HELP 90265 EAT 90265
SHOP 90265 PLAY 90265
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. XXXII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
‘No more delays’ Permanent Skatepark approved Kraig Hill to serve as chair, John Mazza to serve as vice chair of the Planning Commission By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
DR. SCOTT BATEMAN
What’s up, Doc? Retirement, that’s what
Dr. Scott Bateman hangs up his stethoscope after nearly a half-century practicing in Malibu By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
It’s been a distinguished and incredible career for Dr. Scott Bateman who is hanging up his stethoscope after an astonishing 47 years of practicing medicine. With nearly a half-century practice solely in Malibu, the beloved caregiver has announced his retirement. Born in Florida, raised in New Jersey, Bateman received his CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
After nearly 10 years, the permanent skatepark at Malibu Bluffs Park is finally underway. The project was addressed and approved at the rescheduled Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30. The meeting began with the nomination of chair and vice chair. Commissioner Kraig Hill will serve as chair, and John Mazza will serve as vice chair again. The meeting was attended by dozens of Malibu locals, including skaters who have been advocating for the permanent skatepark to begin construction. The project includes the construction of a new 12,500-square-foot permanent skatepark; a two-stall restroom building, 12 feet in height; additional parking areas; two bioretention basins; benches, picnic tables, and sidewalks; landscaping; a crosswalk across Winter Mesa Drive to connect the skatepark parking area to the rest of Malibu Bluffs Park and 3,022 cubic yards of grading.
Community members, skaters, and Community Services Director Kristin Riesgo and Kate Gallo (far right) gather for a group photo after the Permanent Skatepark was approved at the Planning Commission meeting on Nov. 30. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
In 2019, the City Council approved the use of the Crummer/ Case property adjacent to Malibu Bluffs Park as the location for a temporary skate park, and authorized staff to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design of a 12,500-square-foot permanent skate park on the same property.
The City Council approved the Final Conceptual Design for the temporary skate park on Feb. 24, 2020. During the Environmental Review Board meeting on Oct. 11, concerns about wildlife, ESHA, and noise complaints were raised, and California Skateparks Pr incipal Designer Jaxon
Statzell was unable to answer specific questions regarding the environmental impacts, but attended the Planning Commission meeting last week to answer questions. Community Services Director Kristin Riesgo said the reason for the delay was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a
Children’s Lifesaving Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary and founder’s retirement with dinner and fundraiser
Planning Commission, city Maria D’Angelo will staff, and public be replaced by her debate Fish and daughter, Francesca as CLF Wildlife concerns McCaffery, executive director Planning Director Richard Mollica presented the public counter and holiday hours at meeting By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Within just four days from the last meeting, the Planning Commission met again on Monday night to continue their regular scheduled meeting. To start off the meeting, new Chair Kraig Hill made a proposal to not say the Pledge of Allegiance before planning commission meetings. CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
change in leadership in the Community Services Department. After the staff report, over a dozen speakers signed up to thank the city for the temporary skatepark but urged the planning commission to approve the permanent project and request no more delays. CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
INSIDE
this week
By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
After three decades of serving and transforming the lives of over 85,000 families, the founder of the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation, Maria D’Angelo announced her retirement. The organization celebrated her legacy and the 30th anniversary of the organization with a dinner and fundraiser at Tiato Kitchen and Garden in Santa Monica on Saturday, Dec. 2. Art pieces and gift baskets were up for auction, scholarships were given to deserving students, and opportunities made to donate to the organization. The nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
OLM Holiday Boutique offers festive array of bespoke items and delicious delicacies |B1
Scholarship winners and Children’s Lifesaving Foundation members gather together after the dinner celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved youth through a unique approach of providing outdoor education through amazing summer and surf camps, inspiring holiday events, and awesome field trips in and around
Los Angeles, and educational assistance and scholarships for youth through to college-age. The organization recently held Wilderness Day Camps at King Gillette Ranch and Coastal EcoMariners Surf and Beach Camp at Zuma Beach over the summer.
CLF provides a great mix of classic camp activities like swimming, arts and crafts classes, special wilderness hikes, and actual live animal workshops. The foundation partners with organizations to provide children with life-changing
The annual tradition supports the Malibu High School athletes
cider, and snacks, many locals kept their annual tradition. “ I love this,” Lee Raphael exclaimed. “We always come to the Malibu High School Athletic Booster Club tree lot every year, and we are so happy supporting the schools and the community. It’s wonderful seeing everyone.” W ee Margaux Raphael, 5, chimed in to share her point of view about
the whole affair, saying, “I love seeing all of my friends and I love the hot chocolate.” Happily gazing up at her daddy, the youngster was in total heaven as they enjoyed the festivities. As he has at several recent community events this holiday season, Ardi Entezam brought his Ardi’s Eats & Sweets food truck to the event. Ardi’s offers GMO-free
MHS Athletic Booster Club’s Christmas tree lot shares cheer, joy, and gorgeous trees By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu High School group of volunteers pose for a photo during the annual MHS Athletic Booster Club’s Christmas tree lot community night. Photos by Devon Meyers/TMT
CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
They gathered, young and old, many accompanied by deliriously happy dogs. Cheerfully chatting as they enjoyed hot chocolate, apple
CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • Calabasas’ only movie theater on track for demolition Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events Business . . . . . . . . . . . A5 • Malibu Urgent Care aims to open new medical center Local News . . . . . . . . . A6 • Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath becomes chair of the LA County Board of Supervisors Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Holiday Boutique and Art Sale returns to Malibu Bungalows People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Frequent flyer Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . . B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9 • Alumni, current Sharks compete during Malibu High water polo alumni game