After nearly a seven-month closure, Italian eatery, TraDiNoi is expected to reopen by the end of this month.

A December fire at neighboring gift store, the Malibu Colony Company, damaged a portion of the restaurant, causing it to shut down temporarily.

“We’re in the last stages of putting all the finishes together,” said co-owner and operator Antonio Alessi. “We’re just waiting for the city to give us the final approval and then we should be ready.”

According to Alessi, most of the restaurant’s interior and exterior is renovated, but the restaurant will retain its country-Italian dcor and charm.

“Basically, it’s all brand new and everything will be laid out pretty much the same,” said Alessi. “We’re trying to keep everything original and close to the way it was before.”

While the Malibu Colony Company reported 100 percent damage, TraDiNoi was not “totaled.” Only its roof and the wall shared with the gift store were called a total loss. There was also water damage to the restaurant floor, the air-conditioning system was damaged and it suffered smoke damage.

“We’re looking forward to having a brand new place,” said partner Claudio.

“Instead of having half-old, half-new, we decided to remodel and make it all new.”

The restaurant’s patio will have new tables, chairs and umbrellas so customers can eat lunch or dinner outdoors.

The Malibu Colony Company has been operating out of its annex store also located in the Country Mart Shopping Center.

“We basically moved as much as we could in here (the annex) from the main store but we’re hoping to get approval from the city any day,” said Hugh Kinsellagh, owner of the Malibu Colony Company.

Owners say TraDioNoi will have a “soft opening” upon approval from city health inspectors, but will host a grand opening shortly after the restaurant gets functioning once again.

“The kitchen, the bathroom and the roof are all new, but we have the same chef, the same food, and we hope to see many of the same faces after we open,” said Alessi.

Presenting a “mini state-of-the city” report to community activists Thursday, Mayor Tom Hasse told the Malibu Youth Coalition the city has been negotiating with state parks head Rusty Arieas and local property owner Roy Crummer about sports fields next to Bluffs Park.

The city hopes to have a proposal ready the beginning of July, Hasse said.

Negotiations between the city and Crummer began last November. At the time, the city wanted Crummer to donate six acres of land next to the existing ballfields at Bluffs Park, in exchange for which the city would approve Crummer’s request to build eight homes on the remainder of the 24-acre site.

The land is currently zoned RR-2, or one home for every two acres. It has sufficient flat ground for two baseball fields, one soccer field and parking.

Even with the city’s blessing, Crummer might not be able to secure approval of the California Coastal Commission. Reportedly, the agency was opposed to the land being used for residential purposes because it is designated as visitor-serving.

Because the state wants to keep Bluffs Park as open space, negotiations have been ongoing between Crummer, the city, and Arieas, head of the state’s Park & Recreation Department. When Areias was in Malibu last summer, someone suggested a deal with Crummer to obtain additional land for ballfields if the Coastal Commission was willing to let the remainder of the Crummer parcel be used for residential purposes.

Development agreement workshops

Speaking to the youth alliance created by education activist Laure Stern, Hasse also announced that Parks and Recreation Commission workshops on Heathercliff Park have been slated for June 21, 22 and 24.

The June 21 and 22 workshops will take place at the Michael Landon Center at Bluffs Park, 7 p.m., while the June 24 meeting will take place at the Malibu Community Center on Point Dume, 9 a.m., Hasse said.

The community can tell the city what amenities and environmental mitigation measures they would like to see for the 19-acre site fronting Pacific Coast Highway near Heathercliff Road. The project includes a community center and three adjacent sports fields, which the community can design, Hasse said.

He urged the group to attend both the Heathercliff Park workshops and the City Council hearings on the proposed long-range development deal with the Malibu Bay Company set for June 27, 28 and July 6.

Copies of the city’s proposed development and donation agreements with the Malibu Bay Company are available at City Hall, Hasse said. Input is needed at both sets of hearings, in order to define a project for an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed Malibu Bay Company deal, Hasse said.

“This is a very important step for the city,” Hasse noted. “The development agreement has been a point of contention for the last few months.”

He urged people to fax or e-mail the city with comments if they cannot attend these hearings.

Hasse also distributed to the group his first Mayor’s Report.

Beginning this month, the report will be posted on the city’s Web site, ci.malibu.ca.us, which has just been improved at a cost of $40,000, Hasse said.

Development initiative, transportation hearings, budget

Continuing with his report, Hasse announced that:

• An initiative regarding voter approval of future large commercial development has just been filed with the city clerk. It is proposed to be placed on the November ballot.

* People who are concerned about traffic on Pacific Coast Highway or regional air traffic should attend a 2 p.m. June 20 hearing at City Hall, Hasse said. The hearing has been set to solicit public input on the Regional Transportation Plan to be considered by the Southern California Association of Governments. If people fax or e-mail their comments, they will go into the public record, Hasse said.

• The city is working with supermarkets to develop a program to fund parks and recreation facilities. Under the program, called “Round Up for Kids,” any money on a super market bill rounded up to the nearest dollar is used for parks and recreation. The program is modeled after one done in New York.

• Previewing the bi-annual budget discussed at Monday’s City Council, Hasse said the city’s General Fund (the city’s discretionary money) is projected for $10.1 million for fiscal year 2001 (July 1, 2000-June 30, 2001) and $9.2 million for fiscal year 2002 (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002). The difference is explained by a loss of $700,000 in new city status funds from the state. The current reserve is $2 million. About $2 million is owed to the city from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Office of Emergency Services for natural disasters over the last seven years. The city’s new parking fee should bring in about $165,000–$200,00 this fiscal year, said Hasse, in response to a question by school board candidate Michael Jordan.

The City Council’s fax number is 310.456.3356. Mayor Hasse’s e-mail is thasse@ci.malibu.ca.us

Educator, author, journalist

By Vicky Newman/Staff Writer

New City Councilwoman Sharon Barovsky (appointed Monday to fill the vacancy created by the recent death of her husband, Harry) comes from a background of teaching and writing.

She grew up in Michigan, beginning her studies in English at Michigan State University and finishing at UCLA. She was awarded her Master’s Degree from Cal State LA.

While raising four children in the early ’60s, Barovsky taught English at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights and later at El Camino High School in Woodland Hills, where she was chair of the English Department. She also taught part-time at Cal State L.A. while earning her Master’s Degree.

She later wrote features for Associated Press and magazines.

Barovsky married Harry, in 1971, after a five-year courtship.

Continuing her writing, Barovsky partnered with Planning Commission chair Ed Lipnick on several scripts with what she describes as “modest success.” They sold scripts but nothing was produced, she said.

In 1988, Barovsky wrote a novel, “The Perfect Family,” under the nom de plume Sharon Daley. She acknowledges a number of Malibu locals such as Lipnick, Paul Mantee and Alice Powell in the courtroom/family drama published by E.P. Dutton.

She is currently writing a historical novel about 19th century America.

Asked how she got into politics, Barovsky replies, “Cityhood happened.”

She was appointed to the General Plan Task Force by Joan House and served on the force for two years.

Barovsky’s next foray into politics was her 18-month stint on the Civic Center Specific Plan Advisory Committee, which she said “went nowhere.”

Because of negative Civic Center plan experience and Harry’s goals, Barovsky says she wants a more “inclusive” city.

She intends to work on more recreation facilities for kids and seniors, “the two groups that can’t hop in cars to go somewhere to have a good time.”

Barovsky would also like to work for “some sort of comprehensive master plan for commercial development.” She says that now there is a “hodgepodge” free-for-all, where only the first applicant to the Planning Commission gets what he wants.

She looks forward to working with the council, which she says seems to be able to disagree without rancor.

Fathers of today may be more involved in the rearing of their children than fathers of yesteryear–attending Lamaze classes, assisting in childbirth, changing diapers, taking part in, if not completely taking over, night feedings, even cooking breakfast and dinner regularly for their families.

However, one thing remains constant and true with most fathers of years past and those of the present–they all worry about their progeny, especially when they enter the dreaded teenage years.

Looking for advice on what to expect and how to deal with teenagers is Brad Norris, owner of Malibu Health Fitness Center & Spa.

Norris is the father of two young children: daughter, Ashley, 8, and son, Toran, 4. He has about three to four years before he will be in the throes of pre-teenage-hood with Ashley, and, as he said, “It’s going to be scary.”

“She’s a looker,” he said of his little blonde girl.

Norris not only owns his own business, but also puts in heavy time in caring for his children.

“I’m Mr. Mom,” Norris said, who is blonde, fit, and looks 40ish (he declined to give his age, but said he was “old enough.”)

Catie, Norris’s wife of nine years, is a newly “self-employed entrepreneur,” manufacturing and selling therapeutic magnetics, which takes up a lot of her time, traveling and working late, said Norris.

Norris, a California native, spends early evenings with his children, cooking them dinner, until his wife comes home.

“That’s what I love to do. That’s my therapy,” he said. “I get home and I cook for them.”

Norris, whose father died when he was 18-years-old, said he has always envisioned fatherhood.

“I played baseball, and a lot of guys were with dads at the games,” Norris said. “I thought man that must be great, hugging your dad after a victory. My dad used to go the games when I was in high school, before he passed away, and it was great having him in the stands.

“I could see myself going to my son’s games.”

Though he has always seen himself as a father in the future, he didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

“I wouldn’t have minded waiting a little longer,” he said. “We could have traveled a little more.”

In fact, one of the hardest things about fatherhood for Norris is the “lack of free time.”

“You can’t do what you used to do,” he said. “But, even though you don’t have that free time, you’re doing those other experiences that you have with the kids, and so it’s worth it. It’s an even swap.”

“I don’t know if there’s a unique perfect time to do it [have children],” he said. “It almost forces you to be successful.”

While Ashley was a surprise, having Toran was definitely planned.

“We planned it so much that we knew we wanted a boy,” Norris said. “We did all the little things that you do to guarantee that you get a boy, and we got a boy.”

One of the greatest joys Norris has with his children is when he exposes them to a new experience.

“I took my son to his first Dodgers game last night,” Norris described. “His eyes, when he walked in and saw the green field . . . when you see those types of moments, when you’re going to show them something that they’ve never experienced, and you know they’re going to love it and they do love it, that feels great.”

Bill Androlia knows what it’s like to be the father of teenagers. He has two–Adam, 16, who is a state champion archer, ranking 10th in the nation and a 2004 Olympic hopeful, and Whitney, a slender blonde blue-eyed girl of 14.

When Adam and Whitney Androlia speak of their father, it is with excitement and the desire that it be known that their dad is the best. And the smartest. And the least grouchiest of all fathers in Malibu.

Androlia, dressed in an olive-green shirt with matching slacks that set off his own green eyes behind gray-framed glasses, is in his late 50s. Though he describes himself as an “older father,” the twinkle in his eyes show an energy and youthfulness that have not been lost with the responsibility of family and a 60-hour work week as a patent lawyer.

Whitney shifted restlessly as she sat on a square white divan, bursting with desire to talk about her father.

“He’s really cool,” said Whitney, whose passion is dancing and singing. “He always helps with homework and always has a good attitude.”

Androlia shoots a look to his daughter, as if to say that this is not entirely true, that this is not “Leave it to Beaver.”

However, Adam seconds his sister’s assessment of their father.

“He’s the only one [father] that can come home from work and be in a good mood.”

“He’s an inspiration,” said Adam. “I want to end up like dad ended up. He went from nothing to living in the greatest place in the world.”

When not in the presence of his children, Androlia talked about what it is like to be a father of teenagers.

“I’d like to think my teenagers are better than most,” he said. And even at that they’re tough.”

“The thing about teenagers is, you’re not entirely sure what you’re going to get on a daily basis, or an hourly basis–that’s what makes it so tough,” he said.

“It’s constantly changing, and I think this is what drives parents crazy.”

The best part, Androlia said, is that though “they’re teenagers and they say they don’t [love you], they still really do. They love you and they depend on you, and I think that continues through a child’s entire life–that love-dependent relationship.”

Androlia, who also teaches a patent law class part-time at Pepperdine University in addition to his work-week at his law firm Kodah & Androlia in Century City, has from the beginning arranged his life to give the most to his children–making breakfast, helping get their lunches ready and sending them off to school, and making sure to be home to spend the evening with his children before going back to work.

Homework is an area that Androlia reins over.

“He helps them more now because Adam’s classes are beyond me,” said Linda, Androlia’s wife of 33 years, whom he met in grad school.

“Never been stumped,” Bill said of homework problems that the children would come home with.

Not knowing what to expect when having your first child can scare the wits out of most people.

Not Peter McBride, 31, whose first child with his wife Jennifer is due July 9.

“[I’m]] not that nervous,” said McBride. “I think I’m ready for it.”

McBride, who works as a fitness trainer at Malibu Health Fitness Center & Spa, is originally from England, moving to Canada when he was seven. He’s lived in California since 1983, and has lost most of his accent, though on the day of this interview he said his tongue was swollen due to a possible allergic reaction to taking Tylenol.

He and Jennifer, having “definitely planned” their pregnancy, know that they will be having a boy.

“Together, we decided to try to be prepared as we possibly can,” said McBride. “[It’s] such a big life change, that we wanted to get everything ready.”

“We’re pretty much done,” he said of their preparations. “We’re as ready as you can be. We’ve been around my brother-in-law’s son a lot, obviously it’s a whole different ball game when you’re with a child 24-7.”

Their son’s room?

“It’s boyed out–very blue,” said McBride.

Of not knowing what being a father is like, McBride said, “It’s a waiting game at this point.”

“I just hope that he’s a healthy kid,” he said. “The first few months there’s not a whole lot going on. There’s crying, eating and there’s sleeping.”

Really?

“I’m sure there’s more to it than that,” he admits.

McBride, who expects to get a card out of the upcoming Father’s Day, said he is looking forward to taking his son swimming in the ocean, doing the little league thing and going on “little” vacations.

Already he and his wife have a trip planned to go to Hawaii in October when their son will be four-months-old.

“I want him to get used to being mobile,” said McBride.

As far as mentally preparing any further for fatherhood, McBride said that his brother-in-law told him, “It’s a lot of instinct–go with your gut feeling, go with your instincts and you’ll be fine.”

“There’s so many books and magazines–saying do this, do that, and a lot contradict each other,” McBride said. “I think when we get the baby home, then we’ll come up with a plan. I don’t think you can set out a game plan before that time.”

Community activist Sharon Barovsky, widow of City Councilman Harry Barovsky, was appointed Monday as the fifth Councilmember.

She will serve until November, when a special election has been called to fill the vacancy created by the death of her husband.

The Council vote of 3-1 (Mayor Pro Tem House, councilmembers Ken Kearsley and Jeff Jennings supporting, Mayor Tom Hasse abstaining) ended a two-month stalemate on dealing with the appointment option.

In April, the old council (Hasse, House, Walt Keller and Carolyn Van Horn) adopted an ordinance establishing a special election for a vacancy but rejected appointing anyone. Barovsky’s name was put forward then, also Big Rock resident Ted Vaill.

Vaill, appointed by Hasse to the Code Enforcement Task Force and Trails Master Plan Advisory Committee, and former member of the Parks and Recreation Commission (appointed by Keller), said Monday he will run for the council in November.

When asked if she will be a candidate for City Council in November, Barovsky said, “I need a little more time to consider that, but, in all fairness to the community, I’ll make a decision by July 1.”

As to Vaill’s candidacy, Barovsky said, “I don’t know Mr. Vaill.”

Vaill’s name was put forward Monday, as it had been in April, by his Big Rock neighbor, Joe Vana. Vana said Vaill would better represent the population of the eastern part of Malibu.

Telecommunications commissioner Georgianna McBurney (appointed by Kearsley) said Barovsky, who worked on the Civic Center Specific Plan for 18 months, had “the rare quality of being a consensus builder.

“With the loss of Harry Barovsky, the most important role of this council is to unite the city in its dedication to preserving the environment and quality of life,” McBurney said.

House and Jennings said Barovsky could best carry out the priorities of her husband.

“Sharon is the one person who embodied the spirit of Harry, who shared the same philosophy on slow growth, the environment, and recreation,” said House. Noting Barovsky’s service on the General Plan Task Force and Civic Center Specific Plan, House said, “She has rallied around every issue in this community.”

Hasse repeated Monday, what he said in April, that his rejecting the appointment option had nothing to do with the candidates.

“The five seats do not belong to us but to the voters,” Hasse said.

Code Enforcement Task Force

As it had voted to do last month, the council appointed two members-at-large to the Code Enforcement Task Force: Jennifer Skophammer and Judy Decker, who were nominated by Jeff Jennings.

Budget highlights and requests

In other matters, the council heard budget highlights for fiscal years ending June 30, 2000 – 2002. Administrative Services Director Bill Thomas said that the projected General Fund (discretionary money) balance for June 30, 2000 was $5,026,861, $5,491,061 for June 30, 2001 and $5,513,911 for June 30, 2002. These “cash” balances could be used for natural disasters, among other things, said Thomas.

In a cautionary note, however, Thomas said the surplus of revenue over expenses went from $464,200 (for fiscal year ending June 30, 2001) to $22,850, “basically nothing,” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002. The difference was primarily from the loss of state funding as a new city (Motor Vehicle in-lieu fees.)

The council also heard requests from: Jewish Family Services for continuation of the eight-year, $10,000 grant for school counseling; Nidra Winger, of the Malibu Community Center, for $2,500 for tree trimming; Maude Ann Sunderland, of the activist group PARCS (People Achieving Parks and Recreation Services), for $5,000 to prepare a history of the athletic leagues at Bluffs Park; and Brigitte Bosustow, of the Malibu Ballet and Performing Arts Society, for $12,500 for operation and marketing costs.

A light moment came with council questions about the budget.

Hasse, referring to the news story that broke last week about his traffic fine troubles, and noting that only one citation had been in Malibu, asked City Manager Harry Peacock whether more revenue could be gotten through traffic fines.

Kearsley said to Hasse, “You’ve done your part.”

Development initiative

During public comment, Daniel Frumkes and Sam Birenbaum criticized the city’s proposed long-term development agreement with Malibu Bay Company. They said it allowed development too intensive for the infrastructure. Birenbaum, whose wife Nidia was removed by Hasse as a telecommunications commissioner, was especially critical of Hasse’s role in the Malibu Bay Company agreement, calling Hasse “a major salesperson.”

Marilyn Dove, Frumkes’ wife, urged people to put her “Malibu Right to Vote on Development” initiative on the November ballot. The initiative calls for any “new commercial, industrial and combined commercial and residential development” of 25,000 square feet or more in the city to be ratified by 50 percent of the voters in a city general election.