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The Malibu Times

Malibu Life

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 malibutimes.com

David Torrence Legacy Foundation Donates Equipment to Young Runners

Charity named for 2016 Olympian and created by his mother, a Malibu Realtor

By MCKENZIE JACKSON Special to The Malibu Times

Olympic and professional middle-distance runner David Torrence dreamed of aiding young runners in his mother’s native country of Peru.

Torrence, who represented Peru in the 5,000-meter race at the 2016 Olympics, wanted to hold training clinics, establish healthy eating and exercise programs, and do almost anything to benefit the South American country’s running community.

On April 27, a foundation created in Torrence’s memory in the wake of his passing at the age of 31 in 2017 took running strides to do that.

The David Torrence Legacy Foundation donated running shoes and running gear such as shorts and T-shirts to 93 athletes ages 10 to 18 at an event at Estadio Huancayo, a multi-use stadium in Huancayo, Peru, said David’s mother, Malibu realtor Bianca Torrence.

“They were so excited,” said Torrence, DTLF’s president, of the young runners. “Just the joy of them receiving a pair of shoes, the smiles on their faces was priceless. This is what David wanted to do.”

The youths who received the running

Bianca Torrence (second from left), mother of the late runner David Torrence, poses with David Torrence Legacy Foundation volunteers and young athletes during a giveaway event in Huancayo, Peru. Contributed Photos Bianca Torrence (left) and David Torrence Legacy Foundation Director Talia Saraf are shown with a banner depicting David during a giveaway for young athletes in Huancayo, Peru.

paraphernalia all hailed from the uplands of the Andes Mountains, an area that produces a lot of talented runners because of the high altitude. However, the young athletes from the area don’t have access to many items needed for their sport, said Torrence.

“A lot of times they don’t have shoes,” she said. “Running shoes and running gear are really needed.”

DTLF held the giveaway with two other organizations, Peru Runners and a nonprofit called Chakiwayra, which means “Feet that Fly” in Quechuan, an indigenous language spoken by Quechua peoples in Peru. In addition to the giveaway, there was also an event held to identify talented athletes.

David Torrence, the 2016 The Malibu Times’ Athlete of the Year, was found dead in a Scottsdale, Arizona, apartment complex’s swimming pool on Aug. 28, 2017. Torrence was in Arizona training for a race.

He died a little over a year after competing in the Olympics. Torrence had been a successful professional runner for years, and had begun to set Peruvian running records in professional races after his appearance in the Olympics. Torrence was the first Peruvian to ever qualify for an Olympic final in track and the first Peruvian to run the mile in less than four minutes.

His mother said most of the young Peruvian runners know about David because of his track exploits and how he wanted to raise Peru’s status in the running world.

“David is a source of inspiration for all of them because he made a statement, empowering them,” Bianca said. “He let them know that they have the talent. If they believe in themselves they can be the best. He said Peruvians can be some of the best athletes in the world. That echoed in their spirit. They asked questions about David.”

DTLF is also awarding a $500 scholarship to Malibu senior Hunter Shanahan, a soccer player. Last year, the scholarship was given to Emma Sudwaun, and the year before, to Aiden Gunnasekera. The scholarship is given each year to a student that excels in sports and in the classroom and exemplifies David’s character, spirit, discipline, and integrity in sports.

Bianca said the foundation is also seeking to establish a scholarship at Loyola High School in Los Angeles. David led the school’s track team to a CIF title when he was in high school.

David’s mother said DTLF’s work wouldn’t be possible without donations and support she received from people in Malibu and David’s social circle. She said Pepperdine law professor Jeff Baker helped DTLF achieve nonprofit status in 2020.

Torrence hopes to donate running

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

MALIBU’S BEST SHT

Pelicans Galore: off Malibu Road, iPhone 13 pro max. Photo by William Sloan MD

To submit your Best Shot, send a high resolution (300 dpi) jpeg photo by email to editorial@malibutimes.com, along with information indicating where and when the photo was taken, what the subject is and the photographer’s name. Please indicate in the email subject line: Best Shot submission.

Inspiring women to get involved one race at a time

Malibu Run organizer Erica Segel selected as chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee

By TRISHA ANAS Special to The Malibu Times

Wearing a pair of her best running shoes, Erica Segel has spearheaded the Malibu Run Series for nearly seven years. Not only will she be lacing up for the upcoming Malibu Half Marathon in November, she’ll be prepping for her new position as chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce.

“I know I have to step in and fill big shoes,” Segel said. “It’s like being part of this process where a group of powerful women are coming together and determining how we can bring about change and make an impact for each member and the community.”

With hosting events that center around bringing the Malibu community together, the Chamber of Commerce provides networking opportunities to local companies and businesses through programs that help create a strong local economy.

Segel, born and raised in Italy, moved to Malibu in 2011 after receiving her master’s degree in management engineering.

Erica Segel says her new position as chair of the Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Committe will help her connect more with the Malibu community. Photo Courtesy of Erica Segel

“I came to the United States with a job I landed right out of college and I worked in Malibu as an executive assistant for a philanthropist that was based in Malibu,” Segel said. “For five years, I was on this high-speed train non-stop. At the same time, I was starting to spend time in Malibu and learn about this community.”

In the process, Segel was reeled into the Malibu Run Series which was started by her ex-husband.

“I was transitioning out of my job and had a background in management engineering, so [he] said why don’t you give it a try?” Segel said. “In reality, I was no runner. But I said that I would give it a shot. The first year, I was very late in the game, but I observed a lot and I was blown away by the experience I had just witnessing people running. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything more magical.”

Chamber President and Chairman Chris Wizner said that they are very lucky to have Segel, who has been leading the Malibu Half Marathon event for nearly seven years.

“She’s the perfect example of an incredible local Malibu woman leader,” Wizner wrote in an email. “She’s friendly, humble, resilient, highly intelligent and has a beautiful heart. We’re so excited to see how she leads the way with our local community and inspires more women to get involved, lead and make a powerful difference.”

Segel said she’s been a part of the Chamber for a few years, but recently felt compelled to be more involved.

“Chris [Wizner] was telling me about the importance of committees, so when the Women’s Leadership Committee was introduced to me as an idea, I felt like it was definitely relevant. I wanted to be a part of it and at the same time, I thought it could be an incredible opportunity for growth.”

Segel said that training for a half marathon and running can be used as life

CONTINUED ON PAGE B3

Exercise your right to VOTE

Pat Benatar to Rock the Hall of Fame

MALIBU SEEN

By Kim Devore, Entertainment Editor

Malibu songbird Pat Benatar, who has lent her powerful voice to numerous local charities over the years, is about to take center stage at this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.

The “Heartbreaker” singer will be inducted into the legendary institution along with everyone from Lionel Richie (“Easy like Sunday Morning”) to rapper Eminem to timeless country queen Dolly Parton.

At first, Dolly didn’t want to accept the award saying, “even though I am extremely flattered and grateful. I don’t feel like I have earned that right.”

She was later convinced to change her mind writing, “I am honored and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted. Of course, I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone who voted for me and I will continue to work hard to live up to this honor.”

Pat meantime, was a classically trained mezzo soprano until she and her husband Neil Giraldo discovered her rock and roll roots with a firepower punch. They delivered electrifying hits like “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Treat Me Right,” “We Belong,” and “Love is a Battlefield.”

Pat and Neil were also honored with two multi-platinum studio albums. The two will be on tour in various cities throughout the country from Costa Mesa to Nashville.

Lionel has also enjoyed a stellar career going from the early years with the Commodores’ “Brick House,” “Three Times a Lady” and “Stuck on You.” Later, his solo career took off with snappy dance numbers like “All Night Long” and the soothing sound of “Hello.”

He has gone from front man to solo career to judge on “American Idol.”

But there is more to this year’s Rock & Roll lineup. Other inductees include pop sensation Duran Duran (“Girls on Film,” “Rio,” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.”) The band was a regular in what is often referred to as the Second British Invasion. Led by Simon Le Bon, Duran’s tunes were on high rotation on MTV and as popular with kids in Cleveland all the way to Buckingham Palace and Princess Diana.

Another honoree is Eurythmics. The Brit duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart hit it big with “Sweet Dreams are Made of This.” Before going their separate ways in 1990, Eurythmics sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide. They won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a rock duo or group and won an MTV Video Award for Best Rock Performance.

Last but not least, is Carly Simon, who became a smash in the ‘70s. Her beloved repertoire includes “Anticipation,” “You’re so Vain,” “Mockingbird” (with James Taylor) and “Nobody Does it Better” (from the James Bond 007 flick “The Spy who Loved Me.”)

From rock to rap and even country you can’t say this year’s music program is short on diversity. The ceremony takes place at the Microsoft Theater later this year.

Pat Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo perform at a local charity event. Photo by Julie Ellerton/TMT

The Dumbest Person Who Ever Went to Harvard

PERSPECTIVE

By Burt Ross, Contributed Column

Editor’s Note: Burt recently delivered the following “humorous interlude” on the occasion of the 55th reunion of his Harvard Class of 1965. The reunion was delayed two years because of COVID-19. The talk has been excerpted and edited for purposes of this column: “W hen you get long in the tooth and narcissistic enough, you start quoting yourself, so please indulge me while I quote from my talk at our 50th Reunion, ‘When I got into Harvard, I had never met anybody who went to Harvard who wasn’t smarter than I was.’ That part is true, but the whole truth and nothing but the truth is that since entering Harvard, I have STILL not met anybody who went to Harvard who wasn’t smarter than I.

Now I am a bit of a mind reader so I know what you are thinking. How can somebody who was the youngest mayor in the country, administrator of the New Jersey State Energy Office, a lawyer, and a humor columnist for The Malibu Times — how stupid can that person really be? The answer, unfortunately, is ‘very,’ and I intend to prove it to you today beyond any shadow of a reasonable doubt.

For many of you, going to Harvard was a great benefit — for me, a great burden. When people ask me where I went to college, I mumble something about a school in New England. Only if they persist do I finally confess to having attended Harvard. And that’s when I invariably hear something like, ‘Oh, you must be brilliant,’ as if they had just met Albert Einstein, who by the way, did not go to Harvard.

Having gone to Harvard unfortunately raises other peoples’ expectations, and I have for good reason always tried to lower expectations. Apparently, no matter how low I set the bar, I still can’t rise above it. I honestly believe that were the Earth destroyed and I its only survivor, we would never again see fire or the wheel.

So much for preamble; now let me prove my case with some concrete examples of my — well, to put it euphemistically — lack of brilliance.

When I was supposedly studying in Harvard’s hallowed halls, I heard that the Princess of Sweden was manning, or to be politically correct, womanning, the switchboard at a Radcliffe dorm. I got on my bike and furiously pedaled over to Radcliffe, where upon seeing the princess, I introduced myself and immediately announced to her that my favorite city in the whole wide world was — Copenhagen.

I still remember the bewildered look on her face before I got back on my bike and exited as quickly as I had arrived.

If you think I might have been geographically challenged, my mathematical prowess pales in comparison. As mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, I once addressed a crowd and, trying to equate two things of equal value, I announced, ‘It’s simply a matter of six of one, a dozen of another.’ I can only say in my defense that I don’t buy my bride six roses on our anniversary.

For years I thought a luddite was one of the 12 lost tribes of Israel, that olives grew with the pimento inside, and I could never for the life of me understand why the robed bald-headed figures at the airports were chanting the name of my dentist, Harry Kershner, not Hare Krishna, as I later found out to my astonishment.

The sad fact is that living in a sophisticated place like Malibu has apparently done little or nothing to enhance my brain. A friend of mine who was drummer for the band Chicago (when I first met him I inquired why the City of Chicago really needed a band) pointed to a house and told me Stevie Nicks lived there. I responded by asking ‘Who is he?’ My friend jammed on the brakes, and in disbelief explained ‘Would it interest you if I told you Stevie Nicks is a woman?’ I responded, ‘Would it interest you if I told you Stevie Wonder is a guy?’

Another friend mentioned that Don Henley, who played on the Eagles, was a neighbor of mine. I called my friend a few hours later and told him that Don Henley never played for the Eagles. My friend responded in disbelief, ‘Don Henley is the Eagles!’ I told my friend that I had checked all the way back to the days of Norm Van Brocklin, and I could assure him that Don Henley had never played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now let’s be honest with one another. None of us wishes to be the dullest star in Harvard’s brilliant constellation. For years, like many of you, I interviewed prospective Harvard students, but unlike you, I was praying that one of them might possibly be less suited for our alma mater than I was. I finally met that person.

She was unexceptional in every way. Her academic record was mediocre at best with mostly B’s and C’s. I assumed that she had stellar extracurricular activities, but she played right field for a losing softball team and her batting average was .150. She had never been to Harvard, was not planning to visit the campus, and had no questions to ask me. I thought that perhaps she might be related to a former Harvard president, but no, she had never met anybody who had attended Harvard. Finally, I gave up looking for her qualifications, and asked what I was not supposed to ask any young applicant, ‘Just curious, but why did you decide to apply to Harvard?’ Her response was refreshingly honest, ‘My father wants to tell his friends that his daughter applied to Harvard.’

I did not just give her a positive recommendation, but, in fact, the most glowing recommendation I had ever given any applicant, because I had my eureka moment. I realized that if this applicant went to Harvard, I would no longer be the dumbest person who ever went here. I have kept a copy of my recommendation which I read to you now:

‘Dear Admissions Committee, I say without reservation and literally without qualification, this applicant deserves to be admitted because she is unexceptional in every way. We at Harvard pride ourselves in diversity, and yet our student body is universally exceptional in one way or the other. Some of our students are exceptional students, athletes, creative artists and so forth, but this applicant is totally unexceptional. If we truly believe in diversity, then isn’t it incumbent to accept somebody who is not exceptional?’

I was shocked and disappointed when this applicant was summarily rejected. And so I ask you my fellow classmates, no, I beseech you, as I approach the finish line of this marathon called life, please do not allow me to leave this Earth knowing I am the dumbest person who ever attended this esteemed institution. If you know of somebody not remotely qualified to go to Harvard, please encourage them to apply here, and write the most positive letter of recommendation you possibly can. I will be eternally grateful.”

DAVID TORRENCE

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equipment to Peruvian runners annually.

“David’s willingness to help the kids that needed help just manifested that day,” she said. “I’m still guided by the spirit of David. I’m very proud of all the accomplishments he had while he was here with us. He was just a special person that touched so many people’s lives.

“Doing this foundation gives more purpose to my life. I am doing something he wanted done. I am just picking up the pieces. I feel so fulfilled. It just makes me happy.”

Bianca Torrence (back row, left) and David Torrence Legacy Foundation Director Talia Saraf are shown with Peruvian kids in Huancayo, Peru. Contributed Photo

In-person Performances by students and educators returned to the stage

Malibu Library Speaker Series provides an opportunity for artists to share their stories off-screen

By TRISHA ANAS Special to The Malibu Times

Ambient sounds of the sea and ocean banners decorated by students of Malibu Elementary School greeted audience members during the 2022 Poetry Summit, led by Poet Laureate Ann Buxie.

Held in Malibu City Hall’s Civic Theater on Saturday, May 14, this was the first in-person Speakers Series event the city has had since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the poems read revolved around the theme of living things, hence the title of the event, “Calling All Creatures.”

Poem topics ranged from saving the planet to changing seasons, and personal stories read by students and educators. The free event featured different poets and performers, including Buxie, Los Angeles Literary Arts Fellow Peter J. Harris, and emerging poets from the local public schools.

The summit was part of the Malibu Library Speaker Series and also featured a tap-dancing performance led by Ann Monahan and the Senior Tappers, as well as improvised music played by musicians Eduardo Del Signore, Federico Ramos and Ron Wagner.

Ramos, who was the guitarist for the Disney film “Coco,” played alongside Signore and Wagner and said that it was a privilege.

“I feel like it’s an honor to do anything we can do for the arts supportively,” Ramos said. “To expose other people to the creative processes of some very

Linda Gibbs holds up a backpack filled with flowers during the 2022 Poetry Summit on May 14 in the Malibu City Hall’s Civic Center. Photos by Trisha Anas/TMT

Award-winning poet Peter J. Harris recites one of the poems he wrote during the 2022 Poetry Summit on May 14 in Malibu City Hall’s Civic Theater. Musicians Federico Ramos and Eduardo Del Signore improvise music during the poetry readings May 14 at Malibu City Hall’s Civic Theater.

gifted voices, as we have here today, it’s a thing that should happen more often.”

The program pamphlet included a poem called, “All Breathing Things,” written by Buxie.

Buxie, who was appointed as poet laureate in late August last year, has hosted a program called “Tales by Sea” since 1995, originally focusing on literary artists to share their stories.

She later expanded the program to also include poetry.

While planning for the event, Buxie wanted to include tap-dancing in the program.

“I wanted to make sure to include music and tap dancing because you don’t want to just hear one poem after another,” Buxie said. “I got hold of the tap instructor and we rehearsed once a week, It was wonderful.”

Buxie said that during the pandemic, she held workshops and events over Zoom.

“I’ve actually liked it because I became tired of the drive,” Buxie said. “It’s sometimes hard for people to get here.”

The City of Malibu and Buxie also host “Caffeinated Verse” every month which features an open mic and featured reader and are planning to have more in-person events in the future.

Buxie hopes to bring in people who would not normally be in Malibu for one of the workshops that the program is planning for.

While Zoom has been convenient for many to attend virtually, Harris said it feels good to be back in person.

“To me Zoom is just a tool — it allows for us to cross borders and reach people I would never reach in a small setting,” he said. “But there is something special about being able to see faces and the silence that comes with people that are really listening.”

Harris said while there was a diverse range of age groups in attendance, he wanted to connect with them as well.

“It was interesting as an older guy to see what I could say to connect with them and to galvanize their attention,” he said. “For the most part, I felt like it was a positive experience.”

The next in-person poetry event, “Caffeinated Verse,” is set for Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Malibu Library.

The Pepperdine women’s tennis team celebrates after its NCAA Tournament win over Miami. The Waves will face top-ranked North Carolina in the NCAA semifinals. Contributed Photo

Waves women’s tennis advances in NCAA tourney

After beating Miami, Pepperdine to face top-ranked North Carolina, whom it beat in last year’s semifinals

By MCKENZIE JACKSON Special to The Malibu Times

The Pepperdine Waves women’s tennis team will compete in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament for the third straight full season on Friday.

The Waves, ranked eighth, will take on the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Champaign, Ill. Pepperdine defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 in the tournament’s semifinals last May.

The 23-6 Waves advanced to face North Carolina thanks to their impressive 4-0 victory over ninthranked Miami in the Super Regionals on April 13 at Pepperdine’s Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center.

Pepperdine grabbed an early lead over Miami in doubles play. Freshman Savannah Broadus and sophomore Janice Tjen grabbed a 6-2 win after the first four games were split between the squads. Then, graduate student Shiori Fukuda and sophomore Taisiya Pachkaleva won their match 6-3.

Pepperdine won all six of the first sets in singles play. Broadus won her third consecutive tournament match 6-1, 6-0. Fukuda then won her contest 6-1. 6-1. Pachkaleva won her match 7-6 (2), 6-0 to cement the Waves’ victory. Tjen, junior Zaar, and graduate student Victoria Flores were in various stages of their matches when Pepperdine garnered the winning point.

Pepperdine downed Denver 4-0 in the opening round of the tournament on May 6. The next day, they beat USC 4-1 in the second round.

Peppderine’s men’s tennis squad also qualified for the NCAA Tournament. The group beat Washington 4-0 in the opening round in Columbia, South Carolina, on May 6. However, the Waves lost the next day to South Carolina 4-1. The squad concluded the season with an 18-8 record.

The winner of the Waves/ Tar Heels match will advance to the tournament semifinals. Pepperdine’s victory over North Carolina in 2021 propelled the Waves to the national championship match, which they lost to Texas.

Zen Running Club hands out goodies after run canceled due to city’s safety concerns

Ted McDonald, Samantha Wallace, Erica Segel, Beck Chambers, Miori Izumi, Kit Wanajohn, and Gabriel Ortega are shown during the Zen Running Club event at The Malibu Farmers Market on Sunday, May 15. Contrubuted Photos

Club raffles off pair of plant-based shoes, two Run Malibu race entries

By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times

Run Malibu and Zen Running Club had to cancel the 6K Fun Run planned for Sunday, May 15, due to safety concerns by the City of Malibu. In lieu, the group had a booth at the Malibu Farmers Market on Sunday for participants to visit and an opportunity to enter a raffle to win an exclusive pair of plantbased running shoes and two entries to the Run Malibu event on Nov. 5 and 6.

“It was canceled because of safety concerns. It was a very spontaneous idea since we had a booth at the farmers market we thought that maybe we could also go for a run, but rightfully so, the city educated us on saying since it was advertised and open to the public, there was potential that this could be a really big thing,” Malibu Run Series Race Director Erica Segel said. “They [the city] regulate these types of events and crowd gatherings so we were 100 percent on board — safety first, but the idea was we still wanted to inspire people to be active and to come and visit us, so we encourage everyone to do the run on their own and still come at the booth and interact with us.”

Running enthusiasts and farmers market attendees stopped by the booth and had an opportunity to try on the plant-based sustainable pair of running shoes. The shoes are made from natural ingredients: eucalyptus, sugarcane and cotton.

Participants such as Miori Izumi work with Erica Segel in creating promotional content and Segel said the raffle was filled with good energy.

“We hope we have inspired a few people to go and move their body today and have some fun with us,” she said.

The 14th annual Run Malibu’s Half-Marathon 5K is scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6 at Zuma Beach. The Zen Running Club also started a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club Malibu, a beneficiary of the half-marathon. For more information on the Half-Marathon, visit runmalibu.com.

INSPIRING WOMEN

Continued from B1

lessons.

“Running is like a life metaphor,” Segel said. “It’s about having a goal, working toward that and really surprising yourself about how much you can achieve.”

Segel said that she worked hard to advocate for the vision she had for the event, which meant trying to keep the race within city limits and keep it local.

In an interview with Voyage LA, Segel said she had to work hard to bring the event back to Zuma Beach since the previous managers of the Malibu Run Series had parted ways with the city’s administration.

“What I really want is for the Malibu community to first feel like this is their event,” Segel said. “A community is only a community when we have opportunities to come together. That’s why in general, the community events are important because otherwise, you’re just isolated.”

“I really wanted this event to be community focused, to put the Malibu community first and then it was about bringing in people from out of town to enjoy Malibu,” Segel said. “One of the first things I did is that I wanted to partner up with a charity that was relevant to the community.”

Segel spoke passionately about the Boys & Girls Club, an organization that provides voluntary after-school programs to kids.

Through the club, Segel met the club’s chief professional officer, Kasey Earnest, and director of community affairs and outreach, Siugen Constanza.

“They’re amazing women, and what they do for the community is unparalleled,” Segel said. “Like so many, I thought ‘Why does Malibu need a Boys & Girls Club, it’s an affluent community.’ But they were the ones that opened up an entirely new reality to me. I discovered that the Boys & Girls Club provided so many essential services.”

Segel partnered up with the club and chose it as the charity beneficiary. To date, Segel said Malibu Run has donated over $100,000 to the organization.

The club provided an opportunity for her to work with Earnest and Constanza.

“I really do need to thank people like Kasey and Siugen because they believed in me, you know,” Segel said. “They saw something and gave me a hand in trying to go where I wanted to go.”

Segel said her new position as chair will help her connect with the community and help continue its efforts to make Malibu a place for everyone.

“As a chair, it’s about listening and trying to understand what the needs are for the people,” Segel said. “There’s not a more inclusive and positive community to be a part of [than Malibu.]”