PPCC Awards Gala Recqp & More
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Pacific Palisades Community Council
PPCC Holiday Dinner & Awards Gala
A Huge Success!
OUR HOLIDAY DINNER & AWARDS GALA
at Spruzzo on December 11th was
a great success and enjoyed by all!
___________
Here's a brief recap:
A crowd of enthusiastic supporters packed Spruzzo on December 11th to celebrate the achievements of our amazing Honorees, and also enjoyed a delicious dinner and a special
surprise
for Councilwoman Traci Park!
Citizen of the Year:
Jim Cragg
Golden Sparkplugs:
Jessica Rogers & Maryam Bar
Pride of the Palisades:
Chuck Hart & Team Palisades
Awesome Advocates
:
Sue Pascoe & Spencer Pratt
PPCC President Sue Kohl
and
Awards Selection Committee Chair Daphne Gronich
presented the Honorees in turn with remarks of appreciation and handsome commemorative awards and plaques from PPCC.  Each Awardee expressed heartfelt thanks for the honors (Sue Pascoe's' husband John graciously accepted the award on her behalf as she was out of the country and unable to attend).
We were honored that
LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin
attended along with his Senior Advisor
Allison Holdorff,
and presented congratulatory remarks to the awardees, as did our
Councilwoman Traci Park,
accompanied by her Palisades Deputy
Arus Grigoryan
and Legislative Deputy
Sarah Flarerty.
We also appreciated that our other respected elected officials provided beautiful certificates which were presented by their representatives in attendance:
Zac Gaidzik for Supervisor Lindsey Horvath; Sam Liu for Sen. Ben Allen;
and
Sean Regan for Congressman Brad Sherman.
Although
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin
and her representatives weren't able to attend, she also provided certificates for the Honorees.
The evening closed with a
special surprise for CW Park and her Deputy Arus:
President Sue Kohl presented each of them with tokens of our deep appreciation and thanked them both for their amazing, unwavering dedication to the Palisades during this unreal, horrific year. Last but not least, the inimitable
Jimmy Dunne,
joined by a chorus of "Jingle Bells" (the Events Committee!), energized the crowd with a special song in tribute to Traci -- you had to be there!
Special thanks and appreciation to
Spruzzo
Restaurant
& Bar
for gracious service and the lovely venue;
our photographer "par excellence" Rich Schmitt
;
our audio technician
Aaron Schumacher Music,
and our
Awards Selection and Event Committee Members,
who all did such wonderful jobs and were integral to the success of the evening!
_____________
Photos courtesy of Rich Schmitt Photography
_____________
PPCC appreciates the outstanding service of all
our many Palisades volunteers.  We look forward
to celebrating with everyone again in 2026, as
the community rebounds, recovers and rebuilds
from the unspeakable tragedy of 2025!
More
It is indeed ironic that as we look forward with optimism to the community's recovery, we mourn the loss of a
97-year-old Palisades tradition:
t
he Palisadian-Post, which is ceasing publication!
We can't believe it's happening, and that this era in Pacific Palisades history is ending.  We wish Editor in Chief Sarah Shmerling (recipient of a special commendation from PPCC this year) -- and all the Post writers and staff -- the best of luck as they navigate a way forward in the difficult and sadly diminishing new world of local newspaper journalism.
We will miss you!
________________
Lowe Family YMCA
Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho!
TODAY
Saturday, December 13, 2025
1-4pm, Simon Meadow
Click on the graphic for an enlarged version
The annual
Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho
returns to Simon Meadow on Saturday,
December 13
, from 1-4pm, featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Elf, activities and more . . . PPCC will be one of the sponsors -- Come one and all and join the fun!
________________
Community Clean-Up
Sunday, December 14, 2025
8:30am meet up at the Village Green
Volunteer with CW Traci Park and the CD 11 Team for a
Palisades Community Clean Up
on Sunday
December 14
at 8:30am at the Village Green. Bags and gloves to be provided.
________________
Marquez Holiday Village
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 12n-4pm
Marquez Charter Elementary School
Click on the graphic for an enlarged version
Support fire recovery by celebrating community, resilience and the holiday season together at the
Marquez Holiday Village
on Sunday
December 14.
12n-4pm. at Márquez Charter Elementary School (sponsored by Marquez Schoo, the Palisades Rotary and GEM). Complimentary decorations, crafts, performances, holiday-themed treats and even food trucks will be featured.  All Palisades residents are welcome!
________________
Historical Society Gathering
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 3-5pm
Rustic Canyon Recreation Center
The Pacific Palisades Historical Society will host a special
community gathering
on Sunday afternoon,
December 14
(3-5pm), at Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, for a showing of treasured items
from the Society's archives!  For more information, visit
Gathering
.
________________
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 14, 2025
beginning at 4:00pm, Palisades Village
The traditional community
Menorah Lighting
returns to the Village at 4pm on
December 14,
hosted by Palisades Chabad & Palisades Village, and featuring the lighting of the Collaborative Arts Menorah, followed by music, crafts, treats and more!   For more information, visit
Menorah.
_______________
NEW
Builders Alliance Townhall
with CW Traci Park
Monday, December 15, 2025
4-5:15pm, via Zoom
Click on the graphic for an enlarged version
All are invited to this special
rebuilding
Town Hall
on
Monday,
December 15,
from 4-5:15pm, via Zoom.  Click on the graphic above for a link to register.  A recording will also be made available on YouTube.
_______________
Pali LTRG - Seniors Holiday Lunch
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
12n-2pm, at the American Legion Post 283
Click on the graphic for an enlarged version
Palisades seniors are welcome at the special Pali LTRG
Holiday Luncheon
on Tuesday,
December 16,
from 12n-2pm, at the American Legion on La Cruz Dr.  Come and join this gathering of hope and cheer, featuring festive music,
delicious
food, shared stories and support from volunteers!   More info / RSVP at
Seniors Luncheon
.
Enjoy the Holidays -- and see you in 2026!
PPCC Calendar