Introduction to the Block Party
At the block party on Duende Lane, Elissa Atwood was delighted Saturday morning to greet neighbors she hadn’t seen in months, hoping their reconnection would help preserve the sense of community that was so shaken by the Palisades fire. She is a third-generation Palisadian whose home, built by her grandfather in 1953, was threatened by the flames. Several of her immediate neighbors’ lost their homes. Atwood’s daughter was pregnant during the disaster, and her granddaughter is the fifth generation of the family to live in that home.
The Party and Its Significance
The party, organized by the Marquez Knolls Property Owners Assn., was the neighborhood’s only gathering of the year — music playing from a speaker, Pueblano-style tacos sizzling on the grill, dogs happily roaming around. Many residents say it has been difficult to get in touch with their neighbors, some of whom have left or are still deciding whether or not to sell their land. They fear developers will turn what were originally middle-class properties into rows of walled-off mansions where residents don’t know each other. Residents gather for the annual Marquez Knolls Block Party in Pacific Palisades on Saturday. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Community Concerns and Challenges
“I think that it’s hard to overestimate how debilitating and disorienting this has been,” Atwood said. “One of the things we’re doing in our neighborhood is knowing each other’s contact information so we know who’s gonna need help.” About 40% of residents in this corner of Pacific Palisades are senior citizens, according to Haldis Topple, former president of the Marquez Knolls Property Assn. The 83-year-old lost her three-bedroom home in January. Topple has called Pacific Palisades her home for more than 60 years. Now, she rents an apartment in Marina del Rey while her house is under construction.
Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience
“I met my husband here. My son was born here,” Topple said. “I have decided to rebuild because I can’t live anywhere else. Where will I go?” Like Topple, some residents have found it difficult to rebuild their homes. She says she has contracted three architects so far, two of which took her money and “dragged out the process before dropping me.” Atwood says some insurance companies have not paid the standing homes claims for smoke damage needed to speed the recovery process. “People are still fighting it,” she said, adding that residents who suffered full loss have been paid by insurance companies, while those who suffered partial loss have received less than 10% of claim pay. “This has been a big obstacle for us coming back faster.” Eleanor Keare, a Pacific Palisades resident who lost her home in the Palisades fire, sports a “Palisades Strong” hat at the block party. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Looking to the Future
Resident Michael Edlen, a Realtor in the area, said it may take up to five years “for things to settle down.” Many people have fled the area to avoid what’s ahead: years of construction, Topple said. “Some of them just don’t want to deal with it and have sold.” Some neighbors took the opportunity to air out their frustrations about how the fire and its aftermath were handled. Julie Valentine, a resident in the area, says she is still “traumatized.” “I just felt like it was a lack of leadership, a lack of planning, and a lack of understanding,” Valentine said. “I just feel bad that we’re having to meet under these circumstances.” Eleanor Keare, left, a Pacific Palisades resident who lost her home in the Palisades fire, greets Gordon and Shirley Wong, right, the owners of Knolls Pharmacy, which also burned down in the fire. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Community Bonding and Support
The shared trauma and struggle brought many residents together, but as more people leave the community, the battle bonding fades. Sam Lagana, a broadcast announcer for the Los Angeles Rams, kicked off the party with a speech. “We need to be positive because quite frankly, it isn’t easy,” Lagana said. “No matter what your situation is — whether you were completely burned out, partially burned, had smoke damage or your mental game has been challenged. We are all in it together.” Among the speakers were representatives from the American Cross and American Legion, fire personnel from the Los Angeles Fire City Department Station 23 and a liaison from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Conclusion
The block party served as a reminder of the community’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges and frustrations, the residents of Pacific Palisades are determined to preserve their sense of community and support one another through the recovery process. As Haldis Topple said, “This is a closely knit community. We would like to keep it that way.”
FAQs
- Q: What was the purpose of the block party in Pacific Palisades?
A: The block party was organized to help preserve the sense of community among residents after the Palisades fire. - Q: How many residents in the area are senior citizens?
A: About 40% of residents in this corner of Pacific Palisades are senior citizens. - Q: What challenges are residents facing in rebuilding their homes?
A: Residents are facing difficulties with insurance claims, finding reliable architects, and dealing with the aftermath of the fire. - Q: How long may it take for the community to recover?
A: It may take up to five years for things to settle down, according to resident Michael Edlen. - Q: What is the concern about the community’s future?
A: Residents fear that developers may turn the area into rows of walled-off mansions, changing the community’s character and reducing the sense of community.
