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Malibu City Council installs new leadership, defers action on Mobile Home Rent Stabilization changes

By
Hayley Mattson
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New Malibu Mayor Bruce Silverstein being sworn in last year as Mayor Pro Tem

Outgoing mayor honored; public safety advocate Chris Frost receives rare city tribute as residents urge caution on rent stabilization updates

The Malibu City Council opened its Feb. 9 meeting with heartfelt tributes, ceremonial transitions, and the formal installation of new leadership, marking the city’s annual mayoral rotation and reorganization.

The evening blended recognition of longtime public servants with contentious public testimony on proposed updates to Malibu’s decades-old Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance. By the end of the night, the council had unanimously installed a new mayor and mayor pro tem — and deferred any decision on rent control amendments after hearing from dozens of residents.

The evening began with an emotional tribute as the council honored longtime public safety advocate Chris Frost with a City of Malibu tile — an award typically presented after seven years of service. Presenter Councilmember Doug Stewart joked that the tile was “well overdue.”

Councilmember Doug Stewart presented a plaque to Chris Frost, who is retiring after serving 22 years on the Public Safety Commission, including roughly a decade as chair.

Frost served 22 years on the Public Safety Commission, including roughly a decade as chair.

Stewart described him as a mentor to fellow commissioners and a constant presence during emergencies. In the city’s early years, before the establishment of a formal public safety department, Frost effectively served as a volunteer public safety director.

Representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department emphasized Frost’s hands-on involvement during wildfires and other crises, his encyclopedic knowledge of Malibu’s geography, and his well-known ability to locate every RV parked along Pacific Coast Highway.

The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station presented Frost with a signed surfboard and a special plaque typically reserved for retiring elected officials.

Frost credited former Mayor Jeff Jennings for encouraging him to enter civic service 25 years ago and thanked Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas, fire liaisons, Volunteers on Patrol, Community Brigade members, and his wife, Terry.

Quoting late Commissioner Andy Cohen, Frost concluded: “I don’t want to talk about public safety. I want to do it.”

Although stepping down from the commission, Frost will remain active in the Community Brigade as a safety officer.

The council also recognized departing commissioner Keegan Gibbs, who received a surfboard and reflected on his experience learning “the pace and guardrails” of local government.

New Leadership 

The meeting continued with warm tributes to outgoing Mayor Marianne Riggins, who served as mayor for most of 2025–26 and previously worked for the city for 17 years before joining the council.

Marianne Riggins (left) is sworn in last year after being elected Malibu’s mayor pro tem. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Council members praised Riggins’ institutional knowledge and steady leadership during a year marked by wildfire recovery efforts and prolonged closures of Pacific Coast Highway.

Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstine highlighted her role in managing post-emergency recovery, saying she helped “clean up the mess” in the aftermath of the Palisades and Franklin Fires and helped organize the city’s response during a challenging period.

Riggins thanked her family for their patience and support and reflected on her lifelong ties to Malibu. “This is the community where I grew up, where I raised my family, and where my parents lived most of their lives,” she said.

The council presented Riggins with a plaque recognizing her “outstanding service and dedication” as mayor. A representative from Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office offered virtual congratulations and said an official calligraphy certificate would be presented in person at a later date.

Following the tributes, the council unanimously elected Bruce Silverstein as mayor for his second term in the role.

Stewart nominated Silverstein, quoting President Lyndon Johnson with a smile: “When the burdens of the president seem unusually heavy, I always remind myself what could be worse. I could be a mayor.”

Steve Uhring was elected mayor pro tem by acclamation after being nominated by Silverstein, who praised Uhring’s professionalism and composure during a previously contentious period on the council.

Both officials took their oaths of office, swearing to uphold the U.S. and California constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties. 

Rent Stabilization Debate Draws Packed Room

The tone shifted as the council took up proposed amendments to Malibu’s Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance, prompting impassioned testimony from more than 30 speakers — most of whom urged the city to leave the current rules unchanged.

Residents from Malibu’s two mobile home parks, Point Dume Club and Paradise Cove, filled the chamber, alongside park management representatives and community advocates.

The ordinance, originally adopted in 1991 following Malibu’s incorporation, was shaped in part by the 1994 federal court case Adamson Companies v. City of Malibu. That decision struck down certain provisions — including an eight-year rent rollback and specific rent freezes — while upholding annual Consumer Price Index-based caps, vacancy controls, and the absence of a facial taking.

From 2008 to 2025, the Rent Stabilization Commission was largely inactive due to lack of quorum, with most allowable rent increases handled administratively by city staff. The commission was reactivated and convened an ad hoc committee to review and propose updates.

City staff recommended retaining the existing CPI cap of 2% to 5% annually, a 15% vacancy increase upon sale or transfer, and a 15% sublease surcharge, while clarifying administrative roles and limiting retroactive refunds to three years.

The commission’s recommendations went further in some areas, including proposed sublease rent caps and expanded commission authority — proposals that drew sharp criticism from residents.

During public comment, speaker after speaker emphasized that the current ordinance has provided stability for more than three decades.

Residents cited cooperative relationships with park owners, a lack of documented excessive rent increases, and the importance of predictability for seniors and fixed-income homeowners.

Several criticized the process, saying they received short notice and had limited opportunity to participate before the item appeared on the council agenda.

Others warned of unintended consequences, including depressed home values, mass sales, reduced rental availability, and potential impacts on school enrollment. One speaker noted that approximately 25% of Malibu Elementary School studentslive in Point Dume Club.

Representatives from both parks also urged caution.

Ken Cravener, chief operating officer of Hometown America, which purchased Point Dume Club in late 2024, said the company supports preserving what he described as a balanced framework.

Steve Stein of Greenberg Glusker, legal counsel representing the longtime family owners of Paradise Cove, called the proposed amendments unnecessary and unfair, arguing that the existing rules have maintained stability while allowing homes to command high sale prices.

Only a small number of speakers supported moving forward with the commission’s recommendations or called for stronger enforcement measures.

Discussion also focused on two pending state bills.

AB 768, which has passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate Rules Committee, would amend the Mobilehome Residency Law. The most recent version would maintain rent stabilization protections for units used as permanent housing by homeowners or approved tenants, but remove protections for seasonal or short-term rentals.

Multiple council members and staff clarified that full-time primary residents would not lose protections under current law or the likely final version of AB 768.

AB 1543 would impose statewide CPI-based rent caps on mobile home parks, potentially overriding local ordinances.

Many residents urged the city to formally oppose AB 768, arguing it could erode local control.

After nearly two hours of testimony, council members expressed appreciation for the turnout and acknowledged widespread calls for additional transparency and engagement.

Stewart proposed deferring action to allow further review, possibly through the council’s existing ad hoc committee on mobile home issues, and suggested directing staff to devote resources toward opposing AB 768.

The entire council collectively echoed the call for caution, saying no action should be taken without broader understanding and input.

The council reached a consensus to postpone any decision on local ordinance amendments. No formal vote was taken.

The item is expected to return at a future meeting after additional review and outreach.

The meeting adjourned with agreement on at least one point: Malibu’s mobile home rent stabilization framework has shaped the city’s coastal communities for more than 30 years — and any changes will require careful consideration and broad consensus.

Public relations firm paid with LAFD Foundation funds to help sway public opinion

By
Judy Abel
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Palisades Fire firefighters bravely battling the blaze in its early stages. We extend our heartfelt thanks for their hard work and dedication to protecting our community. Photo by CalFire

Payment to high-profile firm The Lede Company only revealed after LA Times reporting and public outcry

After days of public demand for transparency, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation reported it paid a public relations firm $65,000 after the Palisades Fire.

The Lede Company, which represents A-listers such as Rihanna and Reese Witherspoon as well as high-end clothing company Isabel Marant, was quietly paid to help shape a more positive narrative around the LAFD’s response to the deadly blaze, one of the costliest in U.S. history.

The funds used to pay for public relations came from the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which acts as the charitable arm of the LAFD. Since the Jan. 7, 2025, blaze that left 12 people dead and leveled thousands of homes and businesses from the Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu, the department has faced heavy criticism about its response to the fire. Critics point to the unprecedented wind conditions that were forecast days ahead of the conflagration, the lack of pre-deployment of fire crews in vulnerable areas, dry fire hydrants, the Santa Ynez Reservoir out of commission, and the Lachman fire on Jan. 1, that went unchecked for a week and is now thought to be the ignition point. 

After the fire, the foundation appealed to the public to help its mission to support the LAFD with donations for vital equipment and programs that help the LAFD save lives and build resilient communities. According to the foundation’s report published last month, it allocated $42 million in donations to “critical priorities” but originally failed to mention monies paid to the Lede Company until the Los Angeles Times disclosed the controversy that charitable donations were used for a PR firm. After facing heavy scrutiny last week, the foundation’s president and chairman of the board of directors said since the LAFD’s communications director role was unfilled, the previous administration requested the funds to hire a consultant.

In a statement, the foundation wrote: “This is exactly how we always operate: fast, responsive, and in the service to the Department’s needs.” The statement, however, did not address whether the Lede Company played a role in the fire department’s action in watering down it’s after-action report on the Palisades Fire that downplayed the department’s preparation for the fire and what critics say was a poor response.

The LAFD has not answered questions about the scope of the PR firm’s work, but has made clear its policy for donations to the foundation.

“We have a clear policy wherein any donor can restrict a contribution to support a particular project or program,” the department stated. “One hundred percent of all restricted contributions go directly to support whatever project, program, or item the donor identifies. We are transparent because our supporters deserve nothing less — and because we are proud of the work you support.”

Former LA mayoral candidate Rick Caruso threatened to pull his promised $5 million donation over a period of five years if the foundation did not disclose how much money was paid on public relations.

Malibu High girls water polo rolls to league championship on Senior Night

By
McKenzie Jackson
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Sharks take Tri-Valley League title; eyes set on CIF-SS playoffs

The Malibu High girls’ water polo team celebrated their seniors in a victorious way on Jan. 27 in the Malibu High pool. 

The squad recognized seniors Camille Garvin, a center; Ceylon Zappa, the team’s top scorer; and Neko Kincaid, a goalie, during a Senior Night ceremony that featured everything from baby photos to cheers. The team then defeated Cate 19-0 to claim a third consecutive Tri-Valley League championship and solidify its spot in the CIF-Southern Section Girls Water Polo Division III Championships.
 
Malibu head coach Hayden Goldberg praised Garvin, Zappa, and Kincaid after the victory. 

“I don’t worry about these girls,” he said. “They all have a right head on their shoulders, you know. That has been a blessing for me.” 

He added that the 12th-graders have matured in the pool throughout high school. 

“I’ve watched Neko get three goals scored on her real quick and then make 15 blocks in a row and us winning a game from behind,” Goldberg recalled. “It’s a crazy game full of emotion that we play, and I’ve seen a huge growth from her with that.”

Garvin, the coach explained, learned her position from Stevie Sturges, one of Malibu’s top players in recent seasons, and has thrived. 

“She has been unbelievable,” Goldberg said. 

Zappa, the team’s record holder in goals scored in a game and a team captain with Kincaid, leads the Sharks by example, Goldberg stated. 

“She will take a girl down and score on a girl and then point to her teammates,” he said. “She has been that girl. She has been phenomenal for us.”

The senior night ceremony before the match featured the seniors holding flowers — in Garvin’s case, flowers along with a cuddly Sharks toy and big head cutout baby photo of herself — and posing for pictures on the pool deck. 
The Sharks dominated Cate from the start of the match to the very end.  

Garvin, Kincaid, and Zappa, along with junior Olivya Wild-Mullarky, led Malibu to a 14-5 record, including an undefeated run through the Tri-Valley League.
The Sharks host Palm Desert in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday. The winner will move on to the second round on Feb. 10. Malibu advanced to the quarterfinals last February, losing to eventual champion San Dimas 8-6.

The Sharks posted dominant victories throughout their season, but also had some tough losses, which prepared the squad for the postseason. 

Goldberg described Malibu as a talented group offensively and defensively. 

“These girls are dogs,” he added. “They are ready to go.” 

The team features freshmen, who learned from the seniors throughout the regular season.

“I have nine freshmen who for the next three years are going to be like Ceylon, be like Camille, be like Neko, and I can’t be happier,” Goldberg said. 

2026 MHS Girls Water Polo Senior night. Photos by Kevin Zacher

Perspective: A year without a home; How it’s been going 

By
Judy Abel
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Judy Abel

A year after losing my home in the Palisades Fire, people ask, “So … how’s it going?”

I usually pause before answering. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because the truth doesn’t fit neatly into a sound bite.

It’s complicated. As you might imagine.

I was lucky. I had insurance. Real insurance. Maybe not enough insurance, but close enough. Before the fire, my insurance company — now under investigation for misconduct — had sent us a letter of cancellation, effective a few months in the future. The joke was on them. Our house burned to the ground before the cancellation date. But soon enough, the joke was on us.

Despite being meticulously organized and submitting every receipt, inventory list, and form with military precision, it took 11 months to be just about paid out on our policy. Let this be a public service announcement: just because your policy is written for a certain amount does not mean an insurance company writes you a check for that amount. We had to fight for every line item. It became a full-time job that required technical fluency in policy language, legal stamina, and more patience than I knew I possessed. A full-time job where on your first day you’re scrambling to find a place to live.

The fire didn’t just take our home. It erased our mailing address, our routine, our sense of place and our community. And Malibu, already one of the tightest rental markets in the country, suddenly became a humanitarian crisis with killer ocean views.

I started by asking everyone I knew if they knew of a rental. A friendly City Councilmember referred me to a real estate agent who promised she could “hook me up.”

She could — for $60,000 a month.

Not in my budget. Not in my insurer’s budget either.  Probably in the budget of the CEO of my insurance company. In 2022, the CEO made $24.4 million.

Just getting into town to see rentals was an ordeal. PCH was closed through eastern Malibu, so my husband and I left at 6 a.m. to take the long way around.

The first rental was right on the beach. Beautiful. Serene. Sun-drenched. Then I asked where the bedroom was.

“Upstairs,” the agent said casually.

Up a tortuous and torturous firepole-wide staircase. Just think about that for a second. I don’t know about you, but I go into my bedroom at least 20 times a day. I could already picture myself clinging to that narrow wooden corkscrew, hauling laundry, shoes, and coats up and down like an Olympic sport.

“And the bed?” I asked.

“No problem,” the agent said. “You just bring in a crane from the beach, open the window, and swing the furniture straight in.”

Of course! Silly me.

Later that day, we found a lovely unit. Not as lovely as the home I had completed remodeling on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 — one day before the fire — but lovely enough. Our agent urged us to take it immediately. Rentals after the fire were as hard to come by as Labubus.

We shook hands with the listing agent. He told us he was heading straight to his office to draft the lease.

Three hours into our drive back to Los Angeles — where we were temporarily evacuated — we got the call.

The offer was withdrawn. The unit had been rented to someone else. For 10 percent over asking. And only for six months.

Price gouging? Depends on your definition. Legal? Most assuredly.

Days later, another unit opened in the same complex. To get it, we were advised to take it sight unseen and pay all 12 months upfront in cash, plus a security deposit.

We did.

Same price as the bigger unit we lost. No garage. No dishwasher. For what we paid out of pocket, we could have bought a house in another state.

Oh, one little thing that hadn’t been disclosed: The adjacent unit, with which it shared a wall, was in the middle of a to-the-studs remodel. Well, technically not the middle, as the rate of progress suggested another 18 months of wall-rattling and nerve-jangling construction.

One year later, we’re in a different place, but like the first, a place that is not home. Parking without a garage. Scrambling to charge my car. (My husband’s car we don’t need to worry about as it burned in the fire). Reaching for an item that I momentarily forget is lost.

People say, “At least you’re safe.” And they’re right. We are.

But safety is not the same as stability. And survival is not the same as living.

A fire doesn’t just burn down a house. It dismantles a life. It upends routines. It dissolves certainty. It turns homeowners into nomads and scatters neighbors to the wind.

And yet, somehow, we go on. We adapt. We laugh at the absurdity. We haul laundry up imaginary fire poles and fill out rental applications. We become experts in insurance law and disaster resilience.

We carry our home now in memory — in the scent of a fruit tree, in the echo of ocean waves, in the floor plans we still remember by heart.

And we wait.

For the rebuild.
For the return.
For the day we finally unlock a front door that is ours again.

More adventures in my first year without a home — still to come.

Embracing the beach vibe: Aviator Nation Malibu celebrates its 12th anniversary 

By
Barbara Burke
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Paige Mycoskie, the visionary who founded the business, developed the global lifestyle brand in her Venice Beach garage in 2006, embracing the beach vibe.

“Aviator Nation is stoked to celebrate 12 memorable years in Malibu! It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re so grateful for the amazing support and sense of community we’ve experienced,” said AN Regional Manager Riley Draper. “The lasting friendships we’ve forged with locals, visitors, and neighboring businesses mean the world to us.”

The venue hosted a celebration on Jan. 14, predictably complete with live music as is befitting its focus on harkening back to California’s surfing aesthetic and all things 1970s.

While working at a surf shop, Paige Mycoskie, the visionary who founded the business, developed the global lifestyle brand in her Venice Beach garage in 2006, embracing the beach vibe. She purchased a sewing machine and spent nights after work teaching herself to sew, aiming to emulate the vintage pieces that she had been collecting for years. Mycoskie worked her way from stitching together T-shirts on her kitchen table 19 years ago to running one of the nation’s hottest brands, which is especially popular in TikTok nation. 

Aviator Nation “celebrates a time when music, surfing, and love for community shaped our culture,” the venue’s website informs. “Our mission is to create quality garments and keep this energy alive. Live. Love. Fly!” Each item is distressed to perfect imperfection, creating a one-of-a-kind piece. 

Known for its pricey smiley-face sweatpants; retro-looking, rainbow-striped, and zip-up hoodies; activewear; soft sweats; and kids’ collection, Aviator Nation faithfully keeps its classics while also introducing new arrivals such as the popular rainbow slides and the hand-dyed tie-dye collection that recently dropped. 

Aviator Nation’s purpose? “To unite a tribe of passionate individuals who want to inspire the world!” according to the site. Every piece of Aviator Nation apparel is sketched by Mycoskie and handmade by people, not machines. The line’s signature six stripes are stitched one by one. The apparel is manufactured in Los Angeles, as keeping manufacturing in America is Mycoskie’s commitment to the brand’s loyal fans. The company has formed brand partnerships with Honda, Lollapalooza, X-Games, SXSW, and SoulCycle. Recently, Aviator Nation opened a fitness studio in Santa Monica offering spin, boxing, and yoga, informing clients that the studio allows patrons the opportunity to “Focus on full body wellness where one can spin, punch, kick or stretch himself to maximum potential.” 

Mycoskie comes from a line of entrepreneurs — her older brother, Blake, started the pay-it-forward shoe company Toms in 2006, the same year that Aviator Nation launched. Since then, the company has grown to having 19 destination retail locations, with many in Southern California.  

Optimistic and upbeat, Draper declared, “Here’s to many more years of connection and fun together. Let’s make the next dozen even more unforgettable!

Pepperdine alums start victims advocacy group

By
Judy Abel
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Justice for Four Angels also calls for safety enhancements on Pacific Coast Highway

A local victims advocacy group initiated by three students and alumna of Pepperdine University is seeking to promote safety on PCH after the tragic accident that claimed four university seniors in October 2023. The group Justice for Four Angels says its aim is to give voice to the four young women who were killed and to help prevent further road tragedies in Malibu and beyond.

The group, with a growing presence on social media and which has spoken at Malibu City Council and Planning Commission meetings, was started last year by Billy Melcher, Lilly Bradshaw, and Bridget Thompson. Melcher, who is a Volunteer on Patrol (VOP) with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, serving in Malibu, was one of the first responders to the horrific scene on PCH Oct. 17, 2023. It’s a night he says changed him forever and became the catalyst to advocate for the four young women who are unable to advocate for themselves.

Justice for Four Angels, Melcher said, was started, “to support the families and friends of the four Pepperdine young women that were killed in the accident on PCH.”

“I’m a law student at Pepperdine and I’ve watched a lot of these kind of high-profile cases develop. And the common theme in all of them has been the more publicity these cases get, the more the focus shifts away from the victims and their families and their loss,” Melcher continued. “Their stories tend to get lost in the drama of the trial and the defendant and the lawyers and everything else. I’ve watched that happen again and again.

“So, our main mission amongst the three of us is to make sure that these women who have their voices taken from them, still have a voice in all of this, and that people remember what this is actually about and what happened to these families who are dealing with the grief of losing their kids and the stress of litigation. At times they may not have the strength to speak up or in some instances they can’t. So, we are here to give them a voice. That is our main mission.”

The group attends every court hearing, obtains court documents, and disseminates the information to the victims’ families and others. With only one family living in Southern California and the rest scattered throughout the country, the organizers say they are able to take some of the burden off family members who can’t travel to the Van Nuys courtroom for what’s often a five-minute hearing.

“It’s stuff that they don’t have the ability and energy to do. They can only fight so much because this is such a loss to their family,” said Bradshaw, a Pepperdine alum whose time at the university overlapped with those who were killed in the tragedy. “So, if we can take some of that burden off of them, that’s the least we can do. It’s these things that will help them continue to fight for Niamh, Asha, Deslyn, and Peyton.”

Thompson, another founder of the group, and a roommate with three of the victims, elaborated on her participation: “Over two years ago when I lost my best friends, it was such an immediate helpless feeling. From the very beginning, I jumped on the advocacy pretty quickly. I was reached out to by a lot of media outlets and different advocacy groups. It was a way I felt I could keep their names alive and make sure that my best friends’ names don’t die and that they didn’t die in vain.

“At the beginning, it was really focused on Pacific Coast Highway advocacy because that’s something that’s really important. It’s a dangerous road that has been dangerous for far too long. But as time has progressed and the court hearings have, it’s something I’ve also been super involved in. It’s easy for the defendant’s name or the attorney’s name to be in headlines and to kind of take over the story because it is a high-profile case. The attorney is a high-profile attorney. So, I just really want to make sure that their names don’t get lost and their stories don’t get lost because if they do, that’ll never be true justice for me.”

Melcher emphasized Justice for Four Angels also has been a consistent presence at Malibu City Council and Planning Commission meetings from the get-go.

“We were instrumental in getting the $55 million Caltrans safety plan passed,” he said. “We spoke at the planning commission meeting where one of the commissioners quoted one of the speeches we gave and then changed her vote to a yes, which is basically what got the thing passed. When it went to the City Council we spoke with the councilmembers. We had petitions on our social media accounts that went to the city for people to sign, to express their support, and that really carried this thing across the finish line. So, our role has been two-part, following the criminal case and also advocating for PCH safety.”

Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council helps make fire-wise communities

By
Judy Abel
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New resource to assist Malibu area homeowners in wildfire preparedness

As wildfire danger continues to shape life in the Santa Monica Mountains, a relatively new nonprofit organization is stepping into a critical role, helping residents prepare for, withstand, and recover from the growing threat of catastrophic fires.

Founded in 2023, the Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council (SMMFSC) was created to fill a gap in regional wildfire preparedness. While Malibu and surrounding communities have neighborhood-based fire safe councils, there had never been a regional organization to connect them, support their work and provide professional continuity.

“We looked around at places like Ventura and Santa Barbara and saw that they had larger, regional fire safe councils with full-time staff,” said Pauline Allen, executive director of SMMFSC. “In the Santa Monica Mountains, there are a handful of smaller fire safe councils, but no regional one — and that’s a huge fire risk area. We saw that as a big gap.”

Fire safe councils are grassroots, community-led organizations that help residents reduce wildfire risk through education, home assessments and neighborhood projects. The Santa Monica Mountains council was created to act as a connector among communities and to serve residents who don’t live within an existing neighborhood council.

One of the council’s board members is Jerry Vandermeulen, a former fire safety liaison for the City of Malibu with 35 years of service with the Ventura County Fire Department.

Vandermeulen was Malibu’s first full-time fire safety liaison beginning in 2019 and later returned in a part-time role. He joined the SMMFSC’s executive board at its inception and is now president.

“This organization brings together experience, funding and community energy,” Vandermeulen said. “It supports the work Malibu is already doing and expands what’s possible.”

Malibu already has a robust fire safety program, including home ignition zone inspections and fire-wise community support. The SMMFSC works closely with the city’s fire safety staff, including current liaison Brad Yokum, who also serves on the council’s board.

“We see ourselves as supplemental,” Allen said. “Malibu has a great program, so we work behind the scenes to support it, share resources and help expand what’s available to residents.”

One of the council’s most important services, as is also available in Malibu, is free home ignition zone evaluations, which assess a property’s vulnerability to embers and provides recommendations for home hardening and defensible space. The council also helps fund home hardening projects, including installing ember-resistant vent screens.

“We’re currently fully funding vent retrofits for a number of residents, including several in Malibu,” Allen said. “That means installing one-16th-inch mesh on vents, which keeps embers out while still allowing airflow.”

Another major focus is supporting Firewise communities — neighborhood-level wildfire safety groups that work together to reduce risk. These micro-grassroots groups are run by volunteers and are not incorporated, meaning they cannot apply for grants on their own.

“That’s where we come in,” Vandermeulen explained. “As a nonprofit, we can apply for grants and use that funding to support Firewise communities.”

The council hosts a monthly virtual networking call on the fourth Wednesday of each month at noon for Firewise leaders and residents interested in forming new groups. The calls allow neighbors to share challenges, successes, and ideas for reaching more residents.

SMMFSC also organizes community work days, where neighbors come together to remove vegetation, clear defensible space, and learn hands-on mitigation skills.

Last June, SMMFSC coordinated a work day in Topanga’s Glenview neighborhood, where volunteers removed woody vegetation, filled a donated dumpster and learned how to retrofit vents.

“Firewise communities need to log mitigation hours every year to maintain recognition,” Allen said. “Work days help them meet that requirement and get more done together.”

SMMFSC has also supported larger community-driven projects, including a successful fuel-reduction and native-planting effort in the Entrada Encina neighborhood of Topanga, which borders Topanga State Park.

Concerned residents obtained permission from the state to clear brush on park land closest to their homes. With the council’s help, they raised funds for a contractor, then planted native oak trees to create a long-term ember-resistant buffer.

“That project was such a success we’re now receiving a grant to do similar work this year,” according to Allen.

In addition to physical mitigation, the Fire Safe Council is addressing the emotional toll of wildfire.

Later this month, the organization will host its first Wildfire Café, modeled after climate cafés — facilitated, judgment-free conversations where people can reflect on the long-term impacts of fire.

A virtual café will be held Jan. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by an in-person gathering at the Getty Villa on February 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required through SMMFSC’s website.

The Fire Safe Council’s work has already earned recognition. The organization will receive Environmental Program of the Year from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin’s office later this month.

The council is also actively seeking donations and corporate sponsors to expand its programs and continue funding mitigation projects for residents.

“We’re a nonprofit, and community support is essential,” Allen said. “There’s a donate button on our website, and anyone interested in sponsorship can reach out directly. Prepared homes, connected neighborhoods, and a community that’s ready — that’s how we protect lives and property.”

For more information, residents can visit smmfsc.org or follow the council on Instagram at @smmfsc.

Evacuation warning issued for Palisades Fire burn scar ahead of incoming storm

By
The Malibu Times
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Los Angeles County officials have issued an Evacuation Warning for areas impacted by the recent Palisades Fire burn scar, citing the threat of mud and debris flows as moderate-to-heavy rain is forecast to move into the region late Sunday night.

The warning goes into effect Sunday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. and applies specifically to Evacuation Zone MAL-C111, which stretches from Topanga Beach Drive westward to Carbon Beach Terrace.

According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest rainfall is expected from Sunday night through Monday night, with lighter showers continuing through Thursday. Saturated soil in fire-damaged hillsides significantly increases the risk of mudslides, debris flows, and rockfall.

Residents in the affected burn scar areas are urged to “Get Set” for potential evacuation orders. Officials advise preparing loved ones, pets, and essential supplies in advance. Those who may need additional time to evacuate, including seniors and individuals with mobility challenges, are encouraged to leave early.

Road Closures and Travel Impacts

In anticipation of the storm, Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive beginning Sunday, Feb. 15 at 10 p.m.

Authorities are also warning of hazardous road conditions throughout the area, including:

  • Mudslides and debris flows
  • Rocks and water covering roadways
  • Downed trees and power lines
  • Power outages and malfunctioning traffic signals

Under California law, drivers must come to a complete stop at any intersection where traffic signals are not functioning.

Officials urge residents to stay off the roads if possible and to use caution around work crews and emergency vehicles.

Coastal Hazards

The approaching storm system is also expected to create dangerous beach and ocean conditions, including heavy surf, strong rip currents, beach erosion, and storm debris in the water.

Sandbag Locations

Residents are encouraged to protect their properties by using sandbags. Supplies are available at:

  • All Los Angeles County Fire Stations (some locations also provide sand)
  • Camp 13 – 1252 Encinal Canyon Road (sand and bags available)
  • Fire Station 70 – 3970 Carbon Canyon Road (sand and bags available)
  • Zuma Beach Main Entrance – 3000 Pacific Coast Highway (sand and bags available)
  • Malibu Library – 23519 Civic Center Way (filled sandbags available through April 15; staff will assist with loading vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. before and during storms)

Officials remind residents not to remove sand from beaches.

Stay Informed

Residents are encouraged to monitor official updates and weather forecasts through the National Weather Service and Los Angeles County emergency alert systems. Evacuation maps, sandbag locators, and real-time road conditions are available through county resources.

Authorities also remind residents to check on vulnerable neighbors and never approach downed power lines. In case of emergency, call 911.

As rain approaches areas already scarred by wildfire, officials stress that preparation and early action are critical to keeping the community safe.

Celebrating female friendship

By
Judy Abel
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How Galentine’s Day is gaining momentum

It started out as a joke on the hit television show “Parks and Recreation” — a silly, made-up holiday designed for laughs, much like Festivus on “Seinfeld.” But sometimes jokes have legs. And waffles. And mimosas.

The seed planted in 2010 to celebrate female friendship has since blossomed into a full-grown, unofficial holiday observed across the U.S. and beyond. It’s called Galentine’s Day, and it may just be the best thing to happen to February.

Galentine’s Day was first introduced at the beginning of Season 2, Episode 16 of “Parks and Recreation” by the show’s relentlessly optimistic lead character, Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler. The faux holiday resonated with audiences so well it made two other appearances in later seasons. In the mockumentary-style sitcom, Leslie gathers her female friends for brunch and announces that February 13 — the day before Valentine’s Day — is now dedicated to “ladies celebrating ladies.” No boyfriends required. Romance optional. Waffles mandatory.

Leslie further explains that Galentine’s Day is about prioritizing “uteruses before duderuses” and “ovaries before brovaries,” phrases that somehow manage to be both ridiculous and oddly profound when celebrating platonic female friendships. As one character enthusiastically consumes a waffle topped with an Everest-sized mountain of whipped cream, the tone is set: This is not a subtle holiday.

What truly captured the attention of audiences wasn’t just the joke, but the sincerity. The characters shower each other with over-the-top compliments, optimism about future relationships, and thoughtful — if delightfully quirky — gifts. The episode celebrated platonic love with the same intensity usually reserved for romance, and it struck a chord. Especially since Galentine’s Day falls right before Valentine’s Day, a holiday that can sometimes feel more isolating than romantic if you’re single, newly heartbroken, or just tired of heart-shaped everything.

Enter Galentine’s Day: a joyful antidote. A few mimosas certainly help lift the mood, and it’s common for celebratory drinks like margaritas or palomas to make an appearance. The goal is simple — gather your favorite people, eat something indulgent, and remind each other why your friendships matter.

In the “Parks and Recreation” universe, Galentine’s Day celebrations are predictably over the top. Leslie decorates tables with flowers and balloons and gives each friend a gift that is both wildly specific and deeply heartfelt. Her friends receive cheerful hand-crocheted flower pens, mosaic portraits made from crushed bottles of Leslie’s favorite diet soda, and a personalized 5,000-word essay explaining why each friend is amazing. Is it excessive? Absolutely. Is it on brand? Completely.

The whimsical holiday proved so popular that it made two more appearances on the show, and soon leapt off the screen into real life. Fans embrace Galentine’s Day wholeheartedly, and through word of mouth (and capitalism doing what it does best), idiosyncratic merchandise quickly became available. Now, you can buy Galentine’s cards, banners, mugs, and party supplies anywhere from CVS to the fanciest stationery store you’ve ever pretended you “just wandered into.”

So how do you celebrate Galentine’s Day today? There are no hard rules, but brunch is a strong starting point. Hosting at a restaurant is great, but staying in works just as well. A cozy, pampering spa day at home is always a hit — think face masks, fluffy robes, and aggressively relaxing music. Creative types might opt for an arts-and-crafts gathering, making candles, bookmark charms, or anything else that will later be treasured mostly for its sentimental value. Movie nights are another classic option, ideally with popcorn, wine, and everyone piled onto one couch like it’s a sleepover circa middle school.
Above all, Galentine’s Day is about intention. It’s about pausing to acknowledge the people who show up for you — who answer your texts, hype you up, and know your coffee order by heart. As the earnest Leslie Knope character wisely advised, it’s a day to “shower them with weird gifts.” Weird, thoughtful, heartfelt gifts — and of course waffles.

Post-fire toxicity test results announced by local scientists

By
Judy Abel
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Aftermath of the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway, showing the devastation and loss of homes. Photo by Hayley Mattson/TMT

Professors from USC, UCLA, and other nonprofit scientists collaborate in absence of government testing

A group of scientists from area universities, calling themselves CONSORTIUM (Community-Oriented Network for Scientific Observation, Recovery, and Tracking of Impacts from Urban Megafires) has just released initial findings after a year of testing for toxins from the Eaton and Palisades burn scar areas.  
Because government agencies decided to end soil testing after the January 2025 dual conflagrations, fire recovery nonprofits reported that fire-ravaged communities were left with confusion and fear over the safety of returning home. Using funds from FireAid and other philanthropies, a consortium of university researchers was able to collaborate on the largest soil testing project ever performed in Southern California. 

With soil samples collected from 6,400 lots in both burn scars and including at some with standing homes, the groups from CAP.LA (Community Action Project — Los Angeles) and USC’s CLEAN (Contaminant Level Evaluation & Analysis for Neighborhoods) soil testing program found a significantly higher level of lead in Altadena than found in samples from the Palisades Fire areas. This is attributable to the higher concentration of older homes in Altadena that likely used lead paint. Screening for lead was particularly important due to its health risks.

According to iO Wright, of the nonprofit PostFire.org that presented the findings this week, “In the state of California, the Environmental Protection Agency has said that 80 PPMs, parts per million, is the residential screening level for lead. That is the threshold. So, if you have over 80 PPMs of lead that is technically higher than the state of California says is safe for human and animal exposure. This has been confusing. There are different EPAs.”

Wright explained there is the state CalEPA, which says that 80 PPMs of lead is safe, and the more lenient federal EPA, which says that 200 PMs of lead is safe.

“They’re screening thresholds. I wouldn’t describe them as safety thresholds and the reason why is there’s no safe level of lead for exposure,” he said. “I would encourage everyone to take advantage of some of these soil testing programs that are free and that are available to you because it gives you the information you need to figure out what the right next step is.”

On a positive note, very few properties were found to have extraordinarily high levels of lead contamination.

“In the state of California and EPA, they generally consider lead contamination levels of 1,000 PPM or higher to be considered hazardous waste. There have only been a couple dozen samples tested at that level,” Wright said. “It reassures us that there’s not a ton of places out there that have truly, truly hazardous levels of lead that need to be avoided at all costs. What we have found though is that about 42% of the samples that we have tested have shown lead levels above the state screening threshold.”

Wright elaborated, “Lead is a neurotoxin, and the health risks it poses to humans present over time. Those health risks are particularly acute for young children whose brains are still developing. You want to make sure you are limiting young children’s exposure to places that you know to be contaminated with lead and limiting that exposure could be in the form of literally just avoiding interaction with that area. It can be making sure that they’re not ingesting the soil because the primary way that lead is absorbed by your body is by ingesting it. Again, the health risks that are associated with lead are exposure over time.”

But the researchers tested for 18 toxins altogether and found another problem is arsenic. The proportion so far of tested homes with scraped soil within the Eaton burn zone above a 12 ppm arsenic background is four-percent, but higher in the Palisades zone at 17%. Non-scraped lots in Eaton were 5% and higher again in the Palisades zone at 20%. And again, the Palisades zone fared worse for arsenic levels when tested at lots with standing homes with non-scraped soil with 8% above a 12 ppm background for Eaton properties and 10% in the Palisades. These are initial findings as research continues.

The scientists on a Feb. 1 webinar that announced the testing results all agreed that fire-affected homeowners have their lots tested. 

Free soil testing is still available through the USC CLEAN program. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is also running a soil sample testing program. “It is very aligned with the work that our team and the CAP.LA team is doing and we’ve all been collaborating,” said Sujeet Rao, USC CLEAN director.

Unfortunately, applications for soils testing is currently on pause through CAP.LA because its funding has been exhausted. 

More information is available at PostFire.org.

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