most importantly, students, took time out on Sept. 25 to celebrate the opening of the new campus with a ribbon-cutting.
also the resilience, spirit, and pride of our school community.”
The school year is underway, and as teachers, students, and faculty settle in for what looks to be a terrific academic and extracurricular experience for the students, representatives from the Santa Monica-Malibu United School District, faculty, staff and,
The MHS choir opened the ceremony by singing the national anthem and Principal Adam Almeida provided introductory comments, stating, “This ribbon cutting is a truly meaningful moment for Malibu High School. It celebrates not just a building, but
It’s
officials’ emails and voicemails fill up as infuriated residents seek to have dangerous conditions remedied.
On Sept. 24, a crane collapsed at a work site at 31438 Broad Beach, injuring the operator and terrifying nearby residents.
“I was the first to get to the work site as I live in a property adjacent to the site,” Jodie Webber said.
“Initially, I thought we’d had an earthquake! It was so loud! The
Carey Upton, chief operations officer for SMMUSD who oversaw the construction of the new high school, commented, “The new high school classroom building fits well in Malibu and it was designed to support the Malibu high school student population by providing an educational learning facility that supports student-driven learning within collaborative spaces.”
Ten months since the Palisades Fire devastated hundreds of properties in Malibu, only 2 permits to rebuild have been granted by the City of Malibu. Residents are frustrated. Design-build professionals are frustrated. The Malibu Rebuild Task Force, a group of residents who aim to assist those who are rebuilding and to advocate for them concerning interacting with city officials as they rebuild, is frustrated.
Ella Stabile, senior class president, provided comments, expressing excitement that hers is the first class to celebrate from the new high school. Adam Aleme, president of the Associated Student Body council, and Karin Al-Harden, president of
the expo’s resources could inform them, help them understand their choices with regard to rebuilding, and begin to feel confident that they had what they needed to decide what to do.
Amidst this background, things came to a head at the city council meeting on Monday, Sept. 29, culminating in Abe Roy, the city-appointed rebuild ambassador, resigning from his post due to what he called several misleading allegations
As fire survivors tentatively entered the Santa Monica Women’s Club on Sept. 28 to attend a rebuild expo, they were welcomed by many design-build professionals and a host of businesses that can assist them as they begin to navigate the arduous and protracted process of rebuilding their destroyed homes, a process many of those who lost everything in the Palisades and Eaton fires often find to be confounding and overwhelming.
Many attendees seemed hesitant at first. However, one could see that as soon as those needing to rebuild spoke with representatives of companies who help people rebuild, their wariness gave way to appreciative listening and engaged conversation. Fire survivors realized that
The rebuild expo was hosted by the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce and The Malibu Times served as the media sponsor. A plethora of companies were represented, including architects, general contractors, geotechnical companies, interior decorators, landscapers, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and landscapers.
Input from rebuilding attendees and the vendors meeting with them was very positive.
“It is very helpful to be able to get much-needed information all at once,” Laurie Christianson, an attendee said, noting that the event was user-friendly for her mother, who is 82 years old.
“This expo consists of a confluence of those who need to rebuild, experts who help clients who are dealing with insurance companies, and highly skilled vendors who
MALIBU’S AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1946
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times A
Letters to the Editor In Case
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The top stories from last week you can read at MalibuTimes.com
Malibu honors community champions with 2025 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Suzanne Guldimann, Andy Lyon, and Nick Shergott recognized for outstanding contributions
Malibu pushes to ‘uncomplicate’ fire rebuild permits amid lingering delays Director of Community Planning Yolanda Bundy talks all things rebuilding and permitting in Malibu
Malibu sees surge in transient activity amid bus service resumption
Residents raise safety concerns as newcomers and familiar faces travel along the Pacific Coast Highway
Residents rally against noncompliant antenna tower at SMC Campus City Council to address community concerns over health risks and zoning violations
Stranded in time — the art of Jim ‘Taz’ Evans
Malibu City Hall Gallery’s exhibit leads viewers on an exciting trip through Evans’ artistic journey
*Letters to the Editor may not reflect the view, opinion and/or ethics of The Malibu Times. They are however, letters from the people of Malibu. We support your right to express your opinion. Submit your letter to editorial@ malibutimes.com or visit malibutimes.com.
Open letter to Malibu City Council
Dear Editor,
This is my open letter of resignation. It lays bare the dirty politics that are taking precedence over fire rebuilds and restoring our community.
Dear Interim City Manager Bond and Honorable Councilmembers,
With deep regret and after careful reflection, I am resigning as rebuild ambassador for the City of Malibu, effective immediately. The events of this past weekend have left me profoundly unsettled, questioning whether it is best for our Malibu residents that I continue in this role.
On Friday, Sept. 26, at approximately 6 p.m., I received a call from Interim City Manager Candace Bond informing me of an agenda item for a ceremonial commendation for my work as rebuild ambassador, which would also mark the end of my assignment. I was stunned, as no prior discussions had taken place. I immediately stated I would not accept any commendation, as it is disrespectful to the families struggling to rebuild their lives and to all the communities in Malibu who are trying so desperately to restore what has been so deeply destroyed. It appears that the agenda item has since been withdrawn, perhaps due to a number of resident objections. However, troubling information has surfaced through conversations with councilmembers by both myself and other members of the Malibu Rebuild Task Force. I learned of several misleading allegations against me:
That I misrepresented myself as the “city ambassador” rather than “rebuild ambassador” during a meeting with a high-ranking LA city official in search of helpful ideas. This is inaccurate, as evidenced by others on the call and my email correspondence with the official. Regardless, residents would have benefited more if someone had focused instead on what we learned in the meeting as to why LA’s recovery process is 30 times faster than ours, rather than
When
nitpicking on inaccurate representations of alleged semantic errors.
That I am in discussions with the team that purchased multiple beach lots and planning to visit their operations in China. Yes, I met with the team, and we shared a full recording of the conversation on our pod to keep the community informed. I even encouraged city staff to listen. Please take a listen and find out for yourself that I did not offer to visit their operations in China. Where did this deceptive rumor come from?
• A claim that I took this role for personal financial gain. My role as a developer and builder, running a Design Build firm, has been transparent from the start. My expertise in construction was precisely why residents supported my appointment. My firm primarily develops spec homes in LA and OC, and any projects we took on post-disaster were for friends and neighbors, with contracts signed well before my appointment. I’ve spent countless unpaid hours advising neighbors and their design teams, even visited the rebuild center with them and have declined offers to be paid as a consultant. The suggestion that I leveraged this role for personal gain is baseless and offensive — it is a clichéd narrative designed to attack my moral character. Ask yourself: why would any successful private sector entrepreneur seek out public service?
The prospects of retaliation and retributions are well known in our city to those openly challenging the status. I challenge anyone to provide evidence of my receiving special treatment by the city or influencing approvals at the city. I challenge anyone to provide evidence from council meetings or community sessions where I have promoted my services or my firm.
It is clear that a lot is being said behind my back, and I am now the target of hurtful personal attacks as a means to undermine my credibility. Given my transparency about my professional background all along, I
democracies
In this article, we explore how democracies die not through dramatic coups but through the gradual erosion of norms and institutions. Today, we examine a critical symptom of this decay: the systematic destruction of the political center, and how this collapse is already weaponizing our most fundamental constitutional protections, turning the very principles that bind us into tools to tear us apart. The warning signs aren’t subtle if you know where to look. They’re written in the language of constitutional rights being weaponized rather than protected, and in the eerie parallels to societies that traveled this path before us.
When the center cannot hold: Weimar’s lesson In 1932, the German Reichstag had become ungovernable. The center-right parties and Social Democrats, who had managed to work together through the 1920s, found themselves squeezed between the
LFrom the publisher HAYLEY MATTSON
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
ast week, I referenced Robert F. Kennedy as president. Of course, I know Kennedy was a U.S. senator and a presidential candidate when he was tragically assassinated on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. I drew the comparison to the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, where Kirk, a prominent figure in the conservative movement, was fatally shot during a public speaking event.
I mentioned Kennedy because his message reminds us of the profound responsibility we all carry. Our choices — both individually and collectively — determine whether we move toward healing and progress, or toward further division. What we can do right now may seem simple, but it is profoundly powerful: choose connection. Supporting one another is more than liking a post or offering distant sympathy. It means showing up for each other — face-to-face, in conversation, in kindness—even when it’s uncomfortable, even when we disagree. No matter our differences, our shared humanity outweighs what separates us.
Here in our community, this truth is visible every day. Many residents are still reeling from unimaginable
question why these allegations are surfacing now. Let’s revisit Aug. 25, when I presented as rebuild ambassador for the first time in three months. I shared sobering data showing we’re lagging not only behind LA but also Woolsey’s recovery pace. I intended to present even starker Stanford University simulations, but withheld them at Mayor Marianne Riggins’ request to avoid alarming residents about such a dismal projection of rebuilding timelines for homes in the City of Malibu. As two members of the City Council noted: Don’t show us the problem — show us the solution that we should implement. The Malibu Rebuild Task Force took this to heart, delivering detailed recommendations to the city staff and City Council. On Sept. 9, before my planned City Council presentation, staff and I held a productive meeting addressing our recommendations. I chose not to present my slides that night, encouraged by the progress. On Sept. 22, we met with zone captains — a system our team and I established post-appointment — and heard mostly positive updates. Things were just starting to happen.
— Margaret J. Wheatley
loss. Driving down Pacific Coast Highway reminds us of both beauty and fragility. The recent accident at “Dead Man’s Curve,” which left a man hospitalized and still in critical condition, serves as a sobering reminder of all the deaths along PCH. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.
This past week has been challenging for our community. Listening to stories shared at Monday’s City Council and Tuesday’s SCE meeting (articles to follow next week) — just as we were preparing this edition—underscored how much work lies ahead. The challenges are real, and the road forward will not be easy. But as always, we move together, committed to dialogue, understanding, and a stronger, more resilient community.
With that in mind, join us on Friday for the Malibu Business Round Table. Email us at office@malibutimes.com to be added to notifications. We meet on the first Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
Thank you for reading, engaging, and helping us hold one another to the highest standards. In moments of tragedy and uncertainty, our shared commitment — through action, empathy, and presence — reminds us that even in the hardest times, community endures.
However, last Thursday, The Malibu Times published my critical remarks about the intentionally complicated Malibu process and the urgent need to simplify it. Perhaps those comments hit a nerve? Or, maybe the authorities objected to my outreach to an LA city official? Or perhaps they simply resent being questioned and consistently held accountable by a resident. Could it be that anyone who refuses to unquestioningly follow the party line is no longer welcome?
Regardless, in our current state of affairs, staying silent is a betrayal of our community’s values.
While I’ve always welcomed open dialogue, the recent allegations cross a line into personal attacks that undermine the trust I’ve worked tirelessly to build, making it impossible for me to continue as rebuild ambassador.
No one who hasn’t lived through Jan. 7 can fully grasp our pain and understand the bond we feel for one another. When Arno Koch called the next morning, saying, “You’re the only house left standing on your street,” I wept. I told my wife, “Our home was spared for a reason — I have to help them rebuild.”
To the staff: Please don’t let anything distract from the urgent work ahead — focus on moving things forward. We need less politics and more permits.
To the City Council: Stop blaming residents; fix the process. Please remember you are here to enact the will of the people, not impose your will on the people.
To my neighbors: I’m not going anywhere. This is our home, our community, and we will rebuild together. No one will stand in our way.
Abe Roy, Malibu
That said, our work is far from done — two permits issued in nearly 10 months is an abomination by any standards. I will remain chair of the Malibu Rebuild Task Force, collaborating with zone captains and continuing to push for change and progress. I don’t need a title to keep asking tough questions or holding those responsible accountable. I am not cut out for the depraved politics that I’ve just witnessed, so I will focus on what I do best — build. Our community is hurting, deeply hurting, and I remain committed to our cause.
die slowly: The hollow center
Nazis on one side and the Communists on the other. Each crisis drove more voters toward the extremes, until the moderate parties that had built the Weimar Republic were reduced to irrelevance.
Franz von Papen, the conservative politician who thought he could control and use the Nazis, famously dismissed Hitler as a “drummer” who could be manipulated. The conservatives believed they could harness extremist energy while maintaining institutional control. They were catastrophically wrong.
Sound familiar? Today’s American political establishment seems to believe they can ride the tiger of extremism without being devoured by it. They’re making the same fundamental error: assuming that democratic institutions are sturdy enough to survive being used as weapons.
The First Amendment under siege
The erosion of our political center isn’t just about civility — it’s a direct threat to the constitutional framework that makes American democracy possible. The First Amendment is being hollowed out from both directions.
When states restrict what teachers can say about race or ban books from libraries, when comedians face government pressure for political criticism, and when university speakers are disinvited because their presence might cause psychological “harm” — we’re witnessing the death of
free discourse. The parallel to 1930s Germany is chilling: Joseph Goebbels didn’t need dramatic arrests to silence dissent; he could end careers through quiet pressure and blacklists. The right uses government power to silence uncomfortable truths. The left uses social pressure to destroy careers for wrongthink. The method differs; the result is identical: a shrinking space for legitimate disagreement.
Consider Bret Weinstein, driven from his professorship at Evergreen State for questioning a racial equity program. Or James Damore, fired from Google for an internal memo questioning diversity policies. No government censored them — their own communities did. Meanwhile, conservative states criminalize discussions of American racial history that make students “uncomfortable.” Both sides claim to protect people
Hayley Mattson
Hayley Mattson
Cami Martin
Michael Chaldu
Judy Abel
Jen Rodman, Anthony Atkins
Judy Abel, Barbara Burke, McKenzie Jackson, Burt Ross, Benjamin Marcus, Michel Shane
Anthony McDemas
Karen Kagan
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” — Abraham Lincoln
The Malibu Times is locally owned by Nicholas and Hayley Mattson, 13 Stars Media.
MICHAL SHANE COLUMNIST
Malibu teen Bodie Addison chosen to represent U.S. at International Surf Rescue Challenge
16-year-old junior lifeguard will compete in New Zealand this November
Pedestrian critically injured in collision on PCH’s ‘Dead Man’s Curve’
A pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries Friday night after being struck by a car on Pacific Coast Highway in the area known locally as “Dead Man’s Curve.” The crash occurred around 9:44 p.m. between Carbon Canyon and Rambla Vista, a stretch of road without crosswalks.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that the adult male pedestrian was jaywalking when he was hit by a westbound blue BMW sedan in the #1 lane, driven by a male juvenile under 18. Deputies from the Malibu/Lost Hills Station questioned the driver at the scene. He has a valid driver’s license and has not been charged; authorities said DUI and speed do not appear to be factors in the collision.
The pedestrian was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition and remains unconscious with severe injuries. His identity has not yet been released.
Pacific Coast Highway was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene, reopening shortly after 1 a.m. The crash occurred within a recent burn zone, where posted speed limits are 25 mph.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station to assist with the ongoing investigation.
This investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Woman rescued after car plunges 300 feet in Malibu Hills
A woman suffered moderate injuries Monday morning after her car went over the side of the road and tumbled into a ravine in the El Nido neighborhood of the Malibu hills.
The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. in the 2900 block of
Sequit Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. First responders arriving at the scene reported hearing the woman calling for help from the canyon below.
Because the vehicle had plunged more than 300 feet off the roadway, rescuers used a helicopter hoist operation to lift the driver to safety. She was transported to a hospital, where she remains under care. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
The Malibu Search and Rescue Team, Los Angeles County Fire Department Division VII, and Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station personnel worked together on the rescue. Volunteers on Patrol units from Malibu also assisted by managing traffic in the area.
Traffic officers with the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash while Malibu SAR units and deputies work to secure and mark the wrecked vehicle.
Drivers planning to travel along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) this week are advised to seek alternate routes as ongoing construction and repair work related to the Palisades Fire will cause road and lane closures, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The affected stretch spans from Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, with additional closures on Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is monitoring the burn area, where a strict 25 mph speed limit is enforced to ensure the safety of personnel and the public.
Starting this week, Caltrans has implemented reduced speed limits and single-lane closures to facilitate repairs. From Temescal Canyon Road to Sunset Boulevard, the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph, while the segment from Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace, encompassing the burn area, is set at 25 mph with sheriff oversight. The stretch from McClure Tunnel to Temescal Canyon Road remains unaffected, maintaining its standard 45 mph speed limit. Single-lane closures may occur daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. along the PCH, with additional closures possible throughout the week, weather permitting.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) from PCH to Grand View Drive will face nightly closures from midnight to 5 a.m. Outside these hours, the road will operate under oneway traffic control with a pilot car. Southern California Edison’s trenching operations and rock mitigation repairs will also prompt daytime lane closures in the area.
Current closure details (Sept. 29 to Oct. 5)
NEWS BRIEFS
• PCH (Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace): Active work zones with potential single-lane closures, particularly from Trancas Canyon Road to Guernsey Avenue and at Corral Canyon Road for bridge repairs. Nightly closures (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) may occur south of Las Flores Canyon Road for fire-damaged roadway and drainage repairs. Northbound lane closures are scheduled just south of Big Rock Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, with additional closures on Monday and Wednesday nights. The 25 mph speed limit in the burn area is actively enforced by sheriff’s deputies.
• Topanga Canyon Boulevard (PCH to Grand View Drive): Closed nightly from midnight to 5 a.m. One-way traffic control with a pilot car operates from 5 a.m. to midnight, with additional daytime restrictions for Southern California Edison’s work.
Caltrans advises motorists to expect delays and check the Caltrans Quickmap for real-time traffic updates. Drivers can also view a full list of closures at the Caltrans website. As recovery efforts continue, Caltrans is working with private property owners and local agencies to address fire-damaged infrastructure, including retaining walls and slopes, to ensure long-term safety and accessibility along these critical routes.
World premiere of “A Disaster Diary: Learn. Pray. Prepare!” set for Malibu International Film Festival
The community is invited to attend the world premiere of “A Disaster Diary: Learn. Pray. Prepare!” on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, as part of the Malibu International Film Festival. Directed and written by former Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich, the documentary provides a raw and compelling look at the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, capturing both the devastation and the extraordinary resilience of those affected. Filmed during and after the fires, the documentary showcases unforgettable moments of survival, solidarity, and service as neighbors, first responders, medical professionals, and faith leaders came together to help the community in its darkest hours.
The film features inspiring local figures, including Haylynn Conrad, who assisted in delivering critical supplies and coordinating response efforts; Richard Garvey, whose Starlink equipment helped restore com munications for Malibu’s Com munity Emergency Response Team (CERT); Dr. Lauren Pike of Malibu Urgent Care, treating firefighters and residents during the crisis; and Kasey Earnest, ex ecutive director of the Malibu Boys & Girls Club, who helped establish a Recovery Center at Third Space in Malibu. Also fea tured are Rabbi Levi Cunin of Chabad Malibu providing spir itual care, Col. Brian Sawser of the U.S. Army Corps of Engi neers discussing debris removal,
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Sheriff’s Cmdr. Jenn Seetoo coordinating recovery efforts, and Rick Caruso meeting with residents in the Palisades Village to discuss effective fire strategies.
“This documentary is a living diary — a testament to those we lost, and to the strength of those who rose up in love and courage,” said Ulich. “It is about learning from disaster, praying for guidance, and preparing to face future disasters stronger together.” Produced by Ulich and Conrad, “A Disaster Diary” honors the lives lost in the 2025 Los Angeles fires while uplifting the stories of ordinary people who became extraordinary in a time of crisis.
The world premiere will take place Sunday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets and festival information are available at ma libufilmfestival. org. For more information on the film, visit ADisasterDiary. com . The Malibu International Film Festival celebrates independent cinema, highlighting films that inspire, challenge, and connect audiences through the art of storytelling.
City of Malibu introduces new AI platform to streamline fire rebuild process
The City of Malibu Community Development Department Rebuild staff will introduce the new Archistar AI Platform to local design professionals on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Malibu City Hall. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.
Launching Sept. 30 on the city’s Development Portal, Archistar uses artificial intelligence to review building plans for zoning and building code compliance before submission. The
tool is designed to help make the rebuilding process faster, clearer, and more efficient for homeowners and design professionals.
At the Oct. 2 meeting, city staff will provide a live demonstration of Archistar and explain how it integrates into Malibu’s new eCheck AI Pilot Program.
Design professionals working on single-family homes impacted by the Palisades Fire are especially encouraged to use the tool for preliminary plan reviews and provide feedback on its effectiveness.
The meeting is part of the ongoing Malibu Community Series, which includes working sessions with homeowners and building professionals to improve the rebuild process following the Palisades and Franklin fires. The city, led by Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy, has been gathering feedback to identify challenges and implement solutions that allow residents to rebuild more quickly and safely.
Upcoming meetings in the Malibu Community Series include Design Professionals Meetings on Oct. 2, Nov. 13, and Dec. 3, as well as Fire Rebuild Community Sessions on Oct. 15, Nov. 18, Dec. 11, and Jan. 14.
Meeting details and resources will be posted on the Malibu Rebuilds website.
City of Malibu staff work behind the scenes to secure federal disaster reimbursement
When the Palisades and Franklin fires tore through Malibu earlier this year, the destruction left behind was staggering. On Jan. 8, President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration, making federal recovery assistance available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since that time, City of Malibu staff
have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure critical reimbursements for the community’s fire recovery efforts.
To date, the City has submitted 17 projects totaling more than $13.28 million in public infrastructure damages for FEMA Public Assistance funding. These projects span every corner of Malibu’s recovery, from clearing debris to restoring parks.
Breakdown of submitted projects:
• Debris Removal (Category A): $1.86M — Clearing burned material from city roads, parks, and properties.
– Operating the City’s Emergency Operations Center, smoke cleanup at City Hall, sandbags, guardrail protection, septic tank abatement, and emergency security. Roads & Bridges (Category C): $1M — Fire-related roadway and bridge repairs.
• Water Control Facilities (Category D): $3.16M – Repairing storm drains and deep-water systems, particularly in Big Rock.
• Parks & Facilities (Category G): $2.1M — Repairs to Las Flores Creek Park and other recreation areas. Under FEMA rules, the federal government covers 100% of eligible emergency work for the first 180 days following a disaster declaration. After that period, cost-sharing begins, with FEMA covering 75%, the State of California covering 18.75%, and the city responsible for just 6.25%.
In addition to recovery reimbursements, Malibu is pursuing Hazard Mitigation Grants to strengthen the city’s defenses against future disasters. Proposed projects include drainage improvements, backup power for traffic signals, and private property wildfire mitigation.
As the community continues to heal, the behind-the-scenes work of City staff ensures that
OBITUARIES
Frederic and Emma LePrevost, John was raised in Clinton, Iowa, until he moved to Tucson, Arizona, to attend the University of Arizona in 1961. It was there that he met his wife, Marilyn “Buttons” Harris. John later attended the prestigious Art Center College of Design, where he studied automobile design, product design, and finally advertising design. John and Marilyn married on Valentine’s Day in 1964 and would have three children: two sons, John H. and Marc, and a daughter, Summer. Seeking fresh air and a quiet home life for their children, John and Marilyn moved to Malibu, CA, in 1966, where they remained until moving to Escondido, CA, in 2016.
Early in his career, John worked as an Art Director at Universal, where he created and designed album covers for MCA Records. Among some of his projects were covers for legendary artists, including JJ Cale, Ricky Nelson, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Wishbone Ash, and many others. His work earned widespread recognition, and he was awarded gold records in honor of his contributions to these iconic albums. In 1981, he founded The LePrevost Corporation, which produced and designed CBS Television Networks’ Fall Campaign package for eight consecutive years, one of the years designing both NBC and CBS campaigns. John also produced and designed PBS Television Networks’ fall campaign packages for over three years. John was a true pioneer in his field, among the first to introduce computer animation to the television industry. His groundbreaking vision helped redefine the possibilities of animation, setting a new standard for creativity and excellence. John won numerous awards for his creative design, including three Emmy awards for the 1991 launch of Dateline NBC, which was the number one news show at the time. He then rebranded the look again in 1993.
The LePrevost Corporation also designed logos and various animations for NBC, PBS, ABC, USA, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Buena
Vista Television, Greenpeace, Turner Broadcasting Networks, and many more. John was also a senior lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design, where he taught and inspired many new artists seeking careers in animation and graphic design. John had a love for nature and sought to make a positive difference in environmental conservation. The LePrevost Corporation founded Thirdpoint Surfwear as a way to spread awareness for saving the oceans and donated a portion of its profits to environmental causes.
Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a professional artist, John will be remembered most for his boundless kindness, deep empathy, and unwavering integrity. He carried a gentle spirit and a joyful heart, radiating warmth wherever he went. His honesty, compassion, and innate ability to see the good in people touched countless lives, and he formed lasting connections with everyone he met. John loved deeply—his family, nature, and the simple beauty of life—and in return, he was deeply loved. His legacy of love, grace, and goodness lives on through his devoted wife, his three beloved children, and his cherished grandchildren, as well as in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him.
John’s celebration of life will be held at his home in Southern California on November 15th.
thu OCT 2
DREAMLAND MALIBU OPEN
MIC NIGHT
Dreamland Malibu will host an Open Mic Night on Oct. 2 at 22969 Pacific Coast Highway, with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. and the show beginning at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Nelson Miller, this all-ages event offers local performers and music lovers the chance to enjoy a vibrant evening of live entertainment. Admission is free with RSVP, and guests planning to perform with a band or seeking additional information are encouraged to contact Nelson at Nelson@aviatornation.com.
Valet parking will be available on-site for attendees’ convenience. Attendees should note that shows may include lighting and strobe effects, and Dreamland Malibu is not responsible for any unexpected medical issues related to production.
tue OCT 7
AWARDS SEASON SCREENING
SERIES – F1: THE MOVIE
Experience a special screening of F1: The Movie, followed by a Q&A with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m. hosted by the Malibu Film Society. With a career spanning over 50 years, Bruckheimer has produced some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, earning a collective
box office of more than $12 billion.
The film stars Brad Pitt as a legendary race car driver who left the sport after a devastating accident—only to return to mentor and team up with a rising young driver.
Don’t miss this thrilling cinematic ride and the opportunity to hear insights from one of film history’s most iconic producers at the Regency Calabasas Commons, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas.
thu OCT 9
SCREENING OF CHEECH & CHONG’S LAST MOVIE
As part of the Special Event Series at City Hall, hosted by the Malibu Film Society, the Malibu Civic Theater will host a screening of Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m., featuring a Q&A with filmmakers David Bushell and Robbi Chong, along with comedy legends Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. This wildly imaginative documentary blends animation, archival footage, and classic road-trip comedy to tell the true-life story of the duo’s five-decade career—a tale of friendship, fame, turmoil, rebellion, and ultimately, redemption. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a pre-show wine reception with complimentary snacks and beverages. Free admission is available for Malibu Film Society members and Malibu residents with one-time pre-registration.
sat OCT 11
MALIBU COMMUNITY
GATHERING AT DUKE’S
Malibu residents affected by the Jan. 7 Palisades Fire are invited to a free community gathering at Duke’s Malibu, 21150 Pacific Coast Highway, on Saturday,
CALENDAR
Oct. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Big Rock neighborhood, the event will provide food, drinks, and a welcoming space for neighbors to share stories, reconnect, and celebrate the community’s resilience. The afternoon may also feature live music and opportunities for attendees to share their experiences.
Having faced its own challenges from the fire and a subsequent mudslide, Duke’s is generously donating the space and food for the gathering. Open to all affected, the event offers a chance to honor what has been lost, rebuild connections, and look toward the future together.
Admission: Free, open to anyone impacted by the fire.
sun OCT 12
WORLD PREMIERE – A DISASTER DIARY: LEARN. PRAY. PREPARE!
Experience the world premiere of A Disaster Diary: Learn. Pray. Prepare!, a compelling documentary directed and written by former Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich. Filmed during and after the 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires, the film captures raw, unforgettable moments of destruction, survival, and community solidarity. The documentary highlights local heroes, including first responders, medical professionals, faith leaders, and neighbors who stepped up to provide aid, restore communications, and support recovery efforts. Join us to witness resilience in action and honor the strength of a community united in the face of disaster. Tickets and festival information available at malibufilmfestival.org.
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MALIBU FARMERS MARKET | SUNDAYS
The Malibu Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a wide range of fresh, local produce and artisanal goods. Currently located at Legacy Park, the market provides a great opportunity to support local farmers and vendors while enjoying the scenic beauty of Malibu. For updates and more information on the market, visit malibufarmersmarket.net. Make sure to stop by for a vibrant shopping experience this Sunday!
MONDAY COMPOSERS
BREAKFAST | MONDAYS
The Monday Composers Breakfast takes place weekly at Dreamland Malibu, located at 22969 Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu, every Monday from 9 to 11 a.m., with a simultaneous Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. Guests are encouraged to check in or join the mailing list for the latest updates on upcoming meetings, CBC events, member performances, and more.
KNITTING | MONDAY AND FRIDAY
Join Malibu’s Community Services Department and Sheila Rosenthal for a knitting workshop that takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 9 to 10:30 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 8 needles and one skein of yarn. This is an ongoing, drop-in program. Instructed by Sheila Rosenthal. Visit malibucity.org for location.
TOTAL BODY WORKOUT | TUESDAYS
A comprehensive low-impact strengthening class targeting all the major muscles of the upper and lower body with special attention to form, stabilization, core strength, and balance. Please bring your own hand weights and yoga mats. Instructed by Jackline Daneshrad. The classes are Tuesdays from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Cost is $5 per class. Preregistration is recommended. At the Michael Landon Center at Malibu Bluffs Park.
SENIOR CHOIR | TUESDAYS
Learn the fundamentals of singing and performing different styles of music. Every Tuesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Malibu City Hall Senior Center. This is a great opportunity for socialization, self-expression, and learning through music. All levels are welcome. Instructed by Laura DeMieri Fercano.
SENIOR TECH HELP | TUESDAYS
Receive one-on-one tech help with your laptop, tablet, or cellphone. Seniors can receive assistance using social media, Google Drive, Skype, Microsoft Word, email, and more. RSVP required. Instructed by Community Services Department staff. Tuesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Malibu Senior Center.
VOLUNTEER WEEDING DAY AT POINT DUME NATURE PRESERVE | WEDNESDAYS
Join every second Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a hands-on volunteer event at the stunning Point Dume Nature Preserve. Help protect Malibu’s natural beauty by hand-pulling invasive plant species and restoring native habitat.
This is a great opportunity to give back to the environment, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with fellow nature lovers. Be sure to bring gardening gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Free twohour parking is available at the Point Dume entrance (space is limited), with additional parking at the Westward Beach County lot (hourly rate) and along Westward Beach Road (free). Sign-ups are encouraged. Get your hands dirty and feel great doing your part for local conservation!
TOPANGA FARMERS MARKET | FRIDAYS
The Topanga Farmers Market is a Certified Farmers Market held every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Topanga Community Center. With 45 exceptional vendors, the market offers a diverse selection of fresh, locally grown produce and handcrafted artisanal goods. It’s a wonderful way to support local farmers and makers while soaking in the natural beauty of Topanga Canyon. Whether you’re shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables or one-of-a-kind crafts, the Topanga Farmers Market has something for everyone!
ADULT PICKLEBALL | SATURDAY
The City of Malibu will offer free Adult Drop-In Pickleball and an Adult Pickleball class at the Malibu High School Tennis Courts (30215 Morning View Drive) starting in spring 2025. Open Court Pickleball is available for registered participants ages 18 and over on Saturday afternoons, providing a fun and social way to play. Additionally, an Adult Pickleball class will be held on Saturdays for those looking to improve their skills.
the Malibu Education Foundation, also made remarks, stating, “On behalf of the Malibu Education Foundation, it is an honor to celebrate this historic day with you. We are deeply grateful to the many partners — parents, educators, community leaders, and donors — who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life,” she said. “This new high school isn’t just a building — it’s a promise — a promise to our students that they will learn and grow in an environment that reflects the strength and resilience of Malibu. After years of challenges — wildfires, evacuations, and disruption — today shows what we can build together.”
Elaborating, Al-Hardan stated, “The Malibu Education Foundation exists to power the programs and people that bring a campus like this to life — from instructional aides and arts programs, to tutors, coaches, and counselors. We’re proud to help fill these halls not just with students, but with opportunity. As we cut this ribbon, we open doors not only to classrooms, but to brighter futures. Let’s continue building together — supporting our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our kids.”
“MHS has amazing teachers, staff and students and it is my joy to see the students and their teachers settling in and using the classroom spaces,” said Carl Randall, parent of an alumnus of MHS and chair of the Malibu Facilities District Advisory Committee, a group of residents who advised
the district on the use of the Measure M funds that Malibu residents approved for building the high school. “We built this campus for all of them as well as for the community — we invite every family with children to come join us as we educate the next generation!”
Stacy Rouse, Malibu’s only representa-
tive on the SMMUSD Board of Education, discussed all the efforts expended by community and district members over the years that it took to make the high school construction become a reality. “We have been running a marathon and doing it relay style, with person after person working toward something for our kids and then
passing it off to the next set of people, and now it’s our time with the baton and we’re getting ready to pass it on, too,” Rouse said.
“Our community is good and hard. We are all different and care deeply and are invested in the best outcome for students.
Although we don’t always agree, we are learning to work together in a way to build
both buildings and community together beautifully through our differences, and not fighting over which things we want, but using it all together to make something new and better than we could’ve done alone.”
Wade Major, president of Advocates for Malibu Public Schools, a group that advocates Malibu having its own school district, commented about the event’s significance after the event. “The ribbon cutting makes for a historic day more than a decade in the making. Malibu finally has a flagship high school to anchor its own school district,” Major stated. “It’s just disappointing that of our seven board members, only Jon Kean and our own Stacy Rouse were present for the historic ribbon-cutting of the second-ever high school campus in the history of SMMUSD. If this had been a campus within Santa Monica city limits, we know that would not have been the case — and that, as much as anything else, speaks to the board’s tacit recognition that it’s right for Malibu to separate. Let’s just hope they get it done soon. It’s time.”
Even as the efforts to establish Malibu’s own school district continues on, as it has for years, the ribbon-cutting ceremony provided for a joyous event as all in attendance recognized that the new high school provides Malibu’s next generation with a state-of-the-art learning environment and excellent academic opportunities.
“Seeing our students, staff, families, and community members come together reminded us that Malibu High is much more than a school,” Almeida said. “It’s a home where learning and growth thrive.”
Malibu’s recovery is not only swift but also financially sustainable for the future.
California enacts landmark AI legislation with Senate Bill 53 in regulating the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). Authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the legislation aims to balance innovation with public safety by establishing guardrails for frontier AI models — highly advanced systems at the cutting edge of AI development. The law positions California as a national leader in ethical AI
safety, and accountability in the development of frontier AI models. Key provisions include requiring large AI developers to publicly disclose how their frameworks align with national and international standards, as well as industry best practices. The law also establishes CalCompute, a consortium under the Government Operations
Office of Emergency Services and protects whistleblowers who expose significant risks posed by frontier AI systems. Noncompliance may result in civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General’s office. The legislation responds to recommendations from a first-in-the-nation report commissioned by Governor Newsom earlier this year. The report, authored by leading AI experts including former California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Dr. Fei-Fei Li of Stanford University, and Jennifer Tour Chayes of UC Berkeley, emphasized evidencebased policymaking and the need for transparency while addressing security concerns.
“The TFAIA moves us toward the transparency and ‘trust but verify’ policy principles outlined in our report,” said Cuéllar and his co-authors in a joint statement.
Newsom highlighted the law’s dual focus: “California has proven that we can establish regulations to protect our communities while also ensuring that the growing AI industry continues to thrive. This legislation strikes that balance.”
California’s leadership in AI is undisputed. The state is home to 32 of the world’s top 50 AI companies, including tech giants like Google, Apple, and Nvidia, each valued at over $3 trillion. According to the 2025 Stanford AI Index, California accounted for 15.7% of U.S. AI job postings in 2024, far surpassing Texas (8.8%) and New York (5.8%). The Bay Area alone attracted over half of global venture capital funding for AI and machine learning startups last year, cementing California’s role as a global tech hub.
Wiener emphasized the state’s responsibility to lead: “With a technology as transformative as AI, we have a responsibili -
ty to support innovation while putting in place commonsense guardrails to understand and reduce risk. California is stepping up as a global leader on both technology and safety.”
While SB 53 has been praised for its forward-thinking approach, some industry voices and privacy advocates have raised concerns. Tech trade groups, such as the California Chamber of Commerce, have argued that the law’s transparency and reporting requirements could burden smaller AI startups, potentially stifling innovation. “While we support responsible AI development, overly stringent regulations may disadvantage emerging companies competing with established giants,” said a spokesperson for the Chamber in a recent statement.
Privacy advocates, meanwhile, have questioned whether the law adequately addresses data protection. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) noted that while SB 53 focuses on safety and transparency, it does not explicitly tackle the risks of AI systems collecting and processing vast amounts of personal data. “We need stronger safeguards to ensure AI models don’t exacerbate privacy violations or perpetuate biases,” said an EFF representative. They urged the California Department of Technology, tasked with annually updating the law, to prioritize these issues in future revisions.
On the other hand, supporters argue that the law’s flexibility — through annual updates based on multistakeholder input and technological advancements — addresses these concerns by allowing for ongoing refinement. They also point to CalCompute as a resource to level the playing field for smaller developers by providing access to public computing infrastructure.
With the federal government yet to pass comprehensive AI legislation, SB 53 positions California as a potential model for the nation. The law’s emphasis on evidence-based policymaking and collaboration with experts aligns with calls from industry leaders for regulation that evolves with the technology. However, critics warn that a patchwork of state-level laws could complicate compliance for companies operating nationwide, underscoring the need for federal action.
For more information on SB 53, visit the California Legislative Information website.
ribbon-cutting for the new campus of Malibu High School. Photos courtesy of Santa Monica-Malibu
help fire survivors rebuild their homes,” Dudley Gaouette, a senior executive claims adjuster for Sunpoint Public Adjusters, Inc., said. “This event provides a unique gathering opportunity between rebuilding residents who can definitely benefit by meeting with design-build professionals and other professionals who can help them rebuild.”
If a fire survivor is experiencing difficulties with his insurance claim, Sunpoint was there to answer questions, Gaouette noted, adding that beleaguered homeowners feel empowered if a professional helps them deal with their insurance claims.
Some of the companies offered the latest technological innovations for those who are rebuilding to consider, including Rigid Design and Construction, which showcased a computer software that en-
being made against him between the time that he received a call from Interim City Manager Candace Bowen on Friday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. and the city council meeting informing him that the city council’s agenda for the Sept. 29 meeting had been amended to add an item for a ceremonial commendation for his work as rebuild ambassador, which would also mark the end of his assignment.
In a letter dated Sept. 29 addressed to Bowen, Roy stated, “With deep regret and after careful reflection, I am resigning as Rebuild Ambassador for the City of Malibu, effective immediately. The events of this past weekend have left me profoundly unsettled, questioning whether it is best for our Malibu residents that I continue in this role.”
Roy recounted that he was stunned to hear that his position was going to be terminated, “as no prior discussions had taken place.”
He noted that he immediately stated that he would not accept any commendation, “as it is disrespectful to the families struggling to rebuild their lives and to all the communities in Malibu who are trying so desperately to restore what has been so deeply destroyed.”
Roy’s letter noted that the agenda item had been removed, “perhaps due to a number of resident objections.” He noted that “troubling information has surfaced through conversations with council members by both myself and other members of the Malibu Rebuild Task Force. Read the full statement on A2.
During public comment at the city council meeting, many astonished and frustrated residents made remarks praising Roy’s ability to assist residents in dealing with staff and consultants as they attempt to rebuild. Many felt discontinuing Roy’s ambassadorial role made no sense whatsoever.
“I’ll continue to chair the MRTF and push for radical changes to the permitting process,” Roy said in an email to The Malibu Times on Aug. 30. “A Stanford University projection indicates that at this rate our recovery might take up to 16 years! Not changing is not an option.” Roy added, “Our City needs a wake-up call... badly. Residents are hurting.”
After the public comments concluded, Mayor Marianne Riggins opened by taking responsibility for how the issue with Abe Roy was handled. She explained that she had spoken with the city manager about the matter but had not discussed it with other council members. The two decided to move forward with a commendation recognizing Roy for his outstanding work. At the same time, the leadership process would shift to the zone captains, who would each have an equal seat at the table rather than one person serving as the primary lead. Riggins stressed that Roy would not be excluded from participating in future meetings, adding that he has been a valuable asset to the community. She went on to describe several steps the city has taken to improve clarity in the rebuilding process.
One key effort has been the creation of a building plan check submittal guide, which outlines the process and provides a checklist
ables a potential customer to view various home renderings and make design changes in real time. “This program allows the customer to envision various elevations for their home and various features and elements, such as roofing types,” Rigid President Hooman Bayat explained as he demonstrated changing a design from having a flat roof to a sloped roof. Building smarter and safer was a key theme for many vendors’ products and sales offerings. Chris Manko, owner of Stack Wall Manufacturing, LLC, showcased precast concrete walls and panels for home exteriors. “They’re not just walls anymore — they’re smartwalls,” Manko stated. “Our pre-cast concrete posts can include installed electricity, gas, solar, and sprinklers, and they can even have security cameras installed.” Manko emphasized that the sprinkler systems are capable of pulling water to fight fires from a property owner’s pool or water storage tank, a capability that can determine whether a
of required documents. This, Riggins said, allows homeowners to understand what is needed before submitting an application. She also noted that the city has completed 69 planning verifications and has 17 projects currently in building safety plan check, but acknowledged concerns about why more projects are not advancing from planning to building.
According to Riggins, staff and consultants are working to streamline the process, particularly in addressing the corrections that have been sent back on plan check applications. She acknowledged that while California’s building codes are among the most stringent in the nation — due to fire, seismic, and other risks — there is still work to be done to eliminate redundant or unnecessary hurdles.
“I hate hearing that people are afraid to come into the City of Malibu,” Riggins said, reflecting on her own past experience as a city staff member. “That needs to change, and we will work with everything possible, because nobody ever should be afraid to come into City Hall. This is your City Hall, and it needs to work for you.”
Riggins admitted that progress so far may not satisfy residents, but she emphasized that improvements are underway. “I know that’s not going to make people happy and it’s not going to excuse what’s happened, but those are the steps that have been taken,” she said. “We’re going to make this better and we’re going to get you back in your homes. We have to be a team in order to do this.”
This statement came as a surprise to at least one person, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein, who stated, “I am shocked about what I just heard.” Silverstein said he was surprised by what had transpired during the meeting. “First of all, I want to thank Abe for everything he’s done,” Silverstein said. “I had hoped we would have a more deliberate conversation at the next City Council meeting about whether to continue this role, but I understand the personal issues he just raised.”
Silverstein emphasized that under the Brown Act, councilmembers are prohibited from forming consensus outside of public meetings. “Decisions are supposed to be made right here in plain view, fully transparent,” he said. He then recounted the history of the Rebuild Ambassador position, which was created earlier this year after some initial resistance. According to Silverstein, the position was never intended to be terminated outright but rather reviewed after three months.
“When the City Council voted on May 21 to approve the position, the resolution stated clearly that it would last three months, with the possibility of extension upon review,” Silverstein explained. “Some may have believed it was being eliminated, but that was never a decision of the majority. It was to come back to council for evaluation and direction.” He added that he personally opposed placing a strict three-month limit on the role, preferring instead that the council retain the right to terminate if needed.
Silverstein noted that he had multiple discussions with Roy about the rebuilding process and felt those conversations were productive. “I thought the process
home burns down or its owner can protect it even when power and water are not available.
“This expo provides a good vibe for people to connect in a setting that has no pressure, a welcome experience for those dealing with the horrible things that have happened in the fires,” said Jerome Dean of Diversified Builders.
Rieff Anawalt, whose hardware stores are in both Malibu and Pacific Palisades, highly complimented how the expo was organized. “This gathering has given us the ability to meet people one-on-one and for our team to have really good conversations with Palisades fire victims and to provide them with a better understanding of where a lumber supplier and supplier of other items needed to build a new house fits into the entire process,” he said.
Rebuilding is a daunting process, many fire survivors noted. “This expo has been extremely helpful because it is overwhelming to see all the vendors and
was working, and I was inclined to continue it,” he said. “I was really shocked to hear just now that the decision had been made otherwise. There’s been no whisper campaign or secret effort to terminate the role, at least none that I’ve been part of.”
In Roy’s mind — and the minds of several residents — Riggins’ statements constituted an, “acknowledgment that she orchestrated Roy’s attempted ousting by starting a whisper campaign against him, not consulting with any other councilmembers, calling them one-on-one individually and giving them versions of the story so that no one would know the whole story or what others heard and so that everyone would think the other councilpersons were okay with the decision to discontinue Roy’s serving as an ambassador.”
On Sept. 30, Roy, on behalf of the MRTF, wrote a letter to Riggins, copying all other councilpersons and interested residents, stating, “Mayor Riggins, we are deeply troubled by the spread of unfounded rumors about my personal gains under your leadership, particularly since you graciously attended my groundbreaking event in Palisades in early June and were fully aware of my efforts to support neighbors and friends in rebuilding.”
The letter continued, “Rather than addressing constituents’ concerns and fostering solutions during this critical time, your leadership chooses to focus on rumoring, shutting down dissidents, and shielding those who are failing to perform effectively in this crisis. Given the urgent need to better manage fire rebuilds and improve Malibu’s scorecard, acknowledge and take action to resolve process issues and hire a City Manager — you may consider gracefully stepping down and handing the mantle of leadership at this crucial time to someone adept at managing through crisis.”
On Sept. 30, Arno Koch, a Big Rock resident, told The Malibu Times that he was spearheading the effort to send a petition to the city seeking to recall Riggins. Koch sent the petition to The Malibu Times, and it states in part, “Mayor Riggins has prohibited and challenged productive change (in the rebuilding process at the City of Malibu) in multiple ways since the fires. From celebrating a 40% rebuild ratio from the Woolsey Fire to touting that appropriate expedited processes are already in place and asking residents smugly to “just hand in their application,” and “overtly opposing the idea of installing a rebuild ambassador to now covertly working behind the scenes to have him removed, Riggins is perceived as a major factor that slows down the rebuild process and inhibits change.”
The petition adds, “If Mayor Riggins stays in office as the mayor of Malibu and as a City Council Member, she will continue to support and protect the existing slow, inefficient, and by design counter-productive permitting processes, rather than facilitating the change that the City of Malibu so desperately needs. Mayor Riggins needs to resign now to open her council seat to a knowledgeable pro-fire rebuild person to drive streamlining the reform of Malibu’s permitting process for fire victims today and in the future.”
In a phone call with Koch, he stated that when he realized that
products and services that are part of rebuilding online,” said Sheena Lad, a Palisades Fire victim.
Wholeheartedly agreeing, attendee Cheryl Torrey commented, “This expo has been very useful as I feel like a gathering that offers one place to go and meet a bunch of people we need to consult with as we start to rebuild is fantastic, as are the resources we have learned about today.”
Anthony McDemas, who spearheaded the rebuild expo effort, smiled in satisfaction as he realized that he and his team had empowered those rebuilding, thereby being part of the rebuild solutions. “It was a true pleasure being able to coordinate the PaliBu Rebuild Expo for our chamber and our communities,” McDemas said. “Our chamber serves as an important resource to connect those in need with the services, products and resources that can help homeowners and businesses rebuild their lives.”
the city was amending the city council agenda late on Friday, Sept. 25, he texted Riggins to inquire if that meant that Roy would be released from his role. He stated, “A few people are on edge (about whether Roy’s role was being discontinued) and I would like to help them have a relaxed weekend.”
Riggins sent a text back to him stating, “We are moving away from having one person as an ambassador and focus(ing) on Zone Captains and outreach to homeowners directly. Abe has done a great job, and we will continue to work with him, but not in an individual ambassador capacity.”
Koch replied, “That makes absolutely no sense! So, the plan is to sneak this in without being explicit but calling it a ‘commendation,’ and thus avoiding public comment on it, and just creating facts? And doing so without having a dialogue about it with the task force, with the residents, and first and foremost with Abe himself?” Koch opined that the zone captains “are great at collecting and sharing information and working With Abe, but can’t have subject matter, eye-to-eye conversations with staff. This is not acceptable in
effect and even more so, in style. I am appalled to be honest.”
Riggins responded that she is “sorry that you feel that way. We are committed to working with homeowners and getting information to individuals so they can put their rebuild plans in motion.”
She continued, stating, “The most important thing is to get people the information they need to rebuild. Everybody needs to come to the city to ask questions about their individual property, and they need to hear firsthand what to do to rebuild.”
Frustrated and furious, Koch noted on the recall petition, “Riggins wrote this despite a decision to remove the rebuild ambassador depending on a council discussion and vote, and in light of knowing that an evaluation of the ambassador’s results was to precede such a discussion.” He elaborated, noting that some of the councilmembers were not aware of the new agenda item, which would have the effect of discontinuing Roy’s position; he noted in conformity with the Brown Act that removing the rebuild ambassador needed to be addressed in a council discussion.
He noted in closing, “Riggins acted like this was a done deal, and that is wrong.”
Late Tuesday, following the SCE meeting at City Hall, Mayor Riggins told The Malibu Times, “I understand there are members of the community who are upset about my actions to end the role of the rebuild ambassador, and I appreciate their feelings and even anger, but I think it is important to hear from more members of the community. Abe has done great work and made many valuable suggestions, and I am very thankful for the countless hours he has volunteered and for his dedication to Malibu. It is now time to allow the city to implement both his work and the ideas from our city staff on making the process smoother for our residents. The city council has made important policy decisions to make rebuilding instructions more clear. I encourage everyone to visit the rebuild center and work with the city to get their projects submitted and approved for construction. There are many outreach meetings scheduled for the coming months. Please attend to learn how the city is here to help rebuild.”
Malibu and
crane could have fallen on the guest house where I live!”
A multi-agency response ensued, with the Malibu Lost/Hills Sheriff’s Station posting a notice on X about the overturned crane urging residents to avoid the area due to road closures and traffic disruption caused by the incident, which resulted in one person, the crane operator, being air-evacuated to the hospital from Zuma Beach.
On the evening of the accident, a new crane team removed the collapsed crane, working well into the night. Neighbors texted The Malibu Times pictures of that remediation work.
The day after the crane accident, Ken Ehrlich of 2XMD told the Malibu Times that the construction site had been approved by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) for construction work to continue and that the City’s Code Enforcement department had also approved the continuance of work. Ehrlich stated that the construction crew would re-commence work on Sept. 29, and on that date, construction commenced with a new crane on the site.
Lawyers representing residents demand investigations and stop work orders
“We write to express our concern with the significant life and safety risks posed by the ongoing construction, as evidenced by a serious accident yesterday, in which a heavy crane toppled over on the site, trapping and injuring a workman, and requiring a multi-agency emergency response,” wrote Alexander L. Merritt, an attorney with Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton who represents Tara and James Kohlberg, who own the parcel where Webber lives. Merritt’s letter, dated Sept. 25, was sent to the Malibu City Council, Mayor Marianne Riggins, and Yolanda Bundy, Malibu’s community development director, and a copy was sent to the Coastal Commission.
Noting that the property is being developed by 2XMD Partners, LLC, Merritt’s letter to the city said, “We request that you immediately issue a stop work order to 2XMD to suspend all active permits for the project while the city investigates this accident and the safety of the site.”
The accident came as no surprise to many nearby residents who noted that the work site has been the subject of many complaints with the city of Malibu and ongoing litigation. As the Malibu Times reported in July 2024, 2XMD staged and operated heavy machinery within the tidal and intertidal zones and operated excavators to dredge and remove large amounts of sand from Broad Beach, allegedly in violation of its Coastal Development Permits and the California Coastal Act. Merritt referenced Los Trancos Management Services, Inc. v 2XMD Partners LLC, Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc., Case No. 24 SMMCV038282.
Merritt’s demand letter continued, stating, “As part of this unpermitted and illegal work, 2XMD also caused the unpermitted rock revetment on the 2XMD property to move further west down the site’s slope and into the public easement along Broad Beach. At the time, 2XMD had not received a Coastal Development Permit to move or alter this revetment, and photos demonstrated Jilk’s careless and dangerous work. As a result of this unpermitted activity, the California Coastal Commission opened an administrative enforcement proceeding, which is still pending. Nevertheless, the City allowed 2XMD and Jilk to resume construction,” the letter stated.
Merritt’s letter also stated, “We tried multiple times to obtain a hearing before the City decision-makers to explain these issues and present evidence of Jilk’s unpermitted use and destruction of the beach and natural resources, but the City has ducked us at every turn. Our appeal of a third extension of 2XMD’s permits was denied without a hearing, and a hearing on the fourth extension of these permits was cancelled immediately beforehand on the erroneous grounds that 2XMD’s rights to build had vested. See Los Trancos Management Services, Inc. v. 2XMD Partners LLC, et. al, Case Nos. 24SMCP00667, 25SMCP00289).”
Merritt characterized the foregoing as a “pattern of neglect that has persisted for some time now, with the City turning a blind eye to these serious violations and environmental and safety concerns, and as a result of the city’s inaction, there is considerable anxiety around the neighborhood about the safety of the equipment on site, road blockages, and the impact these conditions have on nearby homes and beachgoers, including residents reporting feeling their homes shake from the construction at 31438 Broad Beach Road.” Merritt’s letter also stated that many residents “have reached out to the city over the past several weeks to report potential safety hazards. They have not received any responses.
The letter concludes by stating, “These issues can no longer be ignored. The time has come for the City to take action and to do its duty to protect neighboring landowners and the natural resources in the surrounding area from this dangerous construction project.”
Accordingly, Merritt’s request for a remedy, “demands that the City issue a completed stop work order and suspend all active permits for the project, preventing any further construction by Jilk or any other contractor at the site until a further investigation by the City and by Building and Planning staff is completed and the neighborhood can be assured that no further destruction of the beach or construction accidents will occur. We also request documentation from that investigation, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Gov’t Code Sec. 6250, et. seq.), to ensure full transparency.”
The City Council meeting on Sept. 29
At the City Council meeting on Monday, several residents spoke in public comments requesting that the City Council immediately take action to address the crane collapse and other concerns, including that pedestrians cannot safely walk on Broad Beach near the construction site, the road is often blocked or unduly limited to only one-way traffic, making going in or out of the area perilous, and the crane and items it moves across the site seem extremely dangerous and intimidate residents so much that they did not want to either walk on the road or on the beach below.
Testifying resident, Rosemary Sampson recounted her scary experiences trying to walk a dog along Broad Beach and asked for a stop work order, while Webber concurred with that request and informed councilpersons that the loudness of the construction drilling had caused the home she resides in to shake many times, her young daughter is terrified equipment will fall on their home and the ongoing stress Jilk’s construction has caused needs to stop immediately. Webber noted that on the day the crane collapsed, she spoke with officials at CAL/OSHA, asking for an investigation.
Responding to those complaints, Jeremiah Jilk, owner of Jilk Construction, stated at the City Council meeting that he had talked to the employee who was transported to the hospital, and fortunately, he was not seriously harmed and was released from the hospital on the night of the accident. Jilk also stated that he had replaced the supervisor on the work site because the accident was attributable to a supervisor not performing his work properly.
Councilmember Steve Uhring later noted that he had received numerous calls from upset residents complaining about all the dangerous conditions that residents had testified about as well as about Jilk’s workers parking numerous cars along Broad Beach Road, further congesting the worksite and Broad Beach. Uhring asked Jilk from the podium whether the company would explore having its employees park away from Broad Beach Road to limit the congestion, noting that other contractors have followed that practice in Malibu.
The Malibu Times called Jilk on Sept. 30, and he stated that he was conferring with the new supervisor about having his company employees park away from Broad Beach Road, a fact later confirmed when The Malibu Times conferred with Jilk’s attorney, Eric C. Smith, later that day.
“With regard to the issues with parking and tightness of the road, Jilk is evaluating that particular issue,” Smith said. “Jilk is also working with the city to make sure Jilk is in compliance with whatever approvals are in place. Residents can contact the new supervisor if they have questions, and those will be sent up to Jilk internally — the company wants to have a good relationship in the neighborhood and is willing to address neighbors’ concerns,” Smith added, “Jilk is trying to comply with whatever they’re asked to do, and it’s not their goal to be there forever.” When The Malibu Times asked Smith about the time frame for Jilk to complete construction, he did not know anything about that.
The Malibu Times’ request to speak with city staff or the city attorney regarding how and when the city will respond to the stop order and investigations request has not been answered as of press time.
Code enforcement complaint filed with the city
On Sept. 30, Bill Sampson, who lives in the Broad Beach area, filed a code enforcement complaint, “regarding the dangerous conditions extant at 31430 and 31434 Broad Beach Road.”
Sampson stated in a cover letter sent to City
from harmful ideas, but they’ve simply redefined harm to mean “ideas we disagree with.”
The Second Amendment’s false binary
Nowhere is the center’s collapse more visible than in our approach to guns. We’ve created a false binary: unfettered gun rights versus civilian disarmament. This wasn’t always the case. For most of American history, gun policy was pragmatic, not ideological. Even the NRA supported background checks and waiting periods into the 1960s.
The collapse of the center has made evidence-based gun policy impossible. Consider automotive safety — a parallel that should humble both sides. In the 1960s, over 50,000 Americans died in car accidents annually. The fatality rate per mile was five times higher than today. We didn’t ban cars. We didn’t accept the carnage. We implemented smart regulations: seat belts, airbags, graduated licensing, and speed limits. We saved hundreds of thousands of lives through boring, incremental policy. We didn’t solve the problem with ideology — we solved it with data and compromise. We could do the same with firearms. Universal background checks, safe storage requirements, red flag laws, mandatory training — these aren’t radical. They’re the equivalent of requiring seat belts. But our hollowed-out political center cannot process nuanced approaches. Every policy must be ei-
Councilpersons, “I have noticed that the construction crews dealing with the hazards are issued hard hats, yet, those of us who are subjected to the danger and inconvenience are not. We need more protection.”
Seeking a fast response and action by the city, Sampson added, “Please give this matter your immediate attention before there is a serious injury or worse. The owner and the contractor have the resources to make this site safe and the City has the power to enforce such safety. NOW would be a good time!”
When The Malibu Times called Sampson on the evening of Sept. 30, the only response that he had received was an email from Councilmember Doug Stewart thanking him for taking the time to file the code enforcement complaint.
Broad Beach residents continue to complain and worry about the work site, with Jo Giese, who lives just a few houses from the site, noting that several days ago, a large piece of machinery was parked in front of her driveway, precluding her ability to get in or out of her driveway.
Yuri Spiro, also a neighbor, stated that he is highly concerned due to the very limited ingress or egress when the construction workers reduce traffic to onelane. “I cannot safely drive my car in the small area provided and the construction company doesn’t even have the courtesy to put signs at the entrances to Broad Beach to inform drivers of the lane reduction,” Spiro stated.
Like several other residents, Spiro also noted that if there was an emergency, first responders could not get past the very tight lane on Broad Beach Road and would be forced to go all around to the west entrance of Broad Beach. Such a delay in emergency response could imperil the safety of someone suffering a medical emergency, they fear.
Former Malibu mayor and councilmember Andy Stern expressed extreme frustration, noting that he took a picture of the traffic congestion on Aug. 25 and sent a letter to the city asking for the city to investigate the situation. “I have never received a response from city staff,” Stern stated, adding that he informed the city that as he was driving by the construction site recently and the crane was dangling over the road, he was “scared that it would fall.” Stern added, “This is the dirtiest, messiest construction site I have ever seen, and I’m surprised and grateful no one was killed in the crane collapse.”
Exhausted and extremely frustrated, Webber queried, “What does it take to get the construction company to stop being so unsafe? Does someone have to die before the city or other agencies do something to protect us?”
ther total victory or complete defeat.
When institutions become weapons
Both sides have stopped viewing democratic institutions as neutral arbiters and started treating them as weapons in an existential conflict.
The Supreme Court isn’t a constitutional interpreter — it’s either a tool of oppression or democracy’s last defense. The FBI isn’t law enforcement — it’s either the deep state or salvation.
This weaponization creates a destructive feedback loop. When Republicans gerrymander districts, Democrats threaten to pack the Court. When Democrats use bureaucratic rules to advance progressive policies, Republicans threaten to dismantle entire agencies. Each escalation justifies the next, until the only shared principle is that winning matters more than preserving the system.
The economics of extremism
Primary elections dominated by committed partisans reward appeals to the base over the broader electorate. Social media algorithms promote outrage over nuance. Cable news rewards performative conflict over thoughtful analysis. We’ve created a system where the skills needed to win elections — tribal signaling, emotional manipulation — are exactly opposite the skills needed to govern a diverse democracy.
A nation losing its way
The hollow center isn’t just political dysfunction — it’s the symptom of a
country that has lost its sense of itself. For nearly two and a half centuries, America represented something unique: proof that people from vastly different backgrounds could govern themselves through reason and compromise. We were the demonstration that democracy could work on a continental scale.
That America — confident in its principles, capable of self-correction, admired even by its critics — is disappearing. The world watches our decline with bewilderment. Allies question whether American democracy is worth following. Authoritarians from Beijing to Moscow point to our dysfunction as evidence that democratic values are a luxury no serious nation can afford.
This isn’t just about international prestige — though watching your country become a global cautionary tale is heartbreaking enough. It’s about what we’re losing as a people.
The America that rebuilt Europe, landed on the moon, absorbed wave after wave of immigrants and made them Americans — that America knew how to argue without destroying itself. It understood that disagreement wasn’t betrayal, that political opponents weren’t enemies, that the system itself mattered more than any single election.
Franz von Papen thought he could control extremism and preserve the institutions that made Germany a civilized nation. He was wrong. The choice is still ours to make. We can learn from history and step back from the brink, or we can follow his path into the darkness, taking the world’s oldest democracy with us.
MICHEL SHANE CONTINUED FROM A2
A crane toppled at a construction site at 31438 Broad Beach, injuring the operator, alarming nearby residents, and leaving debris blocking the roadway. Photo courtesy of Jodie Webber
Malibu Life
Malibu’s Asa Orbison brings jazz standards to life
With the support of her husband, Roy Orbison Jr., and a lineup of legendary musicians, Orbison’s debut album ‘Blue Bayou’ reimagines timeless classics
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
When one is gifted with the privilege of reporting local news, some interviews stand above all others. And so it was that I found myself in the front room of Malibu’s Asa and Roy Orbison as they shared their creative, musical gifts to collaboratively record some of the greatest jazz standards of all time.
The magic of music’s ability to infuse one’s soul with joy pervaded the space as Roy explained in delightful detail all the instrumental and composing nuances in Asa’s first album, “Blue Bayou,” and Asa, a beautiful, confident and enormously talented singer, humbly discussed how her vocal abilities empower her to perform traditional jazz standards honoring the geniuses who first gifted listeners with those iconic songs while also relaying a whole new meaning and message for each song.
Jazz in all its glory comes alive when Asa sings the album’s title song, “Blue Bayou,” an iconic tune that her late father-in-law Roy Orbison co-wrote with Joe Melson and recorded in 1961. Accompanied by legends in the music industry, including Charlie McCoy playing harmonica, Asa performs a fantastic rendition of the song as Ana Christina Cash sings background vocals and none other than Jim Horn, who has worked with each of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and The Traveling Wil-
burys, a group that included Roy Orbison Sr., among many other great songs, plays along on the saxophone.
Asa’s recording of “Love is Strange” features Wayne Moss on guitar — he also played saxophone on “Oh, Pretty Woman” for Orbison Sr. The album’s version of “Take Five” is blessed by virtuosic multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke playing the clarinet.
“Baby, I’m Yours” features Matt Combs on
COMMUNITY SPTLIGHT
cello. Joined by such legendary musicians, Asa sings some of jazz’s most legendary songs, giving them a whole new life and meaning, and attracting many listeners and new fans.
For the Orbisons, it’s Malibu! Theirs is a love story and Asa and Roy’s mutual admiration was palpable as they shared the details of their first meeting.
Roy sat next to Asa at an event in her native Sweden, started talking to her, and intrigued her as they talked for hours. He was intrigued with her and the fact that she grew up singing Swedish versions of the jazz standards. Their love blossomed over the years and ultimately, they decided to immerse themselves in their lovely life-long narrative infused with musical inspiration, joint respect and admiration, and remaining
mindful to always prioritize their growing family.
“I grew up in Malibu and went to Malibu High School,” Roy Jr. said. “My dad lived here for a time and my mom lived here too. Then, like my dad, who toured Sweden pretty much before anyone of his era toured Sweden, I went to Sweden to study, where I met Asa, who is naturally gifted with her
tisans, and businesses showcased their latest stylish offerings. A portion of the proceeds will help to support all four plained why the donation is so important: “District funding alone is not enough to
Asa Orbison (left), is shown with her husband Roy Orbison Jr. — who is also son to the late, legendary musician Roy Orbison. Asa has released her first album “Blue Bayou,” which features her renditions of several jazz standards. Photos courtesy of Asa Orbison
Let my pupils go! Part One
By Benjamin Marcus, Entertainment Editor
The origins of education in Malibu (1897-1992)
The ongoing squabbles to dehyphenate Malibu from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has flavors of the Basques wanting to separate from Spain, or the Protestant/Catholic conflicts in Northern Ireland, or the Hawaiians singing and suing to get their islands back — or other prolonged, intractable separatist movements around the world.
I’ve been vaguely aware of Malibu wanting to stand alone for many years. That vague awareness came to an end when Haylynn Conrad posted on Sept. 19 at 9:39 AM a Facebook screed — as a mother, not a city councilwoman — with gripes against the SMMUSD and how they were neglecting Malibu. Later that night Haylynn sent a text — as a concerned mother, not a city councilwoman — stating: “You should cover the school district mess.”
Thus motivated, I dove brain-first into a local separatist movement that can be summed up by Mel Gibson in “Braveheart” bellowing “Freedom!”
If the Malibu separatists need a slogan, they could riff on what Moses and Aaron demanded of the Egyptian pharaoh: “Let our pupils go!” Or go back to 18th-century England where “No taxation without representation” was first published, and then forward to when that slogan became a rallying cry in the American War of Independence.
Malibu wants to stand on its own two feet — education-wise — and separate from a relationship with Santa Monica that goes deep into the 20th century.
Here is an attempt to detail a novel-length saga into the important points in three or four pieces: Past, present, and future.
Part One goes into the 19th century and all through the 20th to find the origins of education in Malibu, which led to the dedication of Malibu High School in 1992.
Part Two: Reading, Writing, and Representation, and detail as much as possible the struggle to dehyphenate Malibu and take local control — from 1992 to the present.
Part Three will be called Mom Would Go and detail the Facebook post by Conrad, which lists the present gripes and conflicts between Malibu and the SMMUSD and underscores Malibu’s need for local control.
Part Four will be Show Me the Money and detail how money has influenced these decisions, including the hundreds of millions of dollars raised by Measures M and MM. And also the future of this separatist movement. Will Malibu ever achieve local control and “Freedom!”?
A long time ago, in a decade far far away, during a time called the 1950s, the fledgling rural school district of Malibu was conjoined with the bigger-city Santa Monica school district — about 12 miles east of Malibu. Malibu did not generate enough school-aged kids — or revenue — to justify having its own school district.
Santa Monica was a thriving
PERSPECTIVE
By Burt Ross, Contributed Column
city for decades, while Malibu was a rural, beautiful backwater.
According to “Santa Monica High School Campus Plan Historic Resources Technical Report July 2018”:
“The Santa Monica schools actually predate the city by more than a decade. In December of 1875, within months of recording its first subdivision, Santa Monica organized a board of trustees to establish a school district. The district’s original domain spanned some 30,000 acres, from La Ballona Rancho on the southwest, Malibu Rancho on the northwest, and everything in between.
“Santa Monica’s first public school opened on March 6, 1876, in rooms of a Presbyterian church at the corner of 3rd Street and Arizona Avenue. The school began the year with fifty-two students in attendance, and an administration staff consisting of one teacher, one principal, and one janitor.
“By the end of the first month, the school’s enrollment had jumped to 77. Soon, the trustees proposed a $5,000 bond [$149,792 in 2025 dollars] to fund the construction of a new school building.”
As gazed upon longingly from the distant cliffs of Santa Monica, Malibu was a mysterious, private, and rural cattle sovereignty that had been passed from Tapia (18021848) to Prudhomme (1848-1857) to Keller (1857 -1891) and then to the Rindge family, who patrolled and protected their 13,000+ acres with great vigilance and furious fencing. There were far more cattle, lima beans, lobster, and citrus trees on the Rancho Malibu than people, but Malibu had its own, small Malibu School District, which served a sparse semi-rural population.
The Decker family had a oneroom schoolhouse to serve west Malibu, which was anyone outside of the Rancho Malibu. In the most excellent “King and Queen of Malibu,” David Randall went a little ways into the 19th century for a glimpse of rural Malibu life:
“A team of government surveyors made their way into the mountains in the spring of 1897, unsure of what they would find. With armed United States marshals riding along for their protection to sit out to mark the county line separating Los Angeles from Ventura, as well as to draw the borders of what became known as the Malibu School District — grandly named considering it was then a one-room schoolhouse sitting on the bottom of a canyon floor that could fit fewer than twenty students.”
May Rindge died in 1943 and left behind a 13,300-acre principality that was transitioning from private to public but was still considered semi-rural and too far outta town for anyone but swimming fools and movie stars. From 1940 to 1950, Malibu’s population boomed from approximately 600–700 residents to 1,300–1,500 residents, barely enough to populate a high school. Santa Monica’s population boomed during and after World War II: From 1940
to 1950, the population of Santa Monica increased from 53,500 to 71,595.
By the 1940s, Malibu had an elementary school (e.g., Decker School, later Malibu Elementary), but no local middle or high schools — older students had to bus long distances to Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades.
According to “Santa Monica High School Campus Plan Historic Resources Technical Report”:
“Santa Monica voters approved two large bond measures, in 1946 and 1950, to fund a large-scale building program that would address not only the immediate issue of overcrowding but the long-term needs of the rapidly growing city.
“In order to improve efficiencies in the management of the schools, on July 1, 1953, the City School District (elementary schools) and the High School District were consolidated into the Santa Monica Unified School District. The area served by the new district included 8.3 square miles within the city limits, as well as 65 square miles in the then-unincorporated community of Malibu.”
By 1949, Malibu had grown to the point where a new school was needed. The K-8 Webster School was dedicated March 12, 1949, and was named for a respected local judge, John L. Webster. It’s possible there were rules and laws against busing grade school and middle school-aged kids to far off and scary city schools, but Malibu’s local tax base and facilities were too limited to build and sustain secondary schools, so high school kids were bused into Santa Monica — 11.9 miles from Malibu Pier to Santa Monica High.
Through the second half of the 20th century and right up to 1992, Malibu’s favorite sons and daughters were daily bused along the 20-plus miles of scenic beauty into the ever-increasing rattle and hum, trouble and strife of Santa Monica (SAMO) High.
If one understands the psyche of a surfer/beach lover, it would have been cruel and unusual punishment to whiz past the sunny surf and scenic beauty while heading for eight-plus hours in the shady turf of Santa Monica.
Bused or abused? Wade Major engaged in a bit of name-dropping before addressing the stress and strain of that shady turf to sunny surf transition: “FWIW, I knew Holly Robinson in elementary school — we were a year apart and once appeared on TV together on a talk show (she was in fifth, I was in fourth), and I knew Charlie Sheen (then Estevez) and Chris Penn from the time we were 12. Rob Lowe was a year older. Charlie, Chris, Robert Downey Jr., and I were all in the same SAMOHI class of ‘83.”
Speaking to the stress of going to school miles away from home: “I don’t know that we gave it a ton of thought to be honest,” Major said. “Samohi was the only high school there was. I can say that for those in my particular
circle, we weren’t thrilled about it. And once we got to Samohi, we were even less thrilled about it.”
(And you have to wonder if a couple generations of Malibu kids being exposed to that gritty city life inspired the “Keep Malibu Country!” ethos and made them determined to keep Malibu from ending up population-dense and gritty. )
From 1980 to 1990, the population of Santa Monica actually decreased almost 5% from 88,314 to 84,084 while Malibu’s population increased 45% from 8,800/9,000 to 12,500/13,000.
The California Department of Education doesn’t set a strict legal minimum number of students for secondary schools — but the practical enrollment threshold for establishing a viable comprehensive high school is about 600 to 800 students minimum to offer a full range of classes, athletics, and extracurricular programs. Beyond that, 1,000 to 2,000 students is considered the “sweet spot” for a comprehensive high school in terms of efficient funding and programming.
Small high schools with less than 600 students exist, but are often somewhat degraded to “continuation,” “alternative,” or “charter” high schools rather than comprehensive.
Kevin Keegan shared: “According to the ‘History of Malibu High School’ published in the MHS Graduation Day program: In the late 1980s, Malibu parents were concerned about the increasingly long and dangerous drive on PCH as students commuted to Santa Monica High School.’ Today, PCH remains a concern for the Malibu parents and the community in general. [Concern for her son driving PCH is why Haylynn Conrad ran for City Council.] What we learn from our history is the original push to establish a high school in Malibu came from Malibu parents.”
Keegan continued: “In 1989, the SMMUSD Board authorized the Malibu High School Study Committee, and that led to the opening of MHS.”
Malibu citizens voted to become a city on June 5, 1990, passing Measure Y by a decisive margin of 84% in favor to 16% opposed. This overwhelming support marked the success of a years-long effort by residents to gain local control over land use and development decisions, particularly in response to concerns about large-scale county projects
like a regional sewer system that might have increased the population of Malibu to 80,000 to 103,000+ people (gasp!), and potential freeway expansions along the Pacific Coast Highway.
The City of Malibu was formally established on March 28, 1991. Wade Major added to this history: “Once cityhood succeeds in 1991, the next question becomes, how to form our own school district? Because we now have the institutional infrastructure and talent to also assume that task.”
On April 17, 1991, The Los Angeles Times reported under the title “Plan to Open High School in Malibu Wins Approval”:
“Despite fierce opposition from Santa Monica residents, the Santa Monica-Malibu school board has approved a plan to open a high school in Malibu.
“The unanimous vote late Monday capped months of bitter debate that divided the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Santa Monica parents charged that the school would amount to an elite academy for wealthy Malibu residents. Malibu parents said the school was necessary to spare their children the one-hour commute to Santa Monica High, and to stem the flight of Malibu children to private schools.
“The school would open in 1992 with a ninth-grade class at a middle school campus near Zuma Beach, and upper grades would be phased in one year at a time. Enrollment would be open to students throughout the district, with a maximum of 360 for grades nine through 12.
“Santa Monica residents vowed to fight the decision with lawsuits or by unseating board members.”
Three months later, The LA Times reported that a first principal for Malibu High, Robert Donahue, had been elected, but the controversy continued: “The controversial school has been on the drawing boards for two years. Opponents feared that it would drain money from an already tight school budget and would become an elitist campus for wealthy, mostly white, Malibu residents.
Supporters, mostly Malibu residents, wanted a high school closer to home. Board members voted unanimously in April to open the Malibu campus.
“About 80 freshmen are expected to enroll in fall of 1992. All high school students in the district will have a choice of attending the Malibu campus or Santa Monica High School, currently
avail. Of course, no sooner had I gone back to sleep than that awful sound returned. No matter how hard I scoured the room, I could not find it. I would like to think it was all a bad dream or my imagination, but I assure you I can still distinguish between
the district’s only high school.” Malibu High School officially opened in 1992, with 120 students — 80 of them freshmen. The original school was designed for 520 students, but the population gradually passed that as the numbers increased from 120 students in 1992 to 400 (1995), 500 (2000), 600 (2005), 650 (2010).
Soon after Malibu High School opened in 1992, the battle lines began to form. In the run-up to the SMMUSD school board election, Malibu became the flashpoint.
The Los Angeles Times captured it in a headline that hinted at the fight to come: “ELECTIONS / SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD: Questions About Malibu High Dominate Race.”
Condensing that story: Santa Monica voters pressed candidates to promise that resources for Samohi wouldn’t be siphoned off. Malibu parents, after waiting decades for a local high school, demanded equal support for their fledgling campus. Candidates like Julia Brownley shifted their tone depending on which side of the hill they were addressing. Incumbents Peggy Lyons and Mary Kay Kamath tried to reassure both constituencies, while newcomer Neil Carrey warned that broken promises would erode trust in the district.
Quoting directly from the story: “Kamath said she considered retiring from the board this year but decided to run because she is the only board member who lives in Malibu and is familiar with its everyday needs.”
Kamath attributed much of the controversy over Malibu High School to botched public relations. Many residents thought that the district could not afford the school in a time of budgetary cutbacks. “It was a big mistake not to get more community input,” she said. There was lots of community input to come. That 1992 campaign for the SM-MUSD school board was shaped less by classroom policy than by geography, distrust, local control, and money. And it foreshadowed future quarrels. The debate over opening Malibu High wasn’t the end of the squabbles between Malibu and the SMMUSD—it was only the beginning.
Stay tuned for Part Two: Reading, Writing and Representation.
reality and dreamworld.
This story might not have a definitive end. I heard the sound on two additional occasions but never did find the culprit. A more efficient predator than I might have killed the bugger, or at least, that is what I hope happened.
What I have come to realize is, if God
This photo illustration tracks the efforts of local residents to advocate for Malibu students. Contributed graphic
MALIBU SEEN
Malibu’s Debra Bianco backs pet-soothing album at Grammy Museum
By HAYLEY MATTSON Pubisher, Editor in Chief Cornucopia Foundation CEO endorses Grammycontending Dream Dog Album for Pets
When Debra Bianco, co-founder and CEO of the Cornucopia Foundation, took the stage at the Grammy Museum during this year’s pre-Grammy programming, she came not only to speak but to champion a mission close to her heart. The longtime leader of the Malibu Farmers Market introduced “Dreaming Dog,”a groundbreaking album designed to soothe pets, describing it as “music with a heart” in a heartfelt appeal to the packed audience. For Bianco, the project represents the perfect harmony of creativity and compassion, echoing her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.
The event, held in an intimate Los Angeles theater, buzzed with anticipation. Bianco, no stranger to public speaking after years of addressing Malibu’s City Council, admitted to pre-stage jitters. “I was so nervous,” she said. “The lights hit you, and you can’t see a thing — it’s just you and the moment.” That moment resonated deeply as she shared the stage with local rescue groups — Dove
Project, Bark’n Bitches, and Callie’s Canine Rescue — highlighting the album’s mission to comfort animals and raise awareness for their care.
“Dreaming Dog” boasts a heavyweight creative team.
Co-produced by Daniel Oron and Tank God of Mosadi, the album carries the duo’s Grammy-winning credentials from their work on Chris Brown’s “11:11
(Deluxe),” which snagged Best R&B Album this year. They partnered with Amman Ahmed, founder of Music for Pets and RelaxMyDog, whose expertise in pet-focused soundscapes makes “Dreaming Dog” a global first. Bianco, who tested the album on her own pets, was impressed: “It really calms them — even me, and I’m a hyper little woman!” she said with a laugh.
The project dovetails with Bianco’s broader vision at the Cornucopia Foundation. Recently, she re-launched the Malibu Cann Film Festival, a cultural platform celebrating storytelling and social good. Like “Dreaming Dog,” the festival merges entertainment with philanthropy, creating meaningful connections between Hollywood and community causes. Bianco’s ties to Oron trace back to her farmers market days and early festival planning, where he was considered as a judge. “Daniel’s heart is in this,” she said. “He chose to make music for pets when he could’ve picked anything.”
The Grammy Museum event was a powerful showcase of art meeting advocacy. With rescue partners by her side, Bianco underscored “Dreaming Dog’s” deeper purpose: to bring hope and comfort to animals everywhere. Voting for the album’s Grammy consideration runs from Oct. 3 to 15, with nominees announced Nov. 7. A nod would mark a milestone for a project that redefines music’s potential.
Post-event, Bianco mingled with collaborators over cocktails, reflecting on the day’s impact. “It was kind of cool,” she said, comparing the cozy stage to Malibu’s old theater. “You wouldn’t think much of it, but when those groups got up there, you knew you were seeing something special.” As “Dreaming Dog” vies for Grammy recognition, it stands as a testament to her belief that when empathy and artistry align, the impact echoes far beyond the stage — or the silver screen.
Cirque Mechanics brings ‘Tilt!’ to Pepperdine Smothers Theatre
Experience a nostalgic, high-flying amusement park adventure a man-powered Ferris wheels, and roller-coaster acrobatics
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
An exciting night of circus and nostalgia is coming to Malibu Oct. 7 at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theater.
Acclaimed theatrical circus company Cirque Mechanics will be performing its newest production, “Tilt!,” and it promises to be a spectacular production for an all-ages family night.
Cirque Mechanics was founded by Cirque du Soleil alum Chris Lashua who knew he wanted to create something different. “I created our company, Cirque Mechanics, with the idea that we would show off the relationship between mechanical contraptions and the lyrical performance world,” he said by phone while deep in rehearsals in Las Vegas. Over the past two decades, the Las Vegas–based troupe has built a reputation for productions that marry acrobatic artistry with ingenious engineering.
The latest production, “Tilt!,” is a throwback to a 1980s amusement park, capturing both the thrills of carnival rides and the whimsy of circus storytelling. The show’s central feature is a 24-foot man-powered Ferris wheel — designed and fabricated by Lashua — that serves as both scenic anchor and acrobatic apparatus. “The more seamlessly we can integrate these contraptions
into the set, the more magical it is,” he explained. “When this Ferris wheel suddenly becomes an apparatus for people to fly and swing on, it surprises the audience every time.”
But the Ferris wheel is only the beginning. Throughout the show, everyday amusement park fixtures transform in unexpected ways.
A rolling ticket booth doubles as a juggling platform. An ice cream cart becomes the stage for a plate-spinning act. Even park benches morph into props for balancing stunts. “We take scenic elements people recognize from the amusement park and bring them to life in surprising ways,” Lashua explained.
The story at the heart of Tilt! follows a weary amusement park employee who has lost his spark. Through a series of hijinks with rambunctious guests, he rediscovers the joy of carnival life. Along the way, the park itself seems to awaken — spinning, tilting, and transforming to frame the acts.
Audiences can expect a wide range of performances: aerial artistry on chairs suspended like old-fashioned swing rides, high-flying teeterboard launches, Chinese pole climbing, and a roller coaster–inspired aerial routine that evokes the thrill of the first steep descent. “We look to the park for inspiration,” Lashua said. “The roller coaster act, for example, mimics the feeling of
magical musical abilities. She is full of charisma and beauty, and she’s a tough, hard worker and a wonderful super-mom who does it all.”
With the admirable tone of an adoring husband and friend who is patently aware that he won the wife lottery, Roy reverently added, “Asa’s amazing — she’ll cook breakfast, make sure all the kids have everything they need in backpacks for school, and then sit down and record amazing songs. There are 2.5 million streams of her debut album on Spotify!”
Smiling, Asa commented, “Recording this music and singing jazz fits me like a glove and my personality is mirrored in my voice. I’ve never used my voice the way I do now as I sang the songs breathily.”
As the creative couple vivaciously discussed recording the album, their four adorable tow-headed boys scurried about, seeking their parents’ attention and wondering about who the lady with the notebook talking with their parents was. “Roy 3,” as their eldest child is affectionately nicknamed, is already blossoming creatively and exuding his innate musical talent — He’s taken the stage and impressively guitared with the likes of Joe Walsh, his adoring godfather, as Walsh and Dave Grohl played “Rocky Mountain Way” at VetsAid 2022 when he was just 6 years old. Roy 3 has also played with the Eagles, one of the Beatles, and can sing Johnny Cash songs wonderfully, his proud papa said with a tone of admiration for his son’s musical gifts. If readers are weary of all the serious news, check out @royorbison3rd to see uplifting performances by Roy 3 — it’s difficult to find something cuter than him performing his Grandpa’s “Oh Pretty Woman.”
For the Orbisons it’s all about family, and they have enjoyed being
throwing your hands in the air on that first big hill.”
Unlike some modern circuses that lean on digital projections, “Tilt!,” is strictly analogue. “We’re all man-powered as a company,” Lashua emphasized. “That synergy between human strength and mechanical design is what makes our circus unique.” Even the Ferris wheel requires performers to generate its rotation, blending brute force with artistry.
Audience participation plays a role as well — though in a playful, no-risk fashion. A comedic character riffs with spectators in the crowd, a lighthearted nod to old carnival routines. “There’s no fear of being dragged onstage,” Lashua assured.
Cirque Mechanics travels with a compact but versatile company. Nine performers take the stage, supported by a team of 14 that includes a manager, lighting director, and even the truck driver who helps move the Ferris wheel. The performers themselves come from a variety of backgrounds: fifth-generation circus families, collegiate gymnasts, jugglers, dancers, and actors. That diversity, Lashua commented, creates a rich texture onstage.
For Lashua, the creative process is as rewarding as the performance itself. “I just watched an aerialist in rehearsal being lifted by the rotation of the Ferris wheel. That syn-
provide the opportunities to help our students succeed across all four schools. So, we provide staff and staff programs that are not funded by the district. And it’s always a little bit more expensive to find parity in Malibu just because of our location and our enrollment sizes. So, to get similar opportunities, it costs a little bit more and that’s where Malibu Education Foundation comes in. We help to fund four instructional aids per elementary school and support arts education at both elementary schools. We launched, founded, and funded the middle school athletics program, which is now firmly established, and the district has taken on funding for that. We supplement math tutors, athletics coaches, and arts in the middle and high school as well. And we’re only just beginning.”
MEF recently raised $2,000 with a comedy night staged by Webster parents at Aviator Nation. “Parents are taking it upon themselves to create these unique opportunities that not only get our community together, but also support all four schools,” said Al-Hardan. “We are
ergy between the big mechanical structure and the performer is exactly what excites us. Hopefully audiences enjoy it as much as we enjoy making it.”
With “Tilt!,” Cirque Mechanics continues its mission of contemporary circus — combining narrative, acrobatics, and inventive design to build entire worlds on stage. “We’re proud of the fact that there’s a story everyone can follow,” Lashua said.
“The Ferris wheel, the roller coaster, the ‘you must be this tall to ride’ sign — all of those things connect us to memories of the amusement park. And then we transform them into circus magic.”
“Cirque Mechanics always brings an irresistible mix of artistry, engineering, and heart,” says Rebecca Carson, managing director of the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts. “We are thrilled to welcome them back to Malibu for the California premiere of ‘Tilt!’ I know audiences are in for an awefilled evening.”
Ticket Information
Tickets are available online, by phone at (310) 506-4522, and at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts Box Office, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and two hours prior to most performances.
in the midst of three more events coming up. We have our holiday tree lot, and we hope to bring back this boutique there on our community night.” MEF is also working with the producer of “Big Rock Burning” for a screening at MHS and has a gala fundraiser at MHS Oct. 4.
Local mom Candace Kelly helped organize the Malibu Marketplace to support local brands and Malibu’s public schools. In addition to raising her family, Kelly just launched Candace Kelly Resort, a line of luxury leisure wear, made in California. The mother of three had the idea to organize a shopping day featuring her fellow local female business owners, while adding a fundraising aspect. “I thought, let’s just do Malibu Education Foundation,” she said. “It helps all the schools — Webster, Malibu Middle, Malibu High, and Malibu Elementary School.”
The shopping was Malibu chic, filled with cool local brands like Atlas Ranch’s patch trucker hats, Brevn Designs fine jewelry, Candace Kelly Resort, Coconut Haus’s one-of-a-kind quilts, Coly Los Angeles fine jewelry, clothing from Crown located in the Malibu Country Mart, stylish togs from 27 Miles, photography by Brian Bowen Smith, Frankies Bikinis, Heather Gardner Jewelry, boho style
featured as charter guests on the reality TV show “Below Deck Mediterranean” on locations such as Italy and Mallorca, Spain. They make a lovely life for their children in Malibu and look forward to perhaps performing at charity concerts for such organizations as Heal the Bay.
Roy Orbison Jr.’s take on Asa’s new album
Listening to Asa’s album celebrating jazz standards, one can, as Roy aptly describes, get lost in the rhythms of classics reborn — that, in essence, is Asa’s and his joint vision for the album. They aim to celebrate the jazz genre and to share the beauty of the timeless melodies with all generations as their songs build bridges between classic jazz standards and contemporary tastes.
“Asa is naturally talented to the point of being magical, and she sings beautiful, sexy jazz songs on this album, and it feels like they’re fresh compositions,” Roys explains. “The kind of romantic songs people have put on over the decades as they made dinner and started an intimate evening. They’re wonderful! She even sings a wonderful rendition of Moon River on the bonus track and it’s cool to hear her sing jazz songs in Swedish.” Life is full of synchronicities and not-so-coincidental coincidences and it is ironic and uncanny that this article is written on the anniversary of Roy Orbison topping the Billboard Hot 100 with “Oh, Pretty Woman,” a timeless, delightfully danceable song that continues to bring joy to millions. No doubt, were he with us today, the elder Orbison would almost certainly be honored and enormously impressed by Asa, the very talented and pretty woman whom Roy Jr. married and collaborated with in making her debut album that honors him and many jazz greats.
from Jen’s Pirate Booty, chic hats by Lovely Bird, vintage style tees from Rowdy Sprout, and fashions from TYSA.
Kelly commented, “We’re all really good friends and we support each other. We came together, we have a lot of fun, and we’re creative. We are grassroots. Women owned and supporting each other, supporting our community and supporting our schools.”
Tara Morelli’s homegrown business, Black Butterfly, showcased her boutique items ranging from candles, jewelry, specialized gifts, clothing, and apothecary. Her growing business needed a brick-and-mortar location, but after back-to-back fires in Malibu earlier, she had to find a new location. “Then Surf Canyon had a lovely event before June. I saw the space, fell in love with it. And so, I opened up the shop in mid-June at Surf Canyon,” Morelli explained. Although the Malibu mom’s child attends school outside the SMMUSD, she was happy to participate and give back to the local schools in the community.
Al-Hardan concluded, “We are so thankful for the community support that we see not just from donations, but from volunteers and from parents who take the extra step in putting together events like this. Buy your tickets to the MEF Gala on Oct. 4 at the Malibu High School!”
The Cirque Mechanics show “Tilt!,” is a throwback to a 1980s amusement park, capturing both the thrills of carnival rides and the whimsy of circus storytelling. Photo courtesy of Kirk Marsh Photography
It’s all about music and family for Malibu singer Asa Orbison. Contributed photos
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No.: 2025-02103
Loan No.: AHF-1 10920 APN: 4453-014-015 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 2/5/2021. 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 5 102 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: Digital Media Chain LLC, A California Limited Liability Company Duly Appointed Trustee: Superior Loan Servicing Recorded 3/19/2021 as Instrument No. 20210444644 in book , page of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale: 10/8/2025 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: At the Courtyard located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $2,623,850.05 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 2688 Rambla Pacifico Street Malibu, CA 90265 A.P.N.: 4453-014-015
“As Is Where Is” 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 (714) 730-2727 or visit this Internet Website www.servicelinkASAP.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2025-02103. 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 verily 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 (714) 730-2727, or visit this internet website www.servicelinlcASAP.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2025-02103 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. Date: 9/10/2025 Superior Loan Servicing, by Asset Default Management, as Agent for Trustee 28348 Roadside Drive, 1st Floor Agoura Hills, California 91301 Sale Line: (714)730-2727 Julie Taberdo, Sr. Trustee Sale Officer A-4852860 09/18/2025, 09/25/2025, 10/02/2025 MALIBU 208
NOTICE
OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S.
LEGAL NOTICES
Title No. 250289957-CA-VOI A.P.N. 2049-019-052 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11/23/2022. 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(s) drawn on a state or national bank must be made payable to National Default Servicing Corporation, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, 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 in an “as is” condition, 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: Marguerite G McKinney, a single woman Duly Appointed Trustee: National Default Servicing Corporation Recorded 12/01/2022 as Instrument No. 20221123457 (or Book, Page) of the Official Records of Los Angeles County, California. Date of Sale: 10/20/2025 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: At The Courtyard located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $1,045,034.41 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 23756 Oakfield Road, Hidden Hills, CA 91302 A.P.N.: 2049-019-052 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.If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.The requirements of California Civil Code Section 2923.5(b)/2923.55(c) were fulfilled when the Notice of Default was recorded. 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 714-730-2727 or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com/sales, using the file number assigned to this case 25-01363-DMCA. 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 a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” you may be able to 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 888-264-4010, or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 25-01363-DM-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. Pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code, the potential rights described herein shall apply only to public auctions taking place on or after January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2025, unless later extended. Date: 09/10/2025 National Default Servicing
Corporation c/o Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., its agent, 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 820 San Diego, CA 92108 Toll Free Phone: 888-264-4010 Sales Line 714-730-2727; Sales Website: w ww.ndscorp.com Connie Hernandez, Trustee Sales Representative A-4852836 09/18/2025, 09/25/2025, 10/02/2025
MALIBU 209
2025186548
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: FRENCH WITH JENN 1317 SILVER LAKE BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90026, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable):
Registered Owner(s): JENNIFER LECHEVALLIER 1317 SILVER LAKE BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
If Corporation or LLC- 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: 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, JENNIFER LECHEVALLIER, OWNER
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 9/8/2025
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: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9/2025
MALIBU 216
PUBLIC NOTICE
APN: 4470-024-055, 4470-024-054 T.S. No. 2025-1771 and 4470-024-047 Order No. 2642541CAD NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 4/18/2022. 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, payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by a 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, in an “as is” condition, 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: YURI SPIRO, TRUSTEE OF THE YURI SPIRO FAMILY TRUST DATED MAY 3, 2002 Duly Appointed Trustee: S.B.S. TRUST DEED NETWORK, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION Deed of Trust recorded 4/26/2022 as Instrument No. 20220451024 in book XX, page XX of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale :10/16/2025 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: BEHIND THE FOUNTAIN LOCATED IN CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, POMONA, CA 91766 Amount of unpaid balance and other reasonable estimated charges: $3,950,597.76 Street Address or other common designation of purported real property: 31740 BROAD BEACH ROAD MALIBU, CA 90265 A.P.N.: 4470-024-055, 4470-024-054 and 4470-024-047
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 trustee 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 FOR SALES INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL (855) 986-9342 or visit this internet web-site www.superiordefault.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2025-1771. 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 FOR SALES INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL (855) 986-9342, or visit this internet website www. superiordefault.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2025-1771 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid, by remitting the funds and affidavit described in Section 2924m(c) of the Civil Code, so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.
Date: 9/5/2025 S.B.S. TRUST DEED NETWORK, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION. 31194 La Baya Drive, Suite 106, Westlake Village, California, 91362 (818)991-4600. By: Colleen Irby, Trustee Sale Officer. (TS# 2025-1771 SDI-35115) MALIBU 212
SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)
CASE NUMBER: 30-2025-01468553-CU-BC-CJC
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO) Linda Chan, an individual, Cathleen Bloeser, an individual; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): MARK’S MEX, INC., A California Corporation
NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courts. ca.gov/selfhelp.htm)should be, your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program.
You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org, the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.
Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia at demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no to protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.courts.ca.gov/13289. CONTINUED
To
POPPY’S PAL
and/or their name, breed and age. Poppy’s Pall photos are published in the order in which they are received.
“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
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AGOURA ANIMAL SHELTER
29525 West Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301 (west of Kanan Road) 818-991-0071.
Visiting Hours Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed on Sunday and holidays. www.
animalcare.lacounty.gov
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Contractor
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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 & Found
*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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htm), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar (a un servicio de remission a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.courts. ca.gov/13289.htm) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales.
The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es):
ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana CA 92701
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Stephanie P. Alexander (SBN 205701) S ALEXANDER PC
3090 Bristol Street, Suite 400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
DATE: 03/21/2025
DAVID H. YAMASAKI, Clerk of the Court
V. HAMMER, Deputy Clerk
Michael Strickroth, Judge of the Superior Court
Publish in The Malibu Times 09/25/25, 10/2/25, 10/9/25, 10/16/25 MALIBU 217
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Notice is given that Proposals for On-Call Haul Truck Services (BRC0000594) will be received by the Los Angeles
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Real Estate Loans
RETIRED COUPLE $$$$ for business purpose Real Estate loans. Credit unimportant. V.I.P. Trust Deed Company www.viploan. com Call 1-818-248-0000. Broker-principal DRE 01041073. No consumer loans. (Cal-SCAN)
County Public Works until 5:30 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2025. Access the RFP document at the following link, http://pw.lacounty.gov/brcd/servicecontracts for all submittal instructions and requirements. 10/2/25 CNS-3967341# MALIBU TIMES MALIBU 221
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MALIBU CITY COUNCIL
The Malibu City Council will hold a public hearing on MONDAY, October 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Malibu City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA.
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.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT ORDINANCE
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 25-003 - An amendment to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Malibu Municipal Code modifying regulations pertaining to accessory dwelling units to bring existing regulations into compliance with new changes in State law
Location: Citywide Project Case Planner: Tyler Eaton, Principal Planner (310) 456-2489, extension 273 teaton@malibucity.org
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21080.9, CEQA does not apply to activities and approvals by the City as necessary for the preparation and adoption of a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) to the Malibu Municipal Code. The ZTA is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, because it has no potential to result in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly as the ZTA does not authorize any specific development or installation on any specific piece of property within the City’s bound-
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Services
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aries. Moreover, in the event that the code amendment is interpreted so as to permit construction of an ADU on a particular site, the construction would be exempt from CEQA review in accordance with either State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (existing facilities), State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures), and/ or State CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (minor alterations to land).
A written staff report will be available at or before the hearing for the project. All persons wishing to address the Council regarding this matter will be afforded an opportunity in accordance with the Council’s procedures.
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.
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.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information, view the City’s Accessory Dwelling Units website at www.malibucity.org/adu
Yolanda Bundy, Community Development Director
Publish Date: October 2, 2025
MALIBU 223
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF NATALIE W. CRAWFORD
Case No. 25STPB10696
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of NATALIE W. CRAWFORD
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Rich in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michael Rich 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
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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 Oct. 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 67 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 DE-154) 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.
