The Malibu Times • March 14, 2024

MALIBU’S AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1946

Vintage

The vivacious crowd happily gathered to celebrate Vintage Grocers’ 10th anniversary on March 9. Young ones delighted in the face painting and the photo booth. Busy parents tried to keep track of their offspring as some of their wee ones begged for the enticing cotton candy, while others wanted to sample the free tacos.

Local vendors displayed a multitude of products available at the grocery, ranging from a variety of tasty tequilas; Malibu’s popular local beer, Sand & Sea; samples from the local wine venue, Summer Somewhere; and plenty of complimentary food.

“Enjoy the teriyaki fried tofu from Kristy’s,” said the establishment’s bartender, Zach Trimble. “We love to support Vintage, a local business, by having

our local business involved.”

Entranced by the booth’s delicious aromas, attendees were drawn to Soup du Jar, which offered several varieties of its farm-to-table soups.

“Our soups are right across from the deli and they have no artificial ingredients and no chemicals,” said Ben Koplan, whose wife, Kristi, started the company. “We have 140 types of soup available over the expanse of a year — some

‘Mother Nature was very angry on the day’: Documentary on Woolsey Fire screened

‘Flames

Former Malibu City Councilperson Mikke Pierson and other leaders from communities affected by the Woolsey Fire are featured in a movie reflecting on losses of the lives of humans and wildlife, properties destroyed, and lessons learned from the disaster

Many people remember exactly where they were when significant events occurred. Those of a particular age specifically recall where they were when President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy all were assassinated. Whereas, those who are a bit younger can recount with impressive detail where they were on 9/11.

On March 7, community leaders who served their municipalities as this region was invaded by the incessant, unforgiving flames, tortuous winds, insidious embers, and tragic casualties of the Woolsey Fire in November 2018 gath-

ered at Regency Theatres at the Calabasas Commons to view the premiere of “Flames to the Ocean — A Woolsey Fire Retrospective.” The documentary was produced by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, whose employees were in the field helping citizens and supporting first responders during the Woolsey Fire inferno and its aftermath.

The film showing was co-sponsored by the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce and Caruso Affili-

ated, which owns and operates the Commons at Calabasas.

“The Las Virgenes-Conejo region was ravaged by the deadly Woolsey Fire. Fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds and a droughtparched landscape, these adverse conditions created the perfect storm for the development of a massive inferno,” Water District General Manager Dave Pedersen stated as he introduced the documentary.  He noted that the

are meat-based, others are gluten/ dairy free, and then, there’s the vegan soups and our broths. Enjoy one of these samples!”

Surveying all the mayhem stood the engaging, affable Tom Corliss, owner of Malibu Makos Surf Club, which has offered kids surf camps, birthday parties, and private surf lessons for decades. Corliss handed out bumper stickers and camp schedule information.

Mayor of Malibu accuses City Attorney of favoring developers over Permanent Skatepark

To start off the Malibu City Council meeting on Monday, March 11, City Manager Steve McClary provided an update on city events and the recent rockslide near Big Rock.

“Just as a note, even though the rain may be subsiding, we’re still in a threat period here in terms of slides so even if we look outside and we see clear weather, we’re still in a risk situation here,” McClary said. “Even with no further rain, we could still be looking at some additional slides coming down and impacting our roadways.”

McClary thanked a speaker for acknowledging Yolanda Bundy, Malibu’s city environmental sustainability director, for receiving the Supervisor of the Year award for the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA).

McClary said they will be setting up a presentation to celebrate her achievement.

Councilmember Marianne Riggins asked Public Works Director Rob DuBoux about the rockslide near Big Rock, and DuBoux said they’re adding additional rails to prevent further rocks from falling.

Planning Commission OKs Caltrans project after backlash from City Council, residents

At the Tuesday, Feb. 20, Planning Commission meeting, Caltrans presented an application to make a few adjustments to the current pedestrian crossing near Carbon Beach. The application consists of replacing two pedestrian crossing beacons and poles and installing a pedestrian crossing signal.

Malibu/Lost Hills Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided a brief update on the weather, road closures, and the recent speed chase that occurred last week with a stolen box truck. Soderlund mentioned the recent incident that occurred at Tracy Park Gallery on Feb. 29. Soderlund said they arrested a homeless individual who threw rocks at the windows. The damage was estimated to cost about $10,000. Soderlund said the suspect was arrested for vandalism; however, due to the zero bail policy, he was cited out and was treated by the mental evaluation team for 72 hours.

“He’s hopefully not in Malibu anymore,” Soderlund said.

Soderlund said the Sheriff’s Department will be following up on an incident that occurred at Malibu Lagoon between Pepperdine students and a transient individual who was following the students.

Soderlund also introduced the new Camera Registry Program that the Sheriff’s Department is launching.

“Our Sheriff’s Department [Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station] is the first Sheriff’s Station in the county to roll out this real time crime and disaster center and so

After denying the Caltrans pedestrian crossing last month and receiving a negative response from the Malibu City Council, the Planning Commission held a special meeting on Friday, March 8, to address the two existing pedestrian crosswalks near Carbon Beach.

To start off the meeting, commissioners made their comments, and Vice Chair John Mazza responded to the comments made by Councilmember Bruce Silverstein at the City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 26.

“I have been up here talking about

to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education.

In an overwhelming decision the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization voted 9-1 to deny a petition requesting trustee area voting to elect members

Adoption of the petition would have changed the way board members are elected from the current district-wide election process to what’s known as trustee area voting which would have divided the district into seven areas with each selecting one representative

CONTINUED

In Case

You Missed it

The top stories from last week you can read at MalibuTimes.com

DAR speaker recounts experiences of WWII Japanese relocation

June Aochi Berk, now 92, was 10 when her family was taken from its home after the Pearl Harbor attack

Permanent Skatepark settlement agreement approved without changes Malibu City Council holds special meeting, goes into detail about the landscape for the skatepark plan

On your mark, get set, go!

Malibu Scouts holds 2nd Annual Pinewood Derby

The miniature wood car racing event gives children one-of-akind experiences and memories to last a lifetime

MaliBUngalows exhibit showcase Shogher Baghdoud-Tilkian’s multifaceted oeuvre

Her art will be exhibited on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. through March 10

New Little League

President John Alfano committed to league growth New season will begin a little later than scheduled, but new president foresees bright future

FROM THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT

How to tackle our massive state-budget issue?

LANCE SIMMENS OPINION COLUMNIST

From the Left

Gov. Gavin Newsom released next year’s budget proposal in January and it sparked outcries from many constituencies. Dissecting budget estimates and the subsequent growth or lack thereof is a tricky game when it comes to the public. Regardless of whatever level — federal, state, or local — there are bound to be winners and losers. And now the battle for precious funding is in full swing. An astute observation with respect to battles over revenue and spending I learned many years ago as a senior aide to the U.S. Senate Budget Committee was the following: “You can tell a person’s priorities by looking at his/her checkbook.” Indeed that is the truth and helps fashion debate over precious spending and taxing decisions, particularly when it comes to budgets that must be technically balanced, a restriction that fortunately for the nation is not expected nor desired for the federal government.

While budgetary decision-making and debate may seem arcane and cannot be adequately covered in the short space allowed here, the most basic understanding is that there are two sides of the ledger: revenues and spending. As a general rule it is fair to characterize liberals/Democrats as supportive of higher taxes and support for greater spending on social programs, and conservatives supportive of lower taxes and lower social spending. These are generalized for purposes of this article but relatively hold true.

State budgets must meet stringent attempts to present balanced annual budgets, unlike the federal government and its penchant for deficits and debt. While operating under obligations to balance the annual budget, the exercise is a battle that seems messy and forces politicians to maximize compromise, especially difficult when groups that are usually in sync find themselves battling one another in times of limited or declining economic growth.

The contentious battle this fiscal year will require give and take, however it is within the bounds of propriety and should be capable of adhering to fairness and the Governor’s agenda. But the process is likely to engender a tightening up on revenues and social spending that will be at odds with recent years.

According to the California

Budget & Policy Center (CBPC), a nonpartisan, research-and-analysis nonprofit committed to advancing public policies that improve the lives of Californians who are denied opportunities to share in the state’s wealth and deserve the dignity and support to lead thriving lives in our communities, the current budget has sparked disagreement among key analytic organizations. The governor has identified a $58 billion budget problem while the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has estimated a budget shortfall of $68 billion.

“The LAO has provided fiscal and policy advice to the Legislature for 75 years. It is known for its fiscal and programmatic expertise and nonpartisan analyses of the state budget,” the CBPC said. “The office serves as the ‘eyes and ears’ for the Legislature to ensure that the executive branch is implementing legislative policy in a cost efficient and effective manner.”

According to the CBPC “estimates of the budget shortfall will be updated in May as more information becomes available. The key takeaway is that the state has a sizable budget problem to address in this year’s budget process … the main reason for the budget problem is that state revenue collections have been coming in much lower than previously projected, and forecasts for future revenues have also been adjusted downward as a result. This occurs after several years of strong revenue growth that produced budget surpluses and made possible new spending commitments … A large portion of the problem is related to state revenues for the 2022 tax year, which are estimated to be about $25 billion lower than policymakers expected when they adopted the budget for the current fiscal year last summer.”

Revisions will be made in May and in the meantime organizations affected by proposals to close the budget “gap” will lobby furiously to reduce or eliminate cuts offered by the governor, which include:

• Withdrawing $13.1 billion from the budget stabilization and safety net reserve accounts; Cutting $8.5 billion from existing programs and services, including climate, housing and education;

• Delaying $5.1 billion worth of spending;

Deferring another $2.1 billion to 2025-26, including about $500 million in additional funding for University of California and California State University; Getting $5.7 billion in internal borrowing from special funds to support the tax on health care providers.

There are likely to be changes that may focus more on the revenue side of the budgetary equation. The governor may assume that revenues will be about $15 billion higher over the three-year budget window: spend-

Letters to the Editor

*Letters to the Editor may not reflect the view, opinion and/or ethics of the The Malibu Times. They are however, letters from the people of Malibu. We support your right to express your opinion. Read "Write to Us" to submit your letter today.

Missing Matt Rapf

Dear Editor,

Waves women’s tennis continues multiple-year victory streak over Loyola Marymout

Pepperdine has now beat LMU 24 straight times, including sweeps in last four matches

Way back in 1987, I came to Malibu after starting a new job in Oxnard. I was staying in a condo at the Malibu Bay Club and began looking for a home to buy in this unbelievably beautiful place. That’s when I came across Matt Rapf at the Rapf RE office in the middle of the Malibu Country Mart. Lunch at La Scala and then checking out homes for sale in Malibu became a once-a-week adventure.

Matt quickly became a great friend, spending considerable time showing me all that Malibu had to offer, including my fa -

ing across three fiscal years: 2022-23 (prior year), 2023-24 (current year), and 2024-25 (fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2024).

While this may seem to be confusing, there is still plenty of time with which to alter or witness increased revenues to meet the dead-

From the Right

Last year California had an amazing $97.5 billion budget surplus, the biggest state surplus in U.S. history. Gleefully, the governor and legislature exploded spending while boasting of their success. This year, the legislative analyst is predicting a $73 billion deficit, nearly twice that predicted by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and another American record, in the wrong direction. That is a swing of $128 billion in one year. Stunning and unprecedented, but why?

California depends largely on personal income tax and has one of the most “progressive” income taxes in the nation. You know, it’s all about making the affluent pay their “fair share.”

With the highest income tax in the country, the top income bracket pays 14.4 percent. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the top 1 percent of earners pay half of the state income taxes. Half. The top 5 percent of earners pay 70 percent of California’s income tax. How ironic to watch President Biden at the State of the Union speech thunder about the rich paying their fair share. But I digress … The budget surplus was make believe, created in part by the massive federal COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress, which added $26 billion to the state budget, and pumped $150 billion into the California economy. Of course, that federal money was simply printed, while the fiscally irresponsible feds spent trillions of deficit dollars adding to the debt we are burdening America’s children with. And how did

“If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place in which to live.”

— John F. Kennedy June 1956

line and requirements. The funds being discussed, within the context of a $291 billion budget, are manageable and it is likely that those pounding their fists on the table are doing so more out of frustration than budgetary analytics. Stay tuned!

California manage all that federal largess? Its Employment Development Department mishandled unemployment claims so badly it’s estimated that $31 billion was lost to fraud, including $1 billion paid out to prison inmates. That’s more money than many state budgets.

Part of the problem is spending, of course. In the mid-1970s, California’s budget was around $50 billion, while we built water systems, highways, and universities. In 2000, it was over $150 billion, and last year $300 billion. During that time California’s population has almost doubled, but spending has increased six times over.

Accordingly, middle class and affluent people are fleeing California, driven out by the highest taxes in the country, and lack of housing. We have the largest out-migration of any state by far, whereupon our population actually decreased the last three years, for the first time since we became a state. Last year 343,000 people left for states like Nevada and Florida, 700,000 left California in the last two years alone. This out-migration is comprised mostly of tax-paying productive working families. Massive foreign migration into California, mostly low-income earners, is blunting the population decline. Predictably, based on the supplemental poverty measure, California has the highest percentage of poverty in the nation. With only 12 percent of the nation’s population, we have one-third of the nation’s welfare recipients, and one-third of Californians live in or near poverty.

The profligate spending of Sacramento isn’t the only driver of the budget crisis. Our tax code is also the culprit. As currently structured, our tax code means the state does well when the rich have a good year with their investments, but when they have a bad year, California is in trouble. In 2010, a blue-ribbon commission formed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and CA Assembly Speaker Karen Bass

Lance Simmens is an independent columnist for The Malibu Times, he along with Don Schmitz write a bi-weekly column on national topics from the perspective of their political leanings you can forward any comments you have to editorial @malibutimes.com.

made reform recommendations to blunt the boom and bust of our tax code. It recommended in part reducing the top basic rate to 6.5 percent. It sought to address the imbalance in our progressive income tax code that soaks the rich, but failed. The wealthy are mobile, so if/when they grow fatigued of carrying the tax load for the other 95 percent, they can and will leave for other states.

It gets worse, as this is just the annual budget dance in Sacramento. Looming on the near horizon is the CalPERS and CalSTRS pension liability. The public employee unions, the biggest donors to campaign coffers of the super majority Democrats, have been given enviably generous pension plans. A 2022 report by the American Legislative Exchange Council found California has the largest unfunded pension liability in America, at $1.5 trillion. That’s not a typo, yes, trillion, and that doesn’t include other benefits like state-paid health care (which Sacramento now gives to illegal immigrants). Taxpayers contribute the largest share of the funding, and are obligated to do so. There was some pension reform in 2013, but clearly inadequate, and those bills will soon come due.

California has the highest sales tax nationally at 7.25 percent, highest gas tax at 77.9 cents per gallon, and a graduated utility tax whereupon we pay two to three times the national average for electricity. We are already at a tipping point, where the burdensome taxes are driving taxpayers to less punitive states. Remember the 1971 rock lyrics; “Tax the rich, feed the poor ‘til there are no rich no more”? California might just succeed, but what happens when there are no rich, no more?

Don Schmitz is an independent columnist for The Malibu Times, he along with Lance Simmens write a bi-weekly column on national topics from the perspective of their political leanings you can forward any comments you have to editorial@ malibutimes.com.

vorite music place: The Trancas Inn (they tore it down to put up a Starbucks). Matt had a warm, friendly spirit that I admired, and to loosely quote that old line from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the kid had spunk.

I didn’t get the chance to settle down in Malibu; business and life took me elsewhere, but I never forgot about Matt and would always look him up whenever I happened through town (on purpose). His passing hit me hard, as I’m sure it has for many of you who knew him way better than I ever did, but I will always remember him as my one Malibu friend, and I shall miss him dearly.

John Mahar, Chesterfield, MO

Neil Schumaker, Jen Rodman, Anthony Atkins, John Nygaard

Devon Meyers

Judy Abel,

Mary Abbott,

Jackson, Burt Ross,

part with him when he goes wrong.” — Abraham Lincoln

DON SCHMITZ OPINION COLUMNIST

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

|

SUNDAY

71º | 53º PARTLY CLOUDY

MONDAY

72º | 57º

TUESDAY

70º | 56º

WEDNESDAY

66º | 55º

PARTLY

The following incidents were reported between:

FEB 14 - Feb 17

 2/14 | Petty Theft

A vehicle parked near Seagull Way was broken into and ransacked and the victim’s laptops and vehicle registration was stolen. The laptop was worth $1,200. There were no security cameras available for evidence.

 2/14 | Vehicle Burglary

A vehicle parked near Surfrider Beach was broken into and ransacked. The victim was sure they locked their vehicle before going to the beach but returned to see it had been ransacked. There were no security cameras available for evidence.

 2/14 | Vandalism

A home on Piuma Road was broken into and the garage door was damaged. The victim said they saw an unknown white male enter the property through the garage. The doors were estimated to cost $1,500 to repair. The security footage was submitted for evidence.

 2/15 | Vehicle Burglary

A vehicle parked near Surfrider Beach was broken into and the front passenger side window was shattered. The victim’s MacBook and iPad were stolen from their backpack.

 2/16 | Vehicle Theft

A vehicle parked near Topanga State Beach was broken into and an iPhone, wallet, and key fob were stolen. The victim left the key fob on the roof of his vehicle and upon return, the key was missing and their vehicle was ransacked. The victim used “Find my iPhone,” and was able to find their phone near Century City. There were no security cameras available for evidence.

 2/17 | Vehicle burglary

A vehicle parked near El Matador State Beach was broken into and the window was shattered. The deputies noticed nearby

Malibu’s Adamson House recruiting volunteer docents

The California State Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting local residents interested in art and local history to train as volunteer docents at Malibu’s Adamson House — the “Taj Mahal of Tile” — beginning on March 29.

The Adamson House is one of the few surviving links to the Rindge family, the last owners of the 17,000 acre Spanish land grant Rancho Malibu. Built in 1930 alongside Surfrider Beach for the Rindges’ daughter and her family, the Adamson House served as a showcase for the Rindge family’s Malibu Potteries, and currently contains the world’s largest collection of Malibu tile. The Adamson House was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and is also a California State Historical Landmark.

Docent training begins on March 29 at the Adamson House, then continues intermittently until May. Much of the training is self-paced. Trainees will be treated to private tours of the Adamson House and its lush grounds, and to lectures by local experts in archaeology, art, and Malibu history. Upon graduation, docents are asked to commit to two four-hour shifts per month leading tours of the Adamson House and the adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum.

For more information about the Adamson House docent training, go to www.adamsonhouse.org/volunteer.php.

Entertainer Steve Lawrence dies

Entertainer and former Malibu resident Steve Lawrence died March 7 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88.

In one of their hit songs, written by Steve Allen, “This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” Steve Lawrence and his wife Eydie Gormé sing about lying on the beach alone in Malibu. The couple did that themselves after hitting it big in the entertainment world. The mid-century Broad Beach home where they lived for decades sold in 2017 for a reported $10 million.

Lawrence got his first big break as a singer hired by Allen for a late-night show Allen hosted in New York. The crooner gained fame in the 1950s with the hit song, “Go Away Little Girl.” His girl, singer Eydie Gormé became his wife in 1957. Gormé, his partner in life and as a singing duet, died in 2013 at age 84. The duo appeared on numerous variety and talk shows from the 1950s through the ‘90s. Lawrence served as a panelist on “What’s My Line?” for nearly two decades. He went on to make numerous appearances in comedic roles in movies and television sitcoms including “The Nanny,” “Two and a Half Men,” and had a supporting role in “The Blues Brothers” movies.

City Council advances permanent skatepark project by approving deal

with neighboring property owner

The Malibu City Council took decisive action towards the long-awaited Permanent Skatepark for its residents. In a 3-2 vote, the council approved a settlement agreement with the neighboring property owner, who  previously threatened litigation, clearing the way for the much-anticipated project.

The city is committed to providing excellent sports and recreation facilities and programs as part of a thriving, health community, and skating has always been an important part of the Malibu culture.

The City Council scheduled a special meeting on March 4 to continue discussion on the matter from the Feb. 26 regular meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to share the proposed settlement offer with the community and get feedback on it before making a decision.

Highlights of the proposed settlement agreement include:

• Allowing the neighboring property owner to install landscaping at its own cost to improve the park and prevent graffiti along the perimeter wall of the Skatepark.

• Shifting a portion of the Skate Park 10 feet further away from The Case project homes and lowering one of the aboveground elements.

Allowing The Case project to lease a portion of the area adjacent to the Temporary Skate Park lot for parking for $5,627 per month until construction begins on the Permanent Skatepark.

• Assigning responsibility to The Case project for all costs related to the changes made to the Permanent Skatepark and requiring a deposit of $150,000 with the City to cover any additional design and construction costs.

On Nov. 30, 2023, the Planning Commission approved the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the Permanent Skatepark, and the decision was appealed by the owner of the neighboring property, where “The Case” home development project is under construction. After filing this appeal, the owner of the neighboring property approached the city, and the city and the property owner have since been negotiating over a settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit by the property owner.

In 2019, the City Council directed staff to begin the design concept for a permanent skatepark and authorized the installation of a temporary skatepark in the meantime. The action is a testament to the City’s recognition of the community’s longstanding desire and the pressing need for recreational spaces that cater to the diverse interests of the community. The 12,500 square-foot Permanent Skatepark will be built at Malibu Bluffs Park, providing a valuable sports and recreation resource and safe community gathering place for Malibu’s youth. For details on the settlement agreement, and other information, see the staff report at https://www.malibuci -

ty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/ Item/6565?fileID=59693. 2024-2025 Youth Commission applications due March 15

Apply to be on the 2024-25 Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission by Friday, March 15. Applicants must be students in grades 7 through 12 (202425 academic school year) and either reside or attend school in Malibu. The commission makes recommendations to the City Council on matters concerning the city’s programs and projects that serve young people. For more information, visit the Youth Commission webpage (malibucity.org/178/Harry-Barovsky-Memorial-Youth-Commission).

CHP Taskforce update

Since Jan. 1, the CHP Traffic Safety Task Force has issued 470 citations, 408 of which were for speeding. The other 62 citations were for other Primary Collision Factors (such as reckless or distracted driving) or equipment violations. During the week of Feb. 19, fewer citations were issued due to heavy rain and road closures.

The city contracted for the team of three CHP officers to conduct full-time traffic enforcement patrols seven days a week, dedicated to Malibu only, in response to PCH safety concerns. The city declared a local emergency on Nov. 13 in response to increasingly dangerous conditions on PCH culminating in the tragic deaths of four Pepperdine students struck by a speeding motorist while walking along PCH. For more information on the city’s efforts to address PCH safety, visit the webpage.

City obtains Hazard Tree Removal Grant

The City of Malibu has received an additional $326,000 to the Hazard Tree Removal Grant from the MRCA/SMMC. Previously, $674,000 was granted and spent on removing these hazardous trees. This latest amount brings the total of the grant to $1 million. Additional sign-ups will be taken over the next few months and work will start in late spring (May to June). The criteria are that the trees must be dead and represent a threat to infrastructure and or represent a significant fire threat. Priority will be given first to the few residents who were still on the list when previous funds were exhausted, then to those who have not had any work done previously under the grant, and then those who have had work done but still need some trees removed. When a number of residents have signed up, the Fire Safety Liaison will visit your properties with the arborist from Newbury Park Tree Service to make sure the criteria are met, there is adequate access, and the trees are not in an environmentally sensitive area. If you wish to participate in this program or have any questions send an email to firesafety@ malibucity.org with your name, phone number, email, and address of where the trees are located.

Spring Recreation Guide and City

Newsletter

The City’s Spring 2024 Recreation Guide and City Newsletter is available online and will be mailed to Malibu residents the week of March 4. The guide includes information on Spring programs offered March through May, such as Afterschool Programs, Outdoor Recreation, Parent and Me Programs, Senior Programs and Excursions, Spring Break Day Camps, and the 24th Annual Chumash Day Native American Powwow and Intertribal Gathering. Registration opens on Monday, March 11 at 8 a.m., visit the Registration webpage for a list of programs at https://www.malibucity.org/335/ Community-Services.

2024 Homeless Count shows decline in Malibu since 2016

On Jan. 24, the City of Malibu participated in the 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count along with The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) and community volunteers. The local count showed 51 people experiencing homelessness in Malibu, the lowest number since 2016, when the city began participating in the Homeless Count, and a 30 percent decline since the 2023 Count. The data follows reports from the city’s Homeless Outreach Team through The People Concern that they helped 51 people in Malibu exit homelessness in 2023 through placement in permanent and interim housing, or family reunification. For more information about the city’s efforts to address homelessness, visit the webpage at www.malibucity.org/ homelessness.

Participate in the LA County storm damage survey to help with the recovery effort

fice of Emergency Management (OEM) has created an online survey to gather storm damage information as part of the effort to assist residents, businesses, cities, and property owners impacted by the recent storms. You can help by completing the survey. Identifying damage helps direct recovery activities and resources after any disaster, and helps to determine if the county is eligible for disaster assistance, which in turn helps LA County communities. (Disaster assistance is not guaranteed, so residents

and businesses are encouraged to continue working with their insurers.) For more information and to take the damage survey, visit the county storm recovery website at recovery.lacounty.gov. For assistance in completing the survey, call 2-1-1.

School Safety Assessment update

The Malibu City Council discussed the final report and recommendations in the School Safety Assessment on Feb. 12 as part of the effort to enhance safety in Malibu public schools. Representatives from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) reported on recent and upcoming actions and answered questions from the council.

In response to a series of deadly school shootings in 2022, the city, the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), and the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station (LASD) partnered on the School Safety Assessment to study safety levels and vulnerabilities at Malibu public schools and make recommendations for improvements.

The LASD assigned a school liaison sergeant to assist with school safety needs, and the City Council established a School Safety Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Councilmembers Bruce Silverstein and Paul Grisanti. The city hired a consultant to conduct the School Safety Assessment for the four public school campuses in Malibu: Malibu Elementary School, Webster Elementary School, Malibu Middle School, and Malibu High School. For security reasons, the complete final report will not be made publicly available. For more details, including the list of recommendations, see the staff report at malibucity.org/AgendaCenter.

City Council advances master plan for future uses of vacant cityowned land

At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Malibu City Council approved hiring a firm to provide comprehensive community outreach and engagement services that will be needed to develop a master plan for the future use of the city’s vacant properties. The city owns five parcels of vacant land totaling just over nine acres. Over the years, the City Council has sought out and purchased

Submission deadline is Monday at noon. Please email submissions to:

The Malibu Times

c/o Calendar Editor, to editorial@malibutimes.com

Only events with a connection to Malibu will be considered. Calendar events are scheduled in

thu mar14

PARENT AND ME MUSIC

CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC

TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND

Little ones are invited to join Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Thursday, March 14, from 2 to 2:45 a.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing, and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond.

Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/pages/ workshops?event-id=23276

Sat mar16

CAFFEINATED VERSE: POETRY

OPEN MIC

Join Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall to hear readings of original pieces written by local poets and bring a poem of your own to read during the open mic on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For adults. This event is part of the city’s free poetry workshops in partnership with Malibu Library, the Malibu Poet Laureate Committee, the Malibu Arts Commission, and the Friends of the Malibu Library, offering community members engaging, educational opportunities to find expression through poetry with a renowned local poet.

SMMUSD PRESENTS:

STAIRWAY OF THE STARS

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) will present Stairway of the Stars for the 73rd year, a musical extravaganza highlighting the outstanding music education programs, and showcasing the talents of students from every school in the district. Nearly 900 elementary, middle, and high school students will “star” in the “Stairway of the Stars” outdoor concert in the Santa Monica High School Greek Theatre on Saturday, March 16, at 4 p.m. The 2024 Stairway Honor Award will be presented to Julianna Di Giacomo. Di Giacomo attended Lincoln Middle School, where her choral director was Janet Schwabe, and Santa Monica High, where her choral director was Linda Anderson. Di Giacomo performed at many Stairway concerts as a student, and she graduated from Samohi in 1992. She is thankful for the wonderful music education she received while attending schools in the SMMUSD. To purchase tickets, go to www. StairwayoftheStars.org.

tue mar19

PARENT AND ME MUSIC CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND

Little ones are invited to join Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Tuesday, March 19, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond. Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=23277.

wed mar 20

MALIBU LIBRARY SPEAKER

SERIES: DAVID AMBROZ

The Malibu Library Speaker Series presents national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate David Ambroz, discussing his book “A Place Called Home” on Wednesday, March 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ambroz currently serves as the Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon. Previously he led corporate social responsibility for Walt Disney Television and served as president of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and as a California Child Welfare Councilmember. After growing up homeless and then in foster care, he graduated from Vassar and later from UCLA School of Law. He is a foster dad and lives in Los Angeles. This event will take place at Malibu Library. RSVPs are required. Malibu Village Books will sell copies of “A Place Called Home” at the event.

thu mar 21

PARENT AND ME MUSIC CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND

Little ones are invited to join Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Thursday, March 21, from 2 to 2:45 a.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond. Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=23278.

sat mar 23

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: A GENERATIVE POETRY

WORKSHOP

Join the City of Malibu and the poetry community in a generative poetry workshop on Saturday, March 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Michael Landon Center at Malibu Bluffs Park. When things ripple, they emanate from a center and move outwards. Ripples are an unfolding interaction. In terms of poetry, poems “ripple out” from us and join the ripple of existing and yet-to-be-penned poems, which creates a dialogue that continuously overlaps. Join us for a generative poetry writing workshop where we will sit in the “ripple” of each other’s energies, read, and discuss poems to stimulate our imaginations, and write original poems from prompts provided in the workshop. This workshop is for everyone, regardless of ability level. Participants should bring a pen and a notepad! Led by Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall.

tue mar 26

PARENT AND ME MUSIC CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC

TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND

Little ones are invited to join Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Tuesday, March 26, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond. Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=23279.

thu mar 28

PARENT AND ME MUSIC CLASS WITH LOCAL MUSIC

TEACHER SIERRA DRUMMOND

Little ones are invited to join

Third Space Malibu’s “Parent and Me Music Class” on Thursday, March 28, from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years old can shake, drum, sing and dance during a 45-minute workshop with local music teacher Sierra Drummond. Participants do not have to bring instruments as Third Space will provide shakers and Stapelstein elements to drum on. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=23280.

sat apr 6

MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS: SPRING FLING

This showcase of art is inspired and curated by local artists. It is a wonderful opportunity to be enlightened, inspired and purchase new artwork for your collection!

At the Malibu BUngalows on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free to attend. Please register in advance to display art.

sat apr 6 & Sun apr 7

24TH ANNUAL CHUMASH DAY POWWOW AND INTERNATIONAL GATHERING AT MALIBU BLUFFS PARK

The City of Malibu will host the 24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering at Malibu Bluffs Park (24250 Pacific Coast Highway) on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. The community is encouraged to attend the festive cultural celebration honoring Malibu’s original residents and First Americans, the Chumash. This family-friendly cultural festival is free and open for all to attend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No on-site event parking. Parking is available off-site, with free shuttle rides available to Malibu Bluffs Park. General off-site parking and complimentary shuttle at 23575

Civic Center Way. ADA off-site parking and complimentary shuttle at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.

wed apr 13 & thu apr 14

MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION

SPRING FLING ART SHOW

The Malibu Art Association

Spring Fling Art Show will take place on April 13 and 14 at 3728 Cross Creek Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy music, food, drinks, and of course, art. This is in conjunction with and sponsored by Surf Canyon. For more information visit, surfcanyon.co/

Thu apr 18

EMILY SHANE FOUNDATION

ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ‘WINGS OVER MALIBU’

The Emily Shane Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity based in Malibu and serving children across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, will be hosting its annual gala spring fundraiser “Wings Over Malibu” the evening of Thursday, April 18, directly over the waves in the Ocean Room at Duke’s Restaurant in Malibu. The gala’s proceeds will benefit the foundation’s SEA (Successful Educational Achievement) Program, which empowers underserved, disadvantaged middle schoolers at risk of academic failure by providing them with intensive and individualized academic tutoring and mentorship. Highlights of Wings Over Malibu 2024 include a live auction, an online silent auction, exclusive wines by The Narcissist Wine Company, delicious appetizers, and the popular local band Little Dume, presenting an acoustic set. Members of the Malibu Middle School Orchestra will serenade guests as they arrive. Tickets will be available for purchase at emilyshane.org as of March 18.

A

By JUDY ABEL  Special to The Malibu Times

Every Monday and Friday morning

you’ll find a former surgeon, nurses, a travel agent, a Ph.D, and other mostly retired women joyfully gathering at the Malibu Senior Center. And what brings these ladies from diverse backgrounds together? Knitting!

The ancient art of knitting — using two needles to weave yarn into fabric or garments — likely originated in the 11th century, with the earliest knitted artifacts known to be socks found in Egypt.

These cheerful women are carrying on the tradition while forming friendships in one of the most encouraging and supportive groups you’ll ever find.

The Malibu Senior Center has hosted this knitting group for over a decade. It was led by Malibu resident Pina Cianfaglione, who at 90 is still knitting complicated cabled garments freehand without a pattern, and now by Sheila Rosenthal, who encourages creativity in participants’ projects.

At a recent Friday morning session every chair around a long table at the Senior Center was filled with women working on projects ranging from sweaters and wraps to potholders and blankets. All the women are complimentary of each other’s work. You’ll hear lots of praise and words of admiration when someone holds up a work in progress.

“This is a room of givers,” said Farima Damavandi, a fairly recent learner. She’s already completed a beautiful self-designed shrug. Damavandi compared the Malibu knitting group to the 1995 movie “How to Make an American Quilt.” In the film, a woman is regaled with tales of love and life by older women who have collected rich experiences and wisdom.

Elena Boulter, 92, started knitting in high school. “We used to make things for our boyfriends; socks and little items to hang on cars,” she said. After abandoning knitting for years while she worked, “Now I’m having a blast,” the Malibu resident declared.

DOCUMENTARY ON WOOLSEY FIRE

CONTINUED FROM A1

Woolsey Fire torched two-thirds of the district’s service area, igniting in the hills of Chatsworth and marching to the shores of the Pacific.

For the five-year anniversary Mike McNutt, the district’s public affairs and communications manager, sat down with elected officials, public safety officers from the LA County Sheriff and Fire departments, local fire departments, and district staff to ponder and reflect upon the physical and emotional impact that the precarious and perilous days during Woolsey had on the communities of the Las Virgenes-Conejo region.

The district’s purpose in recounting the story of how the affected communities came together in the face of flames, adversity, and panic, and how those memories will never be forgotten, is to celebrate what went right in the Woolsey response — communities’ officials and common citizens collaborated to support fire victims and swiftly orchestrate an evacuation of 250,000 people so they could be out of harm’s way.

“When my superior gave me the order to evacuate, he said to relocate people all the way from Valley Circle to Lindero,” said Capt. Jennifer Seetoo of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, noting the expansive area subject to the evacuation order. “It was go time!”

The documentary also discusses what went wrong and honestly concedes that a whole lot did go wrong,

Boulter not only enjoys the camaraderie of the group but is proud to point out, “They’re from all over the world. We have ladies from Italy, China, Japan, Philippines, Russia, Iran and we all get along so well. It’s the best social group I’ve ever met in Malibu. We’re like sisters, we’re so close.” The group is so friendly they make sure everyone’s birthday is celebrated.

Susie Odjakjian doesn’t live in Malibu but has made the knitting group an important part of her week, forging ties with fellow knitters who encourage her learning the craft. “I saw the blurb in The Malibu Times. I had just retired and wanted to do something creative again,” she said.

Department, various municipalities, and previously unseen victims’ and responders’ cellphones, thereby providing a fresh, yet intense, depiction of just how bad the fire was and just how good the community was in responding and supporting one another.

Pierson was one of many who were interviewed in the film. Seetoo, who had only been on the job for three days when the fire began and who was monitoring the effects of the Borderline shooting that occurred the night before the fire, graphically explained the situations that she and her deputies encountered, as did Pedersen and district employees who helped to fight the fire.

Others who were interviewed included Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin and elected officials from Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Hidden Hills and Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith, Division VII, County of Los Angeles Fire Department.

“Mother nature was very angry on the day of the Woolsey Fire,” Smith said. “Firefighters don’t like to fail, we want to protect people. However, sometimes we lose and in Woolsey a lot was lost — we know that we failed.”

Smith noted that the first responders did not have enough fire trucks and personnel.

However, Smith commented that, even if there had been 150 or 250 fire trucks, the intense fire could not be stopped and moreover, if they had that number of responders, it is entirely possible that the fire departments could have lost firefighters.

Images of harrowing scenes flashed on the large screen, including those of an elderly widow from

The Woodland Hills resident worked in the film business for years. She drives to Malibu twice a week because “they were very welcoming. I came in and sensed such a warm feeling from every single person in the room. There’s not one lemon here,” she laughed.

That hospitality appealed to Odjakjian who tried other knitting groups in Los Angeles, but was met with a cold shoulder. The difference, she said, was “night and day. I went a few times and they never asked my name. The first day I was here I was on the email list that night. This is a treat for me.”

Denise Peak agreed. “I’ve been knitting with this group for 10 years and these

to go if they did. Pedersen shared that the district’s employees were on the front line in supporting first responders. He explained that, in the middle of the fire, not realizing that district employees remained on site at the facility, two fire trucks circled the district’s offices.

“I remember one firefighter rolling down his window and asking me, ‘do you want to keep it?’ referring to the district’s headquarters being in imminent peril of burning,” Pedersen said, adding that when he responded that they needed to save the district’s facilities because its function in keeping safe water is critical, the battalion chief sent three engines that valiantly fought the fire and saved the district’s campus.

Reflecting on Woolsey’s devastating impact on Malibu, Pierson discussed his family’s evacuation, injecting just a little bit of humor to offset the painful memories: “My wife would have taken the kitchen sink in the evacuation if she could have done so.”

Somberly, he also honed in on the terrible impact Woolsey had on wildlife and his own personal experiences.

As Seetoo’s team ran welfare checks, getting those who stayed behind urgently needed water and medicine, Pierson and others tried to extinguish fires and save wildlife.

“We saved some animals,” he noted, but added that, tragically, innumerable animals did not make it through the fire. A haunting image of an upright snake, presumably hissing at the fire in an attempt to defend itself, flashed on the screen. The top of

knitting

women have been near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Peak upped her knitting game with the group learning to make sweaters and follow patterns. “We share great stories and knitting tips but most of all we enjoy each other’s company as we create a wide variety of beautiful hand-made items,” she said. “We’re a lively bunch.”

Rosenthal, the group’s current leader, is eager to share her passion for knitting and creativity. “This is a class of rebels,” she commented. “We do creative thinking.”

Rosenthal is expert at taking what some might consider a mistake and looking at it differently. When one knitter made a garment that didn’t turn out as intended Rosenthal told her, “Wait, let’s look at that again. It’s actually quite a beautiful thing. Look what you’ve done! Instead of criticizing it, let’s think of it in a new way. Now she’s deliberately doing it because the effect of it is so unique and different, and with color choices I encourage people to mix colors.”

Rosenthal emphasized that the women who take part in her loosely termed “class” are not in competition. All knitters and even those who crochet from expert to newbies are welcome, even men. Despite the popularity of male knitters online, none have shown up for knitting at the Malibu Senior Center yet.

Gender aside, the knitters found in Malibu on Mondays and Fridays agree their hobby creates beautiful things — “it is stimulation for your brain,” one said — and most importantly, a gateway into lasting friendships.

(Left) At a recent Friday morning knitting session, every chair around a long table at the Malibu Senior Center was filled with women working on projects ranging from sweaters and wraps to potholders and blankets. (Right) Ninety-year-old Pina Cianfaglione, who once led the knitting group, is still knitting complicated cabled garments freehand without a pattern. Photos by Judy Abel/TMT

Unmentioned and undiscussed crimes in Malibu are concerning and dangerous

Surprising details of alleged technology theft, urging vigilance and awareness among community members

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

As readers wade through countless information sources daily, it is sometimes surprising to discover that some crimes committed locally have not been specifically revealed to, or discussed by, Malibuites.

The most recent significant one concerns Chenguang Gong, a 57-year-old man from San Jose, with a temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, who had

NEWS BRIEFS

CONTINUED FROM A3

vacant open space properties in Malibu to prevent it from being commercially developed and to ensure that it would be used for the benefit of the community, and to preserve Malibu’s rural coastal village character. Until now, there has not been an organized effort to plan for the future uses of the properties. For more information, see the staff report at malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/ Item/6519?fileID=59274.

PCH to be closed nightly from Sycamore Canyon Road to Las Posas Road

All lanes of PCH in both directions will be closed nightly from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. (or later) from Sycamore Canyon Road

ties to the Chinese government. According to a Feb. 7 press release titled “Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrests in Two Separate Illicit Technology Transfer Schemes to Benefit Governments of China and Iran,” Gong, who is a native of China and became a United States citizen in 2011, was arrested in early February in California and charged with stealing trade secrets from a Malibu-based defense contractor, including stealing blueprints for technologies to detect nuclear missile launches and to track ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The press release stated that Gong was charged in a criminal complaint with theft of trade secrets in federal district court. View the full criminal complaint here: justice.gov/opa/media/1337756/ dl?inline.

to Las Posas Road in Ventura County until further notice due to erosion. The ocean-side shoulder is eroding and collapsing from high tides, surf, and storm conditions, and more storms are expected. Reopening times may vary based on high tides or storm conditions. Use alternate routes. Check your navigation app, Caltrans QuickMaps, or Sigalert before getting on the road. Caltrans plans to install K-rails to block off the right-hand ocean-side lane and begin emergency steps to stabilize the collapsed slope. A Caltrans inspector must assess the damage each morning and determine when it is safe to reopen. Crews will shift lanes to the land side to provide two lanes in both directions. Watch for reduced speed limit signs, and workers and work vehicles in the road. Under California law, traffic violation fines are doubled in construction zones.

Update given on

Gong’s alleged offenses — committed right in our town — involved him allegedly transferring more than 3,600 files from the Malibu-based research and development company where he worked — identified in court documents as the victim company — to his own personal storage devices during his brief employment with the company late last year. The press release states the the files Gong allegedly transferred include blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors designed for use in space-based systems to detect missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles and blueprints for sensors designed to enable U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-sinking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles’ infrared tracking ability.

The affidavit supporting the criminal

Wireless Ordinance

On Feb. 7, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) held a public hearing on the city’s proposed amendments to the Local Coastal Program and certified it with suggested modifications. A City Council public hearing will be scheduled to consider the CCC’s modifications to the Local Coastal Program amendment; initiating a zoning text amendment to make additional changes to the Wireless Ordinance; and amending the Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) to adopt provisions in MMC Chapter 17.46. For more information, visit the city’s Wireless Communications Facilities webpage at malibucity.org/1040/Wireless-Communication-Facilities.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance under review by Coastal

Commission

complaint states that if the technology were obtained by the Malibu-based company’s competitors, it would be “extremely damaging economically” to the victim’s company, and it would be “dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors.”

The press release, which was issued by the DOJ’s year-old Disruptive Technology Strike Force, informs that some of the files Gong stole were later found on storage devices seized from his temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, according to an affidavit supporting the criminal complaint.

Those crimes allegedly occurred right here in Malibu.

As to Gong’s charges, there is precious little, if anything, that residents could do to detect or thwart him committing those crimes or to even discover the

commission of the crimes so as to report them. Nevertheless, Malibu readers should be aware of the federal criminal complaint being filed.

However, residents can be very vigilant when crimes are committed that can be observed, as was the case when Zuma Jay’s Surf Shop and High Tide Collective were burgled three months ago. This reporter only found out that those crimes occurred when I interviewed Zuma Jay concerning his helping Tracy Park when her gallery was vandalized. See related article on A7.

A reader may wonder, “what’s this author’s point in this column?” It is simple. We all need to be vigilant and should report any suspicious activity to authorities, and we all need to be informed when crimes are committed in our community.

This week, the Planning Department submitted the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for its certification review. On Jan. 8, the City Council adopted an ordinance to regulate ADUs in the city, taking a significant step toward addressing Malibu’s housing challenges while balancing the need to preserve the community’s rural coastal village character. The staff report is available on the website at malibucity. org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/ Item/6435?fileID=57906.

The state has identified ADUs as an important tool to create more affordable housing amidst California’s housing crisis and has passed several laws to make it easier to build ADUs. The city began developing an ordinance to be consistent with the state laws and has been gathering community input to ensure the regulations reflect Malibu’s needs and characteristics. For more information, visit the project webpage at malibucity.org/adu.

Revised work plan for PCH Traffic Signal Synchronization Project to address traffic congestion

In response to community concerns, the City of Malibu Public Works Department has announced adjustments to the ongoing PCH Traffic Signal Synchronization project to keep two lanes open in each direction on PCH by shifting one travel lane into the center median. Two lanes will be kept open in each direction to alleviate traffic congestion. Work hours are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The adjustment is designed

to address congestion issues, while maintaining the production schedule and prioritizing the safety of construction workers and motorists. The new plan will be implemented as soon as possible after approval by Caltrans. One common question from the community has been why the work cannot be conducted at night. The Public Works Department considered nighttime work, but found that it would significantly slow down the project timeline and increase project costs by approximately $1 million due to required safety mitigation measures. The project is on track for completion as planned by the end of 2024. The city appreciates the understanding and cooperation of residents as we work to implement public safety improvements on PCH.

The construction work started at the Topanga Canyon intersection and is moving westbound towards John Tyler Drive. The Traffic Signal Synchronization Project is the city’s most significant measure to date to improve safety and mobility on PCH. The project will make PCH a safer “Smart Corridor” by installing communication lines between the existing traffic signals on PCH from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to John Tyler Drive to synchronize the signals to existing traffic conditions. It will allow signals to be controlled remotely by the Caltrans Traffic Management Center to lower traffic speeds and reduce congestion.

Watch for workers and work vehicles in and around the roadway. Under California law, traffic citation fines are doubled in construction zones. For more information about the city’s efforts to address PCH safety, visit the PCH Safety web.

Applications are being accepted through March 29 for general fund

grants to support local nonprofits

Applications are being accepted through March 29 for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund Grant Program from local nonprofit organizations to fund efforts that benefit residents of the community. All Malibu community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for a General Fund Grant. Applications will be reviewed by the City Council’s Administration and Finance Subcommittee in mid-spring. The subcommittee’s recommendations will be presented to the City Council for award during the annual budget approval in June. For more information and to apply, visit the webpage at malibucity.org/generalfundgrants.

Registration is now open for the next CERT training, starting April 18

Registration is now open for the city’s next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. As part of its ongoing efforts toward community-wide wildfire and disaster preparedness, the city is offering the next round of the highly popular free training with seven classes to be held on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., April 18 through May 30, at Malibu City Hall. The program is administered by the city and other public safety agencies across the country and empowers community members to help themselves and their neighbors during disasters. Through hands-on training, participants learn the most upto-date information on basic disaster preparedness, the use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and neighborhood team building. For more information and to sign up, visit the webpage, at malibucity.org or email publicsafety@malibucity.org, or call (310) 456-2489, ext. 237.

Malibu crime: When the going gets tough, the tough get going

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

By most any measure, Malibu is a small town and most locals know one another or at least have heard of one another.  So, it didn’t take long for locals to become aware that one of their own — Tracy Park, the indefatigable, creative, welcoming art gallerist who has curated exhibits in Malibu for 22 years and has hosted many creative locals’ works — suffered vandalism at her gallery in the Malibu Colony Plaza on Feb. 29 at approximately 8:30 p.m.

It wasn’t just because it was leap day that locals immediately lept into action to help. Rather, it’s because that’s what Malibuites do.

“Zuma Jay happened to be nearby when the crime was committed,” Park said, referring to Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, the former mayor who owns a surf shop in Malibu. “An IPS officer was also nearby and the sheriff’s responded very quickly.”

As many people who are trying to process trauma do, Park reflected and added, “It could have been much worse — first, I was not at

the gallery when it happened and I’m almost always at my desk at the front of the gallery, right near the windows that the perpetrator smashed by throwing large boulders through them and knocking over a large bronze sculpture. I could have been seriously hurt! Secondly, although he broke a shelf on a bookcase and damaged my jewelry display, he didn’t hurt any of the art.”

As she recounted the harrowing story, Park sat amid the art displays that she carefully curated, many of them showcasing art by local creatives. Pieces created by local artists Claudia Taylor, Mark Estes, James Crowley, and RISK had borne witness to the vandalism. It’s as if the intruder had not just violated a local gallery, but also the creative works of several locals.

“Zuma Jay” shared what happened that night.

“I saw the disturbed individual throw the last boulder through the gallery’s window that is closest to the Vitamin Barn,” Wagner said. “Just as I approached him, an IPS official came on scene and shined his bright flashlight on the guy and sternly said, ‘STOP what you are doing!’”

After that happened, Wagner added, “The guy fell to his knees and repeatedly said, ‘I know my rights!’

and threateningly said, ‘I’ll be back!’”

The police arrived within minutes and arrested an individual identified as Sergio Lopez, a male believed to be in his 30s, for felony vandalism. Park happened to be driving back to her gallery while officers were still on scene because artist Juan Carlos Munoz Hernandez had an appoint-

ment with her to install his colorful lucite works of art at the gallery.

“Juan originally had an 8:30 appointment to meet me for the installation,” Park said. “Fortunately, he had postponed our meeting until 9:30 p.m. As I was going to open the gallery for him, I saw four police cars in front of the gallery and came

upon the shocking scene.”

Park asked officers whether they knew why Lopez committed the vandalism.

“The officer said that the criminal told them he was in a bad mood because he had just been released from a homeless shelter in Santa Monica because he was violating rules!” Park said, emphasizing the senselessness of the crime.

At that point, Park did the only thing that she could do: She began dealing with the situation. She made late night phone calls until she found a company to board up the business and then, there was the task of figuring out how to arrange to replace all the windows.

Meanwhile Wagner, Dru Margolis, and Larken Cumberland stayed with her, sweeping up shards of glass and helping her however they could.

“I have a triple net lease, so the replacement of the windows fell on me,” Park explained. “Zuma Jay stayed all night with me while the company boarded up the windows.”

Park expressed gratitude to all who helped her.

“The officers and IPS were wonderful to me, as were Zuma Jay, Dru, and Larken,” she said. “Ginette Lemonnier of Glass Queen, who I’ve known for many years, is the salt of the earth and helped me get glass

replaced at cost as soon as possible.”

Locals helping locals, that’s what it’s all about, Park opined, and she commented, “I sincerely appreciate all the kind telephone calls and texts and those who dropped in to see me and express concern. A few people helped me with a little cash as well and that was so very kind.”

“I understand that the criminal was released from jail the day after the incident,” Park said. “They used the term ‘slide,’ because some of the offenders just slide out of jail and then are required to show up for court later.  It’s not the officers’ fault — that’s the law.”

For her part, Margolis finds that reality unacceptable.

“As long as our jails have revolving doors, none of our businesses will be safe,” she said. “It shocks me that we keep electing officials who look the other way when things like this happen.”

Wagner noted that unfortunately, break-ins are now quite common in Malibu.

“Just two months ago, my surf shop and High Tide, the business above it, were also broken into,” Wagner shared. “It’s important that we tell the community when these things happen and that we all understand that we need to call in the crime to get deputy time.”

Malibu Democratic Club hosts general membership meeting, installs board

March 10 gathering featured elected officials and grassroots leaders

The Malibu Democratic Club convened its general membership meeting on Sunday, March 10, at the Malibu Library, drawing a diverse array of attendees eager to engage with local leaders and discuss pressing issues facing the community.

The meeting featured guest speakers including State Senator Ben Allen, State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Santa Monica College Trustee Sion Roy, and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board Member Stacy Rouse. Each speaker provided insights into matters impacting Malibu and the broader region, and answered questions from the audience on a wide range of topics including the upcoming elections, Pacific Coast Highway safety, the pursuit of an independent Malibu school district, future curricula at the SMC-Malibu campus, and California’s state budget.

U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman and L.A. County Supervi -

sor Lindsey Horvath, who were unable to attend the meeting in person, sent video messages with updates for the club.

Outgoing Club President Jane Albrecht opened the meeting, welcoming all attendees, highlighting the club’s accomplishments, and setting the stage for the incoming Co-Presidents Gina Muscatel and Hap Henry. The transition marks a significant moment for the club as it continues to grow and expand its service to and impact in the community.

Marilyn Green, the club’s membership & activism chair, outlined ongoing grassroots campaign efforts and upcoming events, emphasizing the importance of local engagement in driving meaningful change.

Grassroots Democrats HQ’s Executive Director Tamara Melzer Levenson and Youth Vote Coordinator & Field Manager Justyn Kelly led a comprehensive presentation on supporting key congressional races across California and nationwide, rallying local Democrats to make a tangible difference in the national political landscape.

During the meeting, the club membership voted unanimously to endorse the following national and state candidates in the up -

coming Nov. 5 general election: Joe Biden for President of the United States, Adam Schiff for U.S. Senate, Brad Sherman for U.S. House of Representatives, and Jacqui Irwin for California State Assembly.

Additionally, the club voted to endorse a letter of support from Advocates of Malibu Public Schools (AMPS) urging the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to install and maintain MERV-13 or higher air filters in each class -

room, prioritizing the health and well-being of students and staff. For more information about the Malibu Democratic Club and upcoming events, please visit www.MalibuDemocraticClub. org or email Info@MalibuDemocraticClub.org. The club invites new members to join as it gears up for a pivotal 2024 campaign season and continues its tradition of fostering dialogue and engagement through hikes, lunches, and public forums with club members and elected officials.

Malibuites rally around Tracy Park after her gallery was vandalized

The Malibu Democratic Club Board of Directors was installed during the March 10 meeting. From left are Vice President Lance Simmens, Co-President Gina Muscatel, Co-President Hap Henry, Vice President Ted Vaill, Treasurer David Kramer, Outgoing President Jane Albrecht, William Swartout, and Garen Kosoyan (not pictured: Vice President Lou La Monte).

Photo courtesy of Malibu Democratic Club

Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner assesses the damage to the windows at the Tracy Park Gallery after it was vandalized Feb. 29. Wagner and an IPS security officer came upon the suspect as he was allegedly throwing boulders through the windows. Contributed Photos

STAFF

LOCAL NEWS

Malibu Marlins get more swim time at community pool

City able to grant more lane time to young swimmers after

school

By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times

The newly formed Malibu Marlins swim club was finally granted more swim time at the community pool at Malibu High School. It’s been a difficult year for the swimming community in Malibu after a rift occurred last June when the Malibu Aquatics Foundation (MAF) that operates Malibu’s then sole swimming program abruptly fired head coach Erik Ran. Ran was so beloved that many families in the program broke away from MAF’s Seawolves and formed the Malibu Marlins.

However, even though the newly formed

Marlins signed up 50 swimmers, they were unable to secure a contract with the city to provide swim lanes to participants. The contract was awarded to longtime vendor MAF and the Marlins were left with the only option of renting the pool from the school district at the inconvenient time of 6:30 a.m., a burden for most young swimmers and their parents.

For the past nine months the Marlins have been lobbying the city to share the pool with the Seawolves but were told that there was no time or lanes available. At the Feb. 26 City Council meeting more than two dozen frustrated parents, adult advocates, and young swimmers implored city leaders during public comments pleading to find a way to accommodate the Marlins young swimmers.

Even MHS teacher Jennifer Gonzales appealed to the council to grant afternoon

things we can do to slow down traffic on PCH to make it safer, and here we are being handed a golden opportunity to put up another traffic light, and they denied it. It’s tone deaf, I just don’t get it,” Silverstein said at the City Council meeting.

In response, Mazza said, “You could not have said we’re tone deaf, as you all know, five of us that get together and agree on something — rare. I resent it because we work hard and they don’t. If councilmembers want to criticize this, they should at least watch a meeting. If they want to criticize us about safety, they should at least know something about it, which apparently, they don’t. We work hard, we try our best, there’s a process that goes to appeal, but nobody’s going to call me tone deaf for not doing the work.”

Commissioners motioned to agendize a discussion requiring applicants to attend meetings in person rather than through Zoom.

“We need to be interactive with applicants — hand gestures, nodding heads, data to be shown, things to be displayed in a way that we don’t necessarily need to be interactive with members of the public calling in,” Chair Kraig Hill said.

The commission had one item on the agenda, and Planning Director Richard Mollica refreshed the pub-

time to Marlins swimmers, citing that many of her student swimmers were sleepy during her morning classes. The 30-year MHS teacher said the Marlin student swimmers in her first and second-period classes “have a hard time staying awake.”

“Why? Because they’re being forced to swim at 6:30 instead of giving them some lanes in the afternoon, sharing those lanes,” Gonzales said. “We are a community. We know our resources are valuable. We don’t have a lot of space. It’s always been a problem. I’ve been a resident for 40 years. We fight for soccer fields, but we can share those lanes. It’s a very simple solution. We changed our start time at Malibu High School and Middle School to align with state law because we know teenagers need their sleep and yet there are empty lanes in the afternoon and we’re asking our kids to get up

from the last meeting and said the traffic light would not impact traffic flow.

“Ideally, that will not be an issue because of the way this is tied to other signals through the signal project,” Mollica said.

About half a dozen Caltrans representatives attended the meeting in person and through Zoom and presented the project. The presentation included the proven safety countermeasures and Caltrans’s importance for the project. According to Caltrans, the crossing reduces 55 percent of pedestrian crashes, reduces 29 percent of total crashes, and reduces 15 percent of serious injury and fatal crashes.

Lee Haber, chief safety officer in the Division of Transportation Safety and Operations, attended the meeting in person and presented the project to the commission.

“I’ve had discussions with Sheriff’s staff, and they told me this is an important addition, the area’s heavily used, especially during the summer when Malibu receives many visitors from both around California and around the world, and so this will both help your motorists, your users, your pedestrians, local residents here, as well those people visiting us here in California,” Haber said.

For public comment, long-term homeowners, residents, and tenants attended the meeting to share their personal opinions on the crosswalk.

early, meaning many of them are getting up at 5:30/5:45 to get to the pool. If we value our community, value our kids, we can make this happen.”

Councilmember Bruce Silverstein questioned the details of the contract, quizzing city staff at the Feb. 26 meeting.  Staff answered the contract with the Seawolves was month-to-month and not exclusive to only one swimming vendor.

Just last week, Assistant City Manager

Joseph Toney confirmed, “The Malibu Marlins Swim Team secured swim lanes through the city for their program, beginning Monday, March 11. The Independent Contract Review Ad Hoc Committee of the Parks and Recreation Commission will continue to meet with the board members of both the Malibu Seawolves and Malibu Marlins, and will provide an update at the Parks and

Recreation Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19.”

In just days after the Marlins secured additional pool time, 40 eager swimmers signed up for their newly appointed after-school hours with coach Ran. The Seawolves still hold a contract to provide swimming programs to Malibu and continue to use lanes as well, but no longer have a head coach after their former coach, Alex Reisfield, was laid off. Currently, the Seawolves are using collegians or recent college graduates as coaches.

Marlins Treasurer Robert Brinkmann, who was a vocal advocate for the newly formed swim club, said, “The community has made its preference clear and has spoken loudly.”

Program information for the Marlins and Seawolves is available at www.malibucity. org/aquatics.

just don’t understand what the discussion is.” Public Safety Chair Chris Frost said the pedestrian signal would increase safety on PCH and slow down the highway.

“I believe for the last four months, all we’ve been talking about is safety [on] PCH. I consider this to be a done deal; it should be a done deal,” Frost said. “I just feel like there’s no downside to this, and it’s a safety issue that’s much needed in that area. Plus, it slows the whole highway down; slowing the highway down is a major issue right now, so this is a step in the right direction, so I urge you to vote yes.”

One of the concerns for commissioners was U-turns and lack of pedestrian frequency. “Is it not better to move that crosswalk closer to where that building is or closer to where the coastal access is where you know that you have the higher frequency of pedestrians, that’s what I didn’t understand,” Commissioner Skylar Peak said. “It seems to be in a zone where there’s less people — would it not be better where you have a higher frequency of people? That’s the whole reason why we’re here tonight.”

will break up that segment; so there’s a good consistency of street segments that we can actaully control with the synchronization system, the computer will do a good job making sure traffic is flowing well, if someone is speeding in that section, they are likely to hit red lights.”

DuBoux said having the ability to control places where U-turns occur is a safer traffic move.

Mazza asked if Caltrans was planning on adding a pedestrian signal near Moonshadows restaurant.

“The city has a project where we’re looking to do improvements at Big Rock and across from Moonshadows, which includes a crosswalk in that location, so we have funding, we’re moving forward with that, and were actually starting designing that,” DuBoux said.

DuBoux said they are also looking to do improvements near Las Flores and a new pedestrian signal west of Carbon Canyon Road. DuBoux said all the projects are from the 2015 study.

Haber said they are working with DuBoux and the city to identify additional features such as the crosswalk at Moonshadows.

“We’re interested in doing this too, what we’re coming forward with is this specific project at this location, to move this portion forward and work on additional ones in future projects,” Haber said.

After an hour of questions and answers, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to allow the state to convert the light crosswalk into a full traffic signal.

The next Planning Commission is scheduled for March 18 at the Council chambers.

voiced desire for SMMUSD to become a trustee area voting district.

“For Malibu, this decision means that at this time we remain an at-large voting district for elections,” Rouse texted to The Malibu Times. “This decision doesn’t impact the ongoing negotiation process of the ultimate unification of Malibu as an independent school district. If there is to be future action prior to unification for having SMMUSD trustee area voting with a designated trustee for Malibu, it’s my understanding there would need to be some action by the school district, or the County Committee, or legal action to initiate a new process.”

Shenkman responded, “It is true that a majority of the Committee followed their staff’s recommendation to find the trustee-area map accompanying the petition does not comply with Elections Code 21130 — a law enacted two years after that map was created — and thus the petition cannot proceed in its current form.

“However, and in my view more importantly, a majority of the committee members also expressed their view that SMMUSD should have trustee-area elections. One committee member, then seized upon a suggestion I made, and asked the committee staff if the committee has the power to initiate its own petition for trustee-area elections, with a map more to the committee’s liking. Staff confirmed that the committee does in fact have that power. After the meeting adjourned, several of the committee members began to discuss amongst themselves and draw rough ideas of what the map might look like.

“We have several options for our next steps, both with the committee and the courts. We have reached out to several stakeholders in Malibu and Santa Monica for their thoughts and preferences; some have responded already; and we will make decisions once we hear from everyone.”

In the meantime, negotiations continue March 14 as Malibu and SMMUSD representatives are scheduled to meet to hammer out more fiscal complications in the school separation agreement. Community meetings on the settlement could happen as early as April.

“This is our 34th Summer and I’m Malibu-born and raised,” Corliss said. “Kids enjoy our camps during Spring break and in the summer and we offer instruction from local lifeguards. I am proud to share our information and to come out and support Vintage. Our camps get all of our lunches from Vintage and we also serve campers the store’s delicious pizzas.”

Also focusing on the extensive collaboration between Vintage and other local businesses was Kambria Lemke, store manager for Summer Somewhere Wines, a local wine venue in Fred Segal at Cross Creek.

“Malibu businesses support other Malibu businesses,” Lemke said. “Every week at our tasting room, we feature cheese boards from Vintage and in turn, Vintage sells our wonderful wines.”

Nearby, Julie Talancon, Melissa’s Produce’s consumer engagement representative, agreed as she offered attendees free samples of delicious, fresh fruits.

“Try our pixies from Northern Ojai that just came into season as well as our new hybrid apple that just hit the market — it is from the Northeastern Atlantic area,” Talancon said. “The apples are in season until June and they’re a cross between honey crisp apples and pink lady apples.”

Attendees and Vintage employees equally enjoyed all the fun.

“Today is just the pinnacle of Vintage, which is a very happy place to be, both to work and to shop,” said a smiling Frank Milewski, a Vintage employee who was busily serving free tacos.

David Trotsky, the store’s liquor manager, heartily agreed.

“I’ve been here since we opened 10 years ago,” Trotsky said. “We’ve grown and grown since then, especially after our beautiful remodel. I manage the best liquor department in Malibu and we are a familyoriented store that offers good food at competitive prices. Come in and give it a try!”

MAYOR OF MALIBU

CONTINUED FROM A1

part of it is a camera registry and the camera registry is going to enable us to solve crime a lot more efficiently and quicker,” Soderlund said.

The additional security footage would help the department enhance its emergency response.

“This is the first program of its kind for the sheriff’s department and the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station is rolling it out and I highly encourage everyone to register your cameras; it doesn’t matter if you’re residential or business, we take it all,” Soderlund said.

Councilmember Bruce Silverstein responded to a few speakers who shared their concerns about the parking at the Permanent Skatepark and the Pepperdine students who shared their experiences.

“Residents pay attention if it’s becoming a problem for the Little League, if it’s a problem for the skateboarders, it’s a problem for anyone using the park, let the city know, because we’re listening,” Silverstein said Silverstein also responded to the homelessness incidents that recently occurred in Malibu.

“I believe it’s our responsibility to protect our community, and safety and the protection of our community is our number one responsibility,” Silverstein said. “We have tools, we have a camping ordinance that we’ve adopted, and if there are people living unhoused in our community, especially if they are committing a crime, we need to be tough; I think it’s appropriate and necessary in some instances.”

Mayor Steve Uhring said they would move Appeal No. 23-008, the Permanent Skatepark, to a future meeting but will keep the item on the agenda for when the council needs to address it.

For his comments, Uhring said the settlement agreement with the Permanent Skatepark, “weakened the protection for the city and strengthened the protection for Scott Gillen.” Gillen is the neighboring property developer who appealed the approval of the skatepark.

“That decision weakened the decisions for the city; it eliminated our ability to defend ourselves and gave more power to Scott Gillen because he didn’t have to deal with that,” Uhring said. “The action demonstrates that our city attorney, who is paid with residents’ dollars, cannot be trusted to follow the will of the people as dictated by the City Council; instead he was willing to remove protection from the city and transfer them to developers. That worries me, that should also

worry you.” Uhring said he hopes they don’t see an incident with an appeal like that again.

Mayor Pro Tem Doug Stewart asked councilmembers to save personal opinions about staff members in private.

“If I’ve got an opinion, I’m going to say it,” Uhring stated.

The council motioned to authorize the mayor to send a letter of support for Senate Bill – NOT in California Act (Stern) which would amend existing traffic laws to designate convictions of driving 26 miles per hour or greater over the posted speed limit a two-point violation.

The council received a report on the Malibu Pacific Coast Highway Safety Projects Report; received a presentation on Analysis of Proposed Traffic Calming Measures; and directed staff to explore certain measures within the city’s jurisdictional authority.

Under existing law, driving 1-15 mph over the speed limit results in a $238 ticket under the uniform bail and penalty schedule. Driving 1625 mph over the speed limit results in a $367 ticket. Driving 26 mph over the speed limit would result in a $490 ticket. While speeding fines are gradual, points are not. All of the violations increased above are 1-point violations unless the driver hits or exceeds 100 mph.

According to the staff report, the

proposed legislation would amend existing law under California Vehicle Code 21400 Sect 12810 (c) to include the following language: “Make convictions of driving 26 MPH or greater over the posted speed limit a two-point violation.”

The council also received an extensive report on the Malibu Pacific Coast Highway Safety Projects. On Jan. 17, the City Council directed staff to conduct a review of traffic calming measures as proposed by Silverstein and Uhring on Jan. 8.

As directed by the City Council during its regular meeting on Dec. 15, 2023, staff produced a report to better track the various projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing safety along PCH. The report provides an update on the ongoing efforts and recent developments concerning PCH initiatives, outlining the progress made and challenges encountered.

“This is very encouraging to see how fast they are moving on some of these projects, I haven’t seen them move this fast in my career in the city, so it’s really encouraging and it’s exciting seeing that they’re stepping up on doing these improvements, they see the need to do these,” DuBoux said. “I’m seeing action, it’s a good feeling it’s a good partnership as it is right now.”

Councilmembers said they’re optimistic about the report.

“I’m really pleased to hear that the consideration is accelerating more so than you seen before,” Silverstein said.

Silverstein was pleased to hear Caltrans is looking to eliminate some parking on PCH.

“It’s nice to see that they’re finally recognizing that the safety of the community is more important then how fast they can move traffic through the area,” Silverstein said. “We need to stay on them and make sure that they stay focused on the safety of the community and not the safety of the vehicles moving through the area.”

Councilmembers said they hope to see the city collaborate with students to encourage them to drive safer on PCH.

The council asked for an update from Caltrans, such as what has been improved on PCH since the tragic incident that took the lives of four Pepperdine students in October. McClary said they can provide an update the first week of May.

Councilmember Paul Grisanti presented the proposed advocacy for changes to the California State Vehicle Code to Deter Excessive Speeding on PCH. Stewart and Grisanti recommend that the City of Malibu petition Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, Sheriff Robert Luna,

State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, and Director of Caltrans Tony Tavares to update the California State Vehicle Code.

The letter states: “Whereas the City of Malibu has witnessed the loss of 59 precious lives on the Pacific Coast Highway since 2010; And whereas excessive speeding is the leading cause of so many fatalities;

Therefore, the City Council of Malibu hereby petitions Governor Newsom, State Senator Allen, Assemblymember Irwin, County Supervisor Horvath, Sheriff Luna, Secretary of Transportation Omishakin, and Director of Caltrans Tavares to work collaboratively to make the following changes to the State Vehicle Code:

1) Anybody who exceeds 100 miles per hour shall lose their license

to drive for three months; and Anybody who exceeds 100 miles per hour more than once in a 12 month period shall lose their license to drive for six months;

2) Anybody who exceeds twice the posted speed limit shall lose their license to drive for one month; Anybody who exceeds twice the posted speed limit more than once in a 12 month period shall lose their license to drive for two months.

The loss of license in these instances shall be mandatory not discretionary.”

The council motioned to revise and send the letter.

McClary presented the strategic plan project update. To view the list efforts watch the meeting on YouTube at the city’s website malibucity.org.

The next strategic workplan will be presented at a special City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 20.

Kelli and Dorothy Outley show off their photos taken at the photo bus during the Vintage Grocery 10th anniversary celebration March 9. Photos by Devon Meyers/TMT

People gather outside Vintage Grocery during the store’s 10th anniversary celebration. Photos by Devon Meyers/TMT

Morrison, Nova, and Lise Sloan-Veenstra pose outside of the photo bus March 9 at the Vintage Grocery 10th anniversary event.

This graphic shows the areas that are most prone to accidents on Pacific Coast Highway in Eastern Malibu from January 2013 to December 2023. Contributed graphic

Malibu Life

Malibu High’s MASQUE showcases students’ talents

Performances in annual threenight event featured bands, singers, dancers, and class films

By BARBARA BURKE

Malibu High School’s much anticipated annual performance of MASQUE entertained and delighted attendees and garnered accolades from students and community members.

The annual student-run three-evening talent show began in 1995 with MHS’s first junior class and is now celebrating its 29th year. This year’s performances featured all types of talent, from bands to solo singers to duets, as well as dancers and class films.

Fans of the annual event, as well as parents, students, and siblings lined up to view the three shows on Feb. 29 and March 1 and 2. The events were curated by the Junior Class ASB, a part of student government. MASQUE is one of the highlights of the school year and is the equivalent of an MHS talent show, and it also includes film students.

The event always keeps it fresh every night. Films are written and directed by students. MASQUE is the only fundraiser by the school to pay for the senior prom.

Teacher advisors who oversaw the preparations, rehearsals, and performances were Rachel Stowell and Kimberly Auer.

One of the event’s fantastic traditions is that teachers create a film that imitates students and students create a film imitating teachers — those performances are always a huge hit. The result — truly hysterical clips showcasing the incredible talent of both the students and the teachers. To view the senior, junior, and teacher act, see www. malibuhighsharktv.com.

Judges of the shows change each night and sometimes consist of alumni, volunteers, and community members.

“I and five other seniors created skits and improvised based on the name of some popular acts and then, we figured out how to thematically follow

along and sprinkle in some other content,” Felix de Raspide Ross explained. “We bonded using jokes and the collaboration process so we got a feel for how we acted with each other and, then, we found

and did a lot of improvisation together.” Ross was accompanied by other emcees, including Hannah Kaloper, Sophie Regan, Frankie Little, and Dylan Mendez.

All three performances hit it out of the park, with audiences hooting and hollering and the students displaying their many talents. The winners in the various categories for each evening were:

THURSDAY

Best Group: “Before He Cheats” (Alex Murphy, Sailor Graham)

• Most Entertaining: Lukas Weiss (Mash-up)

• Best Solo: “Merry go Round” (Aidan Colburn)

Top Audience Choice: “She Talks to Angels” (Daniel Eichar and Jaxon Golden)

FRIDAY

Most Entertaining: The Masque MCs

Top Audience Choice: Aaron Weiss (Mashup)

• Best Overall: “Spain” (MHS Band)

• Best Group: “Ghost” (Nick Ortiz, Shannon Rosen, Allegra Torres, Mattox Lemley, Asher Lemley, Wiley Murphee)

Most Original: “Lay Down” (Felix de Raspide Ross)

SATURDAY

Most Original: Senior Act (film)

Best Solo Act: Olivia Berns (original Song)

Best Entertainer: Lukas Weiss (Mash-up)

• Best Overall: “You Give Love a Bad Name” (Nick Ortiz, Sailor Graham, Asher Torres, Marvin Schmolka)

Top Audience Choice: “Mary on A Cross” (Marvin Schmolka, Shelby Woodman, Felix de Raspide Ross)

• Best Group: “Babydoll” (Joaquin Garcia and Band)

“MASQUE was filled with raw talent, inspiration and passionate aspirations,” said Tara DeLuca, a junior shared who worked behind the scenes. “A whirlwind of fun, entertainment, and hard work. Bravo Malibu High!”

Sophie Regan got to dance in a duet with MHS Assistant Principal Cindy Smith, a long-awaited

Young artists shine at 2024 student art exhibit at City Hall

Closing reception fills City Hall to celebrate Malibu’s youngest artists

The youngest of Malibu’s art community were celebrated throughout the month of February culminating in the closing artists reception on March 10. The yearly Student Art Exhibit creates a unique collection of different styles and a broad perspective of local artists.

Featured in this year’s exhibit were paintings, pencil and crayon on paper, pastel work, digital art, quilling, photography, and what Malibu Arts Commission Chairman Fireball Tim Lawrence called “the wild thing,” art that cannot just simply be described. Children and teenagers proudly described and discussed their work adorning the walls of City Hall. They took photos of their work and the work of friends, and posed for photos with family members who came to support the artists.

Lawrence said the support from families and community members at this art event is important because these earliest moments of encouragement for young artists could be the deciding moment for them pursuing more artistic expression.

“The goal of a show like this is to get them young and to inspire their creativity to flow and continue,” Lawrence said. “When we do what we love we prosper. Not only do students also inspire each other, but the kids could also in turn inspire the parents.”

He said he was happy to see such a good turnout to support young artistry especially with a large number of students making their Malibu City Gallery debut.

“Any good artist is nothing without a good support system so it’s great to see parents, siblings, and grandparents here,” Lawrence said. “It’s very important to them [students] on many levels.”

Among the day’s honored artists were sisters Dolly and Humay Vidaurri. Each of them had art that displayed the colors of the rainbow.

Humay said she wanted to make a piece of art that “represents kindness and something unique,” and her art had both the words “kind” and “kindness” within the design. She said her favorite part of her piece was “the weird skull.”

Humay provided advice to other young artists looking to begin making their own art.

“I would say to not rush it, and just enjoy it,” she said.

Fourth-grader Kendal Wilson proudly discussed her piece “Seeing in the Sea” with guests at the reception. Her artwork featured a blue gradient ocean wave with two big eyes and

costumes

The performances at this year’s MASQUE event featured all types of talent, from bands to solo singers to duets, as well as dancers and

er, JP, just swept by and promised free cappuccinos if I spelled his name properly — Jean Pierre Simonet, I believe, is his proper handle. Bring it!)

Han Solo and Chewbacca’s ride. AR-J did that. Cool. But that’s not all.

Oscar night at the Zinque bar. It’s “zinc-kay” I think, just as Geoffrey’s is “jawfreeze” so get it right or sound like an out-of-towner. Zink-kay has atmosphere — classy and casual at the same time — comfortable for swells but also for bum writers to poach the Wifi — and the newly-discovered electrical outlets under the bar! — and slurp a cappuccino with half a brain focused on the Oscars and the other half racing a Monday deadline writing about a complicated book written by a talented chap.

(Jimmy Kimmel just insulted Steven Spielberg and then Hailey Bieber, an equal-opportunity opening monologue. Zinc-kay’s manag-

MSitting with one eye on the big screen TV and one eye on the laptop, reading the Kindle Cloud version of “The Empty Stage,” a moving memoir/beguiling autobiography by a longtime Malibu resident named Alan Roderick-Jones. If that sounds like an English name, you are correct, for this chap is English as a sausage. No letters for British honours or titles after his name — but CB for Clever B------ would be appropriately inappropriate — but a very long list of credits on IMDB as art department, production designer, and art director, going back to the early 1960s and including some famous — and infamous — pictures. What’s he done lately? To put the hook into people, it’s enough to say Roderick-Jones was the art director who designed (as loathe as I am to use the word “iconic”) the iconic Mos Eisley bar, hangar, and garage from the misleadingly titled “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.” A draftsman and artist, AR-J (for short) co-designed with Production Designer John Barry, drew and dressed those sets and then overwatched as they were assembled, evolved, finished, and made a platform for that weird band playing that weird song, and for Han Solo to plug Greedo.

And oh yeah, he threw together some bits and pieces from the backlot to co-create the Rim of The Millennium Falcon.

Those are two serious iconic feathers in the cap of an Englishman born in 1940, who survived World War II and a somewhat dysfunctional upbringing, showed talent early and was admitted with a scholarship to the Chelsea School of Art, learned a lot in his four years there, and landed the right guy in the right place at the right time in the Swingin’ Sixties to start a very long arc of creative excellence in commercials, videos, television, and feature films.

That arty arc began in 1961, hired as a PA in the art department at Shepperton Studios with an odd, World War II picture called “The Victors” (1963) starring George Hamilton, George Peppard, Eli Wallach, and a bevy of bitchin’ babes: Jeanne Moreau, Melina Mercouri, Romy Schneider, and Elke Sommer.

From there to “Becket” (1964), where AR-J broke the Third Classic Blunder. After “Never get involved in a land war in Asia,” and then “Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!,” the Third Classic Blunder is “Don’t get into a drinking contest with an English/Irish/Scottsman — Peter O’Toole — and a Welshman — Richard Burton.”

That Third Classic Blunder is one of many great yarns in “The Empty Stage” which ends: “Peter opened my door, took me by one arm and Richard held me by the other. What a threesome walking towards the set! And here I was, ‘the meat’ in the midst of a strolling celebrity sandwich.”

Fun! A green 20-something on only his second show getting wasted and manhandled by two legends!

While working on “Becket,” AR-J would sometimes pass Stan-

Burt’s Eye View: Africa, Part I: Safari

day after day, I noticed that my left kidney somehow relocated to where my right lung had been. You don’t know what a pothole is until you have driven on one of those dirt roads.

ley Kubrick, Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and the cast for a little picture called “Doctor Strangelove.” And behind the scenes, Ken Adam, later knighted Sir, the production designer who was in the process of fine-tuning the War Room: “Gentlemen you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”

But that’s not all. A decade later, AR-J had friends and comrades working on the set for “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968!) where the space capsule rotated to make it appear the astronaut was walking upside down in zero gravity. AR-J briefly worked on “2001,” making models of the monolith and getting snapped at a bit by Stanley Kubrick.

Keep calm and carry on. AR-J was talented and had a very British attitude toward excellence, getting the job done right, come hell or high water. That led to a very steady procession of jobs during a Golden Age of British cinema. “The Empty Stage” goes walking through the park, dancing in the dark and reminiscing about adventures around the world with an iconic (sorry) list of legendary names above and below the title of famous — and infamous — pictures: Charlie Chaplin, Peter O’Toole, Ava Gardner, Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Bo Derek in “Tarzan,” “Lord Jim,” cinematographer Freddie Young (the man who shot “Lawrence of Arabia”), Rod Steiger, John Boorman, the Dave Clark Five, urinating next to John Lennon, hanging out with George and Olivia Harrison, Julie Christie, “Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” “Seance on a Wet Afternoon,” working alongside “newcomers” Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton on “The Lion in Winter,” Toshiro Mifune and Raquel Welch shaking up the world wearing not much in “Fathom” (1967), Keeping calm and carrying on as he sat at

dawn in his Toyota truck, a cup of tea in hand alongside a pride of lions on the Henry Hathaway picture “Last Safari” (1967).

AR-J was right in the middle of it: Designing, drawing, painting, searching, researching, placing, replacing, building, deconstructing, creating, succeeding, failing, hanging in there.

(Ryan Gosling just rocked the house with his performance of “I’m Just Ken.” I showed a draft of this to JP and he corrected me. His name is Jean-Philippe Simonet. Desole.)

You get the good, the bad and some of the ugly in “The Empty Stage”: Like a scene out of “Snatch,” AR-J was working on “Lord Jim,” when he was kidnapped and taken for a ride by the infamous Kray brothers in what turned out to be a frightening, near-fatal case of mistaken identity.

Letting friends use his farmhouse in Wales, only to return to find these “friends” had donated their furniture and collectibles to charity.

Contracting jaundice from eating bad oysters in Anzio, which put him in bed for three months.

And sometimes what appeared bad turned out to be good, like putting a fair bit of miles and sweat equity into “Bolero” (1984) only to get canned — like most of the crew — by John and Bo Derek. “Bolero” is still considered one of the worst movies of the second half of the 20th century. AR-J dodged the shrapnel from that bomb.

After “Star Wars,” AR-J and his wife Rachel and their two Wales-born children, Rowan and Ella, moved to Malibu in 1979. They rented an Airstream tucked away up Ramirez Canyon, but not tucked enough for the neighbors: “We had only been there for two weeks when a letter from the canyon committee signed by Barbra Streisand and Mick Fleetwood re-

quested that we please remove our shiny object from the hills.”

Welcome to Malibu! Now sod off! Eventually he bought a place in Malibu Park from Levar Burton and the Roderick-Jones family have been here ever since — his two children going on to distinguish themselves not in The Business but making the world a better place educationally and environmentally.

(Sadly, they lost their home in Malibu Park in the horrendous Woolsey Fire: sketches, photos, artifacts, history, but some of those visuals are preserved in “The Empty Stage”).

Movies, commercials, hotel design, AR-J has worn many hats according to his IMDB profile: Six Clio Awards, the Silver Lion at Cannes, and the New York Advertising Award for Excellence in art direction: “As an artist, Alan is known in the architectural community for design of exclusive private residences and hotel interiors across the globe — most notably, the Mandarin in Hong Kong and the Sheratons in Cairo and Bangkok.”

“The Empty Stage” is a charming, erudite, lovingly detailed memoir of a mid-century creative English type who evolved during a time before special effects, before CGI, when everything was done by hand, like the ancients building Stonehenge by hand, or Saint Paul’s Cathedral — the hard way.

If you, like me, are a particular fan of mid-century movies, from the 1950s and 1960s — “High Noon” (1952), “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962), “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962), “Doctor Strangelove” (1964) — then reading this book will be like Howard Carter first looking into King Tut’s Tomb and seeing “wonderful things.”

Buy it at the Malibu Newsstand, sit and read it at Zinc-kay.

y bride and I recently returned from a trip to East Africa, specifically Kenya and Uganda. I bet you didn’t even notice I was gone. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had an interest in Africa, the second largest and second most populated continent behind Asia. The variety of languages and cultures is extraordinary, but my attraction to Africa is mostly due to its rich diversity of animals, none of which one sees here in North America except in a zoo.

We journeyed from LA to New York, then New York to Nairobi, Kenya, then Nairobi to Masai Mara, an almost 600 square mile national park in Kenya. To say the trip was no puddle jump is to take understatement to the extreme. We travelled over 20 hours in the air before arriving at our camp. I was so tired when I arrived, I’m not sure I could have differentiated between an elephant and a kangaroo. Fortunately, there were no kangaroos there or it would have meant I had travelled 20 hours in the wrong direction.

The Masai Mara is known for the largest migration of mammals in the world which takes place twice a year in June and October when millions of animals (mostly zebras and wildebeests) migrate in search of greener grass between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti Plains in neighboring Tanzania. Even though we were not there for the migration, the infinite variety of animal life was breathtaking.

I could call this trip a once in a lifetime experience, but since I had once been on safari in the country of South Africa, I guess I have to call this trip a “twice in a lifetime” voyage. By the way, when I was on safari in South Africa, my brother Phil, the true wit in the Ross family, wrote me those immortal words, “Sofari, so good.”

As my bride and I bounced around in our open jeep

Animals were everywhere. Of course, the major attraction is always the king of the jungle. The lion should actually be called the king of sleep. The male lion sleeps after sex, after eating, and even while the females are out bringing home dinner and he is supposedly babysitting for the cubs.

The two male lion brothers whose photo accompanies this column walked within inches of our jeep. They have not yet figured out that the people in jeeps are food, and I am eternally grateful for that. Otherwise this columnist and this column would not be. One of the brothers sprayed a neighboring jeep to mark his territory and his brother followed suit. I am no animal urologist, but I can tell you that neither lion suffers from an enlarged prostate.

Since this is supposed to be a humor column, not a travel log, I wish to make the following observations:

1) I invariably lose calls on the PCH, and yet our cell reception was perfect in the Masai Mara. What’s with that?

2) If you travelled halfway around the globe at a great cost to see a friend, I trust the friend might be excited to see you, but not a single animal, regardless of the species, seemed even remotely happy to see me. They looked at me with complete disregard, that is when they even bothered to look in my direction at all.

3) I watched on YouTube a female elephant enter a camp in the Masai Mara and remove a woman’s hat with its trunk. When she shouted at the elephant to return her hat, the elephant did just that. When I saw an elephant, which I frequently did, I made sure to wear a hat, but I got no takers. Not a single elephant gave a hoot about my hat and continued to eat the grass which they apparently prefer to my hat.

tradition that many students look forward to in their senior year.

“One of the special things at our school is that the teachers are so involved with the students and they get involved in MASQUE by participating in part of one of the acts,” Jolynn Regan, a parent, said. “The students really treasure that opportunity.”

Proud parents of students both on the stage and helping backstage were very impressed with the productions.

“Behind the curtain, teacher and student wove magic — creating an engaging, entertaining show,” parent Doug DeLuca said. “My daughter, Tara, and the whole production team made it shine. We’re bursting with pride for everyone involved.”

For students, the events made for memories that will last a lifetime.

“Participating in MASQUE was probably one of the greatest experiences of my high school career because MASQUE is one of the few times that we get to share our artistic talents,” Sophie Regan said. “I participated in comedy, dance, and singing performances and being an

long eyelashes.

MC was great because we interacted with the audience and collaborated with our fellow seniors to create

“We live by the beach, so basically it’s like waves but it has eyes in it because the sea can see!” Wilson said. She said it was hard to deny Malibu’s amazing ocean as inspiration for her work.

Among the younger honorees of the afternoon was student Decker Spiegel, who had her piece “Love” displayed in the gallery. The certificate will soon be the latest addition to her achievements scrapbook. The shy artist could not be reached for comment.

However, her father, Josh Spiegel, said he’s happy to see that she loves making art at such a young age and will continue to support her on her art journey.

“It means a lot to me because I’m active in the community and I want her to also participate in the community as third-generation Malibu. It’s all about community in my home,” Spiegel said.

He encouraged other parents to encourage their kids to take on challenges like making art and engaging with other students because it's beneficial for their mental and social development but also helps bring families in the community close together.

skits — it was like ‘SNL,’ [‘Saturday Night Live’] but the MHS Class of ’24’s version of that.”

“It establishes a goal and a deadline and gives all a chance to create something for a purpose,” Spiegel said. “I think it’s important because sometimes we might not see this family at tee-ball, soccer, or the school, but it gives us another opportunity to come together.”

The Viduarri sisters, Dolly (left) and Humay, pose with family March 10 during the Student Art Exhibit closing reception. Photos by Emmanuel Luissi/TMT

2024016724

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. MARKHAM MAPPING

21361 PCH SUITE A, MALIBU, CA 90265, LOS ANGELES

COUNTY Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): Registered Owner(s):

1. CHEBON MARKHAM

21361 PCH SUITE A, MALIBU, CA 90265

If Corporation or LLC- CA State of Incorporation/Organization

This business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL

The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/2024.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed, CHEBON MARKHAM, OWNER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 1/24/2024.

NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Publish in The Malibu Times: 2/22, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14/2024 MALIBU 48

2024033451

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. THE BUTTER

4151 W 2ND ST APT 1, LOS ANGELES, CA 90004, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable):

Registered Owner(s):

1. THE BUTTER COFFEE LLC

1401 21ST ST, SACRAMENTO, CA 95811

If Corporation or LLC- CA State of Incorporation/Organization CA

This business is conducted by: A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 02/2024.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed, THE BUTTER COFFEE LLC, TAYLOR CRAFTON, CEO

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 2/14/2024.

NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Publish in The Malibu Times: 2/22, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14/2024 MALIBU 49

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE Trustee’s Sale No. CAACC-23019824 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 5/28/2023. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 714-730-2727 or visit this Internet Web site www.servicelinkasap.com, using the file number assigned to this case, CA-ACC-23019824. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. On March 20, 2024, at 11:00:00 AM, BY THE FOUNTAIN LOCATED AT, 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, in the City of POMONA, County of LOS ANGELES, State of CALIFORNIA, PEAK FORECLOSURE SERVICES, INC., a California corporation, as duly appointed Trustee under that certain Deed of Trust executed by CARINA DORNELAS, as Trustors, recorded on 6/7/2023, as Instrument No. 20230371844, of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES Coun-

LEGAL NOTICES

ty, State of CALIFORNIA, under the power of sale therein contained, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Property is being sold “as is - where is”. Real Property in the unincorporated area of the County of Los Angeles, State of California, described as follows: Parcel 1: That portion of Parcel 43, in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, as shown on a record of survey Map Filed in Book 65, Page 28 of record of surveys, in the office of the County Recorder of said County, and that portion of Parcel 8 in said County and State as shown on Los Angeles County Assessor’s Map No. 69, recorded in Book 1, Page 28 of Assessor’s Maps, in the office of the County Recorder, described as a whole as follows: Beginning at the Southerly Terminus of that certain course in the Easterly Boundary Line of said Parcel 8, shown on said Los Angeles County Assessor’s Map No. 69, as having a bearing and length of “North 6° 29’ 18” East 397.93 feet; thence along the Boundary Line of said Parcel 8, as follows: South 33° 10’ 04” West 40.42 feet; South 62° 08’ 54” West 61.93 feet and South 33° 10’ 04” West 98.87 feet to the most Southerly corner of said Parcel 8; thence South 33° 10’ 04” West, along the prolongation of the last described course to the Northeasterly Line of the land described in Parcel 1 of the Deed to Leo B. Corcey, recorded on October 27, 1953 in Book 43018, Page 266 of official records of said County; thence Northwesterly along said Northeasterly Line to the most Northerly corner of said land to Corcey; thence Easterly in a direct line to the point of beginning. Parcel 2: An Easement for ingress and egress for over that portion of lots 1 to 6 inclusive and that portion of Lots 8 to 12 inclusive, in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, as shown on L.A.C.A. Map no. 68 recorded in Book 1 Page 28 of Assessor’s Maps, in the office of the County recorder of said County, included within the line of Oakfield Road, a Private Street, as said road is shown on said Map. Parcel 3: An Easement for ingress and egress over long valley road, as shown on record of survey filed in Book 65, Page 28 of record of surveys, in the office of the County recorder of said County. Except therefrom that portion of said road included within the line of the land described in the deed to the State of California, recorded April 10, 1958 in book D48, Page 543 of official records. From information which the Trustee deems reliable, but for which Trustee makes no representation or warranty, the street address or other common designation of the above described property is purported to be 23760 OAKFIELD RD, HIDDEN HILLS, CA 91302. Said property is being sold for the purpose of paying the obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, including fees and expenses of sale. The total amount of the unpaid principal balance, interest thereon, together with reasonably estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee’s Sale is $128,251.50.NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information, if you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 877-237-7878, or visit www.peakforeclosure.com using file number assigned to this case: CA-ACC-23019824 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. NOTICE TO PERSPECTIVE OWNER-OCCUPANT: Any perspective owner-occupant as defined in Section 2924m of the California Civil Code who is the last and highest bidder at the trustee’s sale shall provide the required affidavit or declaration of eligibility to the auctioneer at the trustee’s sale or shall have it delivered to PEAK FORECLOSURE SERVICES, INC. by 5:00 PM on the next business day following the trustee’s sale at the address set forth above. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other com-

mon designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of the first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale will be entitled only to the return of the money paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchasers sole and exclusive remedy. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

SALE INFORMATION LINE: 714-730-2727 or www.servicelinkasap.com Dated: 2/20/2024 PEAK FORECLOSURE SERVICES, INC., AS TRUSTEE By: Lilian Solano, Trustee Sale Officer A-4810223 02/29/2024, 03/07/2024, 03/14/2024

MALIBU 51 County of Los Angeles Department of the Treasurer and Tax Collector

Notice of Divided Publication

Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC) Sections 3702, 3381, and 3382, the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is publishing in divided distribution, the Notice of Online Public Auction of Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell in and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California, to various newspapers of general circulation published in the County. A portion of the list appears in each of such newspapers.

Notice of Online Public

Auction of Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell (Sale No. 2024A)

Whereas, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, State of California, directed the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC), to sell certain tax-defaulted properties at the online public auction.

The TTC does hereby give public notice, that unless said properties are redeemed, prior to the close of business on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, the last business day prior to the first day of the online public auction, the TTC will offer for sale and sell said properties on Saturday, April 20, 2024, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, through Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, to the highest bidder, for not less than the minimum bid, at online public auction at www.bid4assets. com/losangeles.

The minimum bid for each parcel is the total amount necessary to redeem, plus costs, as required by R&TC Section 3698.5.

If a property does not sell during the online public auction, the right of redemption will revive and remain until Friday, May 31, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The TTC will re-offer any properties that did not sell or were not redeemed prior to Friday, May 31, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, for sale at online public auction at www. bid4assets.com/losangeles beginning Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, through Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Prospective bidders should obtain detailed information of this sale from the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector at ttc.lacounty.gov. Bidders are required to pre-register at www.bid4assets.com and submit a refundable $5,000 deposit in the form of wire transfer, electronic check, cashier’s check or bank-issued money order at the time of registration. Registration will begin on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time and end on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Pursuant to R&TC Section 3692.3, the TTC sells all property ``as is`` and the County and its employees are not liable for any known or unknown conditions of the properties, including, but not limited to, errors in the records of the Office of the Assessor (Assessor) pertaining to improvement of the property.

If the TTC sells a property, parties of interest, as defined by R&TC Section 4675, have a right to file a claim with the County for any proceeds from the sale, which are in excess of the liens and costs required to be paid from the proceeds. If there are any excess proceeds after the application of the minimum bid, the TTC will send notice to all parties of interest, pursuant to law.

Please direct requests for information concerning redemption of tax-defaulted property to the Treasurer and Tax Collector, at 225 North Hill Street, Room 130, Los Angeles, California 90012. You may also call (213) 974-2045, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, visit our website at ttc.lacounty.gov or email us at auction@ttc. lacounty.gov.

The Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN) in this publication refers to the Assessor’s Map Book, the Map Page, and the individual Parcel Number on the Map Page. If a change in the AIN occurred, the publication will show both prior and current AINs. An explanation of the parcel numbering system and the referenced maps are available at the Office of the Assessor located at 500 West Temple Street, Room 225, Los Angeles, California 90012, or at assessor.

lacounty.gov.

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at Los Angeles, California, on February 6, 2024.

KEITH KNOX

Treasurer and Tax Collector County of Los Angeles State of California

The real property that is subject to this notice is situated in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, and is described as follows:

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE OF SALE OF TAX-DEFAULTED PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE POWER OF SALE (SALE NO. 2024A)

3752 AIN 4438-034-010 PITTEL, DOROTHY D LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $69,768.00

3759 AIN 4450-017-022 PASHA AND ASSOCIATES LLC LOCATION CITY-MALIBU TD # $38,635.00

3761 AIN 4461-009-034 CAPITAL INVESTMENT ENT LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $61,245.00

3762 AIN 4461-018-021 JENNET, DAVID CO TR ET AL D AND G JENNET TRUST AND TRANSCORP C/O DARREL DOBBS LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $79,825.00

3763 AIN 4462-017-028 ATLASSI, FARIBORZ LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $13,333.00

3764 AIN 4464-020-053 TRUST SERVICES OF AMERICA INC TRUST #71-3393-00-7 LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $78,591.00

3765 AIN 4471-013-014 WOOD, ANDREA LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $5,841.00

3766 AIN 4472-006-049 EPP, LORIN CO TR LORIN EPP TRUST LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $16,139.00

4430 AIN 4469-046-002 TRANCAS CANYON PARTNERS

LLC LOCATION CITY-MALIBU TD # $32,358.00

4431 AIN 4465-009-015 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,427.00

4432 AIN 4465-009-014 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,343.00

4433 AIN 4465-009-013 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $9,010.00

4434 AIN 4465-009-012 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,195.00

4435 AIN 4465-009-011 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $7,973.00

4436 AIN 4465-009-010 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $7,973.00

4437 AIN 4465-009-009 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $7,713.00

4438 AIN 4465-009-008 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,121.00

4439 AIN 4465-009-007 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,269.00

4440 AIN 4465-009-006 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,270.00

4441 AIN 4465-009-005 AMAZI, GLENN A LOCATION

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $8,566.00

4442 AIN 4461-030-006 CLEGG, NORMAN ET AL CLEGG, KIMBERLY I LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $9,208.00

4445 AIN 4451-015-072 AQUAT 009 LLC LOCATION

CITY-MALIBU TD # $43,752.00

4446 AIN 4438-035-023 DIGITALCOLOR BEVERLY HILLS INC C/O C/O ALI KHOSRAVI LOCATION COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES $4,728.00

CN104655 524 Feb 29, Mar 7,14, 2024

MALIBU 57

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CITY OF MALIBU CITY COUNCIL

The Malibu City Council will hold a public hearing on MONDAY, March 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. on the item listed below in the Council Chambers at Malibu City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA, and via teleconference.

Public comment can be submitted ahead of the public hearing to citycouncil@malibucity.org for inclusion in the public record. To view and participate during the public hearing, please review the meeting agenda posted at MalibuCity.org/AgendaCenter and follow the directions for public participation.

Updated Developer Fee Program for the Benefit of the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County

Under the Developer Fee Agreement between the Consolidated Fire Protection District and the City, the City must adopt an updated Developer Fee Program and Fire Station Plan. If adopted, the Resolution would increase the current developer fee amount of $1.1345 per square foot by $0.0411 raising it to $1.1756 to reflect current costs associated with land acquisition, fire station construction, purchase of apparatus and equipment, and administration.

IF YOU CHALLENGE THE CITY COUNCIL’S ACTION IN COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES RAISED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE, OR OTHERWISE HELD BY THE CITY, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE CITY, EITHER AT OR PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

If there are any questions regarding this notice, please contact Environmental Sustainability Director Bundy at (310) 456-2489, ext. 229. Copies of all related documents can be reviewed by any interested person at City Hall during regular business hours. Oral and written comments may be presented to the City Council on, or before, the date of

Yolanda Bundy, Environmental Sustainability Director

Publish Date: March 7, 2024 and March 14, 2024

MALIBU 50

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MALIBU CITY COUNCIL

The Malibu City Council will hold a public hearing on MONDAY, March 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. on the ordinance listed below in the Council Chambers at Malibu City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA, and via teleconference. The ordinance will consider additional regulations for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems for single family homes with home occupation uses that increases the usage and strain on the OWTS by virtue of these uses.

Public comment can be submitted ahead of the public hearing to citycouncil@malibucity.org for inclusion in the public record. To view and participate during the public hearing, please review the meeting agenda posted at MalibuCity.org/AgendaCenter and follow the directions for public participation.

HOME OCCUPATION USE ORDINANCE NO. XX

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MALIBU AMENDING

SECTION 15.40.020 (DEFINITIONS); SECTION 15.40.050, (OWTS REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS); SECTION 15.40.080 (CUMULATIVE IMPACTS); SECTION 15.42.050 (WASTEWATER DESIGN FLOWS) SECTION 15.44.030 (OWTS OPERATING PERMIT REQUIREMENT); SECTION 15.44.040 (RENEWAL OF OWTS OPERATING PERMITS), AND SECTION 15.44.50 (OWTS INSPECTION AND OPERATING PERMIT CRITERIA) OF THE MALIBU MUNICIPAL CODE AND DETERMINING THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

If there are any questions regarding this notice, please contact Environmental Sustainability Director Bundy at (310) 456-2489, ext. 229. Copies of all related documents can be reviewed by any interested person at City Hall during regular business hours. Oral and written comments may be presented to the City Council on, or before, the date of the meeting.

Yolanda Bundy, Environmental Sustainability Director

Publish Date: March 7, 2024 and March 14, 2024

MALIBU 59

PUBLIC NOTICE

T.S. No.: 2023-00774-CA

A.P.N.:4469-037-028

Property Address: 30610 LAS ESTRELLAS DRIVE, MALIBU, CA 90265

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

PURSUANT TO CIVIL CODE § 2923.3(a) and (d), THE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION REFERRED TO BELOW IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE RECORDED COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT BUT ONLY TO THE COPIES PROVIDED TO THE TRUSTOR.

NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED

NOTA: SE ADJUNTA UN RESUMEN DE LA INFORMACIÓN DE ESTE DOCUMENTO

TALA: MAYROONG BUOD NG IMPORMASYON SA DOKU-

MENTONG ITO NA NAKALAKIP

LUU Ý: KÈM THEO ĐÂY LÀ BÀN TRÌNH BÀY TÓM LUQC VÈ THÔNG TIN TRONG TÀI LIEU NÀY

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER:

YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 07/31/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT

YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.

Trustor: V DAVID OTT AND SONDRA BROWNING OTT, HUSBAND AND WIFE, AS COMMUNITY PROPERTY

Duly Appointed Trustee: Western Progressive, LLC Deed of Trust Recorded 08/08/2007 as Instrument No.

20071863678 in book ---, page--- and of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California,

Date of Sale: 04/03/2024 at 11:00 AM

Place of Sale:

BEHIND THE FOUNTAIN LOCATED IN CIVIC CENTER

PLAZA, 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, POMONA, CA 91766

Estimated amount of unpaid balance, reasonably estimated costs and other charges: $ 1,794,420.07

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

THE TRUSTEE WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, A SAVINGS ASSOCIATION OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE:

All right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described as:

More fully described in said Deed of Trust.

Street Address or other common designation of real property: 30610 LAS ESTRELLAS DRIVE, MALIBU, CA 90265

A.P.N.: 4469-037-028

The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust.

The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $ 1,794,420.07

Note: Because the Beneficiary reserves the right to bid less than the total debt owed, it is possible that at the time of the sale the opening bid may be less than the total debt.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

The beneficiary of the Deed of Trust has executed and delivered to the undersigned a written request to commence foreclosure, and the undersigned caused a Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on this property.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (866)-960-8299 or visit this Internet Web site https://www.altisource.com/LoginPage.aspx using the file number assigned to this case 2023-00774-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postpone-

ment information is to attend the scheduled sale.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction, if conducted after January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (877)-518-5700, or visit this internet website  https://www.realtybid.com/, using the file number assigned to this case 2023-00774-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid, by remitting the funds and affidavit described in Section 2924m(c) of the Civil Code, so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.

Date: February 21, 2024

Western Progressive, LLC, as Trustee for beneficiary C/o 1500 Palma Drive, Suite 238 Ventura, CA 93003

Sale Information Line: (866) 960-8299 https://www.altisource.com/LoginPage.aspx

Trustee Sale Assistant

WESTERN PROGRESSIVE, LLC MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT.

ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

MALIBU 60

2024049397

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. AURORA CREATIVE, AURORA AGENCY

1122 HARTZELL ST, PAQCIFIC PALISADES, CA 90272, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable):

Registered Owner(s):

1. AURORA MARKETING LLC

1122 HARTZELL ST, PACIFIC PALISADES, CA 90272

If Corporation or LLC- CA State of Incorporation/Organization CA

This business is conducted by: A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 02/2024. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime).

Signed, AURORA MARKETING LLC, SPENCER KLEYWEG,

CEO

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/6/2024.

NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Publish in The Malibu Times: 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4/2024 MALIBU 65

2024046666

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. SCOTT’S BODYWORK THERAPY, SCOTT’S WELLNESS MASSAGE

tion

This business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL

The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime).

Signed, SCOTT CHRISTIAN HORTON, OWNER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/1/2024.

NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).

Publish in The Malibu Times: 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4/2024 MALIBU 66

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 24SMCP00128

Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles

Petition of: FLORA JANE MANTARAS JENSEN

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner: FLORA JANE MANTARAS JENSEN a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name: a. FLORA JANE MANTARAS JENSEN Proposed Name: FLORA JENSEN, Present Name: b. ARLO

GALISTEO MANTARAS JENSEN Proposed Name: ARLO JENSEN

The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing:

Date: 05/03/2024 Time: 8:30AM, Dept.: K

The address of the court is:

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

1725 MAIN STREET, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county (specify newspaper): The Malibu Times

Date: HON. LAWRENCE CHO, Judge of the Superior Court

DAVID W. SLAYTON Executive Officer/Clerk of Court PUB: 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4/2024 The Malibu Times MALIBU 67

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 24SMCP00117

Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles

Petition of: LISA JOANNE MCGEE

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner: LISA JOANNE MCGEE a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name: LISA JOANNE MCGEE Proposed Name: LISAJO MCGEE

The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to

CLASSIFIEDS

“NOTICE TO READERS: California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor and/or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www. cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.”

ALL REAL ESTATE advertised herein are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, ancestry or national origin or intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

THE MALIBU TIMES reserves the right to refuse the publishing of any advertisement(s) and to delete any objectionable word(s), phrase(s) and/or image(s) from such advertisement. If there is an error or omission in the printing and/or publication of an advertisement, The Malibu Times’ liability is limited to only one incorrect insertion or omission.

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Rental Office Space

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Coaches from the Tri-Valley League’s other four teams nominate seven Malibu players for league recognition

Malibu High girls water polo player Ceylon Zappe was initially unsure of how the 202324 season would go for her squad when their campaign began last November.

However, the 15-year-old sophomore quickly realized she and her teammates would be successful in the pool.

“After the first or second game, I realized we were a connected team and could really actually play,” she said. “The team really felt like a family and we all worked

as a unit. It was the best season ever.”

The Sharks 22-6 season included them winning the Tri-Vally League championship, recording big victories over several teams — including those they had fell to

in season’s past — and a run to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 5 Water Polo Championships in February.

“Everyone was just so together,” said

Zappe, who was mostly positioned at hole set. She noted she and her teammates improved drastically from the previous year to this one.

Even the Sharks’ opponents must have noticed.

Coaches from the Tri-Valley League’s other four teams nominated seven Malibu players for league recognition.

The honors were announced last week.

Malibu’s Stevie Sturges was named the MVP of the Tri-Valley League, while Zappa and Tallula Murphree were selected for the eight-person Tri-Valley League first team. Izzy Morris and Ol -

ivia Wild-Mullarkey were named to the second team and Neko Kincaid, Raya Israel, and Brienna Brandau earned honorable mention honors.

Additionally, 15 other Malibu High athletes were Citrus Coast League honors recipients.

Sharks boys basketball player Dylan Goosen was named to the Citrus Coast League first team. His teammates Morgan Donnelly and Sawyer Keegan were

named honorable mention.

Malibu girls basketball players Casey Ovsiowitz, a junior, and Hannah Kaloper, a senior, were Citrus Coast League first-team selections. Lauren Lapajne, also a senior, was a second-team selection and Tara DeLuca and Elizabeth Kim were honorable mention.

Sharks boys soccer player Julian Tompkins was selected for the Citrus Coast League first team. Sharks Roman Foulquier, Amara Taha, and Brenden Readyhoff were honorable mention.

Malibu girls soccer player Jessa Kletter was named to the league’s first team, and Malia Mosshart was a second-team selection. Sharks Ava Niccol, Kaia Ryan, and Charli Clark were honorable mention.

Zappe, also a member of the Malibu High swim team, said she is excited for next winter’s water polo season.

“I’m going to miss the seniors we lost,” she said, “but I think I know what I need to do to be successful next season, so I’m ready.”

The Pepperdine Waves men’s basketball team had a record-setting performance two days after it was announced their head coach would be let go at the end of the season.

The Waves beat Pacific 102-43 in the first round of the West Coast Conference Tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on March 7. The 59-point triumph is the largest scoring margin in the conference tournament since 2000. Pepperdine had a 56-9 halftime lead, setting an NCAA Division I season low for points allowed in the first half. The Waves began the game with a 26-0 run and at one point led 39-2.

On March 5, Pepperdine’s leadership announced that Waves head coach Lorenzo Romar, 65, was set to be relieved of his coaching duties.

Pepperdine Senior Vice President for Strategic Implementation Tim Perrin said the school benefited from Romar’s leadership on and off the court and owed him gratitude for the way he cared for Pepperdine overall during his six seasons as the Waves men’s basketball coach.

“The university thanks Coach Romar for his dedication to the men’s basketball team and wishes him the very best in his future endeavor,” Porrin said.

Pepperdine’s season ended in the second round of the WCC Tournament, where the Waves lost to San Di-

ego 57-52 on March 8. The Waves climbed back from a 14-point hole to tie the contest with 20 seconds on the clock, but then San Diego’s Wayne McKinney III made a three-point shot and then two free throws to secure the win for his team.

Romar said the Waves fought for the win.

“I’ve been a head coach for 27 years and I’ve had some really good groups,” he said. “But in terms of people, I don’t think I’ve had a better group than this. They’ve been great to work with. You hate to see it come to an end for them.”

Sophomore guard Malik Moore led Pepperdine with 16 points in the loss. Junior swingman Michael Ajayi recorded his 17th double-double of the season — 14 points and 15 rebounds — also. Sophomore forward Jevon Porter had 12 points, four rebounds, four blocks, and one steal.

Porter led the Waves with 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and a block in the big win over Pacific. Ajayi had 21 points and 17 rebounds. Moore had 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Redshirt freshman guard Cody Stansberry tallied 10 points, four boards, three assists, and two steals.

Romar was hired as the Waves head coach to much fanfare in March 2018. He came to Pepperdine two years after a successful 15-year tenure as the University of Washington’s men’s team coach. Romar guided Washington to six NCAA Tournament appearances and three Sweet 16 runs. He also coached several future NBA players.

Romar spent a year as the Arizona men’s basketball team’s associate head coach before taking the reins of the program in Malibu. This was Romar’s second stint as the

leader on the Waves’ sideline. He coached the Waves from 1996 to 1999 — his first head coaching gig — before moving on to be the head coach at Saint Louis and then Washington.

The high point of Romar’s second tenure as Pepperdine’s coach was leading the team to the College Basketball Invitational title in 2021. He also coached two players — Kessler Edwards and Maxwell Lewis — who were selected in the NBA Draft.

However, the losses on the court outnumbered the

wins. Pepperdine finished last season with a 9-22 record. The Waves went 7-25 in 2021-22 and 15-12 the season before. Pepperdine finished the 2019-20 season with a 16-16 record. The team finished Romar’s first season as the coach with a 16-18 record.

Romar replaced Marty Wilson as Pepperdine’s coach. Wilson coached the team for seven years.

Pepperdine is now searching for a new coach.

The Waves finished the 2023-24 campaign with a 13-20 record.

Pepperdine men’s basketball head coach Lorenzo Romar huddles with his team during a game earlier this year. On March 5, Pepperdine’s leadership announced that Romar, 65, was to be relieved of his coaching duties. Photo by Roger Horne.