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winter 2023 Features:
Savoring the Season
A legacy of architectural and construction expertise now carried on by the next generation
A Progressive Holiday Dinner Meet the Chefs: Five eclectic Malibu restaurants for five courses of delights
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXVIII • NO. XXXV
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Agencies of all levels strive to address and remedy Pacific Coast Highway perils State officials tour the PCH to identify necessary changes as city launches its PCH safety webpage By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Bridget Thompson (top left) is shown with Asha Weir (top right), (middle, from left) Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, and Deslyn Williams (middle right), and an unidentified friend (bottom right) in this undated photo. Photo courtesy of Bridget Thompson
State and local officials announce immediate safety improvements for Pacific Coast Highway More than $4 million invested in Caltrans measures By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Growing up in Moorpark, Bridget Thompson spent plenty of time in Malibu before attending college at Pepperdine University. Taking the beach bus to the coast every summer, Thompson would pass Pepperdine, her “dream school.” She was familiar with the dangers of Pacific Coast Highway. But on Oct. 17, the 21-year-old senior’s life would be forever changed due to one
of PCH’s worst tragedies. Thompson, a roommate and best friend of the four young women killed in a speeding crash in Malibu, was on her way to meet her fellow sorority sisters. She was going to ride with them to an evening event, but went separately do to obligations keeping her on campus. “I decided to meet them there. As I was on my way, it happened,” a grieving Thompson told The Malibu Times. While the roadway was blocked that evening, a worried Thompson waited on PCH from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. calling hospitals for CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Local, county, and state agencies continue to strongly focus on improving safety on the Pacific Coast Highway, a herculean effort that is now top of mind for the community and policymakers due to the Oct. 17 deaths of four Pepperdine students by a 22-yearold driver from Malibu who allegedly drove at an extremely high speed, lost control of his BMW, and careened into at least three cars on a segment of Pacific Coast Highway in East Malibu that locals call “Dead Man’s Curve.” The parked cars the driver hit slammed into the four victims, and they were pronounced dead at the scene. It was yet another senseless tragedy on the imperiled PCH, which serves as Malibu’s main street. In response to the public’s outcry and demands, the City of Malibu declared a local emergency on Nov. 13. Since then, the city has created a dynamic webpage to keep residents informed about the
On Dec. 19, State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, along with Caltrans, CHP, and Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s representatives joined Malibu officials for a discussion on current and future measures to improve safety on PCH in Malibu and a tour of the highway. Photos Courtesy of City of Malibu
efforts to address PCH dangers. For more information about the city’s efforts to improve safety on PCH in Malibu, visit MalibuCity.org/ PCHSafety. On Dec. 19, California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin and other state and county officials were joined by Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring and Mayor Pro Tem Doug Stewart and other city employees who are tasked with trying to
improve the PCH. The entourage toured PCH in Malibu to conduct a comprehensive assessment of safety conditions on the highway. The state delegation held a meeting with local and state elected officials, fostering inter-agency collaboration to address safety issues. During the visit, officials from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) provided a guided tour, emphasizing key
Malibu’s Keep Christ in Christmas receives new presidency
Ten-year President Reflecting on the Year: Part One Mary Motley, hands off ward to serving the community position to Christine 2023 in Review; A year of triumphs, challenges, and Bruce Silverstein hopes to con- Carter Conway tinue prioritizing Woolsey Fire community resilience rebuilds, and concentrating on By SAMANTHA BRAVO By THE MALIBU TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD
As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the new year, it is time to take a retrospective journey through the headlines that shaped our communities and captured our attention. From groundbreaking developments to heartwarming stories of resilience, join us in our three-part series as we revisit the local news stories that left an indelible mark on our lives over the past year. Published January 5 ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ stars sued for $35 million This mansion on Sweetwater Mesa Road is at the center of numerous lawsuits since 2011. Under dispute is the 2015 sale of the property brokered by Mauricio Umansky, star of the reality TV series “Buying Beverly Hills.”
public safety.
Trancas Creek Bridge replacement project plagued with delays There were some engineering miscalculations, but at least the construction site was ready for the rain.
CONTINUED ON PAGE A5
INSIDE
this week
Of The Malibu Times
Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball team wins season-opening match The squad was led by outside hitter Jaylen Jasper, who had 21 kills with a .486 hitting percentage.
After serving as President of the Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) crèche for ten years, Mary Motley has decided to retire and hand off the position to Christine Carter Conway. “It was sad after 10 years to say goodbye, but it’s been an honor,” Motley said. “I truly had said to the previous president, who had done it for 50 years, ‘Oh, I’ll do it,’ and all of a sudden I was it [president].” Located on Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH),
Published January 19
‘Trust In Love’ a Malibu film by Mick Davis and Jimi Petulla
Mary Motley, Father Bill and Christine Carter Conway are shown in front of the crèche on Webb Way and PCH on Sunday, Dec. 24. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
the nativity crèche is hard to miss. the non-profit holds a series of At night, the crèche lights up the community candle lighting and statues that represent the birth caroling. of Jesus Christ, and every year, CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
The film provides a unique
Erosion appears to be worsening comedic perspective of the on PCH Series of storms battering the real issues experienced by coastline near Coastline Drive. families everyday
Escondido Falls Trail waterfall draws crowd to Malibu Social media inspires visitors to put on their hiking boors and exSharks basketball teams shoot- plore the Santa Monica Mouning for victories tains after recent rainstorms. Both squads hit the hardwood against Citrus Coast League The only child of Elvis Presley opponents this week after nearly passes away a month off. Lisa Marie was a singer-songwriter in her own right. Published January 12 Published January 26 Malibu’s new mayor looks forCONTINUED ON PAGE A6
areas of focus and potential improvements. The tour included a somber walk of the crash site where the four Pepperdine students were killed. “We’re thankful for the productive tour with Secretary Omishakin and State leaders and appreciate that we’re getting something done to make PCH safe and avoid future tragedies,” said Uhring on the
By EMMANUEL LUISSI Special to The Malibu Times
Shot in beautiful Malibu, Jimi Petulla and Mick Davis’s new film, “Trust in Love” is a feel-good drama based on the true story of protagonist and producer Jimi Petulla, and it hasw quickly created an impressive reputation for itself. The film has earned awards across the world, winner of awards like Best International Feature Film at the Swedish International Film
Cast members of “Trust in Love” (from left) Brian Schlesinger (Paulie), Tim Hazelip (Bobby), Jimi Petulla (Mickey), and Lisa Long (Kristen) are shown together during an interview. Photos courtesy the team of Jimi Petulla
Festival, winner of Best Actor at Brussels Capital Film Festival, the Barcelona Indie Awards, Best winner at Sydney WorldFest and Feature Film at the Dublin Movie nominated for Best American Awards, Best Feature Film at the CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Author Mitch Albom inspires readers, writers, and book lovers in the latest Malibu Library Speaker Series |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • Motorcyclist killed on PCH in crash on Sunday Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events News . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 • Public Works Director gives update on the 2015 PCH Safety Study Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Caffeinated Verse at the Malibu Library People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Player of the Week: Pepperdine’s Savannah Broadus Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B3 Business & Directory . . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Sharks girls water polo’s Sturges signs with Ventura College