… and Piece at
winter 2023 Features:
Savoring the Season
A legacy of architectural and construction expertise now carried on by the next generation
A Progressive Holiday Dinner Meet the Chefs: Five eclectic Malibu restaurants for five courses of delights
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXVIII • NO. XXXIV
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Multi-year triathlon and half marathon contracts proposed by Malibu
Lyon Forever: ‘It’s not goodbye, it’s just see you soon’ Proud Malibuite Lyon Herron has died at 31 after battling a rare disease, Gardner’s syndrome, for most of his life
Writing campaign raises questions concerning city’s proposed award for triathlon and half marathon contracts
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
“My baby traded in his broken body for golden wings this morning at 11:27,” Barbie Herron Conkling, mother of Malibu native Lyon Herron, 31, posted on social media on Dec. 17. “My mama heart is shattered but at the same time resting in peace with knowing that the suffering died alongside the body.” The accompanying heartwrenching, yet immensely inspirational image that Conkling posted depicted her tenderly embracing Lyon, embraced by the calming purity of white flowers as his spirit left our realm. It’s the most challenging way for a mother to say I’ll see you later instead of goodbye because Lyon preferred the former valediction.
For 39 years, the Malibu Triathlon has occurred at Zuma Beach, with participants and citizens providing donations to fund pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Now, the city is in the business of selecting what organization has the right to run a triathlon and a half marathon in Malibu every year. “We’re the subject of a letter-writing campaign concerning the proposed triathlon and half CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
Fire defense company ordered to limit advertising claims California judge issues preliminary injunction against Sun FireDefense By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Investigators are looking into the efficacy of a product that was advertised as a fail-safe fire retardant for homes and property. A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Sunseeker Enterprise, which does business as Sun FireDefense, from making
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INSIDE
Actress Jane Seymour is shown with her granddaughters Luna (left) and Willow (right) Simon, and parade organizer John Zambetti at AviatorNation Dreamland after the Malibu Woodie Parade on Dec. 17. Photo by Devon Meyers/TMT
20th annual Malibu Christmas Woodie Parade shares joy all along Pacific Coast Highway Onlookers honk and wave as they enjoy the procession that honors Malibu’s surf culture By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Commemorating wonderful times in the 1950s and ’60s, when radios played Surf City, Little Deuce Coupe and Mustang Sally, and surf culture was at its apex, a cheerful convoy of 20 classic Woodies, all decked out with holiday wreaths and ornaments
and, of course, sporting a panoply of car bumpers and stickers, gathered on Dec. 17 at the Paradise Cove parking lot for the 20th Annual Malibu Christmas Woodie Parade. “I’ve never seen anything so special and celebratory of the holiday season,” Jane Seymour exclaimed. “This parade honors surf culture and Christmas and it’s amazing to see the people who built, preserved, cherished and decorated the Woodies.” Seymour, accompanied by her two granddaughters, Willow Simon, 10, and Luna Simon, 8,
joined Woodie Parade organizer John Zambetti in his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Woodie bearing the license plate MLBZ RUL, honoring his longtime local band, Malibooz. Woodies are fascinating vehicles. In the 1960s, one could pick one up for a few hundred bucks. Their commodious interiors proved practical for surfers to haul surfboards, and soon, a wonderful surf music and culture was born. These days, the classic cars fetch high prices at auction. Southern California has proven one of the
best locations to own a Woodie because its temperate climate has helped to preserve their wood. “I’ve been participating all 20 years of the Malibu event because the Woodies are reminiscent of the great days,” said David Franklin, owner of a ’49 Woodie Ford, as he queued in the line for the parade. “I used to own a Rolls Royce Woodie, which took a full five years to restore.” Smiling, David’s wife, Susan, chimed in, “Our Rolls Royce Woodie won the best in show CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Santa’s reindeer visit Malibu Country Mart Families enjoyed a free Photo Booth with Santa and Mrs. Claus and learned a thing or two about reindeer By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
The Malibu Country Mart held a series of holiday events for the entire family to enjoy, including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday carolers, and a visit from two of Santa’s reindeer, Winter, 5,
this week
and Frosty, 2. Families and visitors were delighted for the second annual Malibu Locals Night with complimentary treats and drinks. The shopping center held three separate dates, on Sunday, Dec. 3, Wednesday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 16. Carolers also brought smiles and Christmas cheer to visitors while they shopped around for Christmas presents. While families waited in line to take their photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Melanie Hroziencik
was answering questions about reindeer. “Yes! That’s real reindeer, I’m pinching you,” she said while people smiled and took photos of Winter and Frosty from outside the gate. “We’re here introducing reindeer and showing that reindeer are real and they’re beautiful animals that are really wonderful, they’re not petting zoo animals, and they do deserve our respect and our adoration and I love seeing first timers see the reindeer,” Hroziencik said. The Malibu Country Mart held a series of holiday events for the entire family to enjoy, CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
including a photo booth with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Breakfast with Santa delights kids of all ages |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • California Wildlife Center (CWC) celebrates 25 years of helping native animals Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Title Business . . . . . . . . . . . A6 • Malibu’s nonprofit sector thrives Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Children’s Lifesaving Foundation holds its annual Christmas Holiday Party People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Community . . . . . . . . . .B3 • Boys & Girls Club of Malibu holds toy drive and Christmas celebration for families in Oxnard Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B5 Business & Directory . . . B7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . B10 • Malibu High boys basketball campaign begins