The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory for LA County, including Malibu Wednesday, Jan. 3, from 9 a.m. to Thursday, Jan. 4, 9 p.m. due to a series of storms Tuesday – Sunday. There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. If you choose to go in the water, always stay near a staffed lifeguard tower. Minimal risk of coastal flooding. Another round of high surf will be likely this weekend.
High Surf Advisory issued in Malibu until Thursday
Sharks girls water polo’s Sturges signs with Ventura College
‘Defensive-oriented’ player has helped Malibu High to an 11-4 record so far this season
When Stevie Sturges first played sports as a kid she wasn’t a huge fan of athletic pursuits.
“My family put me into every sport when I was young, like soccer and T-ball,” Sturges recalled. “I really didn’t like them.”
That changed when she began swimming. She fell in love with being in the water. Then, when she watched her older brother, Ryder Sturges, a 2017 Malibu High graduate, hit the pool for the school’s boys water polo team, Sturges adorned a water polo cap and dove head first into the sport as well. She was hooked thanks to her coaches and friends in the pool.
“Honestly, my teammates are my favorite part of the sport,” she said. “Even if we have a really hard loss, my teammates and I are having fun on the bus ride home — blasting music and singing. I love the aspect of being part of a team. Plus, I am a water person.”
Seven years later, Sturges is a standout senior defender and team captain for the Malibu High Sharks girls water polo squad. Two weeks ago, she committed to play college water polo for the Ventura College women’s water polo team.
Sturges said signing with Pirates, who finished their 2023 season with 21-11 record, was an easy decision.
“I wanted to go to a college that was close to home and Ventura’s team is a very good team with great coaches,” she said. “That was the team I was really shooting to go to.”
Malibu head coach Hayden Goldberg called Sturges the Sharks’ “momma duck.”
“She is our leader and will always put herself in those physical situations to help her team,” said Goldberg, who also coaches youth water sports. “It has been an honor coaching her since splashball. I have watched her go from a kid to a young girl to a young lady.”
Sturges describes herself as an aggressive water polo player, who knows the game and disdains opponents beating her to potential scoring positions aimed at the Sharks’ goal.
“I’m very defensive-oriented,” she said. “It’s almost bad. I’m so quick to get back on defense that I don’t play as much offense as I should. My biggest nightmare is someone to leave me behind on a counterattack, and me not being able to get back on defense.”
Sturges admitted she has worked at being more of a scoring threat for Malibu this season. In college, the future Pirate wants to be an outstanding teammate.
“Someone that is not only a good teammate during the games but out of the games,” Sturges stated. “I want to support my future teammates; make sure everyone is enjoying the sport as much as they should. I want to be a good person in the program.”
Sturges helped Malibu gain a 10-9 win over Thousand Oaks and a 12-2 victory over Beverly Hills two weeks ago.
“She was our game MVP,” Goldberg wrote in a text message about Sturges after the Sharks beat Beverly Hills. “She is a monster!”
Malibu has an 11-4 record. The squad has grabbed wins over teams such as Oxnard, Marymount, Calabasas, Chaffey, Santa Paula, and Moorpark. Some of the wins happened during the squad’s run of the Coyote Cup Tournament championship at Calabasas High last month.
The team’s biggest wins this season have been over Thousand Oaks and Calabasas, Sturges noted.
“We have a really good team, and we are all growing,” Sturges said. “It has been really impressive to watch my teammates improve.”
The Sharks next match is Jan. 11 at home against Villanova Prep, a Tri-Valley League opponent.
After the Sharks water polo program’s alumni game last month, Sturges and her teammates said they were looking forward to playing Villanova Prep, a group that has beaten Malibu several times in recent years. The girls said in order to be successful in the Tri-Valley League they have to play like they did during the Coyote Cup.
Malibu finished last season second in the Tri-Valley League standings and qualified for the CIF Southern Section Girls Water Polo Championships in Division 4. The Sharks were defeated by Palos Verdes 9-3 in the opening round.
Sturges and her teammates are shooting for loftier goals.
“We want to have a league championship,” she explained. “We want to be undefeated in league. We want to get as far in CIF that we can. We are not a negative team or a team that gives up. We are going to fight to the very end.”
Goldberg said Sturges is an awesome player to coach.
“She makes others feel welcomed at practice and feel protected in the games,” he said.
Player of the Week: Pepperdine’s Savannah Broadus
Broadus was part of U.S. national squad that won international event in France this month
Pepperdine Waves women’s tennis player Savannah Broadus is no stranger to big wins on the tennis court. The 21-year-old has won singles and doubles tournament titles throughout her college career.
However, Broadus’ latest triumph happened across the pond as she was representing the red, white, and blue.
The junior, an International Tennis Association All-American and Doubles Champion, was part of the USA National Collegiate squad that downed European competition and won the championship at the 16th Master‘U BNP Paribas Championships in Honfleur, France, on Dec. 3.
Broadus said traveling to France’s Normandy region and seizing the three-day championship’s top spot was the biggest win of her tennis career.
“I have done some amazing things in my tennis career so far, but this is something that is so special,” she recalled last week. “Winning it is such a surreal feeling. I look back at the pictures and say, ‘I can’t believe I was there.’ It was awesome. It was amazing.”
Broadus is The Malibu Times’ Athlete of the Week because of her play in the international triumph.
Broadus won two doubles, one singles and one mixed doubles match en route to Team USA’s first-place finish. The Pepperdine standout said the competition was exceptional.
“We had some tough matches against all the countries we faced,” Broadus noted.
This is the fourth consecutive time a squad composed of top U.S. college talent has won the Master‘U BNP Paribas Championships. The stars and stripes have won the title 12 times in the event’s 16-year history and nine of the past 10.
This year’s Team USA squad outlasted those from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Broadus was one of six college tennis players from across the nation selected to play on the team. The group included women’s players Mary Stoiana of Texas A&M and Fiona Crawley of North Carolina and men’s players Eliot Spizzirri of Texas, Murphy Cassone of Arizona State, and Gavin Young of Michigan.
Washington women’s tennis coach Robin Stephenson and former Boise State men’s tennis coach Greg Patton led the all-star bunch.
The ITA selected the first two of the three women’s players on the squad. The tennis organization let Stephenson choose the third. After talking with Pepperdine head coach Per Nilsson, Stephenson texted Broadus in early October to ask her to join the American crew.
Broadus, a Texas native who dreamed of representing the U.S. on the tennis court, jumped at the opportunity.
“I was excited,” recalled Broadus, who finished Pepperdine’s fall season in November as one half of the ITA national ranking’s fifth-rated doubles tandem and the 21st ranked singles player. “I didn’t comprehend I was going until I was on the flight. I didn’t even realize I was in the picture or in the conversation. I was so nervous, but I knew it was going to be one of the best experiences of my life.”
Broadus has won numerous ITA and West Coast Conference honors, but she had butterflies in her stomach when she stepped on the court for the championships’ opening match.
“There was a lot of pressure because I had to set the tone,” Broadus remembered. “I don’t think I have ever been as nervous at a match before.”
Once she realized her teammates supported her, Broadus said the butterflies stopped fluttering, and she defeated Sarah Hawkshaw 6-4, 6-1 to put the Americans up in what resulted in a victory over Ireland in the quarterfinals.
In the U.S.’s semifinal win over France on the championships’ second day, Broadus and Crawley beat Marie Mattel and Alice Robbe 9-8. Broadus and Young defeated Mattel and Arthur Nagel 9-8 in mixed doubles.
Broadus said playing with Young and Crawley was fun and added that she wished mixed doubles was an event in college tennis.
“Its something you never get to experience, so that makes it so much more entertaining,” she said. “The atmosphere is great.”
Broadus didn’t take the court in the U.S.’s championship win over Great Britain but was ready to swing her racket.
“My teammates held it together and pulled it out,” Broadus said adding that the group wore “Tiger Woods red” to show they were set on winning.
Patton has coached the U.S. to all of its Master‘U BNP Paribas Championships wins. Before this year’s iteration, he announced this would be his last time leading the team. Broadus said that added a bit of sentimentality to her and her teammate’s winning tennis.
“Being able to perform the way we did and have so much fun was one of the things he wanted for us,” Broadus recalled of Patton. “To be able to hand him that trophy one last time before he hung up his hat was so special.”
Broadus grew up playing tennis in Texas. Her mother Sheila Broadus played for TCU, and her older brother Grayson played for Notre Dame. The younger Broadus was a stellar youth tennis player. She won four ITF singles titles and six ITF doubles titles. She captured the 2019 Junior Wimbledon Doubles Championship and was the Eddie Herr Doubles Champion the same year. She played in the Junior French Open in 2019.
In her years as a Wave, Broadus has snatched All-WCC singles and doubles team honors multiple times and a litany of conference Singles Player of the Week and Doubles Team of the Week honors. Broadus is a two-time ITA All-American and in 2022 was the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year, the ITA Southwest Regional Singles Champion and she and Janice Tjen were the ITA National Fall Doubles Championships titlists.
Broadus went 11-5 in singles during Pepperdine’s fall season. She and Tjen were the top-ranked doubles team in the nation before they were beaten in the ITA National Fall Championship semifinals.
Broadus added that winning the championship in France was extra motivation for her to have a successful spring season for Pepperdine. Broadus said her Team USA teammates are “a second family” and she hopes to wear America’s colors again.
“I could get asked to go back to France next year,” she said. “I will do everything in my power to be selected again, so I can have that experience one more time.”
Poet Sophie Klahr delights Malibu poetry community
Featured readers included host Nathan Hassall and former Malibu Poet Laureates Ann Buxie and Ricardo Means Ybarra
Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall and the local poetry community gathered at Malibu Library to welcome poet Sophie Klahr as the featured reader of Caffeinated Verse on Dec. 16.
Klahr captivated the morning’s guests, reading poems from her two latest published books, the self-written “Two Open Doors In A Field” and the co-written with collaborator Corey Zeller, “There Is Only One Ghost In The World.”
Klahr was excited for the opportunity to share her work with a community eager to support her work and the work of their peers. Despite being the featured reader, Klahr expressed a feeling of honor to be present for the reading of poetry from local poets.
As happy as she was to share her poetry, she was equally happy to enjoy and discuss the poetry of others who attended the event.
“It was fantastic! It’s so exciting to see people come out to be engaged with creativity on a Saturday morning,” Klahr said. “I’m so shy as a person so it’s such a pleasure and a privilege to see people get up and read their own work in front of the community. I find it so inspiring and lovely.”
Klahr who has traveled the country and has shared her work across the country and shared poems capturing themes of cross-country travel, emotional and physical wandering, loneliness, love, and existentialism.
Hassall asked Klahr about her notable use of a sonnet style for her poems, pointing out her unique ability to capture complex themes of wandering and motion in a structure of poetry that corrals these themes in a powerful, straight-foward way.
“Sonnets are particularly well-suited for writing about trauma and things you can’t hold on to,” Klahr said. “Traveling in a car, listening to the radio, I have an element of unexpectedness. Seeing landscapes I expected and did not expect, driving for 14 hours by myself was unyielding to say the least. Having 14 lines in which to describe that felt like a great comfort.”
Klahr also described the process of collaborating with another poet to co-write a poetry book.
Written during the pandemic, “There Is Only One Ghost In The World” was written by Klahr and Corey Zeller, combining the perspectives of two artists, aligning the thoughts and emotions of each within each poem in the collection. Klahr called the experience very humbling.
“Writing collaboratively is powerful because it allows for a third voice to exist that doesn’t exist, and won’t exist, unless you’re doing that work, writing with someone else, creating a whole new being essentially,” Klahr said.
She said by creating a third voice made by two separate voices, a unique perspective is created, one not restrained by a physical body, a human voice, and definite truths.
“The experiences of the speaker aren’t consistent in the book. There’s no single character, there’s no single truth, all things are simultaneously true because there isn’t a definite identity of our voice,” Klahr said. “I think of it as a very queer book because it has all identities, all sexualities possible, all truths possible which is immensely satisfying. Being in one body, having one voice can be very submitting but working with another voice allows us to become something we couldn’t have before.”
Following the Q and A portion after Khlar’s reading, guests appropriately took a coffee break during this Caffeinated Verses session. Readers prepared for the open mic portion of the event, where readers included Hassall and former Malibu Poet Laureates Ann Buxie and Ricardo Means Ybarra.
Among the poems, readers shared original works that explored the beaches of Malibu, provided a humorous perspective of aging and old age, described feelings of shame and curiosity of the human body, and explained feelings of yearning for complex emotions and experiences.
Buxie shared a powerful poem likening updates of smartphone apps to optimizing and adapting to the modern world as an aging individual.
Ybarra brought the Malibu culture and experience, with a poem inspired by his swimming and snorkeling of the ocean off of our city’s coast.
The event was enjoyed by the guests and readers alike.
Hassall explained that he was pleased with the event.
“The energy of the room was awesome. There was a great mix of emotions in the poetry and there was a lot of laughter,” Hassall said. “Sometimes poetry could be too serious and if everyone is reading in one tone, poetry could lose its luster and its sheen. People felt joyous.”
Hassall looks forward to the new year as an opportunity to grow the Malibu poetry community and urged residents to give poetry a chance, explaining that the art form allows for creativity from anyone and provides art for all to enjoy.
Hassall urged the community to visit his website nathanhassall.com for further information on events and poetry resources to explore. Caffeinated Verse and Open Mic will return to the Malibu Library on January 20 at 11 a.m., when Hassall will spotlight poet Elena Karina Byrne.
Additionally, Hassall invites the community to “The Ripple Effect: A Generative Poetry Workshop” at Michael Landon Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Featured reader Klahr will also be growing poetry in 2024, hosting an online seminar called “Diving Into the Muck,” an online course on how to submit poetry, not get defeated, and get published.
“This is a way for somebody who decided 2024 will be the year they will publish poetry but doesn’t know where to start, this is a good course for orienting oneself into a positive outlook and getting their work out to the world,” Klahr said.
This online event will be hosted on Jan. 7 and those interested are urged to follow Klahr on her Instagram page (@sophieandthechoices) for more information.
Author Mitch Albom inspires readers, writers, and book lovers in the latest Malibu Library Speaker Series
Fans of the writer filled every seat of the Council Chambers at Malibu City Hall
“Maybe the most beautiful word in any language —hope,” author Mitch Albom said in the latest Malibu Library Speaker Series. “Hope is a sliver of light that creeps under the prison door; hope is the drop of water on your tongue when you’re so thirsty you can’t even remember what water tastes like.”
Over 200 guests attended the last Speaker Series of 2023 at Malibu City Hall on Nov. 29, to hear the author and journalist share his latest book, “The Little Liar.”
Also known for “Tuesdays With Morrie,” “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” and “For One More Day,” Albom is an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster, and musician. His books have collectively sold more than 40 million copies worldwide; have been published in 49 territories and in 47 languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically acclaimed television movies.
City Councilmember Marianne Riggins welcomed the guests to the program and thanked Malibu Librarian Melissa Stallings, Community Service Department Director Kristin Riesgo, and Recreation Coordinator Amanda Rigali.
“Without them, honestly none of this would not happen, so thank you,” Riggins said.
After sharing a brief history of his career, Riggins introduced Albom to the stage.
Albom shared a synopsis of the book, held a Q&A, and stayed nearly an hour after to meet and greet his fans.
Albom described how much the earthquake that occurred in Haiti impacted him.
“Three percent of the country’s population, dead in 45 seconds, and 10 percent left homeless,” Albom said. “I went down to Haiti to try to help an orphanage but the things I saw were so heart-wrenching they will never leave me: people missing arms and legs, wondering around the street covered in white dust.”
That’s when Albom founded Have Faith Haiti, a nonprofit that provides safety, nourishment, education, and opportunity for Haiti’s impoverished children and orphans, and stability for staff and their families in Port-au-Prince. They provide a loving home where children can thrive personally, academically, and spiritually. After graduating from their bilingual academy, children have a pathway to attend college or vocational training and return home as changemakers and leaders in the Haitian community.
Albom ended his presentation with mentioning the person who inspired “Tuesday with Morrie,” Morrie Schwartz, and answered a few questions on how to become a writer.
“I think it’s different for everyone, but first you have to fall in love with storytelling, and I know I became a storyteller at the kitchen table. after dinner all the kids ran off, but I stayed because I was fascinated by the stories,” Albom said. “Long before I picked up a pen, I learned how to tell stories and fall in love with stories by being told stories.”
After the program, guests made their way to the multipurpose room to get their copy signed by Albom and snap a photo with him.
Elementary School teacher Marisela Vara attended the speaker series and brought her Albom book collection to get signed. She was also seen wearing earrings that were Mitch Albom’s book, “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
“I fell in love with his books by reading, ‘Tuesdays with Morrie,’ 10 years ago; a teacher recommended that book to me, and since then, I’ve always recommended that,” Vara said. “The talk was so inspirational, he talked about current events, I connected with everything he said, we cried, we laughed, he just made us realize how precious life is and to not take it for granted.”
Vara said she also started a book club with her cousins by reading “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”
“We just together fell in love with his work,” Vara said.
Malibu’s Keep Christ in Christmas receives new presidency
Ten-year President Mary Motley hands off position to Christine Carter Conway
After serving as president of the Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) crèche for 10 years, Mary Motley has decided to retire and hand off the position to Christine Carter Conway.
“It was sad after 10 years to say goodbye, but it’s been an honor,” Motley said. “I truly had said to the previous president, who had done it for 50 years ‘Oh, I’ll do it,’ and all of a sudden I was it [president].”
Located on Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), the nativity crèche is hard to miss. At night, the crèche lights up the statues that represent the birth of Jesus Christ, and every year, the nonprofit holds a series of community candle lighting and caroling events.
Although the nonprofit celebrated 60 years this year, Motley expressed her concern about the lack of support they have received from the community and the city.
“I was saying this could be our last year because of lack of support and interest, but I know people love it,” Motley said. “I hope we will be able to bring this newer version of the crèche back next year with volunteers and donations.”
Motley hopes they can raise enough funds to update the crèche to match the quality of the statues. The KCIC crèche and statues are initially kept in the basement storage room of Serra Retreat. The centerpieces also endured the Woolsey Fire. Over the years, KCIC leadership has implemented various security measures, from fencing to alarm systems, in order to protect the crèche.
Motley expressed her concerns about the future of the KCIC project, as it was fueled by community involvement and participation.
After hearing her concerns, Conway said she had spoken to Motley about taking on the responsibilities of the president of the organization.
“Coincidentally, Mary was looking for someone, and I had been looking for Mary, and here we all were, and she had announced that it was time; it just felt like divine intervention, it’s the right time,” Conway said.
As a nonprofit consultant and volunteer advocate, Conway is enthusiastic about the future of KCIC. Currently, a board member of the Adamson House Foundation, a former member of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, and a former board member of the Malibu Labor Exchange, Conway is familiar with the challenges of a nonprofit organization.
The nonprofit hosted a series of community caroling and candle lighting events in December, and nearly 50 people attended the last crèche on Sunday, Dec. 24. Three children also lit the four candles representing hope, love, joy, and faith. A prayer was shared for the 58 people who have lost their lives on PCH. The nativity display also shares the location with the White Tire Memorial, which was erected a few weeks before the crèche was scheduled to be up. Although there was an issue with permits, the crèche was able to return and provide the same Christmas cheer.
Motley wanted to thank her husband, Dale Motley, and her brother, Kiran Garvey, for their support throughout the years.
“For 10 years, he [Dale] has been my co-partner,” Motley said.
Conway said next year, they will bring in new features that will interest various crowds.
“There’s going to be a lot of fun surprises next year,” Conway said. “There are a lot of other people coming to help be a part of this besides a choir, a performance group; all different religions, children, adults, bands, anything — anyone is welcome.”
Conway said she wants the events to be a place of worship, comfort, and hope for everyone.
“I want everyone to feel involved and everyone to come here for a community celebration,” she said. “It could be something different for every person, but we do want it to be hope, faith, love, and community.”
Mick Davis and Malibu local Jim Petulla create film: ‘Trust In Love’
The film provides a unique comedic perspective of the real, difficult issues experienced by families everyday
Shot in beautiful Malibu, Jimi Petulla and Mick Davis’s new film, “Trust in Love” is a feel-good drama based on the true story of protagonist and producer Jimi Petulla, and it has quickly created an impressive reputation for itself.
The film has earned awards across the world, winner of awards like Best International Feature Film at the Swedish International Film Festival, winner of Best Actor at the Barcelona Indie Awards, Best Feature Film at the Dublin Movie Awards, Best Feature Film at the Brussels Capital Film Festival, winner at Sydney WorldFest and nominated for Best American Feature Film at the Septimus Awards.
Across the country, the film has also enjoyed success as winner at the Los Angeles Cinematography Awards, San Jose Independent Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Awards as well as semifinalist at the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and selection for the Marilyn Monroe Film Festival, San Diego Independent Filmmaker’s Festival and Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
The film was produced by Petulla Pictures, written and produced by Petulla, directed by Mick Davis, who directed “Modigliani” (2004) and “Walden” (2023), and stars Natasha Wilson, Sydney Bullock, Logan Arditty, Eric Roberts, Milijenko Matijevic, Lisa Long, and first-time actor and film standout Tim Hazelip. A fun cameo is also made by Robbie Krieger, founding member and guitarist of The Doors.
The film tells the story of struggling record producer Mickey Ferrara (played by Petulla), who has to navigate the hardships of family dynamics while balancing what may be the tail end of a successful career in music. Ferrara’s family struggles to stay together after his estranged wife asks for a divorce, his daughter struggles with peer pressure and drug experimentation, and his son battles with complex feelings with sexual identity.
The film provides a unique comedic perspective of the real, difficult issues experienced by families every day.
The film features a diverse, inclusive cast, and the casting of the members of this “Malibu family” was impressive to the viewers at the latest screening of the film at the Culver City Film Festival. Filmgoers at the festival also enjoyed the beautiful cinematography of overhead and tracking drone shots of Malibu locales like Malibu Country Mart, Malibu Pier, Dukes Malibu, Surfrider Beach, and shots all along Pacific Coast Highway.
Petulla called the production of the film a true passion project. Having originally written a film that would have been well over the 94-minute runtime, Petulla collaborated with Davis to shorten the film and bring his cinematic vision to life. Under Davis’ direction, the screenplay came together and brought out the best performance from Petulla.
“He [Davis] said ‘Jimi, you have a really sweet story’, and for the fact that he was willing to make this film really made me move so forward so quickly with it,” Petulla said. “I had someone to bounce ideas off of and he helped me make decisions that helped make the film move along well. I did my homework so I felt confident that I could do it. It could be a challenge being the actor, the producer and the writer, so I knew I wouldn’t have at all attempted to direct the film so having Mick come in was special.”
Making his acting debut was Malibu local Hazelip. Cast for his signature Malibu surfer look, Hazelip did not simply allow for Malibu look to take the place of an impressive performance. Hazelip incorporated his own unique style to create a character that expanded on his true-life persona and stole the scenes in which he played Mickey’s brother, Bobby Ferrara. Opposite of Mickey’s stoic, serious character, Bobby’s character is a hippy-like surfer character who seemingly never wears shoes, and understands that being laid back and going with the flow may always be the true solution to the stresses of life.
Hazelip was suggested to Petulla for the role by mutual friends who read the script and knew only one Malibu local could truly bring the authentic fictional Bobby character to life.
“I went in and I guess I wouldn’t call it an audition, I walked in the door and there he [Jimi] and Mick were sitting there looking at a computer screen, they both turned and looked and me and Mick said ‘Come on in Bobby, you just got the part.’ A real luck of the draw on my part,” Hazelip said. “I told him [Mick] in the interview that I wasn’t an actor, and he said ‘Well we’re looking for you, you could just be yourself, learn the lines and let me do the rest.’”
Hazelip explained that despite his lack of acting experience, Davis had a great deal of respect for him and Hazelip respected him as well. Together, Davis and Hazelip were able to get one of the best performances of the cast out of this first-time actor.
“It really was really fun. Learning lines at first was really daunting,” Hazelip said. “I had a three-page dialogue on my own and I don’t know if you’ve ever seen three pages of a script but for me I knew then I really had to hit the pedal to the metal.”
Hazelip praised his fellow cast members for helping portray an authentic Malibu family and accurate Malibu culture.
“It’s fully authentic. I think the kids did a great job on their performances, I surf with Malibu kids so I know Malibu kids these two kids really added to bringing that real feeling to it. They really could have been a Malibu family,” Hazelip said.
An undeniable aspect of the film is the shots and locations across iconic Malibu. Viorel Sergovici, a frequent collaborator with Davis, was brought on as cinematographer, and according to Petulla, helped visually give the film a $3 million-to-$5 million look with a film shot under a $1 million budget.
The film has made its way across the world and the country, gaining traction as a critical success.
Going into 2024, the film is primed to have a big year as Petulla explores options for its wide release. The film is available for pre-order on trustinlovethemovie.com, the #TrustInLove movement could be followed on @trustinlovethemovie on Instagram and will be screening at the Marilyn Monroe Film Festival at Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Dec. 29 and 30. Tickets are available now at https://marilynmonroefilmfestival.com.
The following incidents were reported between Nov. 22 to Nov. 24
11/22
Vehicle Burglary
A vehicle parked near Surfrider Beach was broken into and ransacked. The victim left the key underneath a surfboard, went surfing, and upon return, the key was missing, and their vehicle was ransacked. The victim said an estimated $2,550 worth of belongings were taken from the passenger seat, including a tablet and GoPro. There was no damage made to the vehicle. There were no security cameras available for evidence.
11/24
Shoplifting
An estimated $1,133 worth of cosmetics were stolen from CVS Pharmacy on Malibu Road. The suspects were described as two white females entering the store and walked out without paying. The security footage was submitted for evidence.
11/25
Burglary
‘Sea and Soul’ Surf retail store at the Zumba Beach Plaza was broken into, and an E-bike was stolen. The victim said the suspects threw a rock to break into the store and take the bike. The broken door was estimated to cost $1,200 to repair.
State and local officials announce immediate safety improvements for PCH
More than $4 million invested in Caltrans measures
Growing up in Moorpark, Bridget Thompson spent plenty of time in Malibu before attending college at Pepperdine University. Taking the beach bus to the coast every summer, Thompson would pass Pepperdine, her “dream school.” She was familiar with the dangers of Pacific Coast Highway. But on Oct. 17, the 21-year-old senior’s life would be forever changed due to one of PCH’s worst tragedies.
Thompson, a roommate and best friend of the four young women killed in a speeding crash in Malibu, was on her way to meet her fellow sorority sisters. She was going to ride with them to an evening event, but went separately do to obligations keeping her on campus.
“I decided to meet them there. As I was on my way, it happened,” a grieving Thompson told The Malibu Times.
While the roadway was blocked that evening, a worried Thompson waited on PCH from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. calling hospitals for any word about her friends, trying “to do what I could. I felt helpless in that moment. There was nothing I could do.”
While experiencing overwhelming pain at the sudden loss of her four best friends — Deslyn Williams, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Niamh Rolston — Thompson is advocating for a safer PCH. One of her first actions was participating in the Ghost Tire memorial at the Malibu Civic Center.
“The Ghost Tire memorial was super touching to be involved in, but also super heartbreaking to see everyone gather to see how much they were loved, my roommates and best friends,” she said.
Thompson, Pepperdine students and members of the Malibu community erected 58 white tires to memorialize those killed on PCH since 2010.
While Thompson says the memorial is a step in the right direction she hopes the conversation on highway safety doesn’t fade. “It’s going to be a constant push,” she said.
Malibu resident Michel Shane has been pushing for PCH safety since the tragic death of his 13-year-old daughter Emily Shane in 2010. The young girl was mowed down by an out-of-control speeding driver.
Shane inscribed the name of his daughter on one of the white ghost tires at PCH and Webb Way. He said the memorial has made an impact, “100 percent.”
Shane worked with Damian Kevitt, the founder of Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) to install the attention grabbing landmark.
“It’s based on ghost bikes which was started when bicyclists died in car accidents,” Shane said. “The white tires represent people who died.”
Shane’s coalition of concerned citizens, Fix PCH, will add a new tire if there are any additional fatalities. Of the 58 tires there now, Shane remarked, “Put that in perspective. Fifty-eight in 13 years! That’s like a war zone! If you see it and it impacts you, maybe look down at your speedometer.”
The memorial is a temporary placement for six months.
Shane would like to immediately see 100-mph-plus speeders have their licenses revoked. He advocates for speed cameras, more enforcement, steeper fines, and education. His film “21 Miles in Malibu” which delves into the decades-long dangers of PCH will be shown January 18 at Santa Monica College.
“As we know, the brain isn’t fully developed until you’re in your mid-20s,” Shane said. “It’s not just the 12,000 people who live in Malibu. It’s the 15 million people who drive through this community every year.”
On Dec. 18, Caltrans and local officials announced $4.2 million to be spent on immediate safety measures. They include 13 digital speed feedback signs, speed limit markings to be painted on the asphalt, raising fines for speed violators and a new contract with three additional California Highway Patrol officers to concentrate on enforcement on the highway. Thirty improvements in all were announced.
In the meantime, a grieving Thompson, who spent years with her sorority sisters at Pepperdine, wants them to be remembered.
“I want people to know that these girls were literally the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” she said. “They put everyone else before themselves. They would be fighting for change if it was me. I think it’s important we understand that these people were going to change the world, so we should make a change for them.”
Ocean water quality issued to multiple beaches in Malibu
County’s Public Health Department issued a bacteria advisory for 16 beaches including seven in Malibu.
The department collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels. On Thursday, the division found the ocean water at seven Malibu beaches throughout the county exceeded state standards for bacterial levels.
- Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach
- Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu
- Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
- Escondido Creek at Escodido State Beach
- Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
- Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
- Puerco Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
The Department of Public Health discourages swimming in the water at the beach because it may cause illness.
