The federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century (T-21) is providing $650,000 to the city of Malibu to fund safety improvements along Pacific Coast Highway. Malibu and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have agreed to use the funds as follows:

$75,000 — Traffic Information Emergency Radio Station: The radio station will be operated by the city of Malibu. Caltrans will have direct access to its message system to add or change a message whenever needed. With Federal Communications Commission approval, Malibu will place a repeater in a canyon area so that a signal can be heard from as far away as the Ventura Freeway in Calabasas. PCH and canyon road conditions, as well as weather and other potential effects on traffic, will be announced on the radio station. The public will also be able to hear the station’s message via telephone, should they wish to call before getting in their cars.

$50,000 — Study of U-turn and left-turn movement along PCH as it passes through Malibu.

$30,000 — Paradise Cove Right-Turn Deceleration Lane: Caltrans will install this lane on eastbound PCH at the Paradise Cove signal.

$25,000 — Malibu Canyon at PCH Signal Upgrade: Upgrades will reduce the likelihood of turning movement accidents at this location.

$25,000 — Malibu Canyon/PCH Signal Video Detection: Caltrans will install a video detection system to monitor signal operations at this intersection.

$66,000 — Smart Crosswalks: Caltrans will install three Smart Crosswalks — pedestrian-activated crosswalks with overhead cautionary lights and ground-level imbedded lighting that will illuminate the walk area when a pedestrian crosses the highway. These crosswalks will be funded as demonstration projects. The three crosswalks are: in front of Colony House Liquors just east of Malibu Pier, just east of Carbon Canyon and in the Point Dume area where the trail system leaves Point Dume and goes inland.

$7,500 — Speed Advisory Board: Malibu will purchase a speed advisory board, a device used to advise motorists of their speed.

$371,500 — Remaining money is to be used to implement the left-turn and U-turn study recommendations and to fund other safety-related improvements that Caltrans and Malibu agree should be implemented in the near future.

Source: Rep. Brad Sherman

Crossing Pacific Coast Highway on foot mid-Malibu is treacherous enough. Imagine the responsibility of leading the way for your congressman, three councilmembers, Malibu activists and assorted Caltrans representatives.

Longtime Malibuite Walter Young, partially sighted and walking with a white cane, shepherded that group across PCH and back. Each time, drivers sped through the crosswalk within feet of the pedestrians. The sheriff’s deputies in attendance at the event, out of their patrol cars and standing in the parking lot, could only shake their heads.

Rep. Brad Sherman needed no better advertising for his proposal. The U.S. congressman came to town last Thursday to announce safety improvements along PCH (see sidebar). While several attending the presentation questioned the means and timeline, everyone agreed the cause was a matter of life and death.

Sheriff’s Capt. Bill McSweeney best summarized the purpose of the improvements: “For decades, the community has accepted living with four to five deaths a year. It’s unacceptable, and we’re sickened by it.”

The deaths of young Sabrina Csato and two Pepperdine Students, Kimberly Ellis and Jeannine Gregory, who were killed on PCH, focused renewed attention on the highway’s safety.

Standing in the parking lot of Colony House Liquors, Sherman announced and explained proposed safety improvements to be federally funded and implemented within a year.

The $650,000 in federal funds derive from the 1998 Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century. Of these funds, approximately 90 percent comes from excise taxes on motor fuels, with the remainder coming from sales taxes on tires, trucks, buses and trailers, as well as truck usage taxes.

Of California’s share of the funds, 95 percent is handed directly to Caltrans, less than 5 percent goes to federal demonstration projects.

For Malibu, that demonstration project is the installation of three Smart Crosswalks, which, according to Sherman’s office, are “pedestrian-activated crosswalks with overhead cautionary lights and ground-level imbedded lighting that will illuminate the walk area when a pedestrian crosses the highway.”

Caltrans representatives indicated these walkways are new to California, probably new to the United States. The system was developed in New Zealand and has been installed in London, England. According to Caltrans engineer Sameer Haddadeen, Caltrans “will install, then monitor, the effectiveness of the device.”

Other funds are destined for Malibu’s proposed Traffic Information Emergency Radio System. While Caltrans plans broadcasts of traffic conditions, the city plans to broadcast weather conditions to beachgoers coming from the Valley, in hopes of reducing U-turns made by disappointed sun worshippers. While Sherman stated there were no priorities among the proposed projects, Malibu Councilman Tom Hasse insisted the radio system is, according to the current city budget, the city’s top priority among those projects.

Sensors embedded in PCH asphalt, which are losing their sensitivity, will be replaced by cameras. “It’s not surprising they break down with cars and trucks traveling over them,” said Sherman.

With the funds thusly spent, “That leaves half the money awaiting that left-turn and U-turn study,” said Sherman. The study may consider widening, striping and lighting issues.

Mayor Walt Keller said he hopes to see the return of a raised median or even K-rails dividing PCH along the stretch from Zuma Beach to Trancas. “Rumble strips are not good enough to stop people making turns looking for parking,” he said.

Frank Quon, Caltrans District 7 division chief of operations, called the projects “ambitious,” but suggested that the real improvements come from drivers. “We’d like to ask everyone who uses this highway to keep safety foremost in their minds.”

Malibu residents last weekend got a taste of what life might be like if a major earthquake or other calamity were to disrupt water service to the city.

Some dipped into their emergency reserves or stormed the local market to load up on bottled water and frozen dinners. Others, who were at work or on the beach, were blissfully unaware until they came home and turned on faucets that spewed air or, at best, a trickle.

A landslide near Tuna Canyon Road and PCH Thursday fractured a 30-inch water main leaving some taps dry and others with reduced pressure.

County health officials issued a boil-water warning that was expected to remain in effect until Wednesday. Some PCH businesses were shut down, others were apparently unaffected. (See related stories, page A1, A12.)

Traffic on PCH was reduced to one lane in each direction at 3:30 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County Public Works to repair the pipe. The leak was repaired overnight, but when the pressure was turned back on, a second leak sprang about 200 feet west of the first.

County Public Works spokesperson Melinda Barrett said the county contracted with Sparkletts to deliver about 3,500 5-gallon bottles of water to two locations: Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse and the Trancas Market parking lot. Sheriffs and CHP escorted them through road blocks that had been set up to deter beach goers. In addition to drinking water, seven water trucks stood by for fire protection and watering livestock and 76 portable toilets were placed at the two locations. The Red Cross assisted the county in delivering water directly to the homes of invalids.

The city’s only potable water supply is delivered directly to homes through the high-pressure main. Whatever is not used immediately is stored, but the capacity is only enough to meet the city’s needs for a 24-hour period. (See related story, below.)

At a briefing Friday morning, Fire Chief Steve Alexander told city officials this was more than an inconvenience, as the diminishing city water supply “increased the potential for an incident.” The county agreed to pay the $5,000 for the Citizens Advisory Network (CAN) announcement, which was automatically dialed to homes in the 90265 zip code area. Officials noted later that a very high percentage of the calls consisted of incomplete messages with only the City Hall phone number being received. The city’s emergency hotline and Cable TV Channel 15 were updated periodically with warnings to conserve water and to boil any water used for drinking or cooking for at least five minutes. The boil-water advisory would remain in effect at least until Wednesday, officials said.

The fire department initially ordered three additional water tenders to be staffed on stand-by in case of brush fires. Fortunately, winds were calm and temperatures moderate through the weekend.

Traffic on PCH was closed to all but residents at about 9 p.m. Friday. Restrictions were later eased to allow access to business employees and guests of at least one wedding party. Advisory signs were posted on the 10 Freeway east of the McClure Tunnel; the 101 Freeway at Topanga, Las Virgenes and Kanan roads; and PCH at Las Posas Road in Oxnard and Sunset Boulevard. Closure barricades were installed on Decker Canyon at Mulholland; Encinal Canyon at La Chusa; Latigo Canyon at Mulholland; Kanan at Mulholland; Las Virgenes at Piuma and Lost Hills; and on Las Flores at Rambla Pacifico.

Director of Emergency Services Hap Holmwood declared a local emergency at 4:55 p.m. Friday, which was ratified by the City Council meeting in special session Sunday. It reads in part: “As a result of the loss of water supply, a condition of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property currently exists.” Caltrans was asked to assist the city in notifying the general public not to attempt to use the roads.

Repairs to the second leak were completed at 2 p.m. Saturday. Water service was restored to many customers, but about 1,500 customers were still without water as of midnight, according to Dean Efstathiou of Waterworks District 29. As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, all but six customers had water service restored, and reservoir storage was up to 30 percent of normal capacity.

Residents were asked to continue to conserve water until the storage tanks were refilled, which could take a week or more, and until water service is restored with full pressure to all residents.

Barrett said bottled water was still being distributed at Trancas Market parking lot Tuesday, but was no longer available at Pepperdine. Bottles should be returned to the Civic Center parking lot.

When a landslide violently shoved Malibu’s 30-inch water main last Thursday, it split open a joint, creating a major leak that threatened to undermine Pacific Coast Highway. Waterworks District 29, the county agency that manages the area’s water supply, immediately shut down the entire line. They then called Doty Brothers — one of three private contracting firms on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — to begin the repair.

Impact on the water supply to homes and businesses was not felt until the hillside storage tanks began to empty.

Malibu’s water supply is stored in 47 water tanks at 24 different sites. Those tanks can only be filled from one source, the 30-inch main that runs along the ocean side of PCH carrying water from the Metropolitan Water District plant in Culver City. MWD is the large regional agency that brings L.A., and most of Southern California, water through a series of aqueducts and reservoirs from sources in Northern California, the Owens Valley or the Colorado River.

When the main line is shut down, it takes about 24 hours before most of Malibu loses its water supply, and, even then, there are still some isolated neighborhoods with small storage tanks nearby that rarely run out.

How quickly the tanks are depleted depends on how neighborhood residents cut back on their water use, as well as on decisions made in the county’s control room at the Civic Center. The brain and the heart of the water system, the room is filled with gauges and dials that allow the hydraulic engineers to monitor water levels and pressure in each storage tank, and identify the lines in which water is still flowing.

The first homes to lose water service are usually those on hilltops, where the flow slows to a trickle as water pressure drops.

The engineers adjust what they can to keep pressure up in the lines so western Malibu, which is farthest from the source, doesn’t run out prematurely. They empty the storage tanks into the main line, but no matter how they juggle it, there still is only a one-day supply for the whole city.

The 47 storage tanks hold a little more than 11 million gallons, only one-third of what the town should have in reserve, according to water experts. The majority is held in three major storage areas: two 1 million gallon tanks at Nicholas Beach, one 1.8 million gallon tank at Point Dume and a 3 million gallon tank at Pepperdine. The 43 smaller tanks hold a cumulative 4.385 million gallons.

To increase the city’s storage capacity to a three-day level would cost an estimated $50 million to service 5,000 customers in Malibu and another $10 million for the 2,000 customers in Topanga, which would have to be paid for by a bond issue approved by voters.

A major repair on the main line generally takes about 24 hours to complete. A hole 10 feet by 10 feet is dug around the pipe, 14 feet deep to the top of the pipe and then another 3 feet to get under it. Then, they shore up the sides of the hole before they can put a worker into it, who cuts the metal pipe and puts in a new section that has to be welded. The pipe is then covered inside and out with concrete to seal it and prevent erosion. Only after the concrete sets and the section is tested can they open the valves and refill the line.

Once the repair is finished, it takes another 24 hours or so to get full pressure back in the main line. Then, they can begin to refill the storage tanks. The whole process takes a minimum of three days, and frequently longer, to complete.

Thursday’s break was reportedly the worst anyone has seen in the last 27 years. The situation was complicated by a second major break just west of the first, adding a day to the repair time.

Although major shutdowns of the line are relatively rare, Waterworks 29 records indicate there have been approximately nine lesser breaks during the last seven years in the same area, the last in April of this year. This is an indication, some experts say, of continuing land movement in the area and portends possible future disruptions.

Sunday afternoon, restaurateur Daniel Forge summed up Malibu’s weekend water shortage in terms of the dining scene. “It was two weddings and a funeral,” he said. “I had two weddings and everyone else had a funeral.”

But Saturday morning, the owner of Beau Rivage was understandably harried. A wedding party of 60 was due that afternoon and 125 were scheduled the following day.

“Difficult? It’s impossible, but we have to improvise, we must do gymnastics to accommodate these people. They’ve been planning the weddings for six months. We’ve filled containers with bottled water. We’re boiling the water and we’ll serve them on paper plates if we have to.”

Love conquers all. Guests dined on china. Ice made Thursday night would not need to be discarded. The wedding location stocks enough ice to chill most of western Malibu for three days.

Getting there was another story. Wearing a traditional white satin gown with train, the slender bride looked a little shell-shocked. “Well, it certainly wasn’t boring,” said Joanne Imai of Santa Monica. “In fact, it turned into a crashing challenge at 9 p.m. last night.” Imai and groom Andre Clavel phoned guests with a reminder to bring their invitations. Roadblocks at Topanga were reportedly the toughest in town.

Even with a pay stub, employee Alex Martinez was turned away at Topanga. He finally arrived at work via Malibu Canyon, only to find that 90 per cent of reservations had cancelled. Business was off 50 per cent Friday.

No amount of Pellegrino could keep Geoffrey’s, Paradise Cove Beach Caf or Spruzzo open. But county health officials gave a nod to the Gray Whale. Owner Tom Averna phoned each of his 60 reservations to confirm arrivals. Gray Whale hosted a baby shower for Averna’s wife that afternoon.

“Receipts show that people in Malibu do two things,” said City Councilman Tom Hasse at Sherman’s Place in Zuma Beach Plaza. “They eat out and they buy gas.”

According to the manager of Zuma Arco at Heathercliff, station pumps were flowing at about the same trickle as the water. With Zuma Beach parking lots empty, business was dead.

But not at Sherman’s Place. “It’s a great day, the pressure’s fine,” said owner Sherman Baylin. “Do you want to come over and do your laundry? I’m taking appointments.”

While human staffers and clientele were having a bad hair day, Saturday was shampoo as usual for the dogs. In a USC baseball cap, Hasse was helping out, spraying the suds from a small breed as owner Sherman Baylin praised his efforts for larger animals in town.

“Tom called me early this morning and said, ‘Horses drink 12 gallons of water a day, we’re going to set up troughs.'” The councilman had drinking troughs installed at the Equestrian Center and at the corner of Morningview and Guernsey in Malibu Park.

Baylin, who was inundated with pet rescue calls and horse inquiries, delivered water to owners without horse trailers all day. Despite a foot injury, Jane Forrester of Pet Cuddlers had assisted Baylin since 5 a.m. Late Saturday afternoon at the water distribution center in Trancas, about 20 residents were lined up for a five-gallon bottle. Smaller-sized containers were reserved for the elderly.

Pulling up alongside a row of portable toilets in the market parking lot, a McKesson Water Products representative delivered a Sparklett’s bill to Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works employee Rod Heckman. The crew leader took the invoice for Friday and Saturday deliveries of 14 truckloads. Each truck carries 180 five-gallon bottles.

Heckman, on the job since 4 a.m. setting up road closures, urged each resident to return empty bottles to Civic Center. “We sure appreciate it,” he said. “It’ll save the county a lot of money.”

On a typical day, Joe Kim is up at 4 a.m. and off to his job as an investment banker. His girlfriend also puts in long hours, and then there’s Bubba — home alone. But Bubba and pal Tussie are latch-key lhasas no more. Now they have doggie day care and lots of new found friends.

While the people are away, these pampered pooches play and play at Malibu’s Canine Connections, and the payoff seems doggone good.

“It’s a great idea,” says Kim. “They’re much more calm when they get home, they don’t destroy anything and they’re much more sociable with other dogs.” Dr. Dean Graulich, new head vet at the Malibu Animal Clinic, agrees, adding, “It’s great for weight loss.” Yes, the loafing and bon-bon syndrome takes its toll even on animals.

Canine Connection opened its doors in June and is shaping up to be a big hit with guilt-ridden owners who can’t bear the thought of leaving Fido at home for hours on end. “There was no place like this in Malibu,” says Dr. Lisa Newell. “Now your dogs can come here and run and be active and be with other dogs. It’s so much better than sitting at home bored all day.”

After pulling up to the center, a trail of white painted paw prints leads you to a giant palapa and a gated enclosure complete with palm trees. Inside the large dog area, you’ll find Moose the golden retriever, Jack the mixed-breed, Bob the Rhodesian ridgeback, Nikky the husky and Zoe the Rotweiler, all rolling and running with tongues a wagging. “It’s just like kindergarten,” says owner Leslie Moskowitz. “They love getting here in the morning, they love seeing their friends. They’re just like kids, they all have their games and routines.”

The day begins early for Moskowitz, about 8 a.m. Now it’s 6 p.m., and she’s waiting for the last wave of moms and dads to pick up their pets. “I’m exhausted,” she says with a sigh. “Those two chocolate Labs just run you ragged.”

In addition to the ample al fresco pen play, pooches have their pick of toys, can recline on a bed, couches and chairs, or relax in the shade of canopies.

But just like preschool, things can get out of hand. When they do, doggie day care supervisors use super-soakers to break things up. Should that fail, there’s always a time out area, where the trouble makers can reflect on improving their social skills. “We’ve had some fracases here and there, usually over toys,” says Newell. “But it’s nothing serious. Everyone is supervised by two people at all times.”

The center continues to grow in popularity. There is an expanding roster of regulars and newcomers. At $35 per day, the playtime does not come cheap. But just try telling that to Bubba. As far as he seems to be concerned, money might not buy you love, but it can buy you a little tender loving care and even a few new friends.

Before Labor Day launches retailers into fall season, midtown outlets are playing a hot round of storefront shuffle. Few thought fall had this much action in the cards. From established shopkeepers changing venues to first-timers on the local scene, retail players at the Country Mart are all women.

Gallery owner and novelist Lia Skidmore slides into the space vacated by Jackie Robbins’ Leather Waves, which has relocated next door to Tops. Skidmore Contemporary Art has shared space with jewelry designer Laura M since May of last year.

The gallery hosts an opening reception Aug. 28 for the exhibition, “DeLoss McGraw: Songs from Small Talk.” Last fall, Malibu school children were among those who delighted in McGraw’s whimsical show inspired by literary works, “As a Poem, So Is a Picture,” at Pepperdine’s Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

Sisters Tisha Horner and Katy Wooler settled NANZ Beach and Ballet into the former Dancers Collection on Aug. 1. After working at NANZ Beachwear for five years, Horner bought the boutique from Nancy Kinney in 1992. The new NANZ brings together the best of both stores with casual sportswear, swim, workout and dance wear.

On Aug. 14, Baloons had its grand opening in the previous NANZ spot. Swiss-born Anna Marchesi, whose kids will attend Webster in September, hosted a fashion show of European designer clothing for infants to children’s size 14 on the lawn in John’s Garden.

Fine European lingerie and hosiery come to Malibu Sunday when Under G’s opens across from Taverna Tony’s. The salon, which caters to both young and full figures, got its start at the Beverly Connection in 1991 and soon expanded to Bedford Drive. Tel Aviv-born Galit Shashoua, who’s just 31, is the light behind all three locations.

Coco Plum expands its business from the Woodland Hills Promenade to the site of the former Fast Frame. Tammie Grant’s potpourri of women’s and children’s moderate-range clothing is scheduled to open Sept. 8. The kids’ line offers school, play and special occasion outfits for girls to size 10 and boys to size 7.

Beach Baby go bye-bye? Not exactly. The offspring of Room at the Beach returns to the womb, where its merchandise will be consolidated with the larger store’s baby gift and furnishings line.

In Beach Baby’s place, a welcome Giselle is expected in mid-October. Lori Innes and Carole Brown shone brightly on the Santa Monica Promenade with Illumine until July, when Shiseido bought them out. The women continue to run their Giselle boutique on Montana Avenue. According to Innes, the collection of day, dinner and evening dresses is “romantic, ethereal and funky.” Giselle also offers soft-suiting and a selection of items for children and the home.