HOWS Market not closing
The local HOWS Market is up for sale, not facing closure, said the store’s manager Eric Sustin.
“If it’s sold it will most likely [become] another store,” Sustin said.
Several area newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, had reported that the grocery store chain, co-founded in 1999 by an heir of the Hughes family supermarket dynasty, was closing all its stores except its Pasadena location.
Sustin said he was unsure of any definite buyers, but has heard there are companies interested. The Torrance branch of the supermarket chain has already been sold to Super A Foods, while the Pasadena store was bought by one of the original owners and will remain a HOWS. The Granada Hills branch, however, is currently liquidating its stock and on its way to closing.
“This store, for now, is staying open,” Sustin said, adding that there is no way to know when the store, which is located at the Trancas Market Shopping Center on Pacific Coast Highway, will be sold. “It could be two weeks, could be three months, could be two years.”
Sustin said there has been response from the community, hoping that the store stays open.
“It’s a good feeling to know the community supports us 110 percent,” he said.
Missing night hiker found in Malibu
A teen from Hacienda Heights went missing from Leo Carrillo State Park where he was camping with his father Saturday night.
The teen, identified only as Albert, 15, went for a hike at night and had not returned by 6:30 a.m. Sunday when his father awoke, at which time he called the police. At approximately 10:30 a.m. Sunday the teen was located, unharmed, when he approached a local man asking to use his cell phone to contact his father. Local deputies, who then reunited him with his father, identified him as Albert.
Albert reportedly goes hiking at night often, but when he went out Saturday night he became disoriented in the dark, and decided to stay where he was until morning when he could find his way back. Lt. Scott Chew of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station stated he was glad the teen is safe, but also warned, “An important thing to add is that it is very dark out here at night. Night hikers are unsafe in a group or alone, with or without proper supplies.”
Streisand’s design book debuts
Barbra Streisand’s first book, “My Passion for Design,” debuted at number two on The New York Times “Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous List,” as well as at number 10 on Publishers’ Weekly nonfiction bestseller list. The book chronicles Streisand’s process of creating and decorating her houses, including her home in Malibu, and features many of her own photographs. This is Streisand’s first venture as a writer and photographer, having already worked as an actress, a singer, director, screenwriter, composer, producer and designer. Additionally, Streisand is donating a portion of the book’s proceeds to her Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Sheriff’s department accepting toy donations
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys for children ages one through 16. The toys will be given to underprivileged children throughout Los Angeles County this holiday season. Donations are being accepted until Dec. 17 and can be dropped off at any Sheriff’s station in the county. More information can be obtained by calling Deputy Luis Castro at 323.267.4812.
Development permit granted to Lily Lawrence
Philanthropist Lily Lawrence may not build another castle to replace her home that burned down in the Malibu Canyon Fire of October 2007, but she is in the process of applying for permits to rebuild a single-family home at the site on Malibu Crest Road.
The city has approved and forwarded to the Planning Commission an administrative coastal development permit to replace an onsite wastewater system with an alternative system. If the commission decides to treat the permit as a regular coastal development permit, then Lawrence would have to apply to the Coastal Commission for approval. If it accepts the permit, members of the public would have until Dec. 10, 4:30 p.m., to appeal the project.
The permit was approved because, “the planning manager has found that his project is listed among the classes of projects that have been determined not to have a significant adverse effect on the environment,” according to a notice of decision by the city.
The Planning Division is currently processing an application for reconstruction of a single-family home to replace the 12,500 square foot castle, which sat atop a bluff off Malibu Crest Road near the Malibu Presbyterian Church (also destroyed in the fire).
MHS tree lot opens
Malibu High School’s Christmas tree lot is now open. In addition to trees, the lot also features holiday decorations and “Shark wear.” All proceeds from the event goes to support the Malibu High School Athletic Department. The Christmas tree lot, which offers home delivery, is open seven days a week, at the corner of PCH and Heathercliff Rd., beginning at 10 a.m.
Adult performer catches on fire during film shoot
Performer Ray West caught on fire during an adult film shoot for Clear View Inc. at a studio in Malibu Dec. 3. West, 37, was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica where he was treated for second degree burns. He is “expected to make a full recovery,” a spokesperson for Clear View Inc. said.
According to the fire department, “There was a fire in the bedroom which we think was caused by a faulty electric blanket. The smoke damage was localized in the bedroom, where a gentleman was inside. He got out safely and was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.”