The event went from noon to 4 p.m. At 1 p.m., the gym at the Lutheran Church was mostly empty.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass sponsored a wellness, support and renewal resource fair on Saturday, March 28. Most residents have lost track of how many of these community wellness events have been held in the past year.
AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, hired by Bass, researched and put together a nearly thousand-page report on how to help Pacific Palisades recover from the 2025 Palisades Fire. One of the suggestions was more renewal/information events.
Two AECOM representatives were at one of the many empty tables in the Lutheran Church Auditorium and CTN spoke to them and suggested that instead of more events where residents could sign up for mental health help, a town grocery store was needed.
CTN said there were potholes all over the town and they needed to be repaired. AECOM was told that streetlights were essential, and that sidewalks needed to be repaired. This editor suggested that the city stop writing parking tickets for residents and contractors.
It was suggested to AECOM that there is not going to be a massive rebuilding effort because people don’t have the money. Basically, residents have received theoretical help, but now people need actual support, which includes financial.
What nonprofits/city organizations were behind tables? For mental health, there was Calmura Counseling and Wellness, Care Solace, L.A. County Department of Mental Health, the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, Operation HOPE and the Mayor’s Office Crisis Response Team, which brought mini therapy horses.
One of the highlights was three workers from Ruby Nails & Spa who offered free 10-minute massages. Absolutely excellent and well-received, and a good reminder that they are the one nail salon in town open and that they need resident’s support. (To text or call – 714-592-9273. They are open Monday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) and Bet Tzedek (legal aid nonprofit) had tables. Also waiting for “customers” were the City of L.A. Department on Disability and the Department of Aging.
Carlos Camperio, executive director of City Plants, had brought numerous free trees.
One of the biggest draws was free trees. The L.A. Department of Water and Power was working with City Plants (FreeTreesL.A. City Plants) to offer free yard trees to Palisades residents.
People were allowed to select up to seven trees and choose from Sweet Bay, Mimosa, lavender Cape Myrtle, Purple Orchid, Gold Medallion, Canary Island Pine, Jacaranda, Coastal Live Oak or an Olive tree click here.
City Plants Executive Director Carlos Campero offered workshops on how to plant trees.
If one didn’t make it to the event, a resident can sign up on line for up to seven, 5-gallon sized shade trees, that come with stakes, ties and fertilizer pellets. All trees are between three and five feet tall and free. Trees will be delivered approximately in eight to 10 weeks by the L.A. Conservation Corps. The stock changes constantly based on nursery availability.
A City Plants employee, who was helping residents select trees, said that DPW was pushing the program because “the trees will cool down the house in the summer and help reduce energy costs.”
Since many residents are just building now, and haven’t started landscaping, this editor asked how long the program would be in effect, and was told that it was ongoing.
