𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡: Farmers Market Reopens After Fire Closure

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market returned to Swarthmore Avenue for the first time since the January 2025 Palisades Fire forced the market to close. The reopening began with remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by market hours from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1035 Swarthmore Ave., adjacent to Palisades Village. Melissa Farwell, director of the Palisades Farmers Market, spoke before the ribbon cutting alongside Jennifer McClem, the market’s founder. Farwell said the market first opened on Sept. 17, 2000, on Swarthmore Avenue and had served as a gathering place for nearly 26 years. Farwell said many of the farmers and vendors at the reopening had been part of the market for 10, 20 or even 26 years. “Thank you for welcoming us home,” Farwell said. Rick Caruso, developer of Palisades Village, also welcomed the market’s return and encouraged residents from Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Santa Monica to support the farmers and vendors. Caruso described the market as a needed grocery option for the community as larger supermarket service continues to return. “This is now your supermarket,” Caruso said during the ceremony. Caruso said the reopening marked another major step in the commercial district’s recovery, citing strong customer traffic and sales at Palisades Village businesses since reopening over the weekend. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park also spoke at the ceremony, calling the market’s return part of a week of recovery milestones in the Palisades. Park noted that Palisades Charter High School had returned to campus for the new school year and that more than 40 businesses had reopened at Palisades Village. California farmers and local vendors offered fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods and artisan goods as shoppers returned to the outdoor market. The market also introduced a new weekly schedule, shifting from its former Sunday morning hours to Wednesday afternoons. Its returning footprint was limited to Swarthmore Avenue. Before the closure, vendors operated along portions of both Swarthmore Avenue and Antioch Street. Raw Inspiration, the nonprofit organization behind California Certified Farmers Markets, has operated the Pacific Palisades market since 2000. The market’s return restored a longtime community gathering place as businesses, schools and public spaces continued reopening across Pacific Palisades. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document community events, public spaces and recovery milestones across Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and the Westside.

𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛: SMPD, Salvation Army Connect Homeless Veteran With VA

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 — Santa Monica Police Department officers and the Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps Homeless Outreach Team helped connect an unhoused veteran with Veterans Affairs services during a coordinated outreach operation on Santa Monica Beach Wednesday morning.

Officers assigned to SMPD’s Homeless Liaison Program initially contacted the man Tuesday and learned that he was a veteran. When officers returned Wednesday with the Salvation Army outreach team, they introduced the man to outreach personnel and began working to connect him with veteran-specific assistance.

The Salvation Army team accompanies SMPD’s Homeless Liaison officers during their Wednesday outreach patrols. After speaking with the veteran, team members contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs Street Outreach team and requested assistance.

VA outreach personnel arrived a short time later in a van and spoke with the veteran. They then helped gather and load his belongings before transporting him from the beach. According to information learned at the scene, the veteran was taken to the VA’s West Los Angeles campus for housing assistance and additional services.

Following the beach outreach, Salvation Army Lt. David Aviles invited Santa Monica Closeup to the organization’s community center on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Monica. Aviles provided a tour of the facility and discussed the Salvation Army’s local outreach work during an on-camera interview inside the center’s chapel.

Aviles and his wife, Lt. Monnique Aviles, serve as corps officers at the Santa Monica Community Center. He said the Salvation Army’s outreach team works with people experiencing homelessness and other challenges, helping connect them with services and support intended to restore stability.

Aviles said Wednesday’s coordinated response allowed the veteran to reconnect with the VA and take a step toward housing and additional assistance.

“That’s what we strive here at the Salvation Army—to connect people, whether they are experiencing homelessness or any challenges in general, to services and support,” Aviles said.

The Salvation Army Santa Monica Community Center also provides community meals at 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and sack lunches at 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for people seeking information about available services.

The center holds Sunday worship services at 11 a.m., preceded by coffee, pastries and Bible study beginning at 10 a.m.

SMPD’s Homeless Liaison Program consists of a sergeant and six officers who coordinate with the City Attorney’s Office, Santa Monica Fire Department, the city’s Housing and Human Services Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. The team responds to situations involving homelessness, substance-use concerns and behavioral-health needs while connecting individuals with available city, county and community resources when appropriate.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document outreach efforts, public-safety activity and community services across Santa Monica.