All lanes of PCH are shut down at Cross Creek Rd due to a vehicle vs pedestrian fatal traffic collision. Unknown ETA, use alternate route.
More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Compromise in Congress is a welcome concept — but at what cost?
By Don Schmitz
Compromise in the legislative process is important, and we used to be better at it in America. Over the last few decades, Congress has grown increasingly gridlocked along party lines, with both parties more interested in partisan gain rather than doing the people’s work.
Legislative gridlock has doubled in the last 65 years. The 80th Congress in 1948 passed legislation on 70 percent of their significant issues, but the 112th Congress in 2012 passed only 29 percent of their major items, according to the Brookings Institute. In 2023, the 118th Congress passed the fewest bills in modern history.
It is true that things are more partisan gridlocked today than historically, but what happened? Polarization between the parties, which is reflective of the polarization of the American people, is the obvious catalyst for this trend. Although America enjoyed a political center in the ’50s, polarized politics has historically been the norm for our country. In fact, there are many who believe the less that Congress does to spend money and pass more regulations, the better.
Take, for example, the $1.2 trillion spending bill Congress passed this weekend. It averts a government shutdown, which is proper, funding 70 percent of the government until September. It was passed by the House 286-134, with more Democratic votes than Republicans. Many Republicans voted no, as did some Democrats. Nothing wrong with that, it is the legislative debate process in action. However, the spending bill is unfunded, fueling the deficit runaway train ballooning a debt that is bankrupting our country. We are currently $35 trillion in debt, which is 129 percent of our GDP. Interest on the debt will cost us $870 billion this year, larger than the entire defense budget of $822 billion. On our current spending path, we will be $54.39 trillion in debt by 2034.
According to the University of Pennsylvania, on this current path without painful corrective measures like huge tax increases and spending cuts in programs in the next few years, the United States will default on its debt. Our economy, and the world economy, will crash. Even without that cataclysmic outcome, fixing this will certainly mean draconian cuts in federal programs, and tax increases on the already struggling middle class. Strident calls are already being made to increase taxes on corporations which currently taxed at a global average. Of course, corporations simply pass on their costs to consumers, spiking our cost of living, and over-taxing them means they leave America for other countries more business-friendly. It’s a helluva thing that we are doing to our children and grandchildren.
Fiscal conservatives, of which there are very few in either party, are furious at this spending bill. Actually, there are only 10 “Blue Dog” Democrats of the 218 in the house that take a fiscally responsible balanced budget position, while many Republicans talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. Everyone else is giving each other high fives and congratulatory back-slapping for not shutting down the government via this spending bill. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to kick out. the Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, because he didn’t demand more spending cuts, although she left out a component that would have required a vote within two days. It was a symbolic shot across the bows.
I’m no fan of Rep. Greene, who has threatened a “national divorce” over our current path. Anyone who suggests succession is my avowed enemy, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. I don’t believe in refusing to compromise on legislation, but what is a principled elected official to do when they see unending deficit spending bankrupting our children? Some have concluded that they cannot in good conscience vote for more debt. Some politicians, and many voters, albeit not close to a majority, have concluded that it would be preferable to stop funding the government with deficit spending bills and require it to run off the billions in taxes it already receives monthly, without borrowing more money. Some are willing to play the part of spoilers and take the heat for not compromising and being “bipartisan.” Although it has shaped up to be the Republicans demanding cutting the deficit, the aforementioned hard line shouldn’t be a partisan issue, unless Democrats want to admit that they don’t care about the debt. Is it truly partisan gridlock to demand that we don’t bankrupt our children? Yes it is, because the fiscal hawks want deeper “cuts” than those agreed to by President Joe Biden and then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last May. That agreement was bipartisan. But the cuts weren’t in spending, they were cuts in the growth of spending. The feds deficit spending in February alone was $296 billion, in just one month. Legislative compromise is laudable, but not when it constitutes national suicide.
Letter to the Editor: Why can some property owners violate ALL the rules with no consequence?
Dear Editor,
Malibu is pretty good about strictly enforcing code violations … so why is it a “normal” property owner can’t even build a small 10×10 deck without jumping through hoops of fire, yet the folks at Surf Canyon on 3728, 3730, 3738, and 3800 Cross Creek Road (right next to the environmentally sensitive Malibu Creek) can literally violate every code in the book and get away with it?
Dozens of illegal shipping containers (some housing illegal businesses): Check! Ramshackle old illegal trailers, buses, and lean-to’s: Check! Bootleg utilities to those illegal buildings and containers installed by Malibu’s own Skylar Peak with no permits: Check! (there are witnesses who saw his truck there during the installation of a high voltage line for a kiln — and they are prepared to testify). An entire huge building put up without one single permit during COVID: Check! Illegal parties: Check! An illegal bar in one of the trailers without a liquor permit: Check!
Illegal agriculture next to the creek: Check! Illegal grading next to the creek: Check! Chopping down old growth sycamores: Check! Zero safety inspections or ADA compliance or restroom facilities: Check!
Any single one of these issues would cause major repercussions for a “normal” Malibu property owner, yet somehow the Surf Canyon owners get a free pass and I want to know why? This property was cited in 2020 by the Coastal Commission and issued removal orders for the shipping containers, yet the containers are still there (and have multiplied). Why, Malibu? We need answers and fair application of code enforcement to everybody!
Tracy Wentworth, Malibu
From the Left: Principle and Process Over Politics
By Lance Simmens
Six months ago, Congressman Kevin McCarthy was unceremoniously relieved of his position as Speaker of the House. Now Speaker Mike Johnson is in the sights of angry Republicans who are similarly flirting with relieving him of his duties as well. There is an intra-party divide within the GOP that threatens to open a pathway to relinquishing either practical or de facto political control to Democrats.
At present there is about to be a one-vote margin of error that threatens either relinquishing power or total legislative paralysis. Either capitulation is unacceptable and compromise is the order of the day, especially in matters of grave international consequence, i.e., Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, or the southern border.
Chief among critics of compromise is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, who has filed a resolution with the House clerk known as a motion to vacate, which was so successfully engineered to oust former speaker McCarthy. Assuming that all 213 Democrats in the House will vote and they pick up either two or more votes from the Republican side the GOP could lose effective control of the policy agenda, or even loss of control of the House.
While Greene did not force the resolution to be taken up immediately and Congress is currently on a two-week recess she has let it be known “we’ve started the clock to start the process to elect a new speaker.”
The mere mention that potentially such chaotic maneuvering could result in loss of the House is enough to send shivers into the spines of House veterans, but it reflects the degree to which our democratic functions of governing have been practically eviscerated by the obstinance with which the divisions among the party in power have opened the door for a historical reorganization of policy and process.
The potential for ousting two Speakers within the six months would be something that Capitol Hill veterans would shudder to think of. The degree to which adherence to bipartisanship in the formulation and implementation of important legislation is a time-honored practice that allows for, if not speedy change, then at least steady progress.
Not only have we veered away from decorum and adherence to respect for differences and the need to work across the aisle in order to make even the most minimal progress but we have seemingly lost respect and insight into the huge role that compromise plays in our democratic structure. I worked on and with the Hill for over two decades and learned to appreciate the debate and give-and-take that was required in order to reach consensus.
My Capitol Hill experience allowed me to witness both the difficulty of negotiating difficult decisions and the need to allow room for realizing when to exercise creativity that allows for reaching consensus that is not optimal but acceptable. There is always time to fight another day.
I would like to offer two instances where I have found courage to prevail on potentially critical policy making and even though I am writing from the left, both examples involved key Republican senators.
On March 25, 1986, an amendment to the Constitution calling for a mandatory balanced federal budget was being debated on the Senate floor under the guise of Senate Joint Resolution 225. The proposed resolution would require passage by two-thirds of the Senate. Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, cast a vote in opposition to the legislation, the only Republican to do so and the legislation failed 66-34, falling one vote short of the two-thirds needed.
At the time, I was budget counsel to Senator Jim Sasser (D-Tenn.) on the Senate Budget Committee, and I had not been able to persuade my boss to vote against the legislation. However, as I sat on the floor and watched the vote fall short by one vote, I was overtaken by pride that took this important act of courage. As the senator was leaving the floor, I introduced myself, shook his hand, and told him while a Democrat I was awed by the courage he exercised that day. He looked me in the eyes and said “Thank you very much, that means a lot to me.”
The other instance I watched from afar, and it involved Arizona Senator John McCain, who cast the deciding vote against legislation that would have effectively repealed Obamacare. McCain explained that it was a matter of principle, and he objected to the process by which the bill made its way to the floor.
“We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of the aisle, heed the recommendations of nation’s governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people,” he said. “We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.”
Two profiles in courage where politics took a backseat to principle and process, the benchmarks for sound policy making. We need more examples of bipartisanship, compromise, and consensus rather than political saber rattling. The need for profiles in courage is needed now more than ever.
For locals, by locals: Surf Canyon
Heirs of Malibu pioneer family breathe new life into their parcel by celebrating artisans, creativity and community
By Barbara Burke
Special to The Malibu Times
“This is more what I thought Malibu would be like, with businesses based on talent and passion more than franchises and corporations.” Malibuite Darlene Dubray said as she walked through Surf Canyon, a parcel of land with Anawalts as the anchor tenant located right before one enters Serra Retreat across from the Park at Cross Creek.
The property has undergone an inspiring and exciting renaissance.
“We’ve had the property in our family since 1892 — my great, great grandfather was Frederick H. Rindge — and we are zoned for commercial uses,” owner Greg London said. “The city supports what we are doing and now we are working on obtaining proper permits for some events we want to host for the community.”
Longtime Malibu resident Don Maclay, who currently serves on the Public Works Commission, was a member of a team of dedicated residents who helped to found the City of Malibu. Maclay has great institutional knowledge concerning the status of commercial properties that date back to before cityhood in 1991 such as Surf Canyon.
“The very first thing the new city did was to form a bunch of advisory committees,” Maclay said. “Walt Keller, Malibu’s first mayor, appointed me and a lot of attorneys to a committee that considered matters concerning parcels with existing uses during the early cityhood era. The committee was called the General Plan Task Force.”
Maclay provided The Malibu Times with a legal opinion authored by former City of Malibu Attorney Christi Hogan explaining that the intent of those who founded the City of Malibu was that parcels that existed prior to cityhood would not conform with the new city’s design and build standards were allowed to keep their properties in the same condition as they were before cityhood
Over the years, London’s parcel housed an automotive store — many residents may recall getting their vehicles repaired by Kelly Higgins at Malibu Auto — as well as by various offices for contractors and other businesses and storage units. At one time, the City of Malibu’s Public Works Department was housed on the premises.
The Vision — A community of artisans and creatives
Greg London explains that he, his wife, Brigitte, and their team “had an intention to curate a beautiful space filled with amazing people who will contribute to Surf Canyon and to Malibu.”
He added, “We want people who will really be local and who will be here every day. It’s a community based on love, compassion, and trust.” 
London noted that he is using his background in real estate and his urban planning degree as he and the team strive to “Help Surf Canyon awaken.”
He explained. “It was already here — it just needed a lot of energy and new designs.”
As one tours the property, she enjoys gorgeous courtyard spaces and embracing landscape areas between various cool, creative spaces.
From Ikebani to Basque spices, Surf Canyon delights
On any given day, guests who enter Kenzan can find Samadhi Bishop and her partner, Vaughn Glover arranging gorgeous flowers at their shop.
“We do a lot of curating with galleries designing floral arrangements and elements that complement exhibiting artists’ works,” Bishop says, noting that Kenzan’s works are on show at Jac Forbes Gallery in Cross Creek. “We also provide floral arrangements for events, weddings, and to decorate home interiors.”
Bishop explained that Kenzan specializes in Ikebana, a Japanese style of arranging flowers. The word means “making flowers alive,” and for one who is immersed in Kenzan, that is the sense the space provides.
“There are hardly any Ikebana florists in Southern California,” Bishop, a native of Oahu, said. “We also help with sonic architecture and we curate music for events as well.”
Bishop’s melodic voice is welcoming, evincing that she is also a very talented musician. Readers are invited to visit Kenzan from Wednesday to Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: (213) 322-5499.
Next door is one cool, hip place — the headquarters for the latest, greatest in organic beers — Rancho West, founded in Malibu. When visitors stop by, Jason Thompson and Donnie Eichar will chat with folks and explain why their slogan is “Organic never tasted so beer.” No secrets were divulged to Malibu Times, but the hops that are used may have something to do with it — the non-alcoholic beer is brewed with Chinook and Perle Hops and the brand’s West Coast IPA is brewed with citra, amarillo, and cascade and is dry hopped with citra and amarillo.
To sample the beer, readers need to visit various stores, such as Vintage Grocery in Malibu, or BevMo or Erewhon nearby, or they can enjoy a brew at local establishments, including Duke’s, Malibu Farm, and Dreamland. To learn more about the beer created where the ranch meets the sea, readers can visit @ranchowestbeer or call (323) 433-5533 for more information.
One cannot leave Surf Canyon without visiting chef and entrepreneur Sebastien Pourrat’s Casita Basqueria, if for no other reason than to get her hands on his adds-just-the-perfect-flavor-to-every-dish Basqueria Coastal Table Espelette salt, a Maldon Sea salt with espelette peppers. The little shop also features cooking tools and an impressive array of Le Creuset cookware, as well as imported starters for making delicious paella and other herbs.
“Sebastian is an original who understands the simplicity of great taste,” said Larry Thorne, a third-generation Malibu farmer who has a weekly farmers market in Malibu where Sebastian sells his proprietary espellette salt and herbs as well as his very popular breakfast burritos.
“Two rivers of culinary influence — French and Basque — make for delicious surprises.” Thorne declared.
“If we want small businesses in Malibu that serve the community, they cannot thrive in our larger retail centers,” London said, as our tour ended. “That’s because the price per square foot demanded in those centers makes entering into businesses here in Malibu an unfair fight. Nobody can make a small business work at $15 to $20 a square foot.”
Pausing quite soberly, London added, “Malibu had lost her heart and if there is no place for the community to gather and locals to be comfortable, we would lose the fundamental core of what a community is all about.”
Environmental Sustainability Director Yolanda Bundy recognized by City Council
The LA County Fire Brigade Program, involving seven pilot communities, makes presentation
To start off the Malibu City Council meeting on Monday, Environmental Sustainability Director Yolanda Bundy was recognized for receiving an award from the Los Angeles Basin Section Supervisor of the Year Award from the California Water Environment Association.
Mayor Steve Uhring presented the award to Bundy.
“I couldn’t do this without my staff and just being a part of the team,” Bundy said. “This has been a great blessing, so thank you.”
For public comment, Community Brigade Chairman and CEO Brad Woodworth and Director of Operations Keegan Gibbs provided an update on the Los Angeles County Fire Brigade Program in Malibu.
“The Community Brigade Program is a monumental change in how fire departments work with the community,” Woodworth said.
The seven pilot communities involved in the program include: Malibu West, County Line, Point Dume, Corral Canyon, Big Rock, Topanga Canyon, and Hidden Hills.
The presentation included a brief overview of the communities, engagement roles, pre-incidents, during an incident, post incident, and how it empowers our communities.
“A really interesting stat that I don’t think most people know is during Woolsey, 250,000 people were evacuated and in the first 36 hours there was 2,000 911 calls, and in that first 36 hours, there was 200 fire engines, and you may think that’s not enough, but that’s probably the best response you’ll get anywhere in the world — probably by far,” Gibbs said. “So 250,000 people evacuated, 2,000 911 calls, 200 engines, that is a stat that exposes the gap between agency and community that we’re hoping this brigade solves.”
Councilmembers shared similar remarks on the importance of the fire brigade program.
“I’m really grateful that you’re taking this and expanding this and running with it, and I would urge any resident of Malibu or any of the surrounding neighborhoods who are in an area that’s going to be served by this, to look into joining the group,” Councilmember Paul Grisanti said. “It’ll make you feel much better about what’s going on in your neighborhood when the wind starts blowing.”
Malibu resident and film producer Michel Shane attended the meeting to ask the council for their support for his film “21 Miles in Malibu.”
Shane has been at every press conference in regards to the accident that took the lives of four Pepperdine students as well as the recent White Tire memorial that occurred on Feb. 26 and the most recent City Council meeting on March 11 to continue his advocacy for not only the film but also the message behind the film, the education.
City Manager Steve McClary provided an update on the current weather conditions, road closures, and the cities projects regarding safety on PCH.
McClary also wanted to remind the community about the upcoming events such as the 24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at Malibu Bluffs Park (24250 Pacific Coast Highway).
The event will feature Native American tribal ceremonies, dances, and special guest performances. Twenty Native American artisan vendors will have merchandise for sale including: jewelry, flutes, moccasins, beading accessories, leatherworks, pottery, dream catchers, and more. Food will be available for purchase from Bison Burger, Drizzle, Gostosas Thrill from Brazil, Rice Balls of Fire, Salt ‘N Pepper, and Tropic Truck.
McClary also reminded the community about an upcoming workshop with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG). Speakers will be experts about how California is addressing the homeowner insurance crisis and how you can navigate the tools to help you get coverage for fires, floods, and earthquakes. The workshop will be on Thursday, April 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided an update on the traffic, the recent incidents on PCH, and an update from the incident that involved Pepperdine cross-country students who shared their experience of being harassed by a homeless individual in Malibu.
“Deputies located that suspect waiting for a bus here in Malibu and arrested that suspect, and the DA filed felony criminal threats against the suspect, so he’s currently in LA County jail with a pending court day in April,” Soderlund said.
Soderlund said the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station participated in the Baker to Vegas, an annual running tournament.
“Our team came in 19th out of 32 in our category; we ran it in 17 hours, 43 minutes and 27 seconds,” Soderlund said. “There were 258 teams overall that participated in it, and the NYPD won this.”
Soderlund said he ran 8.2 miles at a 7:22 mph pace.
For council reports, Uhring asked the city for an update on the Malibu Lumber Yard and the retail issues.
“What did we do, what did we find out, and what are we going to do to fix it,” Uhring said.
Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown presented Ordinance No. 516 to Amend Malibu Municipal Code 2.04.030 and Modify the Official Holidays of the City of Malibu. The item would adopt Juneteenth as a city holiday and instituting a Winter closure and amending the definition of holiday in Malibu Municipal Code.
Uhring asked if there was an update on the city’s recruitment and retention.
“After the Winter closure, staff was more refreshed and ready to come back more motivated and definitely more engaged in their day-to-day work,” Brown said. “Overall, what comes out of that is the residents benefit from a higher level of customer service, higher efficiency, and more engaged staff in terms of accomplishing projects, so that’s how this translates to that initiative. We are doing an overhaul in continuously look to come up with innovative ways to recruit and retain staff.”
Bundy presented an update on the Developer Fee Program for the Benefit of the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County. The council adopted the program.
Councilmember Marianne Riggins thanked Cayley Jenner for her service and appointed Jake Lingo to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
“I think he’s going to bring a lot of really exciting energy to the commission and to our community as it relates to Parks and Rec facilities,” Riggins said.
The short meeting ended around 8 p.m. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for April 8 at the Council Chambers.
Malibu residents run roads in L.A. Marathon
Former Malibu Times contributor has run in all 39 editions of the event
Seventeen Malibuites jaunted through the streets of Los Angeles in the 39th Los Angeles Marathon on March 17.
They were among the 26,000 participants from all 50 U.S. states and over 70 countries that ran from Dodger Stadium to Century City’s Avenue of the Stars. It was the second-largest field in the marathon’s history.
The Malibu residents that laced up their sneakers to run in the 26.2-mile race, which is one of the marathon racing word’s signature events, included Aja Frierson, 37; Ani Dermenjian, 57; Branch Shubin, 21; Chandler Parr, 31; Darcy Rose, 33; Dashiell Ross, 33; Giana Fote, 31; Jacob Watt, 21; James El-Deiry, 23; Jonathan Koo, 21; Linnea Nelson-Sandall, 22; Mary Hawkins, 80; Nicole MacDonald, 23; Rick Wallace, 66; Robert Calfas, 74; Sarah Fischbach, 45; and Tyson Park, 82.
Wallace is a Legacy Runner, a group of 95 individuals who have wheeled, walked, or run to the finish line in every L.A. Marathon since its inception in 1986. Wallace, a former Malibu Times contributor retired from real estate, and the Legacy Runners, all between the ages of 54 to 87, passed their 1,000th mile in the marathon at mile 4 in the most recent edition of the race.
“It was pretty cool,” Wallace noted.
Wallace finished the marathon in 6 hours, 19 minutes, and 18 seconds, which is his slowest time ever in the event. He knew he wouldn’t put on his best performance in the race, though, because he was injured for a couple of months last fall. He only did five runs of 13 or more miles ahead this year’s Los Angeles’ running spectacle.
“I knew it would be my first race over six hours,” Wallace said. “Its grueling. It really gets harder. I came out of it pretty well. I didn’t have pressure on myself. All my experience helped. I knew exactly what was going to happen.”
Fischbach completed the marathon in 2:20.38. Ross, Parr, Watt, El-Deiry, Koo, MacDonald, and Calfas all finished between four and five hours. Park crossed the finish line in 5:37.14. Frierson, Rose, Nelson-Sandall, Hawkins, and Dermenjian completed the marathon in north of six hours.
The race’s route gave marathoners a running view of various Los Angeles areas and landmarks including Brentwood, Little Tokyo, Art Deco L.A. City Hall, and Hollywood.
Over 200,000 spectators lined the route and cheered the runners on.
Kenyans finished in the top two spots in the men’s field and the top spot in women’s field. Dominic Ngeno won the men’s race in 2:11:00 and Stacy Ndiwa won the women’s race in for the second straight year in 2:25:28.97. Cosmas Kiplimo was second in the men’s race with a time of 2:11:05.55. Belarus’ Volha Mazuronak’s time of 2:25:48.65 snagged her second place in the women’s field.
Wallace plans on participating in the 40th edition of the marathon in 2025.
“I don’t see an end,” he said. “I still have the option to do a lot more walking. Half of the Legacy Runners are walking the course.”
Calendar for the week of March 28
THU., MARCH 28
PARENT AND ME MUSIC CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND
Little ones are invited to join Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Thursday, March 28, from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond. Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/pages/workshops?event-id=23280.
THURS, MARCH 28
SHAMROCK LUNCHEON AT THE SENIOR CENTER
Join the City of Malibu for the Malibu Senior Center’s Shamrock’n luncheon on Thursday, March 28, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be catered by Brent’s Deli, and entertainment will be provided by the O’Connor School of Irish Dancing. Pre-registration is required. Maximum 70 participants.
SUN, MARCH 31
SUNDAY SERVICE AT MALIBU PACIFIC CHURCH
Celebrate Easter Sunday at Malibu Pacific Church at 9 or 11 a.m. as it offers a moment of spiritual renewal and heartfelt worship, reflecting the hope and joy of the season. Immerse yourself in uplifting music, inspiring life-change messages, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everybody and every story that embodies the essence of Easter’s promise. Also join the church for their annual EasterFest on Sunday, March 31, from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. Enjoy a delightful brunch, bounce houses for endless fun, a petting zoo that promises smiles, balloon artists creating whimsical shapes, an artisan coffee cart for your caffeine fix, and a variety of crafts for all ages. There’s more in store, ensuring a memorable day for the entire family and did we mention … EasterFest is FREE!
* Malibu’s LARGEST Egg Hunts will be at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at 3324 Malibu Canyon Road, Malibu.
SUN, MARCH 31
EASTER SUNDAY AT MALIBU UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Join the Malibu United Methodist Church for Palm Sunday Worship on Easter Sunday, March 31, Sunrise Service on Zuma Beach, 6:30 a.m.; (if it rains on Sunday, service will will be at church 30128 Morning View Drive) Worship Service in the Sanctuary, 10:30 a.m.; Children’s Program during Worship, 10:30 a.m; and Egg Hunt, at 11:30 a.m.
THURS, APRIL 4
WILDFIRE AND DISASTER INSURANCE ONLINE TOWN HALL
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) will host an online town hall meeting to discuss wildfire and disaster insurance on Thursday, April 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Hear from the experts about how California is addressing the homeowner insurance crisis and how you can navigate the tools to help you get coverage for fires, floods and earthquakes. Free with RSVP. Register for the Zoom event at us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9OLNwviLQ8CGfdzJJB6kMQ#/registration.
SAT, APRIL 6
MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS: SPRING FLING
This showcase of art is inspired and curated by local artists. It is a wonderful opportunity to be enlightened, inspired and purchase new artwork for your collection! At the Malibu Bungalows on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free to attend. Please register in advance to display art.
SAT, APRIL 6 AND APRIL 7
24TH ANNUAL CHUMASH DAY POWWOW AND INTERNATIONAL GATHERING AT MALIBU BLUFFS PARK
The City of Malibu will host the 24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering at Malibu Bluffs Park (24250 Pacific Coast Highway) on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. The community is encouraged to attend the festive cultural celebration honoring Malibu’s original residents and First Americans, the Chumash. This family-friendly cultural festival is free and open for all to attend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No on-site event parking. Parking is available off-site, with free shuttle rides available to Malibu Bluffs Park. General off-site parking and complimentary shuttle at 23575 Civic Center Way. ADA off-site parking and complimentary shuttle at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.
THURS, APRIL. 11
SILVER FOX WALK
Each month, staff will guide participants on a walk through one of Malibu’s parks or hiking trails. This will be a beginner’s level walk. RSVP required. Instructed by Community Services Department staff. This month’s walk is at Malibu Bluffs Park. The next one is on Thursday, April 11, at Malibu Bluffs Park, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and May 9 at Solstice Canyon Road. For more info visit, malibucity.org/calendar.
APRIL 13 AND 14
MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION SPRING FLING ART SHOW
The Malibu Art Association Spring Fling Art Show will take place on April 13 and 14 at 3728 Cross Creek Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy music, food, drinks, and of course, art. This is in conjunction with and sponsored by Surf Canyon. For more information visit, www.surfcanyon.co/
THURS, APRIL 18
EMILY SHANE FOUNDATION ANNUAL FUNDRAISER WINGS OVER MALIBU
The Emily Shane Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity based in Malibu and serving children across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, will be hosting its annual gala spring fundraiser Wings Over Malibu on the evening of Thursday, April 18, directly over the waves in the Ocean Room at Duke’s Restaurant in Malibu. The gala’s proceeds will benefit the foundation’s SEA (Successful Educational Achievement) Program, which empowers underserved, disadvantaged middle schoolers at risk of academic failure by providing them with intensive and individualized academic tutoring and mentorship. Highlights of Wings Over Malibu 2024 include a live auction, an online silent auction, exclusive wines by The Narcissist Wine Company, delicious appetizers, and the popular local band Little Dume, presenting an acoustic set. Members of the Malibu Middle Orchestra will serenade guests as they arrive. Tickets will be available for purchase at emilyshane.org as of March 18.
MON, APRIL 22
WASTEWATER AND RECYCLED WATER RATE STUDY PUBLIC HEARING AT CITY HALL
The Malibu City Council will hold a public hearing on wastewater and recycled water rates for the Civic Center Water Treatment Facility (Phase One) on Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m at City Hall and virtually via Zoom. During the hearing, wastewater and recycled water rates will be established for Fiscal Years 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28. If approved by the City Council, the proposed rate increases will be effective for services provided on or after July 1, 2024. For more information, visit the CCWTF Rates webpage https://www.malibucity.org/1059/Wastewater-Recycled-Water-Rates.
FRI, APRIL 26
CHARMLEE WILDERNESS PARK NIGHT HIKE
Discover the nighttime magic of Charmlee Wilderness Park on Friday, April 26, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. During the 90-minute hike, participants will learn about the nocturnal surroundings of the Santa Monica Mountains. Participants should feel comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Bring water, a headlamp or flashlight, appropriate shoes, and dress in layers. Reservations are required for this free event. The hike will be canceled in case of rain. For more information, visit the outdoor recreation webpage https://malibucity.org/1090/Outdoor-Recreation.
ONGOING
FARMERS MARKET
The Malibu Farmers Market returns to the Library Plaza on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at 23555 Civic Center Way, adjacent to the library. For updates follow up on instagram @malibufarmersmarket.
BRIDGE GROUP
If you have never played bridge, here is your chance to learn! Beginners and experienced players are welcome to play with this relaxed bridge group every Friday at the Malibu Senior Center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. A friendly and welcoming long-standing group welcomes all levels of players. Led by volunteer Vin Joshi.
KNITTING
Join the City of Malibu’s Community Service Department and Sheila Rosenthal for a knitting workshop that takes place on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. This program is a welcoming gathering space for fiber artists that fosters community through open stitch. Make a scarf, hat, blanket, or homemade gift. No experience necessary. Please bring size eight needles and one skein of yarn. This is an ongoing, drop-in program. Instructed by Sheila Rosenthal.
RELAXING THROUGH COLORING
The art of coloring activates different areas of the brain, using logic, forming colors, and creativity. Join this free, unstructured program. Instructed by Judy Merrick. Complimentary program. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times.
STRETCH AND STRENGTH
Participants will focus on increasing flexibility, balance, circulation, and muscle tone while learning to relax through breathing techniques. Bring yoga blocks and a mat. Instructed by Marsha Cooper. $5 per class. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times.
Burt’s Eye View: Africa, Part III: Ripples
By Burt Ross
You, my reader, are going to have to trust me on this one — before this column ends, we will be back in Africa. Just be patient.
Let’s be honest with one another. Unless we have achieved the fame of a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and have a national holiday named after us, we are pretty much forgotten in a generation or two. By the time our great grandchildren come around, we will be ancient history at best, little more than a sandcastle before the first wave hits.
I felt a bit down about this reality, but my bride, as usual, came to the rescue. She had another way of looking at our immortality and expressed it in one word, “ripples.” Whenever we do something good, we create ripples, and they will go on and on. She was right again.
And so my story begins: When I was 14, my leg was operated on at Boston Children’s Hospital. In a neighboring room was Barbara Holtz, a 14-year-old girl who had surgery performed on her arm, which like my leg, had been weakened by polio. We shared a bathroom, and despite her coming into the bathroom on two occasions without knocking, we became lifelong friends.
Several years later, around the time I entered Harvard, Barbara matriculated at Mount Holyoke, a top women’s college in Massachusetts. In my sophomore year I roomed with Aggrey Awori, an Olympic sprinter from Uganda who never lost a dual meet in his four years at college. He was the fastest person in the Ivy League, and, if the truth be told, I was the slowest. We were the original odd couple.
I tried to convince my mother to let me go to Uganda over the summer, but Mom was not about to let her Jewish American Prince get eaten by a lion. My idea fell on deaf ears and was dead on arrival.
That same year, Barbara befriended a classmate of hers named Thelma from Liberia. Two matchmaking geniuses, Barbara and I figured out that two people from the same continent with over a billion people would naturally hit it off. And, by God, they most certainly did. Within a year, they got married, and Thelma transferred to Harvard.
A year later Thelma got pregnant and delivered two boys named Nabongo and BaiSama. They were born two months premature and each weighed 2.5 pounds. After Aggrey, Thelma, and I graduated, we occasionally saw each other, but ultimately they all moved back to Uganda. Aggrey died several years ago, and I had not seen the boys since they were infants. I finally decided to go to Uganda to see Thelma and her family 60 years after my Mom had closed the door.
The boys, now men of 60, picked my bride and me up at our hotel in Kampala, Uganda. When I saw them, I had to fight back tears. They gave us a tour of Kampala, and then we all went to Thelma’s home, where we met one of her three daughters, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. I looked at this loving family, which existed because two teenagers shared a bathroom at Boston Children’s Hospital. The accompanying photo was taken at their 60th birthday party.
Most of the time we do not know the ripples we create, but every once in a while we are blessed to see in our lifetime where the ripple goes. This was such a time, and what a blessing.
The following incidents were reported between Feb. 24 to March. 1
2/24
Vandalism
A vehicle parked near the Malibu Pier was vandalized. The victim said they noticed their entire vehicle had been keyed. The damage was estimated to cost $8,000 to repair. There was a security camera at a nearby business, but it was closed during the time the incident took place.
2/24
Vehicle Burglary
A vehicle parked on Latigo Canyon Road was broken into and the driver side window was shattered. The victim was unable to determine if there was anything missing from their vehicle. The damage was estimated to cost $1,445 to repair. There were no witnesses or security cameras available for evidence.
2/25
Vandalism
A mailbox on Sumac Ridge Road was broken into, and his mail was taken. The victim was notified by a neighbor of his mail scattered throughout the neighborhood. The damage was estimated to cost $500 to repair.
2/29
Petty Theft
A vehicle parked near Westward Beach Road was broken into, and the victim’s wallet was missing from the center console. There were no witnesses or security cameras available for evidence.
3/1
Burglary
A home on Latigo Canyon Road was broken into, and an estimated $50,000 worth of jewelry and $20,000 worth of handbags were stolen. There was no sign of forced entry, nor were security cameras available for evidence.
