The Malibu Dolphin Foundation announced on Tuesday, March 10, the 2019 Malibu Dolphin Awards would be postponed due to concerns over Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The Malibu Film Society also announced the postponement of its Filmmaker of the Year Award. Both were set for Sunday, March 15.
One day later, on Wednesday, March 12, the City of Malibu sent out a press release announcing the cancellation or postponement of all senior center programs and community service events through the month of March. Despite this, the city’s Dial-A-Ride program will continue to operate as usual (with vehicles regularly disinfected) and the senior center will be staffed for seniors in need of assistance: 310.456.2489 ext. 357.
“Malibu’s number one priority is ensuring the public safety of the community,” the press release stated. “The city understands the inconvenience and disruption that this may cause. The city is following the guidance of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to slow the spread and reduce the impact of the Novel Coronavirus on the community.”
A full list of postponed and cancelled events is available below.
“We regret to inform you that we are postponing the Dolphin Awards event scheduled for this Sunday as there have been several reported rumors of the coronavirus locally,” Malibu Dolphin Charitable Foundation Chair (and Malibu Times Publisher) Karen York wrote in a message provided to The Malibu Times Tuesday. “We feel it is important not to take unnecessary risks. The Dolphin Award event will be rescheduled for later in the spring or early fall. We appreciate your support and understanding.”
The Dolphin Awards, which have taken place every spring since 1991, honor community members whose efforts benefit those who live, work and spend time in Malibu. This year’s awards were scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Malibu West Beach Club. Eight recipients had been named to win this year’s awards: Robert Moreno; Woolsey heroes Cynthia Novak, Sasha Rondell, Melissa Bermeo and Kris Jennings; Soniya Perl]; Geraldine Gilliland; Malibu Film Society; Youth Dolphin Andrew Springer; Lenny Goldsmith; Jeff Baker and Youth Dolphin Angel Diaz.
This year’s Malibu Filmmaker of the Year Award was set to go to writer, director and producer Irwin Winkler.
There was no immediate indication as to when either awards presentation was to be re-scheduled.
The following City of Malibu events have been cancelled or postponed:
3/13/20 Gold Hunt Special Event – Cancelled
3/20/20 City Hall Art Exhibition Opening – Cancelled
3/22/20 Cars and Coffee – Cancelled
3/25/20 St. Patrick’s Day Potluck – Cancelled
3/25/20 Relax Through Coloring – Cancelled
3/26/20 Excursion to LA Arboretum – Cancelled
3/27/20 Financial Roundtable – Cancelled
3/27/20 Spring Spectacular – Postponed
3/28/20 Art to Wellness – Cancelled
3/28/20 Call to the Wall – Poetry Summit – Postponed
3/29/20 Youth Commission Zuma Beach Clean-Up – Postponed