16 Pages Thursday, March 4, 2021 ◆ Pacific Palisades, California $1.50 PPCC Hosts Second Public Safety, ‘Let Pali Play’ Disaster Readiness Forum By SARAH SHMERLING to help the most people and save the Editor-in-Chief most amount of life, so they often don’t have the capacity to assist with he Pacific Palisades Community individuals. Council hosted a second public “It could be five days, it could Tsafety and disaster readiness forum be five weeks before they get to during its most recent virtual board your neighborhood depending on meeting, which took place via Zoom the damage,” she said. on Thursday evening, February 25. Wright with a Zoom background In a slideshow, she pointed out After an introduction from featuring footage from a 2019 fire. that “disasters can strike quickly Palisades Community Emergency Photo courtesy of PPCC and without warning,” and they Response Team (CERT) Volunteer can “force you to evacuate or con- Coordinator K.C. Soll, Hank Wright 20,000 residents in the area. They fine you to your home”—which is opened the forum with a discussion are there 24 hours per day, seven why, she explained, it’s important about the LAFD Auxiliary Com- days per week, but if “something to have a plan. munications Service, “the official really big happens, these 19 people Before an earthquake, Benja- amateur radio communications are going to be completely over- min said to create a family plan, group for the city of Los Angeles.” whelmed.” make an emergency kit, learn how “Our primary purpose is to He shared this is why it’s espe- to use any tools in the kit, identify provide backup for LAFD’s radio cially important to have a plan and hazards in the home and work place, system,” Wright, LAFD ACS Bat- to know neighbors through Ready and fix those hazards. talion 9 communication unit leader, Your LA Neighborhood or Map “If it’s taller than it is wide,” explained. “In the event that there’s Your Neighborhood. she explained, “it’s going to top- a big disaster and they [aren’t] able The next speaker, Culver City ple, which means it can block your Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer to use the telephones or the cells or CERT Training Head Stephanie exits.” Palisades Charter High School parents and students participated in a 45-minute car rally around their own radios, we have radios to Benjamin, an EMT of 22 years, During an earthquake, Benja- campus last Friday afternoon, February 26, to show support and enthusiasm for athletes being able to be able to help them do that.” began her portion of the forum with min asked that people stay calm, return to competition this spring. Read the full story on Page 5. Wright stressed the importance a similar sentiment. and to drop, cover and hold on. She of reviewing LAFD’s Emergency “Teamwork is one of the most explained to not run outside or use Preparedness Guide, which can be important aspects of anything you’re elevators. found at cert-la.com/EmergPrep- going to do,” she shared. “Even if “Do not run to help your chil- City Planning Commission Booklet.pdf. The 39-page document you don’t take the [CERT] training, dren,” she added. “I know that’s the includes information about what to you need to have that bond with hardest thing to hear, but most inju- do before, during and after earth- your community so you can work ries happen when you are running quakes, power outages, fires, floods together to solve the issues in front to get to someone else to help them. Reviews Coastal Housing Ordinance and more. of you.” Stay where you are and then after Wright’s call to action included CERT is a program that ed- the shaking stops, make your way four items: come up with a plan, ucates volunteers about disaster to that person.” Proposal Continues Vote obtain an FRS radio (similar to a preparedness for hazards that may She explained that having a , walkie talkie) with extra batter- impact their area, as well as provides family disaster plan and kit will ies, get notified through NotifyLA training for basic disaster response “help ensure the safety of family (emergency.lacity.org/notifyla) and skills, like fire safety, light search members” and “help family mem- check the PulsePoint app. and rescue, team organization, and bers make informed, rational de- He explained that at any given disaster medical operations. cisions in times of high stress re- time, the Palisades has 19 LAFD She shared that people think quiring rapid decision making and personnel in the area between Sta- they can depend on the fire depart- action.” tions 23 and 69 covering more than ment, but their goal in a disaster is (Continued on Page 3) Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar to Open in the Highlands By LILY TINOCO Reporter Members of Los Angeles City Planning Commission Photos courtesy of CPC ongtime Malibu eatery Spruzzo By LILY TINOCO Restaurant & Bar, owned and Reporter Loperated by Ray and his son Ryan Gowhari, is coming to Pacific Pal- he Los Angeles City Planning Commission met isades this summer. virtually on Thursday, February 25, to review a Spruzzo will open in the High- Tproposed ordinance to adopt permanent regulations for lands in the space that formerly the demolition, loss or conversion of residential units housed Taste at the Palisades, lo- and development of residential units throughout the cated at 538 Palisades Drive. city’s coastal zone, which includes Pacific Palisades, Spruzzo is designed to be an Venice and San Pedro. “upscale family-friendly restaurant The ordinance would add a section to the Los in Malibu with generous portions, Angeles Municipal Code to implement the state Mello Act, which went into effect in January 1982 as an The forthcoming restaurant Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer attempt to protect existing residential units and in- crease the supply of affordable housing in California’s great prices and excellent service,” fresh seafood entrees, according to coastal zone. according to its website. the restaurant’s website. The proposed ordinance accomplishes the intent Ryan shared that his father Ryan said the Palisades loca- of the Mello Act by regulating the demolition, con- Ray has been running the treasured tion will offer the same menu with version, change of use and new construction activities Malibu location since 1994—be- slight modifications and brunch on that involve existing or proposed dwelling units in fore he was born. Ray purchased the weekends, which isn’t offered coastal zone communities. the restaurant from two brothers at the Malibu location. The new The ordinance is designed to promote a more eq- and kept the name Spruzzo, which location will also have space for uitable distribution of housing opportunities by cost translates to “splash” in Italian. outdoor dining. and type to all residents of the city and preserve qual- City of Los Angeles coastal zones Ryan said he became involved “We could fit about 20 to 25 ity rental and ownership housing for households of with the restaurant after graduat- people out there,” Ryan said. all income levels and special needs, according to the tion” to include substantial renovation work and more. ing high school. He would work He said when he and his father CPC’s recommendation report. Krista Kline, deputy chief of staff for Coun- over the summer. Since graduating found the Palisades location, the “It has a pure purpose and that’s really supporting cilmember Mike Bonin, relayed his statement to the from California State University, duo thought it was the perfect fami- affordable housing,” Deputy Director of Community CPC and said Bonin believes affordable housing is Northridge, in 2018, Ryan took on ly-friendly, neighborhood spot. Planning Shana Bonstin said. imperative everywhere, especially in the coastal zone. the role of a full-time manager. “There aren’t many other According to the CPC’s recommendation report, “The city of Los Angeles has a legal responsibil- “I got involved because I saw restaurants [in Malibu], especial- the proposed ordinance is consistent with the goals, ity and a moral requirement to protect, preserve and the opportunity that was presented ly in deep Western Malibu, a very objectives and policies of the Brentwood-Pacific Pal- promote affordable housing in all neighborhoods,” in front of me … my dad’s expe- high percentage of our business is isades Community Plan—which includes the promo- she said. “Unfortunately the interim rules the city has rience and willingness to teach [from] regulars, I know my cus- tion of adequate housing for all persons regardless of been using for decades has not done that.” me how to be an operator in this tomers by name and I know their income, age or ethnic background, and the develop- Kline said Bonin also supports LAFLA’s recom- business,” Ryan said to the Pali- families,” Ryan said to the Post. ment and maintenance of rental units to ensure housing mendations. sadian-Post. “We feel that the Palisades for a variety of income groups. “Councilmember agrees with LAFLA that the pro- Although Spruzzo is known Highlands shares a lot of the same Following discussions, CPC decided to continue posed definition for demolition is not tight enough and for its Italian flare, Ryan said his values and is similar in a lot of the vote to have enough time to review recommen- should include substantial work that may occur on- father also wanted the restaurant ways … [we] look forward to con- dations given by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los site,” Kline said. “He also supports LAFLA’s concerns to offer comfort foods and cater to tinuing that tradition and serving Angeles.