32-year-old social media influencer Summer Wheaton was identified as the driver who caused the fatal incident on Thursday July 4. The collision occurred just around 10:20 p.m. the evening of Fourth of July.
“As far as her being at Nobu, that is part of the overall investigation and unconfirmed at this time,” Sgt. Chris Soderlund of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Station said Saturday afternoon.
That same evening, Nobu Restaurant held their unpermitted “Red, White and Bootsy,” event on July 4, where white clad party goers arrived at the restaurant by ride shares, limousines and party buses. The event hosted by Bootsy Bellows Dance & Night Club, had numerous celebrities in attendance such as Wiz Khalifa, Mike Tyson, Tyga and more. At this time, the incident is still under investigation.
Wheaton’s 2019 MBZ four door sedan was travelling East on Pacific Coast Highway when for reasons unknown, she crossed the center line and struck a 2020 Cadillac Escalade head on. As a result of the collision, the driver of the Cadillac Escalade succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident. The passenger in the Cadillac Escalade suffered major injuries. The driver of the MBZ also suffered significant injuries. Both injured parties were transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for treatment. The preliminary investigation indicates that speed and/or alcohol are possible causes of the accident.
According to her website summerwheaton.com, Wheaton is a CEO and Founder of two innovative startups and a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering self-discovery, self-empowerment, and individual wellness. Her non-profit initiative focuses on encouraging self-discovery, providing resources for self-empowerment, and promoting sound of mind.
The Malibu Times will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
The White Tire Memorial commemorates those who have lost their lives on the Pacific Coast Highway. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Where to place five speed cameras in Malibu?
By Ben Marcus
Speed cameras are coming to Malibu — hopefully sooner than later — as they winda circuitous, precipitous route through the California legislature headed for the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
It will be interesting to see where the cameras are installed and the size of the warning signs that are required by law. It will be also interesting to see the numbers these cameras generate once they are installed, because they will be placed along the most egregious public NASCAR track in America, and will most likely dwarf small-town Iowa (see Part One) for citations written, fines paid, and revenue produced.
And hopefully, the number of injuries and deaths reduced.
It’s all about safety, with wheelbarrows full of money just a side effect to the desired effect: The threat of fines slowing people the frick down in the highways and byways between Neptune’s Net and Dukes, and it will be interesting to see what effect the cameras have once they were installed: Less accidents? Less deaths? Safer roads?
Could that money be used to pay for more LACO Sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol to keep a weather eye on PCH and pop speeders in the areas not overseen by the unblinking eye of 21st-century tech?
Maybe use the revenue for CHP and/or LASD to work with a roving camera at hot spots on certain days of the year?Apparently not, as mobile speed cameras are disallowed under the law as it is now written.
Speed checked by drones? These are the days or miracles and wonders, anything is possible and money makes it happen.
Opinions are like Teslas in Malibu — a lot of people have them, and most Malibucitizens have an experiential opinion on where those cameras should be placed, based on their own experience.
As someone who has lived in Malibu off and on since 2003 — including an apartment on PCH just down from the Verizon Building, which required backing out into traffic every day and hearing lots of squealing and the sound of breaking glass. And as someone who was standing and chatting with Derek Schimming (RIP 1964-2024) when that poor man running across PCH at night was hit and killed by a car at the opening of Cliff Diver in September of 2019. And as someone who now rides along the Malibu Road Dragstrip and crosses PCH on an electric bike: Your Humble Narrator believes these are among the best locations for five speed cameras.
MALIBU ROAD BEHIND RALPHS
As seen from the Malibu Newsstand and while riding the e-bike along there every day, there’s no shortage of “Fast and Furious” wannabes who use Malibu Road as a drag strip. Forget about all the people walking dogs and kids on e-bikes and shattering the general peace and quiet of what used to be PCH — idiots drive like idiots back there, blowing past Station 88 in Hellcats, Porsches, Teslas, and hot cars vintage and futuristic — behind Ralphs and maybe getting air like”Bullit” or “Dirty Harry” over the speed bumps.
Dumb. Irresponsible. Unsafe. Unnecessary. Blink them. Fine them. Publicly shame them. Confiscate their nosy, screechy stinkpots. Dumb.
Could public messages like this one on City Councilmember Paul Grisanti’s pickup help discourage excessive speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway? Photo by Mason Thorpe
PCH AND WEBB WAY
I cross this intersection at least once a day on my e-bike and boy howdy, the things I’ve seen. Last winter, when the cliffs were crumbling, a Caltrans truck with a dirt scooper on the front came racing down the hill from west to east and blew through a red light at Webb Way going probably 70 mph.
If someone had pulled in front of them that Caltrans truck would have put them in orbit.
But that’s just one example of a thousand, of citizens flying through that intersection going WAY over the speed limit — especially those heading west who see that long uphill as a red cape to PUNCH IT.
So, the unblinking eye of speed cameras at PCH and Webb Way looking both ways.
Not sure where they would put the warning signs, as they are required to do.
The motorcycle LASD deputies use this as a speed trap and pop speeders all day long, but in the time it takes them to write one ticket, how many speeders blaze by?
Dozens, all day long.
The speed cameras wouldn’t miss any of them. Get ’em! Write ’em up! Slow ’em down!
PCH AND LAS FLORES; PCH AND CARBON CANYON.
Maybe that’s the go: Put cameras at all the traffic lights along PCH. Or if not cameras, then the required warning signs that drivers are entering an area monitored by speed cameras and they will be recorded and fined for exceeding the speed limit.
Carbon Canyon and Las Flores bracket the Dead Man’s Curve area where the four Pepperdine girls were struck by a speeding car.
Would signs and warnings have slowed that person down? I guess we’ll never know.
Zuma Jay thinks installing faux warning signs and cameras would be the go. The cameras don’t record anything, but the signs and the threat of fines would still slow people down.
PCH AND CROSS CREEK
If speed cameras at all the traffic lights are the go, then maybe Cross Creek and PCH is another location. I cross that on my bike sometimes and it’s also harrowing to be stopped and waiting that close to traffic going by at 45 MPH+++.
I wait for several beats after the green “Okay to Cross” hand comes on because of what I saw the other day: A black Tesla going west to east went zizzing right through a red light probably going 70 mph, long after the light had turned red.
Nail people like that. Nail them all, let the city treasurer sort ‘em out.
ALL THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Where else? There are traffic lights at PCH and John Tyler, PCH and CorralCanyon, PCH and Paradise Cove, PCH and Trancas Canyon. The infrastructure is there to mount the cameras, so mount them there?
Neither the California Highway Patrol nor the LACO Sheriff’s Department wanted to release statistics on the problem areas of Malibu, or official opinions on where they would place speed cameras based on their own experience and/orstatistics.
But asking reputable, long-time Malibu citizens, there were other ideas:
Suzy Delaplane (trucker, dog lover, retailer): Just after Nobu, going east. If you live along there, you know.
Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner (Former sheriff’s deputy, former Marlboro Man, former mayor, present armorer and surf shop owner): Big Rock & PCH, Las Flores & PCH, The Pier & PCH, Webb Way & PCH, John Tyler & PCH.
I voiced my opinion at meetings about installing several extra poles or potential placement sites. Social media will inform the “speed clubs” where the cameras are.
There is a minimum amount of signage that is required for the installation (site locations). There is no part of the law that indicates the posting of “extra reminder” signs is improper. The cameras could be moved periodically to discover the most effective locations.
Dave Olan (attorney, surfer): From my experience doing primarily personal injury for 30 years, the worst intersection is PCH and Sunset and also by Topanga and Moonshadows. From Sunset to Cross Creek is the biggest concentration of accidents. This is just from handling cases over the years. I’ve had them all over PCH – and bikes are also something that needs to be addressed.
Jill Rapf (Realtor): Between Winding Way and PCH.
Maria Simmonds (USPS official): Las Flores Canyon and Rambla Pacifico, because they are always running both lights: It’s scary to cross the street to go to Dukes!
Dorian Bernard (architectural designer): We also have speed cameras in France, and they are heavily contested. (But French people have the reputation of always protesting, ha ha)
Here is my humble opinion: I think the section from Dukes to Webb Way is the most critical area because of its high population density. I would add a speed camera before these two intersections to reduce people’s momentum before entering this area.
I live and work on Rambla Pacifico, and I’ve witnessed many accidents at the intersection with Las Flores and PCH. Westbound traffic is coming hot here, especially in the morning.
The money could be used to improve PCH infrastructure so people could walk safely along the road or even have a dedicated bicycle lane. But because PCH is only 80 feet wide from Dukes to Carbon Canyon and 100 feet wide from Carbon Canyon to Malibu Creek, this seems unrealistic without removing the middle lane or parking spaces.
Jeff Chertow (Realtor): 1) Big Rock to Las Flores. 2) Las Flores to Carbon Canyon. 3) Webb Way and PCH. 4) Malibu Seafood area. 5) Winding Way Area.
6) Encinal Bluffs to County Line Area.
Ian Holt (armorer, surfer): Cold Canyon Road desperately needs one. The motorcycle guys race that road and there have been numerous fatalities
If you’ve ever been to Oahu, you’ve seen the police cruising in their hot muscle cars, withblinking blue lights always on, on the top. The thinking behind that policy is that when citizens see those blue lights, they will stop breaking whatever law they are breaking — including driving too fast, or erratically.
Speed cameras and warning signs strategically scattered along PCH between Duke’s and Neptune’s Net will hopefully have the same effect.
We can only hope the wheels of legislature spin quickly. (While working on this story, a platoon of LASD SUVs and CHP went screaming west to east on PCH to pull over a young couple who had bolted, then caused an accident close to Cross Creek. Ran into some surfers pulling onto PCH — at speed. And on Friday, June 21, a friend sent a photo of yetanother motorcycle accident at Las Flores and PCH. And so it goes)
PCH is a charnel house. Speed cameras have to happen, and the sooner the better.
And another thought: When these speed cameras go in, Malibu might consider launching a citywide, countywide, statewide, nationwide and worldwidepublic relations campaign that is an extension of the sign on the side of Paul Grisanti’s pickup truck, parked strategically to send drivers a message: “SLOW DOWN MALIBU.” Or those T-shirts with “GIVE US SPEED CAMERAS! SLOW THE F DOWN!”
Malibu is home to some of the world’s greatest creatives — from Mel Brooks to Bob Dylan to Janusz Kaminski to John Lydon to Spike Jonze. There is a tremendous amount of talent in front of and behind the camera who could produce a series of public service announcements letting the world know — in dramatic or humorous or musical but no uncertain terms — that Malibu is now zero tolerance when it comes to excessive speed and/or erratic driving.
Or use poetry: This idea borrows from the Burma Shave campaign of 1926-63 which displayed a line of rhyming signs selling Burma Shave.
Like those speed camera T-shirts people are wearing now, there could be a caveat campaign like this:
EXAMPLE #1
Speeding tickets?
Not so funny.
Insurance + fines.
Cost you money.
Slow down through Malibu.
Enjoy the scenery.
Save yourself.
A lot of greenery.
EXAMPLE #2
Take it to the limit.
But not above 45.
Drive safe through Malibu.
And arrive alive.
Speed kills on Highway One.
Enjoy the surf and sand and sun.
EXAMPLE #3
Welcome to Malibu.
Now please slow down.
There are traffic cops everywhere.
Don’t make them frown.
Speed limit on PCH is 45.
Please drive safe.
And stay alive.
EXAMPLE #4
Hey there, speeder!
Where’s the fire?
Does your mamma look good.
In funeral attire?
Slow down through Malibu.
Obey the limit.
Or you’re gonna find yourself.
In deep shiznit.
EXAMPLE #5
You can’t drive 45?
You better learn, or you won’t survive.
Take it to the limit, but not beyond
Or soon you will be posting bond.
Malibu is one big speed trap, from Duke’s to Neptune’s Net.
If you speed, you’ll get busted, it’s a sure bet.
Example #6
If your new super car does 185
You’ll lose your license, and not be allowed to drive.
Despite an eleventh hour warning issued by the City of Malibu warning Nobu restaurant “it may not hold the proposed event,” the high-end sushi eatery defiantly went ahead with a long planned July 4th mega party despite not holding a permit.
Tickets for tables ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 were already sold when the city of Malibu issued its statement at 6pm July 3rd, less than 24 hours before the “Red, White and Bootsy” party got underway.
When applying for the permit party organizers claimed it was invitation only and that no ride shares or walk-ins would be allowed in an effort to avoid the traffic disaster the event caused last year when limos and party buses abandoned their vehicles in the center median on PCH.
The Malibu Times observed the scene on PCH July 4 from 5 to 6 pm as scores of white clad party goers arrived at the restaurant by ride shares, limousines, party buses and walk-ins.
Three sheriffs deputies were on scene monitoring traffic and one city of Malibu code enforcement officer was also keeping watch. At the time, traffic was flowing normally although there were a few illegal turns on the highway as drivers were turned away with no valet parking provided.
The city claimed earlier that the permit was denied because no parking plan was in place.
Now an attorney claiming to represent Nobu says the city has violated his client’s rights even though the party continued without a valid permit.
More will be discussed at Monday’s city council meeting.
A fatal accident at 10:20 p.m. minutes after the Nobu party endedon PCH near Carbon Canyon is being investigated for possible speeding and DUI. Investigators may check if the accident could be tied to the Nobu event. Law enforcement at the scene may not have been able to conduct breathalyzer tests due to the fatality and the serious injuries to two others.
With 51 million people, I watched the presidential debate, a 30 percent decline from the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020 when 73 million tuned in. Both candidates are a known element to voters, and in every debate cycle both sides claim victory, but not this time. Universally acknowledged, Trump trounced Biden. I watched the CNN post-debate panel in fascination waiting for the spin which was not forthcoming, as in dismay they speculated on what the DNC was going to do to swap out Biden for another candidate. Only Rachel Maddow tried to salvage it speaking about how incumbent presidents historically do poorly in the first debate, comparing it to Obama’s poor performance against Romney.
Obama, a brilliant orator, at his very worst was exponentially better than Biden. Any party faithful observing their candidate do well and defeating their opponent in a solid debate feels exhilarated, and as a Republican I should have been happy with what I observed.
So why did I end up feeling sad and apprehensive? I have always rankled when citizens say “He’s not my president” which I heard a lot about GWB and especially Trump. Biden IS my president, and although he’s been a disaster for America in an unprecedented fashion, he is the commander-in-chief. The mumbling incoherent sentences, the vacuous stares, illustrated for all the world to see that this 81-year-old man is losing his faculties and is not fit for office. For any of us that have been paying attention, this has been increasingly obvious for the last two years, but he has been protected by his handlers and the media, which is largely in the pocket of the DNC. He wanders off aimlessly on stages, tries to shake hands with people that aren’t there, and forgets where he is and what he is talking about. He refuses to take a cognitive test with the party faithful backing him, telling us not to judge him based on our own lying eyes of what we see on camera, because he is “very sharp” in meetings. Few news outlets questioned this ridiculous charade, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the sad videos “cheap fakes.”
After a week of non-stop preparations, Biden utterly failed by any metric to defend his policies, record, or demonstrate his competency to be president for the next four years, let alone for the next six months. The emperor has no clothes, and although we all should have known it, the party faithful have pretended otherwise, yet they were stunned by this inevitable unmasking.
Americans are busy living their lives, going to school and work, raising their families. They can be forgiven for not paying attention, but I was surprised that the political experts on the CNN panel were shocked by Biden’s condition. Such willful self-delusion is surprising to observe, but when viewed through the radical partisanship that has gripped us, coupled with Trump derangement syndrome of many, I shouldn’t be surprised.
In reaction to the revealing debate a friend wrote “I would vote for Biden if he was a corpse before I would vote for Trump,” and there you have it. The DNC’s problem is that rabid hatred won’t win the White House, and there is open discussion on how to replace Biden. Eighty-two percent believe Biden should drop out, including 55 percent of Democrats. Seventy-two percent of voters believe he is not mentally fit to serve as president.
Watch for pressure from big donors, the Clintons and Obamas for him to withdraw. If he does, it will be a brokered convention in August, with open floor debates and back-room deals. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is fundraising, Gov. Newsom has been running national ads for the last year “just because,” and of course there is the unpopular VP Kamala Harris. Pass the popcorn. Should Biden refuse to step down, the vice president and cabinet could declare he is unable to discharge his duties and she would assume the presidency, as established in the 25th amendment. Biden could fight that, and it takes two-thirds of Congress to agree to remove him, but this would allow Harris to go into the convention as acting president, the Democrats could pivot to her, and she alone would have access to his millions in campaign contributions. All her statements to date, however, have been loyal to Biden.
This discussion of the 25th Amendment sadly centers on political machinations, rather than the good of the country. In 1919, President Wilson suffered an incapacitating stroke, which was covered up by his physician and wife Edith. Astonishingly, she functionally ran the executive branch for the next two years. Biden is increasingly demonstrating old age dementia. Is he qualified to make a snap decision at 3 a.m. if Russia detonates a nuke in Ukraine, or China invades Taiwan? No.
As the smoke slowly clears above the disaster that was the initial 2024 presidential race, I am left relatively speechless.I have known Joe Biden for nearly 50 years, from the days when I worked on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in the early 1980s, through his years as
vice president, to his run for president. Growing up in Philadelphia, it was said often that he was the third senator from the state of Pennsylvania. He would affectionally refer to me as the Altar Boy from Philly, even though I was staff to a senator from Tennessee.
The debate was a disaster, for both sides. One candidate spent 90 minutes spewing forth nothing but unchecked lies, while the other found difficulty in forming coherent sentences. While age plays a role in measuring the abilities and capabilities of the candidates, by itself it does not offer the sine qua non of how we should vote for an individual, particularly between two individuals only several years apart.
There is much talk in the days following the debate about the prospects of Joe Biden forgoing the presidential nomination in favor of a more youthful candidate. I would offer that such a drastic move should be discussed within the confines of the Biden family. As of this writing there is little indication as to whether this option is in play. If it is decided that for the good of the country, such a maneuver is warranted it would represent the highest nobility and sense of honor that an individual could possess. If the decision is to continue to operate under the existing regimen, then so be it. But either way, this is not a politically motivated decision; it is one built on the foundation of a man who has spent more than a half-century seeking to make this world and this country a better place.
Far more important are the relatively diametrically opposed approaches to how each would govern. Trump views himself with dictatorial power, even if only for one day, he demands strict loyalty that emanates from agreement with whatever position he takes on particular issues, regardless of whether they comport with rhyme or reason. There is very little room, if any, for spirited debate based upon evidence, facts, or common sense. Biden, with a half-century of experience and commitment to navigating the legislative, judicial, and political juggernaut that governs how democracy actually works, prides his accomplishments upon the metric of actually getting things done.
Trump sees things as they either are or werein his contorted views. Biden sees things as they either should or could be. Trump sees things that used to be and wants to revert to a time when America, at least in his jumbled mind, was great.Well, in the long term, we continue to attempt to build upon a succession of greater things, the definition of progress. While focusing on the rear-view mirror we run the risk of running off the road.
Biden, on the other hand, in a Kennedy-esque way adjusts to a future that builds upon the past. Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.” Focusing uponthe future represents progress and dedication to our children and their children. Moving forward is hard and carries risks, but we need to do things because they are hard not because they are easy, to borrow from JFK explaining why we chose to go to the moon. We either choose to advance or retreat, it is as simple as that.
As one who spent 22 years in Washington, D.C., in various senior political and public policy positions, in several presidential administrations, it is important to seek the advice and counsel of intelligent and experienced staff to help lead the charge. Without the benefit of expertise, experience, and dedication, short-term solutions may appear useful in the immediate term yet seriously lacking in the long term and saddle future generations with unnecessary burdens, weowe our future generations the best we can offer.
While the president is charged with making ultimate decisions, the more input he or she derives from professionals who are experts in the various fields that are covered on a normal day will dictate largely upon whether the administration is successful or not.
As a plethora of political pundits and ordinary voters spend time questioning whether President Biden is capable of handling another term, I would offer the following: First and foremost, the decision is one that he and his family must agree upon, and I am confident that they will make the best decision for both the president and the country.
Regardless of what decision is made, the most important thing for the nation is to move forward not backwards.
Pacific Coast Highway shut down both directions this morning due to another fatal accident. According to the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station last night on the evening of July 4 at 10:20 a fatal injury vehicle collision occurred on PCH near the intersection of Carbon Canyon in the City of Malibu. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
Pacific Coast Highway is shut down in both directions this morning due to another fatal accident. According to the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station last night on the evening of July 4 at 10:20 a fatal injury vehicle collision occurred on PCH near the intersection of Carbon Canyon in the City of Malibu.
Pacific Coast Highway shut down both directions this morning due to another fatal accident. According to the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station last night on the evening of July 4 at 10:20 a fatal injury vehicle collision occurred on PCH near the intersection of Carbon Canyon in the City of Malibu. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
The preliminary facts are that a 2019 MBZ four door sedan was travelling East on Pacific Coast Highway when for reasons unknown, it crossed the center line and struck a 2020 Cadillac Escalade head on. As a result of the collision, the driver of the Cadillac Escalade succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident. The passenger in the Cadillac Escalade suffered major injuries. The driver of the MBZ also suffered significant injuries. Both injured parties were transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for treatment. The preliminary investigation indicates that speed and/or alcohol are possible causes of the accident.
The highway has been closed since 11 o’clock last night and traffic is backed up in both directions for miles.
UPDATE: all lanes opened both directions at 8:30 a.m.
BREAKING: Pacific Coast Highway is shut down in both directions this morning due to another fatal accident. According to the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station last night on the evening of July 4 at 10:20 a fatal injury vehicle collision occurred on PCH near the intersection of… pic.twitter.com/G7FqhAv0ko
City Manager Steve McClary and Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown high-five during the Cruise Malibu campaign on Thursday, June 27, at Malibu Bluffs Park. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
Group debuts creative ideas to encourage drivers to drive safely on PCH
“Cruise Malibu Campaign is more than just a slogan, it’s a movement,” Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown said tostart off the event last week. “A call to action for all of us to embrace a safer more mindful approach to driving along Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu’s main street. As we cruise through tonight’s presentation, we are reminded to slow down and soak in the stunning scenery and contribute to the safety and tranquility to our coastal paradise.”
On Thursday, June 27, community members, City of Malibu leaders, law enforcement, and partner agencies gathered at Malibu Bluffs Park for the community launch event of the city’s Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) safety campaign “Cruise Malibu — Surf, Sand, Slow.” The campaign was designed by a focus group of longtime residents, Pepperdine students, the LA County Sheriff’s Department, CHP, and city staff.
“Today’s event is a celebration of community spirit, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making Malibu a safer place for everyone,” Brown said.
Brown introduced Mayor Steve Uhring to the podium, and Uhring introduced the guest speakers, also known as the Cruise Malibu Focus Group.
“This is a volunteer group; this is above and beyond the call of duty for those that are wearing a law enforcement uniform here, but it just goes to show their passion and commitment to really tackling this issue for everyone,” Brown said.
The panel included a Q&A with Malibu residents, producers, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department, and representatives from Pepperdine. The panel also debuted a PCH safety music video/TV commercial, the new theme song and a call for volunteers to join the PCH safety effort. Those that attended were encouraged to take the pledge to”cruise PCH at or below the speed limit in Malibu” and received a Cruise Malibu gift.
The Cruise Malibu panel included (from left) producer/writer Robin Cecola, Malibu resident Colin Drummond, Malibu/Lost Hills Sgt. Chris Soderlund, Sgt. James Arens and representatives from Pepperdine University. Colin Drummond speaks at the event.Malibu residents attended the Cruise Malibu campaign at Malibu Bluffs Park last week.Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring speaks during the Malibu Cruise campaign event at Malibu Bluffs Park.Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring speaks during the Malibu Cruise campaign event at Malibu Bluffs Park.
Colin Drummond, one of the creators of the campaign, began the discussion with four key elements: Memorable;residents (commuters, visitors); cruise, not drive; and cruise control.
“This is about changing culture, this is about changing how people understand how they should behave in Malibu,” Drummond said. “People are in their heads when they’re driving … so I think there’s some real value in taking a moment, and just being present in such a beautiful place.”
Drummond compared the way people drive to how people are influenced to stop smoking.
Public Works Chair Jo Drummond and Colin Drummond are shown during the Malibu Cruise campaign event at Malibu Bluffs Park.
“People do change, and culture does have a very strong influence on people,” he added. “We’re planting the seed today, and hopefully it starts a chain reaction.”
Sgt. Soderlund has been providing traffic safety reports to the city and community at every City Council meeting on Mondays and has been a part of the focus group since January.
“Since January we have been meeting weekly, in person or online, to come up with the logo, the motto, the song, so it’sa collaborative effort between all of us,” Soderlund said. “When we were talking about this, ultimately, it was to change people’s behaviors, we can do that with enforcement on our end, but we can only give out so many tickets in a day, we only have so many deputies, we only have so many CHP officers, and so we can’t stop everyone, so we needed to think of a way, to come up with a solution to have that awareness on the public to change their behavior and change the way they drive on PCH.”
Sgt. James Arens has been the traffic sergeant for a little over a year at the station and said the ultimate goal was to “Set the Pace on PCH.”
“Set the pace, so that way all the cars behind you, go the same speed,” Arens said. “It takes a group effort; everyone in the community can get involved — you can see the beach, the ocean, the mountains. It’s a gorgeous view; there’s no reason why anyone needs be going very fast through PCH. Enjoy the drive and set the pace.”
Arens provided a brief update on the collisions and fatalities on PCH.
“In the last 10 years, there have been 3,345 traffic collisions with speed as the main primary division factor,” Arens said. “In that same frame, law enforcment has issued 46,338 citations for speeding alone in the City of Malibu, and since January 2024, 2,382 citations have been issued for speeding in Malibu, and since 2011, up to 2023, there were 58 people killed.”
Award-winning producer and writer Robin Cecola shared how the “Cruise Malibu” campaign theme song came intofruition.
The song, “PCH SLOW DOWN!” is a re-recording of the hit song, “Lake Shore Drive,” by Skip Haynes and initially recorded by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah. The song features custom lyrics aligning with Malibu’s new awareness campaign, PCH SLOW DOWN!
Skip Haynes passed away in 2017 and Cecola said he reached out to his partner of 30 years, Rikki Poulos, and asked if they can rewrite the song to which she said her neighbor was one of the parents who lost their daughter last year at the tragic accident on PCH.
“It was one of the saddest days of my life, to go to the funeral and be a part of it,” she said.
Cecola shared the process and the collaborative efforts in producing the song and said, “this was Skip’s baby, he would love to be part of this, and she gave her blessing and we took it off from there.”
To hear the song and music video visit the campaign’s website at www.cruisemalibu.org or the City of Malibu YouTube channel.
City Manager Steve McClary acknowledged the efforts of the residents and panel members that created the campaign. cITY
City Manager Steve McClary acknowledged the efforts of the residents and panel members that created the campaign. City Manager Steve McClary acknowledged the efforts of the residents and panel members that created the campaign.
“I wanted to thank you personally for all that you’ve done, it’s been great,” McClary said.
McClary also mentioned the recent passing of SB 1297 to allow speed camera systems in Malibu.
“As we draw this wonderful event to a close, I would like to extend my heartful gratitude to each and every one of you for joining us today,” McClary said. “Your presence and support truly highlight the strong community spirit that makes Malibu so unique; today’s launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for our city, a chapter where we come together to promote safety, mindfulness, and a deeper appreciation for this stunning environment we are privileged to call home.”
The city also has a pledge wall at City Hall where residents can sign and pick up lawn signs to raise awareness on for residents, visitors, commuters, pedestrians, and cyclists.
City Manager Steve McClary and Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown.Colin Drummond and Robin Cecola are shown during the Malibu Cruise campaign event at Malibu Bluffs Park.Malibu/Lost Hills Captain Jennifer Seetoo displays a T-shirt and poster for the Malibu Cruise campaign at Malibu Bluffs Park.City Manager Steve McClary and Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown high-five during the Cruise Malibu campaign on Thursday, June 27, at Malibu Bluffs Park. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
You can help raise awareness and change driver behavior on PCH:
Slow down and drive safely and patiently. Set the cruise control, enjoy the ride, put down the phone, that text can wait.
Observe posted speed limits in construction zones, where there are workers and work vehicles, equipment, and changing traffic patterns. Fines for traffic citations are doubled in construction zones under California law.
Come to Malibu City Hall and sign the Pledge Wall to show your commitment to slowing down and helping to make PCH safer.
Pick up a free lawn sign at City Hall and post it on your property.
Pick up a free poster at City Hall and post it at your business or workplace.
Post a photo on social media with your lawn sign or poster, with the hashtag #GoSafelyPCH
Marlilu Hamill, Mark Hamill, Tom Bergeron, Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Van Dyke. Photos by Laura Johansen.
Celebrity-filled event honors the living legend, his wife, and their endowment for the arts
Malibu High School parents put on a glittering event Saturday to honor living legend Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene. In a first-ever event at the school, its theater has been renamed after the couple. In gleaming letters on the public facingcampus on Morning View Drive new signage reads “The Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater.”
Celebrities and Malibu residents thanked the couple for their years of dedication to the arts and support for young Malibu students by giving them exposure to learning with the creation of the Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts. The afternoon gala raised seed money for an initial $3 million endowment with the help of sponsors such as Disney, CBS, The Malibu Times, IPS, and other local companies. The Van Dyke Endowment is intended to fund arts programs in all four Malibu public schools to nurture creativity, foster new talent and inspire the next generation of artists all while creating a lasting legacy for the beloved Van Dyke and his nearly unmatched 80 years entertaining the world.
Arlene Van Dyke, Michelle Lee, Dick Van Dyke, The Vantastix, Mark Hamill, Marilu Hamill, Melissa Manchester, Tom Bergeron and Jason Alexander. Photos by Laura Johansen.Arlene Van Dyke, Michelle Lee, Dick Van Dyke, Mark Hamill, Marilu Hamill and Melissa Manchester. Photos by Laura Johansen.Arlene Van Dyke and Dick Van Dyke. Photos by Laura Johansen.Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastics. Photos by Laura Johansen.Tom Bergeron. Photos by Laura Johansen.Photos by Laura Johansen.Photos by Laura Johansen.Marlilu Hamill, Mark Hamill, Tom Bergeron, Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Van Dyke. Photos by Laura Johansen.
TV personality Tom Bergeron said, “I have adored Dick Van Dyke since I was a kid and to be his friend now, to support causes that he supports like this endowment for the arts is like the cherry on the cake.”
“It’s a spectacular legacy for them to create this and particularly for Dick who’s a national treasure,” commented Grammy-winning artist Melissa Manchester, who performed “In the Eyes of Love” for the Van Dykes at the event. “The fact that his legacy is so secure in giving back to young students and education, it’s thrilling to be a part of it.”
Manchester, along with guest performers Peter Cincotti, magicians from the Magic Castle, and others inaugurated the newly named theater with its first performance in tribute to the the legendary showman. Opening remarks were given by Julie Andrews, recorded from her home in Switzerland.
The incomparable Jason Alexander served as Master of Ceremonies.
“It’s extraordinary that at this beautiful young age that Dick with Arlene’s love and support is still such a citizen of our communities, of our world,” he said. “He just keeps putting out amazing things with this joyful spirit. The fact they have focused on endowing a high school is so spot on for a number of reasons.
“One is arts programs are disappearing in public schools. Almost every artist I can think of began that journey at a middle or a high school,” including himself, Alexander commented. “If those facilities, teachers, and opportunity wasn’tavailable they might not have ever taken the journey they took.”
Alexander, who names Van Dyke as a comedic influence said the first movie he ever saw was “Mary Poppins.”
“He is the window through which we see the magic as the chimney sweep. Our portal into that world is through Burt,” Alexander said of Van Dyke’s iconic performance.
Alexander recounted a touching story of receiving a beautiful note and flowers from Van Dyke, whom he had never met,after the “Seinfeld” actor reprised Van Dyke’s Tony-winning performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” in a television production.
Actress Michelle Lee first met Van Dyke in 1969 when she co-starred with him in “The Comic.” Lee praised his performance in that Carl Reiner film as “brilliant.” The two have remained friends and the actress now embraces Arlene as a great friend, too.
“She’s an amazing woman,” Lee said. “To watch the two of them together is startling because they’re so in love with each other. You see it. There’s such warmth. How they value their relationship.”
Lee values the arts in Los Angeles, calling herself a product of the public school system.
“Arts saves kids. There’s so many that don’t have it,” she said. “We need it more than ever. I’m so happy that Dick is able to give to all these schools. The Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts will benefit all four Malibu public schools.”
Lee came to MHS to support her friend and donated a stay in her fabulous New York apartment as one of the auction items to raise money for the endowment. Lee and her friend Lawrence Piro said, “An investment in the arts builds healing and a connection to creativity that gives people wings that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The finale of the Saturday performance was the ever youthful 98-year-old legend singing along with his group the Vantastix for a few Van Dyke classics including a sing-a-long of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
The Shark Fund will continue fundraising efforts to grow the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts, aiming to reach its $3,000,000 goal. To make a donation, dedicate a seat, or for more information on how you can support the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts visit thesharkfundmalibu.org.
Class of 2024, toss caps at Malibu High School’s graduation on Tuesday, June 11.
On Wednesday, June 12, 76 students were honored for completing their time at Malibu Middle School, before being promoted to Malibu High School. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
76 students received full house audience to celebrate their achievements
“Through it all, I’ve been able to count on the leadership and the presence of our eighth-graders,” Malibu Middle School Principal Greg Schellenberg said during the eighth-grade promotion on Wednesday, June 12.
“Joining Malibu Middle School has been a delight; I am grateful and appreciative for this year,” Schellenberg said. “I remember sitting down with eighth-graders for the first time in early fall. School year does go by fast, but I’ve enjoyed knowing each of you this year. I am proud your efforts in all areas, the talent and commitment from this group is head spinning, whether it’s in class, on stage, or new to Malibu this spring on the sports fields and courts — through it all, I’ve been able to count on the leadership and the presence of our eighth-graders.”
On Wednesday, June 12, 76 students were honored for completing their time at Malibu Middle School, before being promoted to Malibu High School. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
To start off the ceremony, Schellenberg and Middle School Counselor Lorene Whitehouse presented special awards to Malibu Middle School students.
“What students learn in high school will prepare students for adulthood, not only college,” Schellenberg said.
The audience enjoyed performances by the eighth-grade orchestra, choir, theater arts, and band.
Members of the City Council in attendance included Mariane Riggins and Paul Grisanti. Malibu Pathway Executive Director Isaac Burgees and Associate Dean of Santa Monica College’s Malibu Campus Alice Meyering were also in attendance.
Whitehouse thanked the students, but also the parents, the staff, board members, and teachers of our community. “It truly takes a village,” she said.
“I can’t wait to see the great things that you all will do, not only right now, not only in high school but going far beyond,” Whitehouse said. “[All] 76 students earned their right to be here, and that’s 100 percent participation, and I want to give them a round of applause.”
Middle School speakers included Freyja Jacobson and Violet Keenan.
“We’ve been Malibu Middle School students for three years now, and our time here has been an incredible learning experience,” Keenan said.
“From the first day of sixth grade, until we sit here on our promotion day, we have all grown so much, both emotionally and physically,” Jacobson said. “We students entered middle school as children and are promoting today feeling like full grown adults. It is stunning to see how our peers have changed then until now as we are becoming the people we will be for the rest of our lives.”
“Eighth grade was a year that teachers prepared their students for high school, and as the year progressed, we came to appreciate that next step,” Keenan said.
Keenan and Jacobson said they were both intimidated and nervous about joining Malibu Middle School from elementary but said the school made their experience incredible.
“The school was so welcoming and one we will never forget,” Keenan said.
After students received their certificates, families enjoyed a table full of refreshments and treats as well as photo booth opportunities.
High profile holiday event likely to be held without permit
A flawed and incomplete Temporary Use Permit (TUP) previously approved by the City of Malibu for a July 4 party at Nobu restaurant has been revoked. The TUP was rescinded June 26 after tickets to the exclusive event at the celebrated venue were already being advertised online. Numerous elements of noncompliance and the city’s false assertion that it was required to issue a discretionary permit apparently led to the city’s flip-flop on the restaurant’s permit.
The annual event led to near-disaster on Pacific Coast Highway last year, infuriating public safety officials and residents when overcrowding at Nobu led to the mother of all traffic jams that snarled access for hours.
The event in question, called “Red, White, and Bootsy,” is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Prices for tables range from $10,000 to $75,000, which include huge amounts of booze. (No alcohol-free spots are advertised.) Guests are required to wear white. Paid sponsorships from luxury brands target the celebrity and influencer clientele attending.
The Malibu Times identified numerous inconsistencies and falsehoods in the application for the TUP. It states the event is by invitation only, yet pricey tickets are advertised by The h.wood.Group, the event’s promoter, online. The application states the party takes place indoors only, while prior Instagram coverage clearly show guests — 700 last year, outnumbering the restaurant’s capacity — occupying the outdoor patio space. The TUP application stated all non-VIP guests were required to arrive by a shuttle service from an off-site location in Santa Monica and stated that no ride-share services or walk-ins would be allowed. However, in advertisements for the event, guests are encouraged to use ride-share services, flatly contrary to the application’s representations. The TUP application also indicated the only drive-up entrances would be for VIP guests, but the number of those entitled to VIP drop-off and parking privileges was not stated in the application or approval and therefore not limited.
Another condition to the TUP regarded not exceeding noise levels. With five different DJs and musical acts advertised, it beggars belief that the revelry could satisfy noise level requirements. A Malibu Times investigation into noise complaints last year revealed no active code enforcement cases against Nobu despite ongoing complaints to the city from neighbors regarding loud music and trash.
The Planning Department’s approval, reported last week, was conditioned on agency approvals and the submission of a satisfactory updated parking plan. That plan appears to have not been submitted.
With paid sponsorships and millions of dollars in revenue at stake from the event it appears unlikely the July 4 event will be cancelled.
The June 10 TUP approval indicated that if Nobu violated its terms it would face a mere $5,000 fine, an entirely inconsequential amount for the deep-pocketed restaurant and event planner.
A public records act request last year revealed that despite the annual July 4 event and various private soirées that engendered numerous complaints from residents, in its 10 years of operation the city had never required a single TUP from Nobu or issued a single fine, save for the after-the-fact TUP granted Nobu and nominal fine stemming from the 2023 fiasco.
Malibu City Councilmember Bruce Silverstein has long been a vocal opponent of the city’s permissive application of permitting rules as set forth in the Malibu municipal code. Silverstein wrote to City Manager Steve McClary and posted on social media, “In my view, the City should demand that Nobu confirm that it will not proceed without a permit in violation of the law, and then seek an emergency Temporary Restraining Order if Nobu does anything other than confirm that it will adhere to the law. And, if Nobu commits to abide by the law and then proceeds with its unlawful special event, the Sheriff’s Department should shut down the event and arrest the manager of the facility…
“I could be mistaken, but I believe that the City Manager has the authority to direct the Acting City Attorney to proceed with emergency enforcement given the lack of time to convene a meeting of the City Council.”
Silverstein goes on to pose the question “whether Nobu will abide by the City of Malibu’s decision or proceed with the unlawful event and simply pay a token ‘fine’ that is a pittance in comparison to the profits Nobu will generate from the event — much like many other scofflaws in Malibu do on a regular basis.”
Although Sheriff’s Department Malibu Liaison Sgt. Christopher Soderlund would not comment directly about Nobu, he did say the department, “will have maximum deployment on July 4. We are going to be deployed to ensure public safety for everyone. The beach team is fully staffed, we have additional traffic deputies on PCH, a helicopter is assigned to Malibu, we will have a mounted posse on horseback, and motorcycle deputies. CHP is in their maximum enforcement period as well.”
The Malibu Times made several attempts to reach The h.woodGroup, the company that buys out the restaurant to put on the event, but has not received a response. Requests for comment were also made to Nobu restaurant this year and last year without response.
The City of Malibu posted a statement on the event.
