Producer Doug DeLuca’s efforts in creating creative opportunities for students in Malibu celebrated at Red Ladder talk

By Barbara Burke

Special to The Malibu Times

“The criteria for honoring a Malibu icon in our Red Ladder’s conversation salon is to showcase a person who has lived here for at least 10 to 15 years, who has contributed something of value to our town, and who embodies the Malibu spirit,” Eamon Harrington, proprietor of Red Ladder Gallery and founder of the Malibu Icon conversation salon series explained. “Doug DeLuca represents all of those factors and then some. He’s well-known in the film industry, of course! Locally, he, along with his lovely wife Alejandra, John Watkin, and Matt Diamond started and ran The Malibu Guitar Festival for a few years.”

Further, Harrington added, DeLuca has been instrumental in efforts to help develop an endowment to support creative opportunities for students in Malibu’s four public schools, and recently, he produced the event honoring Arlene and Dick Van Dyke which will reveal a new performing arts auditorium in the Van Dyke’s name on June 15.

Harrington and DeLuca first became acquainted when multi-Emmy award winners Harrington and his partner John Watkin owned Planet Grande, an independent film production company based in Malibu. The trio worked on a project, then another project, and then, many more.

“Doug’s a born producer!” Harrington declared. “He envisions a project and then he brilliantly puts a team together to make it all happen.”

When Harrington asked DeLuca about how he came to California, DeLuca responded,  “I first came out to LA in 1984 when I tagged along with my then-girlfriend’s family — we were all visiting from my hometown of Union, New Jersey, where, ironically, Eamon also grew up. Eamon knew my uncles and cousins, but he and I never met in Union.

“Later, as I graduated from Villanova, where I was on a full-ride scholarship and played football, a friend of mine was out here in California. So, I came out, thinking I’d pursue a career using my International Business degree.”

DeLuca soon found himself working in “the industry,” because one of his buddies suggested he take gigs working as an extra. In doing so, he worked for $40 a day. He worked on the ABC sitcom “Growing Pains,” starring Kirk Cameron and other projects.

“A friend suggested I work behind the scenes as a production assistant,” DeLuca said, adding as he flashed his signature grin, “I thought ‘Ooooh! A production assistant, that sounds impressive!’”

Many in the audience at Red Ladder are from the industry and they responded by laughing hysterically, implicitly acknowledging that the role is not as upscale as it sounds.

“I was a heavy metal kid and I loved to go to the iconic Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset, so to supplement my income, I became a bouncer on its second-floor venue called Over the Rainbow,” DeLuca shared.

Then, one day as DeLuca slept in late — he had the day off from gigs but had worked late the night before as a bouncer — the phone rang. “I answered the phone all groggy with a frog in my throat, and I heard someone say on the other end of the line, ‘I’m wrapping a show and I’m in a pinch; I need a production assistant immediately!’”

It was a desperate Kurt Brendlinger, who was wrapping the kids’ TV game show “Fun House,” which was, DeLuca noted, first produced by Stone Television and then, in its last season (1990-91) by Stone Stanley Productions.

“I’ll pay you $100 if you can get to my office by noon!” Brendlinger proclaimed.

“I thought – ‘You’ve got a deal!’” DeLuca said. “The rest is history.”

The rest is a great history indeed! 

DeLuca’s humble and unassuming, so it took a little cajoling by Harrington to pull all the details of his esteemed career into the conversation.

The long and short of it is, DeLuca’s one helluva producer! For 21 seasons, he has served as the co-executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” He’s also known for “The Man Show” (1999), which is “a show that could not exist today,” DeLuca laughingly concedes, obliquely referring to its many man-cave and risque escapades and noting that the show“was too entrenched with sophomoric male humor for these days!” 

Interjecting, Harrington noted, “When I asked who was the best producer for our company to work with in the industry, the answer was definitively Doug DeLuca!”

DeLuca and Planet Grande collaborated on many projects, including The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade and The UniverSoul Circus.

“With Doug there was never a ‘no’ answer!” Harrington recalled. “Regardless of our task, we always got everything done.”

“I have an entrepreneurial spirit,” DeLuca said. “So in 1999, I started 4 Leaf Entertainment and produced ‘The Best of Freestyle Motocross’ and sold it to SFX for virtually no money — but it was a good experience.”

All of the affable, indefatigable, optimistic DeLuca’s experiences have been stellar.

“I and Jimmy were in his kitchen one day and he recalled how great The Feast of St. Gennaro is in New York City.”DeLuca said jovially, “I said, ‘let’s do a feast day like that in Los Angeles.’ So, we did!”

A delighted audience murmured its approval.

“That’s kind of how the Malibu Guitar Festival began, no?” Harrington asked.

“Yes! We dreamed up the guitar festival at your house, Eamon!” DeLuca agreed, noting that kudos go to his lovely wife, Alejandra, who has been an energy practitioner and healer in Malibu for many years and “who always makes my harebrained ideas come to fruition. John Watkin and Matt Diamond also helped. 

Over its four years, the festival featured the likes of Duane Betts, Tommy Emmanuel, Robby Krieger, Pete Pidgeon, Steve Ferrone, and Steve Vai, to name a few.

“We had some cool cats at those guitar festivals.” DeLuca said. “We even featured Mick Fleetwood on drums.”

“Life is interconnected,” DeLuca said. “We’re all in this beautiful life together.” 

Did DeLuca have mentors along the way?

“Yes! Greg Sills was my mentor and taught me all about the industry!” DeLuca said, noting that many of his colleagues from the entertainment industry were in the house, including Brendlinger, who DeLuca noted, “has been a close friend for years and is my daughter’s godfather.”

All in all, DeLuca noted, he serendipitously found himself in all the right places in his esteemed entertainment career.

It is very serendipitous for Malibu that he has made Malibu his home.

Charting a path of creativity for Malibu’s next generation 

“Doug DeLuca has made significant contributions to Malibu schools and our community as a leader of The Shark Fund, the emerging Malibu EducationFoundation, and the new Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts,” Kevin Keegan, president of the Malibu Parent Teacher Student Association shared with The Malibu Times a few days after the salon.

“Behind the scenes, Doug provides tireless input during school-related meetings and fundraising initiatives,” Keegan said, adding, “At school events — whether in the gym, on the quad, or in the theater — Doug is a dad often carrying his well-used camera and always flashing a reassuring smile as he cheers enthusiastically and provides the students with confident encouragement.”

“The bottom line is,” Keegan emphasized, “Doug understands the importance of parental involvement in students’educational experience and participates in an authentic and impactful way deserving of our admiration.” 

Karin Al-Hardan, chair of The Shark Fund, the fundraising arm of the PTSA, agreed wholeheartedly, saying, “Jolynn Regan had the vision of naming the Malibu High School theater after Dick Van Dyke for years, inspired by her experience working with him and the kids on the ‘Malibu’s Got Talent’ show.”

Al-Hardan connected with Regan and took the initiative to work with the school district and The Shark Fund board to assess the value and secure naming approval for the theater. Together, they developed the framework for the endowment.

Enter stage left, the ever-talented, energetic and inspirational DeLuca, who Al-Hardan said, “then stepped in as the driving force, assembling a world-class production team to create an unparalleled event for the city of Malibu, all to benefit the children of Malibu. Their combined efforts and collaborative spirit have made this dream a reality.”

The Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts will fund arts education across all four Malibu public schools and will launch at the event on the June 15, with a goal to raise $3 million for the endowment over the next few years to inspire generations of artists for years to come. For more information visit TheSharkFundMalibu.org. 

“Doug DeLuca is truly a force of nature!” Al-Hardan said, adding, “As part of the steering committee for the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts launch event on June 15, he has rallied a world-class production crew to produce an event and a cinema-quality video that will make ‘A Magical Afternoon with Dick &Arlene Van Dyke’ unforgettable.” 

With gratitude and admiration, Al-Hardan added,“Doug achieves all of this with a collaborative spirit, effortlessly bringing people together and fostering a sense of unity. His dedication and vision are invaluable to our cause, always focusing on creating a better experience for our kids and future generations. Doug is a kind, thoughtful human being,and a true Malibu gem!”

By Barbara Burke
Special to The Malibu Times

As locals prepare for the annual onslaught of millions of visitors during the summer months, Malibu businesses are rallying to attract beachgoers to their establishments, while wooing new local customers and endeavoring to keep their loyal local patrons.

Some of Malibu’s retail areas are in a significant state of flux, while one apparently continues to be in a state of limbo — James Perse, the major tenant in Malibu Lumber Yard, is apparently still negotiating with the City of Malibu regarding MLY’s need to lease enough of its space to locally owned businesses, as is required by the city’s formula retail ordinance, Malibu Municipal Code section 17.61.  

Yet another retail center has yet to open. Cross Creek Ranch, a 122,324-square-foot mixed-use property at 23465 Civic Center Way, continues its efforts to lease many square feet of commercial, restaurant, and office space. The Malibu Planning Commission has approved applications for two restaurant spaces at the new venue, according to Planning Commissioner John Mazza. Comprising 10 one-and-two-story buildings, the property contains 71,605 square feet of retail and 50,719 square feet of creative, modern office space.
In western Malibu, the Trancas Country Market is undergoing quite a transformation. A few months ago, locals vociferously bemoaned the closing of Trancas Canyon Nursery, a beloved source for plants and all things gardening.

However, when this reporter stopped by Vintage Grocers yesterday, the operators of the nursery were at the market as well and pulled me aside to announce gleefully, “We’ve just signed a one-year lease with the management – we’re not going anywhere!” Yaaayyyy!

However, it seems inevitable that when the vicissitudes of Malibu’s retail economy gives something that benefits locals, such as the nursery carrying on business, something else is taken away. True that at Trancas as we celebrate a business not disappearing from our commercial sector, we need only to walk around the retail center to see that other businesses have vacated their venues or soon will.

Malibu Meditations Journey has shuttered, leaving many loyal customers in the wellness space without a gathering place in western Malibu. We thought that Hiptique was going to close — there was a sign stating “closing sale” last week. However, fortunately, Hiptique is not closing. Rather, the proprietor of the store, which has graced Trancas for several years, is now having a remodeling sale and aims to increase the number of designers the upscale boutique will showcase. “Hiptique will have a new, refreshed look!” Christine Berardi exclaimed. Yaaay!

“Moving sale!” a sign exclaimed in front of Alicia Adams Alpaca store which is located next to Vintage. That business is not leaving Malibu. Rather, it is opening in Cross Creek next to John Varvatos and a staff person said it should be open for business by July 4.  

The empty space across from the candy store that once housed Hair, which shuttered during the pandemic, will serve as a pop-up for Cie Salon as it did last summer. Yaaay!

Malibu Music has expanded into the small space next to Nati and, according to its proprietor, Brad Boeckmann, the business will now offer music lessons and repair services, and carry more merchandise.

“I’m blown away by the selection of guitars — from vintage to new!” Sam Marshall of Malibu said as he finished looking over a beautiful guitar designed by the shop’s luthier, Mark Levitt. “They even take trade-ins!”
Boeckmann smiled broadly and responded, “Levitt’s guitars are Western-themed and are all fashioned out of wood from forests in Los Angeles County!”

What else does Boeckmann have planned for the Malibu Music Store? “Locals are invited to listen to Rock Stallion perform on June 29, and our store manager, Wolf Gemora, is planning more activities,” he said.

Despite the new developments at Trancas, the retail center has a significant amount of vacant space, including the sizable venue where the Wells Fargo used to be located.

Vacancies also bedevil Pt. Dume Village, which recently shuttered two restaurants operated by Wilfredo Barrera, proprietor of the popular eatery Tramonto Bistro in central Malibu. “The permitting for the second business that Wilfredo was opening, Ju Ju Kitchen, just took way, way too long and, unfortunately, he couldn’t make it.” Mazza said.

Whatever the impetus for the two restaurants closing on the cusp of Malibu’s busy summer season, the presence of vacant restaurant spaces in Pt. Dume have left many Malibuites to shake their heads in dismay and wonder aloud, “Why in the world couldn’t the landlord and Wilfredo find a way to keep his two venues open?”

The sizable vacancy ratio at the Village is exacerbated by the fact that the six commercial suites that have been carved out of the old bank space remain unoccupied. Moreover, just the other day, locals took to social media lamenting that Dume Plaza Pharmacy, a business that had not reshelved inventory in several months, has shuttered its doors.  

In central Malibu, some retail centers also continue to endure significant vacancies, most notably Malibu Colony Plaza, where another bank has vacated its venue and spaces between that former bank location and Subway have been empty for years. On the upside, the relatively newly opened Zinque seems to be taking off successfully, somehow arriving at that sweet spot for Malibu business viability where locals and visitors alike patronize the place. Ollo is now under new ownership, with a new chef and a menu that has new offerings while retaining many locals’ favorites.

Other retail centers in Malibu are almost leased, which is true for Malibu Country Mart, which is expecting to have Scott’s Kitchen soon open in the space where Malibu Kitchen was located for years.

The Park at Cross Creek is fully leased and, to attract business from locals as well as visitors, one of its newest venues, Prince Street Pizza is employing a timeless wonderfully successful — and always wonderfully appreciated strategy — they are giving back to the community.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu and Prince Street Pizza Malibu have teamed up once again for a youth pizza design contest and are thrilled to announce the launch of the ‘Sunshine Surprise Pizza!’” Prince Street announced on June 7. “This delightful vegan creation is by Violette G, a BGCM kindergartener and the winner of the most recent pizza pie competition. We invite the community to try Violette’s pizza throughout the summer. Twenty percent of each purchase of this specialty-designed pizza will support BGCM’s mental health services and educational initiatives for youth.”  

One need only utter the word “pizza” to get this writer’s attention! No self-respecting journalist would forego the chance to find out for herself if all the representations about that pizza are true!  

The vegan pizza that little Violette has created is very tasty, with a gluten-free crust with marinara, vegan cheese, mushrooms, peppers, and banana peppers. Sometimes, something comparatively small such as a business offering to donate some proceeds from a sale to a local philanthropic organization, goes a long way toward endearing locals to patronize a local establishment.

Whatever the efforts that local businesses exert, one thing is for sure — while local establishments make hay while the sun shines — literally and figuratively, they rely on locals to sustain themselves in the long run.

The CalNonprofit initiative allows each state legislator to honor an organization in their district

By Barbara Burke

Special to The Malibu Times

“Empowering students to thrive.” That is the goal — and impressively, the achievement — of Malibu’s Emily Shane Foundation, an accomplishment recognized by California State Senator Ben Allen, who has named the foundation as a California Nonprofit of the Year at a celebratory luncheon at the state capitol on California Nonprofits Day, Wednesday, June 5. The prestigious honor acknowledges the foundation’s empowering underserved middle school students through personalized academic tutoring and mentorship.

“I served on the school board when we tragically lost Emily Shane 14 years ago on Pacific Coast Highway,” Allen stated.“That Ellen and Michel have been able to turn that unthinkable loss into such a powerful force for good is commendable and inspiring.” 

Allen elaborated, stating, “The data is clear: students served by the foundation’s individualized tutoring and mentorship programs are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college and less likely to miss school or turn to illegal substance use. I am pleased to honor Emily’s legacy by recognizing this life-changing work.”

The CalNonprofit of the Year initiative, now in its ninth year, allows each California state legislator to honor a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The foundation is one of more than 100 other honorees recognized by state senators and assembly members for their exceptional contributions to their communities. 

CalNonprofits, the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, sponsors the program in partnership with the state senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector.

“It is our hope that this recognition will amplify our mission and garner the support needed to continue Emily’s legacy,” Ellen Shane, director of the foundation said. “Every child deserves the chance to succeed in middle school and beyond. May this honor be a stimulus to ensure a positive future for those we serve.” 

To learn more about the Emily Shane Foundation and its impressively impactful work, which strives to achieve educational equity and student success, go to www.emilyshane.org.

Arts endowment set up in couple’s honor 

Accolades are piling up for Malibu’s beloved Dick Van Dyke, who just made history as the oldest nominee and now winner of a Daytime Emmy Award. On Saturday, June 15, Dick and his cherished wife Arlene will be feted as Malibu High School names its theater after the esteemed couple while raising money for an endowment in their honor.

Jolynn Regan, co-president of Arts Angels, recalled that back in 2018 when the current senior class was in eighth grade, they performed the musical “Mary Poppins.”  

“Mr. Van Dyke was kind enough to rehearse with them,” Regan said. “He and Arlene really helped the kids.” 

When the Van Dykes attended one of the performances he got up on stage and sang the memorable “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” with the children.

“It was this beautiful moment and you could see his love for the arts and kids! He is so joyful,” Regan reminisced.  

In 2019, Van Dyke returned to MHS to emcee a talent showcase. “All the arts were represented at the show, including band, choir, orchestra and other artists,” Regan said.

It was at that time that Regan, watching the joy on Van Dyke’s face, blurted out, “Why is there not a theater in Malibu named after the Van Dykes?” 

Regan recounted Dick’s reaction, “He being a humble guy that he is said, ‘Oh, gosh, well I don’t know. That would just be amazing.’ He was so sweet about it.”

Regan, along with Arts Angels and Shark Fund parents, embarked on a mission to honor Dick and Arlene, who are both passionate about arts education for youngsters. Not only will the MHS theater be named for the couple, but a $3 million endowment is being set up and managed by the Shark Fund specifically for arts education.

The goal is for the endowment to help fund various programs at all four Malibu public schools: Webster, Malibu Elementary, and Malibu Middle and High School. The Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts “will fund everything — supplies, coaches, uniforms, music, rights to music — and that will go on as long as funds are coming in,” Regan said. “We hope forever and ever.”

The Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater name will transfer to the new Malibu High School campus currently under construction. “It’s a beautiful large facility,” according to Regan, who added that seats can be named and dedicated andthose too will transfer to the new arts center.

Recounting his time rehearsing with the local students, a cheerful Van Dyke, who’s been at the top of the entertainment world for an extraordinary eight decades, remarked, “I love to direct kids. They’re so responsive and they’re so anxious to learn that it’s just fun doing it.” 

“It’s a great honor to have Arlene along, the both of us,” Van Dyke said of his devoted wife of more than 12 years. “It’s just something I never would have expected.”

Arlene remarked she’s proud “to be recognized as a couple in the arts and to be a part of the Malibu community.” The singer and biggest Dick Van Dyke supporter added, “Public schools all around the country and around the world are not being funded. They’re not being prioritized as important. I think the arts are just as important as math, science, history and [people] make better human beings when they have an art background.” 

Dick elaborated, “some schools have dropped their arts program altogether, particularly theater. It’s such good training for kids for their composure and self-confidence to get up on the stage. It’s part of their education and we’re going to do a lot of that.”  

Dick Van Dyke’s stage work, particularly in musicals like his Tony-Award winning performance in “Bye Bye Birdie,” cemented his reputation as a versatile and talented performer. His ability to transition seamlessly among television, film, and stage and his longevity in the entertainment world have won him legions of fans across the globe. Van Dyke’s iconic performances in the classic “Mary Poppins” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” continue to endear him to millions. 

In high school in Danville, Illinois, Dick recounted, he was “in every performance,” attributing that in part to the theater’s lack of a sound system. “I was the one who had a voice that would carry to the back of the theater and was taller than all the girls so I got all the parts.” The Danville auditorium is now named The Dick Van Dyke Auditorium, but at MHS, there will be The Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater and the humble performer is “over the moon” about it.

Tickets are still available for the June 15 gala to be hosted by Jason Alexander at Malibu High School with performances by Melissa Manchester and a host of celebrities, all to benefit the Van Dykes’ endowment and to honor the couple. Regan extended “a huge thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to make this event so amazing.” 

Although Dick has not been announced as a performer, Arlene hinted that “when there’s a stage, a spotlight and music …” As her words hung in the air, the couple happily laughed.

Council OKs the Malibu Set Aside Funds and Malibu Film Society’s proposal to screen films at City Hall

During the Malibu City Council meeting on Monday night, June 10, the city announced its upcoming Community Launch event on Thursday, June 27, at 5 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park. The city has convened a focus group of residents, Pepperdine students, and law enforcement partners to formulate a campaign that targets the driving behaviors while empowering its residents that set the standard for driving in Malibu. 

“We’re very excited about this launch and we hope the community comes out to share in this effort,” Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown said. “We are making a long term commitment as a city, we’re looking at more of a three yeartype campaign that’s going to work to effectuate the change and behaviors on PCH in Malibu.”

To start off the meeting, speakers and some commissioners, shared their concerns on the difficulty of attending in-person meetings such as the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Commission meetings.

Public Works Chair Jo Drummond provided a report on the Public Works and Public Safety joint commission meeting last Wednesday. They discussed all the new public safety public works projects along PCH. Drummond provided the items discussed: 

• New westbound right-hand turn lane into Trancas will take only a couple months once the bridge is completed by Caltrans
• PCH raised median improvements complete from John Tyler to Cross Creek — notice all the nice plantings between Cross Creek and Webb Way
• Measure R funds to be used on the las Flores and Rambla Pacifico new safer intersection 
• Moon shadows beacon and crosswalk in the works start design early Fall  
• More PCH raised medians funded for Paradise Cove and Zuma Beach
• Measure R funds ready for new pedestrian under crossing at Malibu Seafood and Corral Beach
• Measure R funds objective to make PCH a smart corridor from Topanga Canyon to John Tyler
• CCTV poles being erected this week — so signals can be controlled by Caltrans — with anticipated completion date in December 2024 
• Installed 23,000 feet of conduit to date
• Traffic signal poles are approved to install 
• Protected left-turn lane proposed for John Tyler Drive at PCH to accommodate more left turns and reduce conflicts between oncoming traffic
• Upgrade the pedestrian beacon to a full pedestrian signal at La Costa
• Beach access pedestrian crosswalk near Carbon Beach East with U-turn available there contemplated 
• The implementation of red light enforcement cameras at: 1. Malibu Canyon 2. Webb Way 3. La Costa Beach Club 4. Rambo’s Pacifico 5. Las Flores and likely adding one at Big Rock.
• Speed detection systems will be installed so that when someone speeds, the next light will turn red to stop themand slow them down. 
• PCH districts — residential — business district from Surfrider Beach Inn to Carbon Beach.
• PCH Master Plan from McClure Tunnel to Mugu Rock Public Works and Public Safety June 26 — 5 p.m. in person, but video will be available so the public can watch — master plan by December — kickoff to provide comments and feedback 
• Major Capital Improvement Projects. Current ones: McClure Tunnel to Cross Creek, 2027 — Cross Creek to Mugu will be completed this year or next year.

After commissioner updates, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided an update on the crime and traffic for the month of May.

Year to date, there were 158 part-one crimes, a negative 7.6 percent decrease in crime compared to last year.

Soderlund said 25 out of 34 part-one crimes were burglary or theft-related. 

“It’s a good reminder to lock your doors, hide your valuables, don’t be an easy target,” Soderlund said. 

Soderlund also mentioned the speed chase that occurred in Malibu on June 6.

“The CHP (California Highway Patrol) officer initiated the pursuit and requested our (LASD) assistance, and while we were trying to catch up to the pursuit, the suspect crashed near Cross Creek and got out and took off running on foot, the CHP officer ran after him and was able to take him into custody and he was a parole at large who did not want to go back to prison … which he is going back to now.” 

The City Council approved the Malibu Library Set Aside Funds for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Charmlee Wilderness Park Nature Center.

The five councilmembers unanimously voted to approve the repair and maintenance of the Charmlee Nature Center and name it after Walt and Lucile Keller.  

Drummond was in support of the repairs and said adults and children of all ages would enjoy the Nature Center.

“Walt and Lucile are treasures of the community that need to be honored in some way and this naming of the nature center is most appropriate,” Drummond said. “I wish all this could have happened while Walt, Malibu’s first mayor, was alive, but Lucile is still here and it would be a nice memory for the two of them who loved wildlife, nature, and inspired the instructor led hikes there and helped this be an important acquisition during cityhood. But please get it back into shape so it can be opened as soon as possible.”

The last item on the agenda was the proposal from the Malibu Film Society Requesting Waived Facility Use Fees for Screenings at City Hall. The council approved the proposal. 

The next City Council meeting is on Monday, June 24 at the Council Chambers.

The city is conducting a robust outreach and engagement program to collect feedback from every part of the community, representing as many people and views as possible. Nearly 100 community-shared ideas and discussed the future of Malibu’s five vacant properties (totaling more than 61 acres) at the first meeting for the Malibu Community Lands Project on May 21. 

Save the date for the upcoming community lands meetings

• Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m., location TBD. 

For more information, including the dates for future meetings, the link to the survey, and background information, visit the project website at malibucommunitylands.org.