Palisades-News-March-18-2015

March 18, 2015 Palisades News Page 3
Jump Aboard the
July 4 Celebrations
By SUE PASCOE
Editor
Join the local residents and businesses
who have already made a commitment
to PAPA (Palisades Americanism Parade
Association). Last year the Palisades
Fourth of July parade, concert and fireworks
cost close to $150,000. The projected
cost is the same this year.
At PAPA’s first 2015 meeting on March 9
at the American Legion Hall, second-term
president Daphne Gronich said that she has
already received commitments from the following:
The Yogurt Shoppe (Kids on Bikes
and Happy Hour donations), Realtor Joan
Sather (Most Patriotic Home decorating
contest, Spectrum Athletic Club (manager
Diane Poff), On Stage Talent (Matt Barnett),
Fran Flanagan Realty, White & Co. insurance
(Dennis White), Gelson’s (will allow
checkout donations), UDO Real Estate and
Sunset La Cruz (Elliot Zorensky), Robert
Munakash (Village 76), Coldwell Banker
(Anne Russell), the Donald and Nancy de
Brier family and the American Legion.
Gronich is in communication with several
other entities and individuals about
their planned support, as well.
Palisades News has also committed to donate
a percentage of all parade advertising
to the parade committee, so that people taking
out ads in the official parade program
produced by the Palisades News, will also be
helping the Fourth of July events.
It is not too early to start thinking about
parade entries. “We would love new entrants,”
Gronich said. “It’s more interesting
for residents to see different bands and
floats in the parade, and we encourage people
to put them together.”
A search is on for a parade grand marshal,
as well as a headline band for the
evening concert at Palisades High, which
was attended by 7,000 people last year.
Lawyer, Palisades resident and concert organizer
Keith Turner said that he has already
heard from local bands that would like the
opportunity to play on the second stage.
The day, which also features the 5/10K
Will Rogers Run, a parade, a concert and
fireworks, is made possible by volunteers
and community donations.
Gronich says that the celebrations wouldn’t
be possible without all the local volunteers
who work hard to make July 4th the
best day possible for the entire community.
Many of these people have worked for years
Kids on Bikes was a colorful entry in last year’s parade.
with PAPA People leader Sylvia Boyd.
In addition to parade banner carriers,
volunteers are especially needed at the Pali -
Hi stadium starting at 4 p.m., after the parade,
where there are food trucks and
activities for kids, prior to the concert and
fireworks.
If you would like to donate directly or pay
Photo: Tom Hofer
to sponsor a parade entry such as a band,
please e-mail info@palisadesparade.org.
Parade theme suggestions can be submitted
to the same email address by April 5.
The next volunteer meeting will be
held at 7 p.m. on April 6 at the American
Legion when a theme will be selected. The
public is invited.
Advisory Board Seeks Parking Change
The Park Advisory Board (PAB) has
proposed changing the parking
hours at the Palisades Recreation
Center on Alma Real Drive from four to
two hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
The four-hour limit would remain in effect
after 3 p.m., in order to accommodate
park patrons who are involved in afternoon
and early-evening sports leagues and other
park programs.
“Through spot checks and interviews with
City employees and others, it was determined
that up to half of the individuals using the
The Park Advisory Board for the Palisades Recreation Center is recommending changing
parking from four hours to two hours.
parking spaces at the Park were not using the
park at all,” said PAB member Robert Harter.
“The individuals who were parking illegally
had apparently chosen to park at the
Rec Center because it was a free and convenient
alternative during the work week to
the nearby metered and fee-based parking.”
In a letter to the Palisades News (see page
8), Harter notes that “The lack of parking
at the Park is not a new issue. In fact, the
upcoming change in parking hours will
culminate an inclusive and deliberative
process that began in 2013,” through community
surveys and PAB meetings, which
are open to the public.
The News contacted Superintendent of
Recreation and Parks Charles Singer about
these proposed parking changes. He responded
on March 3: “As far as the parking
situation, ultimately, only the Department
can request and/or approve a change in the
parking structure. Depending on what is
being requested, it may also involve other
city agencies and/or the Departments
board of commissioners.
“Superintendent [of Rec and Parks Operations]
Joe Salaices has been receiving
proposals from the Palisades PAB regarding
proposed parking changes. I believe at
this juncture, the Department’s position
is to only review and no action is being
contemplated.”
Library Book Sale
Saturday, March 21
The Friends of the Palisades Branch Library
will hold a gently-used book sale in
the parking lot of the library, from 8:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 21,
at 861 Alma Real Dr.
Due to the generous donations from
community members, there is an excellent
collection of well-priced books, DVDs and
CDs. Sales depend on the continuing support
of volunteers, and the library benefits
from the time and energy they provide. In
case of inclement weather, the book sale will
be postponed until the following Saturday.
Atria Offers Cooking
Demonstrations
Atria Park of Pacific Palisades, located
just west of the Shell Station at 15441
Sunset, invites all Palisades residents to
participate at its cooking demonstration
on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m.
The theme of the demonstration is
“The Growing Popularity of a Plant-
Based Diet.” Participants will learn how to
make delicious meatless meals that can
ward off chronic diseases and help with
weight control.
Please RSVP (310) 573-9545. Visit
atria-pacificpalisades.com.