LASD reports 1 westbound lane of PCH is closed at Big Rock and 2 eastbound lanes of PCH are closed at Topanga Canyon in Malibu due to a police pursuit and crash at about 3:45 PM. Expect delays from both sides of PCH.
Pepperdine men’s basketball comes back to defeat San Diego
Waves go on 17-0 run late in the game, snap 29-game road losing streak
The Pepperdine Waves men’s basketball team battled back from a double-digit deficit to defeat the San Diego Toreros on Jan. 13.
The Waves went on a 17-0 run in the final six minutes of the contest to down the Toreros 83-77 at Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego.
Junior wing player Michael Ajayi led the Waves with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Houston Mallette scored 23 points and had five assists, and redshirt junior forward Boubacar Coulibaly recorded a career-high 17 points and tallied three steals and four rebounds.
The Waves scoring run began with a turnaround jump shot from Ajayi. The run continued with sophomore forward Jevon Porter driving to the basket and getting fouled while completing a layup. Porter’s score cut the Toreros’ lead to four points with a little over five minutes left in the game. San Diego led 71-69 when Mallette received the ball just above the foul line. The guard curled around the lane and swished a jumper that tied the contest. Mallette swished a three-point shot on the next play that gave Pepperdine a lead, which they never relinquished.
Ajayi hit four clutch foul shots with under a minute left in the game, and Mallette shot 50 percent from the three-point land. Porter scored seven points and grabbed nine rebounds. He also had three steals.
Pepperdine outscored San Diego 21-6 in the final minutes of the game. The Waves’ defense forced 15 San Diego turnovers. Pepperdine outrebounded the Toreros 34-28.
The win put an end to the Waves’ 29-game road losing streak. Pepperdine’s last road win was over San Diego in February 2021.
The Waves enter Thursday’s home game against West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga with a 9-10 record, including a 2-2 record in the WCC. Pepperdine hosts Loyola Marymount on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Waves play at Santa Clara on Jan. 25. The squad will host San Diego on Jan. 27.
Pepperdine began the season in November with a victory over Concordia Irvine. The Waves have also beaten Lafayette, LIU, Idaho State, UC San Diego, William & Mary, Westcliff, and Pacific.
Malibu Music opens at Trancas Country Market
Sold-out house of music fans admire the consort of gorgeous guitars
By Barbara Burke
Special to The Malibu Times
Not since the days when Trancas Bar served as a mecca for Southern California musicians to drop in and delight the locals in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s has there been this much talk about making and appreciating music in a West Malibu business establishment.
“My brother Brad Boeckmann has been obsessed with guitars for all the many decades we have lived in Malibu,” Beau Boeckmann said. “Today, as we open Malibu Music, LLC, he’s achieving one of his dreams to have a store featuring guitars.”
Brad Boeckmann and many others who attended the open house and Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting for the new business in Trancas Country Market on Jan. 13, noted that back in the day, the likes of Neil Young, Eddie Van Halen, the Eagles, Mick Fleetwood, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, and many other prominent musicians would show up unannounced at Trancas Bar and jam and jam and keep jammin’ until the wee morning hours.
Smiling broadly, co-owner Jack Ryan Sullivan, a well-respected, bluegrass-shredding guitarist, and film and television composer, warmly greeted every attendee in the multitudinous group, showcasing his special guitars, but also emphasizing that the new venue will provide Malibu with a musical space for all.
“We have guitars ranging from $100 to $75,000 — there’s a guitar here for everyone.” Sullivan said. “We carry all the popular brands, including Fender, Gibson, Martin & Co., and some boutique lines.”
The new business also specializes in unique, collectible guitars. The Malibu Times inquired whether Malibu Music happened to have a guitar that belonged to the legendary Dick Dale, the left-handed guitar player whom many consider the king of surf music, but whom others also consider the father of heavy metal music. Dale, whose last concert was in Malibu before he passed away in 2019, famously played a right-handed Fender guitar upside down with the heaviest strings at the bottom.
“He was soooo cool, but unfortunately, we don’t have one of his guitars,” Sullivan responded. “But, I do have a banjo that was owned by the famous Chicago gangster Al Capone, and in 1928, when it was made, it sold for $1,000 at a time when a Ford Model T sold for only $289!”
The intriguing, one-of-a-kind instrument, manufactured by Bacon & Day, is known as a Ne-Plus Ultra, Sullivan explained, adding that Capone gifted the guitar to the mobster Sammie Musmanno, who was himself a banjo player and an aficionado of elephants, especially those with their trunks in the air.
“It’s the only one in the world,” Sullivan said. “Look closely and you’ll see that an elephant is inlaid in the instrument’s heel.”
That’s not the only guitar that knowledgeable musicians and attendees were raving about.
“I love guitars!” David Quint proclaimed. “I saw the guitar that Tony Iommi played with Black Sabbath!”
Cary O’Neal, also known as Mr. Malibu, stood awe-struck, admiring the inventory.
“This is an absolute first for Malibu,” He said. “It will prove to be a much-loved center for local and visiting musicians to come together.”
There are lots of things planned for this special space, including some small intimate performances, Sullivan said.
“Malibu Music is an oasis of quality musical instruments for those who appreciate quality in their instruments of expression,” Eduardo Del Signore, U.S. brand representative for Optima-Strings said. “It is an ideal place for demanding performers and collectors.”
Helane Freeman and Gary Ballen of Rhythm & Hues, were delighted to attend and view the store’s offerings.
“This is a killer store!” Gary said.
“We’re going to make music in Trancas and it’s a great education for the kids,” said Teena Boeckmann, Brad’s wife, smiling widely as curious children looked at the various instruments and inspected the house drum set.
Musicians lingered, as if they had been yearning for a place to gather in Malibu for years.
Local virtuoso viola player and violinist, Tony Selvage summed up their collective sentiment well.
“There’s so much more in ‘24!”
For More Information
@malibumusicllc
@jackryansullivan
Hours of Operation – noon to sunset
Malibu’s Homelessness Working Group reports significant strides
City’s Public Safety Department holds virtual community meeting to discuss homeless issues
By Barbara Burke
Of The Malibu Times
The City of Malibu’s Public Safety Department held a well-attended virtual community meeting to discuss homelessness in Malibu on January 17. The city’s Homelessness Working Group met with representatives of the People Concern, an area nonprofit whose outreach workers assist unhoused individuals and advocates for them obtaining services and housing; Melissa Stallings, community library manager of the Los Angeles County Library, Malibu Branch; Gabriel Graham, outreach coordinator for the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments; Terry Davis, president of the Community Assistance Resource Team (CART); Kay Gabbard, CART’s treasurer; Doug Stewart, Malibu mayor pro tem; Susan Dueñas, Malibu public safety director; city staff; and concerned citizens.
Luis Flores, public safety liaison for the City of Malibu, provided opening comments and noted, “Areas of concern regarding the homeless population include addressing the needs of the increased numbers of unhoused persons in Legacy Park and of a few individuals at Zuma Creek. The homeless volunteer teams are placing signs at Legacy Park and reminding the unhoused to not camp there, and the teams are going early in the morning to ensure there are no camps.”
Addressing homelessness in Malibu through the Homelessness Working Group provides, “a unique partnership as we have so many hands on deck and we have a great division of the labor needed to help the unhoused,” Flores added.
The group was originally formed in February 2018 to provide input for the City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness and it meets regularly to discuss issues and opportunities for addressing homelessness in Malibu.
Several members of the group were heartened by the fact that Malibu has experienced its lowest homeless count in years, with 71 homeless, as compared to 239 homeless persons in 2020. The volunteers attribute the significant reduction to many of the homeless who were served by their organizations being able to transition to housing, reuniting with their families, or returning to their places of origin.
“It’s a testament to the great work of our outreach volunteers, with the help of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, that there were only two homeless encampment fires this past year and our goal is to have no such fires this year.” Flores said. “Our teams have placed signs in areas where the homeless camp to remind them to not start fires. Our outreach teams are out visiting with the homeless day in and day out, as do the Sheriff’s.”
Flores noted that when dealing with the unhoused, who sometimes have mental illnesses, volunteers and professionals must first engage with them and build trust, a process that takes some time.
Zachary Coil, director of Westside Outreach for The People Concern stated, “Our job is to get people off the streets into permanent housing and to help them to improve their mental health. In order to accomplish that, we must first meet with each unhoused individual where they are at, and then we try to open the door to providing them with supportive services.”
Coil noted that the Venice Clinic provides street medicine to the homeless. Flores elaborated, saying, “Providing street medicine has improved the lives of our homeless population significantly.”
Flores added, “We have made great strides at Zuma Creek as we used to have 11 homeless encampments and now, we are down to four. That area is under the supervision of Beaches and Harbors, so our two organizations collaborate to try to clean up the area.”
The challenges of serving Malibu’s homeless
Helping unhoused persons in Malibu is very challenging, Coil noted, stating, “There are not a lot of services available in Malibu. The closest county-funded mental health department, regular hospitals and the county hospitals and clinics are all far away.”
Therefore, Coil explained, the outreach workers provide homeless persons with special care transportation, as well as assisting them in getting identification and taking them to the Social Security and Veterans Administration offices, steps that are essential to helping the homeless clients try to get social security and veterans benefits.
“Low rent in Southern California is not so low,” Coil said. “We do all we can to help the homeless persons sign up for waiting lists for housing.”
Davis expressed concerns about the homeless encampments in Tuna Canyon where there have been encampment fires in the past.
“Only two of the encampments at Tuna Canyon are within city limits and those individuals have been cooperating with us and there have been no fires,” Flores stated, noting that the rest of the Tuna Canyon area is within the county’s jurisdiction.
Meeting attendees Joann and Burt Ross complimented the efforts of the Homelessness Working Group.
“Almost every community has a homelessness concern,” Burt Ross said. “It’s so impressive that we have reduced the homeless from more than 200 persons to 71 in just a few short years.”
That feat is attributable to the tireless efforts of the outreach coordinators, Dueñas said.
In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the People Concern team had 4,019 contacts with homeless people in Malibu, placed 34 clients in interim housing, 11 clients in permanent housing and the reunified 25 people with friends and family, Coil stated, adding, “From July 2023 to November 2023, our team had 1,994 contacts with clients, placed seven in interim housing and 10 in permanent housing and our agency numbers are reported at 90 percent retention in housing.”
Davis noted that Stallings ensures that the library provides homeless clients with computers so they can look for housing. “The partnership with homeless outreach workers and the library is incredibly important,” Davis said.
Kay Gabbard, CART’s treasurer, addressed the importance of that organization providing meals to the homeless.
“Our meals provide consistency for the clients who know that the Street Medical Team will be there to serve them,” Gabbard said. “When we build such trust with the homeless, we are more likely to succeed at getting them into housing and having them stay in housing.”
Flores added, “The Sheriff’s have been very proactive and sometimes don’t arrest a homeless person, but instead exercise compassion and their handling situations in that way has led to much success.”
As of press time, the coalition of public employees and community organizations and volunteers were preparing for the annual homeless count which was held on Jan. 24.
“I have been an observer for the homeless count,” Mayor Pro Tem Stewart said. “The success of all those who work with Malibu’s homeless is attributable to the work of all those who participate in Malibu’s [Homelessness] Working Group and we help with homelessness one story at a time and by providing one helping hand at a time.”
For more information on the topic, go to MalibuCity.org/homelessness.
Planning Commission delays Trancas Market application for live events
In permit application, shopping center proposes 50 events per calendar year on its common area lawn
Starting Jan. 1, the Planning Commission has begun to meet on Tuesdays after The Malibu Times has gone to print. We will continue our coverage regularly and publish our articles online following the meetings.
To start off last week’s meeting, the commission approved Conditional Use Permit Amendment No 18-002, an application to expand the existing interior and exterior restaurant’s service area of Kristy’s Village Café by 1,631 square feet for a total service area of 3,262 square feet and to maintain the current hours of operation, located in the Community Commercial (CC) zoning district at 30745 Pacific Coast Highway (Zuma Beach Properties, LLC).
On June 5, 2018, the applicant submitted a request pursuant to Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 17.66 to amend CUP No. 07-013 to allow the expansion of the existing interior and exterior restaurant space and to maintain their current hours of operation. The request is to expand their existing 1,631 square feet restaurant and outdoor patio service area by 1,631 square feet for a total restaurant space of 3,262 square feet. No additional seats beyond the original CUP approval are proposed as part of the expansion.
The commission moved on to item Coastal Development Permit No. 19-054, Variance No. 23-006, and Conditional Use Permit No. 19-006. An application for a new single- story commercial office building. The project site is approximately 34,250 square feet in size and is flat with slopes less than 5 to 1. The site is currently developed with a 3,837-square-foot single-story commercial office building and associated surface parking. According to the plans, the application proposes a new 1,299-square-foot, single-story commercial building proposed near the center of the parcel and within the previously approved reconfigured parking lot.
After an hour of deliberation, commissioner Skylar Peak motioned to approve the project as is, commissioner Dennis Smith seconded the motion, and the motion carried by a 3-2 vote.
The commission approved Coastal Development Permit No. 21-048, and Variance Nos. 22-004, 23-028 and 23-035. An application to replace a failed retaining wall with two new 6-foot tall walls as part of a follow-up to Emergency Coastal Development Permit No. 20- 005. The motion passed unanimously.
The commission moved on to Coastal Development Permit No. 22-018 and Lot Line Adjustment No. 22-001, an application for a lot line adjustment. The commission motioned to approve the project as is with the additional condition suggested by city staff. The motion carried.
The commission motioned to continue the Conditional Use Permit No. 18-003. An application to allow 50 events per calendar year at the Trancas Country Market Shopping Center which will consist of live music performances and movie nights; events are expected to have between 50 to 100 attendees each.
Trancas Country Market shopping center is proposing 50 events per calendar year on its common area lawn located on the northeast side of the property. Currently, temporary events that are held onsite are subject to city approval through the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for each event. Only six TUPs are allowed per calendar year pursuant to MMC Section 17.68.010. The proposed events would include movie nights on Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m., live music performances on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. with varying monthly occurrences. In the month of December, there will a third potential event option for a live music performance on Saturdays that will last for a duration of up to three hours and will take place between the window of 12 to 9 p.m. Additionally, there will occasionally be a concert or movie night on a holiday or holiday eve such as, but not limited to, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day that would take place between 6 and 10 p.m. Most events are expected to have an average attendance of 50 to 75 people while the events that take place in relation to a holiday are expected to have a maximum of 100 attendees.
The applicant had originally proposed an additional 12 events in the form of a once-per-month car show but withdrew these events from the original proposal prior to the original staff report being published. The car shows would have been considered higher impact than the current proposal. The proposed events are considered more compatible with the applicable CC zoning.
The events are hosted by Vintage Grocers, the grocery store tenant within the shopping center. However, if the tenant becomes unable or unwilling to host, the shopping center’s owner would host the events. No food or alcohol will be served at these events, though there are onsite tenants that sell food and drinks, such as Vintage Grocers, Kristy’s Village Café, and Malibu Brewing Company. To see the full report visit, www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6465?fileID=58070.
Two Malibu West residents spoke against approving the application to allow 50 events per year, stating the events will affect parking and traffic.
A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) has been submitted and analyzed the traffic and parking impacts of CUP No. 18-003, CUPA No. 18-002. The requested changes added a weekend event day option that proposes to allow for live music on Saturday within the month of December and to allow for the Thursday movie nights to start at 6 p.m. rather than 8 p.m.
On June 20, 2018, the applicant submitted a request pursuant to Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 17.66 to allow that 75 events per calendar year be included as part of the shopping center’s use and has since revised the request to 50 events. The events will include live music performances and movie nights with varying monthly occurrences depending on the seasons.
On Nov. 20, 2023, the subject item was scheduled for a Planning Commission meeting, but the meeting was adjourned due to a power outage in the area. The meeting adjourned to Nov. 30, 2023. Prior to hearing the item, the Planning Commission continued the item to the Jan. 16 regular Planning Commission meeting.
Two spoke in favor, saying the concerts showcase local talent and bring the community together.
“We’re really trying to build a sense of community at Trancas Country Market that’s needed in the world now more than ever,” Kristy Apana said.
The commission motioned to continue the item after it had gone to City Council next month.
‘21 Miles in Malibu’ film screening at SMC Malibu Campus brings continued concerns on safety on PCH
Local leaders, city manager, and Sheriff’s captain answer lingering questions after the viewing
After the loss of four Pepperdine students last October, anger, grief, and the urgency to make change sparked the Malibu community.
On Oct. 17, Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams were struck and killed by a driver who lost control of his vehicle and slammed into several parked cars, which then struck the girls. Since then, the city has held several meetings and press conferences and prioritized projects to improve safety and mobility on PCH.
Last week, Shane Gang Pictures, in partnership with the Malibu Arts Commission and SMC-Malibu, held a screening of the film “21 Miles in Malibu.” The film is a hybrid of personal stories of loss, the history of a loved place, and a cautionary tale of government indifference and citizen activism. Following the screening, there was a discussion with local leaders, City Manager Steve McClary, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo, and UCLA Health Behavioral and Health Associates Josh Cooper on PCH safety and how we can recover from loss.
“We all know how important the message of this film is because we live it every day, but I will tell you that it’s a work of passion; it took me several years to get it done,” Michel Shane, the film’s producer, said.
Shane experienced tragedy firsthand.
In 2010, Shane’s 13-year-old daughter Emily was walking home on the shoulder of PCH when an out-of-control driver purposely slammed into her. That driver is currently serving a prison term for her death. The filmmaker’s grief turned into action when Shane said he became more aware of all the accidents and problems on PCH. As a filmmaker, he decided to create change and bring awareness to those problems with his documentary.
“What this documentary has brought is figuring out that the story isn’t what’s in the film, the story is what the film can bring out,” Shane said.
Seetoo emphasized the three E’s she will be focusing on: Enforcement, education, and engineering.
“That’s really how we’re going to solve this problem,” Seetoo said. “So enforcement, that’s me, and so we’re out there — day in and day out. If you follow us on social media, you’ll see our radar guns saying 112 mph, 104 mph, and we continue to do the enforcement, but guess what, there’s still 50 to 100 people, doing the same thing.”
While the city began its contract with California Highway Patrol, Seetoo said the department are still struggling with deputies.
“We just don’t have enough officers, not CHP officers and not deputy sheriffs, to deal with this problem when it comes to enforcement,” Seetoo said. “This is a nationwide problem, no one wants to be a police officer right now, and it’s not just the LASD; it’s CHP, LAPD, it’s across the nation. When you demonize law enforcement, well, no one wants to be us anymore, and we’re really, really trying to recruit and hire.”
Seetoo said ways that residents can help make PCH safer is by driving the speed limit themselves and changing behavior.
“It’s a whole community approach,” Seetoo said. “All of us in this room can make a difference and help law enforcement.”
City Manager Steve McClary said the city was waiting for Sacramento to get back to them on their requested changes contract.
“It took some time to get an answer from Sacramento, we sent our response to them before the holidays and they didn’t get back to us until this week,” McClary said. “They’ve been really really great working with us, but there was a little bit of a delay from them.”
The Malibu City Council addressed the agreement with CHP; read the City Council article on A1.
“I think the fundamental character needs to change and we need Caltrans and the State of California to help us on that,” McClary said.
Fireball Tim Lawrence, executive producer of the film and chair of the Malibu Arts Commission, moderated the Q&A and said it was a great discussion.
“The biggest challenge is that all of these are good ideas; the problem is, what do you implement first,” Lawrence said. “I’m not on City Council, but you have to do your part and our part is to create this film and create awareness. The question to the community is that, what can you do that you’re passionate about, that can create that awareness, it could be slowing down, it could be putting together a campaign to resolve speeding in your area, be the tip of the sphere yourself for your area of Malibu and then things will change.”
“21 Miles” has been featured in a number of trade magazine articles, premiered on Feb. 16, 2023, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and won Best Safety Film and Video at the Houston International Film Festival 2023. It can be watched by renting or purchasing it on Amazon’s Prime Video. Visit https://www.21milesinmalibu.com to learn more about the film.
Calendar for the week of Jan 25
THURS, JAN. 25
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
Join The Malibu Library on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. to learn and play the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. Beginners and experts are welcome. For teens ages 13-17. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. Please see the Guidelines for Attendees during the registration process for more information.
THURS, JAN. 25
BINGO NIGHT TO SUPPORT OUR LADY OF MALIBU SCHOOLS
Our Lady of Malibu presents: “Bingo Night” on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the OLM Sheridan Hall. $10 per person, includes five cards, additional card $1. Food, drinks, and sweet treats are available for purchase. Space is limited. To purchase tickets venmo @olmschool. For more info, call (310)456-8071 or email lhall@olmalibuschool.org.
FRI, JAN. 26
SMARTY PANTS STORYTIME
Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school-readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2-5 with their parent or caregiver on Friday, Jan. 26, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. This event is held in-person at the Malibu Library Meeting Room. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees.
FRI, JAN. 26
MAKE YOUR OWN SELFIE STAMP WORKSHOP
Want to add a personalized touch to notecards, wrapping paper, or paper? Carve your own selfie stamp! Learn how to draw and transfer your image onto the block to create your own stamp with the Community Service Department on Friday, Jan. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. No prior experience is required, just bring a photo of yourself on your phone and get ready to learn a new skill. All materials will be provided. A paying adult must accompany children under 12. Instructed by Fluidity by Mattie. The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 19.
FRI, JAN. 26
MALIBU HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM SENIOR NIGHT AND BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Senior Night has been confirmed for Friday, Jan. 26, (kickoff 6:30). Malibu vs Santa Paula. The ceremony will commence immediately following the JV game (4:30 kickoff). All proceeds for the bake sale will go towards the end-of-the-season soccer banquet. Food sales are donated by Kristy’s so all sales will be 100 percent profit.
SAT, JAN. 27
THE RIPPLE EFFECT: A GENERATIVE POETRY WORKSHOP
When things ripple, they emanate from a center and move outwards. Ripples are an unfolding interaction. In terms of poetry, poems “ripple out” from us and join the ripple of existing and yet-to-be-penned poems which creates a dialogue that continuously overlaps. Join us for a generative, poetry writing workshop where we will sit in the “ripple” of each other’s energies, read, and discuss poems to stimulate our imaginations, and write original poems from prompts provided in the workshop. This workshop is for everyone, regardless of ability level. Participants should bring a pen and a notepad! Led by Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall. Join the poetry community on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Michael Landon Community Center.
WED, JAN. 31
LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Learn beginner photography concepts and practices, including use of equipment, aesthetic principles, composition, light, color, and texture on Wed, Jan. 31 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Michael Landon Community Center. No camera? No problem! The instructor will include an adapted course curriculum for advanced photography on your smart phone via professional photography phone applications. This course will blend lectures with guided photo-taking and photo editing. Instructed by Michael Manfredo. This is a complimentary workshop.
FRI, FEB. 2
SVF AUDUBON SOCIETY SEMINAR FOR WINTER BIRDS OF LEGACY PARK
Join the SMC Malibu Campus on Friday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the SVF Audubon Society Seminar for winter birds of Legacy Park. Registration: Go to commed.smc.edu and search for “Birds” to find this FREE seminar registration. For questions call (310) 434-8600.
Presented by the SFV Audubon Society. A total of 209 unique bird species have been reported at Legacy Park. Roughly 80 species of birds have been reported during February. The presentation will highlight identifying some of these likely species, where and when to look for them, and how to use eBird and other online resources for research and documentation. If weather permits, we will take a brief walk to the park to illustrate various habitats and their likely denizens. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
SAT, FEB. 3
UPCYCLING WORKSHOP
Learn about sustainable fashion from industry professionals from Los Angeles and New York City. Through hands-on activities, participants will learn about fashion design principles including color, fabric, silhouette/shape, illustration, sketching, sewing, styling, and more. Workshop is on Sat, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Michael Landon Community Center. Bring a piece to upcycle. Instructed by The Upcycle Academy.
SUN, FEB. 4
PADDLE OUT FOR LYON “SLY” SKYLAR HERRON
Join the Malibu community on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. for a paddle out and Hawaiian-style pot luck at Zuma Beach Tower 10. Paddle out begins at 10 a.m., bring a dish to share, a lei or flowers, and stories to tell.
TUES, FEB. 6
SEASONAL CRAFT: ROCK PAINTING
Join Community Services staff members each month for a complimentary simple and fun art activity! This month’s activity is Rock Painting! At the Malibu Senior Center from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. RSVP is required.
THURS, FEB. 8
WINTER JUBILATIONS
Join the Malibu community on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Malibu Library. Hosted by the Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall. A gathering themed to celebrate joy in a time of whelming possibilities, to give voice to the true nature of vitality modeled on the natural world, and to attend to the power of love and joy. The gathering features selected poets, an open mic, and conversation. Complimentary, no RSVP required.
THURS, FEB. 8
MALIBU MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL PRESENTS: FROZEN JR.
Come enjoy a story of true love where two sisters experience mysteries of magic, tragedy, and a long journey to find their confidence and inner powers in the upcoming Malibu Middle School musical, “Frozen Jr.,” running Feb. 8-11. The royal sisters of Arendelle, Anna, and Elsa deal with matters of friendship, family, and love with some irresistible characters along the way, including Olaf the snowman, Kristoff and Sven the reindeer, Oaken, Pabbie and Bulda, and the Hidden Folk. It is truly a magical frozen tale!
SAT, FEB. 17
HHW/E-WASTE COLLECTION BEHIND CITY HALL
Properly dispose of certain types of household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic waste on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the upper parking lot of City Hall. All containers must be clearly labeled to identify the contents. Maximum amount of paint/motor oil accepted is 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip.
Accepted materials list:
- Paint (water-based only)
- Used motor oil
- Anti-freeze
- Automotive and household batteries
- Compact fluorescent bulbs (unbroken)
- Electronics
The city schedules its events on the third Saturday in February, April, June, August, and October. Rain cancels the event.
Masks are not currently required at this public event. Participants are strongly encouraged to remain in their vehicles. Please stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, have been asked to quarantine, or have recently traveled internationally. Visit www.888CleanLA.com for information about the county’s HHW events.
SAT, FEB. 17
CAFFEINATED VERSE
Caffeinated Verse includes a featured reader Kim Dower, followed by an open mic format. On Saturday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Malibu Library.
MON, FEB. 19
PRESIDENTS DAY CITY HALL CLOSED
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19 for Presidents Day. Special holiday hours for city parks and facilities will be posted in the News & Announcements section of the website homepage the week prior to the holiday.
The Malibu Municipal Code prohibits construction of any kind on city holidays (M.M.C. 8.24.050(G)).
ONGOING
FARMERS MARKET
Shop for fresh fruits and veggies prepared food, and more at the weekly Malibu Farmers Market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market at Legacy Park.
LOSS SUPPORT GROUP AT MALIBU CITY HALL
This support group is designed to offer connection, community, and hope to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Share your experiences with others who have experienced a similar loss. Moderate by volunteer, Roxy DeCou. This complimentary program is on Dec. 20, Jan. 3 and 17, and Feb. 7 and 21, on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, contact the Malibu Senior Center at (310) 456-2489 ext. 357, or at malibuseniorcenter@malibucity.org.
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.
WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Learn ways to help release tension and stress, balance energy in the body, and promote a sense of well-being. Leave each workshop with restored inner harmony and receive the healing benefits of community connection. Instructed by The Mindry, TheMindry.com. The first workshop is Yin Yoga and Group Meditation on Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m. Ages 18 and over. Followed by a Restorative Soundback at 2:30 p.m. for ages 55 and over. The third workshop is Breathwork and Stress Management on Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. for ages 12 through 17. Pre-register at malibucity.org/register.
‘Let’s get something done’: Council dedicates first half of meeting to Pacific Coast Highway safety
In other business, CHP contract and equipment for the Sheriff’s Department Beach Team approved
To start off the Malibu City Council meeting on Monday night, Jan. 22, City Clerk Kelsey Pettijohn was honored with a City Tile for seven years of service to the City of Malibu.
Pettijohn joined the City of Malibu in January 2017 as their deputy city clerk and was promoted to city clerk in 2021. The Malibu native also attended Malibu Elementary, Middle and High schools. Pettijohn received her Bachelor’s degree from Cal Lutheran University, and recently received her designation as a certified municipal city clerk last year. As city clerk, Pettijohn oversees the city clerk department as a local officer who administers the Democratic process, such as elections, access to the city records, and also acts as a compliance officer for federal state and local statutes.
“Let me just sort of expand on that a little bit — she does a lot. When you run for City Council, Kelsey’s the person you talk to and she keeps us out of jail; she tells us what the rules are,” Mayor Steve Uhring said. “She plays an integral role not only helping run the city but helping keep the City Council apprised on what’s going on and what we have to do, so we thank you very much for that.”
The City Council, staff, and members of the public stood to give Pettijohn a round of applause.
“I’ve had the privilege of growing up in Malibu both as a person and as a professional, so I know it’s a really special community to serve, and we have a really special staff that I get to serve with,” Pettijohn said. “Thank you for the honor and the recognition.”
City Council dedicated the first half of the meeting to addressing the PCH safety review. Staff prepared an update on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Safety Projects from 2015. The list focuses on discussions held during the last PCH Task Force Special Meeting held on Nov. 8, 2023. The city identified several key initiatives and projects that posed an opportunity for collaboration with Caltrans, and state and local officials to improve safety along the state highway. Those areas included a Safety Corridor Designation, considerations for a redesign of PCH, Permanent Increase to Enforcement, Initiation of Special Legislation, Investment in Speed and Traffic Data Collection Technology, and a Re-prioritization of the 2015 PCH Safety Plan. According to the report, the 2015 PCH Safety Plan identified 130 projects, 53 total projects planned, in design, under construction, or completed. The total estimated funding is $52,139,719, the funding available is $28,049,719, and the funding needed is $24,090,000. Caltrans has six initialed projects; six are in design, under consultation, or completed. The city has 59 projects that are not prioritized and are unfunded.
To read the full report, read the “PCH Taskforce members collaboratively seek solutions for challenging highway perils” article on A1.
Councilmember Bruce Silverstein asked staff about the speed cameras and asked what the difference is between speed cameras and red light cameras.
“Red light cameras are essentially censored, so if you run a red light, it’s a trigger that camera will take a snapshot of the vehicle; however, speeds are not captured,” Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown said. “Whereas a speed camera is captured by speed, it’s able to capture the speed as well with that data, and you’re able to issue a citation based on that infraction.”
Public Works Director Rob DeBoux answered questions regarding how effective they will be to make PCH safer.
“Some of these will have a temporary effect; how effective that’ll be in the long term is skeptical,” DeBoux said. “These are temporary or quick fixes for certain situations on speeding and safety than the corridor.”
About a dozen speakers including residents and Pepperdine students, spoke during public comment and on Zoom addressing PCH. Silverstein thanked the few members of the public who attended and expressed their concerns.
“I’m a little disappointed by the relatively sparse turnout,” he said. “I appreciate everyone that’s here and everything you have to say, as well as people on Zoom. [I] don’t know what’s stopping more residents from at least calling in on Zoom and giving us their views, because this is a critical issue and everyone here is rightfully up in arms about this and look at the participation in government; it’s sad, we need to go forward. I’ve heard some really good ideas tonight, things I haven’t thought of, and I think the more voices we hear, the more we can do.”
Silverstein made a request to give staff direction to come back with a list of things they can immediately do and asked for data on when and where fatal incidents have occurred.
“I wish we had this meeting two or three months ago —actually years ago, and that we were here tonight, approving things, as opposed to talking about what we can staff to put together a list of things we can do,” Silverstein said. “One of our speakers said, ‘little fires are not enough, it’s time to start a big fire,’ I say blow it up, let’s get rid of all the red tape out of the way, let’s get something done.”
Councilmember Paul Grisanti brought signs that read, “Lidar speed enforcement next 21 miles,” “Fines tripled in work zones,” “PCH Malibu Deadliest HWY obey speed limits,” “Reckless drivers, booked, impounded, 30 days min,” and “Strict speed enforcement ahead.”
Grisanti said although they’re not able to place unpermitted signs on PCH due to Caltrans, he said maybe homeowners could participate in placing signs on their property.
“One of the things that I think that we need to do is talk to private owners along the road and get them to let us put signs along their property, and they’re going to have to be large so they can be read,” Grisanti said. “It would get some comments and some thought process on what’s going on.”
Uhring thanked the speakers and students from Pepperdine for sharing their concerns.
“If we don’t keep this issue in front of the community, it’s going to disappear. We have got to keep talking about it, I’ll take all the help I can get, we heard a lot of things here tonight,” Uhring said. “I am not going to let this fade, can’t do that. Thirty years that I’ve been here, every year that the City Council runs, one of the campaign promises is we’re going to fix PCH — 30 years we haven’t done anything. This is the chance to do it. I want you folks to keep on our backs, to make sure we don’t change our minds, but I’m going to make sure I do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
Silverstein moved to direct the staff to get a list of things they can begin to implement. Uhring seconded the motion. Motion passed.
“We seem to be content to see words on the list, of things that can be done over time, their words on a page, they’re not happening — they’re not stopping deaths. We need to do what we can to stop deaths, and it’s not just talk. What is just talk is the list — we need to do something,” Silverstein said. “We’ve got a lot of money, and we have an emergency, and until we get this emergency under control we need to spend the money to deal with it.”
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided an update on the recent accidents, including an update on the speed chase that occurred last Thursday. To read the recent incident, check out the news briefs on A3. Soderlund provided a report on the citations from 2023 and said there were 7,580 citations issued in the City of Malibu, and ages ranging from 20 to 34 years old account for 50 percent of the citations. Soderlund said 10 percent of those residents are not Malibu residents, and 90 percent of the citations are from non-residents. Soderlund said he would provide the report to the city. The Malibu Times will follow up with the report and publish the information in the upcoming issue.
In other actions, the council approved equipment for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Beach Team. Soderlund emphasized the importance of the beach team and how important they are during the summer. The beach team focuses on alcohol, while the lifeguards concentrate on the individuals in the ocean.
Planning Director Richard Mollica presented the Wireless Local Coastal Program Amendment Coastal Commission item. The council motioned to receive and file the item.
The last item addressed was the Agreement with California Highway Patrol. The Adopted Budget for FY 2023-24 included funds in Account No. 100-7021-5115-00 (L.A. Co. Sheriff Services) to provide additional patrol services as well as necessary support personnel to coincide with the opening of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Malibu Substation. However, since the substation has not opened and LASD is not allowing for any growth in contracts at this time, there will be a cost savings of approximately $3.0 million, which is sufficient to cover the estimated $700,000 cost of the CHP contract through the end of the fiscal year.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12.
Hank’s Organic slated to open in Malibu at site of former market
East Malibu residents have been without a grocery store since Pacific Coast Greens closed four years ago
By Barbara Burke
Special to The Malibu Times
Hank’s Organic, a popular Arts District produce and hot bar business, is adding its second location in the space where Pacific Coast Greens was in East Malibu for 28 years. The business will be located at 22601 Pacific Coast Highway and the interior is being extensively remodeled to accommodate the new establishment.
The timing of Hanks’ opening remains undetermined. Malibu Times popped in as the construction crew was working on tenant improvements at the location and they have quite a bit more work to do. Further, Hanks has to complete all final inspections. An ABC application was filed in the spring of 2023, according to an Instagram post by Hank’s.
Manuel Reynoso, founder of Hank’s, opened the inaugural location at the former house of Urban Radish on Imperial Street in 2021. Since then, the venue has received rave reviews from customers who are pleased with its coffee and juice bar, meat department featuring organic chickens and grass-fed meats and hot and cold food deli counter. Most of all, customers giving reviews note that Hanks lives up to its motto of providing “organic at the right price.”
A review of Hank’s website reveals that the grocery store and eatery offers comfort foods, such as macaroni and cheese and jasmine rice; somewhat spicy foods, such as Chicken Tikka Masala; and somewhat intriguing dishes, such as roasted brussels sprouts with Harissa yogurt as well a full salad case showcasing quinoa tabbouleh and couscous salads, among many others. The grocery is a great source for reasonably priced organic foods, according to reviews on social media. Customers can also expect to enjoy organic treats from the juice bar. East Malibu residents have been without a grocery store since Pacific Coast Greens closed four years ago.
The Malibu Times will keep readers updated about the progress of Hank’s renovation and opening details.
CHP officers arrest 18-year-old Colin Brath of Malibu after a high speed pursuit last Thursday
On Thursday, January 18, at approximately 3:14 PM, a CHP West Valley Area officer attempted to overtake a high speed vehicle (white 2013 BMW 335i) on northbound Kanan Road near Castle View Road. According to the press release, CHP officers took the driver, 18-year-old Colin Brath of Malibu, into custody and released the passenger, a minor, to her family. The CHP officer activated the patrol vehicle’s forward red and blue lights and sirens attempting to make a stop on the BMW on Kanan Road near US-101. The BMW instead entered US-101 northbound and fled from the officer in a reckless manner, speeding over 115 mph and driving on the right shoulder. The officer lost visual of the BMW but advised CHP Dispatch of its license plate number, which came back registered to an address in Malibu.
As officers responded to Malibu to search for the BMW, CHP helicopter H50 located the BMW and directed our officers towardits location. CHP ground units re-engaged the BMW and performeda PIT maneuver that unfortunately did not stop the BMW from fleeing. The BMW continued driving recklessly and the officers backed off to prevent a possible collision. CHP H50 continued to monitor the BMW from overhead as it drove northbound on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and entered a residential area and attempted to enter a gated yard. CHP ground units once again re-engaged the BMW and it fled from officers a third time. As the BMW drove through the residential area, it attempted to pass a truck which was turning into a residence. The BMW struck the side of the truck, which caused the BMW to lose control, overturn and crash into an unoccupied porta-potty before coming to rest on its side in the roadway.
Colin Brath was booked into LASD Lost Hills Station for felony evading (2800.2 VC). For any further inquires please contact Officer Ramstead at CHP West Valley Office 818-888-0980.
