by Robert, Larios, Club CEO
When they saw wildfire smoke billowing over the Palisades hill, Sr. Recreation Directors Jasmine Dowlatshahi, Club Member, and Daisy Garcia knew that that day, January 7, would be like no other. Their precious and vital Palisades Rec Center would not survive. Four days later, it was no more.
Physically that was true, but their mission had not changed: serve the children. Serve the families. Serve the community. Circumstances may change, but true purpose does not.
The staff got busy and set up its athletic leagues and other programs in other City rec centers, which were happy to accommodate. Through that monumental task, the community lives on.
In response to the catastrophic fires, Club staff contacted our Members to ask how we could help them. At Alive!, while we were talking to City employees about telling their stories of survival, we received an email from Jasmine about her experience. That led to our cover story this month. It is special, for sure. I recommend you take it to heart.
Because of their commitment to their community, the Palisades Rec Center lives on, and will rise again in new facilities to see another day for countless new generations who will thrive with its assistance.
Jasmine and her dedicated staff and supervisors gave us lessons in courage, in dedication, in fortitude, and in never losing your North Star. Thank you to them for demonstrating what public service is all about.
An Observation
Speaking of stars, I send my congratulations to Rec and Parks’ Griffith Observatory on its amazing 90th anniversary, and to its incredible Director and Club Member Dr. Ed Krupp. The Observatory – featured many times in Alive! – is one of the most iconic institutions in Los Angeles, and remains, well, stellar. We are very lucky indeed to receive (and publish) scientific and cultural reports in our “Alive! Around the World” section from Dr. Krupp periodically. I know I always learn something from those reports. We are blessed to carry content of global interest right in these pages, courtesy of Dr. Krupp’s generosity. Thank you, Dr. Krupp!
Worth Considering
As the Pali Rec Center story exemplifies – embrace your boundless potential to transform adversity into a legacy of progress and compassion that illuminates humanity for a thousand years. It’s not what you lose that defines you but how you grow from it. The power to reinvent, to recalibrate, to rise again – that power lies within you.
Happy Summer, everyone.
¡Gracias por leer!
