S.F. supports Malibu on Brown Act issue
The city and county of San Francisco sent a letter to the Court of Appeal’s 2nd District last week encouraging the three justices who ruled against Malibu last month to rehear the case involving an alleged City Council violation of the state’s open meeting law, the Brown Act. San Francisco Deputy City Attorney Paul Zarefsky wrote in the letter that he disagreed with the three-judge panel’s conclusion that the Malibu City Council violated the Brown Act by approving a legal settlement during closed session, the portion of a meeting not open to the public.
Malibu has petitioned the court to rehear the matter and is expected to receive a response later this month. If the Court of Appeal denies a rehearing, the City Council has instructed City Attorney Christi Hogin to file a petition to the California Supreme Court to hear the case.
City permit approval appealed to Coastal Commission
The environmental group Protection of Coastal Habitat filed an appeal to the California Coastal Commission on Oct. 6 of the city’s approval of a coastal development permit for the construction of a 5,388-square-foot home in West Malibu.
The Planning Commission approved the project earlier this year and Protection of Coastal Habitat soon filed an appeal to the City Council. But the man who filed the appeal, Paul W. Clark, failed to appear at last month’s City Council hearing. No other member of the environmental organization attended that meeting at which the City Council affirmed the Planning Commission’s approval.
Blockbuster Video to close shop
A source familiar with the situation told The Malibu Timesthat the Blockbuster Video located in Malibu Colony will close in January. It is not known why Blockbuster will close or what will replace the store. The store manager did not return calls for comment.
Local road closures
One southbound lane on Pacific Coast Highway between Sweetwater Mesa Road and Carbon Canyon Road will be closed on Oct. 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for water main repair work.
One northbound lane on Pacific Coast Highway between John Tyler Road and Puerco Canyon Road is being closed intermittingly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 31 for utility work.
One southbound lane on Pacific Coast Highway between Las Flores Canyon Road and Big Rock Road will be closed on Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to replace electrical transformers on a pole.
Mel Gibson buys third Malibu home
Actor/director Mel Gibson recently bought a 7,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style house on Broad Beach for $24 million. The home includes 10 bathrooms, an elevator and a lagoon pool. Gibson already owns another beachfront Malibu home and a house in Serra Retreat.
Alternatives to 911 service available
The 911 service was not functioning property in some areas of Los Angeles County this week. Service in Malibu had not been affected as of Tuesday. According to the city, if 911 is busy, there are alternative numbers a person can call in case of fire or medical emergencies. They are 310.638.6121, 562.868.0411 and 714.523.2821
Malibu’s adopted solders redeployed to the Middle East
After being back in the United States for many
months, Malibu’s adopted Alpha Company has recently been
redeployed to the Middle East. The Malibu community can continue to support the men and women in the company by adopting a soldier and mailing letters and packages to them while they are in the Middle East. Those interested in adopting a soldier should send an e-mail to gsumpter@ci.malibu.ca.us.
Malibu Ballet Society offers scholarships
The Malibu Ballet Society is offering a scholarship program to dancers in the 12th-grade and younger who would like to dance but may not have the means to support their love of the art. The scholarship is offered to local boys and girls based on the students needs. If anyone is interested or know somebody who might be interested in a dance scholarship, he or she should contact Jerry Nickelsburg by faxing a letter of request to 457.8391.
The Malibu Ballet Society’s opening party fundraiser, a Black & White Masquerade Ball is set for Nov. 19 at the Riviera Country Club. Celebrity hosts and talent will be announced later. For tickets or more information, call 457.4705.
The Malibu Ballet society will perform “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 9-11 at Pepperdine University. For ticket information, call 506.4522
Malibu musician to perform free show
Malibu’s own pop/rock artist Celeste has returned from a long hiatus and is inviting fans of all ages to come feel the inspiration at free performance . The show will take place on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at The Temple Bar, located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Children under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parks activist to be honored
People for Parks will honor Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy member Ozzie Silna as Man of the Year in Parks and Recreation at the fourth annual Parks Awards Celebration on Monday. The event is being co-sponsored by the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. Other individuals will be honored for their contribution to park efforts in the county.
For tickets information on the event, go to www.PeopleForParks.org and click on Donations or contact People for Parks Executive Director Jim Stewart at 213.820.4345.
Festival and bike rodeo
The Malibu Department of Parks and Recreation will present the Family Fall Festival and Bike Rodeo on Sunday. It will feature a bicycle safety rodeo and performances by local musicians and dancers. Other attractions include a rock wall and a pumpkin patch.
The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lot between the swimming pool and the football field at Malibu High School, located at 30215 Morning View Dr. For more information, call 456.2489 ext. 357.
Malibu Stage Co. seeks sponsors
Malibu Stage Co. President Jacqueline Bridgeman said dwindling funds have made it necessary to ask the community to help sponsor new productions the company has planned for 2006. Being considered for the new season are the plays “Three Tall Women”, “Antigone”, “Romantic Comedy” and “American Buffalo”.
“People who live out of town are impressed enough with our work to send us donations,” Bridgeman wrote in a press release. “We need the same enthusiasm from the community—so many have never even been to our theatre.”
Prospective sponsors should contact Bridgeman at 456.2526.