Pacific Palisades is hosting the first Turkey Trot since the deadly fire

Residents of Pacific Palisades have had little opportunity to gather since the palisade fire was planned for their community in January.

But it is bright and in the morning thanks to the morning, the runners could be seen stretching their limbs in illegal buildings, while those present in Turkey clothes walked the outdated roads, ready for the Pacific Palisic Palisades Turkey Trot.

“It’s great to see so many people back here to support the community after all we’ve lost and suffered this year,” said Pacific Paisades Resicent Brian Garrtt, whose home was burned. “It gives us hope that we can build our city back and come back here.”

The Palisades fire broke out on Jan 7 and was not fully extinguished until the end of the month. It is considered the most destructive wildfire in California history – 6,500 kilometers were destroyed by flames, 36.5 square meters of the Santa Monica Mountains were burned and at least 12 people were killed.

Given the state of the neighborhood, David O’Connell, the founder of the event, is not sure if the holiday run will happen this year. But after Labor Day, he started getting calls from sponsors and runners willing to participate. About 2,000 people are registered.

“It was evident that the community really wanted to event and get things together. This is one of the biggest running days of the year and most of these people want to be with their friends and family,” said O’Connell, who lived in his home during the fire and was staying in his hometown.

He added, “Here’s a new course. I’m not sure what we’ll do in the future, but for now, we’re here in the city of Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific,

The course began and ended at the Palisades Village Green, a small triangular park in the center of town. The runners made their way through the via de las olas Bluffs, an area heavily damaged by the fires. Blocks, recently filled with homes, were now innocent lots, cleared completely or still full of pieces of debris. There were homes that survived when he walked on the track, but their windows were broken, posted signs to stay out.

Pacific Palisades, an affluent community sandwiched between Malibu and Santa Monica, was home to more than 21,000 people before the fire. After that, many residents were evicted, many of them moved to other areas in the west.

Mika and Julie Levin and their two sons, who lost their home, were rented in Brentwood until recently they moved into a separate house in Palikade. While running, the family realized that they were about to pass the site of their burnt home.

“I was thankful for doing this today, because every time I’ve gone up to the house it’s been a sad experience,” said Julie Levin, after finishing the race. Now, he added, “I have something different for the project in it – something alive and happy.”

He says nothing was left “but a patch of grass” where they lived. Their son Merritt added that he couldn’t tell which lot was his because they all looked the same.

“We chose [to live in] palisades because of public power. So the fact that we are all here now is not surprising at all, “said Julie Levin.” It is peaceful here. We miss the peace and quiet. We remember sunsets and sunrises. We miss being close to the beach. “

The course passed through a combination of commercial and residential properties. A block away, Ryan Mackston stood on the corner where his parents’ pizzeria, Beach Street Cafe, was in front of the fire. His parents owned a restaurant for about 20 years and both Mackston and his brother worked there when they were young. He said seeing so many people gather on the streets brought him back to his youth.

“It almost feels normal – obviously not normal. Shredded glass is on the ground and we’re surrounded by debris,” Mackston said. “But it’s good to have some sense of normalcy in the community and do something that we all do.”

In addition to losing the family business, the Makanis also lost their home and moved to Manhattan Beach. This 24-year-old assemblyman says that no matter where his family moved, they always returned to Palades.

“It’s still a part of us. We’re going to rebuild. People are going to go back where they can, and they’re still a part of this community,” Mackston said. “I want to keep it alive, even if I don’t live here anymore.”