Redheaded students assaulted by classmates
As many as four redheaded students at a Calabasas middle school were assaulted by classmates as part of “kick a ginger day,” an Internet spoof apparently inspired by an episode of the “South Park” cartoon show, according to a Nov. 23 report by the Contra Costa Times.
The attacks occurred last week Friday at A.E. Wright Middle School, located on Las Virgenes Road, sheriff’s Lt. Scott Chew of the Malibu/Lost Hills Station said in a report.
The first reported victim was a 12-year-old boy in the seventh grade, and three other students also may have been attacked, Chew said.
Detectives investigated if the assaults were related to “kick a ginger day,” which began last year when some youths spread Internet messages urging people to beat up redheads on Nov. 20.
Similar Internet messages were spread on Facebook and other Internet sites this year, said Lt. Rich Erickson, also of the Malibu/Lost Hills Station.
The term “ginger” comes from a “South Park” episode first aired in 2005 that satirized racial intolerance, but did not use the term “kick a ginger day.”
Anyone with any information about the attacks is asked to call the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at 818.878.5536.
Search for convicted felon continues
Law enforcement officials last week released a photo of Dawn Macksoud, a wanted, convicted felon on parole who escaped from Manhattan Beach Police during a stakeout at Malibu Colony Plaza last week.
Her husband, Phillip Macksoud, 46, was arrested last week after investigators determined the couple two weeks ago rented a mailbox under a counterfeit, fraudulent name at the Malibu Business & Shipping Center.
When authorities approached Phillip, Dawn, 37, sped off in a getaway vehicle. After attempting to run over a police detective, she plowed into the side of a detective’s car. She then led one of three Manhattan police officers on a pursuit down Malibu Road, during which she crashed into a residence and a parked Land Rover before abandoning her car and escaping to Amarillo Beach, according to detectives.
Da wn was last seen in the Venice area seeking medical treatment for lacerations to her face and arms and an injured ankle, detectives state. She is known to use the false name “Marie Bello,” and to frequent the South Bay, Long Beach and Compton.
The couple most recently resided at the Malibu Beach RV Park and was involved in an ongoing chain of identity theft during the past couple of months in the South Bay area, primarily Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes Estates, Manhattan Beach Police Department officials said last week.
Dawn is described as a five-foot-tall, 145-pound Caucasian woman with brown hair and blue eyes. Any information on her whereabouts should be reported to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, 818.878.1808; the Manhattan Beach Police Department, 310.802.5127; or e-mailed to mrosenberger@gmail.com.
Local celebrities, students unite for fundraiser
Local celebrities and students on Dec. 5 will participate in the “Angels for Change” holiday show, the proceeds of which will benefit the local nonprofit Children’s Lifesaving Foundation.
The show will take place at the former Malibu Performing Arts Center, and will feature actor Brad Garrett, an acoustic holiday set with Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and members of the Malibu High School Choral Department and a staged holiday reading with actor John Cygan.
The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation provides free programs for homeless, at-risk and very low-income youth and families in Los Angeles. More information can be obtained and tickets can be purchased online at www.childrenslifesaving.org.
Annual Christmas tree lot opens this weekend
The grand opening of the annual Malibu High School Christmas tree lot will take place on Sunday, at the intersection of Heathercliff Road and Pacific Coast Highway.
In addition to Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands, items for sale include new MHS Shark Wear, ornaments and gifts by various vendors, and clothing designed by local Malibu youth.
The Christmas tree lot benefits Malibu High School’s Athletic Booster Club, which assists every coach and helps raise money for uniforms, tournament fees and equipment. Home delivery is available. The lot will remain open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Dec. 24. More information can be obtained by calling 310.457.6801.
Corral Fire anniversary remembered
Two hundred Corral Canyon residents and invited guests gathered at Beaurivage Restaurant on Sunday to observe the second anniversary of the Corral Canyon fire, which burned more than 50 homes.
Joining the residents were Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Senior Field Deputy Susan Nissman, Field Deputy Cynthia Scott, Captain Tom Martin of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman.
The Corral Canyon Community presented Zev, Nissman, Scott and Martin with the first ever, Corral Canyon Community Service Award-given in recognition of their outstanding commitment to Corral Canyon and the fire victims since the fire.
In addition, the Corral Canyon community honored Fire Chief Freeman with the “Freeman Award,” which was named in his honor “in recognition and appreciation of his exceptional leadership, fearless honesty and devoted public service to the citizens of Los Angeles and in particular, the residents of Corral Canyon,” according to a press release by the Corral Canyon Fire Safety Alliance. “The professional accomplishments of Chief Freeman will serve as an inspiration to future recipients of this award.”
-Olivia Damavandi