This week we’ve begun the first of a series of stories about the Planning Department’s intention to implement a requirement created 20 years ago by the first city council that 50 named businesses in Malibu must apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if they want to keep operating. The planning department seems to be struggling with the issue about how they should notify these 50 businesses rather than the real question: is this something we really want to do? Are we prepared to follow, robot-like, a 20-year-old directive, or are we going to bring this back to the council for a complete, frank and open discussion about the future of these 50 named businesses? I’m beginning to suspect that some on the council are clueless about what’s going on.
The Congress, on the other hand, seems to be coming out of its state of cluelessness with the understanding that Americans want them to act and actually start governing. Not only that, but they’re actually beginning to see that it’s also good politics to stop posturing and actually govern. This time there was no government shutdown, and it looks like the silly, and very nonproductive, debt ceiling games are finally coming to a halt. Immigration and the Farm bill are back on the agenda. Even all the wild shouting about Obamacare seems to be quieting down somewhat, as more people get signed up for the program. Of course, this could all change suddenly if the Tea Partiers who are challenging the incumbent Republicans start winning in the primaries. But it looks to me that many traditional Republicans are digging in their heels and saying “enough.” The primaries will tell the story.
I’ve embarked on a new adventure. I’ve joined Weight Watchers to finally lose the 20 pounds I’ve been trying to lose for the last 20 years. Actually, it started out as 15 pounds, but I got so anxious about it that I gained another five pounds just from worrying. For any of you considering taking the plunge, there is a meeting every Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue and we need more people, so come join. Losing umpteen pounds is one of those perennial resolutions that many of us make over the New Year’s holiday, but it really boils down to the fact that we all eat a lot of junk. One of the values of a program is that you have to write everything, which today means keeping score of your points on your smart phone. That tempting piece of pizza looks horrible when you look it up and find out it’s going to cost you 11 points, so it makes it much easier to say no.
The Sage Room, a wonderful restaurant formerly at the corner of PCH and Kanan Dume Road has closed its doors, although there is another Sage Room in Agoura run by the same people. It’s sad to see some of the old regulars fold their tents. I guess it’s balanced out with the opening of the old Casa Escobar reopening at the Malibu Inn after a major renovation and cleanup.
If any of you have any nominations for Dolphin awards, please send us a letter or email with details. Sometimes people nominate someone, but don’t give us enough information to help make a decision. Remember, we get many more nominations every year than we have winners, so don’t be hesitant to resubmit a nomination. We’re looking for people who have made a contribution to our community, who have helped to make Malibu what it is. There is no hard and fast set of criteria, although we do try to recognize people from different walks of life, different ages and for different accomplishments. Email the nominations to us at agyork@malibutimes.com or knowles@malibutimes.com. We’ve also reprinted the names of previous winners in this paper.