Jack Newman

The Tahitian Terrace Social Club hosted a summer gathering at Santa Monica Brew Works on August 30, fostering a sense of community spirit for the displaced residents of the mobile home park destroyed by the Palisades Fire.

On the narrow street of Paseo Miramar, stewards of historic artists' residence Villa Aurora celebrated both its survival and restoration at an August 30 open house. The event attracted crowds who admired the art, architecture and ocean views offered by the villa, which was originally constructed in 1928.

Music was blaring, racquets were swinging, balls were flying, players were high-fiving and everyone was laughing at the second annual Live Like Braun Memorial Live Ball Tournament on August 8 at Peninsula Racquet Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Members of the community spanning several generations gathered at the Village Green on the hot afternoon of September 9 to plant roughly 300 small American flags in commemoration of the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The Pacific Palisades Community Council unanimously approved a comprehensive Two-Year Strategic Plan during its virtual meeting on September 10, establishing a structured road map aimed at strengthening governmental relationships, improving community communication, and easing rebuilding hurdles for returning residents.

Watch a community meeting long enough and you can usually tell who actually thinks they're accountable. Some people show up once, say their piece and disappear until the next crisis. Others keep showing up, keep asking, keep calling the same officeholder back a second and third time—even when nobody answers the first two calls. Only one of those people is holding anyone accountable.

My wife and I bought our home on Beirut Avenue, in the last block before Via de las Olas and the bluffs, in 1972. It was just a short, half-block walk to one of the most beautiful views in all of Los Angeles—almost the entire Santa Monica Bay, and, on a clear day, Catalina Island.

After sustaining significant damage in the Palisades Fire, St. Matthew's Parish School reopened its campus at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue on September 9 to more than 200 students, ranging from age 2 through eighth grade.

It is the season of transitions—from summer to fall, leisure to structure and long days to early nights. It is the season of sticking with it, of pushing forward, of showing up for those who need us. It is the season of forgiveness.

The global bond sell-off continued last week—and its message is becoming harder for policymakers to ignore. Inflation pressures are increasing in the United States, the Eurozone and Japan. Brent crude price remains over $100 per barrel as the war with Iran intensifies and threatens vital energy supplies. The trade conflict has widened, with new U.S. measures against Canada and Canadian counter-tariffs.