The next couple of weeks are filled with events: print out this page so you can “check” them off and make sure you don’ t miss anything. And if you’re unsure of what to do, go to the YMCA Christmas Tree Lot at Simon Meadow, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road. The lot will be open Monday through Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tree sizes range from tabletop to 14 feet tall. This year tree types include Noble, Nordman, Frazier and Vintage Noble.
Friday, December 6
MUSIC:
St. Matthew’s Music Guild continues its 40th Anniversary Season on Friday, December 6, at 8 p.m. with a lively program of music for the holidays. The concert, featuring The Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s and Choir of St. Matthew’s Parish, conducted by Dwayne S. Milburn, kicks off with Baroque masterpieces by Henry Purcell and Archangelo Corelli. The Chamber Orchestra will be joined by choir and soloists in Vivaldi’s effervescent Gloria in D Major. A traditional sing-along of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus will round out the program.
FLAG FOOTBALL:
Chuck Price and Tharen Todd are going to bring flag football to Pacific Palisades, starting with two clinics for girls in kindergarten through 8th grade. If you have a daughter in kindergarten through 4th grade, an introduction to the sport will be held at the Palisades High School baseball field on Friday, December 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. If your daughter is in grades five through 8th, that clinic will be held on December 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. The clinics are two hours long and one can register at www.footballplayedhere.com.
DANCE:
The Nutcracker will be held at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at westsideballet.com/NutTix – Friday, December 6: 7 p.m. Saturday, December 7: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.* and Sunday, December 8: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.* (*Tiler Peck & Roman Mejia performing.)
Palisades Residents Mila Bakhshandehpour, Clara Ditter, Valentina Finci, Izzy Heidt, Inès Macpherson, Imogen Marble, Carlin McCaffrey, Zoe Nakamura, Laurel O’Donnell, Addison Russell, Kaia Sappington, and Olivia Yu will perform in Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker.
Photo: SARAH MADISON PHOTOGRAPNY
THEATRE:
Theatre Palisades presents Private Eyes by Steven Dietz on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through December 15. It has been described as the perfect play for those who love mysteries and deception. Pierson Playhouse is located at 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. Visit Theatrepalisades.org
Saturday, December 7
HIKE THROUGH WOLFBERG PARK:
Join locals and residents at 10 a.m. for a guided tour into George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon. David Card, a local landscape designer and President of Palisades Forestry Committee will lead the walk. The program will start at Veterans Garden where David will give a short talk about how the canyon became a city park. He will then lead a walk the 1-mile length of the park and back and talk about the park and answer your questions. Set your own pace and feel free to turn around whenever you need to. Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and bring a water bottle and sun protection. Please Note: This program starts at Veterans Garden at the Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real, around the corner from the library.
SANTA COMES TO TOWN:
The 75th Anniversary of HO!HO!HO! featuring the annual return of Santa Claus to Pacific Palisades will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at Simon Meadow in the YMCA Tree Lot, corner of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road. Santa will listen to kids’ wishes and there will be performances from local dance and music groups. Food and crafts and the event is free.
TRIVIA:
A Trivia Party is being held at the Brentwood Rec Center from 3 to 6 p.m. Teams or individuals and newcomer welcome. Parking can be difficult at the Rec Center, but the Post Office Parking lot is free after 3 p.m. There will be numerous drawings to win several prizes. Please register/rsvp brentwoodmeet@gmail.com. The Brentwoodmeet’s events are sponsored by the Law Offices of Stephen L. Joseph.
SHOPPING:
Caruso’s Holiday’s “Shop, Stroll & Be Merry on Swarthmore and through the Palisades Village will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a tree lighting, a visit from Santa, live music, festive sips and bites, a champagne chalet and snowfall.
BOCCE:
Palisades Bocce Club party is being held to celebrate community and the friends that were made during the season. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at 15247 La Cruz Drive at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283.
Sunday, December 8
GLASS SALE:
Holiday Glass Sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Simon Meadow, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Gateway Boulevard. There will be unique and one-of-a-kind ornaments, coasters, specialty plates and other intricate items that will help complete your shopping, for even the hardest person on the list. The items are made by Santa Monica College Art Departments. Proceeds from the sales benefit the SMC Art Department, the SM Public Library, Palisades Malibu YMCA and local artists. There is free parking while browsing. If you have never gone before, stop by, you’ll be amazed at the beauty.
FREE CONCERT/CHORALE
A glorious holiday classical concert with the Palisades Symphony, under the direction of Maaxim Kuzin and Brentwood Palisades Chorale under director Susan Rosenstein. The concert is free (donations are welcome) at 7:30 p.m. at the Palisades Methodist Church 801 Via de la Paz.
The Brentwood Palisades Chorale will perform on Sunday.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
IMPACTS OF ARTIFICIAL TURF:
To learn more about the status of the City Council motion, the impacts of artificial turf, and safe/healthy alternatives…please join Resilient Palisades at 6:30 p.m. for an Artificial Turf Panel Discussion, hosted by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance. To view the list of panelists and to RSVP https://www.ncsa.la/artificial_turf_12-08_2024.
Tuesday, December 10
MAGIC:
Magic John creates fun, hilarious, magical experiences that kids will never forget, and he is performing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10 in the Palisades Library Community Room, 861 Alma Real Drive.
This free show is targeted towards children ages 4-10, although it includes clean humor for all ages. The show is packed with amazing magic, silly gags, eye-catching props, and audience participation.
ENVIROMENTAL:
The Temescal Canyon Association will host its annual meeting via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10. There will be several guest speakers, which will include Bill Hamm from Will Rogers State Historic Park. Miroslava Munguia Ramos from the National Parks Service will discuss the effects of the Woolsey Fire on the plants and animals in the Santa Monica Mountains. For the Zoom Link email temcanyonassoc@gmail.com or email TCA’s President at jamesalexakislawyer@gmail.com.
Thursday, December 12,
COMMUNITY COUNCIL AWARD DINNER:
Pacific Palisades Community Council Award dinner will be at Casa Nostra. Citizen of the Year Cindi Young, Sparkplugs Carlos Rodriquez, and Leslie Campbell, Lynn Hylen Miller and Carol Ross and Pride of the Palisades Thomas Hathaway will be honored.
Saturday, December 14
BOOK SALE:
The Friends of the Palisades Library will hold a book sale in the Community Room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th at 851 Alma Real. Books are in excellent condition, priced to sell and include a variety of genres including contemporary fiction, nonfiction, art books, cookbooks, special interest, children’s and young adult books. Cash and credit cards accepted.
CD 11 PARTY:
Council District 11 will host the 2nd Annual Better 11 Holiday Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westchester District, 7166 Manchester Ave., Westchester, 90045. RSVP to CD11rsvp@lacity.org.
Wednesday, December 18
The Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe will hold its 11th annual Christmas Radio Show, “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Wednesday, December 18. This free performance at Pierson Playhouse starts at 7 p.m. in the lobby as people eat cookies and drink Martha Hunter’s mulled wine. Hunter, who is also the TPAT founder, has an incredible recipe that makes one feel all cozy inside. Promptly at 7:30 p.m. actors will take the stage for an hour presentation of a reenactment of a 1940s radio show.
Thursday, December 19
The Palisades Village will host a pre-Chanukah celebration on Swarthmore Avenue from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The Menorah Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.