The Malibu Times • February 22, 2024

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MALIBU IN SIGHT O P T O M E T R Y

THINKIN ABOUT A SUPER LONG SUMMER!

Stuff you have never seen before

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. XLIII

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY

Santa Monica Family and friends honor Matt Rapf: makes a man, man of God, intellect and iconic surfer show of force Family Many Malibuites shared Malibu fixture. In a nutshell … Matt at district their experiences with Matt gave more than he took. He gave his heart and soul to his family, friends, and his dedication to his trustee area and the Malibu community he loved profession and his family deeply. Matt was a Malibu steward. voting meeting He really couldn’t stop giving.”

Malibu representation on school board at stake By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times

It was a packed house at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District headquarters in Santa Monica on Feb. 10 as the public had the final opportunity to weigh in on a proposal to use trustee area voting to elect school board members. A petition to vote by geographic areas instead of at-large elections could give Malibu a stronger chance at representation on the board. Since Malibu makes up only just over a seventh of the population of the district, the SMMUSD board is controlled by Santa Monica interests. At times there has been no Malibu voice on the board leading to the CONTINUED ON PAGE A8

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

“M

y uncle Matt was a legend! Many can attest to his antics on and off the beach in the '80s, but that wasn’t the Matt I knew,” Brian Rapf posted on Facebook on Feb. 8, four short days after receiving the gut-punching, tragic news that Matt Rapf, 61, an iconic and muchadored son of Malibu, suddenly died in the ocean that he loved during a paddle-out to honor Lyon Herron. “I knew a thoughtful, caring, introspective family man who always gave more than he took. He was a pillar of the local Alcoholics Anonymous and church communities, and he commanded respect because he walked the walk and never turned down an opportunity to help a friend or a stranger — he helped hundreds of people get sober while offering his love and support if you chose

Matt and Jill Rapf were married for 21 years. “We were best friends," Jill said. "We surfed together and were happy to be together — we laughed everyday." Photo courtesy of Jill Rapf

a different path," Brian continued. "I knew a respected businessman who stuck to his core beliefs and prioritized friendships and integrity over money. The most important thing in his life was his family, and he spent more time with Jill, Luke,

and Chloe than most families could dream of — we need more people like @MattRapf.” Brian’s touching accolades honoring his uncle are resoundingly echoed by all who knew Matt Rapf. There are several laudable, common

themes amidst the comments uttered by lamenting loved ones, friends and colleagues. Matt was a giver. According to his good friend, Peter Register, “Matt was an incredible person and a true

Public input sought in Topanga Lagoon restoration Long-shuttered Topanga Ranch Motel included in project By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times

Members of the public now have the chance to comment on the restoration of the Topanga Lagoon. The lagoon is one of the last remaining wetlands in

Open Hearts Foundation’s gala raises funds, celebrates charity partners

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

“Open Hearts is a movement ... and we’re moving,” founder Jane Seymour of Malibu told a celebratory crowd at the very well-attended nonprofit organization’s annual celebratory gala on Feb. 17 at Calamigos Ranch. “We are a small foundation with an enormous mission, supported by like-minded people working together for the greater good.” It was an evening celebrating Open Hearts’ 14 years of empowering the ever-growing number of emerging and growing charity partners the organization supports and

ence kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste, crayons, math tools, and teddy bears. “Open Hearts has been an incredible partner of the Volunteer Center and the more than 48 schools we serve in the South Bay,” Gezahegn said. “It goes beyond grants and sponsorships because volunteering and empathy touch the heart and open the mind.” The Foundation also recognized Melissa Yeager, who co-founded the Claire’s Place Foundation with her late daughter, Claire Wineland, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in infancy. Claire’s Place has been awarded three grants by Open Hearts and has amplified those donations by having its donors match the grants. Yeager was honored with the Open Hearts Award, which was CONTINUED ON PAGE A8

Kristy’s Village Cafe delighted customers by celebrating the Lunar New Year on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Dragons coyly sought customers’ donations enclosed in ornate red envelopes for good luck in the new year By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

As is its popular annual tradition, on Feb. 13, Kristy’s Village Cafe delighted customers by celebrating the Lunar New Year. The event celebrated the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar, which is based on the monthly cycle

INSIDE

this week

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Open Hearts Foundation founder Jane Seymour hosted several celebrities and Open Hearts Foundation charity partners at a celebratory gala on Feb. 17. Photos by Jen Lowery/@JenLoweryPhoto

the volunteers it inspires worldwide. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.79 million in grants to more than 60 charities. The Foundation also supports volunteerism globally and, in doing so, it ignites positive change in the world. “Your gift will directly impact our mission, helping us to empower emerging charities,” Seymour said. “With your help, we can also inspire volunteers to serve with an open heart.” Several charity partner representatives attended the event, including Josh Gezahegn, president of Open Heart’s charity partner, The Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/ Long Beach. Open Heart’s $12,000 grant enabled the Volunteer Center to give 2,500 low-income first-graders school bags filled with books, sci-

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southern California and acts as a natural filtration system and stormwater buffer, and hosts rare and endangered species, including the tidewater goby and steelhead trout. With over a million visitors annually, the project also aims to increase coastal access by expanding recreational and cultural resources, offering visitor facilities, and preserving important

Kristy’s Village Cafe celebrates colorful and delicious Year of the Dragon 2024

Online auction allows donors from all over the world to participate and support the charity

Matt was a loving family man, a doting husband and father, and a man of God. “He would come into his office in this lovely home we just moved into last year, and he was so happy here; so peaceful. He would take an hour to meditate and for morning prayers,” said Jill, his grieving wife of 21 years. “He loved Psalm 91, which is used by a lot of generals going into battle because it is a Psalm of protection — Matt would read his bible passages and he was such a seeker — he always wanted to get the bible’s messages right.” As Matt’s loving community struggles greatly to process the shocking news, those who loved him most gathered on Feb. 18 to celebrate his 62nd birthday at the place he loved so much, The Gathering, his beloved place of worship. There were macadamia nut

of the moon's phases or, in some cultures, the beginning of the new year based on lunisolar calendars that follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. Customers lucky enough to get a reservation at Kristy’s enjoyed a delicious multi-course menu featuring hot and sour chicken soup or veggie soup, chicken and shrimp wontons or veggie spring rolls, steamed rice, bok choy, and a choice of delicious honey walnut shrimp or cauliflower, all scrumptious and satiating dishes. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6

Third Space hosts Valentine’s Day Sip & Shop event |B1

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • School Safety Assessment update Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events Business . . . . . . . . . . . A7 • Lawmakers introduce legislation addressing retail theft Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • A Malibu maestro of all things musical People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Women Are Lit! Chelsie Diane travels the world lecturing about notable women Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B3 Business & Directory . . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Sharks girls water polo advances to CIF quarterfinals


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