Library renovation needs $500,000 for solar panels
On May 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Malibu Public Library will be hosting an open house to give members of the community an opportunity to see the plans for the new renovated library and to give children a chance to take part in a treasure hunt and storytelling.
The Library Fundraising Taskforce is working to raise the last $500,000 needed for the renovation. This money will be used for solar panels. Residents this week will receive mailers providing them the opportunity to make donations. Donors may also send their tax-deductible contributions to the City of Malibu Library Renewal Project, 23815 Stuart Ranch Rd., Malibu, CA 90265-4861.
The library renovation, which has been in the works for years, is funded by $5.2 million dollars returned to Malibu from the Los Angeles County Library District for library fees already paid by Malibu residents. While surrounding communities have built new libraries, Malibu’s library has had no work of any kind since it opened in 1970.
The renovation is a green project designed to qualify for leadership in environmental and energy design. It will have natural light to replace the fluorescent lighting and dropped ceilings. There will be a window wall opening to an outside garden for reading, a courtyard for coffee, a used bookstore, new restrooms, a community room filled with pictures of old Malibu and a foyer with a tile rug similar to the Adamson House. There will also be a small lighthouse in the children’s area.
Court date scheduled for Point Dume rape suspect
The man who attempted to rape a woman who was jogging at Point Dume Preserve State Park last month is scheduled to appear in Van Nuys Superior Court this week Thursday.
Christian Marcus Verdin, 31, on April 6 at Van Nuys Superior Court was charged with assault to commit rape, robbery, grand theft auto and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
Verdin was arrested April 2 in an area within the City of San Bernardino and taken into custody without incident. He is being held on a total bail amount of $321,000.
The 35-year-old victim had been jogging in Point Dume Preserve State Park on March 12. At the conclusion of her run she walked to the edge of a cliff and was then grabbed from behind by the suspect, who, she told authorities, attempted to sexually assault her. The victim struggled and was able to break free; she jumped and slid approximately 150 feet down the cliff.
A local resident who lives in the area said he talked to several witnesses who heard the woman’s cries and went to her aid.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. She sustained abrasions and bruises predominantly from the fall down the face of the cliff.
Seriously injured deputy partakes in relay
On April 17 and 18, the Malibu/ Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station competed in the 2010 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay. The team, which included Deputy James Mulay, finished fourth in the Station Invitational category with an overall time of 18:48:42.
On Aug. 28, 2006, Deputy Mulay was on patrol riding his duty motorcycle when he was intentionally rammed by a car driven by a fleeing suspect who allegedly robbed the Wells Fargo Bank that used to be located at Malibu Village (formerly known as Cross Creek Plaza).
Mulay was airlifted to UCLA Hospital with a lacerated liver, punctured lung, broken neck, back, ribs, shoulders and ankle. He was hospitalized for two months, spending 10 days in the ICU. He endured three major surgeries and extensive physical therapy. He returned to duty one year later.
This year’s competition consisted of 251 teams with more than 5,000 runners and alternates who in relay form challenged the 120 mile course. The course started 25 miles north of Baker, Calif., passed through Shoshone, Calif. and Pahrump, Nev., and ended at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
AYSO contributes to Emily Shane Memorial Fund
Malibu’s American Youth Soccer Organization, or AYSO, collected more than $1,500 in donations toward the Emily Rose Shane Memorial Fund at early registration on April 25.
Funds will be used toward AYSO scholarships and other services approved by the Shane family. Shane played soccer for more than four years with Malibu AYSO. She was 13 years old when she was struck and killed by an erratic driver on Pacific Coast Highway on April 3. Her family has been involved with AYSO for more than 10 years. Shane’s mother, Ellen Shane, in a written statement, said she believes “a child should play soccer if she wants to play-it shouldn’t be money, or lack of it, that stops her from playing.”
Emily’s family is now devoted to inspiring others to do good deeds in her name.
More information can be obtained online at www.emilyshane.org.
Malibu trainer accused of sexual assault
A well-known personal trainer to the stars is accused of sexually assaulting a young woman, according to a report issued by the Los Angeles Times. Police believe there may be more victims.
Gregory Isaacs, 49, of Malibu, was arrested in January for the sexual assault of a 27-year-old female Westwood resident. Detectives say the victim was sexually assaulted inside the gym at her apartment complex. Isaacs worked at the complex and was in charge of its workout facility.
Isaacs is a professional trainer whose Web site advertises weekend training retreats and the training of actors to prepare them for acting roles. His former clients include Melanie Griffith, Clint Eastwood and Goldie Hawn.
Isaacs is also the author of “Ultimate Lean Routine,” a work-out book featuring his weight-loss program that is endorsed by many Hollywood stars.
Any other victims are asked to call Detective. Geoff Tavares at 213.473.0438.
Former NFL player arrested in Malibu on DUI suspicion
Former NFL running back Corey Dillon was arrested early Wednesday of last week for driving under the influence, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said in a report issued by the Los Angeles Times.
Dillon was driving north on Mulholland Drive near Malibu at 3:30 a.m. when deputies pulled him over to check the car’s registration, Lt. Scott Chew of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in the report. The 2010 red Chevy Camaro had paper license plates, Chew said.
Officers arrested Dillon after he displayed signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking earlier in the evening, Chew said. He was later released and scheduled to appear in court June 21.
Dillon played 10 seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. He stopped playing in 2006.
Mike Matthews appointed as superintendent of Manhattan Beach district
SMMUSD announced that Mike Matthews, assistant superintendent for Human Resources, has been appointed to be the new superintendent of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, effective July 1.
Matthews has served as assistant superintendent for Human Resources for SMMUSD since 2004, with a brief absence in 2006-07 when he was the vice president of Extreme Learning. Matthews also served as interim superintendent for the Santa Monica-Malibu schools in 2006 while the Board of Education searched for a new superintendent.
Prior to joining the SMMUSD district office team, Matthews served as the first principal of the newly-formed Malibu High School, a position he held from 1993 to 2004.
BY Olivia Damavandi