Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
is an arts and general assignment reporter on LAist's Explore LA team.
Published February 29, 2024 6:30 PM
Fallen and bulging ceiling tiles inside of King Hall across from the a Pan-African studies office at Cal State LA on February 29, 2024.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Topline:
A recent test showed possible asbestos exposure at California State University, Los Angeles. After years of notifications, employees and students say the administration is putting their health at risk.
Who's speaking up: Protestors rallied outside Martin Luther King Jr. Hall, a busy building that has falling ceiling tiles and other problems. They said the asbestos problem is part of a bigger issue of underfunding.
The backstory: Cal State L.A. has notified the campus for over a decade that “various” buildings have asbestos, but that the toxic substance isn’t dangerous if left alone and as long as it doesn’t become airborne.
What's next: Protestors asked for a meeting with university President Berenecea Johnson Eanes to hear all the information about toxic substances found during testing.
On Thursday, over a hundred California State University, Los Angeles students and employees protested in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. building with signs that said “King Kills.” People shouted “Shut it down!”
Listen
0:46
Cal State LA Has An Asbestos Problem. Students And Faculty Want It Fixed
“I think it has to be something that wakes people up, that gets them talking,” said Anthony Ratcliff, a professor in the university’s Pan African Studies Department and the chair of the faculty union.
What riled people up, he said, is an email last week from university President Berenecea Johnson Eanes saying a recent test found potential asbestos exposure in one part of King Hall.
That part has been closed, the email stated, and work is being done to abate the asbestos; two offices next to the affected office will also be worked on.
An email sent out on Thursday afternoon said testing also found mold, and that staff are working to track down the source. It also said air quality in King Hall meets federal standards for asbestos and lead.
How long has asbestos been a problem?
Asbestos has long been used to insulate buildings. Research has shown that long-term exposure to asbestos can cause cancer. The effects of that exposure may not show up for years.
The Environmental Protection Agency made several moves to ban or regulate asbestos starting in the 1970s. King Hall opened in 1962.
A student walks past an asbestos warning sign inside of King Hall at Cal State LA on February 29, 2024.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Noah Galbraith with Students Against Tuition Hikes shows fallen and bulging ceiling tiles inside of King Hall across from the a Pan-African studies office at Cal State LA.
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Brian Feinzimer
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For over a decade, employees at Cal State L.A. have received notifications that asbestos is present in “various” buildings on campus. The notifications say the toxic substance isn’t dangerous if it isn’t disturbed from the building material and it doesn’t become airborne.
Previous notifications said that asbestos is typically found in walls, floors, roofs, pipes, insulation, fire resistant materials, boilers, and ceiling insulation. Cal State L.A. previously published an asbestos slidedeck as part of an awareness training.
But faculty and staff say talked at the protest about colleagues who’ve worked in these offices and died of cancer.
“[In] March 2022, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer,” said Jill Grayson. She received the news less than a year after beginning an administrative job in King Hall for the Pan African Studies Department.
She can’t say that working in the building caused the cancer, but she’s very worried for employees who’ve worked there longer.
“Shut it down, figure it out, and make a plan for the future,” she said.
How has the university tried to fix it?
The university has had plans for years to spend millions of dollars to renovate part of the building and tear down the rest. It’s unclear where those plans stand.
“The university’s new administration is focused on addressing facilities needs and is taking action. The health, safety and wellbeing of our community is the top priority of the president and the administration,” said CSULA spokeswoman Margie Low in an email.
What are the building conditions?
An LAist walk through King Hall revealed wet ceiling tiles that bulged while several next to them were missing. That situation revealed two layers of building material.
Next to the missing tiles, a wall sign warns “CAUTION, WORK IN PROGRESS” and listed a facilities telephone number. A sign next to that one, which appeared to be placed by protest organizers, said, “CAUTION, ASBESTOS HAZARD, SAY NO TO KILLER KING HALL!”
Student and organizer with Students for Quality Education Anita Rangel.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Organizers say the heightened rhetoric is intentional.
“We’re frustrated and we want attention [to the issue], it’s a cry for help,” said Anita Rangel, a sixth year student in Chicanx/Latinx studies.
Rangel was wearing a white hazardous materials suit at the protest.
“These buildings are deteriorating, and it's a lack of respect towards us being here,” she said.
Thanks to the widely adopted Gregorian calendar, most people have marked the new year on Jan. 1 for centuries. But with so many other calendar systems — such as the Chinese, Islamic or Hebrew calendar — how did this come to be?
The birth of the Gregorian calendar: The goal of many early Roman calendars was to find a way to align lunar cycles, solar years and seasons, as several religious festivals and holidays revolved around the equinoxes and moon phases. In 45 B.C.E., while Julius Caesar was high priest, he stretched the 12-month calendar to 365 days and a quarter of a day. But that quarter amounted to a full day after four years. So he implemented leap years to catch the calendar back up with the solar year, Hayton said. To fix the overcorrection, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII added a caveat to leap years: a century year (such as the year 2000) will only be considered a leap year if it is divisible by 400. Hence, the Gregorian calendar was born.
Several cultures celebrate on other days: In some Asian cultures, such as Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, people celebrate the Lunar New Year between late January and February to coincide with the first new moon on the lunar calendar. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and falls on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which is September or October on the Gregorian calendar. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, coincides with the spring equinox in March.
After the Thanksgiving leftovers are gobbled and the Christmas trees come down, many turn their attention to the new year, and may celebrate by making resolutions or watching the Times Square ball drop.
Thanks to the widely adopted Gregorian calendar, most people have marked the new year on Jan. 1 for centuries. But with so many other calendar systems — such as the Chinese, Islamic or Hebrew calendar — how did this come to be? And how did it come to represent new beginnings?
How the Gregorian calendar — and Jan. 1 — was born
Let's go back in time. The Gregorian calendar, and its Jan. 1 start date, has its origins in ancient Rome.
The goal of many early Roman calendars was to find a way to align lunar cycles, solar years and seasons, as several religious festivals and holidays revolved around the equinoxes and moon phases.
For example, many Christians wanted Easter to fall on the spring equinox every year, said Darin Hayton, an associate professor of history at Haverford College.
"So we have a number of competing goals that don't admit easily of mathematical solutions," he said.
When a 10-month calendar didn't do the trick, the Romans borrowed from the Greeks and Egyptians, who figured out that 12 lunar cycles fit into a solar cycle. So Roman King Numa Pompilius extended their calendar to 12 months by adding February and January, named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Jan. 1 was then made the start of the calendar, Hayton said.
In 45 B.C.E., while Julius Caesar was high priest, he stretched the 12-month calendar to 365 days and a quarter of a day. But that quarter amounted to a full day after four years. So he implemented leap years to catch the calendar back up with the solar year, Hayton said.
But there was still a problem. The astronomers of Caesar's day who calculated the length of a solar year were off by about 11 ½ minutes, a misalignment that would grow significantly over time.
To fix the overcorrection, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII added a caveat to leap years: a century year (such as the year 2000) will only be considered a leap year if it is divisible by 400.
Hence, the Gregorian calendar was born. It was popularized as European countries that were a "dominant economic force" began using it, and took it with them into countries they colonized, Hayton said.
Many cultures use days other than Jan. 1 to ring in the new year
Much of the world uses the Gregorian calendar and its Jan. 1 start date as New Year's personally and professionally, but many cultures also use their own calendars for social and spiritual occasions.
In some Asian cultures, such as Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, people celebrate the Lunar New Year between late January and February to coincide with the first new moon on the lunar calendar.
"It emphasizes family reunions, honoring of ancestors, and prosperity," said Usha Haley, who teaches international business at Wichita State University's business school.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and falls on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which is September or October on the Gregorian calendar, according to History.com. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, coincides with the spring equinox in March, Haley said.
Rosh Hashanah "marks a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal," Haley said, while Norwuz celebrates "rebirth and nature."
How to make your own fresh start
People gravitate to New Year's Day to reset as a part of the "fresh start effect," said Katherine Milkman, a professor of operations, information and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school.
The phenomenon is rooted in humans' tendency to perceive moments in our lives as chapters, instead of one long continuum, and New Year's gives us a "chapter break" from old patterns and previous experiences.
"'That was the old me, and this is the new me, and the new me is going to be different,'" she said. "It gives us optimism about our ability to achieve more."
New Year's is the most popular "fresh start" because there's a strong social pressure, as many other people are doing the same thing at the same time, Milkman said.
But you don't have to start anew on Jan. 1. A fresh start is still valuable if it's on your birthday, the first day in a new apartment or even on a random Monday, according to Milkman.
To stick with the goals you've laid out for a fresh start, Milkman recommends breaking them down into small, actionable items and making them enjoyable. That could mean partnering with someone on a goal or "temptation bundling," which pairs your goals with things you like.
"Like, 'I only get to binge watch my favorite TV shows while I'm exercising,' or 'I can only listen to my favorite podcast while I'm cooking a fresh meal for my family,'" she said.
If you prefer to stick to Jan. 1 for your fresh start, don't worry. Hayton says the Gregorian calendar is unlikely to change anytime soon, as it would be very disruptive. Switching to a new system would likely face heavy resistance due to the potential social costs, like shifting or losing holidays or birthdays.
"The rebel in me would love it to change, but I think that it would take almost an act of God — not an act of the Pope — to get the calendar to change," he said.
Copyright 2025 NPR
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is doused in heavy rain during a Christmas Eve storm. Expect a gloomy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, too.
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Genaro Molina
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Southern California will ring in the new year with a pair of storms that will douse the Rose Parade and possibly prompt evacuation orders in recent burn scar zones.
The context: The heaviest rain is expected to fall across Los Angeles on Wednesday night and into Thursday, New Year's Day, according to the National Weather Service.
The risks: The ground and roads are already saturated from last week's winter storm, meaning there's a high risk of mudslides, rock slides and other hazards. L.A. County has already issued evacuation warnings for burn scar areas beginning 11 a.m. Wednesday. That includes communities in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
What to expect: The storm will also bring what is likely to be the first time rain to fall on Pasadena’s Rose Parade since 2006. Snow levels through New Year's Day are expected to remain above 8,500 feet, then drop to around 7,500 feet on Friday.
Read on... for updates on this developing story.
This story will be updated. Check back for details.
Southern California will ring in the new year with a pair of storms that will douse the Rose Parade and possibly prompt evacuation orders in recent burn scar zones.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall across Los Angeles on Wednesday night and into Thursday, New Year's Day, according to the National Weather Service.
The ground and roads are already saturated from last week's winter storm, meaning there's a high risk of mudslides, rock slides and other hazards.
"Because of the saturated, really wet soils, we do have that high risk for downed trees with really any wind as well as rock slides and mud slides," Ryan Kittell, meteorologist at NWS, said. "In those vulnerable canyons and hillsides, there's about a moderate risk for flooding and at least shallow debris flows for recent burn scar areas."
L.A. County has already issued evacuation warnings for burn scar areas beginning 11 a.m. Wednesday. That includes communities in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Rainfall projections
It's supposed to be one of the wettest New Year's Days in decades, according to the National Weather Service. Here are the projected rain levels:
Los Angeles: 1.53 inches
Oxnard: 1.00 inches
Santa Barbara: 0.80 inches
San Luis Obispo: 0.57 inches
As another storm heads towards Southern California, the National Weather Service shared New Year's Day rain facts.
Snow levels through New Year's Day are expected to remain above 8,500 feet, then drop to around 7,500 feet on Friday.
Evacuations and closures
Due to increased hazard of mudslides and debris flows, evacuation warnings will take effect at 11 a.m. Wednesday in burn zones across L.A. County, including Palisades and Eaton fire areas.
This atmospheric river is expected to slightly weaker than last week's, but take this latest round of storms seriously. The ground is already saturated which means we’re at a higher risk for downed trees, rockslides and mudslides.
Understanding National Weather Service warnings
Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:
Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
Aflood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.
Staying safe when the winds are high
Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a fire hazard.
If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, exit away from downed power lines and jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
Do not use any equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.
Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.
Tips on staying warm
State law requires residential units to have heating systems that can keep indoor temperatures at a minimum of 70 degrees. That means every dwelling unit and guest room offered for rent or lease should offer heating equipment.
Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking heaters can be expensive. If money is tight, be judicious about how and when you use your utilities. For example, only use heaters at night or only set the thermostat to around 70 degrees.
Open and close those vents: If you have central A/C, look at where the vents are around your home. Are any open in places where you don’t stay long? Practice opening and closing those so warm air only goes where you need it (most vents should have a small toggle lever). Humidifiers can also help you warm things up — and it’s useful to add moisture into our dry air.
Adjust your wall heaters: If you have a wall heater, you can change the output by adjusting the knob (usually at the bottom). Since wall heaters can only warm the areas where they’re placed, it’s essential to close doors to rooms you won’t be in so hot air doesn’t get wasted.
Turn on your ceiling fan (really): If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on. This sounds counterintuitive, but there’s science behind it. TSince hot air floats up, your fan can help move it around. For warming, your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft. Not all fans will have this option.
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
Keep up with LAist.
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David Rodriguez
grew up in Altadena and has been connecting with fire survivors since the disaster.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
An illustration of a small shopping plaza in Altadena that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Many community members shared memories with LAist of visiting local businesses in the plaza on Fair Oaks Avenue.
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David Rodriguez
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LAist
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Topline:
As we approach the anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, LAist is highlighting — and illustrating — residents’ memories from before the disaster.
The backstory: In late August, LAist asked the question: What made Altadena and Pacific Palisades special before the fires? Residents and visitors of the areas responded to our survey sharing their stories. We created hand-drawn illustrations to bring what they shared to life.
Read on… to read what people shared about their communities and see the illustrations.
It was the everyday moments of saying hello to neighbors. The soundtrack of crashing waves on the walk after dropping the kids off at school. The feeling of cruising down a street filled with trees decorated in lights during the holidays.
These are some of the memories Angelenos shared with LAist in response to our survey asking Pacific Palisades and Altadena residents what made their neighborhoods special before the fires.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, LAist is highlighting, and illustrating, community stories as the region works to rebuild.
To do this, we read through dozens of responses to our survey and spoke to a handful of people directly to help tell their stories.
Here’s some of what they shared, and what they want to always remember.
The magical neighborhoods
For Palisades resident Kelly Sullivan, some of her most cherished memories are what she described as the simple, fleeting moments that capture the magic of “Pali.”
Kelly Sullivan, a resident of Pacific Palisades, stands on the destroyed secret sidewalk near the neighboring El Medio bluffs in October 2025. It was one of her family’s favorite spots to visit.
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A colorful phoenix windchime hangs from a charred tree branch in mid October 2025 in the secret sidewalk, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
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Courtesy from Kelly and Noel Sullivan
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One of her favorite spots was a path off Abramar Avenue by the El Medio bluffs that neighbors called the “secret sidewalk.” The path, which was destroyed in the fire, now borders the remnants of a home that burned to the ground. Tree branches used to curve down, creating a tunnel, and Sullivan remembers the gentle clanking of windchimes tied to the branches that filled the air.
“There was a sign that said 'secret sidewalk' as you’re walking down. We'd stop and touch all the chimes,” said Sullivan, who used to visit the spot with her family. “You’d have all these beautiful sounds as you’re walking down, and you’d sit on that bench and just listen to them all.”
An illustration of the secret sidewalk before it, and a nearby home were destroyed. This is a special place for Kelly Sullivan, her family, and others in the neighborhood.
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To Sullivan, the secret sidewalk had an almost storybook-like look. She said it was a special place for the people in the neighborhood.
A couple miles northeast from the secret sidewalk, Rachel Jonas and her family often visited the Marquez Business Block, a hometown strip of stores in Pacific Palisades that included a deli, restaurant, nail salon, karate studio and pharmacy.
"We practically lived there with our kids,” Jonas said. “It was the kind of place where you'd see the same people over and over.”
An illustration of the now destroyed Marquez Business Block in Pacific Palisades. Rachel Jonas, her family, and their neighbors often visited the local shops.
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Jonas’ home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, and she and her family now live in Tennessee with her in-laws as they work to rebuild.
Rob Fagnani and Rachel Jonas in front of where their Palisades home stood.
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Courtesy of Rob Fagnani and Rachel Jonas
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“It wasn't the fanciest but [it] had such an incredible community feel,” said Jonas, describing the business block. “They had annual block parties where there'd be a face painter, a bounce house, etc. It was just the best.”
What made your community special?
Neighbors weren’t just neighbors, they were family. We looked out for one another, celebrated together and built a community that was inclusive, vibrant and full of heart. — Denise Diaz Gonzalez, Altadena, referencing her neighborhood Poppyfields in Altadena.
The Loma Alta farmer's market on Friday evenings was such a special and serene gathering place for West Altadena residents. — Victor Teran, Altadena
The mid-century architectural style of homes that were built in the 1960s. — Robert Sandoval, Malibu
I miss the sleepy part of downtown Pacific Palisades, Café Vida and Matthew's Garden Café. I miss a Sunday stroll in our neighborhood where I run into my neighbors who are always up for a chat. I miss seeing the older homes from the ‘30s and ‘40s on my walks through the neighborhoods. — Kathrin Werner, Pacific Palisades
Residents from both Pacific Palisades and Altadena shared stories in our survey about how great each place was to have a childhood. Julia Goodwine, 16, told us what made Altadena so special to her was the community.
She cherishes memories of biking down to her family's home, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and spending summer evenings at the library. Sometimes she would watch horses go by at Loma Alta Park or sit on the grass with a book. When she was in middle school, she would play baseball near the base of the park’s hill by a Chinese Elm tree with her dad.
An illustration of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane where many homes were destroyed. The street and lighting ceremony attract many to walk and drive up and down the street admiring the lights on the cedar trees.
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One of her favorite places in Altadena is Christmas Tree Lane on Santa Rosa Avenue, where some homes along the street were destroyed in the fire. About a year ago, shortly before the fires, she got her driver’s license and would drive down the street every night to look at the lights.
“I remember the lights [were] so beautiful. I could just kind of sit, look at the trees, then think about the day, think about my problems,” Julia said. “It was really a beautiful experience.”
Being close to nature in L.A.
A place of peace. A place close to nature. That’s how many survey respondents described their communities before the fires.
An illustration of the Via Bluffs looking toward Santa Monica. Pacific Palisades resident Sue Pascoe would often visit these bluffs with her dogs on their walks around the neighborhood before her home was destroyed in the fire.
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For Sue Pascoe, walking her dogs along the Via De Las Olas Bluffs in Pacific Palisades was a treasure.
She would pass by the different-styled homes and streets lined with trees. Now, the neighborhood has been mostly destroyed by the Palisades Fire, including Pascoe’s home of three decades.
“You can see dolphins, you can see the waves, you can get the wind. The wind is so great up here. Beautiful breezes. You can see the ships going out,” Pascoe said. “It’s a marvelous place to walk.”
It’s a marvelous place to walk.
— Sue Pascoe, resident of Pacific Palisades
Pascoe is the editor and owner of the local Circling the News site, where she writes about the Westside, including Pacific Palisades. She often meets with other residents to talk about how things are going and to support one another.
She said the people are what made the Palisades so special.
“Kids, schools, religion, made this a very, very good place for families,” Pascoe said. “I think people recognized how good it was for families and that’s why they moved here.”
What made your community special?
“Sunset on the Bluffs was magic! We are now far from the Bluffs. We know that all the homes along our walk are almost ALL gone … The Bluffs and the views remained but turning around to the homes of the folks who welcomed us to their neighborhood was heartbreaking. That’s when I knew that I would come back when they come home. — Alan H. Rosenberg, Pacific Palisades
The shady tree lined streets of my Farnsworth neighborhood. The Oaks and Pines on a misty morning. The parrots in the loquat trees. — David Timoner, Altadena
The bell tower of Palisades Elementary School, across from the Methodist Church, with the bluffs overlooking the ocean in the distance down Via de la Paz. And the experience of walking my kids to school there with my parents, who used to walk me to school there when I was a kid. — Beth Caldwell, Pacific Palisades
I dearly hope to see the William Davies building and amphitheater at Farnsworth Park restored to their pre-fire glory. It devastated me to see it destroyed. — Peggy Romano, Altadena
Altadena resident Elizabeth Gonzalez said she misses the backyard view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Her parents bought her childhood home in Janes Village in Altadena in 1995. The home is one of a handful left on its block in West Altadena. It was professionally remediated after the fires.
Elizabeth Gonzalez grew up in a home in the Janes Village neighborhood in West Altadena. The home she was renting with her family in Pasadena was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
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Gonzalez rented a home in Altadena for 13 years with her husband and children. It was destroyed in the fire. Now, she said, her family will most likely live in an RV in the driveway of her parent’s surviving home until they can get stable housing figured out .
“It’s hard for me to believe that block after block is gone,” Gonzalez said. “Old wise trees, luscious lawns and charming old homes are gone.”
An illustration of a sign found in West Altadena's Janes Village neighborhood that shows a drawing of the architecture of the homes.
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Gonzalez always admired the architecture of the Janes Village homes in Altadena, which she said looked like the cartoon homes in classic Disney movies. She was about 12 years old when they first moved into the neighborhood.
"They’re little cottages,” she said, remembering the homes. “They’re pointy and kind of interesting looking … As kids we thought they looked like the Snow White house.”
As kids we thought they looked like the Snow White house.
— Elizabeth Gonzalez, current resident of Altadena
“Somehow my parents ended up living somewhere that is [visually] very close to the small towns in Mexico that they grew up in,” Gonzalez said. “I always thought that was pretty cool.”
Another Pasadena resident, Rebecca Rea, remembers the community and connection she found in nature in Altadena on her miles-long walks before the Eaton Fire.
An illustration of Altadena wildlife, including a bear, mountain lion, parrot and coyote, along with poppies. Bears are often found around the Altadena foothills, and parrots can be heard flying around or in the trees.
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Rea would go on 12-mile walks starting from Lake Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, walk toward the hills and end on Altadena Drive. She appreciated the different homes and small businesses that used to line her route, including the Rancho Bar, a local dive bar that was destroyed in the fire, and the wildlife that lived in the mountains.
“I knew every garden. I knew every tree. I made friends with the coyotes for heaven’s sake,” Rea said. “It was just so very, very beautiful.”
The next chapter
Many who responded to our survey wondered about what comes next.
They shared a hope that Altadena and Pacific Palisades will rebuild and not be remembered only for the deadly fires, but for what makes these places special to Los Angeles.
“It’s going to take a long time to rebuild what it once was,” said Julia, the teen from Altadena. “But I think we have such a great community here that we can rebuild to be something better and brighter than we were.”
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
Cabrillo Beach remains closed until further notice after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to L.A. County Public Health Officials.
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Genaro Molina
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Plans of plunging into the ocean at Cabrillo Beach on New Year’s Day — a decades-long tradition — are still a go despite an ongoing beach closure because of a sewage spill last week.
What we know about the closure: Cabrillo Beach remains closed until further notice after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to L.A. County Public Health Officials. The beach has been closed since last Wednesday. Officials are warning residents to stay out of the ocean and off wet sand until the coast is clear.
What is the Polar Bear Plunge? Every year on New Year's Day, swimmers in San Pedro take a frigid dip in Cabrillo Beach, marking the beginning of the new year.
Read on … more on what organizers say they’re planning for this year.
The annual Polar Bears Plunge at Cabrillo Beach could look a little different this year as the beach in San Pedro remained closed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Every year on New Year's Day, swimmers take a frigid dip into the ocean water, marking the beginning of the new year. But in 2026, that plunge might not happen.
Cabrillo Beach has been closed to swimmers since last Wednesday after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to public health officials. Officials continue to urge swimmers to stay out of the water and to not make contact with wet sand.
But organizers of the annual plunge say the beloved tradition will go on, even if that means no swimming. That includes the yearly king and queen coronation, hot cocoa and pastries.
“We are just playing it by ear, I know that there is testing for the water being done, but we have not heard back,” Lisa Guerr, president of the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears club, told LAist. “We are leaving it up to our lifeguards to have the most up-to-date information and make the decision for us. As of now, we are continuing on as planned.”
What’s going on in the water?
Officials blame a sewer pipe in Carson for causing the spill, which was stopped last Wednesday, according to the L.A. County Sanitation District. The district said the cleanup at the site was completed the next day.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said staff collected water samples for testing and that they noticed yesterday that the closure signs at the beach were removed.
That signage has since been reposted and lifeguards were notified, officials told LAist.
The county said touching the water during a beach closure may cause illness, especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people.
According to the county, “swimmers should avoid water contact at the posted areas of the beach until the hazardous condition has ended."
