OPINION

chatter in the U.S. designed to question this nation’s e orts to both strengthen NATO and promote freedom.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a dyedin-the-wool MAGA leader has led a small movement in Congress to question whether or not another “penny will go to Ukraine.” Recent polling has suggested that 48 percent of all Republicans feel we are doing too much for Ukraine.

Malibu lmmaker exposes the dangers of PCH

Personal tragedy prompts a closer look in ‘21 Miles in Malibu’

From the publisher HAYLEY

In December 1991, during the week leading up to Christmas,I sta ed a contingent of U.S. mayors to Moscow to participate in a conference on federalism involving state and local o cials from the United States, organized by Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev. For several days we were involved in meetings with Soviet o cials to discuss the issue of federalism and how it could be applied to Russia as the Soviet Union was about to dissolve.

Cornell Winery & Tasting Room is temporarily closed and will be under new ownership

An LA County Conditional Use Permit (CUP) needs to be renewed e planes were unloaded and despite some initial suspicion, before too long on that very cold Russian winter day, the Soviet soldiers and American soldiers were working side by side, joking, swapping cigarettes for cossacks (Russian winter hats), and the obligatory picture taking that commenced before we left for a Soviet orphanage that housed over 800 children in the town of Pavlovsk.

I also organized a side trip to St. Petersburg to help distribute food stu s that were brought in from Pisa, Italy, on American military aircraft, which was noteworthy because it was the rst time U.S. military aircraft were given permission to land in the Soviet Union.

Medical Team Building

Malibu Urgent Care 2.0

Facility continues to be up to par with major hospital emergency department thanks to upgrades

I mention this story because as we boarded the plane to take us back to the U.S. on Dec. 23, there was a feeling of hope and promise that the Cold War had nally succumbed to a new day.

Perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) were the watchwords of the moment and hopes and dreams were surely on the horizon. We all felt quite content that the future between these two superpowers would be one of cooperation not con ict.

Malibu’s Dick Van Dyke stuns audience in surprise appearance on ‘ e Masked Singer’

Legendary entertainer creates sensation in memorable appearance on TV show

But those hopes have been dashed as Vladimir Putin has pursued what can only be described as a slash and burn policy destined to ful ll the former KGB operative’s fantasy of rebuilding the Soviet Union in his own autocratic version, or more likely perversion. While the United States has e ectively promoted democratic institutions that have been sought by many of the former Soviet republics, Putin has seen his dreams of what only apparatchiks must lament were the “good old days” rejected by former Soviet citizens who prefer the promise of democracy.

And so here we are in 2023 staring at the prospect of dangerously heightened relations with our former and now present adversary in a world that has seen the ascension of autocratic movements aimed at tamping down democratic e orts.

Argentinian hero Luis Moreno Ocampo now resides in Malibu

Attorney is the real-life inspiration for the Oscar nominated and Golden Globewinning lm ‘Argentina, 1985’ ere is, however, strong bipartisan support, not for a blank check approach to the Ukranian e ort, but a strong coalition determined to hold Putin in check. e world is poised on the precipice of watching autocratic and dictatorial regimes making inroads on a global scale. China is cautiously weighing at least a degree of military support to Russia, while North Korea, and Iran are gearing up and in some instances already chipping in. Any signals that the United States might scale back its support would both damage our relations with a strong and growing NATO and encourage other plans for aggression say for instance with respect to Taiwan. We must solidify our resolve to promote democracy and reject Neo-isolationist sentiment at all costs.

Anthony Cordesman, emeritus chair of strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), argues that while the U.S. contributions to Ukraine are indeed signi cant, the bene ts far outweigh the costs. He has written “the key to dealing with the cost of U.S. military and civil aid to Ukraine is not to eliminate U.S. aid that is critical to Ukraine’s survival and recovery …Ending U.S. aid, or cutting it to ine ective levels, would be an act of gross strategic stupidity, e ectively snatch defeat from the jaws of a considerable victory, do immense damage to America’s role as a leader of the free world, and betray the principles on which the United States is based.” ere is even internal political e history and demographics are complicated. Kiev was the original capital of Russia, but then again, it used to be Polish, Lithuanian, Tartar, Mongolian, and Viking. Russia justi ed annexing Crimea as it is 58 percent ethnic Russians, ignoring that they signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum respecting Ukraine’s borders in exchange for them giving the nuclear weapons to Russia that they inherited when the U.S.S.R. collapsed. Hitler justi ed annexing Sudetenland and other areas because of ethnic German majorities. World wars start this way, and the similarities are striking. Some validly argue that if the West had stood up to Hitler early on, global war might have been averted, and that we should stand up against Russia. I concur, but Hitler didn’t have nuclear weapons. e risk of miscalculation is unimaginable. e U.S. gave tacit approval to the illegal annexation of Crimea almost 10 years ago, shamefully emboldening Russia. ey must be shocked now by the tenacity of the Ukrainian defenders, and by the united cohesiveness of the U.S. and most of the world supporting them. e boldness of the Biden foreign policy is very risky, but has already manifested broad successes for American foreign policy. Russia’s dream of empire expansion back to the borders of the Soviet Union appears unrealistic. e superiority of American weaponry against the best of Russia is now clear.

We are a country that has a heart; we must strengthen our responsibility to engage in humanitarian crises and prevent crimes against humanity that have been carried out both on civilians and soldiers alike. Putin’s desire to build an empire, his ego and his callous disregard for human life are on full display and demand that nations in the region continue to band together to defend against such aggression, but in the end the most important signal that needs to be sent to the world is that it simply is the right thing to do. e costs are substantial, but the bene ts far outweigh the potential calamity that awaits us if we fail to address the crimes against humanity that are the hallmark of the post-Soviet regime.

Lance Simmens is an independent columnist for e 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.

The war for Ukraine rages on into the second year, a war which our analysts thought would see the fall of Kiev in the rst week. It’s time for us to re ect on our policies and what is in the best interest of the U.S. Ukraine is a democracy, its courageous defenders awe-inspiring. Russia is the naked aggressor, grabbing land and resources, demonstrably guilty of war crimes, including the torture and murder of civilians. We are clearly supporting the right side. Russia’s war against Ukraine actually started in 2014 by invading and annexing the Crimean Peninsula. American response was tepid, President Obama would only send non-lethal aid like blankets. As ghting continued in the occupied Donbas, President Trump sent weapons including Javelin anti-tank missiles. Now, with the full-scale invasion, President Biden opened up the oodgates with $47 billion of sophisticated weapons systems. Essentially, the two largest nuclear superpowers are in a proxy war on Russia’s border, and that should alarm you.

Our government must make decisions based on what is best for America, so what is the end game here? Ukraine vows to ght without conceding an inch of land, including Crimea. I would do the same if America was invaded, but will Russia accept complete defeat?

Russia’s military is now weakened, diminishing their ability to threaten NATO allies. Importantly, China has observed that the free democracies are at a minimum willing to arm allies, impose sanctions and su er economic pain to oppose tyrannical expansions. China also sees that a committed, well-armed people can bleed a modern army horribly. e 24 million people of Taiwan have noticed too.

Forty-three thousand Russian soldiers have died with 150,000 wounded. eir economy is hurt, their prestige damaged, and their autocratic ruler could be deposed. e Russian bear is wounded, but still very dangerous. e Interna- tional Atomic Energy Agency released a report this week that Ukraine’s nuclear power plants have been shelled, including Zaporizhzhia, the largest facility in Europe. e nightmare of Ukraine’s Chernobyl meltdown could be repeated, with Russia blaming the Ukrainians. Remember that Stalin starved to death 8 million Ukrainians in the 1930s. Or perhaps a desperate Putin might resort to tactical nuclear weapons. President Biden said that would be a “red line.” President Obama said that Syria using chemical weapons on their people would be a red line, but did nothing, which Putin observed. Does Putin believe the U.S. would go to war against Russia over that and risk Armageddon? Do you, and if so, is that in America’s interest? It is essential to counter Russian armed expansion in Europe, it is morally correct to honor the territorial boundaries of sovereign countries, and it’s our deeply engrained national ethos to defend democracies from tyrants. President Biden says we will support Ukraine “as long as it takes.” We used to say that about the democratic government of Afghanistan, yet we grew weary after years of funding the ght. It is not for us to tell Ukraine on what terms they accept cessation of hostilities, but we are paying the tab, and providing the weapon systems for the ght. Ukrainian courage won’t carry the day alone, and it is time for us to try and broker a peace deal. e political courage of the Western allies, and the ferocious defense of their country by the Ukrainians, has opened the door to negotiations from a position of strength. It’s time to vigorously do so.

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.

The Malibu Business Round Table

Friday, March 3 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

The community is welcome to join the meeting by sending an email to us at o ce@malibutimes.com, and we will add you to the email invitation.

The Malibu Times, along with the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, look to make each meeting informative and engaging, allow for open conversations and an in-depth look at what is important to the community and keep everyone well informed.

Contact us today to be added to the list o ce@malibutimes.com

Hayley

Nic

Cami Martin

Samantha Bravo

Michael Chaldu

Evan Rodda, Neil Schumaker, Jen Rodman, Anthony Atkins

Devon Meyers, Julie Ellerton

Jimy Tallal, Judy Abel, McKenzie Jackson, Burt Ross, Emmanuel Luissi, Kelly Pessis

Mary Abbott, Anthony McDemas, Dorie Leo, Kaleb Rich-Harris

FRIDAY 60º | 45º

SUNNY

SATURDAY 60º | 44º

PARTLY CLOUDY

SUNDAY 58º | 44º

PARTLY CLOUDY

MONDAY 57º | 44º

MOSTLY CLOUDY

TUESDAY 57º | 44º

PARTLY CLOUDY

WEDNESDAY 58º | 45º

PARTLY CLOUDY

Sirens

The following incidents were reported between:

FEB 6 - FEB 20

 2/6 | Burglary

An iPhone, wallet, and $150 in cash was stolen from a vehicle parked near Malibu Lagoon. e victim placed the key in a “Hideaway Key” container, went sur ng and upon return, the key was missing and his vehicle was ransacked. e victim was noti ed of a $10,000 transaction made to his credit card, and a $12,600 transaction made at a Bloomingdale’s.

 2/8 | Burglary

A vehicle parked near Topanga State Beach was broken into and ransacked. e victim’s iPhone, credit cards and designer wallet was stolen. e damage to the vehicle was estimated to cost $1,000 to repair. e victim received a noti cation of a $5,000 transfer made from his bank account and an estimated $14,943 worth of purchases made to his credit cards.

 2/14 | Burglary

A vehicle parked near Topanga State Beach was broken into and ransacked. e victim hid their key underneath a rock, went sur ng, and upon return, the key was missing and his vehicle was ransacked. e victim received a noti cation of a $1,987 purchase made at an Apple Store and a withdrawal of $903.

 2/15 | Burglary

A vehicle parked near Broad Beach Road was broken into and ransacked. e victim hid the key in the center console, went surfing, and upon return, noticed the trunk was left open and his vehicle was ransacked. e victim’s iPhone and wallet were stolen. e victim received a noti cation of a purchase made at an Apple Store for the total of $1,535.

 2/17 | Grand theft

A vehicle parked on Paci c Coast Highway was broken into, and a pair of sunglasses and golf clubs were missing. ere were no security cameras available for evidence. e golf clubs were worth $2,000. e glasses were worth $200.

 2/18 | Burglary

A vehicle parked at Nicholas Canyon Beach parking lot was broken into and ransacked. e victim left the key in the key fob, went sur ng and upon return, the key was missing and their iPhone, wallet, and $100 in cash was stolen. e victim said they tracked their phone in the city of Inglewood. e victim said there were no charges made to his credit cards. ere were no security cameras available for evidence.

Public Hearing on Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance scheduled for March 6

On March 6, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) proposed ordinance. For details, see the hearing notice found at malibucity.org/DocumentCenter. The staff report will be available on the website in advance.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the City Council considered the Planning Commission’s request for additional studies and direction. At its meeting, the council gave staff the following directions: Minimize substantive changes in the Local Coastal Program (LCP) for the proposed ordinance which complies with state law in order to protect sensitive coastal resources and public access to the coast, and bring the item back to the Planning Commission without the studies requested.

The State of California has identified ADUs as an important tool to create more affordable housing amidst the statewide housing crisis and has passed several laws to make it easier to build ADUs. The city is preparing an ordinance to be consistent with state laws, and to ensure the regulations reflect Malibu’s needs and characteristics. For more information, visit the ADU webpage at malibucity.org.

MHS Honors Choir to perform at Aloha State Choral Festival

The Malibu Middle Honors Choir and High School singers will be traveling to Hawaii March 29 to April 2 to participate in the Aloha State Choral Festival. They will have the opportunity to perform in front of and receive evaluations from world-renown choral musicians as well as perform in a mass choir of singers nationwide and abroad.

Malibu High annual talent show Masque 2023

scheduled for March 2-4

Three nights and every night is different! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday March 2-4. Be in the auditorium at 7 p.m. for Masque 2023, our annual talent show! With three completely different nights, you would be foolish to miss one ... so don’t miss anything and come to all three! Also, on that Saturday, we will be having our beloved Mr. Ervin as our guest judge and a very special Teacher Act that will only be shown that night! Tickets available at lunch throughout next week and at the door.

66th MLL baseball season to opens with March 4 ceremony

The Malibu Little League 2023 spring baseball season starts with a festive ceremony on March 4 at 2 p.m. on the Majors field. MLL will introduce all of the teams and kids will run the bases. MLL will also honor Doug O’Brien, who was a driving force in Malibu Little League for almost 30 years and left a tremendous legacy. We will have three food trucks on site, and the Snack Shack will be fully stocked. We will also have our Malibu Little League merchandise available for purchase (T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and car magnets).

“In 2023 almost 275 kids registered for baseball and softball and the league is still growing! We have also tripled team sponsorship revenue since 2021. This money allows us to invest in new equipment and better facilities for your kids,” MLL president Nicholas Shurgot said. “New scoreboards have been ordered and will be installed during spring break and we will also upgrade the irrigation system on the Majors and Pony field to keep our new infield material soft and playable.”

Opening Day Game Schedule

Majors (Majors Field)

9 a.m. Padres @ Dodgers

AAA (Pony Field)

9 a.m. Yankees @ Dodgers

11:30 a.m. Padres @ Angels

AA (Temp Ocean Field)

9 a.m. Royals @ Brewers

11:30 a.m. Dodgers @ Cardinals

Softball Minors A (Majors Field)

11:30 a.m. Team Angotti vs. Team Keenan

Softball Minors B (Pony Field)

3:30 p.m. Team Lingo vs. Team Ryan

Tee-ball (Temp Landon Field)

9 a.m. Giants @ Dodgers

10:30 a.m. Marlines @ Yankees

12 p.m. Angels @ Cubs

The League provides baseball and softball programs for over 300 boys and girls ages 4-14. We have teams in Tee-ball, AA, AAA, Majors, Juniors, and three levels of softball teams.

“Thank you to all of the managers, coaches, parents and volunteers who are helping us kick off the 66th year of Malibu Little League,” Shurgot said.

Registration is available at malibulittleleague.org.

Malibu-based nonprofits can apply for general fund grants through March 31

The city is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 202324 General Fund Grants. The program provides an important source of funding for nonprofit organizations located within the City of Malibu that benefit residents and enrich the community.

Applications will be reviewed by the City Council’s Administration and Finance Subcommittee, and the subcommittee’s recommendations will be presented to the City Council for award during the annual budget approval in June. All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 31. Applications may be mailed or delivered to City Hall, or sent submitted by email. For application instructions, to download the grant application, and to see previous grant recipients, visit the webpage at malibucity. org/GeneralFund.

LA County Fire sending notices for Brush Clearance Program

LA County Fire Department notified the city that many Malibu residents will be receiving Brush Clearance Notices for the first time. Notices are being sent to all properties within the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), which includes all of Malibu. Previously, notices were only sent to homes that were deemed most vulnerable via visual inspection or historical fire data. That means that the number of homes receiving notices in Malibu will increase from 4,100 to 5,600. The inspection requirement for all homes within the VHFSZ has been in place for decades, but recent GIS/ mapping software upgrades have allowed all structures to be identified, many of them for the first time. For more information, see the Brush Clearance FAQs and the annual Brush Clearance notice at fire.lacounty.gov.

New state law to require 5-foot ember-resistant zone

Beginning in 2024, the LA County Fire Department (LACOFD) will be enforcing AB3074, a newly enacted state law requiring the removal of all flammable materials from within five feet of any structure, which is designated as “Zone 0.” LACOFD personnel will be conducting outreach to inform residents on the 2024 Zone 0 requirements when they conduct this year’s required inspections. Further assistance in preparing and complying with AB 3074 is available by requesting a free Home Wildfire Hardening Assessment from one of the city’s Fire Safety Liaisons by visiting the Fire Safety webpage at malibucity.org. More information on AB 3074 is available online at openstates.org/ca/ bills/20192020/AB3074/.

Fire Department suspends live fuel moisture sampling due to rain activity

The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) has temporarily suspended taking samples to measure live fuel moisture (LFM) due to the recent heavy rains and LFM readings exceeding 125 percent, reducing the risk of extreme fire behavior. LACOFD will resume sampling and posting LFM levels when conditions warrant.

The Malibu Democratic Club to host hike and luncheon

The Malibu Democratic Club is hosting a hike and luncheon on Saturday, March. 11, followed by lunch and drinks with our new State Assemblyperson Jacqui Irwin and the MDC Board. The hike begins at 11 a.m. at the Zuma Canyon Trailhead off Bonsall Drive. Meet at the Trailhead Parking Lot off Bonsall Drive. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking. Lunch and drinks follow at 1 p.m. at the Malibu Brewing Company at Trancas Market, 30745 E. Pacific Coast Highway (each person responsible for their own tab). You can attend one or both activities. RSVP Required at www. Tiny.cc/irwin31123. When you RSVP, please specify wheth - er you are coming to the hike, the lunch, or both. For more info or questions, contact Gina Muscatel at GinaMuscatel@ gmail.com, (805) 402-3908, or Hap Henry at HapHenry@ gmail.com, (424) 644-9972.

Malibu Film Society announces award-season screenings and Academy Awards

Guest Speaker: Fireball Tim Lawrence Making your life Cooler t hrough Conscious Based Thinking.

party on March 12

The Malibu Film Society announced in-person screenings for Netflix Academy Awards-nominated documentary short films in time for the Oscars.

“The Banshees of Inisherin” on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. at Regency Agoura Hills Stadium 8, 29045 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. Nominated for nine Academy Awards, including

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CONNECTIONS BREAKFAST WEDNESDAY March 8, 2023 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM PST

at JUICY LADIES IN PACIFIC PALISADES! 17361 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades (424) 268-4557 QR Code Registery Sponsored by The Malibu Times

Submission deadline is Monday at noon. Please email submissions to: e 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 advance and subject to change.

FRI MAR 3

CREATIVE WORKSHOP: ICE

DYEING is workshop will teach the basics of how to ice dye from start to nish. is technique uses ice to “split” colored dye into its parts, resulting in vibrant, unpredictable, and complex explosions of color onto previously white fabrics. e instructor will provide students with one item and the dye to create a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired project. Adults