Operation Recovery 2007 to meet at Pepperdine
Operation Recovery 2007, the support group for those impacted by the recent major fires, will meet on Thursday at Pepperdine University’s Keck Science Center in Room 130.
The meeting will include a presentation by two private insurance adjusters on tips for dealing with insurance companies. Thirty minutes of the meting will also be dedicated for information sharing by the attendees.
“This is just the beginning of our efforts to unite the community in preparation for any disaster in the future,” wrote Operation Recovery 2007 head Beverly Taki in a press release. “We need all fire victims and fire survivors to participate. We need collaboration with all residents to rebuild a fire safe community.”
Operation Recovery 2007 held its first meeting last month at Taki’s home, with more than 300 people attending. The group is based on the Operation Recovery formed in 1993 by The Malibu Times publishers Arnold and Karen York, who lost their home in the fire that year.
The Keck Science Center is located on the Pepperdine campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway. The best place to park is the Firestone Field House parking lot on John Tyler Drive. To reach the meeting place, walk up the steps past Heritage Hall toward the Field House, and then follow the walkway between Heritage Hall and the Field House on the right. Take the steps up the hill at the end of the walkway. The building up at the end of the steps is the Science Center.
BB Committee to vote on undesignated bond money
The school district’s Measure BB Advisory Committee on Monday is expected to vote on a recommendation to the Board of Education for how the $38 million of unallocated Measure BB bond money should be used.
The distribution of money generated from Measure BB, the 2006 voter-approved bond measure, has been a controversial issue, pitting parents from two cities in the district against each other. There was not even at the last committee meeting that a recommendation should be made for the board in January. Last month, only six of the 11 voting members in attendance agreed that the recommendation should be voted on. Those opposed said more studying needed be done.
The Measure BB issue riled up many Malibu parents in October when the money for Malibu High School projects was reduced by the Board of Education from the district staff-recommended $27.5 million to the Measure BB Committee-recommended $13.5 million. Also, the board approved more for the amount designated to Santa Monica High School than the staff recommendation called for.
The justification for the reduction for Malibu High was that the $14 million taken away was for a “middle school wing,” and middle school projects in Santa Monica had also been taken off the table. But many Malibu parents said this was not a good analogy since Malibu High is an integrated high school and middle school campus.
A portion of the $38 million left undesignated could go to Malibu High. But there will be other schools, including elementary schools, seeking that money.
This issue has led to some parents calling for Malibu to form a separate school district. Malibu High parent and community activist Laura Rosenthal will make a presentation to the Malibu City Council on this matter at its Jan. 14 meeting, although the City Council has no power in the matter other than possibly giving its endorsement.
The Measure BB meeting is tentatively scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at the District Offices, located at 1651 16 St. in Santa Monica. Those planning to attend the meeting should clarify the location and start time later by calling the district at 310.450.8338 or by going to the Web site at www.smmusd.org.
All quiet on the campaign front
Following a wild opening week that saw seven people pull papers for possible City Council runs, with six of them guaranteeing they will participate in the 2008 campaign, the City Clerk’s Office had no potential candidate visitors during week two. City Hall was closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week prior to The Malibu Times going to print, so it is not known if anybody pulled papers this week.
Potential Candidates have until Jan. 11 to turn in a candidate declaration with 20 signatures from eligible Malibu voters to get their names on the ballot. If Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Conley Ulich, the only council member eligible to run for re-election does not turn in her statement by this day, then the deadline will be extended to Jan. 16. She has not indicated whether she plans to run. In the fall, Conley Ulich told The Malibu Times she would not make that decision until January.
Election Day is April 5. In addition to selecting three council members, Malibu residents will also be asked to vote on two ballot measures.
Decker Canyon to be closed for filming
The California Department of Transportation announced Decker Canyon Road will be closed from Pacific Coast Highway to Encinal Canyon Road on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for filming activity. Locals will be able to access the road if they show proper identification. Through traffic will be detoured onto Encinal Canyon Road to and from Pacific Coast Highway.
Improv group presents post-fire performance
Locked Up In Malibu, the improvisational performance group composed of minors from the Los Angeles County Probation Department’s Camp Vernon Kilpatrick, will perform “A Chat and a Cup of Tea” on Saturday at Malibu Methodist Church.
The title of the free show comes from a reported statement by Corral Canyon resident Mette Brokaw, who lost her home in the Corral Fire. When asked what she need, she responded “A chat and a cup of tea.” The performance will include drummers, poets and improvisers. Prior to the show, a vegan organic meal will be provided. A chat and tea with the actors will come after the performance.
The event begins at 8 p.m. at Malibu Methodist Church is located at 30218 Morning View Drive. For more information, call 310.457.7505.
Christmas tree recycling
The city of Malibu is sponsoring a Christmas Tree recycling program through Jan. 13. Trees can be dropped off at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Heathercliff Road or on Civic Center Way across from the Malibu Library. They can also be left on the curb if the trees are cut in half and placed in green waste containers with ornaments removed.
All trees should be free of plastic water containers, metal stands and bars, ornaments and tinsel. Flocked and coated trees with a fire retardant will be accepted. For more information, call 310.456.2489 ext. 286.
-Jonathan Friedman