The Malibu Times | The award-winning newspaper serving Malibu, Since 1946

Calendar for the week of Oct. 5

Calendar

Samantha Bravo

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October 3, 2024

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SAT, OCT. 5

HUNTER BLAZE PEARSON DEBUTS ‘HOME’ AT TRACY PARK GALLERY

Join the Malibu community on Sat, Oct. 5, for a curatorial debut, “HOME” for Hunter Pearson, on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Tracy Park Gallery. Location: Malibu Colony Plaza 23823 Malibu Rd. 90265.

SAT, OCT. 12

RUN MALIBU

The Run Groms Mile is open to kids between the ages of 4 to 11 and will take place on the track during our event expo on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. All youth participants will receive a race bib and finishers medal, plus a supportive crowd cheering them on as they run around the track.

SUN, OCT. 13

NATURE JOURNALING WORKSHOP

Learn about the gentle practice of nature journaling on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 9:30 a.m. at Legacy Park. Participants ages 12 and up will record their observations, questions, and feelings with guided exercises that will have you seeing the world in a whole new way. No art skills required. Coordinated in partnership with the @naturejournal_smm. Register online at MalibuCity.org/Register.

MON, OCT. 14

MALIBU CITY COUNCIL TO BEGIN AT 5:30 P.M. BEGINING OCT. 14

Starting Oct. 14, regular City Council meetings (still on the second and fourth Mondays of each month) will begin at 5:30 p.m. The meeting agenda will be restructured to move the Consent Calendar, presentations, and reports from the City Manager, Commissions, and Committees prior to 6:30 p.m. Public Comment will continue to be scheduled at 6:30 p.m. These changes are meant to improve meeting efficiency, ensuring that administrative and presentation items are addressed promptly, allowing more time for public engagement and deliberation on actionable city business items.

TUES, OCT. 15

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, please join the Malibu Library on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5 to 6 p.m. to create Guatemalan barriletes which are traditional kites that are an integral part of the country’s cultural and religious traditions. For adults. Learn about the origins of barriletes and how they are particularly associated with the Day of the Dead celebrations. All materials will be provided. At the Malibu Library Meeting Room.

FRI, OCT. 18

CLASSICAL GUITAR CONCERT AT THE MALIBU LIBRARY

The Pepperdine Guitar Department presents a concert featuring musicians studying with world-renowned classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, on Friday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 4 p.m. For adults. At the Malibu Library Meeting Room.

SUN, OCT. 20

EMILY SHANE FOUNDATION ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

The Emily Shane Foundation has announced its annual fall fundraiser “Wings and Waves of Achievement: An Autumn Carnival for All” on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Alumni Park, Pepperdine University. Special guests include Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart. Carnival games, art station, face painting, a petting zoo, and more will be available for children. An online silent auction will accompany the event, starting on Monday, Oct. 14, and concluding on Monday, Oct. 21, at 12 p.m. PDT. Participants can bid on an array of items and experiences with all proceeds helping to benefit the Foundation’s SEA Program. For information regarding, “Wings and Waves of Achievement,” event sponsorship opportunities, donations to the silent auction, or presenting a table, please contact info@emilyshane.org.

FRI, OCT. 25

CITY OF MALIBU: HALLOWEEN BU BASH

The Community Services Department’s Bu Bash Halloween Carnival Spooktacular is coming back on Friday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park. Participants ages 2 to 10 can play games to win prizes, strut their stuff on our costume catwalk, and bounce off the walls in our bounce houses. Grab a bite at our food trucks, and then gather round for Spooky Stories with the @lacountylibrary. For more information, visit MalibuCity.org/BuBash. Register online at MalibuCity.org/Register.

SAT, OCT. 26 AND SUN, OCT. 27

TOPANGA ACTORS COMPANY AT THE MALIBU LIBRARY

Join the Malibu Library on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday Oct. 27, at 2 p.m., for a staged reading of the madcap comedy “Clue.” The popular theater piece is based on the cult film, interpreted with wit and verve by members of Topanga Actors Company, and accompanied by live music. Wadsworth, the butler, welcomes six guests to Boddy Mansion, but where is Mr. Boddy? Join the iconic “Clue” characters as they race to find the murderer before the body count stacks up. Whodunit anyone?? FREE, open seating, library parking. Choice of performances: Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by L.A. County Library. For adults and teens. Contact Topanga Actors Company for more info: topangaactorscompany@theatercompany.org.

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.

WEEDING EVENT AT POINT DUME

Join fellow preservationists the second Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Point Dume Preserve at Birdview and Cliffside Drive to keep the headlands poison-free. Please bring gardening gloves and be prepared to do some hand weeding with some of your wonderful neighbors. Parking is available at Westward Beach.

MEET THE MAKERS: SIP & SHOP AT THIRD SPACE

Shop our local, handmade, and sustainable products while getting to know our local creatives and the story behind their brands at Third Space every third Sunday of the month. The next one is on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in partnership with Malibu Village Books.

TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

A comprehensive low-impact strengthening class targeting all the major muscles of the upper and lower body with special attention to form, stabilization, core strength, and balance. Please bring your own hand weights and yoga mats. Instructed by Jackline Daneshrad. The classes are from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Sept. 3, Oct. 1, and Nov. 5. $5 per class. Pre-registration is recommended. At the Michael Landon Center at Malibu Bluffs Park.

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 8 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.

SENIOR CHOIR

Learn the fundamentals of singing and performing different styles of music. Every Tuesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Malibu City Hall Senior Center. This is a great opportunity for socialization, self-expression, and learning through music. All levels are welcome. Instructed by Laura DeMieri Fercano.

Past Waves All-American joins Pepperdine men’s water polo coaching staff

Sports

McKenzie Jackson

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October 2, 2024

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Past Waves All-American joins Pepperdine men’s water polo coaching staff

Spencer Hamby was one of several new Waves athletics coaching announcements last month

A former Pepperdine University All-American joined the Waves men’s water polo team’s coaching staff last week.

The university announced on July 29 that Spencer Hamby, a two-time American Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-American and team captain, was hired as an assistant coach ahead of the Waves’ 2024 campaign, which begins next month.

Hamby, a 2013 Pepperdine graduate, said in a statement that he is excited to be part of his alma mater’s coaching staff.

“I am looking forward to bringing my experience and positive energy to the team as well as helping our student-athletes thrive in the classroom and the pool,” he said. “Along with our excellent coaching staff on deck, I’m confident we can be competitive and win WCC championships.”

Hamby, who played professional water polo in Germany for seven years after graduating from Pepperdine, will help guide a squad that won a share of the West Coast Conference regular season title in 2023.

Waves head coach Merrill Moses, who coached Hamby at Pepperdine, is excited to add his former player to the Waves coaching ranks.

“He is a Pepperdine alum who knows what it means to be a Wave and represent Pepperdine and our water polo program,” Moses remarked.“He was one of the best centers to ever play for Pepperdine and has also played professionally in Europe and for Team USA.”

Hamby was one of several new Waves athletics coaching announcements last month.

Logan Robbins, Dane Stankiewicz, and Cameron Rowland joined new Waves baseball head coach Tyler LaTorre’s staff.

Robbins, adept at coaching hitting with power, was a coach at Notre Dame for two seasons before joining Pepperdine. He helped the team hit a school record in home runs and lead college baseball in slugging percentage one season. Robbins also coached at Old Dominion for seven years and Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2015.

“I can’t wait to see Logan dive in and develop elite-level hitters,” LaTorre said. “In the short time that we have gotten to know each other, Logan and I have already aligned our goals for the program and are ready to elevate Waves baseball.”

Stankiewicz was an assistant coach at UC San Diego for two seasons previously and had the same role at Saddleback College in 2022.

LaTorre said adding Stankiewicz to the coaching staff, which also includes pitching coach Rowland, was a huge step for the Waves.

“He had a great career playing at Grand Canyon prior to getting into his coaching career,” LaTorre noted. “Dane brings a youthful energy that our players will love.”

Also, Martin Redlicki, a former Pepperdine Waves men’s tennis volunteer assistant coach, rejoined the team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach. Redlicki rejoined Pepperdine after serving as the Oklahoma State men’s tennis team’s assistant coach from 2022-24.

Redlicki, a two-time NCAA doubles champion and the 2018 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Player of the Year at UCLA, was a Waves volunteer assistant coach from 2020-22.

Hamby, the new addition to the Waves water polo coaching staff, played pro water polo in Germany from 2013-20. He helped Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, a team in Berlin, win two Bundesliga championships during that time. Afterwards, Hamby came back to the U.S. and was the head water polo coach for Garland Independent School District in Dallas. The former player was also the coach of the Southwest Zone Olympic Development Program Cadet Team and was tapped to be the top coach for the Cadet division at the 2024 USA Water Polo Olympic Developmental Championships.

As a Wave from 2009-13, Hamby tallied 20 goals in each of his last three seasons and earned spots on Team USA in 2009 and 2011 at the Junior World Championships.

Moses, a Waves assistant coach and associate head coach before being promoted to head coach in March and a former Olympian and Pepperdine All-American, said Hamby was one of the best centers to ever dive in the pool for Pepperdine.

“He will bring a wealth of knowledge to our program with his experience as a player and a coach and will help our program succeed in reaching our goals of winning conference championships and competing for NCAA Championships,” Moses noted.

The Waves water polo coaching staff also includes one of the most iconic people in American water polo history, Hall of Famer Terry Schroeder, the associate head coach, who served as Pepperdine’s head coach for 32 seasons, and assistant coach Mike Tragitt, a former Waves standout.

Malibu Best Shot: Point Dume

Malibu Seen

The Malibu Times

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October 2, 2024

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Attaching this image of Point Dume, Malibu taken Jan 4th on my birthday! “Point Dume _Sun Drenched.” Photo by Frank Joseph.

Follow your gifts: Flora Sanchez has a dream

Malibu Life

Barbara Burke

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October 2, 2024

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Follow your gifts: Flora Sanchez has a dream

Longtime Paradise Cove resident aims to create a blue zone in the Cove with a little help from her friends

She’s a descendant of the Visigoths and of El Cid — the 11th-century Castilian knight who served in the armies of both Christian and Muslim rulers. You remember learning about him, either in elementary school or in that old eponymous movie where he was portrayed by Charlton Heston, starring opposite Sophia Loren.

Her 17th-generation grandfather is King Ferdinand III, who was canonized in 1671 and was known for ensuring a good quality of life in his land by taking care not to overburden his subjects with taxation, fearing, as he said, the curse of one poor woman more than a whole army of Saracens. One wise, perceptive guy!

This generation’s iteration of that wise, determined, and successful clan is manifested in one Flora Sanchez of Paradise Cove.

The proprietor of Flourishing with Flora, she’s a yoga instructor — all are welcome to attend her thrice a week yoga classes. She’s also a certified ayurvedic healer who freely gives to others advice from that system of medicine which is centered on the idea that disease is caused by an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness.

She’s a lady with a big dream who needs big support to start developing a blue zone in Paradise Cove.

“I’ve been smiled upon,” the vivaciously optimistic Sanchez declares. “I’m in a position where I can now smile upon others and bless them!”

What’s all this talk about a “blue zone”?

Soooo, what’s a blue zone anyway? It’s a region in the world where people enjoy a high quality of life and have exceptionally long lives, well beyond their 80s. They include the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa Island; Loma Linda, California; and Sardinia, Italy, all areas with the lowest rate of middle-age mortality and dementia.

Developing a blue zone doesn’t take much physical space. Rather, it takes those participating in the effort being in a good, positive, happy headspace.

Sooooo, how are Florez and her team going to form a blue zone in Paradise Cove? She ticks off the elements of her long and ever-evolving to-do list to accomplish the nascent goal. She’s already on her way.

First, Sanchez had to get the blessing of Steve Dahlberg, a member of the Kissel family who manages the Cove through its Paradise Cove Land Company, to install two box gardens in empty spaces.

“Steve gave me his blessing for the garden projects,” Sanchez said. “We will have a residents’ meeting to determine where to place the garden at the top of the park and one will be near the laundry room across from my home.”

Her home, dubbed the Healing Hut, is one of those wonderful, tiny but terrific trailers in Paradise Cove, a space blessed by fresh ocean breezes.

Dahlberg requested renderings of the proposed gardens.

No problem. Enter stage left Britton Glynn of Glynn Design Build who kindly provided the renderings.

“Every single person I talk with has loved the idea for the Cove to have the gardens,” Sanchez said. “We will develop a healthy, supportive community, perhaps in the future having two to three community meals in our clubhouse using ingredients from our biodynamic gardens.”

Sanchez is well-known in Malibu’s wellness community.

“I’ve taught yoga for years, am an ayurvedic healer and help people with massage and bodywork,” she said.

According to Beach Cities Health District in Redondo Beach, a decades-old organization that focuses on preventive health, which serves Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo beaches, forming a blue zone in one’s community optimizes residents’ health.

“Blue zones” was a phrase first coined by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic explorer, fellow, and journalist during an exploratory project in 2004. The project began in Okinawa and then set out to explore other regions in the world with high longevity. There are several power principles for blue zones derived from habits practiced by those residing and thriving in such regions whose life practices are fulfilled, authentic, and healthy.

One of those principles is to move naturally — walk, don’t drive, walk a dog, take steps instead of elevators, and just keep moving!

“In our blue zone, people will be able to plant and tend to a garden and studies show that when doing so, one raises her dopamine level naturally,” Sanchez said. “We’ll keep doing my yoga classes three times a week and perhaps practice Reiki or tai chi. Those who are interested can join a group that goes down to the beach and puts their feet in the water in harmony and synchronicity with the tides. We’ll also have walking clubs so that participants can encourage one another.”

Knowing your purpose is another principle. For the Okinawans, who are in one of the world’s nine recognized blue zones, “know your purpose” is called, “Ikigai” and the Nicoyans call it “plan de vida.” Simply stated, both of those phrases translate to “why I wake up in the morning.” Whether to help others, be introspective and create your own world of wonder and purpose, or pursue one’s interest, a person gets to know his purpose by taking an inventory of her life and being mindful of her values, passions, gifts, and talent.

Know why you ARE!

“We all need to follow our gifts, and creating the blue zone with a supportive team of people and community donations and possibly a grant is my next level of following my gifts,” Sanchez said.

“Positive pack” is another principle, which notes that the world’s longest-living people are either born into or choose to create social circles that support healthy behaviors. In Malibuese, it distills down to having a tribe you socialize with, a tribe you support, and that supports you. Ikarians enjoy tight-knit communities that social frequently, while Okinawans build “moai” groups of five friends that commit to each other for life.

Antoher principle is “belong” — all but five of the 263 centenarians interviewed in the original blue zones studies belonged to a faith-based or civic community that organically provides opportunities to develop strong social relationships, which those studies found, can add years to one’s life.

“Down shift” is another way to phrase efforts to reduce stress because it causes inflammation, which is associated with every major age-related disease. The world’s longest-living elders have routines to shed stress that they have instilled into their mental memories so they’ve become habits. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors. Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap and Sardians do happy hour. Friends at five gatherings are also useful — and fun!

Less is more

“Hara hachi bu,” the 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra before meals, reminds Okinawants to stop eating when they are only 80 percent full. Some easy tricks to pull that off include using tableware that is only 10 inches in diameter and tall, skinny glasses and eating one’s smallest meal in late afternoon or early evening.

Having what is known in blue zone parlance as a “plant slant,” helps as well, as in eating little meat and only that of the highest grade while partaking of fruits and vegetables galore as they have disease-fighting nutrients. Also, one is nuts if he does not eat a couple of handfuls of nuts a day.

City Council approves PCH median improvements

News

Samantha Bravo

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September 30, 2024

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City Council approves PCH median improvements

Housing Element and Code Amendments approved by City Council

During the City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 23, City Manager Steve McClary and Malibu/Lost Hills Sgt. Chris Soderlund took a moment to acknowledge the recent Safety and Preparedness Fair that took place on Sunday, Sept. 15.

The City of Malibu hosted the sixth annual Safety and Preparedness Fair at the City Hall parking lot. The free event was organized by Malibu’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and featured safety training, an earthquake simulator, a fire extinguisher course, and other safety tips from first responders and volunteer groups. Tents and booths were on displayed and provided residents with life-saving tips in the events of disasters.

Soderlund provided an update on traffic and safety and mentioned the successfully towed RV on Sept. 12. The LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) successfully towed an unattached trailer along PCH at Corral Beach, which had amassed numerous citations.

Soderlund also mentioned arresting a driver for speeding right in front of him.

“When the Corvette exited the property, he decided to floor it and accelerated down PCH about 70-80 miles an hour — right in front of me — so I decided we can’t have that, so I pulled him over, arrested him, and impounded his car for 30 days.”

Soderlund also mentioned a drone program that was recently approved for the Sheriff’s Department. The Malibu Timeswill follow up on this program. Soderlund also said he had a great time at the Safety and Preparedness Fair.

“It was a great event, there was a lot of kids there, and the In-N-Out was delicious,” he said.

Also, Mayor Doug Stewart expressed his disappointment following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 1509, the“NOT in California Act,” a proposed law aimed at combating excessive speeding on California’s highways, specifically the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The bill, which sought to impose stricter penalties for repeat speeding offenses, was designed to improve road safety in Malibu and other coastal communities where high speeds have led to numerous fatalities. To read his statement, read article on A1.

For council updates, Councilmember Bruce Silverstein hopes the city will allow the Malibu Film Society to continue its series to take place at City Hall in Malibu. The MFS ended its series on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

McClary provided an update on upcoming meetings and events and also said the Safety and Preparedness Fair was well attended.

“We had over 300 people with over 100 childen here for the event, they enjoyed a variety of educational opportunities — it was a very good turnout,” he said.

McClary also mentioned the recent earthquakes that occurred in Malibu.

The council moved on to new items and approved the Professional Services Agreement for PCH Median Improvements. Public Works Director Rob DeBoux was at the meeting and answered questions about the project.

The council approved the Planning Clearances Issued for Formula Retail Businesses within Cross Creek Ranch Shopping Center (Location: 23465 Civic Center Way) pursuant to Settlement Agreement between City of Malibu and Cross Creek Ranch Malibu, LLC.

The council approved Support for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) General Obligation Bond Measure MM on the Nov. 5 ballot.

After a break, the council addressed Adoption of Housing Element and Code Amendments. This item was included in the Adopted Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and is part of normal staff operations.

The Planning Commission held a hearing on the Revised 2021-29 Housing Element and related LCP and MMC amendments on Aug. 19, and recommended approval of the Revised Housing Element and related LCP and MMC code amendments with two recommended changes to the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) zone. The commission recommended the AHO Zone be amended to: 1) require a development agreement for very-low or low-income housing built within the AHO zone; and 2) that very-low or low-income housing built within the AHO zone include a minimum 55-year deed restriction. After the commission action, it was determined that a minimum 55-year deed restriction already exists for an affordable housing development project in the AHO. To view the 548-page document, visit www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6874?fileID=68293.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Council Chambers.

The following incidents were reported between August 8 to August 21

Crime Report

Samantha Bravo

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September 30, 2024

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The following incidents were reported between August 8 to August 21

8/8
Vandalism
A property on Trancas Canyon Road was vandalized, and multiple walls were vandalized with graffiti. The damage was estimated to cost $1,100.

8/15
Burglary
A property on Sea Vista Drive was broken into and ransacked. The shattered was estimated to cost $1,200 to repair. There were no security cameras or witnesses available for evidence.

8/16
Grand Theft
A designer purse worth $5,500 and wallet worth $1,000 was stolen from Nobu Restaurant. The deputies reviewed the footage and saw the suspect standing around where the victim was, grabbed the purse and exited the ressturant. The suspect was described as a white male approximately 50-year-old, and wearing a blue shirt. The video was uploaded for evidence.

8/21
A vehicle parked on Portshead Road was vandalized and the window was shattered. The window was estimated to cost $800 to repair. The video shows the suspect throwing an unknown object to shatter the window. The security footage was uploaded for evidence.

Letter to The Editor: Vocal minority disrupts forum, silences opposing views

Letters To The Editor

Letter to the Editor

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September 30, 2024

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Dear Editor,

When providing my closing statement at a Candidate Forum, a small but vocal minority of people in the audience interrupted the decorum of the event when I began to explain substantive differences between my policy of seeking to protect and preserve the sensitive rural nature of Malibu by honoring the Vision Statement and Mission Statement, and the contrary approach of Paul Grisanti along with his Planning Commissioner/Development Contractor Dennis Smith, who is under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission for potential conflicts of interest. Notably, the audience members who engaged in this behavior are the same people who repeatedly call for civility and an end to divisiveness.

Here is a quote of the words I said before I was interrupted mid-sentence:

“Paul says a lot of great things, Paul has a lot of great experience in the city. But where we come apart and what we didn’t talk about tonight at all is the Vision Statement and the Mission Statement, and slow growth versus development. And Paul has consistently supported development in Malibu, contrary to the mission statement . . . [INTERRUPTION]”

To be clear, that is not an attack, and it is not uncivil or divisive. It is simply an effort to explain a substantive difference between the approaches of different candidates — which is the very purpose of a Candidate Forum.

What is uncivil and divisive is for people to refuse to accept that substantive differences are important to understand, and to engage in a mob mentality by shouting down people for expressing substantive views with which they disagree. By exercising a “heckler’s veto,” the audience members who claim to champion civility prevented the majority of the audience from hearing the substantive views I respectfully sought to express, and which they had attended the Candidate Forum to hear.

It also is important and appropriate to discuss and understand who is financing and supporting a candidate’s campaign and who the candidate has appointed or will appoint to the Planning Commission. Are they developers, building contractors, and other special interests, or are they ordinary residents who live in Malibu for its rural serenity and beauty? The sad fact is that billions of dollars have been made by developers and other special interests who have exploited Malibu for personal gain, and billions more remain to be made by activity that threatens Malibu’s fragile rural nature — and those developers and other special interests invest heavily in City Council candidates who support their objectives.

Finally, the disturbance of the Candidate Forum runs counter to the fundamental principles underlying the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. As explained in an article on the subject by Erica Goldberg, a law professor at the University of Dayton:

“As a scholar in this area, I know that underlying the First Amendment is a belief that free and open discussion is what makes democracy strong. Conversely, repression of speech is not consistent with democratic ideals or practice.

“The theory behind the First Amendment and the exercise of free speech is that speech, unlike physical conduct or force, should be countered with other speech. Speech is not itself violence, and challenging ideas promotes critical thinking and growth.

“Much of the rising intolerance to speech has a common thread: Instead of using speech or protest to counter the speech or expression that critics dislike, people on the right and the left appear to want to prevent ideas they don’t like from entering the conversation.”

Next time someone tells you their view that a particular candidate is uncivil or divisive because they express substantive views with which the person does not agree, consider the fact that people who fail to put principles above personalities need to put down the magnifying glass and pick up a mirror.

A recording of my comments that preceded the disruption can be viewed at:

Malibu Democratic Club: youtu.be/QmidigrETz4?si=mnLGEw61ou8WBHUt

Bruce Silverstein,
Malibu City Councilmember

Kasey Earnest celebrates 20 years of impact at the Malibu Boys & Girls Club

Judy Abel

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September 30, 2024

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Kasey Earnest celebrates 20 years of impact at the Malibu Boys & Girls Club

BGCM remains a vital lifeline for the community

Malibu is a different place today than it was 20 years ago when Kasey Earnest was hired as program director for the then recently established Malibu Boys & Girls Club (BGCM). Much of that transformation can be attributed to her tireless efforts.

With only 30 children enrolled in its after-school programs, the young Earnest immediately saw untapped potential for greater community impact. With a background working for a nonprofit supporting inner-city youth and families, she was initially confused about the need in Malibu but, she said, “it was almost immediate upon arrival that there was nowhere else that I should be. There was so much that needed to occur for the youth. The level of need was extreme.” It was apparent those kids enrolled “needed so much. There was endless opportunity to be helpful and supportive and triage the different levels of need for the kids there,” according to Earnest.

What followed was two decades of growth and innovation under Earnest’s leadership. Her “superpower,” as she calls it, has been the organization’s ability to swiftly identify needs and take action. Just two years after joining BGCM, she was promoted to chief executive officer, and her vision for the club began to take shape.

Afterschool programs grew to include academics, good character and leadership development, health and wellness, and the arts. It’s a BGCM effort to graduate students with increased confidence, positive relationships, healthy minds andbodies, as loved individuals who are ready to launch into the adult world.

What started as a modest program at Malibu High School expanded to include all three public elementary schools. Sites remain at Webster and Malibu Elementary School since the closure of Juan Cabrillo. “It was a consistent request that ‘We need high-quality affordable after-school care. Can you do this?’ If you give us space we can,” Earnest recalled.

Enrollment soared to nearly 900 children prior to the Woolsey Fire in 2018. However, like much of Malibu, the clubwas deeply affected by the disaster, as hundreds of homes were destroyed and families displaced. The COVID-19 pandemic only compounded these challenges, with enrollment plummeting. Still, the need for BGCM’s services didn’t diminish — in fact, it grew. Earnest and her team stepped up to meet the crisis head-on.

In 2017, BGCM opened a wellness center with counseling and supportive services. It still serves as a powerful benefit not just for students and their families, but for the entire community. “It’s a core pillar of who we are and what we do,” described Earnest. “A significant portion of our budget that we have to raise every year; that program touches every child in our public schools.” The center’s wellness teams are integrated into Malibu’s four public schools, where children can be seen by clinicians during the school day. “It’s so important…meeting the kids where they’re at,” Earnest said.

Following the Woolsey Fire, Earnest spearheaded the creation of a social work department focused on Malibu’s aging population, which was hit hard by the disaster. Earnest personally assisted many seniors in the aftermath, helping them fill out aid forms and delivering food and other essentials. “These Malibu citizens had lost everything,” she said. “They couldn’t meet their basic needs. It was a no-brainer. We had to help.”

When asked about her most significant memories from her two decades with BGCM, Earnest, now a wife and mother, said there were too many to count, but, “When I run into alumni and they tell me, ‘The Boys & Girls Club saved my life,’ that’s enough. To change someone’s life, to give them opportunities they didn’t think they had — that’s a gift.”

Her impact on Malibu is undeniable. Wade Major, president of Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS), called Earnest a “local treasure.”

“She represents the kind of local educational involvement we hope to get more of once we’re independent, someone who doesn’t just contribute to the community and to our schools, but who is part of the community, and part of the community of school parents,” Major said. “If anyone asks how our Malibu parents can give back and contribute, I always point to Kasey as the example. Somehow,she manages to be everywhere all the time and still be a mom. If even a fraction of our Malibu parents follow her example, our future school district will be off to a soaring start.”

Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart added, “We are fortunate to have her making Malibu a better place every day.”

Looking to the future, BGCM is set to expand again with a new teen center at MHS, a project backed by Earnest. She believes Malibu’s community will only continue to thrive by taking care of its youth and working in partnership with parents, schools, and city leaders.

Reflecting on the last 20 years, Earnest said, “Having these types of organizations in your community, supported by the community, makes your community a better one. We’re a better community because we’ve extended our arms to support one another.”

24 Malibu Chili Cook Off 2023 SamBravo 1 — Molly Scott, Dan Morales, Kasey Earnest, and Ashley Kernes. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT

19 MalibuBGCM SamBravo — Molly Scott, Dan Morales, Kasey Earnest, and Ashley Kernes. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Hundreds in Malibu show up for Coastal Cleanup Day

News

Emmanuel Luissi

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September 30, 2024

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Hundreds in Malibu show up for Coastal Cleanup Day

Down the coast, hundreds participate in annual event to remove trash from local beaches

Along the Malibu coast, hundreds participated in California’s 40th annual Coastal Cleanup Day — a powerful day of community action removing hazardous trash from our beautiful coast.

Heal the Bay led the coastal cleanup across Los Angeles County, facilitating the volunteer cleanup of over 50 coastal, inland, dive, and kayak cleanup sites.

Enlisting the help of local community partners as site captains, Heal the Bay aimed to remove 2 million pounds of trash across the county — with Malibu hosting six cleanup locations at Leo Carillo State Beach, Nicholas Canyon County Beach, Zuma Beach, Corral Canyon/Dan Blocker County Beaches, Malibu Lagoon State Beach and underwater dive cleanup at Malibu Pier.

Coastal Cleanup 1 — Cleanup location at Corral Canyon/Dan Blocker beaches. Photos by Emmanuel Luissi/TMT.

Coastal Cleanup 2 — Cleanup location at Corral Canyon/Dan Blocker beaches. Photos by Emmanuel Luissi/TMT.

Residents and natural conservationists equipped themselves with trash pickup tools, sifters, buckets, and reusable bags scattered across the beaches, helping beautify the community.

Each cleanup location was captained by a local organization or community group that supplied cleaning materials, snacks, and education to guide volunteers through the cleanup.

Nicholas Canyon Beach was captained by the California Wildlife Center — a beach used by the organization to release rehabilitated seals and sea lions.

Heather Henderson, marine biolife manager at California Wildlife Center, said Nicholas Canyon Beach is a beach that is near and dear to their hearts and called it a hidden gem in Malibu.

“It’s easy to look at Malibu’s beaches and think about how beautiful they are but there’s a lot of micro-trash out there and that’s what really hurts our ocean animals,” Henderson said. “We’re out here today to spread out wide and leave our beaches even more beautiful than it already is.”

Cambria Wells, education and outreach manager for the California Wildlife Center said it was important for their site to attack the issue of microplastics.

“To us, it’s really important, because to get those things off the beach because they’re the size items that our animals could actually ingest — really small things, pieces of styrofoam, plastics, bits of metal,” Wells said. “Here we get a lot of stuff coming in from the ocean so here we can pick it up, sift it out and keep it from returning to the ocean.”

Down the road at the Corral/Dan Blocker County Beaches, the Antelope Valley Desert divers captained the cleanup. Scott Gerstel, sergeant at arms for the Antelope Valley Desert Divers said it is important to maintain the ecosystem and safety of beaches by volunteering to clean up the beaches that we enjoy.

“Trash messes with the wildlife, disrupts the ecosystems and we need to make sure that things stay the way they’re intended to,” Gerstel said. “It gives us a place to go diving without missing the creatures we want to see or finding unsightly garbage that we have to gather while we’re underwater.”

Zuma Beach cleanup was captained by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and while some enjoyed games of volleyball and laid out to catch some sun, enthusiastic community members gathered bags and buckets of trash around the highly visited beach.

Robert Ramos, senior education manager at the Heal the Bay Aquarium helped facilitate the cleanup at Zuma and saidthe cleanup was inspiring to see the variety of different people and age groups participating in the cleaning efforts.

“We’re all connected, whether we realize it or not, to the ocean. We not only come here to enjoy our beach time, but we are eating from the ocean, getting oxygen from the ocean — if we care about this place, care about the creatures that live here, and care about what it means to us, then being here, being present today means ensuring a future for all of us,” Ramos said.

The participation across Malibu highlights the love and appreciation for Malibu beaches, which have helped propel Malibu beaches among the best beaches in Heal the Bay’s annual water quality report card year after year.

Letter to The Editor: Failing measures: Homeowners fire safety and insurance availability

Letters To The Editor

Letter to the Editor

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September 30, 2024

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Dear Editor,

Property owners need to lead the way in keeping their homes and communities safer from wildfires. They can’t depend on finite firefighting resources and limited insurance options to save them in this era of increased wildfires.

September is the start of brush fire season, and with it comes many potential dangers, including the devastating loss of homes and communities, and displacement of residents. As in the past, public officials stress the importance of practicing fire safety measures, but the effect of fire dangers is now having an impact on our pocketbooks. CalFire, the state firefighting entity, maintains that “Homeowners need to provide the defense so that fire officials can be the offense.” Yet nearly all homeowners continue to do very little, if anything at all, to help their home become more resistant from fire damage.

I began to realize this when I served as president of my homeowners association. Before my term began, our community insurance policy was canceled, and the board discovered that the best insurance policy we could get increased our premiums more than 10 times, to $624,000 from $60,000, which the community members had to pay. This was due in part to the loss our community suffered during the Woolsey Fire. Embers cast from the wildfires in the hills adjacent to our community landed in one of the household’s rain gutters that was full of debris and started a fire that burned down four households. Had only one household taken hardening measures around their home — just by clearing the rain gutters — the disastrous outcome could have been prevented.

Studies show that around 90 percent of all fires start within 5 feet of one’s home (referred to as “Zone Zero”) from ember cast. Annually, the fire department will conduct a brush clearance inspection around your home. It’s important to note, however, that there are currently no local or state requirements to protect your home within Zone Zero.

The California State Insurance Commissioner’s office is now encouraging homeowners to take action in Zone Zero and beyond in their Safer from Wildfires initiative. In addition, it is requiring that insurance companies give discounts to residential policyholders who participate in the program, but even this is not enough for homeowners to take action.

There are free, helpful resources available to homeowners. For example, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM), Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF), and MySafeLA are grant-funded organizations that provide free home hardening assessments and reports to homeowners. According to these organizations, in 2024, only around 525 homeowners have taken advantage of this service.

CalFire is the administrator for the NFPA Firewise USA Program in California, which is a free, community-led program that educates and empowers homeowners to reduce the risk of fire damage at your household and in the community. This program can also provide insurance savings to homeowners within a recognized community. Yet, there are currently only around 20 NFPA Firewise USA Recognized communities in LA County.

Unless one has personally experienced the trials and tribulations of their homeowners insurance policy being canceled (or on the brink of being canceled), then they may not consider it a priority to take some home-hardening measures into effect. Yet others around the county and state continue to not engage in fire prevention measures at their household or in their community.

The likelihood of wildfires and their widespread effects are going to continue to rise.

The number of resources fighting these fires will likely remain the same.

The availability of insurance is going to continue to decline.

Things will continue to get worse without homeowners making changes to help prevent their homes from wildfires. Homeowners need to do more to keep their home and their community safe and, with this, hopefully improve the landscape of homeowners insurance availability and affordability.

Gabriel Albarian Jr.
Westlake Village