The Palisades wasn’t just a neighborhood, it was a backdrop to many of my formative memories – from kicking soccer balls at Will Rogers to roaming the halls of Pali High – just like my dad did when the school first opened. Even though I lived in nearby Brentwood, the Palisades was my second home. The Village, Alphabet streets, and the Highlands were where many of my closest friendships were forged.

This place wasn't just streets and buildings – it was our playground. We skated everywhere, haunted Mort's, Robeks, and Baskin Robbins – built legit paintball courses in the Highlands, and caught waves at Sunset Point. My first teenage jobs were all in the Palisades – selling racquets at the Tennis Center, parking cars at Gladstones, and even a sketchy telemarketing gig on Via De La Paz (turns out that one wasn't exactly legit!). We worked out at the Pac Club, ate at the original Vida, and participated in some extra-curricular activities at the bluffs and behind the Mobile Mart.

For unknown reasons, the American Legion Post 283 chose me to represent the Palisades in Sacramento for a state mock-government program. I proudly represented the community and was honored to carry their banner in the Palisasdes 4th of July parade the following year. 

Now, the Palisades faces its greatest challenge, yet. Those fires might have destroyed the buildings, but they can't destroy the community.  The Palisades made us who we are, and together, we're going to bring it back stronger than ever.

- Bryan Leishman