The Malibu Times • May 2, 2024

AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1946

Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo has won her lawsuit against Los Angeles County implicating former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Villanueva was accused of discrediting Seetoo by spreading false rumors about her and denying her the opportunity to interview for a promotion. In just under two hours of deliberations, a jury awarded Seetoo just over $971,000 in damages.

The trial at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles started April 2 with jury selection. After nine days of witness testimony the trial wrapped on April 19 when the jury quickly deliberated in Seetoo’s favor.

In celebration of Earth Month, the Malibu Foundation, in collaboration with Santa Monica College (SMC) and the City of Santa Monica, a microforest was unveiled on SMC’s main campus. The microforest was the first one at a U.S. community college.

Microforests are densely planted, multilayered indigenous forests planted in small urban spaces, which act as self-sustaining ecosystems that reconnect fragmented habitat and restore biodiversity. The microforest will also provide research experience to SMC biology students. This method of planting is being adopted all over the globe

to restore nature in urban areas, where space is limited.

During the event, the Malibu Foundation also highlighted its Million Trees for Los Angeles County 2025 initiative, which addresses extreme heat, droughts, landslides, and the severe loss of biodiversity.

SMC Superintendent and President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery

welcomed the crowd to the ceremony.

“Microforests not only reduce our reliance on water, but they also effectively tuck carbon away, while providing opportunities for biodiversity to flourish right in the heart of SMC’s main campus,” Jeffery said. “Projects like this showcase how, throughout

The sheriff’s captain’s complaint was based on gender discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower retaliation.

grader, served as the event’s DJ. “I played a lot of stuff from the artist Stick Figure,” Johnson said, noting he wanted to set the best vibe for those viewing the artworks. “I also played cool Hawaiian artists and chill beach music.”

The Malibu City Council convened a special public workshop meeting on April 24 to consider the city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget. The city’s new fiscal year commences on July 1.

“The city did pretty well postrecession and also did better than we thought we would postpandemic,”Assistant City Manager Joseph Toney said. “That leaves the

city in a very good financial position, which gives the council a lot of leeway to make strategic decisions going forward.”

During an almost three-hour session, councilmembers reviewed a 187-page agenda report, replete with data focusing on several topics, such as the city’s efforts to improve employee recruitment and retention, to address the consternation that both city staff and residents experience during the city’s reviews and approvals of development plans and permits, and the Sheriff’s Department’s continuing struggles to hire deputies and support staff needed to open the built, but still vacant, sheriffs’ substation on the Santa Monica Community College campus.

An impressive array of intriguing visual artworks in many media warmly embraced attendees as they entered the Malibu High School PTSA room to enjoy the first annual Malibu Middle and High School Art Show on April 24.

Students, teachers, administrators, parents, and members of the community all mingled amidst the displays of paintings, sketchings, ceramics, sculptures, photography, digital design, poetry, and film.

In a community overflowing with thought leaders and creatives, it’s fun to celebrate the next generation’s many artistic talents.   Oscar Johnson, an eighth-

Attendees learned a lot about interesting forms of art that they perhaps have never previously encountered, including a middle school art installation near the venue’s entrance celebrating the intriguing concepts at the intersection of mathematics and art that were illustrated in a nonperiodic tiling work

“A 13-sided shape known as ‘the hat’ has mathematicians tipping their caps. It’s the first true example of an ‘einstein,’ a single shape that forms a special tiling of a plane,” an explanatory poster adjacent to the artwork informed,

The City of Malibu on April 25 hosted the North Santa Monica Bay State of the Watershed, an impressive meeting coordinated by Melina Watts, the watershed coordinator for Safe, Clean Water LA.

Attendees at the large gathering included various water experts and

policy officials; city engineers; water quality professionals; watershed coordinators; state, county, and municipal elected officials; and public policy professionals who administer various programs that address water policy and representatives from public works departments in Los Angeles County, Malibu, Calabasas City, Westlake Village, Hidden Hills, and Agoura Hills.

The gathering’s central purpose was for the attendees to inform one another of their efforts by providing status updates concerning the many water policy issues and programs that cover the vast area encompassed within the North Santa Monica Bay Watershed.

Although Villanueva was not named as a party in the lawsuit, he was accused of spreading an unfounded rumor that the married Seetoo, then the Malibu Sheriff’s liaison, was having an inappropriate relationship with a city manager in Agoura Hills, a city in her jurisdiction. Villanueva did testify at the trial, but so did a Villanueva colleague, an assistant sheriff who contradicted Villanueva’s testimony. That witness testified that he heard the rumor directly from Villanueva, who stated it as if it was a fact. The former Agoura Hills city official, who now works for another nearby municipality, testified in support of Seetoo, a mother of two, that the rumor was completely baseless and unsubstantiated.

“We are doing the workshop today and we will take this budget to the Administration and Finance Subcommittee and then, hopefully, we will accomplish budget adoption by the council at the end of June,” Toney said.

To fully review the city’s proposed budget, readers can refer to malibu. org. A broad overview

The city maintains a balanced budget each fiscal year, and the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 20242025 is structurally balanced, the staff report noted. Currently, the city employs 118.78 full-time equivalent employees and the proposed budget calls for adding 3.59 FTE.

When Seetoo first arrived at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in November 2018, she was faced with the Borderline mass

“The North Santa Monica Bay State of the Watershed 2024 is an event for the community showcasing what our local cities and agencies are doing to improve local water quality, create local water supply opportunities and work to sustain our local ecosystems,” Watts explained as the meeting began.

Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring welcomed attendees and provided some geographic and demographic context with regard to the many watersheds and sub-watersheds encompassed in the aggregate North Santa Monica Watershed.

“At 109 square miles, the Malibu Creek Watershed is one of the largest

MALIBU’S

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

By SAMANTHA BRAVO

Of The Malibu Times

Santa Monica College, the City of Santa Monica, and the Malibu Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony last week to plant the first microforest at a community college.

Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Parents of Malibu Middle and High School students whose art was showcased at the first Art Show on Wednesday, April 24 pose for a photo. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

of Santa Monica,

In Case

You Missed it

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

Remembering and honoring Matt Rapf

Hundreds attend paddle out at First Point before his life is celebrated in an SRO memorial service

Emily Shane’s legacy continues to inspire children to achieve and accomplish their goals

Emily Shane’s Foundation holds its annual ‘Wings Over Malibu’ event at Duke’s

Malibu has lost Maggie Luckerath, known by many as ‘Mama Bu’ She was instrumental in helping locals enjoy concerts and charitable events in the city

Common Cents: The effect of Oct. 7

On Oct. 7, a horrified world watched the most massive and brutal killing of Jews since Hitler’s Auschwitz and Buchenwald. President Biden condemned this attack and pledged support for Israel to eliminate the Hamas terrorists responsible. He was right and I totally supported him, though I warned that U.S. support would falter as time progressed. Unfortunately, this is now occurring even as Israel has cornered Hamas in Rafah.

Hamas is wise as a serpent, to use a Biblical reference.  Knowing they have no chance of defeating Israel in head-to-head combat, from the moment Hamas gained power in 2006, they have prepared for the current fight, building fortifications and tunnels, which, as we now know, are more extensive than the entire New York subway system. The cost of this gigantic military enterprise has been borne by the impoverished Palestinian people, and largely funded by Western dollars and Euros through hundreds of billions in aid.  But instead of building power plants, water purification facilities, and infrastructure for the people of Gaza, Hamas has launched rockets supplied by Iran — with a stated goal of brutally killing every Jew in Israel. Hamas’ strategy is simple: Integrate its military operations into the civilian infrastructure, especially buildings that will garner the most media reaction when the IDF retaliates. Launching sites and command centers are located at schools and hospitals.  While nonprofits like Doctors Without Borders categorically deny accusations that hospitals shelter Hamas, the evidence uncovered clearly put a lie to this. One can hardly blame those NGOs, who are truly trying to help the desperately poor Palestinian people. Hamas will kill them if they speak the truth.

After Oct. 7, Premier Netanyahu formed a unity government and pledged to eliminate the threat of Hamas once and for all and at the same time recover the hostages. Accomplishing this, however, has proven very difficult. The bombing we see on the news is, of course, horrendous. This is what Hamas wants the world to see, hoping that the U.S. will force Israel to back off, allow the terror group to rebuild, so that they can replicate their Oct. 7 surprise attack.

The years of preparation by Hamas means that in spite of unprecedented restraint by the IDF, non-combatant Palestinians have been caught in the crossfire. The tragedy of war continues. An aid convoy was hit, for which the two IDF officers responsible were

relieved of command. Three hostages who escaped and tried to surrender were shot and killed. The Gaza population now faces hunger, but this, like every problem in Gaza, is caused by Hamas, who steals the aid — both food and fuel — then offers to sell it to the population, but at exorbitant prices. And, of course, all this gets blamed on Israel.

I do believe that Israel is failing to take advantage of a potential public relations coup presented by the conflict.  While nearly everyone else screams for a ceasefire, which Israel cannot afford to do without losing the war against Hamas, at very low cost it could open a corridor in the North to provide food and other aid to the residents of Gaza City, the largest population center in the territory.  I am certain that the U.S. and other countries would jump at the chance to provide whatever was needed. And with the aid, a message reminding people the IDF is forced to resort to the bombing because of how Hamas has embedded its troops into civilian buildings. It would include offer of future help rebuilding once the terrorists are eliminated.

Biden’s abandonment of Israel — the only democracy in the Mideast — is obviously based on domestic politics. Yielding to the left in his own party — and the Hamas terrorists — the president is worried that he will lose swing states like Michigan, with its large Arab population, and concerned about declining support from young voters, so he ignores the atrocities by the terrorists who continue to use its own people as human shields. For the first time, an American administration failed to stop a UN resolution demanding a ceasefire, which would provide the victory Hamas has planned.  Now, the Biden administration is calling for regime change in Israel and publicly threatens to withdraw U.S. support, even as Israel is threatened by Iran, who, of course, is behind the attacks on U.S. interest and international shipping in the Mideast.

This appeasement, however, has significant repercussions beyond Hamas snatching victory from certain defeat. First, Hamas celebrates the U.S.  condemnation of Israel and our demand for a cease-fire. And since they consider a cease-fire as victory, they are incentivized not to engage in meaningful negotiations for the release of hostages. This adds to domestic pressure on the Israelis to halt military action.

By ignoring the unspeakable beheadings of civilians, murder of children, and forcing women to watch their babies being tortured while they were being gang-raped, the betrayal of our key Mideast ally will be seen as further weakness by our adversaries. This will likely result in war on a much larger scale.

From the publisher HAYLEY MATTSON

The Malibu Business Round Table is this Friday. The community is welcome to join the meeting by sending an email to us at office@malibutimes.com, and we will add you to the email invitation. We look forward to seeing you.

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.

Getting the non-local trucks off of PCH

Dear Editor,

Letter to the Malibu City Council,

At your last regular meeting, the sheriff reported, in relation to the tragic incident on PCH east of Cross Creek Road a few weeks ago, that the tanker truck had been returning from delivering fuel at Pt. Mugu. He mentioned that part in passing, as though it were totally normal. But that’s not a local Malibu delivery. (I believe the northern boundary of the “locals only” zone is Las Posas Road.)

Anecdotally, in the past year or two, I’ve noticed non-local trailer trucks on PCH more frequently than in the past. I find myself on PCH several times per week, and lately have noticed them several times per month. That works out to about one sighting for every hour of my drive time. Often they are car carriers, the kind that carry six or eight vehicles. (I don’t think that among our residents we have that many car buffs moving their entire collections that often.) Several neighbors have made similar observations. I wouldn’t necessarily call it an epidemic, but it definitely has been increasing.

I don’t know all of the facts about that incident near the bridge, but if it’s hard not to think that, if opportunity were any factor in it, that person might still be alive if enforcement had been more active.

What’s the solution? Is it sufficient for you just to remind law enforcement of their priorities? Do we need new improved signage at the gateways to the city? How about an advisory letter to commercial trucking association(s)? Or a little reminder notice that comes with every trucking license renewal, the way the blood alcohol chart comes with renewed driver licenses? If the sheriff

and CHP don’t respond positively to your concerns, you might want to get with Cal Strategies and see what can be done in Sacramento.

While you’re at it, how about a reminder to delivery drivers that it’s illegal to park and unload from the center turning lane on PCH? This practice has been tacitly condoned by sheriff’s, but is literally an accident waiting to happen.

Getting the non-local trucks off of PCH is part of transforming it from a de facto freeway into a neighborhood boulevard.

Non-local trucks on PCH

Dear Editor,

Letter to Malibu City Council regarding Item 2A. Non-local trucks on PCH:

Be sure to thank the Malibu Township Council for this restriction.  I’m sure there were others but Harriett Pollon worked tirelessly with Walt Keller on it.  They were able to obtain as good a restriction as we have.  I’d love for it to be more than 2 axles (thereby banning 3-axle vehicles) but I’m a realist.

The restriction was imposed before cityhood.  I would hope that the City Council would consider a licensing program similar to that deployed in many municipalities (San Marino is but one example).  Such programs generally require every commercial vehicle to pay a municipal permit.  That might cut down on the legal bobtails that seem predisposed to drag race through town.

PUBLISHER

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Kraig Hill, Malibu

Bill Sampson, MalibuBill

SCOTT DITTRICH OPINION COLUMNIST

SIRENS

The following incidents were reported between: apr 13 - apr 17

 4/13 | Burglary

A vehicle parked near Serra Road was broken into and the window was smashed. The victim noticed their purse was missing from the front passenger side seat. There were no security cameras available. The purse was worth $800. The window was estimated to cost $1,000 to repair.

 4/16 | Burglary

A vehicle parked near Nobu Restaurant was broken into and two suitcases of clothing worth $500 were stolen. There were no security cameras available for evidence.

 4/17 | Petty Theft

A crystal rock was stolen from Rafi Lounge in Malibu. The security cameras captured two male suspects entering the property and taking the crystal rock. The suspects were wearing all black and one was wearing a face mask and the other was wearing a towel on his head. The crystal rock was worth $100.

Male body discovered near Decker Road

A body of a deceased male was found on the afternoon of April 24 by a person who was driving through an off-road track in unincorporated Malibu. The person came upon a male victim near a pickup truck. Authorities responded to the 800 block of Westlake Boulevard to follow up on reports of a shooting, according to Sgt. Chris Soderland of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, who said, “The area is in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains but when you Google it, you find it has a Malibu address.”

The unidentified victim in his 30s was shot multiple times in the upper body, according to a press release issued by officials.

“We believe it was not a random act,” Sheriff’s Department

Homicide Detective Mike Modica said, adding that detectives believe it was a targeted shooting and that preliminary ballistics evidence indicated that the shooting had occurred at the location where the body was discovered. Detectives believe that the dead victim and his killer or killers were on the track before the shooting and there does not appear to be any threat to the community, Modica stated.

The Malibu Times will keep readers informed of any new details revealed by authorities with regard to this crime. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact sheriff’s homicide investigators, Soderlund stated. The telephone number is (323) 890-5500.

Caltrans

using drones to gather information on massive

Topanga slide

The massive landslide forcing the closure of Topanga Canyon at Pacific Coast Highway may be bigger than first assessed. Because the slide is still active Caltrans is using drones to coordinate efforts with geologists to determine the extent of damage. Last week state agency officials estimated the slide would take 5,500 truckloads of dirt to haul away. Reports are circulating that that number could grow to as many as 7500 truckloads, but Caltrans Public Information Of-

NEWS BRIEFS

ficer Jim Medina said the truckloads are rough estimates. Crews are mapping out calculations and hope to have another assessment next week. The Topanga slide is not estimated to be cleared before the fall months.

Another slide affecting Malibu shows no sign of clearing in the immediate future. One northbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway near Porto Marina Way north of Sunset Boulevard has been blocked for a month creating backups on PCH and Sunset Blvd.

Caltrans said the slide “has been an issue for many years and was recently triggered by winter storms.”

The slide originated on private property and requires that repairs start from the top of the slide, which is outside of Caltrans’ jurisdiction and right of way. Once the slope is stabilized from the top, Caltrans can continue with repairs at the bottom of the slide.

“Caltrans is in the process of requesting an emergency Director’s Order to potentially realign striping around the slide to provide a second northbound lane, if feasible, on PCH. We do not have an estimate on when the work would occur.”

Mayor Steve Uhring

to deliver State of the City address at SMC Malibu

Campus on May 10

On Friday, May 10, Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring will deliver the State of the City address, reflecting on the city’s highlights, challenges, and achievements from the past year and looking toward the year ahead. This highly anticipated event, hosted by the Malibu-Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the new Santa Monica College (SMC) Malibu Campus at 10 a.m.

“Malibu has experienced a transformative period in our city’s history over the past year, with daunting challenges and remarkable achievements, giving us a tale of two cities,” said Mayor Steve Uhring. “Please join us as we gather to reflect on our community’s compassion, resilience, and resolve in the face of tragedy and adversity, and chart an exciting course forward for Malibu.”

Highlights of the event include Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s update on county issues af-

Golden Gate University, the University of Southern California, the California CPA Foundation, the International Fiscal Association, and the Beverly Hills Bar Association, among others. Bill put significant time and thought into preparing for each and every course, lecture, or speech he gave, often revising multiple drafts of slides until they met his high standards.

One of Bill’s proudest moments professionally was receiving the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Dana Latham Memorial Award in 2008 in recognition of his contributions in the field of taxation.

Bill’s hobbies included weightlifting in his home gym, reading, and learning about the world. Bill’s knowledge base was both staggeringly wide and deep from voraciously reading thousands of books on politics, history, philosophy, physics, economics, and mathematics, to name some of the subjects in his library. Truly a lifelong learner, Bill took numerous online and taped collegiate-level math and science classes over the last two decades. He died with a list of books he wanted his wife Barbara to buy next and an online accounting course he wanted to take at Berkeley in the fall.

Bill leaves behind a wife, Barbara, a daughter, Erika (John), and three grandchildren. Bill also leaves behind a sister, Barbara Jean Quirico (Larry). His wife, Barbara, will remember him as a meticulous worker, a gentle soul, and an extraordinary father. For his daughter, also a lawyer, and a mom of three, he leaves behind many important lessons, including to do hard things like squats and physics, especially when you don’t want to, to work hard and not take shortcuts, and most importantly, to give your kids pure, undistracted time and effort so that they know nothing else is more important than them. Bill was exceptional at that.

fecting Malibu; SMC Associate Dean Alice Meyering discussing educational offerings at the new campus; Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo’s update on community crime and safety, particularly efforts to address PCH safety; Stacy Rouse’s update on school district issues; and Ian Roven’s report on local economic conditions and the Chamber’s initiatives to bolster Malibu businesses.

The SMC Malibu Campus is located at 23555 Civic Center Way, adjacent to the Malibu Library. The event is free to attend, but space is limited, and RSVPs are required. The presentations will be followed by a public reception.

Each year, the State of the City draws distinguished speakers, including county and state representatives, along with Malibu’s business and civic leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community members.

To RSVP and access more information, including sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Chamber website at Malibu. org.

Progress of City of Malibu projects

MALIBU PCH SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROJECT

Crews are currently working between Big Rock and just north of Las Flores with one north lane closed, needed as three separate crews are working on site (utility investigation/boring operations/fiber installation). Unfortunately, crews are unable to implement the alternate traffic control (shifting the lanes to the center to keep two lanes open) due to safety reasons, existing infrastructure, and specific locations of ongoing work.

PCH MEDIAN PROJECT

Construction is expected to begin in April on PCH from John Tyler Drive to Puerco Canyon on the city’s PCH Median Improvement Project, which will contribute to PCH safety. Estimated completion is in June 2024.

CALTRANS — TUNA CANYON

Caltrans is installing a temporary traffic signal at the PCH/ Tuna Canyon intersection to assist with left turns onto PCH, as Tuna Canyon is one of the only routes through/out of Topanga Canyon.

CALTRANS — PCH AT BIG ROCK

One lane of northbound PCH remains closed near Big Rock Drive due to an active landslide. Over the past few weeks, the majority of large rocks have de-

scended. An assessment will be done after the rain.

CALTRANS — PCH AT CORRAL CANYON/LATIGO CANYON

One lane of northbound PCH remains closed north of Corral Canyon due to the active landslide there. Rock fencing is being installed on top of the K-rail, and when complete next week, lanes should return to normal.

CALTRANS — SOLSTICE CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT WORK

One lane of northbound PCH is diverted into the center media just before Corral Canyon for a project to repair or replace culverts along PCH , restore endangered fish habitat, and replace the Solstice Creek Bridge. Watch for active construction with workers and work vehicles and a 30 mph speed limit.

Volunteers needed for Point Dume Nature Preserve weeding day

Get your hands dirty and feel good doing your part! This event, held every second Wednesday of the month, is to remove invasive plant species by hand-pulling. Bring gardening gloves, water, a hat, and sunscreen! Parking available at Point Dume Entrance (Limited two-hour free parking), Westward Beach County Parking Lot (hourly rate), and Westward Beach Road (free). To sign up, visit signupgenius.com/go/ 20F0E49A9AD2FAB9-monthly1?useFullSite=true#/.

Clean Power Alliance update

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is a locally controlled electricity provider in Southern California, including Malibu and 30 other communities. As part of the city’s commitment to protecting the environment, addressing climate change, and building resiliency, city staff attends local meetings, researches potential grants, and stays up-to-date on relevant legislation. Through collaboration between the city and the CPA, Malibu’s residents and businesses are leading the way to a greener future. The recently released quarterly status report shows that 95.2 percent of Malibu participates in Clean Power Alliance, and 96.5 percent of active customers have taken the 100 percent Green Power option. Overall, member agencies reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 billion pounds since 2018, which is equivalent to planting 74 million trees over 10 years. For more information, visit the webpage malibucity.org/energy.

Homeless Outreach update

The city’s Homeless Outreach Team, which consists of two outreach workers and a housing

navigator from The People Concern, reported that in February 2024, it engaged with 69 people experiencing homelessness in Malibu, 11 of whom went into permanent or interim housing where they will be connected to a broad network of services.

The high number of people that exited homelessness throughout February is a reflection of the Outreach Team’s success in being proactive with their engagement, service provision, and housing identification, as well as a strong partnership with city staff and the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Current and past monthly Homeless Outreach reports are available on the webpage malibucity.org/1051/ Outreach-Support.

City Fire Safety Liaisons get advanced radios for improved communications and collaborations

The City Fire Safety Liaisons procured three fully programable radios that meet the Cal Fire standard for working within the operational area of a wildfire. The radios were funded by a Fire Prevention grant. This will enable the Fire Safety Liaisons to have full incident communications with Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Los Angeles City fire departments, Cal Fire and all other out-of-area agencies responding to an incident in Malibu. These important tools will help the Fire Liaisons get accurate, real-time incident information back to city leadership, staff, and the Emergency Operations Center, advocate for the community, and assist outof-area agencies with locally specific information.

Sign up now for free fire extinguisher trainings May 15

The city will offer two free fire extinguisher trainings for community members as part of its efforts toward communitywide emergency preparedness on Wednesday, May 15, at 2 and 6 p.m. at City Hall. Knowing how to confidently and safely operate a fire extinguisher can save your home or business, and even save lives. The one-hour trainings will be taught by the city’s Fire Safety Liaisons. A classroom session will cover fire extinguisher mechanics, decision-making on when to use a fire extinguisher, and safety considerations. The second part of the training will be a live-fire, hands-on exercise, with safety supervision. To register, please email Public Safety Coordinator Sarah Flores at saflores@malibucity.org

Malibu Rebuilds statistics

Here are the current Woolsey Fire rebuild statistics. See continuously updated statistics on the Rebuild Portal. Out of 465 destroyed homes:

• Single-family home rebuild applications submitted: 372 (of which 360 have been approved by the Planning Department) Single-family home rebuild applications under planning review: 12

• Single-family

William K. Norman 1938 - 2024

CALENDAR

Thu may 2 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING (CERT) COURSE

As part of its ongoing efforts toward community-wide preparedness, the City of Malibu

18 through May 30 at Malibu City Hall.

sun may 5

‘CAPTURING LIGHT’ MEET THE ARTIST

Blazing Star Arts Fused Glass will present a solo show and sale

art and functional art wares by the Western National Parks and Recreation Areas. Meet the artists on Sunday, May 5, for the Artists Reception, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

INFORMATION SESSION ON CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Santa Monica College will host a friendly, to-the-point information session about its High School Concurrent Enrollment Program (HSCE) on Tuesday, May 7, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 202, the Lecture Hall, at the SMC Malibu Campus, 23555 Civic Center Way, Malibu. The campus is easy to access with parking readily

The session includes a free webinar that explains how the HSCE program offers students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to take college-level classes — for free — and graduate from high school with college credits. SMC staff will be available at the Malibu event to answer questions about the program and explain how to sign up for classes that will be offered during the summer session. For questions, please contact the Malibu campus at malibu@smc.edu or at (310) 434-

MALIBU STATE OF THE CITY

On Friday, May 10, Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring will deliver the State of the City address, reflecting on the city’s highlights, challenges, and achievements from the past year and looking toward the year ahead. This highly anticipated event, hosted by the Malibu-Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the new Santa Monica College (SMC) Malibu Campus at 10 a.m. The SMC Malibu Campus is located at 23555 Civic Center Way, adjacent to the Malibu Library. The event is free to attend, but space is limited, and RSVPs are required. The presentations will be followed by a public reception.

MALIBU COMEDY NIGHT AT ROSENTHAL WINE BAR AND PATIO

Enjoy sips and giggles under the stars in the heart of Malibu! Comedians from Netflix, HBO, and Comedy Central! With heat lamps! Starts on

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. Worksop will take place at the Michael Landon Community Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ONGOING

FARMERS MARKET

The Malibu Farmers Market returns to the Library Plaza on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at 23555 Civic Center Way, adjacent to the library. For updates, follow up on instagram @ malibufarmersmarket.

WEEDING DAY AT POINT DUME NATURE PRESERVE

Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. at 18741 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. To purchase tickets, visit Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio on Instagram or email tastingroom@ rosenthalestatewines.com.

sat may 11

SPRING JUBILATIONS

Hosted by Ann Buxie. A gathering themed to celebrate joy in a time of whelming possibilities, to give voice to the true nature of vitality modeled on the natural world, and to attend to the power of love and joy. The gathering features Alma Boutin-Martinez and Bill Goldberg, an open mic, and conversation. Complimentary and an RSVP is not required.

wed may 14

‘1 IN 5’ APPAREL SHOWCASE

Community members can join Third Space Malibu in its “1 in 5 Apparel Showcase” from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 14 and support the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu teens for their meaningful product launch around youth suicide prevention. Light bites and refreshments will be served to those who attend. This is an open invite to the community; no RSVP is required. RSVP at https://thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=27613.

sat may 18

CAFFINATED VERSE

Caffeinated Verse includes a featured reader, followed by an open mic format. Complimentary, No RSVP Required. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Malibu Library.

tue may 21

‘SIP & SHOP’ AND MEET THE MAKERS AT THIRD SPACE

Community members can come to Third Space Malibu from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 21 to enjoy complimentary champagne and shop for local, handmade, and sustainable products while getting to know local creatives and the story behind their brands. RSVP at https://thirdspacemalibu.org/ pages/workshops?event-id=26634.

sat may 25

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: A GENERATIVE POETRY WORKSHOP

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

Get your hands dirty and feel good doing your part! This event held every second Wednesday of the month is to remove invasive plant species by hand-pulling. Bring gardening gloves, water, a hat, and sunscreen! Parking available at Point Dume Entrance (Limited two-hour free parking), Westward Beach County Parking Lot (hourly rate), and Westward Beach Road (free).

‘JEWELRY-MAKING EXPERIENCE’ AT THIRD SPACE MALIBU

The community is invited to join Third Space Malibu’s Kidd’s Jewelry Heist “Jewelry-Making Experience” every Sunday throughout May from 12 to 5 p.m. Those who attend can create their own necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and earrings during an hour-long session with the help of a mentor. Participants can take home two unique pieces of jewelry each. If interested, please RSVP at thirdspacemalibu.org/pages/ workshops.

BRIDGE GROUP

If you have never played bridge, here is your chance to learn! Beginners and experienced players are welcome to play with this relaxed bridge group every Friday at the Malibu Senior Center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. A friendly and welcoming long-standing group welcomes all levels of players. Led by volunteer Vin Joshi.

KNITTING

Join the City of Malibu’s Community Service Department and Sheila Rosenthal for a knitting workshop that takes place on Mondays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m. This program is a welcoming gathering space for fiber artists that fosters community through open stitch. Make a scarf, hat, blanket, or homemade gift. No experience necessary. Please bring size eight needles and one skein of yarn. This is an ongoing, drop-in program. Instructed by Sheila Rosenthal.

RELAXING THROUGH COLORING

The art of coloring activates different areas of the brain, using logic, forming colors, and creativity. Join this free, unstructured program. Instructed by Judy Merrick. Complimentary program. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times.

STRETCH AND STRENGTH

Participants will focus on increasing flexibility, balance, circulation, and muscle tone while learning to relax through breathing techniques. Bring yoga blocks and a mat. Instructed by Marsha Cooper. $5 per class. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times.

Blazing Star Arts Fused Glass will present a solo show and sale benefitting the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area from May 2 to June 30. Meet the artists on Sunday, May 5, for the Artists Reception, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

LOCAL NEWS

its history, SMC has been an early adopter of sustainability measures. After all, we are in the business of education, which requires testing new methods to improve the world we are leaving for our students.”

Executive Director and co-founder of the Malibu Foundation Evelin Weber thanked her team at the foundation for helping bring this project to fruition.

“My team has been so forward-thinking and really pushing all of the operations, from talking to communities to cities and organizations and really pushing forth the message that these plants will actually improve fire diversity,” Weber said.

California State Senator Ben Allen also attended and shared a few words about the project at the ceremony.

“It’s all about getting more native plants and recapturing the magic of California’s native landscapes, and our land is made for these beautiful landscapes,” Allen said. “This is a part of an effort to recapture our own local environment, and it’s going to help educate the next generation of students coming here.”

Allen also shared his appreciation for the collaborative efforts between organizations and acknowledged the native land.

“I’m certainly hopeful that as part of this project there will be a strong coordination with native peoples. I know it’s important to the Malibu Campus [Santa Monica-Malibu Campus] as well,” Allen said.

SMC’s Director of Sustainability Ferris Kawar said the microforest can have a “mighty big” impact in fighting climate change and supporting biodiversity and says he hopes it inspires others to turn underutilized small spaces into microforests.

Benefits of microforests — in a small footprint

— include:

Building soil,

Capturing stormwater

Mitigating heat,

• Providing native habitats,

• Improving biodiversity,

• Sequestering carbon 2.5 x faster

The SMC microforest will only take up around 300 square feet, but that space will become a biodiverse habitat for the pollinating insects, birds, and small animals that are so vital to our environment.

Plants chosen are native to the region, supporting the local environment rather than invading it, and they are also edible and medicinal. And as the forest’s ecosystem becomes self-sustaining, its plants will need very little water.

These woodlands are low maintenance as well. Once the plants are up and healthy, the forest thrives

Investigative documentary ‘21 Miles in Malibu’

wins prestigious Accolade Global Film Competition award

The groundbreaking investigative documentary “21 Miles in Malibu,” produced by Michel Shane and directed by Emmy Award-winner Nic Davis, has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Humanitarian Award from the Accolade Global Film Competition. The documentary, which shines a spotlight on the dangerous conditions and alarming lack of safety measures along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, has garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim.

Shane, founder of Shane Gang Pictures, expressed his profound gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Winning this award is truly humbling. We set out to tell an important story, and it’s gratifying to know that our work is resonating with people and making a difference.” The documentary has been a labor of love for Shane and Davis, who have dedicated themselves to bringing the hidden dangers of Malibu’s highway to light.

on its own as an example of nature in action. As the bugs and worms feed, and bacteria breaks material down, more soil is made to feed growth.

Speakers also shared the benefit students will take from the microforest, such as education, research, and experience. Students will evaluate the microforest’s plant growth, examine how microbes feed and develop its soil, and study the insects and animals it attracts.

The Malibu Foundation has held numerous events in Malibu such as volunteer opportunities, fundraiser events, and emergency response workshops with the City of Malibu.

The organization also held another microforest planting event on Saturday, April 27, down the street from the SMC campus on Olympic Boulevard. “We’re so proud to close out Earth Month 2024 by installing the United States’ first street median microforest!” Malibu Foundation shared on Instagram.

in Malibu’ is a testament to the power of film to effect positive social change,” said Rick Prickett, chair of the Accolade Global Film Competition. “By shining a spotlight on the overlooked dangers of the Pacific Coast Highway, Shane and Davis have given voice to the voiceless and have taken an important step towards making our roads safer. We are proud to honor their extraordinary work with this prestigious award.”

“21 Miles in Malibu” has already received widespread recognition, with 10 awards to its name, including the prestigious Impact Docs Award and Best Documentary from The Malibu Film Festival. The additional accolade from the Accolade Global Film Competition further cements the documentary’s status as a vital piece of investigative journalism.

Shane and Davis remain committed to using their platform to continue highlighting essential issues and driving positive change. As Shane noted, “This award is a call to action. It’s a reminder that we have a responsibility to bear witness, to tell stories, and to use our voices to effect meaningful change. We are honored and humbled to be recognized for our work, but we know that the real power lies in the stories we tell and the conversations we spark.”

The Accolade Global Film Competition is renowned for recognizing films that entertain, enlighten, and inspire. The Humanitarian Award is bestowed upon films that shed light on critical social, environmental, and health issues while showcasing exceptional storytelling and filmmaking craft. The judges’ decision to honor “21 Miles in Malibu” underscores the documentary’s powerful impact and crucial role in driving needed change.

“The documentary ’21 Miles

For more information about “21 Miles in Malibu,” please visit the film’s website at 21milesinmalibu.com

‘Safe on PCH’ weeklong safe driving event happening at Malibu High School

Lindsey P. Horvath, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, is partnering with California Highway Patrol (CHP), the City of Malibu, Mal-

ibu High School, PTSA Malibu, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), and the Malibu-Lost Hills Station to host “Safe on PCH.” This fun and informative weeklong program focuses on safe driving, and will engage students and families in the role we all play in keeping our roads safe to make Malibu a safer community.

PCH is an iconic state highway used by millions of visitors every year, but it is also Malibu’s Main Street, and it impacts the daily lives of every person in our community. This important event will foster a culture among youth, and community members of all ages, of collective responsibility and empowerment for road safety. That will contribute to safety on the highway for all people who live, work, commute and recreate on PCH.

Earlier this week was a lunchtime resource and info fair (Monday), a Sheriff Impact Presentation (Tuesday), and a screening of the film documentary “21 Miles in Malibu.” Still remaining for the event:

Thursday, May 2: School Assemblies On Thursday, two assemblies will be coordinated by Malibu High School and CHP. One targeting sixth- to eighth-graders (30 minutes) and one for ninthto 12th- graders (45 minutes). The assembly will include Impact Teen Drivers’ high school program called “What Do You Consider Lethal” (WDYCL) which engages, educates, and empowers students with evidence-based strategies that help them prevent car crashes, particularly those caused by reckless and distracted driving.

Friday, May 3: Newsletter

Malibu High School will be holding student classroom breakout sessions focused on the causes and effects of distracted driving. There will be a classroom presentation followed by a group activity.

(Top left) Executive Director and co-founder of the Malibu Foundation Evelin Weber thanked her team at the foundation for helping bring the SMC microforest project to fruition. (Top right) California State Senator Ben Allen attended the ceremony for the new Santa Monica College microforest and shared a few words about the importance of planting more native plants in urban areas. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks at Pepperdine

Shortest-serving prime minister has a lot to say

By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times

The shortest-serving prime minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, discussed conservatism and her just-released book Thursday, April 25, at Pepperdine University as part of the school’s President’s Speaker Series. The outspoken Truss, currently on a book tour promoting “Ten Years to Save the West” served as the U.K. P.M. for just 49 days in 2022. She’s been mocked in her country for a tenure shorter than the shelf life of a head of lettuce, or in American terms, a mere five Scaramuccis. Truss did jokingly agree her tenure was “unmatched.” Before Truss’ conversation with Pepperdine President Jim Gash, the university released a disclaimer saying in part, “Driven by a desire to connect deeply with our community and inspire meaningful dialogue in the pursuit of truth, the series provides opportunities to cultivate an engaged and impassioned collective through civil discourse. Pepperdine is the convener of this conversa-

tion and not an advocate for Liz Truss’ worldview.”

A staunch conservative who admired Margaret Thatcher and backs Donald Trump’s re-election, Truss used to align with liberal democrats at a younger age.

“Everybody has a dark past,” she joked eliciting a laugh from the crowd adding, “I gradually moved to the right.”

Quoting from her book, Gash read, “Conservatism must win across the free world, particularly in the United States of America. Perhaps the most immediate challenge facing conservatives is the need to restore conservative leadership to the United States, Canada, Australia, and across the free world.”

Gash questioned Truss on why she singled out those countries with Truss’ response being, “Well, I like to say the U.S. is Britain’s greatest invention albeit unintentional … If you look at the development of the representative democracy from Magna Carta to the Bill of Rights, the American Constitution, we exported some pretty good ideas to the United States. Now what’s happening is you’re exporting all these bad ideas to us, whether it’s the wokeism agenda which

started in the United States; in fact much of it started here in California, whether it was Hollywood or what’s going on in the tech industry, the U.S. has a massive cultural influence on the free world and yet, the direction of travel has not been in a conservative direction. It’s been in a leftist direction for I would say a period since the late 1990s, maybe since the early 1990s since the end of the Cold War. We’ve seen these bad leftist ideas.”

Truss called out what she terms the “new left” or the people who “want to stop drilling for oil, people who want to allow boys who identify as girls to be able to use their restroom, anti-colonialists, and anti-capitalists.

“We’re used to dealing with the old left. The point about the new left is they are actively interested in the destruction of our society. You can’t compromise with people that support Hamas. You can’t compromise with somebody who thinks a man can be a woman.”

The outspoken Truss said, “I’ve been called many things. One is the human hand grenade.” The former U.K. leader didn’t mince words when she called the official London P.M. residence “flea-infest-

ed” or when speaking of the current monarchy said, “I think that some of the more problematic elements of the royal family have all gone to California. You’re dealing with them. Thanks for looking after them.”

Truss did say though that she thought the British monarchy “works,” adding, “I think King Charles is very respected.”

“Ten years to save the west, from whom or what?” asked Gash. Truss replied, “We’re facing two enemies … We have the woke … with some pretty crazy ideas that people wouldn’t have subscribed to a few decades ago, whether it’s anti-capitalism, eco-extremism, transgender ideology … on some university campuses we’re having people actively campaign in favor of terrorism

trying to undermine the United States.” Enemy number two she called, “totalitarian states who want to end our way of life,” singling out China, Iran, and Russia. “I think we’re getting close to a tipping point and that’s what my book is all about,” she added.

Referencing her book, Truss said, “The first thing I want to do is explain to people what is actually going on in British

government because there’s a lot of armchair critics … People in Britain are frustrated … a poll said 74 percent of Britons think the country isn’t working, things are getting worse and neither party can fix it. Despite all this I am an optimist. I do believe things can change, but what I’m saying is big changes are required … I want to be an agent of change, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

shooting in Thousand Oaks and then the very next day, the Woolsey Fire. Former Capt. Josh Thai then left the department due to medical issues. When Seetoo tried to apply for the position, she claimed her efforts were thwarted by her higher-ups at LASD, who eventually transferred her to the West Hollywood station, far from her home, closer to Lost Hills. The transfer, known in local law enforcement circles as “freeway therapy,” is thought to be a punitive action. Seetoo originally

submitted an internal complaint under the Sheriff’s Department’s Policy of Equality in October 2019. The lawsuit charged the department with retaliation against her. Evidence presented at the trial showed that a decision was made on her transfer three days after her filing. Because Villanueva was not named as a defendant in this case, he is unable to appeal the jury verdict. Villanueva, who often clashed with the LA County Board of Supervisors, may be facing other unrelated lawsuits concerning his actions or policies during his term. Villanueva ran an underdog campaign for a seat on

the LACOBOS this year but lost in the primary. It is not known whether the County of Los Angeles will appeal the decision. Seetoo’s attorney, Kathleen Erskine, said, “It has been a highlight of my career to represent Jennifer Seetoo. She led the Malibu/Lost Hills Station with bravery and skill during the Woolsey Fire, one of the most devastating events in its history. Rather than allowing her to compete for the promotion she deserved, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his high-ranking executives discriminated and retaliated against her.  After hear-

ing all the evidence over the course of two weeks —including the testimony of former Sheriff Alex Villanueva— it took the jury less than two hours to find in Ms. Seetoo’s favor and award her nearly a million dollars in damages. We hope this verdict will give other women the courage to come forward when they experience discrimination.”

Erskine elaborated on the damages sought by email, writing, “Seetoo did not request a specific total damages award. Based on the evidence, the jury awarded Jennifer Seetoo $971,369 in damages, reflecting $221,369 in lost

salary and benefits from being denied a promotion to captain of the Lost Hills Station in 2019 and $750,000 in emotional and physical harm she suffered through the end of former Sheriff Villanueva’s administration.”

Seetoo has pledged to donate a portion of the funds awarded to help women in the LASD. The gift will be distributed through the LASD Foundation in an effort to help women in law enforcement. Seetoo has previously spoken about the struggles of women in law enforcement, from finding child care to working in a male-dominated field.

Pepperdine University President Jim Nash and former U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss are shown at a speaker series event on Thursday, April 25.

Photo Courtesy of Pepperdine University

How to protect your home with firescaping

City of Malibu holds workshop to inform residents on best practices

By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times

Protecting your biggest investment, your home, against a devasting wildfire was the topic of a Malibu workshop intended to arm residents with knowledge and best practices for use in what’s called “firescaping.”

Cal Poly Pomona professor and expert landscaper Douglas Kent, who’s written extensively on wildfire damage prevention, shared his advice on how best to landscape homes in Malibu, a “flammable community.”

Kent likened your home to your heart.

“If you want to live long and thrive, you’re going to do all you can to create a healthy heart,” he said. “Same thing to defend against fire. Statistics show that if you have a fire hardened home you have a 70 percent chance of survival.”

Fire scientists like Kent have learned over the years that most homes lost to wildfires are ignited by flying embers. Preventing them from entering a structure is key. One of the first places to start is to make sure all home openings are screened with 1/16-inch metal mesh.

First, Toney provided an overview of the city’s overall total revenues, amounting to $84.36 million, consisting of special revenue funds such as Legacy Park and special revenue funds, which amount to 28.5 percent of the city’s total revenues. General Fund revenues amount to $60.28 million, which represents property taxes collected of $19.54 million — 32.4 percent of total revenues–as well as other taxes, including transient occupancy tax and sales taxes, license and permit fees, fines and forfeitures, service charges and other miscellaneous revenues.

See Pie Chart 1.

“The City is projected to have $550,000 as surplus,” Toney said, noting that amount “could fluctuate as we go through the adoption process.”

Then, Toney recounted the city’s expenditures, consisting of the various programs the city administers as well as the city’s operational expenses such as those incurred for personnel, including costs for salaries and increases thereon based on the cost of living, the costs of benefits, such as employee and retired employees’ insurance and pensions, and contractors. Improving workplace climate and culture remains a significant focus as the city continues to face challenges in recruiting and retaining employees, both Toney and the councilpersons noted.

Toney noted that the city’s total expenses are projected to be $59.45 million. “The City’s current biggest expenditures are for public safety, amounting to $16.4 million, and for management and administration, amounting to $15 million,” he said.

See Pie Chart 2.

Councilpersons also listened to presentations concerning the city’s

This includes dryer vents and, of course, chimneys.

Weatherization is key. Of the 1,643 structures lost in the Woolsey Fire, 60 to 70 percent were lost to firebrands according to Kent.

“Forty percent of those burned from the inside out, which means the firebrand penetrated the structure and ignited something inside,” he said.

Peeling paint, decayed weather stripping, and clogged gutters can all be easily ignited by firebrands, so home maintenance is key to keeping a home fire resilient, Kent added. Make sure your address is clearly visible especially at night so emergency responders can identify your home. This probably means trimming trees, clearing brush and abiding by the 5-foot rule in clearing a path around your home. Create a defensible space. It’s critical to not store combustible materials in a 5-foot perimeter around your home. Recyclables, trash, compost, tools, and furniture cushions need to be stored away from the structure.

“So much of fire protection is basic housekeeping,” said Kent, who added that slopes are also a concern. “I don’t think Malibu has one flat place. What happens on slopes is flame lengths double with every 10-degree growth in slope. If you have a 3-foot flame on flat land,

it would be 6 feet on a 10-degree slope, 12 feet on a 20-percent slope, and on a 30-percent slope it would be 24 feet long. The slope causes a convective process that elongates the flame. If you have slopes, you really need to concentrate on your structure more than anything because you’re going to get those elongated flames and firebrands lashing your structure. The solutions are screens.”

Kent suggests clearing eaves and hardening your home’s trim materials often made of soft wood that can twist and buckle when exposed to intense heat, inviting firebrands into newly formed gaps.

“Really watch where any two materials meet,” he said. “It’s going to be a place of vulnerability.” This can be especially true of fences connected to homes.

Play structures, tool sheds and other outbuildings are often overlooked by residents hardening their homes.

Malibu Fire Liaison Gabriel Etcheverry, on hand for the presentation, makes free house calls and assessments for Malibu residents. Etcheverry will give suggestions on how to fire harden your entire property. But as Kent said, “If your neighbors are not on board it could bring a fire onto your property.”

Getting neighbors to comply with fire smart practices and firescaping can sometimes be challenging. Etcheverry encouraged attendees to “work with your neighbors.”  Kent even offered using “cookie diplomacy” in order to compromise with neighbors and encourage landscape maintenance.

Landscaping with less flammable plants around your home is ideal. These types of plants are generally broad-leafed, with thick and easy to bend leaves that are moist. These plants should also have a low amount of litter as opposed to a conifer, have sap that looks more like water, have no fragrance, no hair and have silver or gray leaves. Examples include toyon, native verbena, yucca, coast live oak, and ceonothus. But Kent emphasized, “It’s not the plant itself. It’s the maintenance, the pruning, the care, the irrigation. That’s what’s going to create the fire resistance. Maintenance is the fulcrum of fire safety without a doubt.”

several departments, including Management and Administrative Services, the City Clerk, Public Safety, Community Services, Environmental Sustainability, Planning, and Public Works.

This article provides a general overview of the highlights of those presentations concerning issues of highest interest to residents, such as the safety of Pacific Coast Highway, a significant need to improve development services relating to permits and planning, helping residents mitigate fire risks so as to address the wildfire insurance availability crisis, and the city’s employment challenges with regard to development services and other city functions.

City’s efforts to further PCH safety Addressing PCH safety measures, Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas stated her department is working to

expedite installation of the KBUU antenna at Malibu Bluffs Park, which is in the permitting process. That antenna will help communication during disasters, Duenas noted, adding that the city is in the process of installing license plate readers to assist in addressing speeding on PCH. Finally, she noted that her department’s outreach efforts assisting residents to harden their homes against wildfires may help residents acquire insurance.

Bluebeam to the rescue

Importantly, a full land management system is also slated for implementation with regard to the city’s processing of development and permit applications over the next two years, Toney stated, noting that newly acquired software will assist and streamline workflow for permitting with regard to checking plans. He stated that the city is starting to utilize

a permit and planning review file management system with Bluebeam integration, which conforms with current industry standards.

“With Bluebeam software, we can perform plan checks in a more streamlined development process and have easy communication with engineers and consultants,” said Environmental Sustainability Director Yolanda Bundy, adding that staff should be utilizing the software by early June. “Bluebeam will be a very successful tool and it includes every single department within development, including environment and sustainability, the building, public works and planning departments, and our geotechnical, coastal engineering and biological teams.”

Other emerging issues for the Planning Department include staff recruitment, according to Planning Department Director Richard Mollica, who noted that

his department is striving to hire experienced planners and to use less contract planners, as well as to address planner caseload.

Unknown factors that could affect next fiscal year’s budget

The proposed budget includes some qualifiers. Most notably, the current high-interest rates could change over the next fiscal year, which could change investment returns or make borrowing for capital difficult.

Further, the city’s one-half cent Transient Use Tax (TUT) could be eliminated if voters pass a ballot initiative entitled The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which seeks to empower voters with the right to approve or reject all new state and local taxes.

Next Steps

Future meetings regarding the

forthcoming fiscal year’s budget will begin with the Administration and Finance Subcommittee addressing the proposed budget on May 2.

Staff also noted that area nonprofit organizations have submitted general fund applications. The city has received 24 applications and will be making decisions regarding what organizations will receive funding in late May.

The A & F Subcommittee will make decisions concerning the pending general fund grant applications on May 20. On May 28, the City will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed budget. June 24 is the target date for the City Council to adopt the budget.

An important disclaimer about this article Due to space constraints, this article does not fully describe all details and items considered by the council or encompassed in the proposed budget for next year.

The Malibu Times will provide further articles concerning funding for some other city expenditures and services. They include the city’s Public Works Department’s wastewater services, street services, and supervision of landslide management districts, and the Community Services Department’s various offerings —encompassing recreational, social and educational activities offered to residents of all ages at the city’s parks and the skatepark, as well as the Malibu Arts Commission’s activities and services provided to Malibu’s senior citizens and youngest citizens.

For complete details regarding the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, readers should go to malibu.org and they can listen to the City Council’s special meeting on YouTube.

adding that there were no gaps or overlays in the piece, but only a pattern that never repeats.

“Mathematicians had been searching for such a shape for half a century,” the poster continued, quoting mathematician Marjorie Senechal of Smith College.

Another interesting detail, the poster explained, is that, “although the name ‘einstein’ conjures up the iconic physicist, it derives from the German words ‘ein Stein,’ meaning ‘one stone,’ referring to the artwork’s single tile with an aperiodic form, meaning that it can’t form a pattern that repeats.” The poster concluded the discussion by noting, “The hat is special because there is no way it can create a periodic pattern.”

Discussing his contribution to the einstein hat tile, and pointing out his contributions to the artwork, eighth-grade artist Daire O’Herlihy said, “We made this puzzle tile piece from cardboard in Mr. Hacker’s class and I liked doing so a lot because it was very fun and lots of my friends and I made it.” Daire also commented that his father has always loved art and that when his dad was a young adult, he chose to pursue architecture

Such comments from a young, inspired artist are what motivates Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School’s dedicated art teachers as well as the parents’ Arts Angels program to foster creativity of all types in Malibu’s young students. This year, it was very special for all involved to have the art show in Malibu instead of having it in Santa Monica as part of the SMMUSD annual art show.

Smiling broadly amidst the crowd, Tom Whaley, SMMUSD’s visual and performing arts coordinator, discussed Malibu High’s hosting its first annual art show.

“I’m a huge fan of Malibu’s

visual arts program and seeing all these wonderful artworks makes me inspired,” Whaley said. “Having the art show here in Malibu is just great! For years, we have wanted to have Malibu host its own art show and now we can because the new building is perfect for doing so!”

Whaley also said that he hopes the art show becomes an annual tradition and that he’d like to build on that tradition by having a local civic organization sponsor scholarships for students, as has been an SMMUSD tradition.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a civic organization such as the Rotary or Optimist Club here in Malibu would coordinate with the school to offer four scholarships to students who are selected by local qualified artists who adjudicate their work?” Whaley queried, expressing an invitation to anyone in the community to contact him if they are interested in coordinating that for next year. “Please have them consider exploring that opportunity for the students in Malibu and reach out to me at twhaley@smmusd.org.”

Agreeing with Whaley’s assessment that opportunities such as the art classes and an art show are invaluable to middle and high school students was parent Patrick Murphree who came to admire the artistic creations by his son Wiley, a 10th-grader, as well as works created by other students.

“I think that it is important to provide opportunities such as digital design class because it’s invaluable for kids to be able to express their feelings and thoughts in a piece of art and to not always just communicate in a dialogue,” Patrick Murphree said.

The poetry displayed also educated observers by discussing blackout poetry, also known as erasure or redacted poetry, which are all types of found poetry.

“Specifically, found poetry has a goal of using pre-existing or ‘found’ text to create something new,” an explanatory poster stated.

“Portions of the original text are kept, while other parts are drawn over or crossed out. Well-crafted blackout poetry can give new meanings to old texts.”

Everywhere attendees looked, they viewed stunningly beautiful creative works.

A black and white painting with striking angular dimensions caught this reporter’s eye. “That work is by Koa Wellwood from my AP drawing and painting class,” art teacher Thor Evenson said. “And, look at this stunning painting by student Tatiana Punnett — many of the artists in these classes are extremely talented!”

When asked about why she loves to paint, student artist Wellwood responded, “My inspirations are life and beauty. I want to keep making my work here in Malibu where I’m constantly surrounded by them.”

Some of the photography was created by MHS junior Emma Marshall.

“I made this work with pieces of flowers that were compact in a negative carrier and printed in a darkroom,” Marshall said. “Learning traditional film development is a really cool skill to learn, especially because you learn how to use the chemicals in the dark room.”

For somewhat older attendees and art aficionados, it was so nice to see some old-school art in Malibu’s new high school. “In a world where artificial intelligence is prolific, the teaching of such originality in art creation remains imperative,” said film teacher Rachel Stowell, noting that otherwise, creativity might be thwarted.

Many Malibuans celebrating the successful show highly complimented and sincerely thanked the school’s dedicated art teachers, including Carla Bowman-Smith, Thomas Hacker, Evenson, and Stowell, whose leadership and nurturing of creative freedom empowered the young artists to express themselves and to explore various artistic media.

All sorts of student-created artwork was on display at the first Malibu Middle and High School Art Show on Wednesday, April 24.

Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

with compliance reporting, as mandated by Safe Ocean Water LA and Wastewater Treatment and Watershed Management programs.

discrete watersheds draining into Santa Monica Bay,” Uhring said. “Malibu Creek and its tributaries reach out into Ventura County and then wind their way through the Santa Monica Mountains and neighborhoods until they eventually reach Santa Monica Bay.”

Uhring emphasized, “This is not a solitary journey. On this trip the Malibu watershed touches more than 90,000 human residents in five cities and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and it supports countless plant and animal species, many of whom are unfortunately considered endangered or threatened.”

Meeting launches with a culturally appropriate land acknowledgment

While much of the watershed event focused on hydrology; geology and other sciences; data analytics; policy matters; and grants applications and administration, the gathering began with attendees recognizing the cultures that first inhabited the North Santa Monica Bay Watershed.

Agoura Hills City Councilmember Jeremy Wolf set the respectful tone of the meeting by delivering a “land acknowledgement.”

“The North Santa Monica Bay Watershed recognizes that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash peoples,” Wolf said. “We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters.

“We acknowledge that colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide, and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing, and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture, and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County, Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains.”

Pausing, Wolf finished by reverently stating, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands and we are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with native peoples.”

Municipal water program reports and an explanation of a Pure Water Project

Each of the five participating cities provided a water quality report. Environmental Programs Manager Tracey Rossine discussed Malibu’s watershed management and

Further, the city provides relevant agencies with detailed calculations of total daily maximum amounts of various pollutants in Malibu Creek and the Santa Monica Bay and provides compliance data regarding the city’s California Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Such permits are issued to municipalities so they can control stormwater discharges from their systems, thereby preventing untreated stormwater from entering natural water bodies such as Malibu Creek and the Santa Monica Bay.

Next, participants discussed the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District’s efforts focusing on water supply, which affects some residents in Malibu and nearby unincorporated Los Angeles County areas.

The Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority was established between the districts to treat wastewater within the Malibu Creek Watershed.

“The Pure Water Project envisions an advanced water purification plant at 30800 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills that will convert the district’s wastewater into drinking water, and the plant will treat effluent from the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility for potable reuse,” said Oliver Slosser, LVMWD’s project engineer, who noted that the project includes the construction of a filtration plant in Westlake Village, the first of its kind in Los Angeles County. “The plant will purify 6 million gallons of water per day for the 175-square-mile water district served by the combined LVMWD and the Triunfo District.”

Slosser added that the project includes constructing 20 miles of pipeline and the plant will utilize reverse osmosis to purify water.

“Once the water is purified at the new Agoura Road Plant, it will be blended for six months with State Water project supply already inside the Westlake Village Las Virgenes Reservoir,” Slosser explained. “The water will then be treated a third time at the Westlake Filtration plant near the reservoir and will be distributed throughout the joint powers service area.”

Showing a conceptual rendering, Slosser noted that the project is in the pre-design phase. Once the design is completed, final construction cost estimates will be considered by the JPA before construction commences. Construction is set to start in 2025, with a target construction completion in 2030.

The project will eventually supply up to 30 percent of the drinking water for the region. Where does water for LVMWD’s customers come from now? LVMWD

a large infrastructure project that is projected to cost $364 million. As with many enormous water quality projects, several levels of government will help to fund the project, which includes building the infrastructure needed to eliminate the need to discharge any unused recycled water to Malibu Creek, protect critical habitats, maximize beneficial uses of recycled water, enhance water supply reliability, and replenish the Las Virgenes Reservoir.

In this instance, part of the funding is federally sourced through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Specifically, the invited WIFIA loan amount for the project is $184 million. LVMWD has also secured $10.2 million in grants and public funding from various levels of government will supply the rest of the monies needed.

For more information about the Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo, visit: ourpurewater.com.

The view from Sacramento: Budget deficit may compromise climate bonds

The event also featured Sen. Ben Allen, who represents Malibu and other Santa Monica Bay communities in Los Angeles County. Allen chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and co-chairs the California Legislative Environmental Caucus. Allen noted that water resources are precious to those within the Santa Monica Bay Watershed.

“I grew up loving and hiking the Santa Monica Mountains,” he said. “People here really — really — care about water quality. Historically, there were some needed revisions concerning how we govern over and administer water rights in this area and statewide. Specifically, there is a massive delta between the amount of water we have versus the number of historical water rights in the state.”

Allen explained that in October 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation authored by Allen aimed at strengthening California’s antiquated water rights system so that the State Water Resources Control Board can now verify the validity and scope of claims to senior water rights in the state. The board can now verify the bases of such rights, request relevant information from claimants asserting senior rights, and enforce against illegal diversions where appropriate. Prior to that law passing, because senior water rights preceded the establishment of California’s current system, they were exempt from the same level of oversight given to junior rights, those that are subject to the Water Board’s permitting requirements.

concerns the state’s projected budget deficit — estimated by the Legislative Analyst’s office at $73 billion — and the state’s overall economy’s limiting its capacity to take out bonds.

Lawmakers have not yet agreed on how big a bond act may be and such negotiations may be impacted by Newsom’s May revision of the state budget. The legislature has until June 27 to put a bond on the November ballot.

The day-long State of the North Santa Monica Bay Watershed also featured speakers from National Parks, State Parks, and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, who discussed the state of our local ecosystems and various agencies’ water and resource conservation partnerships in the Santa Monica Mountains.

State of the Malibu Lagoon

The event ended with a presentation by keynote speaker Dr. Christine Whitcraft, director of the Environmental Science and Policy Program at California State University, Long Beach. She is a leading scientist participating in the estuary marine protected area monitoring program that is funded by the Ocean Protected Council.

An expert in estuarine research, Whitcraft noted that 23 of the state’s 124 marine protected areas are estuarine MPAs, including Malibu Lagoon. She specifically discussed the condition of the Malibu Lagoon, noting that the lagoon monitoring program that she oversees monitors 15 estuarine lagoons statewide, 10 MPAs (including Malibu Lagoon) and five non-MPAs.

“One of the things that we scientists focus on in monitoring estuarine marine protected areas is to collect functions data,” Whitcraft said. “Malibu Lagoon is a small lagoon that opens and closes seasonally and we are assessing what happens when the lagoon’s mouth opens and closes — we evaluate how the water moves over different ecosystems and we measure sediment accretion.”

As she spoke, Whitcraft displayed a picture of Malibu Lagoon with heavy floating algae at a time of lagoon closure and she noted the algae was attributable to nutrients coming into the watershed caused by the presence of fish and birds.

Explaining the exhaustive data that she and her team have collected, Whitcraft displayed a scatter graph setting forth data points over significant time periods concerning the sampled lagoons. She noted that the study’s data sets are derived utilizing a well-developed function-based assessment framework utilizing standard monitoring protocols, data structures and quality control measures, and that the team employs

Whitcraft and her team’s peer-reviewed data sets and assessments are available to scientists, policymakers, elected officials and readers alike. The data can assist in lagoon stressor management and developing protocols to assist lagoon resilience to climate change, Whitcraft

The Las Virgenes Reservoir, shown here, is a big part of the Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo, which was discussed at the State of the Watershed meeting on April 25. Contributed Photo

Malibu Life

Sharks baseball claims Senior Night victory

Seniors and longtime friends

Kies and Lapinski (both named Travis) reminisce about time on the diamond

By MCKENZIE JACKSON

Travis Kies and Travis Lapinski have seen each other on the baseball diamond for more innings than they can count.

The two were opponents and teammates as youth players in the Malibu Little League, and they played together on the Malibu High baseball team for the past four seasons.

Lapinski equated playing baseball with Kies to a breath of fresh air.

“It’s nice to share the field with someone who’s been playing the game as long as you have,” he said.

Kies called playing with Lapinski for so long an incredible experience.

“We became close friends through baseball,” he said. “We’ve made a good team on the baseball field because we have played so long together. We are both named Travis, which is funny.”

Kies and Lapinski, both high school seniors, were recognized during a senior day celebration at the Sharks’ season finale — a 6-2 home win over Carpinteria on April 25.

The victory was memorable for the teenagers, the Sharks’ lone seniors, because it gave them an opportunity to reminisce on the years they have taken the field together, and it was also the Sharks’ best performance of the season.

Malibu’s pitchers had a stellar game, and the team’s bats caught fire to secure the victory.

Lapinski, an infielder, went 3-for-3 at the plate with a triple, a pair of singles, and two

RBIs. The score was tied 2-2 in the sixth inning when Kies, an outfielder and infielder, stepped to the plate and hit a two-run double to give his team the lead. He also served as the Sharks’ closing pitcher and got the last two outs.

Kies said Malibu played carefree against the visiting Warriors.

The Sharks had several games canceled at the beginning of their campaign due to rain, and finished the season with a 4-10 overall record including a 4-8 record in the Citrus Coast League. Nordhoff, Channel Islands, and Fillmore were teams they defeated. There

“Everyone played for fun with no stress,” he recalled. “We all definitely had the most fun during that game. It was fun for us to end the season on such a high note. We always struggle with Carpinteria, so that win felt very good.”

were a few one and two-run loses the Sharks believe they could have won, stated Kies.

“We didn’t perform how we knew we could perform,” he remembered. “We knew we could have done better.”

Lapinski called the 17-player Sharks squad a family and noted the good times he had with his teammates.

“Sharing the field with Travis one last time was something I will never forget,” he said.

“He’s been a brother to me these last three months. The laughs and banter from the juniors also made my experience this year very special. I won’t forget any of those moments.” Kies has no regrets about the season.

“I’m going to remember all the players, the people, the friends I played with,” he said. “They are all really cool people. This year, I learned to really enjoy the moment.”

Malibu High students perform ‘Mean Girls’

School’s three-day run of popular musical’s high school version astounds rapt audience

By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times

“Ihad a blast at Mean Girls!” Doug DeLuca, a Malibu High School parent who came to support the school’s production, exclaimed. “The talent blew me away — it felt like watching an off-Broadway hit instead of a high school musical.”

For three days in Malibu, proud parents, family and friends, and members of the community thoroughly enjoyed MHS’s production of “Mean Girls,” the Broadway musical high school version, a rendition of the iconic 2004 film and its Broadway musical counterpart.

“Mean Girls” tells the story of Cady Heron, who starts high school at 16, being home-schooled by her scientist parents in Kenya for the first 15 years of her life. The play is a brutal, but accurate, take on high school cliques, gossiping, and peer pressure.  Cady quickly encounters “The Plastics,” a group of popular girls who rule the school through intimidation, back-stabbing and bullying. Although Cady originally joined the Plastics as a joke — and to spy on them for her new friends Janis and Damian, she becomes immersed in the Plastics’ world, desperately trying to be accepted, and in the process, she

discovers the dark side of high school friendships.

Although Slashfilm’s Ethan Anderton once opined that “Mean Girls” was “the generation-defining high school movie” capturing the teenage culture of the early 2000s, the Malibu High performance audience, most of whom are teens, related to the updated high school version.

The roles of Regina (Windy Wildman), Cady (Sophie Regan), Janis (Alex Murphy), Damian (Nick Ortiz), Gretchen (Shannon Rosen), Karen (Kylie Morra), and Aaron (Noah Baron) were all superbly performed, and the vocal numbers were nothing short of tremendous, with the MHS pit band, coached by Vince Juardo, accompanying the performers.

From the moment the curtain rises to Regan preparing to leave Kenya for the

U.S. (which she and her mother comedically comment is “currently politically unstable,” and where “almost everybody is on opioids”) to the ending when — after intervening trauma, drama, and yes, a lot of karma — there is a genuine Kumbaya among the key characters. MHS’s actors, musicians, and the stage crew, ably managed by senior Kate Baker, who has served in that role for four years, performed professionally and entertained the delighted audience.

The Malibu Times caught up with Wildman and Regan and asked them how they prepared for their roles and what, in their mind, the central messages of the play are.

“I have worked to find the balance in my Cady Heron’s truth in each decision she makes,” Regan said. “Pulling from the real feeling of wanting to be

Special to The Malibu Times

The Malibu High School production team for “Mean Girls” is shown on stage.

Photo by Colin Drummond.

Malibu High seniors Travis Kies (11) and Travis Lipinski (2) pose with their families and the Malibu High coaches while being honored on the baseball team’s Senior Night on April 25. Photo by Dana Rubin

‘Calm Down’

MALIBU SEEN

By Benjamin Marcus, Entertainment Editor

Malibu’s

Trevor

Albert’s show opens May 4 in Venice

F.Scott Fitzgerald claimed, “There are no second acts in American lives.” Trevor Albert is proving that wrong, as he is currently seconding a career as a movie producer behind movies from “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) through “Groundhog Day” (1993), “Multiplicity” (1996), “Bedazzled” (2000), “Because of Winn Dixie” (2005), and his last project, the 2014 documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.” Since 2014, Albert has distanced himself from the rattle and hum, sound and fury, “sturm und drang” of Hollywood. Comfortably tucked away somewhere up in the Santa Monica Mountains, he has been evolving his skills as a painter.

Trevor’s website: www. abstractlands.com

Trevor’s Insta: www.instagram. com/abstractlands_studio/?hl=en

Arcane Space: www. instagram.com/arcane.space/p/ C6Gdb3hoDWi/

I know showbiz talk is kapu but I’ll just say I wanted to interview Mark Hamill for May the Fourth Be With You [Star Wars Day]. We had a good newsstand chat and then I didn’t see him again. But that’s good because

your opening is May the Fourth and hopefully this interview will inspire Malibu citizens to brave PCH allllll the way to Venice to check out your show and mingle.

Thank you. Let’s move on. You just used up 69 words.

Okay I looked at abstractlands.com and I will say your art is pleasing to the eye. Soothing. Calming.

It’s hard to talk about abstract art both for the viewer and also for the artist. Without a clear subject in a painting it really comes down to how the art makes you feel. So when you say “soothing and calming” that’s an excellent reaction. And like jazz you are responding emotionally to something that’s often hard to put into words.

Your show is called ‘Calm Down.’ Locally? Nationwide? Globally? Universe-like?

People have asked me if the title is a directive or a reference to a sort of zen state of peace and serenity. For me, I kinda like to leave the title open to interpretation. But yes I would say based on the general state of anxiety we are all living with, a bit of calmness would be nice.

I’d say the world is in turmoil/going to hell in a handbasket, but the

world is always in turmoil/going to hell in a handbasket. It’s just a little more relentlessly on your phone and in your face these days.

Yea, I’m anxious about the state of the world and it seems like almost everyone I know is suffering from low-level anxiety and depression. And many of us feel a need to do something, but it’s hard to know where to begin. So I go to my studio. Often when I paint, I’m trying to channel the anxiety and noise in my head into something that calms me down. When I’m really focused and engaged, the world falls away. Music is often playing and I’m wrestling with colors and forms and trying to create some visual energy. Occasionally through this push and pull, something pleasing develops and I am creatively satisfied. But I do worry that I’m avoiding reality and that I should be somehow contributing to the change I want to see in the world.

Well it calms you down, so that’s a start.

As a young idealistic film student, I imagined that film possibly had the power to bring about social change. I  was watching “Easy Rider,” “All the President’s Men,” “Battle of Algiers” and French new wave films and my head was swimming with these radical notions of the power of film.  I think folks are still making powerful films. I particularly loved “Poor Things” last year. But I was certainly heavily influenced by older films watched in my formative years.

My favorite all around comedy is a wonderful movie called “Sullivan’s Travels,” made in the 1940s and directed by Preston Sturgess. The movie

perfectly captures the idea that entertaining audiences with just a simple comedy is just as important as making a heartbreaking profound film. People need all kinds of art to connect and to raise their spirits. So my focus changed and I spent my career making comedies. I’m a big believer in laughter being the best medicine. How many shows have you done?

This is the third show since I decided to make this my second act.

Your show at Arcane Space in Venice runs May 3-19, with an opening party on May 4. Catered? Celebrities? Chafing dishes brimming with … kale?

The last opening at Arcane was in February 2022  and was very lively. And I was very heartened that most of that show sold out. This show is smaller but I’m excited about the work. Regarding food and libations you will have to ride your bike to Venice to find out.

How many pieces will be on display?

Around 14. I work with acrylic paint, charcoal, sand, artisanal papers from around the world as well as dehydrated fruits and vegetables. And I work on canvas and wood panels. You have some distinguished credits from 1986 to 2014 and then they stop abruptly. Had enough of show biz?

I made a decision to change my life about 10 years ago. I had a wonderful life as a filmmaker and my last movie was something I was

accepted and feeling like you need to change yourself to fit others, but in the end realizing you can only find your people when you’re truly yourself.”

For her part, Wildman commented, “In our production of ‘Mean Girls,’ I play Regina George, the antagonist of the show. Throughout the show, the story follows the idea of social norms and what it is like to be a teenager in modern society, and figure out who you are and how to stay true to that in the midst of a society pressed by said social norms.” Wildman elaborated, “Strangely enough, I contribute to these central ideas by being the catalyst of them, as the main ‘mean girl.’ Yet, having my character brought to her downfall and hit by a bus, I simultaneously symbolize the breaking down of societal stereotypes.”

Seniors Regan and Wildman are best friends, have been involved in dramatic arts since early childhood, and — no small feat — have both been accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for Dramatic Arts, all facts that add complexity to their on-stage

immensely proud of … Glen Campbell. He shreds. … and then had some time to reflect and I decided I was young enough to perhaps stretch and try some new things. I actually started painting in my 20s, so how long ago was that? Don’t make me count.

And all during my film career, I was quietly painting. It takes years between movies and I felt the need to be creative, and painting was a wonderful way to feel creatively fulfilled without needing approval or permission to make something. And so eight years ago I got a studio in Santa Monica and became a fulltime painter.  I go in six days a week and treat it like a regular job. And I find this new chapter of my life pretty wonderful.

How long have you been painting?

40 years give or take a few.

Are you educated at all, or selftaught?

My mother was a fashion designer and artist so I grew up around it. Studied a bit in college at UCSD and then took various classes over the years at UCLA and with various LA artists.

Influences?

I’m a big fan of California artist Richard Diebenkorn, Matisse, and Picasso, of course. De Kooning, Hockney, LA artist Mark Bradford, and British artist Ivon Hitchens. So many others.

For some reason, in the “Refuge” piece I see Texas, so that’s weird. You are absolutely correct, sir. And in “Grounded” I see what a person tripping on drugs would see looking out the window of a passenger jet while flying over the midwest. Is that accurate?

Right again. You may win the million dollars.

Have you done any pieces that are Malibu-centric, that capture that lovely, luscious Malibu/Los Angeles light?

I think they are a reflection of my environment. The ocean, the Santa Monica mountains, and the endless blacktop.

I like the Montana art of Russell Chatham. Montana has a unique and dreamy pallet, and Chatham nails it.  Where would you say your pallet comes from/is inspired by?

Southern California.

performances in “Mean Girls.”

“The relationship between Regina and Cady in the play is one of my favorites in the whole show because they each have such a deep character turnaround that they truly get to experience together,” Regan said. “The scene when Regina and Cady both choose to forgive and reconnect highlights how both of them changed the other.”   When asked whether, in her

mind, the central theme of the play focuses on loyalty or girl power, a hotly debated issue amongst critics since the original play debuted, Wildman responded, “I personally believe that it is in some ways about both! I would definitely say that female empowerment, and just the empowerment of all those around you in general, is a huge takeaway from the show and essentially, is what I believe to be the

central message. However, there is definitely an underlying theme of loyalty — not necessarily to others, but loyalty to your true self, and to not changing yourself for anyone or anything, and we hope that both of those ideas are something people are able to feel and take away from our show!”

“Mean Girls” was also the senior showcase for Baker, who has served as the stage manager for four years.

“A production like ‘Mean Girls’ truly takes a village,” Regan said. “We had our MHS Vocal Director Dr. Krysta Sorensen teaching us vocals and giving us every tool to make sure we can sing at our peak in the most healthy way for such a demanding show, Ms. Brigette Leonard was our amazing director making the show look its best and feel as natural as possible and they, together with the MHS Band, led by

Conductor Mr. John Kibbler and Musical Director Joellen “Cha Cha” McNaughton — they are the reason the show comes alive every night.” As attendees left the opening performance of “Mean Girls,” many commented that the performers’ futures are bright and, to use the language of the last vocal number in Mean Girls, a few of them commented metaphorically, “I see stars!”

“The Plastics” — played by (from left) Kylie Morra (Karen), Windy Wildman (Regina), Shannon Rosen (Gretchen), and Sophie Regan (Cady) — perform the Christmas show number in the Malibu High School production of the Broadway high school musical version of “Mean Girls.”

Kylie Epstein played Mrs. George — Regina’s mother — in the Malibu High School production of the Broadway high school musical version of “Mean Girls.” Photos by Colin Drummond.

The Malibu High baseball team carries off Travis Kies and Travis Lapinski after the Sharks’ season ending 6-2 win over Carpinteria. Kies and Lapinski were honored before the game on Senior Day. Photos by Dana Rubin

The Malibu High baseball team poses before it final home game of the season. The Sharks finished with a record of 4-8 in the Citrus Coast League, 4-10 overall.

Celebrating Ten Years

PERSPECTIVE

By Burt Ross, Contributed Column

May 5 marks ten years since I wrote my first column for The Malibu Times. As I noted last week, I am happy to report that I have never missed a deadline, and neither the fire nor illness stopped me from getting my columns in on time. To celebrate my ten years, I have gathered some of my favorite columns for you to enjoy!

We All Scream

Do you ever read a headline and just scratch your head? It happens to me all the time. Earlier this year, a headline in a monthly magazine caught my attention. It asked a question that I did not think needed to be asked, “Is ice cream good for you?” Let me repeat the question lest you think you are in la la land—“Is ice cream good for you?” Really?

It seems apparent that the publication has run out of things to write about, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they run other headlines such as “Do people enjoy root canal work?,” “Is it warmer in the sun or in the shade?” or possibly even “Is laughter good for the soul?” If you are having any difficulty answering these questions, please cease reading this column and get help. No, I didn’t read the article about whether ice cream is good for you, because I already know the answer, and so do you. Ice cream is not only good for you, it is the essence of happiness. Did you ever see somebody eat ice cream with a frown on their face? I have seen toddlers cry only to be pacified with the slightest taste of ice cream.

When I had my tonsils removed, I was only allowed to eat ice cream whenever I wanted it and as much as I wanted. That almost made the surgery worthwhile. On the opposite end of the age spectrum, when an elderly person is ill and has trouble swallowing, there is nothing like ice cream to go down easily.

Is there anybody who doesn’t like ice cream? It comes in an infinite number of flavors,and you can even get it without lactose, whatever that is. If you can’t find a flavor you like, my strong suggestion is you get a taste bud transplant.

The stupid question posed by the magazine can easily be answered by simply shouting, “I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!”

Flexible Ears

What I love about life is that just when you think you have heard it all, it turns out you most certainly have not.

I was sitting in the barber’s chair when I think I heard my barber say, “You have attractive ears.” Even though I am getting up there in years, my hearing is still pretty good, but when I heard that, I started to question my ability to hear. “Come again,” I asked. Sure enough, she repeated, “You have attractive ears.”

Now you need to understand that my ears have gone virtually unnoticed for over eight decades except when as a child, my brother teased me and said that my ears were so large, were I to jump off a building and flap my ears, I would fly like Dumbo. That’s the kind of witty repartee that brothers engage in while growing up. Other than that, I don’t recall anybody ever mentioning my ears in any manner whatsoever.

Before I knew it, a second barber came over to my chair, and she too agreed that I had attractive ears. She touched the top part of one of them (I do have two) and observed, “The top part of your ear is very flexible.” I did not know what to say. I had no idea I have been sporting flexible ears all these years. I did not know that some ears were more flexible than others, nor did I know whether this was a positive or a negative, although my ear flexibility appeared to be a source of considerable admiration for this particular audience. Now in my younger days, occasionally somebody might comment on my eyes, but never on my ears. In old age, it has come to this. I could not wait to go home to tell my bride that she was one lucky lady because she had married a man with flexible ears.

Forgive me my fellow members of the male persuasion, but I feel compelled to state the obvious—women are smarter, more empathetic and caring, and, well how should I put it—just all around better people. Yes, I realize that this is a gross exaggeration with more emphasis on the generalization than on the gross part. Occasionally, we men just have to acknowledge the superiority of the fairer sex.

Let me illustrate the point I am trying to make. When my bride and I were being driven around Kampala, Uganda, we were stalled in a massive traffic jam. Perhaps this congestion was no worse than what we regularly experience on our various highways in Southern California, but if you are going nowhere on a two lane road, it seems pretty much the same as going nowhere on a seven lane highway.

We had no idea why traffic had come to a complete stop, but our driver thought the standstill was probably caused by an accident. There are very few stoplights in Uganda’s capital and biggest city, so accidents are commonplace.

And now we are getting to the meat of the story. Upon hearing that there might have been an accident, my bride immediately said, “Oh, I hope nobody was hurt.”

The thought had never entered my mind. I wish I had filtered what came out, but my mind’s censor must have been on holiday also. “I hope we are not late for lunch,” that’s what I coughed up.  And there my friends is la difference!

It turned out that nobody was hurt. There was no accident, just Uganda’s leader leaving his fortified compound with an army convoy. And no, I wasn’t late for lunch.

Mama Gallo

When people ask me what I enjoyed most about being mayor back East, I don’t hesitate in telling them it was the people I met, and none more than Mama Gallo.

I used to do a lot of door to door campaigning. The cardinal rule was that under no circumstances should the candidate actually enter another person’s home. You are to stand at the front door, meet and greet, shake hands, talk quickly, and head to the next residence. There are thousands of homes in a town like Fort Lee, New Jersey, and you cannot afford to get bogged down.

And then I met Mama Gallo.  She was in her mid-80’s at the time, full of energy, blessed with a thick Italian accent she still had even after being in America for over 60 years. Mama lived with her daughter and her son-in-law. Her husband had been dead for many years.

Mama had a captivating smile and laugh. She asked me if I had eaten lunch, and when I hesitated, she physically pulled me into the dining room, sat me down, and fed me as if I were her grandson. Almost two hours later I left Mama’s and weighed at least three pounds more than when I had arrived.

I never stopped coming back to Mama’s. She became my adopted grandmother, and it was one of life’s pleasures to have known her for over 20 years. Yes, you heard correctly. If you are doing the math accurately, Mama lived to almost 106.

I threw Mama a big party when she turned 90, and a few years later I arranged for her and her daughter to fly to Rome, and then to visit her birthplace in Southern Italy, where long-lost relatives gave her a warm welcome. When she came home, Mama enthusiastically told me “I want to do that again!” So once again Mama returned to Italy, this time enjoying an audience with the Pope.

At her 90th birthday party, I  promised Mama that when she turned 100, I would give her an even bigger party. She made sure I honored my promise. Relatives came from Italy, our Congressman was there also, and Mama was absolutely elegant and spent much of the time on her feet greeting her friends and relatives.

About six months after the party, Mama suffered a severe stroke. She was bedridden for five more years. She could speak but al-

most always in Italian, with the exception of when we brought our kids to visit her. Delighted, she would happily sing “Twin kle, Twinkle, Little Star” in English. Then, true to form, Mama would insist that her daughter Terry make sure the kids had something to eat!

Ten Thousand Steps

My niece-in-law wears some gadget on her wrist. It supposedly counts the steps she takes during the day. Her goal is to take at least 10,000 steps daily. I can as sure you that this is a gadget I will never purchase. If somebody were so stupid as to buy it for me, I would immediately toss it into the trash.

Why in heaven’s name do I want to know how many steps I take each day? Before you know it, there will be a contraption that reads how many breaths you take during the day, or how many times your heart beats. For all I know, these gadgets might exist already. Is there no limit to how much data we need to store? I have enough trouble remembering my passwords and not confusing my zip code with my area code. Do I really need to know how my body functions on a moment to moment basis?

I gather my niece-in-law, whom I shall call Mary, because that is her name, apparently wants to take as many steps each day as she possibly can. I guess she considers all these steps as exercise. The step counter motivates her in this effort. I have an entirely different perspective, which I surmise does not surprise any of you. (Notice how surmise and surprise rhyme.)

I do not believe God wants us to measure our movement, or God would have created us with some sort of movement calculator attached to our body. I believe that all this movement is quite unnecessary, and if it were beneficial, then why do we have all those beds, chairs, and sofas? Why do we have cars and airplanes if it were better to walk from LA to New York which is far more than 10,000 steps!

Amenities

I love the word “amenities.”  The word implies extras for free. I like extras, and I certainly like extras for free. And so you can understand how happy I was to be called for jury duty with the enticement of amenities.

Now understand that schlepping to and from Timbuktu each day is not exactly convenient. If you do not know where Timbuktu is, that’s okay. Actually, that’s the point. Timbuktu is somewhere in Africa and not exactly close to Malibu. Amenities, depending on what they are, might possibly compensate for a person’s doing one’s civic duty. By this time I trust you are itching to discover what these amenities are which make it worthwhile to serve as a juror, and I will relieve your suspense in the next paragraph.

For one thing, a sitting juror will be paid $50 per day. No, I did not say $50 an hour. If you spend 8 hours driving to and from Timbuktu and sitting as a juror, that comes to $6.25 an hour or considerably less than half the minimum wage. Putting the money aside, and there’s not much of it to put aside, what are the other amenities? For one thing, each and every juror will be given access at the appropriate time to more than one vending machine. Yes, you heard it here first —access to multiple  vending machines. My mouth is watering just in anticipation. And then the piece de resistance! Fasten your seat belts! The government will provide you with restrooms. Hallelujah! Restrooms—the best amenity ever. Enough With The Texting

I’ve had it with texting. My thumbs are tired and threatening to go on strike. What happened to the good old telephone call? If we are not now isolated enough with shopping online, watching movies online, and now working remotely, we have come to forsake a connecting phone call for an impersonal text. We are beginning to communicate with emojis and

appointment, and you simply text, “I’m running ten minutes late. Sorry.” This expression does not require a phone call. But if your friend’s father died, “How are you feeling?” is not an appropriate text. The moment a text requires a personal response or begs for a detailed explanation, a call is what is needed.

I think we sometimes forget how much our voice is part of our identity, actually as much as our face is. If any of my friends or family who have passed on were to call me today (no small miracle), I would immediately recognize their voice, no matter how many years it has been since they were among the living. When I want to connect with somebody I care about, I call them. I will leave the texting to the millennials or whatever they now call the young ones.

Counting Backwards

Years ago, back in the “old country” of New Jersey, my bride and I met at a restaurant about ten minutes from our home. We were coming from two different places, so we arrived in two different cars.

I had a margarita on ice with salt before dinner and then a couple of glasses of wine during the meal. When we were finished, my bride asked for my car keys. “Why?” I asked. She explained that I had too much to drink, and she would drive us home, and I could pick up the car the following day.

A proud member of the male tribe, I protested. I explained to her that I had driven over a million miles in my day, and I could certainly drive a few minutes without killing anybody.

Anybody who knows my bride knows that she would not be deterred by my explanation. She simply said, “Count backwards by seven from 100.” I laughed to myself. This gal is going to be embarrassed when I display my mathematical skills.

I commenced, “100, 93, 86.”  I continued with increased confidence, “79, 72.” I recited these numbers with a bit of a smirk on my face. How dare my bride question my sobriety.

And then something awful happened.

After I had gone from 79 to 72, I then said, “62, 48.” I could tell that I was a bit off by the look on my bride’s face. Apparently 62 was not seven less than 72, and 48 was not seven less than 62.

There was no way I could bluff my way out of this. I reached into my pants pocket and gave my car keys to my bride.

Gaining Weight

I am becoming obsessed with gaining weight, and I continue to struggle to combat this insidious problem.

Each morning I weigh myself which normally means starting the day on a sour note. When I weigh myself, I try sucking my stomach in, but that does not seem to fool the scale, not even one little bit. By the way, when somebody takes a photo of me, I also suck in my stomach, which appears more successful than trying to trick the scale.

I weigh myself in the morning because I weigh at least a couple of pounds less than I do before I go to bed. (I don’t know why since I really don’t think I burn up many calories while sleeping.) And then I had my eureka moment! If I sleep for, let’s say, seven or eight hours and lose two pounds, then why not simply stay in bed? Yes, it actually worked—the longer I stayed in bed, the more weight I lost. The problems with this strategy, commonly

I know the most effective way to lose weight is to eat less and to eat healthy. Frankly, I don’t like eating less, and I certainly don’t like eating healthy. I know people suggest exercise, but unless I do something like running the marathon, which is definitely not about to happen, I won’t lose any weight.

I  ride a stationary bike for 25 minutes each day. However, I really believe that if I go into a donut store, and simply take a whiff of the donuts without even eating one, I take in more calories than I burn on my stationary bike.

I have not come up with a solution to this problem, but when I find it, I’ll be sure to let you know.

A Real Book

A while back, a good friend of mine bought me a gift certificate for Barnes and Noble. As I entered the relatively empty store in Thousand Oaks, I realized that I had not bought nor read a “real” book in a long time. I like to read, but years ago my bride bought me a Kindle, and ever since then I read books on this contraption. The kindle has many advantages compared to a real book. For one thing, you don’t have to leave the comfort or discomfort of your home to buy a book. You push a couple of buttons on your Kindle, and voila, the book is ready for you to read in a matter of seconds. You can transport an entire library when you go on a trip with virtually no weight added. You can adjust the font to your liking rather than having to live with the typeset preferred by the publisher. There are other advantages also, but there are also reasons to buy a real book.

I looked around the Barnes and Noble store, but I knew what I wanted to buy before I got there. I stocked up on books by David Sedaris, because with all the bad news out there, I desperately wanted to laugh.

I went home with my newly purchased books, sat down in a comfortable chair, and held one of the books in my hand. It brought back a lifetime of reading. The paper felt good in my hands. As I started reading, I noticed that I could easily see what page I was on and where in the book I was. Every time I picked up the book I could see the name of the book and its author on the cover, unlike the Kindle which returns you to the last page you were reading. Often when I am reading on a Kindle, I forget the name of the book or its author, and don’t have the cover to refer to easily.

But when you read both from the kindle and a real book, life can get interesting. I was reading David Sedaris’ “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” when I came upon a word which was new to me. The word “armature” if taken literally should mean an old arm, but that made no sense in the context of the paragraph, and so I did what I always do when I want to look up the definition of a word on my Kindle. I pushed down on the word and nothing happened. I pushed down again and finally realized that pushing down on a word printed on paper would produce zilch other than an indented page. I looked up the word “armature” on my computer, and the definitions I came up with are, “the rotating coil or coils of a dynamo or electric motor” or “a metal framework on which a sculpture is molded with clay or similar material.” Sometimes, looking up a word is not worth the effort. I guess I will continue to read real books as well as books on my Kindle, and I will enjoy the benefits of each.

Viva La Difference

2024064573

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. BULOGYX

30765 PACIFIC COAST HWY #160, MALIBU, CA 90265, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

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

1. BARBARA L DIJKLER

30765 PACIFIC COAST HWY 160, 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: 04/2019

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, BARBARA L DIJKER, OWNER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/26/2024.

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: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2/2024 MALIBU 84

2024064571

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. MALIBUDDHA

30765 PACIFIC COAST HWY STE 160, MALIBU, CA 90265, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable):

Registered Owner(s):

1. BARBARA L DIJKLER

30765 PACIFIC COAST HWY STE 160, 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, BARBARA L DIJKER, OWNER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/26/2024. 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: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2/2024 MALIBU 85

2024071863

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. PILATES PLUS LA 22601 PACIFIC COAST HWY, STE 225, MALIBU, CA 90265, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

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

1. BTT (BURN-TIGHEN-TONE) FITNESS, INC. 22601 PACIFIC COAST HWY, #225, MALIBU, CA 90265 If Corporation or LLC- CA State of Incorporation/Organization CA

This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION

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, BTT (BURN-TIGHEN-TONE) FITNESS, INC., KRISTI VACANTI, PRESIDENT

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 4/3/2024.

NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM

LEGAL NOTICES

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: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2/2024

MALIBU 86

2024061028

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. PONCE BEAUTY

30745 PACIFIC COAST HWY STE 276, MALIBU, CA 90265, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

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

1. SOUTH SWELL VENTURES, INC.

30745 PACIFIC COAST HWY STE 276, MALIBU, CA 90265

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

This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION

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, SOUTH SWELL VENTURES, INC., JAMES LAPINSKY, PRESIDENT

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/20/2024.

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: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2/2024 MALIBU 87

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. CA-23-970777-NJ

Order No.: 8788100 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 5/27/2017. 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. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by 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 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee. 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. BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor(s): TAO GUAN, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY. Recorded: 6/6/2017 as Instrument No. 20170619918 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California; Date of Sale: 5/16/2024 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $2,214,080.35 The purported property address is: 3960 Decker Edison Road, Malibu, CA 90265 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 4473-005-017 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 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 916-939-0772 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this internet website http://www.qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-23-970777-NJ. 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 website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. 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 916-939-0772, or visit this internet website http://www. qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-23-970777-NJ 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 PROSPECTIVE OWNER-OCCUPANT: Any prospective 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 QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustee’s sale at the address set forth in the below signature block. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common 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 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 shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. Date: QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION 2763 Camino Del Rio S San Diego, CA 92108 619-645-7711 For NON SALE information only Sale Line: 916-939-0772 Or Login to: http://www.qualityloan.com Reinstatement Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION . TS No.: CA-23-970777-NJ IDSPub #0201776 4/25/2024 5/2/2024 5/9/2024 MALIBU 83

Trustee Sale No. F23-00162 Notice of Trustee’s Sale Loan No. Help Kids and Wagon West Mobile Home Title Order No. 2365389CAD APN: 4451-020-012 and 4451020-013 You Are In Default Under A Deed Of Trust Dated 08/15/2022 And More Fully Described Below (The “Deed Of Trust”). 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 Proceedings Against You, You Should Contact A Lawyer. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashiers check (payable at the time of sale in lawful money of the United States) (payable to Assured Lender Services, Inc.), will be held by a duly appointed trustee. 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, legal fees and costs, charges and expenses of the undersigned trustee (“Trustee”) for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor(s): Help Kids, a California Corporation AND Wagon West Mobile Home Community, Inc., a California Corporation Recorded: recorded on 08/29/2022 as Document No. 20220856738 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California; Date of Sale: 05/16/2024 at 11:00AM Place of Sale: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $2,704,060.39 The purported property address is: 21201 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Legal Description Parcel 1: Lot 104 of Tract No. 12634, in the City of Malibu, County of Los Angeles, State of California, as per map recorded in Book 260, Page(s) 25 to 27 of Maps, in the office of the County Recorder of said County. Parcel 2: Lot 105 of Tract No.

12634, in the City of Malibu, County of Los Angeles, State of California, as per map recorded in Book 260, Page(s) 25 to 27 of Maps, in the office of the County Recorder of said County. Assessors Parcel No. 4451-020-012 and 4451-020-013 The beneficiary under the Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell Under Deed of Trust (the “Notice of Default and Election to Sell”). The undersigned caused the Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common 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 first publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale. 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. 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 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 (877)440-4460 or visit this internet web-site www.mkconsultantsinc.com, using the file number assigned to this case F23-00162. 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. 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)440-4460 or visit this internet website site www.mkconsultantsinc.com, using the file number assigned to this case F23-00162 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 Section2924m(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.* Notice To Potential Bidders:  We Require Certified Funds At Sale By Cashier’s Check(S) Payable Directly To “Assured Lender Services, Inc.” To Avoid Delays In Issuing The Final Deed. The Property Covered In This Action Includes All Such Real Property And The Personal Property In Which The Beneficiary Has A Security Interest Described Herein. It Being The Election Of The Current Beneficiary Under The Deed Of Trust To Cause A Unified Sale To Be Made Of Said Real And Personal Property In Accordance With The Provisions Of Section 2924F(b)(2) Of The California Civil Code. Date: 4/15/2024 Assured Lender Services, Inc. Kathy Damico, Trustee Sale Officer Assured Lender Services, Inc. 111 Pacifica Suite 140 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (714) 508-7373 Sales Line: (877)440-4460 Sales Website: www.mkconsultantsinc.com Reinstatement Line: (714) 508-7373 To request reinstatement and/ or payoff FAX request to: (714) 505-3831 This Office Is Attempting To Collect A Debt And Any Information Obtained Will Be Used For That Purpose. MALIBU 91

NOTICE INVITING BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids for the City of Malibu, LATIGO CANYON RETAINING WALLS REHABILITATION PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2087, will be received by the City Clerk, at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, California, 90265, at or before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, MAY, 23, 2024, at which time they will be publicly opened and read by the City Clerk (or designated representative).

SCOPE OF WORK

In general, the proposed improvements consist of demolition of existing Midwest Guard Rail Systems (MGS) and retaining wall lagging, new MGS, new retaining wall lagging (timber or concrete), new asphalt concrete (AC) dikes, excavation, grading, demolition and disposal, AC, clearing and grubbing, traffic control, and all other appurtenant work included and shown in the Contract Documents and Specifications.

The bid shall be submitted and the work shall be performed by a Class “A” or Class “C12” State of California licensed contractor in strict conformance with the project specifications for Latigo Canyon Retaining Walls Rehabilitation Project, Specification No. 2087 now on file in the City’s Public Works Department.

Copies of plans and specifications may be obtained by prospective bidders from the Public Works Department through mpublicworks@malibucity.org.

All prospective bidders shall abide by the provisions of the Bid Terms and Conditions listed in the project’s specifications.

The City reserves the right to retain all bids for a period of 90 days after the bid opening date for examination and comparison and to delete any portion of the work from the Contract. The City reserves the right to determine and waive nonsubstantial irregularities in any bid, and to reject any or all bids. The bid shall be balanced so that each bid item is priced to carry its share of the cost of the work and also its share of the contractor’s overhead and profit. The City reserves the right to delete any bid item to the extent that the bid is qualified by specific limitation. An unbalanced bid shall be considered as grounds for rejecting the entire bid. The City shall award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder as the interest of the City may require.

In accordance with the provisions of Division 2, Part 7, Chapter 1 of the California Labor Code, the California Department of Industrial Relations has established the general prevailing rates of per diem wages for each craft, classification and type of work needed to execute contracts for public works and improvements. The per diem wages published at the date the contract is advertised for bids shall be applicable. Future effective wage rates which have been predetermined are on file with the Department of Industrial Relations, are referenced but not printed in said publication. The new wage rates shall become effective on the day following the expiration date and apply to this contract in the same manner as if they had been included or referenced in this contract. The website for California Department of Industrial Relations Prevailing Wage Unit is currently located at www.dir. ca.gov, prevailing wages are located on the website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/pwd/index.htm.

The wage rate for any classification not listed by the California Department of Industrial Relations, but which may be required to execute the proposed contract, shall be in accord with specified rates for similar or comparable classifications or for those performing similar or comparable duties, within the agency’s determinations.

At the time of submitting the bid the Bidder shall be registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1771.1 of the California Labor Code, as amended by Senate Bill 854. No public work contract may be awarded to a non-registered contractor or subcontractor.

Without exception, the bidder is required to state the name and address of each subcontractor who will perform work or labor or render service to the prime contractor and the portion of the work which each will do in their bid as required by Section 23, “Subcontracts”, of the Standard Specifications and in conformance with Public Contract Code, Sections 4100 to 4113, inclusive.

The City will not consider awarding any contract based upon any bid submitted by any contractor nor consent to subletting any portions of the Contract to any subcontractor located in a foreign country during any period in which such foreign country is listed by the United States Trade Representative as discriminating against U.S. firms in conducting procurements for public works projects.

All bidders are hereby notified that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, Business Enterprises must be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color or national origin consideration for an award.

The Contractor may substitute securities for retention monies pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22300.

Date this 18th day of April, 2024

CITY OF MALIBU, CALIFORNIA

Travis Hart, Deputy Public Works Director

Published: Malibu Times on April 25 and May 2, 2024

MALIBU 97

2024069166

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:

1. BEATRIZ ROSE DESIGN

1567 N. MAR VISTA AVE., PASADENA, CA 91104, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): 5545590

Registered Owner(s): 1. BYRDESIGN, INC.

1567 N. MAR VISTA AVE., PASADENA, CA 91104

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

This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION

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, BYRDESIGN, INC., BEATRIZ ROSE, PRESIDENT

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 3/29/2024.

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: 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16/2024 MALIBU 98

File No. 48110836

Notice of Trustee’s Sale

You Are In Default Under A Deed Of Trust Dated September 2, 2005. 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. A public auction sale 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. Trustor: Evelyn Carriere, A Single Woman Duly Appointed Trustee: Idea Law Group, PC Recorded September 13, 2005 as Instrument No. 05 2195461 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California. Street Address or other common designation of real property: 5330 Lake Crest Drive Agoura Hills, CA 91301 A.P.N.: 2054-003-057 Date of Sale: May 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: Behind Fountain Located In Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $451,066.27, Estimated. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. 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 first publication of this Notice of 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 the 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 (877) 440-4460 or visit this Internet Website https://www.mkconsultantsinc.com, using the file number assigned to this case 48110836. 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 Website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. 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 may call (877) 440-4460 or visit this Internet Website https://www.mkconsultantsinc.com, using the file number assigned to this case 48110836 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. The Notice to Tenant pertains to sales occurring after January 1, 2021. Date: 4/20/2024 IDEA Law Group, PC 1651 E. 4th Street, Suite 124, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Foreclosure Department: 877-353-2146 Sale Information Only: (877) 440-4460 Sale Website: https://www.mkconsultantsinc.com Yvette Ylagan, Foreclosure Officer Please Be Advised That Idea Law Group, PC May Be Acting As A Debt Collector, Attempting To Collect A Debt. Any Information You Provide May Be Used For That Purpose. MALIBU 99

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Notice is given that Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for On-Call Geotechnical and Environmental Drilling Services Program (BRC0000495) will be received per the instructions listed on the RFP until 5:30pm, Thursday, May 30, 2024. There will be a mandatory online Proposers’ Conference on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 2 pm. To participate, proposers will need to sign in using the electronic sign-in sheet accessible at the following link: https://pw.lacounty.gov/contracts/opportunities.aspx.

The estimated annual contract amount is $2,000,000. Instructions for accessing the RFSQ document are available at the following link: http://pw.lacounty.gov/brcd/ servicecontracts or may be mailed to you upon request by calling (626) 458-2575 or TDD at (626) 282-7829.

5/2/24

CNS-3800759#

MALIBU TIMES

MALIBU 88

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MALIBU CITY COUNCIL

The Malibu City Council will hold a public hearing on MONDAY, May 13, 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.

FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 SCHEDULE OF FEES 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 Renée Neermann, Finance Manager, at (310) 456-2489, ext. 222. 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.

Renée Neermann, Finance Manager

Publish Date: May 2, 2024 and May 9, 2024 MALIBU 100

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CHARMAINE L. GLENNON Case No. 24STPB04613

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of CHARMAINE L. GLENNON A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Meghan E. Glennon in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Meghan E. Glennon be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on May 28, 2024 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 79 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner:

MICHAEL P FLATTERY ESQ

SBN 80043

LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL P FLATTERY

8730 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 310

BEVERLY HILLS CA 90211

CN106359 GLENNON May 2,9,16, 2024

MALIBU 101

“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.

Advertising Packages

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Animals

AGOURA ANIMAL SHELTER 29525 West Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301 (west of Kanan Road) 818-991-0071. Morning visits from 10-12 daily except Wednesdays are by appointment only. Visits to the Care Centers between the hours of 2pm-5pm DO NOT require an appointment every day EXCEPT Wednesday, when visiting hours will be 2pm-7pm. www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

When veterinary care is unavailable or un-affordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com) (Cal-SCAN)

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Attorneys

EAGAN LAW Personal Injury

Attorney. Auto accidents, slip and fall, dog bites, wrongful death. Call Todd Eagan today 877-70-INJURY / (310) 3043302 / eaganlawcorp.com.

Autos Wanted

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS

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Bookkeeping

A BOOKKEEPING SERVICE

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Contractor

ADU Construction. Do you have an existing space that has ADU possibilities? For a family member, or additional income? From permits through construction. Property management available. CV Construction. Over 35 years in residential construction. Ca State License #924813“ 818-731-6490

KANEROY and ASSOCIATES has been proud to serve Malibu & the Westside for the past 20 years, and look forward to putting it’s broad experience, creativity and craftsmanship to

work for you on your next construction project. Kane Sickner 310-456-6841, www.kaneroy. com. Lic.#569337-Bonded/ insured.

Counselors

Dr. Sherri Nader PSY 22116 / LCS 22848 License Clinical Psychologist Adjunct Faculty, USC. Individuals *Couples *Families * Parenting * Children *Adolescents *Teenagers. Malibu & Pacific Palisades. Weekend Appointments Available. 310-459-6350, www.SherriNader.com.

Eva Ackerman - Consultant, Coach, Mediator, Lighthouse. Se habla español. Eva blends psycho-spiritual training, transformational leadership and Sacred Commerce consulting to provide loving support, insightful reflection and effective tools for grounding and

MICHAEL

tile, roofing & painting, framing, finish carpentry. Power washing: decks, driveways & roofs. 30 yrs experience. Call Manny: 323-445-9622.

Your local handyman Professional Repair Services * Knowledge in all trades. We Fix It!. Call Bob 818-6359319. Lic#924813

Holistic Healthcare

& Specialty Finishes. Call 310-4560409. Lic#491492, bonded/insured.

Lost & Found

in box/on pallet wrapped still. Bought for Malibu home...never installed. 24kW/200amp system w/ disconnect, wifi-smart switch, works w/solar… +floorpad and battery. New was $7500 (have receipt). SELLING for $5500 or best offer. Text Steve at 310-780-7375

Gardening

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Handyman

MANNY’S THE HANDYMAN Construction, including demolition. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry/concrete, retaining walls, drywall,

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Insurance

SAVE BIG on HOME INSURANCE!

Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 1-844-410-9609! (M-F 8am-8pm Central) (Cal-SCAN)

Legal

OLAN LAW Personal Injuries, Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death, Uninsured Motorist, Premises Liability, and Product Liability. Call David Olan 310-566-0010 www.olanlaw.com

Lost Dog Found on 5/23 on Deer Creek Road. The dog is now being held at Malibu Vet Clinic 310-4576453.

*FREE LOST & FOUND ADS.* Have you lost a pet or found an article? Please call our Classified Dept. at 310-456-5507 and we will be glad to take your classified ad at NO CHARGE

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Painting

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COMPANY Interior, Exterior, Water Damage, Cabinetry, Stucco, Plaster, Drywall Repairs, Deck Restorations

Paradise Painting - 15% OFF SPECIAL - We do it right the first time!

Complete interior & exterior restoration specialists. Call or Text for a free estimate 805-910-9247. CSLB 1084319

Real Estate Agent

Bianca Torrence - Local Realtor with 24 years of experience, Listing, Leasing, Selling, Residential Properties & Vacant land. Certified Home Luxury Marketing Specialist & Senior Real Estate Specialist. DRE: 01148864 When looking for excellent results call Bianca at 310-736-5005

Real Estate Loans

RETIRED COUPLE $$$$ for business purpose Real Estate loans. Credit unimportant. V.I.P. Trust Deed Company www.viploan.com Call 1-818248-0000. Broker-principal DRE 01041073. No consumer loans. (CalSCAN)

Rental Office Space

OFFICE AVAILABLE Located at 21223 PCH, Malibu Plaza at Las Flores. Call Carter (949) 374-4093 or Nik (707) 601-0466

21355 PCH Malibu: Great office spaces for lease. .Unit 101A & 101B /- Approx. 500 sq. ft. each @ $2,500/m. OBO. Professional, Medical, Wellness,

Retail etc. Ample parking. For more info Call/Text/Email Kim, kim@divineimaging.com 310-617-6339 or Mayra @ 323-559-8119

22235 PCH Malibu (Tramonto Bldg) : Unique 2-room w/ waiting area office space for lease. Suite G /- Approx. 700 sq. ft. @ $3,400/m. OBO. Private bathroom. For more info Call/Text/ Email Mayra propertymanager@divineimaging.com 323-559-8119 or Kim kim@divineimaging.com 310617-6339

21355 PCH Malibu: Perfect small office space- Ocean view - AVAILABLE NOW! Unit 202-O, approximately 150 sq. ft @$1,500/m. Good for professional work space, counselor, therapist, wellness etc. Common waiting room included. Ample parking. For more info Call/Text/Email Mayra at propertymanager@divineimaging. com or 323-559-8119 or Kim at kim@ divineimaging.com or 310-617-6339.

Roofing

THOMAS MURRAY, WATERPROOFING SPECIALIST Seamless gutters, slate, decks, shingles, copper, hotmop, torch. All types of Roofing and Repairs. Residential* Commercial* Industrial. Call for a GREAT free quote 310-779-5265. #726424. Bonded/Insured.

Tree Services

JOHNSON TREE CO. Fruit tree care, brush clearance & removals, pest

control, pruning, preservation, Tree surgery, trimming & feeding. Call 310393-5700. Johnsontreecompany. com. Lic#924238/Insured

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Volunteer

FRIENDS OF THE MALIBU LIBRARY Volunteering for the Malibu Library Bookstore contact Harriet Pollon at Harrietpollon74@gmail.com

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SPORTS

Sharks boys golf wins Citrus Coast League, looks to CIF

The Sharks won five of their six league competitions this season

The Malibu High Sharks boys golf team will tee off in the postseason this month as league champions.

The Sharks cemented their status as Citrus Coast League titlists on April 25 with a victory on the Victoria Lakes Course at the River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard.

Malibu won the league — which also includes Fillmore, Nordhoff, Santa Paula, Hueneme, and Channel Islands — in dominating fashion, Sharks head coach Anna Deshautelle stated.

“It’s been a very long time since we won league,” she said. “This is a great group.”

Next up for Malibu is taking swings in the CIF playoffs.

Seniors Graydon Phelps and Shelby Woodman will compete in the CIF-Southern Section Individual Championships at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks on May 8. The whole team will

participate in the CIF-Southern Section Team Divisional Championships in Chino on May 13.

Phelps, Woodman, Flanigan, Norby, and Gasser, a first-year member of the team, were named to the Citrus Coast League first team.

Deshautelle said Phelps, a lefty with a smooth swing, led Malibu this season.

“Graydon has always been a very good golfer and a very serious golfer,” she said. “Graydon is an exceptional athlete. He is able to stay focused and not get down if he does make a mistake. He puts that behind him and is always focused on the next hole.”

Phelps bounced back from a horrible hole that he double-bogeyed on in a recent match. He drove the ball onto the green a couple of feet from the hole and then put in a birdie.

The Sharks won five of their six league competitions this season.

Deshautelle said Malibu entered the final match with the league title in hand.

“Even though we knew we were going to win, it was still nice to win by a lot of strokes,” she said. “It felt good to finish the season with a solid, emphatic victory.”

To be successful in the postseason, the Sharks coach said the team will need to excel in their putting and short game and focus.

“Don’t get intimidated by the competition,” Deshautelle stated. “They need to play the course intelligently.”

Sharks boys volleyball begins playoffs as top seed in Division VI

The squad began the postseason with a 21-12 record, including a 10-0 record in the Citrus Coast League

The Malibu High boys volleyball team opened the playoffs with a nail-biting victory on its home floor on April 27.

The Sharks, a No. 1 seed, defeated the visiting Cate Rams 3-2 in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI Boys Volleyball Championship.

Malibu head coach Derek Saenz said the match was close. The coach noted that sophomores Alex Galan and Taj Menteer had stellar performances.

Galan’s hot serving streak in the second set gave Malibu winning momentum after they lost the second set. Menteer starred on defense late in the game, Saenz noted.  “He shut down their big kid so many times,” the coach recalled.

Axel Jimenez, the team’s lone senior, said Malibu worked hard for the victory.

“The practices leading up to the game were spent watching film of Cate and practicing against the type of team they are,” he said. “It was a hard fought win.”

The victory advanced Malibu to a second-round match against the Eastside Lions on Tuesday. The winner of that

game moved on to a quarterfinal matchup on May 2. The semifinals are on May 4, with the championship game scheduled for May 11.

The Sharks entered the playoffs on the heels of a stellar season. The squad began the postseason with a 21-12 record, including a 10-0 record in the Citrus Coast League. Malibu swept all of their league

H H H THIS WEEK AT THE AGOURA SHELTER H H H

Meet Connor!

Sweet Skinny Boy Connor A5610205 came to us at the beginning of April from Lancaster ACC He was surrendered for throwing up…. While us and Lancaster haven’t seen that, we have seen diarrhea

Connor is in a battle with loose poops, which isn’t helping how skinny he is. Thanks to Healthcare for Homeless Animals (HHA) Connor got some MUCH needed care.

Connor is a senior with excessive matting, recurrent diarrhea and evidence of not grooming himself. He went to Malibu coast animal

hospital for a senior exam and dental. He is pending a grooming - bath and a shave down.

He is back at the care center, his fecal panel is still pending but NOTHING has stopped this gem from being the most sweet, affectionate, attention seeking, food scarfing, purring gentleman.It does not get much better than this cat!

Roughly 11 years old (that may be being nice), Connor is seeking an understanding home that will provide all the love this senior boy deserves.

He’s pretty special, and if you come meet him, you’ll think so too!

The Agoura Shelter is at 29525 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills. Occasionally pets have already been adopted. To check availability, call 818-991-0071 or visit animalcare.lacounty.gov

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opponents and won many matches by 10 to 15 points. In fact, they never lost a set. Malibu had a five-game winning streak at press time.

Saenz, in his sixth season coaching the Sharks, stated that this year’s group was his most successful team in the regular season.

“Last year, we started the season 0-10,” he remembered. “We finished the regular season with over 20 wins. In the prior 10 seasons before I got hired, they won like 26 matches in 10 years.”

Jimenez, the team MVP and an All-Citrus Coast League performer a season ago, said the Sharks’ roster — dominated by sophomores — is full of talented volleyball players.

“Our key to winning is getting in the proper mindset for the playoffs,” he said. “Being able to handle the pressure of our season being on the line needs to be something we become used to.”

Saenz said MHS has championship aspirations.

“We didn’t set too many performance goals in terms of the skill level we want to be at,” he said. “It’s more of, we just have to grow up. I focus on level and mentality. Yes, we want to win CIF, but we are

going to focus on the mentality that will make us a championship team.”

At a practice in February, Saenz showed the team video of college volleyball teams that upset highly rated teams in the regular season but failed to win a title in the postseason.

“You can be good enough to knock off the team that wins the national championship,” Saenz said. “How does one team win that match at the beginning of the year, but doesn’t make the playoffs and the other team wins the whole thing? That has a lot to do with culture. We want to have winning culture — develop maturity in how they present themselves, goal-setting. We want the best possible version of each individual.”

Jimenez has been the top Shark on the court this season also. Sophomore Keegan Cross and freshman libero Lucas Galan, both great athletes, have also starred.

Saenz said Malibu has high hopes that rise above the volleyball net.

“We always expect greatness out of each other,” he said. “If we are saying, we want to win a championship. We have to know that we are a team with people that can do great things.”

Phelps, the team captain, and junior Hank Norby led Malibu to the league title. They both shot 39 at Victoria Lakes

Course, while junior Roman Parra shot 43. Senior Austen Gasser finished with a score of 45, and Woodman had 47.

By McKENZIE JACKSON Special to The Malibu Times

By McKENZIE JACKSON

Special to The Malibu Times

The Malibu

Oxnard Photos by Anna Deshautelle