In many ways, Malibu reminds me of the Hamptons in Long Island, New York where I spent many of my summers. Each weekend, we would schlep from Manhattan, in traffic for sometimes three hours. Why is the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Once we were there, the drive became history. The first thing we would do is grab the local papers and see if we appeared in them. The thrill we experienced when either reading about ourselves or seeing our faces in a picture from the prior week would always be the fix and boost we needed to make that drive all the way home at the end of our weekend.

But it was the quiet, laid-back winters that were more enticing, not only because there wasn’t any traffic and the drive would take half the time, but because the people who were still around were the ones who appreciated the town all year round. It was local. It was more of a community. It was like Malibu.

With this in mind, hold your breath, as I may be writing about you, if not this time … next time.

Movers and shakers

Dot Spikings and her husband, Academy Award-winner Barry (“The Deer Hunter”) are staying in Malibu, but were forced to move from their ocean-front house due to a gas-leak fire. They will now experience a view from the canyons. Dot is thrilled to have a garden, just like in England where they are from.

Newcomers to Malibu are clothing manufacturers Kandy Horowitz and her long time beaux, Bob Loox, and their two dogs, Texy and Bubba. Already they have frequented Malibu Wine and Cheese, accessorized their home from Tops and enjoyed Malibu’s casual dining. However, the sounds of the waves are taking them some time getting used to.

Theresa DeHaas, chair of the board for Make A Wish Foundation, and her husband Duke, a bigwig lawyer, and their two daughters just returned from a three-week vacation in Europe. It was quite the experience for Duke being with three very outspoken women. He said he loved it.

And that’s not all. Mirella and Joseph Ventress (Real Estate tycoon and international attorney) are back from their overseas trip where they spent time in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Now they can spend more time showing off their Millennium house. The likes of Puff Daddy and Charlize Theron … just to name a few have looked at this unique Malibu design.

Sizing up a role

Following in their footsteps are another generation of the Ventress’, Melissa and Jason Ventress, with Action Now Realty. The proud parents took baby Buckley on his first big outing where he ran into his first celebrity, Keri Russell (“Felicity”).

High tides

Fashion boutique Atlantis, recently remodeled, has a new fresh, chic look. Love your clothes Lily Harfouche. Oh, by the way, her boyfriend is Strider, a professional big wave surfer.

The view

Sighted at Granita during one of his theme evenings, Caribbean Night, was Wolfgang Puck himself, working the room, as well as Don Rickles, who never ages. Cher had her meal delivered. Why should she leave that house of hers? Speaking of Cher, birthday greetings go out to her and to all Geminis, who have a sense of duality, and who are not only versatile, but also restless, curious, lively, intelligent and eloquent.

Around town

So now that summer is here we need to know which day is good at what place and when in Malibu. Tuesdays are fun nights. Start out at Duke’s Malibu for Taco Tuesday. Then head over to the Malibu Inn to listen to the sounds of the longtime local band, Backbone. The members of this group all come from famous dads, two from the Allman Brothers. The lead singer, Chris Williams, is the son of Jerry Williams, the songwriter who has written for Eric Clapton, and Alex’s dad is Roy Orbison.

Roundup

Don’t forget about your dad. Prepare for Father’s Day, which is June 17. And … did you know that there are more collect calls on this day than any other day of the year?

These past couple of weeks the battle has raged hot and heavy over the Malibu Local Coastal Plan and who’s going to get to write it. I suspect there are many of you, like myself, who are just sitting back and scratching your heads and saying to yourselves, “Frankly Scarlett, do I really give a dam?”

For as long as I can remember Malibu has been fighting about plans. The city’s residents and politicians have fought about general plans, specific plans, interim zoning plans and not so interim zoning plans. At each and every juncture one side or the other is claiming that the council plan is either the end of world or, alternatively, the savior of man. When you think about it, the City of Malibu really hasn’t built very much in the last 10 years, nor did it in the previous 10 years when the city belonged to the county. So I’m beginning to wonder whether fighting about imaginary developments is kind of Malibu’s local sport.

Malibu certainly does seem to have some real needs, but the population seems to spend all of its time, energy and budget not meeting those needs, but fighting about the plan to meet those needs. Malibu needs a community center, a teen center, a senior citizen center, a city hall, some additional community rooms, a park, a whole bunch of ball fields, some low-cost day care, and some serious monetary assistance to its schools (not the nickel and dime stuff we’re proposing). It also needs a 24-hour emergency room plus some additional commercial buildings and some moderate-cost housing so people who work here can afford to live here. None of it has happened. All Malibu citizens do is fight about plans.

I can begin to understand why the state (and this includes the governor, senate, assembly, Coastal Commission and the Regional Water Quality Control Board) thinks Malibu is full of a bunch of elitists with heads screwed on cockeyed, and is simply fed up with them and wants them gone.

As far as state legislators are concerned, Malibu can hold workshops and hearings on its LCP until everybody is terminally geriatric. In the meantime, they’re going to go ahead and write and certify Malibu’s Local Coastal Plan and get rid of the “cockeyed elitists” as quickly as they can.

The citizens of Malibu elected a council to make decisions. They should let them do it and get on with it. This permanent filibuster by a group of people who really don’t want anything but their own way is getting the city nowhere. It’s very expensive and results only in matters being taken out of Malibu’s hands.

I’ve been in and around Sacramento for many years, originally as a state Senate staffer, and the last six years as a member of the board of directors of the California Newspaper Publishers Association. I’ve lobbied lots of bills, and one thing I know with absolute certainty is, if you don’t present a unified front in Sacramento you can be assured you’re going to get killed.

Now we have the council sending up a draft local coastal plan and Frank Angel and the Malibu Township Council crowd saying to Sen. John Burton and anybody else who will listen, just ignore our elected leadership and listen to us.

Guess what. Now they’re not going to listen to either of side because to have two groups at the table singing different tunes is the same as having no one at the table.

I’m sorry to say there was a time when the Malibu Township Council, which has a long and honorable history, meant something. Now it’s sort of become the city’s Elba. It’s where defeated politicians and their geriatric apparatchiks go to scheme and try to plot their return to power, which I suspect is what this opposition to the LCP is all about. They spent years writing their own LCP and sent it to the Coastal Commission, which pronounced it DOA and promptly put it in the round file.

It’s time everybody moved on from this sort of silliness and begin to get something done. If people don’t like what the council does, let’s replace them and get a new council. But to elect a group of people to do a job and then constantly try to block them from doing that job results in nothing but stalemate. Some people in Malibu are happy with stalemate because it used to mean nothing happens. But it’s becoming apparent that the world has lost patience with Malibu.

Today, stalemate means someone else is going to decide for you.

I felt compelled to respond to Mr. Walmsley’s letter regarding the recent special event at Leo Carrillo State Park. I certainly respect Mr. Walmsley’s opinions, however I felt that it might be useful to share another perspective. The surf contest that was referenced in Mr. Walmsley’s letter was actually part of the first annual “Back to Blue Surf Fest” which was planned as a major fund raising event for the Leo Carrillo Children’s Education Center. The event was widely publicized in the local media, the Internet and local surf shops. The closure of a surf break for an organized event is certainly not without precedence. One of the most popular venues for professional and amateur contest is Lower Trestles that is part of San Onofre State Beach. This beach is used many times each year for surfing competitions. Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz is another public park that is used often for surfing competitions. With only two contests during the year, Leo Carrillo is seldom impacted by organized contests.

It has been many years since County Lifeguards operated at Leo Carrillo. Our State Lifeguards were following the spirit of the closure order when they asked Mr. Walmsley to leave the water. While recreational surfing was restricted for a portion of each day, there were plenty of other options available. The closure order listed several alternative surf breaks in the vicinity. Mr. Walmsley also questioned State Park’s authority to enact such a closure. This authority is clearly stated in the law that gives State Parks the right to establish such a closure. This authority extends 1000 feet from shore.

(Public Resources Code 5003.05)

I sensed that Mr. Walmsley was concerned with outsiders participating in the event and littering the beaches. State Parks has a global perspective and welcomes visitors from all over the world. My experience has shown that littering is a bad habit that has no geographic boundaries.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Walmsley’s day was impacted by the activity at Leo Carrillo. This was the only complaint that was registered compared with several letters of appreciation. This was a very good event that benefited a wonderful project. There was never any intent to violate Constitutional rights or compromise my ethics.

Hayden W Sohm

Malibu Sector Superintendent

The last Council meeting painted a clear picture of Malibu’s shadow government. There stood Frank Angel, attorney hired by Malibu Township Council, threatening to sue the City if it dared to write its own Local Coastal Plan. Not only that, he stated he had called John Burton, author of the bill that took away Malibu’s right to author its own LCP, and told him to ignore the City Council because they didn’t represent the City. Why? Because MTC wants the Coastal Commission to dictate our future.

In an orchestrated attack, “The Coalition for Slow Growth,” (which has about four members), Steve Uring, president of the Coastal Land Conservancy, and a score of Keller-Van Horn supporters invited MTC’s attorney to speak for them as well, and applauded when he finished. Even more shocking was Frank Basso, former president of the Point Dume HOA, agreeing that the City Council should just shut up and hand all our land use decisions over to the Coastal Commission.

So what’s going on? That’s easy. In the old days MTC had broad representation and hundreds of members who fought hard for independence, local control and Cityhood. Today, Carolyn Van Horn, Lucille Keller and their old stable of supporters control MTC and membership has dwindled. When the voters decided to oust Keller and Van Horn, these old pioneers of independence have decided if they can’t run Malibu, then no one in Malibu should. In other words, they now believe in control only if they have it.

Well, I hope MTC likes the Fat Burgers, Taco Bells and Marriots that will be popping up all over our City. And they will love the public parking that will be forced on residential areas like Point Dume. Remember, folks, Peter Douglas, director of the Coastal Commission, wrote the staff report that said the best use of Bluff Park would be an RV park. Now that the kids are being kicked off Bluff’s Park, maybe he will get his wish.And let’s not forget that the Commission sued to allow public parking at Point Dume.

If Malibu voters want a duly elected City Council instead of an appointed State Commission to determine their future, they should tell the old guard to get over not being in power. Tell them it’s time to join the rest of us in keeping what they claimed they wanted local control.

B(Name withheld because of project pending before Coastal Commission.

Name withheld on request

Three of our four children will be participating in a Promotion or Graduation Ceremony in a few days. One for 5th, one for 8th, and one for 12th. All four have been attending Malibu schools since 1994.

Our children started off attending private school; then we moved to Irvine so they could attend what are considered some of the best schools in the country. After two years there, we moved to Germany for three years, where they went to German schools, which pride themselves on a very traditional, highly academic curriculum.

We were always in search of a school environment that was academically sound, creatively stimulating and one which involved the surrounding community. We came full circle and ended up finding just that in Malibu.

It’s true, we have been vocal critics in the past (and probably will be in the future) but the truth is that the majority of what is going on in the Malibu schools is exceptional. If it weren’t, there would not be so many exceptional people involved in the education of our community’s children.

As we approach this milestone in our lives, we would like to thank so many who contribute: 1) The dedicated and hard-working teachers and administrators who truly go above and beyond to educate every child and offer a curriculum that is intellectually challenging and creatively nurturing; 2) The service organizations (Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimists, Women’s Clubs) that value, encourage and reward virtues of commitment, hard work, success, and overcoming obstacles; 3) The religious organizations that work hard to plant seeds of faith that grow into foundations for life of strong moral character; 4) The businesses that give so generously to the many youth activities in our community; 5) The newspapers that chronicle and enthusiastically report the events in the lives of our children; 6) The City Council that searches for ways to improve life and offer more opportunities for youth, as well as supporting existing programs; 7) The parents, volunteers, and taxpayers, many of whose children are grown and out of the system, who give so much of themselves.

All of these, combined represent a community that recognizes the value and importance of investing in our future – which is our youth. You do it generously and joyously with your time, money and voices. And what is the reward? Take a look at the bright, young faces graduating this year. They hold the promise of hope and success for the future, solutions to problems, both seen and unforeseen, and the endurance of virtues and values that began in this community.

Thank you all (times 4)

Wolter and Patti Mehring

We feel that it is very important to respond to several anonymous letters that have been distributed through the neighborhood, which have misrepresented the facts regarding our second story addition.

The project as proposed is well within the applicable guidelines allowed by the City of Malibu Municipal Code.

In the letters, it was stated that the Malibu West Architectural Committee rejected our project based on a “feeling” that the overall project does not comply with the “neighborhood standards” and is significantly “out of character” with the rest of the neighborhood. Specific and definitive reasons should be addressed. Our proposed project is well within the second story standards, which is the proper criteria to make a comparison. We are located at the end of a cul-de-sac where many of the two story homes in Malibu West are located. The project is certainly in character with the neighborhood, as it will blend seamlessly, keeping the “ranch style” architecture. We are still in the process of working with the Architectural Committee and we are awaiting a meeting with the committee and any neighbors who are concerned with the scope of the project so that we can come to a mutual agreement.

There is concern precedence is being set, but how could that be when many of the homes in Malibu West have already added second stories. No precedence is being set. In fact, if one looks at similar cul-de-sacs (which is the location of the proposed property), the majority of the homes are second story. It is a very sensible and ideal location for the proposed project.

The proposed project is accused of dramatically infringing on the view and privacy of two homes. Part of the proposed project is to plant significant vegetation, which will completely sustain any privacy which may be lost. We have invited these neighbors to come and look at our project, and have given our written word that we will do everything necessary to sustain our mutual privacies. We do not want to lose our privacy either.

The letters have also stated that if projects like ours are allowed to “flourish” in Malibu West, they will significantly decrease the value of your home and diminish the value of your neighborhood. These statements, too, are misleading. Improving one’s property does nothing but increase the value of that property and those in Malibu West.

We have been accused of taking our “case” to the City. This is untrue for there is no “case” to take to the City. If anyone in Malibu would like to build or add onto their house or property, they, by law, are required to submit their plans to the City of Malibu in order to secure a building permit. We are just obeying the law and taking the required steps necessary to improve our property.

In no way have we tried to go behind the Malibu West Architectural Committee. We submitted our plans to the City and Architectural Committee at the same time. We have been very open with all our neighbors regarding this project. We have invited them over to our home to look at our architectural drawings and to look at the second story addition from the roof line. We could not have been any more up front and open with everyone and it saddens us that these anonymous letters have been distributed throughout the neighborhood behind our backs (We never received one, but were informed by other supporting neighbors. )

We invite those who have written these letters or anyone else who has concerns with the project to please contact us so we can discuss the concerns and come to an agreement. We believe that when a homeowner presents their property for modification, it is very important to look at the individual property. Our property is unique as it is located in one of the most low profile locations in the neighborhood and our project could be done with very little impact to anyone. We only have positive intentions for this neighborhood and hope we can work the difference out to everyone’s satisfaction.

Brian and Cindy McConnell

What it is that drives people to go above and beyond, to strive, to achieve, to give of themselves and their time as a volunteer outside their normal nine-to-five?

For Ron Bloomfield, who created the Malibu Team Sports program in 1981 and has run it in his off hours ever since, the inspiration, in a (then) town lacking any real organized sports for children, was simple: “I had a five-year old.”

So for the past 19 years, after leaving work at his Bloomfield Financial Group in the early afternoons, he has worked to create a place for his and all children in Malibu to play sports–an activity he endorses as a way to “keep these kids off the streets, [by] creating a positive environment and interaction for them.”

With his excited and eager way, Bloomfield talked over lunchtime sushi about starting the soccer program, the basketball and baseball leagues (boys and girls) and getting funding and sponsorships from parents and local businesses. He makes the monumental project sound easy, preferring to tell funny little tales about children having fun playing sports, rather than the somber admission of long hours, five days a week, year in year out, and the inevitable dealings with overbearing parents.

In the unique position of founder, director, and head of the program, he has always been the man in charge, the one behind it all. “I like to call myself a benevolent dictator,” he says, smiling. “I had my way, you know. I always ran it my way.”

But with that freedom of power and leadership there also came responsibility. A program of this size (at last count the soccer program alone was fielding 600 kids a season) requires money and strong backs.

Bloomfield dismisses that pressure with a revelation of his Malibu version of Machiavellianism. “You know how I got support?” he asks, with a wink of an eye. “My referees were high school athletes that I was paying a lot of money to. They were paid well. They always came back. Loyalty.”

So is it going to be strange for the dictator to give up the post when the City of Malibu steps in with its athletic commission in six weeks?

“No, no,” says Bloomfield. “You know, I’ve always told parents and everyone that if you would rather do this, c’mon. No one ever did. I only did this because no one else would. And Malibu really should run the program.”

But the important detail is the fact that he did continue to run the program, rain or shine, for 19 years.

Amy Crittenden of the Malibu city sports and recreation office, who is taking over for Bloomfield, is wildly impressed by his legacy. “The fact that he kept running [the program] even after his kids had gone through and grown up just shows that he’s done it because he cares about Malibu’s kids,” says Crittenden. “He wanted to make sure that they had the opportunity to play sports.”

Bloomfield affirms this, saying, “The fact is these kids just need the chance to play and compete while they can. You know, they’re not really the next Michael Jordans; only one Malibu kid has ever gotten a professional contract for sports. So you gotta play while you still can.”

Bloomfield has a way of being humble and straightforward–he just smiles when he is told that former Malibu Mayor Tom Hasse called him “incredible,” his work “invaluable and amazing.” But Bloomfield is well aware of how important his work has been. This past March the city handed him its highest honor, the Malibu tile, at a special ceremony in his honor, and on June 16 a farewell party will take place for the parting dictator of local sports “to thank him for his unselfish work and his ability to coordinate a great participatory program in a city full of individuals,” according to friend and Malibuite Steve Karsh.

Bloomfield says that the real affirmation has come from former players, “not just with thanks, but when I see them and they are doing well in everything they do, it’s just great to see. It makes me feel like we had a positive influence.”

The positive influence is as well entrenched in the city, as it is the former players. Crittenden, who Bloomfield refers to playfully as the “heiress,” said that the strong, consistent tradition Bloomfield has created “has made my job so much easier. I just walk in to this well-established program, a community program, which I already feel apart of.”

And as the passing of the torch nears, what will he do now with all the extra time?

“I don’t know yet,” he answers. “I’m sure I’ll figure something out, but, you know, you really ought to come to that party on the 16.”