This Palisadian Will Be the Youngest Ever U.S. Olympian in Beach Volleyball
Miles Partain, 22, Is One of Several Olympians That Came Out of Pali High
By Zach Armstrong
Palisadian talent will represent the Red, White and Blue on the international stage next month.
Miles Partain, a professional beach volleyball player and former Pali High Dolphin, will represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this Summer along with his partner, Andy Benesh. In addition to Partain becoming the youngest ever American Olympian for the sport, the Benesh/Partain duo are set to be the youngest U.S. men’s beach team in Olympic history, according to NBC Sports.
Partain, 22, is one of several Olympians that came out of Pali High, including Chris Marlowe, Ricci Luyties, Dave Saunders and Kent Steffes, as his website states.
The star athlete grew up in Pacific Palisades, having played in his first organized beach volleyball tournament on Will Rogers Beach at 10-years-old, his website states. During his tenure at Pali High, the Dolphins won three CIF City Section Championships, while Partain himself placed 3rd in the 2018 Junior Nationals and 5th in the 2019 Junior Nationals as a player for Pac6 volleyball club.
After graduating valedictorian and a semester early from Pali High, Partain completed coursework at UCLA in March 2023 for a B.S. degree in Applied Math. He then trained full time with beach partner Benesh (who played four years for the USC Trojans’ indoor team and earned Volleyball Magazine’s 2023 AVP honors as its MVP, according to Partain’s website).
Benesh and Partain first teamed in a one-off in November 2019 while Partain was still a high school senior, according to NBC Sports. The pair won a oneday Southern California tournament. Although Benesh played with different partners while Partain went off to UCLA, Benesh “always kind of knew [he] wanted to play with Miles,” as he stated on a volleyball podcast.
Last spring in a top-level international tournament, the pair finished third and were victorious in the next event, as reported by NBC Sports. In those events, they defeated Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Norway.
Although American men won three of the first four Olympic beach volleyball tournaments in 1996, 2000 and 2008,
they have not won a medal since, according to NBC Sports. Next month in Paris, Pertain and Benesh look to change that; as the former is already the youngest American to win a gold medal in a major FIVB event (Dubai 2022) and the youngest to win a gold medal in a NORCECA event (Jamaica 2019), as stated on Pertain’s website.
Real Estate Mogul Donates $5K for Extra Police Patrolling in Palisades
The Donation Is a Reaction to a
Multitude of Recent Illegal Behavior in the Area
By Zach Armstrong
Michael Edlen, a leading local real estate agent and alternative representative for Area 3 on the Pacific Palisades Community Council, made a $5,000 donation to prevent crime in the neighborhood as “disruptive teenage activity” has become more prevalent.
According to PPCC, the funds are earmarked for the “public safety pilot partnership” that is currently being considered by CD11 and LAPD. The effort would add between 15 to 20 hours of patrol time in the Palisades. The CD11
Council Office and LAPD West have already met to discuss the initiative, according to PPCC President Maryam Zar, who said “everyone involved has indicated a willingness to consider the idea.”
Although he hasn’t witnessed any of the disconcerting activity firsthand, Edlen says the donation is a reaction to a multitude of recent illegal behavior in the area, primarily coming from adolescents.
The Palisadian Center for Youth Sports and Recreation, in particular, has somewhat become the neighborhood hotspot for dangerous teenage activity. In early November of last year, LAPD were called about juveniles chasing others on the tennis courts with tasers. A month prior, LAPD received a radio call for a possible overdose of a 16-year-old female around the area behind Palisades Library. Other reports of partying, drinking, lighting fireworks and vehicle racing around the rec center led LAPD
to identify the park and surrounding area as an “extra patrol location.”
In a more recent episode of these illicit actions, which was also relayed to Edlen, two teenagers were found “engaging in activity” on the public Carthage stairwell leading up from Haverford Avenue to the alley behind Via de la Paz.
Edlen, who has been a Palisades resident for five decades and a prominent real estate mogul for 35, is a licensed realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. Over the tenure of his career, Edlen says he has represented about 1,750 clients (approximately 90% of whom are in the Palisades) with nearly $2 billion in real estate transactions made.
The recent PPCC donation is one of many philanthropic contributions from Elden, who says he has donated over $1.5 million to various organizations, schools and programs over the years, and that he believes other real estate leaders should do likewise.
“I made it my policy for the last 20-something years to donate a portion of the commission I receive on any purchase or sale transaction. As far as I know, I was the first in the Palisades to make that a business model. Now, at least three other agents have officially taken a similar approach.” said Edlen. “I would like to encourage anyone in real estate to have a similar perspective and give back to the community that they have derived their income from.”
Four Months Later… Marvin Braude Bike Trail Remains Damaged
LA County Public Works hopes to have
a concrete schedule soon
By Zach Armstrong
It’s been nearly five months since a historic atmospheric storm over L.A. caused erosion beneath a portion of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail; a 22-mile pathway with an estimated 10,000 people using it daily.
Now, the damaged portion between Chautauqua Blvd. and Entrada Dr., near the Roosevelt Pedestrian Tunnel in Pacific Palisades, has seemingly gone under no repairs since.
LA County Public Works hopes to have a concrete schedule for repairs by mid-July; the cost of which is estimated at $800,000, according to a spokesperson with the department.
“LA County Public Works engineers continue to finalize the repair design for the Marvin Braude Bike Trail at Will Rogers State Beach.” read a statement from the department. “The California Coastal Commission is currently reviewing the project.”
In Spring, Councilwoman Traci Park urged several City departments to report on their efforts to repair the trail.
As part of a March 22 motion, Park encouraged City Council to instruct the
Department of Transportation, along with the Bureau of Engineering, Recreation and Parks, and the City Attorney, to report on the damage and “Los Angeles County’s efforts to undertake repairs and restore the bike trail to public use.”
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, sometimes referred to as the Beach Bike Path or the Coastal Bike Trail, is a paved path that runs along the shoreline of Santa Monica Bay from Will Rogers State Beach down to Torrance County Beach.
Golda Zahra In Concert Golda Zahra In Concert
“A promising young opera singer.” -The Los Angeles Times
Join an unforgettable evening and the Dream Orchestra
perform the opera music of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, as well as Broadway classics including The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and so much more!
Join us for an unforgettable evening as Golda and the Dream Orchestra perform the opera music of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, as well as Broadway classics including The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and so much more!
Pride Towers Vandalized During Pride Month for Two Straight Years in Palisades
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Stated That the Graffiti Will Be Removed
By Zach Armstrong
For two consecutive years, pride-colored lifeguard stations in the Pacific Palisades have been smeared with hateful slurs and symbols amid Pride Month.
Earlier this week, Lifeguard Tower #18 at Will Rogers State Beach, one which was painted in rainbow colors, was vandalized with homophobic, racist, and antisemitic slurs and symbols, ABC7 reported.
Camp supervisor Oliver Stilos discovered the damage on Tuesday morning while teaching young children how to surf. “It’s really sad that people out there believe
things like that and try to enforce this hate speech on people,” Stilos told the local news outlet.
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated that the graffiti will be removed and that the tower will be repainted.
“Hate has no place in Los Angeles County. We will not back down from celebrating and protecting our LGBTQ+, Jewish, and Black communities—among our many diverse communities—across Los Angeles County,” Horvath said in a statement reported by ABC7. “This act of hatred reminds us why our continued commitment to solidarity is necessary.”
Last year, around mid-June, just days after being unveiled at Ginger Rogers Beach in the Palisades, two lifeguard towers painted with pride colors also became vandalized.
According to reports, the windows were smashed although there were no reports of injuries. Days before the vandalism, the event of the unveiling was a lively event to help celebrate the LGBT+ community and pride month.
Renowned L.A. Fashion Brand to Open New Spot at Palisades Village
The SoCal Chain Is Recognized for Bold, Statement-Making Designs
By Zach Armstrong
Covered over the storefront adjacent to the Palisades Village’s Anine Bing location, the logo of Los Angeles-based fashion brand Cult Gaia is displayed while signaling that an opening is imminent.
The SoCal chain is recognized for ‘statement-making’ designs. It offers a wide range of clothing, accessories, swimwear, sunglasses and shoes. It also sells an array of bags such as clutches, mini bags, tote bags, shoulder bags and crossbody bags. Options typically come at a pretty hefty price such as the “Tallulah Wristlet” coming in at nearly $500 and the landscaped-patterned “Bebe Dress” for nearly $1,500.
Its current collections, according to its website, include “Life Of The Party”, “Escape With Us”, and “Golden Hour.”
“We create items that are first, Objet d’Art and secondly, that have utility. Many
of the bags we create stand on their own and have a very sculptural quality about them. Our design ethos is to make things stand out and turn heads.” as the brand states on its website. “Cult Gaia is inspired by nature and women. This is where the brand’s name comes from. Great brands are cult-like, uniting like-minded people in their aesthetic ideals. Gaia is the goddess of Mother Earth and the daughter of chaos, the most creative force there is.”
Cult Gaia was founded by Jasmin Hekmat in 2012 following graduation from the Fashion Institute of Technology, according to Fashion United UK. The brand launched into prominence in 2014 when Jasmin created the bamboo Ark bag which found itself across social media and carried by celebrities and influencers.
The Pacific Palisades spot will be one of many new openings for the L.A.-based label, with others debuting earlier this year and 2023 including in Miami, Melrose, CA, Soho, New York, The Hamptons, New York, and the French-speaking Caribbean island commonly known as St. Barths.
For more information about the brand, go to https://cultgaia.com/
Experience the angelic voice of award-winning soprano Golda Zahra during mass at St. Monica Church this Monday, July 1st. at 12 noon. All are welcome!
Experience the angelic voice soprano Golda Zahra mass at St. Monica this Monday, at noon. All are
Video Shows Pali Teens Fighting Around Village Area
Illegal behavior in the area coming from adolescents has become one of the primary concerns for Palisadians
By Zach Armstrong
A video posted on Nextdoor shows local teenagers fighting in public in close proximity to the Palisades Village.
In the video, which was posted by Nextdoor user Lisette Kramer, three teens are seen exchanging blows and pulling each other to the ground where they continue wrestling, until an older man comes to break up the fight. It seems the exchange occurred in front of Gelson’s on Via de la Paz.
Illegal behavior in the area coming from adolescents has become one of the primary concerns for Palisadians in the past year.
The Palisadian Center for Youth Sports and Recreation, in particular, has somewhat become the neighborhood hotspot for dangerous teenage activity. In early November of last year, LAPD were called about juveniles chasing
others on the tennis courts with tasers. A month prior, LAPD received a radio call for a possible overdose of a 16-year-old female around the area behind Palisades Library. Other reports of partying, drinking, lighting fireworks and vehicle racing around the rec center led LAPD to identify the park and surrounding area as an “extra patrol location.”
In a more recent episode of these illicit actions, two teenagers were found “engaging in activity” on the public Carthage stairwell leading up from Haverford Avenue to the alley behind Via de la Paz.
Michael Edlen, a leading local real estate agent and alternative representative for Area 3 on the Pacific Palisades Community Council, made a $5,000 donation last week to prevent crime in the neighborhood as “disruptive teenage activity” has plagued the area.
According to PPCC, the funds are earmarked for the “public safety pilot partnership” that is currently being considered by CD11 and LAPD. The effort would add between 15 to 20 hours of patrol time in the Palisades. The CD11 Council Office and LAPD West have already met to discuss the initiative, according to PPCC President Maryam Zar, who said “everyone involved has indicated a willingness to consider the idea.”
Award-Winning Soprano and L.A. Native Makes Broad Stage Debut
Golda Zahra returns from Italy for a groundbreaking debut concert featuring beloved opera arias, Broadway musicals, and vocal classics.
SANTA MONICA, Calif — Hailed as “One of the rising stars of her generation” and “A promising young opera singer” by the Los Angeles Times, renowned Soprano Golda Zahra is proud to announce her homecoming debut concert at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, set for Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 8:00pm.
A Los Angeles native and 2015 LA Spotlight Award Winner, Golda will join The Dream Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Daniel Suk. Suk’s international career spans more than 25 years, and in a truly full circle moment, Suk helped foster Golda’s talent and development as a live performer starting at a very young age.
“As a classical singer, my goal is to make
opera accessible for anybody and anyone,” said Golda. “Like Pavarotti, and friends— that was something that brought opera to everyone. It was something that made people smile and it warmed people’s hearts and it brought people together.”
Golda has performed in famed Southern California venues like Walt Disney Hall, Royce Hall, and The Saban Theatre, but looks forward to showcasing her unique combination of classical operatic technique and musical theatre training for The Broad Stage audience. She currently studies exclusively with the worldrenowned soprano Barbara Frittoli in Milan.
Golda began her operatic journey at just 4 years old, listening to and attending operas with her parents. She studied classical piano and musical theater, ultimately joining the Colburn Music School in downtown Los Angeles and dedicating her life to opera. She moved to Italy after high school in 2017 and studied privately with some of the greatest Italian opera masters. In 2021, as a finalist for Rai Radio’s Voci in Barcaccia” international opera competition, she recorded a CD for RAI Radio in a performance that was broadcast live from Rome.
WHAT: Golda Zahra with The Dream Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Daniel Suk
WHEN: Saturday, July 13, 2024, 8:00pm10:00pm
WHERE: The Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
TICKETS: GoldaInConcert.com
For media inquiries, contact Shallom Berkman at 310-749-8879, or email sberkman@urthcaffe.com. You can also visit GoldaInConcert.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
NEW to Santa Monica: Enjoy Your Favorite Hurry Curry Dishes on Ocean Park
By Susan Payne
This summer, enjoy your favorite authentic Japanese curry and Yoshoku cuisine at Hurry Curry of Tokyo’s new location in Santa Monica.
The restaurant, known for its original blend of spices and its longtime presence in Japantown, closed its doors on Sawtelle during the COVID-19 pandemic. With uncertainty at bay, Hurry Curry owner Frederick Serra said his business partners made a pact to reopen.
Now located on Ocean Park Boulevard and 29th street, the new location offers free backside parking and more outdoor seating near the Santa Monica Business Park.
“Although we’ve been around since 1989, we are new to Santa Monica. We’ve been here for about two years,” Serra said.
Hurry Curry customers love the consistency the restaurant has provided over the last three decades, everything from its authentic recipes and dishes to its employees that give new and returning customers warm welcomes and friendly service.
“As a restaurant, that’s probably the hardest thing to pin down. But we’ve done it. We’ve had the same team for 10+ plus years, we take care of our employees,
and they feel something special here. We couldn’t stay closed for too long,” Serra said.
Hurry Curry’s history runs deep and its recipes — curated from its original Japanese chef in 1998 — have long been a favorite in Los Angeles. The signature curry sauce features a blend of 21 spices.
“We’ve used that same recipe for so long, it’s not a general curry you might see at a restaurant,” Serra said. “I’ve seen customers drive here from San Diego and Santa Barbara to try our food.”
A number one dish at Hurry Curry is the chicken cutlet curry – a tender breast meat filet lightly breaded in panko flakes, fried to golden brown and served with the restaurant’s authentic Japanese curry.
“That dish carries 60% of our menu sales. You can order the curry at varying spice levels of mild, medium, hot or extra hot. We use a Capsicum chili oil, the same oil we’ve used for the 35 plus years we’ve been open,” Serra said.
Another fan favorite is the chicken pasta — sauteed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and corn surrounded by Hurry Curry’s fried chicken karaage, served with a generous side of the secret white sauce.
“Curry is one of those items, not as popular as pizza, but you get a craving for it. Once you try Hurry Curry, it’s one
of those recurring cravings you’ll get. We have such a unique flavor, and it is so well loved,” Serra added.
Hurry Curry serves a wide range of beverages, some Japanese specific and homemade.
“We serve some Japanese favorites like Ramune Marble Soda, which in Western culture, equivalent to colas or fountain beverages,” Serra added.
The scratch kitchen offers online orders, dine-in and catering. Hurry Curry is open
Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California, 90405. For more information and a look at the menu, visit HurryCurryofTokyo.com.
Ivy-Covered Mansion on Amalfi Dr. With Eight Bedrooms Hits Market at $38M
Situated on One of the Largest Lots in Riviera, the Property Includes a Two-Story Guest House
A luxurious estate designed by renowned architect Richard Landry has become available on one of the premier streets in Pacific Palisades. Spanning approximately 2 acres, this $38 million villa offers privacy behind double gates and mature hedging, situated on one of the largest lots in the Riviera neighborhood.
The estate boasts approximately 17,000 square feet of living space, featuring eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. The Italianstyle compound is adorned with European imported stone, coffered and vaulted beamed ceilings, and rare biblical stone from Jerusalem.
The main level includes a bright solarium, a luxurious dining room, and a grand chef’s kitchen equipped with professionalgrade appliances, two islands with seating,
and a large pantry. Upstairs, the primary suite features a fireplace, sitting area, and a private balcony with ocean and canyon views. The suite’s spa-like bathroom offers dual layouts, each with private spaces and
showroom-style walk-in closets.
Recreational amenities include a screening room, a large upstairs sitting/ playroom, and a dedicated game room. The expansive backyard is designed for outdoor entertainment, featuring a newly restored lit tennis court, a putting green, a built-in BBQ area, and a large pool and spa.
Additionally, the property includes a two-story guest house with one bedroom, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. To check out the listing, go to https:// www.compass.com/listing/1550amalfi-drive-pacific-palisadesca-90272/1512422261360266241/.
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
FIREWORKS • LIVE MUSIc
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
GATES OPEN 5 P.M. | FIREWORKS AT 9 P.M.
Corsair Field | 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
$5 Parking (Enter at Pico Blvd. & 17th St.)
Live music by Westside Crew Associates
PROHIBITED: Animals, alcohol, weapons, smoking, chairs with pointed legs.
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez, Chair; Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Tom Peters; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry Snell; Esmeralda Hernandez, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent President
VICKY SWARTZ