We were both born and raised in the Palisades – Julia on the top of Bienveneda and Alex in the Marquez Knolls and later on the Via Bluffs. We have known each other since we were little, even taking karate at the bottom of the Highlands together. After college we ran into each other right outside of Knolls Pharmacy and the rest is history.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
We were both born and raised in the Palisades – Julia on the top of Bienveneda and Alex in the Marquez Knolls and later on the Via Bluffs. We have known each other since we were little, even taking karate at the bottom of the Highlands together. After college we ran into each other right outside of Knolls Pharmacy and the rest is history.
How long have you lived or worked here — and what do you love most about it?
Since we’ve had memory! Making us feel the years – 39/40 years at this point, with a break in there for college when we were both at UCSB – we moved back when Julia was pregnant with our older son. We wanted our kids to grow up in the same tightknit community we did – Fourth of July parade, trips to the beach, hiking trails, the town, all of it.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
Julia’s first job was at Paliskates as one of Erica’s first hires and Alex’s was at Mail Boxes etc which later became the UPS Store on Antioch. We’ve done a number of things over the years to support people in our community including a tutoring company – JAM Tutoring where we drove our “smart” car in the 4th of July Parade. Alex’s passion is being creative, whether it’s literature – huge reader – or building a new home for people as a general contractor and broker. Julia is passionate about mental health, serving populations often misunderstood as a psychotherapist.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
The Palisades has been our home our whole lives, so it was rare to leave the house and not see someone we knew – friends, parents of friends, neighbors and even teachers. Truly knowing every inch of the town, each pocket of the Palisades – if we met someone new we’d play the game of degrees of separation.
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
It’s just this really special place where, as kids we would ride bikes or skateboard around the Village, get late night movie rentals from Video 2010 or Blockbuster and spend hours at the park playing pickup basketball. Every time our parents would take us anywhere they’d see people they knew and while the adults were talking the kids would take off. It was this magical place where we were safe – as parents now we know how special that is.
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
Mort’s holds a ton of memories – from post sports team dinners to brunches, Terri’s, Jacopo’s, Dante’s, Kay and Dave’s and Cathay Palisades to the after-school milkshakes at Jack in the Box. Julia spent a lot of time with her mom at Keethley’s and Prince’s Table! Alex particularly misses Village Books and we’re hopeful for the return of Paliskates. Alex remembers Bub’s card shop on Via.
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
Patrick Hildebrand at Amazing Music. He embodies a real Palisadian. We were always inspired by how he taught the kids not just about music but life and loved hearing about the meaningful conversations our son had with him as an adult who is not a parent or relative. He saw the Palisades as this sleepy town from the eyes of an adult when we were kids and had the pictures and incredible memories to show for it.
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
The experience we had standing in line at the various giveaways post fire or buying supplies at Target and seeing people who were clearly in the same situation – the coming together was reminiscent of the way the Palisades was when we were kids. We’d see people we knew personally or recognized from around town and it was a time when we came together over a shared trauma that brought people closer so much faster.
Was there someone — a neighbor, local hero, or group — that really made a difference for you during or after the fires?
Michele Gathrid, the director of Circle of Children Preschool, pulled us even closer into the Circle family – we are so grateful to her for her love and support and providing such a safe and warm place for our son to feel like things were still normal.
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
Tangible things are transitory – health and family are paramount to us. This experience has shown us how resilient, brave and incredible our kids are. As parents we always promised ourselves that we would teach the boys that no matter what happens in life, we always have each other – and, because of the fire, losing everything and moving 5 times before settling, taught us exactly that.
A Few Fun Ones
What advice would you give to others — in life, work, or being a good neighbor?
Literally be a good neighbor. Be kind. Be the helper. You never know what someone is going through or facing.
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
Alex can recite rap lyrics to most any old school rap album from the 80s to early 2000s and Julia makes incredible flower arrangements.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Back in the Palisades watching our boys play baseball at the park. Huge family and family by choice dinners at our home! Continuing to help our neighbors rebuild and coming through this all together.
Business Link
https://www.collectivelocals.com
