Sad day for Malibu real estate

The following letter was distributed to members of the Malibu Association of Realtors. It is reprinted with permission of the author.

Dear Colleagues:

Perhaps many of you have heard the news, but I wanted to update the board directors on the status of Malibu Realty.

Today is a sad day in the history of Malibu Real Estate.

Our colleagues who have been reliable agents for Malibu Realty have been instructed to remove their belongings and to associate with another brokerage by next Friday, August 17. This is a shock for our fellow members and we need to offer our condolences and encouragement as they determine the next phase in their real estate career.

This is a hardship for our fellow agents. It is the end of an era for Malibu Realty. However, I suspect it is the beginning of a new life for a Malibu real estate company.

May all of you offer your respect to Charles Willson and the agents that he has nurtured throughout the years.

At the same time, may we all welcome change.

Kathryn suggested that I read the book, “Who Moved My Cheese.” I read it this weekend. It tells us that to be successful, we need to anticipate change, monitor change, adapt to change quickly, change and enjoy change, as change keeps moving.

Gosh, I am glad I read this book!

Happy day to all of you,

Beverly Taki

As a community, we often appear contentious. Groups with different priorities face off against each other, each believing they are right.

This civic drama changes when Malibu is in real trouble. Then Miracles happen. In the past, former opponents formed coalitions to save this land from nuclear plants, freeways rumbling over cut-off mountain tops, huge sewer systems and government suffocation that eventually led to cityhood.

Malibu is threatened again. The ten-year moratorium that protected us from massive development is over. Citizens need amenities. The City owns minimal land, only one small piece in Las Flores and some acreage in Charmlee Park. So what do we do? We join forces to create a positive vision of our future and look for ways to preserve our special quality of life.

The Miracle of coming together to save Malibu began to happen last November in the campaign for Advisory Bond Measure “O”. A diverse committee, principally funded by a member of the Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy (MCLC), introduced Measure “O” and was able to pass the measure with a majority vote of 59%.

After the November election, the MCLC initiated the first meeting of the real “Bond Campaign”. Citizens from every interest imaginable, trails, open spaces, wetlands, ballparks, community center, senior and youth activists, to name a few, enthusiastically participated in large community meetings. In subsequent meetings representatives from each of these groups joined together to form the bond steering committee.

The path to a final bond measure was not an easy trip. In many meetings, tensions ran high. What land should we buy first? For what purpose should it be used? How much should be spent on construction versus the acquisition of land?

The bond coalition was unable to achieve consensus on a top priority for the bond funds when Ozzie Silna, representing the MCLC, recognized that future generations are our highest priority. He suggested that the Bond money be used first to acquire land for recreational facilities for the children. In the spirit of cooperation, MCLC agreed to support a partial use of the funds for construction. More agreements followed and the coalition was galvanized, imbued with direction and a cooperative spirit.

Knowing that the community’s land acquisition goals would extend beyond November, the MCLC launched a ten million-dollar campaign for private money focused on acquiring land in the Civic Center. This combination of private and public funds could give the city a total of $25 million with which to seek matching grants and buy land for a new Malibu Miracle

Both of these campaigns are about the same thing–to acquire land for the city before it is developed. We encourage you to support both of these efforts to the best of your ability.

Lloyd Ahern, Anne Hoffman, Mona Loo, Patt Healy, Georgianna McBurney, Dierdre Roney, Ozzie Silna, Steve Uhring

Members of the Malibu Coalition for Parks and Land

It’s a windy day up in the canyon and 4-year-old Nipper is barking away.

“There must be someone outside,” says Greg Louganis.

Seems life for the man who was once the world’s most celebrated diver has gone straight to the dogs–Jack Russell terriers to be specific.

It’s been about 14 years since Louganis put away his Speedo, but these days he has a new passion–canine sports, training and showing.

He discovered his natural talent with animals early on. “When I was growing up there was this white German Shepherd guard dog who would just bark and bark every time we went down to the bus stop,” recalls Louganis. “Over time, I befriended him and he learned to trust me. Soon he never barked at me anymore.”

Coupling his passion for training and showing dogs, Louganis also developed a sideline for placing dogs in homes.

“I was given a Great Dane for my birthday and had it for three years,” he explains. “But with the diving and traveling, I couldn’t care for her the way I wanted so I placed her with a family.”

Louganis vowed that when he retired from diving, he would get another Dane, which he did, and developed an interest in showing.

As a competitor, Louganis appreciates the grace, beauty and agility of various dog breeds. “I started going to the dog obedience ring and really learned a lot,” says Louganis.

The results were impressive. Louganis even trained a 185-pound Dane who was deaf using hand signals.

He’s also managed to place several other dogs. Most recently, he rescued a Scottish deerhound named Molly, just before she was about to be put down at a Camarillo pound.

“She was just so sweet,” says Louganis. “I know a larger dog has a difficult time getting adopted, but her temperament was wonderful, very trusting.”

Louganis knew a pal at Malibu Health and Fitness who was looking for a dog and pounced on the opportunity. “I asked him to come down to the shelter.”

The two hit it off and the happy hound was adopted that day.

Louganis knows that not all dogs are easy to place.

“I know how to look at a dog and know if it is going to be a personality match,” he explains. “If it is, you’ll have a friend for life.”

Another perfect match for Louganis was with a Portuguese water dog named Boogie. “He was a fine example of the breed.”

As it turned out, Boogie’s temperament proved excellent for human interaction and therapy. “I taught him some cute little tricks, like how to wave and roll over and bow. Soon he started going to convalescent homes and children’s hospitals for visits. He was so soft and gentle, he was a star.”

Instead of pet stores, which can have questionable standards, Louganis encourages prospective dog owners to go to a reputable breeder or look online for dogs who need homes. “Every breed has a rescue Web site,” he explains.

Over the years, Louganis has developed a special bond with his four-legged friends. “I’d rather work with animals than people,” he says. “They are so honest and eager to please, they have no hidden agenda and give unconditional love.”

Today Louganis and Nipper are working on the upcoming Grand Prix agility event, which takes place this September in Del Mar. Together, they’ll be in the spotlight once again.

So even though his diving days are behind him, this dedicated local champion has moved into a different arena where he continues to keep his competitive edge.

BONDED AT LAST

The big day finally arrived for Malibu’s Pierce Brosnan and longtime love Keely Shaye Smith–120 friends and family members flew to Ireland’s County Mayo to watch the celebrated couple exchange vows at a fairy-tale wedding with a fairy-tale setting, right out of a Merchant Ivory movie.

The ceremony took place at the 785-year-old Ballintubber Abbey and the celebration continued into the wee hours at breathtaking Ashford Castle. The original May 2000 wedding date was postponed when Brosnan’s 17-year-old son, Sean, narrowly escaped death following a car crash in Malibu. Sean was back on his feet and joined other members of the Brosnan brood, including the couple’s 4-year-old son Dylan and 6-month-old Paris.

Following a full Catholic mass, guests gathered at the castle grounds, where they were greeted in true Irish fashion with bagpipers playing in the background. The wedding feast featured buckwheat bilinis, Beluga caviar, fresh lobster and a six-tier carrot cake covered with white crystallized blooms.

The festivities went out with a bang as a fireworks spectacular lit up the night sky. But before long, Brosnan will be back at work as Agent 007 in the upcoming Bond flick–the as yet untitled “Bond 20.”

PROMISES, PROMISES

It seems you’ll find more stars at Malibu Promises rehab facility these days than the Moomba Room on a Friday night. Promises is turning into the center of choice for celebs in recovery. Hot leading man Ben Affleck is the latest to check in, joining fellow A-listers Paula Poundstone and Robert Downey Jr., and all-star alums like Charlie Sheen, Matthew Perry and Christian Slater.

For $31,000 a month, Promises offers a 12-step approach program as well as gourmet meals and a state-of-the-art gym. Downey recently got a day pass out of Promises to take care of a little business. He’ll be featured in the upcoming Elton John video, “I Want Love.”

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Tippi Hedren was among the big cats holding court at this year’s Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo. Hedren was honored for her years of hard work on behalf of wildlife preservation and environmental causes. For the past two decades, she has headed up the Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve. The 31st annual celebration also honored LeVar Burton, host of public television’s “Reading Rainbow.”

A Mardi Gras-style band on stilts greeted about a thousand safari-clad guests who gathered on the zoo grounds. Yes, there were lions and tigers and bears as well as two-legged party animals who sampled everything from crab cakes with chili mango cream sauce to grilled lollipop of lamb with port wine dressing.

Actress and zoo commissioner Betty White Ludden presided over the live auction, which featured exotic travel packages to Bali as well as a unique hands-on experience you’d never find anywhere else–a chance to give the zoo’s elephant herd its daily bubble bath.

The place was still abuzz over another critter caper–the scandalous toe-biting incident involving Komo the Komodo dragon and Sharon Stone’s newspaper hubby, Phil Bronstein. Even so, most animal lovers were going ape over another matter–the $700,000 they helped raise to fund the zoo’s Campo Gorilla Reserve.

Young, old and people of all ages in between formed a long line that stretched all the way around a corner. Excitement filled the air as friends conversed happily while they waited their turn in line. Most had arrived first thing in the morning, hoping to beat the crowd.

No, these people were not waiting to buy tickets to an N’Sync concert. They were in line waiting for the opportunity to purchase used books at the Malibu Public Library’s 23rd Annual Book Fair.

The Friends of the Malibu Library, a nonprofit organization, hosted the book fair, which took place Saturday and Sunday.

Friends was launched in 1978 when a group of Malibuites came together to raise money to save the very existence of the Malibu library during a period when the county was lacking money to fund it. These days, the funds raised from the book fair are used primarily for the children’s summer reading program, as well as to update material in the library.

Members of Friends collect books over the course of the year that people have donated, then sort through them, categorize and load them into boxes to be taken to the library for this special event.

“The annual book fair has become a tradition in the community,” said Friends board member June Korn.

Malibu residents weren’t the only ones to show up at the event.

“The pros come early to get all the books and resell them for twice as much,” said Michael Carven, of “General Hospital” fame. The Swiss soap actor had observed a few people who had shown up first thing Saturday morning grabbing as many books as they could get their hands on, taking advantage of the $1 hardcover/$.50 paperback prices. “Then they leave with all those books and resell them at their own stores for so much more money.”

Carven, an avid reader himself, also left with a box full of books, ranging from French philosophy to Shakespearean poetry.

Although Carven chose the more intellectual route with his purchases, most folks headed to the back of the library to stock up on paperback novels.

Authors such as Danielle Steele and Jackie Collins were plentiful, as well as Stephen King and James Patterson.

Books were not the only selling item, however. One could also purchase records for $.10, and tapes and videocassettes for $.50 each.

One generous person was kind enough to donate the Tyson/Holyfield fight they had taped on video. Unfortunately, it was not purchased.

Still, not everyone was there to buy. Jordan McCarthy, who will be attending Malibu Middle School as a seventh grader in the fall, was volunteering at the book fair for the second year in a row. He volunteered last year because “I like books, I like the library, and my parents are Friends of the Library,” he said.

And this year?

“I had such a great time I decided to come back,” explained McCarthy.”

“Besides,” he added, “what else is there to do over the summer?”

As long as people continue to donate used books for the fair, McCarthy won’t have to worry about an uneventful summer. Some residents, upon death, have left all of their books to Friends specifically for this event.

Laughing, June Korn reminds folks in Malibu to “remember us in your will.”

Editiors note: This letter was presented to the Malibu City Council at its Aug. 13 meeting.

Re:Possible postponement of Special Municipal Election Bond Measure from November 2001 until April 2002.

I want to make sure the Council understands why “Lily’s Cafe Malibu Steering Committee,” myself included, have taken a position of opposition to this Bond Measure.

In early April, I attended two Lion Club meetings where, individually, two council persons discussed various City issues including the Bond. Later, I met with another Council person and Parks and Recreation Commissioner on the City Hall steps, and all agreed that the individual projects for this Bond Measure would be ranked in priority order. At no time did we ever ask them to identify individual properties or assign dollars to them.

Three months later, imagine our surprise, when we read the text for a Bond approval by this Council on July 9. The Bond as written did not rank the projects as promised, but provided an expanded list of various uses which continues to grow per Letters to the Editor and still does not include restored wetlands or Las Flores Creek City Park. Because it is so poorly written and the Malibu voters cannot make an informed decision as to which projects will be funded from the limited dollars available by the Council or future Councils, we have taken this position of opposition.

When Council person Hasse called me last Thursday, I did agree that I would participate in drafting new language for a Bond election in April, 2002.

Giving some additional thought and the shortness of time until April, rather than form a new committee, this Council should hear directly from its Malibu citizenry and rank the projects themselves for a revised Bond Measure. This should be a Council’s decision and not filtered through a Commission or Steering Committee.

The Malibu citizenry, committee or commission, do not have the inside knowledge nor authority to determine what the terms or conditions should be with the various landowners that is available to certain members of the Council in determining how to rank these projects.

We believe the current Bond measure as written is at risk this November and suggest at minimum the following:

1. Before the April election, hold a minimum of three public hearings at various locations in Malibu.

2. Should the Bond dollars be increased?

3. Rank all the projects or reduce this list to reasonably match the total dollars available in the revised Bond Measure.

In short, tell the voters of Malibu what you will do with this money!

John Harlow

Two venerable old Malibu institutions were in the news this week, but for entirely different reasons.

One, Malibu Realty, has operated as a real estate company in this town for more than 36 years. At the end of this week it will be closing its doors. After a facelift to its building, a new company will be back, apparently, with a new crew, new energy, and new capital, but still in the same old business–selling real estate.

But there is another institution in this town that is also in the process of undergoing change. It’s been out of business for quite some time, actually 26 or 27 years, but the land on which it used to sit, long since vacant, is apparently at a crossroads. As frequently happens in this town, the land is in Malibu but the crossroads is located in the center of the California Coastal Commission hearing room.

Many of you drive by the land everyday when heading into town because the parcel on which this other venerable institution formerly sat was located at the end of Las Flores Canyon Creek, sandwiched between Duke’s Restaurant and the Union 76 Station. The lot housed a building called the Albatross and, although some still deny it, I had heard that there was a restaurant bar downstairs and a six- or eight-room motel upstairs.

Although some of the old-timers I’ve talked to emphatically deny any personal experience, most are of the opinion that the upstairs was inhabited by a number of “friendly ladies” who conducted their business efficiently and with the greatest of discretion.

The problem is this.

Recently, the Coastal Commission, in a 5 to 4 decision, reminiscent of the U.S. Supreme Court, decided it didn’t want what had been proposed for that spot, a small 8-unit condominium.

Almost all agree that the parcel is too small for anything visitor serving, like a real restaurant, and besides, the environmentalists who led the charge to block the condominiums want to turn the spot into a wetlands, or some such thing.

The problem the Coastal Commission created is that sooner or later it has got to say “Yes” to something. That is, unless it has the bucks to buy the land, which apparently it does not.

After much thought I have come up with a plan.

It seems to me that there’s a solution that could solve everyone’s needs simultaneously.

I believe the developer should propose and the Coastal Commission should accept a restoration of the building to its former use.

It has many obvious advantages.

– It would certainly comply with the Coastal Act and be a visitor-serving use.

– It would need less parking than a typical restaurant/motel because, whereas in an ordinary restaurant bar people tend to hang around, it’s well known that in this type of an establishment people finish quickly and go home.

– It causes minimal neighborhood tumult, as the patrons tend to be well behaved and us-ually try to avoid calling attention to them-selves.

And it has definite environmental ad-vantages.

What minimal traffic it produces would generally be later in the evening. And since much of the traffic would be locally gen-erated, it would probably run against the pre-vailing traffic.

Lastly, the environmentalists want most of the site to remain undeveloped and set back from the ocean, which of course destroys the views, and thusly the condominium developer has resisted them mightily.

But, whereas occupants of condominiums spend a great deal of time staring out the windows at the ocean, most of the patrons of this type of establishment I’m proposing care little about looking out the window, which they generally don’t consider the primary view.

The project probably could be fast-tracked for approval because it wouldn’t need any extensive Environmental Impact Report since I’m certain that many of the Malibu locals as well as some Coastal Commissioners and its staff are already familiar with this type of a visitor-serving activity.

There is, however, one thing we would have to change. In olden times the clientele was principally male visitor serving, but times have changed and the facility would have to be adapted accordingly.

It’s a modest proposal but I think it has possibilities.