Website: www.thekbakery.com

BEST

AND WORKOUT

WINNER

PURE BARRE CULVER CITY

Phone Number: 310-837-7222

Address: 8985 Venice Boulevard,

Website: www.purebarre.com/location/

2ND PLACE

SIXPAX GYM

Phone Number: 310-591-0537

Address: 4301 Sepulveda Blvd Culver City,

Website: www.sixpaxgym.com

3RD PLACE

Phone Number: 310-202-6344

Address: 10854 Washington Blvd, Culver City,

Website: www.atighteru.com

Lynne Cohen Foundation Celebrates

Years of Kickin’ Cancer with

The event returns November 13 to San Vicente Boulevard

By Susan Payne

Next month, the Lynne Cohen Foundation celebrates 20 years of Kickin’ Cancer, a 5K Run, Walk, and Stroll that raises funds and awareness for women facing ovarian and breast cancers.

The Annual Kickin’ Cancer 5K and Women’s Wellness Expo will take place on Nov. 13 with the 5K starting at 9 a.m. sharp on San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, LA. Community members interested in taking part can register, fundraise, and boost awareness by visiting www. kickincancer.com.

Amy Cohen Epstein, the President and Executive Director of the Foundation, was only 21 when her mom, Lynne Cohen, passed away from a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. Epstein started the Foundation five years later and has dedicated her life to providing at-risk women with the knowledge and clinical support needed to take action proactively, catch cancer early, prevent it altogether, and fight it hard.

“This is the 25th year anniversary of my mom’s passing and people still look at me with wet eyes and say, ‘I miss your mom, I think about her every day,’” Epstein said. “We had to do something to honor her legacy of giving back. She was a doer. She thought about others way more than herself even in her last days.”

Every dollar raised at the Kickin’ Cancer Run, Walk, and Stroll funds a national network of Lynne Cohen Preventative Care Clinics serving women and families at increased risk for ovarian and breast cancers. These clinics are highly specialized, innovative women’s care facilities that unite research, screening and clinical care for women who are at high risk for cancer. Through the Lynne Cohen Foundation, patients receive comprehensive cross-disciplinary care and have access to the latest clinical trials, genetic testing and psychosocial counseling.

Two-time Emmy winner and Fox 11 News Anchor Marla Tellez will co-host the event with Epstein, bringing her passion for strengthening the community, promoting health, and empowering women.

Kickin’ Cancer is a non-competitive 5K Walk or Run and Women’s Wellness Expo complete with giveaways, fitness activities and entertainment, and a kids’ corner featuring a bounce house and prizes. This year, a Kickin’ Cancer Tribute Wall will honor and remember all those touched by cancer.

“During the pandemic, many at-risk women put off their regular screenings out of fear or financial hardship. We stand in solidarity with our community – especially those who are vulnerable and underserved,” said Epstein.

Runners and walkers from 60 different counties have bonded together against cancer during the 20 years Kickin’ Cancer has been held.

“I challenge someone to tell me they have not been affected by cancer and they don’t know a woman in their life who has

been affected,” Epstein said. “This event is incredibly bonding and inspiring. It’s vivacious and in Brentwood, where my mom lived so much of her life.”

During the walk’s first year, Epstein said she knew everyone there, but as the years passed and the event became more widely known, Kickin’ Cancer grew.

“It’s people from greater Los Angeles and beyond who are there because of the mission, the work we do with our preventative care clinics, and their families. Our work in preventing cancer is what’s

made the Foundation successful and allowed us to stick around,” Epstein said.

The run, beginning at 11620 San Vicente Blvd., starts at 9 a.m. and the festivities conclude around 11 a.m. on Nov. 13. Onsite registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Individual and team fundraising awards will be given out to top finishers.

Learn more and register at www. kickincancer.com.

SANTA