Recovering from a car accident on the day of the Franklin Fire and still suffering from five broken ribs, James Sarantinos is still “hobbling around a bit.”
The Big Rock resident of over 30 years is part of a tight-knit residential group who look out for their fellow neighbors.Of course, over three decades, Sarantinos and his wife Patty (see related story on page B1) have evacuated many times over the years. After a harrowing evacuation Tuesday night and seeing the devastation to his community, Sarantinos and
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, in Pacific Palisades, has devastated Los Angeles County, leaving destruction and grief in its wake. As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, the fire has scorched over 23,713 acres and is only 18% contained. An estimated 2,114 structures have been destroyed, displacing countless families and leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins.
The fire has claimed multiple lives, with the first human remains discovered last Wednesday evening in a Malibu home near Pacific Coast Highway and Las Flores Canyon Road. The residence, known as “The Crab Shack,” belonged to Randy “Craw” Miod, a beloved local figure often referred to as the “Malibu man of mystery.”
As he scurries from meeting to meeting in his 32nd Congressional District, Brad Sherman is attempting to inform and assist his constituents, many of whom are victims of the devastating fires in and around Malibu and have lost their homes or businesses, and others who are evacuated and displaced but hope to return to properties that have not entirely succumbed to the horrific fires that ravaged Eastern Malibu, Pacific Palisades and are still not entirely extinguished.
The Malibu Times caught up with Sherman, seeking information regarding the status of Malibuites getting federal aid to assist them in disaster recovery and seeking answers for those who want to know when they can repopulate Malibu, Palisades, and nearby communities.
“I spoke with President Joe Biden by phone on Jan. 8 and thanked him for declaring the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the other ongoing fires as
part of a national disaster, an act that helps those affected to qualify for federal aid in addition to helping the various political subdivisions that are fighting the fire to seek compensation for those costs,” Sherman said. “Further, I expressed my concerns to the president that if at all possible, he should include those affected by the Franklin Fire in that declaration, and I note that in his letter to the president. Gov. Gavin Newsom included the Franklin Fire as well as any fires subsequent to the Palisades and Eaton fires in the next few days should they ignite in his request for federal relief for the ongoing fires.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Jan. 7 to remove bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the rebuilding process for homeowners and busi-
Tragically, Miod was found clutching his kitten, presumably attempting to escape the blaze. His home, a unique and iconic structure, was reduced to rubble, with only a brick chimney standing amid the ashes. Friends and community members mourn Miod’s loss, remembering him as a vibrant and cherished part of Malibu.
In a joint effort to prevent wildfires and ensure public safety, local volunteers with the Arson Watch program remain vigilant, stepping in long before flames spread. Arson Watch Director Richard Garvey explained, “We are up in the mountains, closely looking for suspicious activity.” His dedicated team’s proactive approach has proven vital, especially in light of recent arson arrests and fire threats in the region. The latest arson incident occurred on Jan. 8 at Leo Carrillo State Park Beach, located just west of Mulholland. According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the fire was intentionally set at approximately 12:40 p.m., prompting a swift response from
The devastation extends beyond Malibu, with more fatalities reported from the Palisades Fire and the nearby Eaton Fire, burning northeast of Los Angeles near Altadena. The
nesses. Announced during a press conference, the order temporarily suspends permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act, providing a critical pathway for faster restoration of properties
destroyed by the recent fires.
“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Governor Newsom said. “The executive order I signed
MALIBU’S AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1946
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
MATTSON
HAYLEY MATTSON
devastating Palisades Fire.
Photo by Benjamin Hanson/TMT
James and Devin Sarantinos returned after evacuating to put out hot spots and survey houses. Photos Courtesy of the Sarantinos
BRAD SHERMAN
In Case
You Missed it
The top stories from last week you can read at MalibuTimes.com
Wind-Driven Palisades Fire forces thousands to evacuate Fueled by Santa Ana Winds, the wildfire quickly consumes over 772 acres, prompting emergency response
Franklin Fire victim finds ‘hope in heartbreak’
While out of state with a family emergency his
Debris, erosion control, and flooding concerns
Property owners grapple with removing debris after the Franklin Fire
Students return to schools damaged by the Franklin Fire Faculty and staff from Webster and OLM worked tirelessly over the winter break to get campuses ready
Dr.
a fond farewell by the district
OPINION
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor may not reflect the view, opinion and/or ethics of the
The Malibu Times. They are however, letters from the people of Malibu. We support your right to express your opinion. Write to us at editorial@ malibutimes.com.
Elections have consequences
Dear Editor,
It is the government with a Constitutional requirement to protect the lives and property of its citizens — not State Farm or Allstate. Protecting people and property is supposed to be the government’s number one job. The number one job of insurance companies is to make a profit.
These insurance companies didn’t flee California out of greed. They fled for survival. Insurance companies saw the dereliction of duty committed by California Democrats and got the heck out. Everyone knows California is susceptible to wildfires, and insurance companies knew Democrats weren’t doing anything about it. There were no controlled burns. There was no brush clearing. The reservoirs weren’t filled. The fire department budget had been cut.
Additionally, in the event of a wildfire, the insurance companies understood that due to government malfeasance, replacing these homes would be artificially and insanely expensive. California Democrats refuse to build enough housing even as they import millions of illegal aliens. This explodes the cost of housing.
Additionally, all the unnecessary government red tape required to build or rebuild explodes the cost of housing.
Then there’s the fact that the government refused to let the in-
surance companies raise their rates to a level that met the obvious risk. Elections have consequences, and this time, people paid for it with their lives and their homes.
Lawrence Weisdorn, Malibu
Santa Ana Winds
Dear Editor,
I’m a long-time resident of Hollywood and the author of the self-published book, “Go to the Special Place Life Calls You,” I evacuated from the Sunset fire in Hollywood and wrote this afterward.
The wind built steady all day, rustling then whipping
A restless demon of the desert descending
Palm fronds skittering past my feet
A foreboding feeling leaves me shuddering
Santa Ana’sAna’s are coming to L.A.
Vengeful destroyer through the canyon rends Revenge
On the glistening city where youth never ends
A great gust sends a powerline down
Santa Ana’sAna’s have come to town
From the publisher
HAYLEY MATTSON
“From the ashes of devastation, we rebuild not just our homes, but our strength and sense of community, knowing that together, we can rise stronger than before.”
This week has been one of the most tragic and heartbreaking in our community’s history—a loss that none of us could have anticipated, yet one that we all know, deep down, is possible in a place like this. But not like this. Not at this speed, and certainly not with such devastating impact.
As I put together this week’s paper, I struggled to hold back my tears. I don’t know how to convey the sorrow and grief that has overtaken us all. My team has been deeply affected by the destruction we have witnessed. Samantha has found it impossible to process the grief, especially after following the fire for two days and watching her own building come perilously close to the flames. She is taking some time to focus on her mental health and be with her family. We support her and understand this break is necessary for her well-being. Judy, has lost everything. Her beautiful new home, which she had worked tirelessly on for five years, is now gone. Her account of the experience (you will read below), the feelings of disbelief and confusion, is heartbreaking. It is the story of many of our neighbors right now. What now? What do we do? The devastation is overwhelming. If anyone has a home to rent, please reach out. Judy and her family need a place, and your kindness would mean the world to them.
Barbara has been running around, checking on everyone and ensuring they are okay and keeping everyone informed. Benjamin Hanson, our freelance photographer, has been documenting the destruction
There’s smoke on Eaton Canyon
ridge
Thin, then thick, now we can see bright flames lick
Finally, the sirens sound
Already it doesn’t look good
Santa Ana’s hurling embers around
Pacific Palisades in the sun
Is now ablaze, better run
through his lens, capturing the devastation and the hope that comes with it. For me, the anger is hard to shake. Each day, as I write and post, I find myself wanting to blame someone. Why did this have to happen? Why did people lose their homes? Why did lives have to be lost defending them? It’s almost too much to bear. We should have been better prepared. We should have seen this coming. The pain is undeniable.
But even amidst the darkness, there is beauty. I find it in the bravery of our firefighters, emergency crews, and the dedicated administrative team working behind the scenes. I find it in our local officials, who have been with us every single day, providing unwavering support. I find it in the generosity of our community, stepping up to create donation drives for food, clothing, and essentials, making sure everyone in need is taken care of. It is in these moments of solidarity that my heart can begin to feel full again. Because we are resilient. We will rebuild. We will come together, stronger than before. We will make Malibu even more beautiful because that is what we do. It doesn’t mean that my heart doesn’t ache or that I’m not angry. But it does mean that we will ensure every moment is documented, that we hold accountable those who say they will help, and that we work together on a better, more secure fire plan for the future. We owe that to ourselves, to our kids, and to the generations that will follow. We will rebuild. We will heal. And we will make this community even stronger than before.
An inferno in paradise it humbles both the rich and the poor the heat beats down, the black air burns
Santa Ana’s bashing on the door
Look right into the approaching flames
Restless Death might have your name
Once-distant threats now in front of thee
Perspective: I need nothing. I need everything.
TBy JUDY ABEL Opinion Column
hree a.m. thoughts post Palisades Fire. I need nothing. I need everything. That is what I now answer when friends and acquaintances ask how they might be able to help me.
People I haven’t heard from in years, close friends, family, they all truly want to help make my life even just a tad easier, to shoulder some of the burden that comes after losing my home in the Palisades Fire. And I would want to help, too, if someone I loved was in my position.
For some background, I’ve been a member of the Malibu community for almost three decades. I raised my two kids here: Webster Elementary, Little League, soccer, karate, Malibu High, MJCS, and my old Sea View Estates neighborhood. I’ve gotten to know a lot of residents through these associations. But in my decade now of writing for The Malibu Times I’ve gotten to know so many more in our community from law enforcement, city government, business and so many more who make our community work through their volunteerism and the countless charity organizations I’ve written about.
Unfortunately, most of my writing the past six years has been about Woolsey Fire victims. What a struggle they’ve faced trying to rebuild while being displaced.
I always knew I could be in the same situation, I just didn’t think it would be so soon after an extensive and drawn-out remodel using best practices to mitigate for fire threats.
I thought I saw my new home burning on TV but wasn’t sure because it was too smoky to see. It was my house or a neighbor’s, so
either way it wasn’t looking good. I received a slew of messages asking if my husband and I were okay and if we lost the new home we had just finished, having installed the light switch face plates just Monday! I said yes, we’re okay but it wasn’t looking promising on the house.
For the next few anxiety-filled hours I reached out to anyone I could think of who may have stayed behind and could possibly check our address. But there was no one Wednesday. And really, who would stay behind in that fire storm?
At 3 in the afternoon, my daughter in New York called to break the news. One of our new neighbors, a childhood friend of hers, had returned to our neighborhood (I’m not sure how) and took video I haven’t been able to bear to watch. How sad he must have felt when he told our daughter, “I’m sorry to have to tell you, if you didn’t know, your house burned down.” He also texted her three photos that I finally looked at.
My first thought seeing just a pile of rubble was no, that’s not our house. That’s what I told my daughter over the phone! She said, “Yes mom. It’s ours. Look at the address.” But I couldn’t see an address, only a pile of gray. She told me to look at the mailbox. Mailbox? I couldn’t make one out.
When I zoomed in closer I finally found it, a teal mailbox now ghostly white and blending into the rubble that used to be my beautiful new home. There were the numbers, clear as a bell even though everything else was obliterated.
Soon after that confirmation, another blow. Our son texted a screenshot of a burning home, the home where we lived as a family for a quarter century. His friend, watching TV coverage, recognized it and took a photo to break that news to us. While we put five long years into a remodel we were destined to enjoy for a scant eleven months, seeing our old house and the house of my dear old neighbor up in smoke was perhaps even more heartbreaking for my family. Crazily, our beloved dog of nearly 15 years had died suddenly the Saturday before the fires. A friend
says we are living a country music lyric: My house burned down and the dog died.
Now life is completely different. Destroyed no, shattered, yes. We’re in our small apartment downtown. I have a roof over my head and a very helpful community in my building. I’m not sleeping on a cot in a shelter. I know I remain very fortunate. The rest is messy. People from far and wide are reaching out at all hours. It takes a long time to answer, but I feel I must, even just to let people know we’re ok but that our house isn’t. And I feel a desperate need to check on so many others who were in harm’s way. It takes time. I have elderly friends who no longer drive. Did they get out? Are they safe? After three days of being worried sick, I finally heard back from one friend who never received my messages because there was no electricity at the hotel where they evacuated. Why won’t my insurance agent get back to me? Turns out she lost her
Palisades home so she’s a little busy. So many people have asked what I need. Do I tell them I need underwear, a hanger for the one pair of pants I currently own?
Shampoo and a laundry basket, because the few clothes I do have are in a small pile on the closet floor.
With so many unanswerable questions, I’m finding it hard to sleep, eat, even drink. I’m worried I can’t make a trip to visit a sick friend. I have no clothes or suitcase. The stress has quickly shed those two pounds I needed to fit into my favorite outfit, but oh wait, that was in my Malibu closet. That complicated cable knit sweater I proudly made myself was always a comfort. Gone too. A slew of my handcrafted pieces. My kids’ memory boxes. My husband’s irreplaceable record collection, his childhood baseball cards. Our love letters.
People ask me what I need and I say I don’t need anything, but I need everything.
Run fast, and you just might survive
Santa Ana’s coming for me
Fate comes in so many forms
Nothing lasts forever, ya’ know
Someday certainly will be your last
Even mighty empires must pass
So live and live right, my friend
Before the Santa Ana winds descend Joe Gallagher, Hollywood
I recently wrote about Malibu resident William Woodward who lost his home in the Franklin Fire. He still put up a Christmas tree with a message of “hope over heartbreak.” His message sticks with me.
A friend from Malibu who moved to Europe emailed asking if I “dodged a bullet.” I replied unfortunately, I did not. How could we dodge a bullet when the whole area was hit by artillery fire? I know too many others in my samesituation. How will we all rebuild at the same time? How will this work? Can we all afford it or even have the stamina to get through another living hell in a rebuild with 9,000 other households?
I know I’m going to try until I give up. I stand with you all who lost homes and those who luckily still have a home to go back to and I’m really happy for those people and I’m heartsick and proud of our community. So really, I have nothing, but I have everything.
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“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
burned home became the symbol of Malibu’s latest fire tragedy
Malibu High School’s second-ever principal retires
Mark Kelly, who served MHS and then SMMUSD, is given
Former Malibuite claimed silver in Paralympics YanXiao Gong, who collects guns as a hobby, won the medal in the P3 mixed 25m SH1 event.
Randy
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner is investigating 11 deaths linked to the recent wildfires, officials announced Friday.
At least 25 people have lost their lives as wildfires continue to sweep through Los Angeles, with concerns that the death toll may rise. Officials warn it could take weeks to identify the victims, as traditional methods like fingerprinting and visual identification may not be feasible due to the severity of the fires.
Among those lost in the Palisades Fire is Randy “Craw” Miod, a beloved Malibu figure known as the “Malibu man of mystery.” It has been confirmed by local art gallery owner Tracy Park and friend Isabel Ravenna that Miod and his iconic home, nicknamed “The Crab Shack,” were lost in the blaze. He was tragically found in his home, holding his kitten while attempting to evacuate.
Miod’s passing has left a profound mark on the Malibu community, where he was cherished for his vibrant spirit and significant contributions to the local arts scene. He was also a passionate and well-known surfer, recognized as a key figure in Malibu’s
The wildfires have devastated communities across Los Angeles County, leaving grief and loss in their wake. Authorities continue to urge residents to prioritize safety during evacuations and heed official warnings.
Further details on the victims and ongoing recovery efforts are expected in the coming days.
Beloved Topanga resident Arthur
Simoneau
dies defending home in Palisades Fire
Arthur Simoneau, a 69-year-old hang-glider pilot and long-time resident of Topanga, was found dead at his home on Thursday following the devastating Palisades Fire. Officials discovered Simoneau’s body near the doorway of his residence, indicating he had been trying to defend his property as flames engulfed the area. His death is among the 16 fatalities reported so far in what has become one of the most catastrophic wildfires in California’s history.
Simoneau, a calculated risk-taker known for his adventurous spirit, was returning from a ski trip in Mammoth when he learned of the evacuation orders for his home in the Santa Monica Mountains. While most residents fled, Simoneau, true to his nature, headed back to confront the threat. His courage and determination were hallmarks of his character, friends and neighbors say.
A hang-glider pilot for over four decades, Simoneau was a fixture in the local community, known for his distinctive ponytail, penchant for open-toed shoes, and a zest for life that was infectious. His son, Andre Simoneau, captured his father’s essence in a heartfelt message on the GoFundMe page set up to assist with final arrangements.
“Arthur made a strong impression on everyone he met, not with overwhelming charisma but through his authenticity,” Andre wrote. “He was unbelievably kind, magnetic, and fearless. He lived life with a childlike eagerness and taught us all to do the same. Those of us who knew him always suspected he wouldn’t pass away quietly. Between hang-gliding, riding motorcycles, and skiing at Social Security age, we knew he’d go out doing something only he was
NEWS BRIEFS
brave enough—or crazy enough— to attempt.”
Simoneau’s bravery in the face of danger was matched by his deep love for his community and an unwavering commitment to living life on his own terms. The GoFundMe page is filled with tributes from friends and family who remember him as a unique and irreplaceable soul.
“Unfortunately, he died protecting his home during the Palisades fire, but in true Arthur fashion, he did so with bravery and determination,” Andre wrote. “He showed us how to live life to its fullest.”
As Los Angeles County continues to battle the destructive wildfire, the loss of Simoneau underscores the human toll of these devastating events. His death serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
Arrangements for a memorial are pending at press time. Donations to support the Simoneau family can be madethrough the GoFundMe page @Celebrate the Crazy Life of Arthur Simoneau set up in Arthur’s honor.
Mother of Rory Callum Sykes, 32, announces death of the former actor above Malibu Hills
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son, Rory Sykes to the Malibu Fires,” Shelley Sykes posed on X on Jan. 9. “He had his own cottage on our 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, which burnt down on Jan. 8 in the Malibu Fires.”
Full of pain and angst, Shelley added, “I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even so, the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day.” She also stat ed to an Australian news program, 10 News First, that she could not lift Rory to help him escape be cause she had a broken arm.
Shelly shared that Rory was born in Australia and he was blind and suffered with cerebral palsy and had difficulties walking but that over time, with surgeries and therapies, he had regained some of his sight and was able to learn to walk.
Final arrangements are pending at press time. Preliminary hearing scheduled Monday for Fraser Bohm
Fraser Michael Bohm had a preliminary hearing scheduled on Jan. 13 at the Van Nuys Courthouse West. Bohm, 22, faces four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter following the Oct. 17, 2023, crash on Pacific Coast Highway that resulted in the deaths of four Pepperdine University students: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams.
Bohm’s legal proceedings have experienced multiple delays. The Malibu-raised Bohm last appeared in court in October. It’s unclear if his presence was required at Monday’s 8:30 a.m. session. Bohm’s defense attorney, Michael Kraut, contends that he was a victim of a road rage incident prior to the fatal crash and disputes claims regarding his speed at the time of the incident. Kraut says there is security footage that corroborates his claim of another driver who clipped Bohm’s car and that he was going 75. The prosecution maintains the car’s speed was higher and that Bohm’s actions were reckless, leading to the tragic deaths of the four students.
Bohm was released on $4 million bail in October 2023.
Gov. Newsom
Mobilizes Additional Firefighting Resources
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday, Jan. 13, the deployment of over 300 additional firefighting personnel and 135 fire engines to strategic locations across Southern Cali-
E. Caldwell
fornia in preparation for extreme fire weather forecasted through Wednesday. These efforts bolster the state’s historic firefighting response, which now includes more than 15,000 personnel and 1,900 firefighting assets such as engines, water tenders, aircraft, and bulldozers.
The National Weather Service has classified this severe weather event as a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” with strong winds expected to increase fire risk in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Governor Newsom directed additional resources to Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties over the weekend, including 69 local government engines and 70 pre-staged assets from CAL FIRE and federal agencies.
“Our response efforts continue on the ground during this ever-evolving situation,” said Governor Newsom. “Southern Californians must stay vigilant and follow orders from local authorities.”
Over the past week, California has deployed thousands of personnel and equipment to combat ongoing fires, including the Mountain, Franklin, Palisades, and Eaton Fires, which have destroyed hundreds of structures. Federal support, including a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, has been secured to aid the state’s response.
How to Stay Prepared:
• Create a Plan: Know your evacuation routes and safe locations.
• Pack a Go Bag: Include essential items such as documents, medicine, and a portable radio.
• Help Others: Check on neighbors who may need assistance.
• Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts at ca.gov/LAFires. For disaster assistance, visit Di-
sasterAssistance.gov or call 800621-3362.
Palisades Fire: Malibu and Surrounding Areas Impacted
Structure Damage: CalFire reports an estimated 5,000 structures damaged or destroyed, with 1,280 confirmed destroyed in the Palisades and Malibu areas. Malibu building inspectors are conducting assessments to determine the extent of damage within city limits.
Casualties: Eight fatalities have been reported, including three in Malibu (per LA County Medical Examiner). Three injuries and six missing residents have also been confirmed.
Fire Status: The fire has not expanded within Malibu city limits, halted at the Franklin Fire burn scar. Evacuation zones remain hazardous.
Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect through Wednesday morning, with winds potentially reaching 70 mph. Current conditions report 49°F with 19% humidity and wind gusts up to 45 mph.
Emergency Services:
• Malibu EOC Hotline: (310) 456-2489, available 7:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Disaster Recovery Center: Opening Jan. 15 at UCLA Research Park, 10850 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
Utilities & Resources:
• Electricity: SCE reports outages due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
• Water: A “Do Not Drink” advisory is in effect for eastern Mal-
Dan also had visiting appointments at UCLA, USC, and Brown University, where he helped to establish the Center for Foreign Policy Development, which is now the Watson Center. Dan was a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was the chair of its academic outreach initiative for many years.
In addition to his teaching, Dan maintained an active research agenda and authored five books, edited
tennis team. During his sophomore year at Stanford University, he met Lora Jean Ferguson at the university’s program in Vienna, Austria, where they fell in love and then got married in Honolulu, Hawaii, Lora’s hometown.
Following their marriage, Lora and Dan moved to Boston, where Dan pursued a master’s degree in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Upon graduation, following in the footsteps of his father’s distinguished service in World War II, Dan entered active duty in the Navy and taught national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and served in the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C.
After his three years of active duty service, Dan returned to Stanford, where he earned a second master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science. He then accepted a position at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he served as a professor for forty-three years. He also served as president of the faculty for two terms and established programs to assist veterans returning to college from active military service.
Malibu icon
‘Craw’ Miod among victims of Palisades Fire
LOCAL RESOURCES
Resources for Residents Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
As the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires continue to affect communities, numerous resources are available to support those impacted. Here’s a guide to essential assistance and how to access it immediately.
Stay Informed and Prepared
• Sign up for alerts: Stay updated on evacuation notices, safety tips, and critical updates through Ready LA Track ongoing fires: Visit fire.ca.gov for real-time wildfire information.
• Air quality updates: Monitor air quality through the South Coast AQMD.
• Evacuation safety tips: Download the Evacuation Guide from Ready.ca.gov Traffic maps: Check current road conditions via CalTrans Traffic Alerts.
Immediate Assistance
Federal and state programs offer various forms of support for individuals and businesses affected by the fires.
FEMA Individual Assistance
FEMA provides financial support for housing, home repairs, rental assistance, disaster legal services, and unemployment aid. Here’s how to apply:
1. Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
2. FEMA Mobile App: Submit applications on your smartphone.
3. By Phone: Call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, available daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST). Help is offered in multiple languages.
For details on citizenship and immigration status requirements or to watch an accessible application video, visit FEMA Accessible
Small Business Assistance
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loans and aid for disaster-affected businesses. Applications can be submitted at Disaster Recovery Centers, where individuals can also receive
federal aid assistance.
State Unemployment Benefits
If you lost your job due to the fires, apply for benefits through the State of California.
Shelter and Insurance Support
Open shelters: Find a real-time list of shelters at CalOES
• Insurance claims: California law prevents insurance companies from canceling or not renewing home insurance policies for those affected by the fires. Visit insurance.ca.gov for tips and information, including in-person workshops on Jan. 18 and 25.
Volunteer and Donate
Support wildfire recovery by donating to trusted organizations or volunteering your time:
• California Volunteers: Find opportunities to help directly.
Philanthropy California: Access a list of safe ways to donate.
Major Disaster Declaration
On Jan. 8, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California’s wildfires. This enables federal agencies to provide individual assistance, public assistance, and SBA aid to affected areas. Avoid Scams
When donating or seeking aid, verify organizations to ensure your contributions and requests are secure.
For more details and downloadable resources in English and Spanish, visit the LA County Wildfire Resources page.
Resources and Tips for Homeowners
The Department of Insurance released guidance and practical tips to help residents navigate the recovery process:
• Check Licenses for Agents and Adjusters: Confirm the validity of any insurance agent or public adjuster’s license through the Department of Insurance website.
• Create a Digital Inventory: Take photos or videos of your possessions and store them securely in the Cloud for easy access when filing claims.
Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants
1. Obtain Your Insurance Policy
• Request a complete copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy, including the declarations page. Your insurer is required by law to provide this free of charge within 30 days. Ask your agent or insurer to clarify your coverage for: Rebuilding or repairing your home Personal belongings Living expenses (including Extended Replacement Cost and Building Code Upgrade coverage, if applicable).
• Request advice on how to effectively claim your benefits.
2. Understand Additional Living Expense (ALE) Limits
• Familiarize yourself with your ALE coverage limits and manage expenses, recognizing the long rebuilding process. You are entitled to ALE for at least 24 months after a declared catastrophe, even if your policy states otherwise. Extensions up to 36 months may be granted for delays beyond your control, but your total coverage amount will not increase.
3. Track Your Expenses
Document all additional expenses incurred while living away from your home. Keep in mind that ALE reimbursement covers costs like temporary rent and additional mileage but excludes normal living expenses such as your
• Keep Receipts During Evacuations: Retain all receipts for expenses incurred during evacuations, as insurance policies may cover additional living expenses (ALE). Document Conversations: Record the date, time, and names of insurance representatives you interact with to ensure accurate communication about your coverage.
mortgage. You are entitled to maintain the same standard of living you had before the fire.
4. Keep a Claim Diary
• Record all conversations with your insurer or adjuster about your claim and policy limitations. If your adjuster claims something is excluded or limited, ask them to identify the specific policy provision beingcited.
5. Get Contractor Estimates
Obtain at least one estimate from a licensed contractor to compare actual rebuilding costs with your coverage limits. The insurance company’s estimate may not reflect local conditions or demand surge (price increases due to high demand after a disaster). For guidance, review the California Contractors State License Board’s resources.
6. Call the Department of Insurance Hotline
• For assistance, contact the California Department of Insurance at (800) 9274357. You can also file a complaint or seek advice online at: insurance.ca.gov
7. Explore Rebuilding Options
• You may choose to rebuild at a different location while still receiving full replacement cost benefits, including Building Code Upgrade and Extended Replacement Cost coverage (if applicable). You also have the right to select your own contractor or consider community-wide rebuilding approaches to reduce costs.
8. Take Your Time with Decisions
Carefully assess your situation before making decisions about contractors, lawyers, or public adjusters. Consider your financial situation, willingness to handle construction issues, and long-term plans. If you decide to rebuild, ensure you have multiple bids from reputable contractors and are certain of costs and insurance limits before proceeding.
9. Evaluate Your Coverage
Don’t assume your coverage is inadequate based on general building cost information. Assess your specific rebuilding costs against your policy lim-
its, including any extended replacement coverage. If you find you are underinsured, gather documentation and contact the Department of Insurance for support.
10. Consider Public Adjusters or Attorneys Carefully
• If rebuilding takes time, you may need assistance managing your claim. Public adjusters often charge a percentage of your settlement, so understand their fees and services before signing a contract. Be aware that public adjusters:
• Cannot charge fees on payments received before signing their contract.
• Must be licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Cannot solicit business in disaster areas until seven days after the event ends.
• You have the right to cancel a public adjuster’s contract within five calendar days after signing. Verify licenses at (800) 927-4357 or online.
Note: These tips provide general guidance and should not replace legal advice.
As state agencies and local governments begin to implement the measures outlined in the executive order, officials are working to ensure that residents receive clear guidance on the new streamlined processes. Further updates are expected in the coming weeks to assist affected homeowners and business owners as they navigate the rebuilding process.
The Governor’s action comes as firefighters continue to battle wildfires across the region, highlighting the urgency of rebuilding and recovery efforts. “This executive order is about removing barriers so that Californians can rebuild their lives without unnecessary delays. It’s about getting families back into homes and communities back on their feet.”
For more information on the executive order, rebuilding guidance, and additional resources, visit the California Department of Insurance website at insurance.ca.gov or contact the City of Malibu. at malibucity.org.
Act Fast: Essential Steps for Recovery After the
LOCAL NEWS
Malibu CERT provides critical support amid fires and boil water notice
Emergency supply center at Equestrian Park offers relief to residents as Palisades Fire rages
By BARBARA BURKE Of The Malibu Times
As the Palisades Fire and other fires throughout Los Angeles continued to rage in the canyons throughout the area and residents in eastern and central Malibu were under a boil water notice, the City of Malibu and CERT operated an emergency supply distribution center at Equestrian Park on Merritt Drive on Jan. 11.
The Malibu Times caught up with Tim Horton and Rich Garvey of CERT.
Horton shared that on Jan. 11, the center was very helpful to residents.
“T-Mobile put out a wifi signal and had a community services vehicle that helped citizens charge up their phone for free and the company also provided free external phone batteries,” Horton said. “The distribution center is quite an operation, offering citizens ample supply of water, snacks and cups of ramen as well
as first aid kits, personal hygiene kits and PPE’s such as goggles, masks and gloves.”
Going forward, CERT is continuing to collaborate with the City to provide emergency assistance.
“Malibu CERT is deployed and will activate an emergency supply center along with the City of Malibu on Jan. 13 at the equestrian park at 6225 Merritt Drive near Malibu High School,” Horton stated. “The center will be open from 10am to 4pm and will provide masks, sunscreen, chapstick, water and information, including up-to-date press releases.”
As first responders continue to fight the frenetic fires, assistance continues to help those affected in Malibu and Pacific Palisades.
Meanwhile, the National Guard is in Pacific Palisades in a law enforcement capacity and World Central Kitchen is in Palisades helping to provide meals, according to several sources.
As of Jan. 11, there was a do not drink water advisory in effect from the Sunset Mesa community from Topanga Beach and Coastline Drive north to Short
potential danger.
District. Citizens wanting more infor -
both Ventura and Los Angeles Fire Departments, who operated under unified command. Authorities quickly identified 60-year-old Gloria Lynn Mandich as the suspect. Mandich was arrested and booked into jail, facing two felony charges: arson during an emergency and recklessly causing a fire in a structure or forest. Her bail was set at $20,000.
In addition to the recent incident at Leo Carrillo, another suspicious fire ignited near the El Nido community in Corral Canyon. Resident Paul Morra shared his concerns, posting on social media about the
Fire, Locals Guide
If you’ve been impacted by the Palisades Fire, acting quickly and decisively is critical to securing the resources and support you’ll need to rebuild. From contacting insurance providers and FEMA to working with local architects,builders, and securing rental housing, taking proactive steps now can significantly shorten your recovery timeline. With agencies and professionals in high demand, delays could stretch for years, so getting on their lists early is essential. Additionally, ensure your foundation is inspected and tested before clearing it—preserving a usable foundation can save you time and money.
“Here in Corral Canyon, we just had a very suspicious fire,” Morra wrote. “Thankfully, our canyon-wide radio system prevented this from becoming a catastrophe.”
Firefighters responded quickly, and Engine 271 managed to contain the blaze swiftly. Neighbors, Arson Watch volunteers, and firefighters rallied together to ensure the fire was extinguished and no further damage occurred.
Community members in Corral Canyon quickly mobilized to search for potential suspects. Thanks to the efforts of Arson Watch volunteers and the neighborhood’s network of radio communications, the situation was contained before it could escalate. The
If you’ve been impacted by the Palisades Fire, it’s critical to act now to secure the resources and support you’ll need to rebuild.
Start by contacting your insurance provider, FEMA, and The Malibu Building Department—these agencies are going to be overwhelmed, and getting on their lists early is essential as delays could stretch for years.
Begin working with architects, designers, and builders immediately—they, too, will be in high demand.
Secure a rental property as soon as possible. Availability will quickly diminish, and prices are only expected to rise.
Important: Before clearing your foundation, have it inspected by an engineer and tested for contaminants. Many foun-
vigilant community patrolled throughout the night, leading to the identification and questioning of a person of interest, who was arrested around midnight.
In response to the ongoing concerns, Corral Canyon residents requested and received additional support from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
A Sheriff’s Deputy was stationed in the area overnight to enhance patrols and deter further incidents. The heightened vigilance comes amid the growing concern of arsonists targeting vulnerable areas in the canyon.
In an effort to further safeguard public safety, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office implemented a curfew on Jan. 10. This new measure, effective from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., restricts access to public spaces in Malibu,
and life-changing experience, one that former publishers of The Malibu Times, Karen York and her husband Arnold, know all too well. In the 1993 Malibu Fire, their home was among the more than 400 destroyed—a heartbreaking loss made even more poignant by the recent confirmation that the same home they rebuilt and sold was lost again in the Palisades Fire. Drawing from her own journey, Karen compiled a list of practical and compassionate first steps to help individuals and families begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
What to do if your house burned down – First Steps
Shared by Karen York Dear Neighbor, Arnold and I, along
with the exception of residents under evacuation orders. The curfew is designed to minimize potential dangers, ensuring that emergency response efforts remain efficient and focused.
Garvey and the Arson Watch volunteers remain dedicated to preventing further destruction. “The community is the first line of defense against these fires,” Garvey noted, emphasizing the importance of collective action in protecting Malibu’s residents, property, and natural resources. With continued vigilance and cooperation among residents, Arson Watch volunteers, and emergency responders, the community stands united in the fight against arson and wildfires.
es and directions PLUS their contact information
3. Keep your cell phone and computer charged. Back up your computer to the cloud. Purchase and carry with you an additional cell/computer battery supply.
4. Do not make any major decisions for at least a month
5. Consider using an Independent Insurance Adjustor to represent you.
6. You may have to provide detailed substantiation of the contents of your home. Start listing the contents of everything you lost. Room by Room, Drawer by Drawer, Cabinet by Cabinet (don’t forget the garage and garden – including plantings). You can add values later. Create a spread sheet. If you haven’t yet mastered Excel, this is the time.
ical help, childcare, animal care and counseling. This is a hugely traumatic time. Expect to be disoriented, angry, frustrated and exhausted. Make a list of what friends CAN do for you when they ask and be prepared to give assignments (childcare, clerical support, errands, shopping…). They REALLY want to be useful and you NEED their help. 11. Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy. Limit smoking/drinking if possible. Try not to go overboard on comfort foods. You need to be strong, alert and healthy 12. Rent a place of your own – staying with friends and family is good for a short time, but you need your privacy and space even more than they do. Set up a desk and “business” area. You will now have a full time job recovering. Get
Heights Drive and for Malibu Coastal areas from Topanga Canyon Road to Carbon Canyon Road, including Big Rock com -
munity and the Carbon Mesa community, according to Los Angeles County Water
Tim Horton (top right) and members of the CERT team along with Malibu City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad (top left) set up stations on Jan. 11 to help and support victims of the local fires at Equestrian Park on Merritt Drive. Photos courtesy of Tim Horton
total death toll remains uncertain as crews continue to battle active flames and search through the charred remnants of homes and businesses.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart expressed profound sorrow over the lives lost, stating, “This is a painful
reminder of the profound impact this fire is having on our community. Malibu is more than a city — we are neighbors, friends, and family. Even when we don’t know someone’s name, their loss is felt by all of us.”
Approximately 600 homes in Malibu have been destroyed, with nearly the entire area east of the Civic Center obliterated. The burn scar left by the Franklin Fire offered some relief, acting as a natural firebreak,
but it was not enough to spare the community from widespread devastation. Officials are urgently calling for state and federal aid to support recovery efforts.
Over 5,000 firefighters are currently assigned to the Palisades Fire, working tirelessly to contain the inferno.
Despite their relentless efforts, the fire continues to pose a significant threat, exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds, critically dry vegetation, and low humidity. Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned that these conditions would persist through Wednesday, Jan. 15, with gusts expected to reach 55 miles per hour.
“The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and critically dry brush has allowed the fire to spread rapidly,” Thompson explained. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect, and residents are urged to adhere to evacuation orders and prioritize safety.
Firefighting resources include 11 Blackhawk helicopters and C-130 aircraft provided by the California National Guard, as well as thousands of personnel working around the clock. However, officials caution that the fire remains an evolving threat. “Crews have been working 24 hours a day, with some on shifts lasting 36 to 48 hours,” an incident commander shared. “We’re doing everything possible to protect lives and property.”
In response to reports of looting in fire-affected areas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has made 20 arrests and implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The California National Guard has deployed 1,800 service members to support law enforcement and firefighting efforts, ensuring the safety of residents and property.
Residents in mandatory evacuation zones are reminded that access to these areas is prohibited for their safety. “If you don’t live there, you don’t belong there,” Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized. Search and rescue teams, including cadaver dogs, are conducting grid searches for missing persons, but officials warn that the outcome is unlikely to bring good news.
Community Frustration and Resilience
At an emergency city council meeting on Tuesday, frustrated residents demanded answers about the city’s response and leadership during the crisis. Questions were raised about the absence of City Manager Steve McClary and the perceived lack of visibility from local officials. Mayor Doug Stewart addressed these concerns, emphasizing the city’s commitment to recovery efforts.
“We know there is a perception that the city isn’t doing enough,” Stewart said in a statement at the Press Conference following. “I want to assure you that city staff have been working around the clock alongside our partners to respond to this historic and unprecedented event. We are inspecting infrastructure, clearing streets of debris, and stabilizing the area to pave the way for
safe re-entry.”
The city has scheduled a Town Hall meeting for Malibu residents on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Malibu High School. This will provide an opportunity for updates, questions, and discussions about ongoing recovery efforts.
State and Federal Assistance
A state emergency representative reminded residents to apply for disaster assistance through disasterassistance. gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. The Disaster Recovery Assistance Center at Westside Pavilions in Los Angeles is also offering support for those navigating the rebuilding process.
Utility companies are working to restore essential services. Southern California Edison has re-energized circuits to provide temporary relief, while SoCalGas crews have restored service to nearly 700 customers, with efforts ongoing. Residents can visit designated community information booths for updates and assistance.
Long Road to Recovery
As the Palisades Fire continues to burn, the community is beginning to grapple with the long road to recovery. For many, the loss is not just material but deeply personal. Families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods are faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
Mayor Stewart acknowledged the profound toll of the disaster, stating, “To the families who have lost loved ones and to those still searching for missing family members, please know that our hearts are with you. We grieve alongside you and stand ready to support you in any way we can during this incredibly difficult time.”
Despite the immense challenges, the resilience and strength of the community shine through. Volunteers, neighbors, and organizations are coming together to provide support, from distributing supplies to offering temporary shelter. The spirit of unity and compassion is a testament to the enduring bonds that define Malibu and Los Angeles County.
The Palisades Fire is a stark reminder of the destructive power of wildfires and the urgent need for preparedness, resilience, and community support. As the flames are gradually extinguished, attention will shift to recovery and rebuilding. For now, the focus remains on ensuring safety, accounting for the missing, and providing aid to those affected.
The path to recovery will be long and challenging, but with collective effort and unwavering determination, the community will rise from the ashes stronger than ever.
Photos capture the devastating aftermath of the Palisades Fire and the ongoing efforts of firefighters battling the flames in Malibu. Photos by Benjamin Hanson/TMT
the couple’s son Devin refused to sit idly by even after the fire passed through Big Rock. Knowing firefighters’resources were spread thin, the father and son knew they could provide service to the neighborhood, not only by returning to extinguish hot spots, but also to alleviate anxiety of residents who were unsure if their homes were still standing.
On Thursday after the fire, the two Sarantinos men circumvented a road block and got into Big Rock to check on their own home. They saw no fire department vehicles in the neighborhood but saw plenty of trouble: smoldering hot spots everywhere they turned. The father and son grabbed shovels from their own house, which was spared and quickly started shoveling dirt on the hot ashes to prevent anything from flaring up again. James credits Devin with the heavy lifting here due to his own injuries.
Some of the hotspots needed water, but on Thursday the water was dry in any garden hoses they found. “The water was off in the entire neighborhood,” they said. Fortunately, the two discovered close to 20 water jugs used for a Sparkletts water dispenser at a neighbor’s place. “It was like finding a gold mine. We were able to utilize those and dump them on hotspots,” James recounted. Unable to pick up the heavy jugs, James credited Devin again.
The damage to Big Rock was so extensive and still under threat that Thursday. The pair stayed
7, 2026.
t o day will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also directed state agencies to find additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The executive order includes several key measures designed to assist fire victims in rebuilding their lives:
• Suspension of CEQA and Coastal Act Requirements: Environmental review and coastal permitting processes are temporarily waived for properties significantly damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.
• Streamlining Building Code Requirements: State agencies will evaluate additional regulatory processes to identify opportunities for safe and efficient streamlining, reducing the time and cost of reconstruction.
Extension of Price Gouging
Protections: Protections against price gouging for essential goods and services, including construction materials, are extended in Los Angeles County until Jan.
Managing expectations
10 hours checking on homes, shoveling dirt, and throwing water on any threatening spots throughout the neighborhood. Some of their work required scrambling up boulders and embankments to reach hard-to-get-to locations, but James described his son as a“mountain goat,” extinguishing precarious spots that could have reignited the whole neighborhood. “We did the best we could with our limited resources,” James explained. While James spotted Devin, he says his son “was doing the essential work of actually extinguishing.”
The pair discovered a major hotspot behind their home, James recounted, “If we weren’t there … as we looked at it, it was in a pile of brush that popped into flames. Not like a little candle. I’m talking like a 2-foot boom right into flames and that thing was gonna torch. If we weren’t there, it would’ve started another major fire. I’m sure of it. We dumped a whole jug just to make sure it was out because smoldering roots underground could erupt into flames which we saw them do.”
On Friday, father and son returned to surveil the neighborhood. Devin, 26, explained, “We went up and down all the streets we could trying to get an accurate list of what homes survived. The difficult part was throughout the day, more government personnel, firetrucks, and police showed up who necessarily didn’t want us there.” The two were able to compile a list of 90 percent of the homes as some of them were inaccessible with gates or downed power lines. From what they were able to see the pair estimates 70 percent of Big Rock was
• Collaboration with the Legislature: The Governor has pledged to work with the state Legislature to explore statutory changes aimed at further expediting rebuilding efforts while prioritizing wildfire resilience and community safety.
Mobilizing Debris Removal Teams
As part of the rebuilding efforts, on Jan. 14, Gov. Newsom directed federal and state debris removal teams, already pre-positioned in wildfire-stricken neighborhoods, to commence work as soon as safety conditions permit.
“We’re clearing every obstacle to ensure recovery happens as soon as possible,” Newsom said in a statement.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) have partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee the removal of hazardous waste from destroyed structures. The first phase of debris removal includes safely disposing of materials such as paint, pesticides, propane tanks, and batteries, including those from electric vehicles.
Despite his perseverance in seeking entitlement to federal funds relief for those affected by the Franklin Fire, Sherman stated he wanted to manage victims’ expectations.
“It is by no means a slam dunk or certain that those who suffered in the Franklin Fire can obtain the same federal relief as those affected by the Palisades, Eaton and other current fires,” Sherman said. “The concerns center on the fact that the Franklin Fire occurred in early December and is not related to the same wind events we are dealing with now and, further, there is consideration given to whether the Franklin Fire can qualify for federal declaration-related relief on its own, which is an important consideration in the determination.”
Noting that he is pushing to get the Franklin Fire victims included, Sherman stated, “It is incongruous that if a person’s whole community burns down, including his home, the federal government
ibu and Topanga.
• Trash Collection: Delayed in some areas due to road closures; updates via UWS and WM social media.
• Grocery Stores: All operational on backup power.
• Fuel: Unavailable due to power shutdowns.
Road Closures: Hard closures include sections of PCH, Mulholland, Malibu Canyon, and Topanga. Drivers are advised to follow detours and treat dark signals as four-way stops.
Evacuations:
Zones MAL-C11-A, MAL-C111-B, and MALC112-B remain under evacuation orders. Escorts are
obliterated.
Water returned Friday so again the Sarantinos’ stayed from morning until night to dampen their own and neighbors’properties and douse the deep hot spots they encountered “like tree trunks that have just been turned into cauldrons.”
As The Malibu Times spoke with the Sarantinos’ Saturday they were returning to the neighborhood again for a sharp-eyed look.
James expressed his dedication to his neighbors saying, “There’s been a lot of support over the years for each other, so we wanted to continue that and anything we could do to ensure safety of their homes, you know we’re going do it.”
Devin stated, “I’m just trying to do what anybody else would want to do for their own home in their absence and also the integrity of everybody else’s homes at this point is like the integrity of our home. If another home catches fire that could easily affect our space as well so protecting the neighborhood is protecting ours as well.
“Also, I feel like the fire department is getting beat on a lot at the moment. I would like to say that there’s a lot of personnel up there now who are scanning the neighborhoods. These guys are so weathered and beat, a lot of them have been up for 48 hours straight. They’re really putting in their effort and I just want people to know that they’re doing that.Those guys are the real heroes of all of this. What we were doing is just our small part.”
James finally added, “Leaving Big Rock on the night of the fire seeing one home after another
With the growing prevalence of electric vehicles, cleanup crews face the unique challenge of handling lithium-ion batteries that can pose risks when exposed to high heat.
Drawing on lessons learned from the 2023 Maui fire, the EPA has developed specialized protocols for safely recycling and disposing of these batteries.
This debris removal effort is critical not only for clearing the way for rebuilding but also for preventing potential hazards like mudslides and flooding during the upcoming winter season.
Funding and Additional Support
To further bolster recovery efforts, Governor Newsom has proposed an additional $2.5 billion in state funding. This allocation will support emergency response, cleanup operations, wildfire preparedness, and the reopening of schools closed due to the fires.
“Recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures; it’s about rebuilding lives and communities,” Newsom said.
More than 15,000 personnel, including firefighters, National Guard servicemembers, and transportation teams, have been mobilized to combat the fires and assist with recovery efforts. The
is there to provide financial relief, but if your own individual home burns down and you are not in an area that qualifies for financial relief, you are left on your own. I’m doing all I can for the Franklin Fire victims.”
Following the money-relief for families and individuals
As an accountant by profession, Sherman is a good man to speak with about the financial aspects of seeking federal relief when one suffers a fire or other disaster loss. He provided a plethora of very useful information for readers.
First, he noted, FEMA provides special needs grants to households in the amount of $770, money that affords immediate relief to pay for necessities such as water, food, transportation, and hygiene and transportation.
“Affected residents can also qualify for $43,600 of housing assistance from FEMA and if they qualify for that, they will probably also qualify for an additional $10,000 in housing aid from the California State Supplemental Grant program,” Sherman
suspended during victim recovery operations.
Public Health & Safety:
• Air Quality: Declared unhealthy. Residents should limit outdoor exposure and use N95/P100 masks if necessary.
• Mental Health Support: Counseling available through Malibu Boys & Girls Club, both in-person and online.
Stay updated through official sources and city distribution points.
Exterior Elevated Elements (E3) deadline extended to 2026
The deadline to comply with the City of Malibu’s ordinance regulating inspections of balconies and
state has deployed over 1,900 pieces offirefighting equipment, including engines, aircraft, bulldozers, and water tenders.
Governor Newsom previously declared a state of emergency and secured a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden, unlocking federal resources to support response and recovery efforts.
Insurance protections for fire-affected homeowners
In a complementary effort to protect fire victims, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced a one-year moratorium prohibiting insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing homeowners’ policies in areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. The moratorium extends until Jan. 7, 2026, and applies to all homeowners within the designated perimeters and adjoining ZIP codes, regardless of whether they suffered direct losses.
“Losing your insurance should be the last thing on someone’s mind after surviving a devastating fire,” said Commissioner Lara in a statement. “This law gives millions of Californians breathing room and hits the pause button on insurance non-renewals while people recover.”
Residents can visit the De -
partment of Insurance website to determine if their ZIP code falls under the moratorium. Those who believe their insurance company is violating the law are encouraged to contact the department at 800-9274357 or via chat or email at insurance.ca.gov.
How Residents Can Access
Help
Californians affected by the wildfires can access resources and assistance through a centralized hub at CA.gov/LAfires. Individuals and business owners can also apply for disaster assistance through FEMA: Online: DisasterAssistance.gov Phone: 800-621-3362 FEMA Smartphone App Assistance is available in over 40 languages, ensuring that support reaches diverse communities across the state.
said, noting that the website for the state-funded relief is at cdss.ca.gov/in foresources/disaster -services-branch/dis aster-grant-assistan ce.
“Further, victims can also seek a FEMA grant of up to $43,600 in addition to the FEMA housing assistance and those funds are for people’s ‘other needs,’ attributable to being a fire victim, such as paying to replace a car or medical expenses,” Sherman said, noting that all of those funds are grants that do not have to be paid back, as opposed to SBA and other loans that qualifying victims can obtain with a maximium 4 percent interest rate.
Loans fo r victims, both indi vidual and business- related
“ Small Business Administration loans can cover up to $100,000 of personal loss, such as furniture that is destroyed, clothing and automobiles and up to $500,000 of a homeowner’s real property loss such as for home repairs,” Sherman said, noting that second homes and vacation homes do not qualify for such loans. “Loans are up to 30 years and first payments and interest are deferred for
other exterior elevated elements on any buildings with three or more units for public safety has been extended from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026. Assembly Bill 2579 extends the deadline. This bill amends the existing law (Senate Bill 721) that had set a previous deadline in 2025.
If you live in or own a unit, within a multi-family residential community (three or more units), such as a condominium or apartment in the City of Malibu, then this program applies to you.
New state and local regulations require structural assessments for all Exterior Elevated Elements (E3) to protect public safety.
E3s of multi-family buildings with three or more dwelling units must be inspected by a Califor-
the first 12 months.”
SBA loans for businesses are also available, Sherman explained, noting that loans of up to $2 million for business and nonprofits to assist in addressing uninsured physical damage and losses. “Loans are up to 30 years, with the first payment and interest deferred from accruing for the first 12 months, and there are also SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million for businesses and nonprofits with economic injury such as lost sales as a result of a disaster, with a maximum interest rate of 4 percent.”
Adding some qualifiers and other details, Sherman noted, “Those loans are only available if the SBA determines that a recipient is unable to obtain credit elsewhere. Further, the combined amount for both SBA loans cannot exceed $2 million. To apply for the loans, go to www.sba.gov/funding-proframs/disaster-assistance/california-wildfires.”
As we wrapped up th e interview, the con gressman was off to other meetings and p romised to keep cons tituents informed wi th regard to other a ssistance opportunities.
nia-licensed architect, or California-licensed civil or structural engineer.
• E3s include balconies, exterior walkways, decks, exterior stairs and landings, and guards and associated handrails.
Property owners and condominium associations must complete and submit their structural Assessment Report and Inspection Certification to the city by Jan. 1, 2026. The city has compiled a list of E3 design professionals who can complete these inspections.
For more information, v isit the E3 webpage at malibucity.org/1049/Exterior-ElevatedElements-Program, call ( 310) 456-24 89 , ext. 390, or email mbuilding@malibucity.org for more information.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom greets members of Cal Fire on Jan. 11 while surveying the damage of the local fires in Malibu. Photo Courtesy of Governor of California’s Office
along the coastline and realizing the immensity of the winds, it was so overwhelming. I don’t care how many fires you had out there, you couldn’t stop it. It was just ... it was overwhelming.”
A car is shown by the side of the road during the Palisades Fire near Malibu. Photo Courtesy of the Sarantinos
THANK
YOU
FIREFIGHTERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, EMERGENCY CREW & CITY OFFICIALS
We are deeply grateful for your unwavering courage, dedication, and selflessness in protecting our communities. Your tireless efforts and bravery in the face of danger, save lives and bring hope during the most challenging times. Thank you for all that you do to keep us safe!
With Love, Malibu
Malibu Life
Big Rock resident lucky to escape with her life
Local woman recounts harrowing tale of evacuating Palisades Fire, nearly being burned alive
By JUDY
Patty Phillips is grateful to be alive after narrowly escaping being trapped in her car as the Palisades firestorm rained down on her neighborhood.
Phillips has lived in Big Rock for 32 years and has been evacuated numerous times over the decades. On the Tuesday night of the fire, Phillips and her husband, James Sarantinos, were packed and ready to go as they closely monitored the advance of the Palisades Fire toward Malibu.
“We face the ocean, so we couldn’t see any smoke, and when we went down to look, we didn’t see any fire,” Phillips recounted.
The couple was monitoring the WatchDuty app and broadcast media “which was a false sense of security,” she stated. They didn’t hear that the fire had jumped Topanga Canyon.
“We were going to wait ‘til it got closer and thought that would give us plenty of time. The media never said it was in Malibu!” Phillips told The Malibu Times . “We didn’t evacuate then because we were watching it on TV and on the app thinking they will notify us once it hits Topanga.” Phillips said she thought, “I’ve been through this. I’m going to be OK. I’m ready to go.”
Now she said, “I regret that I didn’t leave sooner, but I’m also upset at the media and WatchDuty that they never
notified us because it was a false sense of comfort. We never in our wildest dreams thought that fire app and the media wouldn’t tell us it was in Malibu.”
After her husband and neighbors went to check on the fire, “they looked like they’d seen a ghost. They said, ‘We’ve
got to get out!’” They had a plan to drive out and meet at the bottom of their box canyon, but that plan went horribly wrong when the fire started bearing down on Phillips’ car with her dog inside. “There’s flames everywhere. It was the most frightening
thing I’ve ever been through,” Phillips recounted, but things turned even worse. “There was so much smoke, it was like a white-out condition. You can’t tell what’s up, down, or where you’re going.”
Without visibility, Phillips stepped on the gas to escape the flames, but in the
panic, she somehow missed her turn, hit a dirt road, and got stuck on a boulder.
“I couldn’t go and I’m on the side of a cliff with the flames below me and hot red ash is passing my car with a fire below,” she said.
Malibu’s caterer to the stars retires
Monrose Catering is sold to staff with the retirement of founder Richard Chesterfield
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
If you’ve attended Malibu civic functions over the years you’ve probably eaten food prepared by Monrose Catering, often the go-to cater for numerous city events and celebrity soirees from Malibu to Beverly Hills.
Monrose’s dapper owner, Richard Chesterfield, always impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, is well known to many in Malibu. After a successful four-decade run, Chesterfield has retired, selling his celebrity-loved catering company to a longtime chef and the familiar faces staffing the buffet line. After years of providing elegant, delectable dishes to Malibu and catering memorable events for locals, Chesterfield has decided in his mid-80s to take a step back, take in some travel time, and relax at his Malibu home.
The Liverpool, England-raised Chesterfield has been working as a restaurateur and caterer in Malibu for more than four decades and in the food business since the 1960s. He opened his first venture, a green grocer, in his hometown on Penny Lane just as The Beatles were rising to fame. His good friend, Pete Shotton, played bass in John Lennon’s first band, The Quarrymen. Lennon bought a café for Shotton across from his store.
“I used to go there and see Paul and I’d see John. I have some stories,” Chesterfield said. Fast forward many years, Chesterfield has
been catering Ringo Starr’s annual birthday parties for the past decade. Later after moving to New York City without a job, the Brit was working less than 24 hours later at a restaurant in the Big Apple. He eventually landed at the world-famous Stork Club before its closure in 1965 and finally opened his first restaurant in the Hamptons.
He recalled getting off the plane at LAX wearing a London Fog coat only to see others dressed in shorts and sandals, and quickly decided to stay in a warm, sunny climate instead of New York and Liverpool’s grey and cloudy skies. Backed by some
“That is when I started really meeting, discovering very famous and very wealthy people,” he explained, and they offered him an opportunity to come to Malibu to open a restaurant.
ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
(From left) Devin Sarantinos, along with Patty Phillips and James Sarantinos with their pup, Koda, reunite after the fire. Photo Courtesy of Patty Phillips
Literary Firestorm: Reflection of the Palisades Fire
MALIBU SEEN
By Benjamin Marcus, Entertainment Editor
The silver lining in all that black smoke?
How to sum up this last mad week in less than novel length? The Palisades Fire was threatening to central Malibu but not destructive past Saddle Peak — maybe because the Franklin Fire left in its wake a mile-long-plus fire break. There is a lot to say about who burned and who dodged, who was a hero, thank the people who helped the firefighters, some of the nonsense on the news and social media, etc, etc. But instead of a personal experience, here are quotes and thoughts from writers going back to the 19th century about the ever-present threat of fire in the Malibu.
Thanks to Ian and Jennifer of EchotheDog Inc., Robbie and Claudia for the Truckin’ and Ralphs, Scott and Naomi at Scott’s Malibu Market for coffee and sandwiches, Chris and Jenna at Broad Street Oyster for Walter, coffee and Fruity Pebbles, Vanessa and Alex for the Stealth Mi$$ion, DN for not shooting me, Derek Holmes and his videographer for the U-turn and intelligence, John Ortiz for the charger and of course all the firefighters and emergency personnel.
At least once a decade, a blaze in the chaparral grows into a terrifying firestorm consuming hundreds of homes in an inexorable advance across the mountains to the sea.
Since 1970, five such holocausts have destroyed more than 1,000 luxury residences and inflicted more than $1 billion in property damage. Some unhappy homeowners have been burnt out twice in a generation, and there are individual patches of coastline or mountain, especially between Point Dume and Tuna Canyon, that have been incinerated as many as eight times since 1930.
• “The Case for Letting Malibu Burn” (1998) by Mike Davis from “Ecology of Fear”
The Los Angeles Times began publishing in 1881. Not surprisingly, one of the first mentions — if not the very first — of Malibu had to do with brushfires circa 1883.
Going farther back than that into the 19th century, in Mike Davis’s excellent, definitive, prophetic “The Case for Letting Malibu Burn,” a noted chapter in his 1998 book “Ecology of Fear” (1998), he namedrops Richard Henry Dana sailing past the Malibu coast — 200 years ago — and seeing what we’ve all seen three times this fire season already: a massive plume of black smoke, floating out to sea on the wind. From the beginning, fire has defined Malibu in the American imagination. In “Two Years Before
the Mast,” Richard Henry Dana described sailing northward from San Pedro to Santa Barbara in 1826 and seeing a vast blaze along the coast of José Tapia’s Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit. Despite — or, as we shall see, more likely because of — the Spanish prohibition of the Chumash and Tong-va Indian practice of annually burning the brush, mountain infernos repeatedly menaced Malibu through the 19th century. During the great land boom of the late 1880s, the entire latifundio was sold at $10 per acre to the Boston Brahmin millionaire Frederick Rindge. In his memoirs, Rindge described his unceasing battles against squatters, rustlers, and, above all, recurrent wildfire. The great fire of 1903, which raced from Calabasas to the sea in a few hours, incinerated Rindge’s dream ranch in Malibu Canyon and forced him to move to Los Angeles, where he died in 1905.
There is nothing new under the sun. Whiners whine that California has no forest and brush management: Firestorms are forest management and brush management, a natural process going back centuries and millennia — humans are just in the way.
There’s something about the beauty and danger of the Santa Ana winds — and the sometimes resulting firestorms — that have inspired writers and songwriters going way back.
According to the Cultural Wikipedia, the Santa Ana winds are mentioned in “Red Wind: A Collection of Short Stories” (1938) by Raymond Chandler: “There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.”
Joan Didion quotes Chandler in “Slouching Toward Bethlehem” (1968), also Erle Stanley Gardner’s “Double or Quits” (1941), Philip K Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Elecric Sheep” (1968), “Less than Zero” (1985) by Bret Easton Ellis, “White Oleander” (1999) by Janet Fitch, Clive Barker’s “Coldheart Canyon” (2001) and several times by Dean Koontz like in “The Husband” (2006):
Eager breathing, hissing, and hungry panting arose at every vent in the eaves, as though the attic were a canary cage and the wind a voracious
Burt’s Eye View:
cat. Such was the disquieting nature of a Santa Ana wind that even the spiders were agitated by it. They moved restlessly on their webs.
Santa Ana winds and Malibu fires have been mentioned in word and song going back to the early 1800s, and right up to the present.
The Palisades Fire inspired a tremendous amount of static on the news and social media. There was a lot of finger-pointing and hand-wringing and pearl clutching, blaming California Governor Gavin Newsom, LA County Mayor Karen Bass, and other officials for lack of coordination, loss of water pressure, and reservoirs left to dry.
But, the Palisades Fire was not a brush fire — it was a firestorm, an unstoppable force in the same category as earthquakes, tornados, volcanos, and tsunamis.
Of all the words generated by the Palisades Fire, a retired Disney Imagineer who goes under the Facebook handle Joe Rohde summed it up best with words framed by a harrowing video of a firestorm in full threat:
“If you are not from around here, you might be unfamiliar with the particular wind conditions that have made these fires so destructive. There are two.
“The first is more common: the socalled Santa Ana winds. These winds originate far to the east in the desert and become increasingly warmer and drier as they rush towards Southern California. We have had a very dry year, but these winds suck all the remaining moisture out of everything they touch, and most of what grows out here is dry and full of creosote and oils as an adaptation to dry weather. We don’t really have forests in the way that other parts of the country do. Most of what grows here is a low thick, highly flammable scrub that regrows quickly after each fire, providing fuel for the next one.
Santa Anas are strong and can have gusts over 60 miles an hour. They tend to run from the east to the west, partially because the unusual mountain formations of Southern California run east west.
“The second phenomenon is more rare. It is called a mountain wave. Winds hit the mountain range perpendicular to the mass and become dramatically compressed. These can reach well over 100 miles an hour and behave more like tornado winds, creating extremely localized, but very strong damage. I once saw a 6 foot wide swath totally stripped of all leaves on hedges and trees right down the block. Weird.
“This second category of wind also accompanied these fires. This is unfightable. Embers can travel over a mile in less than a minute, over your
Loss of Innocence
PERSPECTIVE
By
Ihave written before about how I was surprised that when I hosted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Harvard back in 1965, he was totally without protection from the time I picked him up at the airport in the morning to the time I dropped him off late at night at the train station. Just a little over three years later, he lay dead on the balcony floor of a Memphis hotel. In his prophetic speech delivered less than 24 hours before his death, Dr. King said, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now.” He never saw his 40th birthday. We in this country celebrate the birthdays of only four people — George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus Christ. Dr. King did not need longevity to make his mark. Even though President Kennedy had been assassinated just four years earlier, we still tended to view political violence as an aberration, but when Sen. Robert Kennedy was killed just a few months after Dr. King was shot dead, our generation lost its innocence for all time.
I just finished reading an extremely well-written
head and start a fire behind you. Flames can lie down flat and shoot between two houses and torch houses on the other side of the street. A friend of mine in Malibu once watched the embers from a fire near him rise into the air, glowing in the night, blow out over the ocean, still glowing, head up the coast about a mile, still glowing, and land a mile up the coast again, setting another fire.
“This disaster is not the product of incompetence. We have the best firefighters in the world. But a municipal water system is not designed to combat a firestorm. It is designed to put out the occasional house fire and keep your toilet running. There is nothing anyone can do.”
That is correct. You can no more fight off a firestorm than you can a fire-breathing dragon or a tsunami or an earthquake. The difference with a firestorm is they can be sparked by humans — and there are more than a few arson theories going around. When you look at the high-rent places that were torched: Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, West Hills — a conspiracy theory would suspect malevolent, opportunistic forces.
A lot has been said about Santa Ana devil winds, and the threat of firestorms, and the inadvisability of building densely-packed, landscaped neighborhoods in steep ravines lined with oily, combustible brush. A lot has been said, a lot is being said, and a lot will be said in the future.
If there is a silver lining in this, it’s that the Palisades Fire is going to allow some urban renewal along around five miles of Pacific Coast Highway — from the Geffen/East Carbon access on Carbon Beach, and for about 5 miles to Topanga Beach.
On Sunday, Jan. 12, I went on a stealth mission, riding my bike along the beach to get around the National Guard/Sheriff roadblock at Colony House Liquor and scooting along the hard sand on a perfect January day to check on houses of two very concerned people who left their cars and hard drives and everything in their apartment. They really did not want to join “Team Lost Everything” and it was my mission to reassure them.
That was an adventurous ride on an absolutely perfect day, and it was hard to say what was more impressive: The January beach weather, or the level of destruction.
Made it past Duke’s and used some stairs that belonged to T
and D — friends of the people
I was on the mission for. It made me nervous to leave my bike on the beach and cut through private property, but had to complete the mission. Dodged a lot of SCE and SoCalGas and fire vehicles and ran up and around the back and saw that their cars were safe and everything was intact. Texted them photos and they were ecstatic. On the way back, a homeowner saw my e-bike parked against his stairs, assumed I was a looter and called the cops. He even had a shotgun leaning on a post just inside his gate — something I agree with, because looting in the aftermath of a firestorm should be a shootable offense.
Ask Zuma Jay about that.
But we got it sorted. He knew me from around town and turned out to be the father of K, who works at a local restaurant.
I rode back along the beach, thinking about what I had seen at street level: Caltrans has a plan to make PCH kinder and gentler through Malibu: Spruce it up, slow it down, make it visitor and local friendly.
Just from what I saw in the 3 miles from the Malibu Pier to my friend’s apartment: That area is nuked. Hard to imagine how long it will take to remove all that twisted steel, charred wood, and shattered glass, or how much it will cost.
No idea what will be allowed to be rebuilt along there, and how long that will take and how much that will cost.
The 21 Miles of Scenic Beauty just got more scenic, and people are going to enjoy all those sparkling ocean views unobstructed by a wall of buildings that range from dingy, dusty mid-20th-century apartments to 21st century megamansions.
There’s another 3 miles of destructo from Duke’s to Topanga Beach, and that means 6 miles of the 11 miles between the Malibu Pier and Will Rogers Beach will have to be replanned and rebuilt.
How about a bike path? A safe, secure bicycle path that connects Santa Monica to Malibu? Can you imagine how popular that would be?
And how safe? Riding a bicycle on PCH from Malibu to Santa Monica is loco and incredibly dangerous. Make it safe, and create a solid path for bicyclists.
If you’re looking for a model of a kinder, gentler, safer PCH through Malibu, look at Laguna Beach: The speed limit is 35 MPH on either
side of the middle of town, and then 25 MPH in the densest business and residential area along Main Beach. That’s what PCH and Malibu could be and maybe should be. A NASCAR track through a business area is no bueno, and you would think the citizens living along PCH would feel better backing their cars into 25 mph and not cars going twice that fast.
A dream? As Boog said in “Diner”: “If you ain’t got good dreams, you’ve got nightmares.”
It’s Sunday evening after the Carbon Beach Stealth Mission Accomplished. I am sitting under the tent at Broad Street, where they have electricity on a Sunday afternoon, and a bipolar Wi-Fi signal making this story hard to finish.
The sun is setting, with Golden Hour even more golden when filtered through orange-smokey haze, and shining on Saddleback Peak, which has been torched down to bedrock. A gentle breeze is coming out of the mountains smelling of smoke and many things. That’s the Devil Wind pacified, and it’s very pleasant: Like a fire-breathing dragon apologetically nuzzling to apologize for causing so much destruction and death. The breeze is pleasant, the sky is blue and Malibu is back to its lovely self: If you have a bipolar friend or relative, Malibu is like a bipolar person who just went manically berserk for a week, but is back to normal and seems to have forgotten all the trouble it caused.
This whole megillah is a little hard to fathom and still going as an army of humanity and machines are pouring into town, lighting up the Chili Cook-Off property like a scene from “Close Encounters.” There’s even more humanity and machines at Zuma. Approaching from the west at night, it looked like the entire squid fleet had run aground — the entire parking lot at Zuma was filled with humans and tents and command posts and vehicles from one end to the other. Because those Devil Winds are about to return with a vengeance. The past week reminds one of that line from “No Country for Old Men” where the younger Deputy Wendell says:
“It’s a mess, aint it, Sheriff?” And Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell says: “If it aint, it’ll do till a mess gets here.”
(Top) CalFire firefighters battle the Palisades blaze that engulfed a beach house along PCH on Jan. 8. Photo credit: CalFire (Bottom left) After the Palisades fire swept through, all that remained of a beach house on Carbon Beach was rubble. Photo by Ben Marcus (Bottom right) A snippet from
On His Trail” by Hampton Sides.
examines
lives of Dr. King and James Earl Ray, his assassin, in the year leading up to Dr. King’s murder.
Burt Ross, Contributed Column
Burt Ross (left) with Dr. Martin Luther King in 1965. Photo Courtesy of Burt Ross
COMMUNITY
Pepperdine Waves rally for fire relief amid volleyball season start
Men’s volleyball team aids Malibu and Pacific Palisades fire victims
By McKENZIE JACKSON Special to The Malibu Times
The Pepperdine men’s volleyball team delivered a helping hand to Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and other communities burned through by the Palisades Fire a few days after the blaze’s first flame sparked on Jan. 7.
The 27-member squad helped load Florence Marine X delivery trucks with water, food, and other donated items that were delivered from Newport Beach to Zuma Beach and given to individuals and families impacted by the Palisades Fire.
Waves head coach Jonathan Winder said the team initially volunteered to help Florence Marine X, a company with ties to Malibu and Hawaii, for one day, but then decided to do more volunteer work the next day.
“They felt called to do it again, so they went back,” he said. “They wanted to help until the job was done. They wanted to help the communities impacted by the fires.”
Pepperdine went down the coast to train ahead of two scheduled matches — against Merrimack College on Jan. 10 in Costa Mesa, and against Fairleigh Dickinson University on Jan. 12 in Malibu — but both contests were canceled due to the several wildfires that burned throughout Los Angeles and restricted access to Pepperdine’s campus.
So instead, the Waves began their 2025 regular season with a game on Jan. 13 against Missouri S&T at Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse, defeating the Miners 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-7). Redshirt junior Ryan Barnett led the team with 11 kills. He also posted 3 service aces and 3 assists. Before that season opener, Pepperdine went 3-0 in exhibition matches against Canadian university squads in the two-day 2025 North American Challenge in Long Beach earlier this month.
With flashers on, honking her horn, and praying, Phillips, with dog in tow said, “I was sure my dog and I were going to burn to death and I’m like please let me die from smoke inhalation, please don’t be burned alive and I’m constantly trying to call 911.” She pleaded with an operator, “I’m going to be burned alive. Please rescue me!” Turns out the boulder she was stuck on kept her from reversing. Had the car been able to do that, it would have rolled off the hill into the flames. Phillips and her panicked dog were stuck for a terrifying 20 to 30 minutes.
By the time her husband and neighbors got to the bottom of Big Rock, they realized Phillips hadn’t made it. “My husband was screaming, ‘Where’s Patty!’” she said.
In a desperate attempt to save his wife, Sarantinos, recovering from five broken ribs, “started begging a fireman to come up and rescue me,” Phillips said. He finally found a firefighter from
2024256511
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: MALIBU NURSERY & LANDSCAPING
2170 MARKHAM AVE., THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): Registered Owner(s): THE SHILLINGTON CORPORATION
2170 MARKHAM AVE., THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360 If Corporation or LLC- State of Incorporation/Organization CA
This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION
The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/2020
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, THE SHILLINGTON CORPORATION, DIANA SHILLINGTON, CEO
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 12/19/2024. NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).
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2024250431
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: PALISADES ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION
967 WEST HYDE PARK BLVD, INGLEWOOD, CA 90302, LOS ANGELES COUNTY Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): Registered Owner(s): YOLOA 967 WEST HYDE PARK BLVD, INGLEWOOD, CA 90302
If Corporation or LLC- State of Incorporation/Organization CA This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION
On Jan. 3, the event’s first day, the Waves beat both Trinity Western University and Saskatchewan 3-0. Pepperdine downed the University of Calgary the following day by the same score.
Redshirt junior Ryan Barnett, junior Jacob Reilly, and freshman Cole Hartke all nabbed Player of the Match honors in the tournament.
Barnett had 13 kills with a .667 hitting percentage, three digs, two blocks, and two assists in Pepperdine’s 24-17, 25-15, 25-20 sweep of Trinity Western.
Reilly recorded 16 serve receptions, one service ace, and two digs in his team’s 2517, 25-22, 25-30 victory over Saskatchewan.
Pepperdine downed Calgary 25-22, 2521, 25-15. Hartke had 15 kills with a .591 hitting percentage. He also had four digs, two blocks, and one service ace.
Many Pepperdine students, including volleyball players, sheltered in Pepperdine’s library and cafeteria during December’s Franklin Fire.
Winder was glad the squad was together
the Valley, only known as Malcolm. Phillips said the hero fireman warned her husband, “‘We might not make it out alive, but I’ll take you up there.’ He risked his life to save me.”
When the two finally reached Phillips’ stuck car in thick smoke they grabbed Phillips and her dog. Malcolm the firefighter said “run for your life,” Phillips recounted, and “we ran and got in his truck and he said, ‘don’t take anything. We’re gonna be lucky if we make it out of here alive.’”
Phillips said the three ran to the firetruck until Koda’s paws got singed. The former Dog of Summer is going to be OK, and so is Phillips, who claims, “I never gave up. I never stopped trying to save myself. I never gave in between praying and calling 911 and trying to figure out every option. I mean, I’m petrified and I’ve still got a lot of trauma because when you’re sitting in a burning area in your car, stuck, I didn’t know it was stuck on a boulder. The car just wouldn’t go.”
Now Phillips is hoping to find the full nname of the brave firefighter who risked his own safety to rescue her. And she wants to thank him personally.
during the Palisades Fire. “The guys have been great in staying connected with each other,” he said. Winder said sports can be bring people together and noted the Waves were ready to start their regular season.
“It is a return to normalcy,” Winder said. “It is always helpful for young people and athletes to do what they love. We have been able to practice. It’s a positive thing for them to be together and enjoy what they have been doing.”
in the day, he said, “People couldn’t keep people from misbehaving.”
talents, Chesterfield opened a small restaurant across from Carbon Beach that was an immediate success.
The place was so small he remembers having to turn away Johnny Carson and Don Rickles, who later became regulars. He eventually opened a bigger spot at Westward Beach he named Monrose, a tribute in a way to Marilyn Monroe after so many customers gifted him with original artwork of the late actress.
For the past two decades, Monrose concentrated on catering parties around town. Chesterfield has catered for the biggest names in show business, including Frank Sinatra, David Foster, Barbra Streisand, the Kardashians, and too many others to mention. If he didn’t cater their parties, big talents were guests, including Dustin Hoffman, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and Oprah Winfrey, who Chesterfield says he once reprimanded as she was about to put a finger in a chocolate cake yet to be sliced.
Behavior at celebrations may be a bit tamer today, the retiree said, due to the invention of cellphones. Back
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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Case No. 24SMCP00662
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Petition of: AMANDA RAE VAN DUREN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
Petitioner: AMANDA RAE VAN DUREN a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
Present Name: AMANDA RAE VAN DUREN Proposed Name: AMANDA VAN DUREN VELKOVA
The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing:
Date: 01/31/2025 Time: 8:30 AM, Dept.: K
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SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
1725 MAIN STREET, ROOM 102, SANTA MONICA, CA
90401
A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following
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Date: DEC 20, 2024
LAWRENCE H. CHO, Judge of the Superior Court DAVID W. SLAYTON Executive Officer/Clerk of Court PUB: 12/26/2024, 1/2, 1/9, 1/16/2025 The Malibu Times MALIBU 274
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: PAUL GATES INGERSON AKA PAUL G. INGERSON AKA PAUL INGERSON CASE NO. 24STPB14378
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of PAUL GATES INGERSON AKA PAUL G. INGERSON AKA PAUL INGERSON.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by GREG M. INGERSON AKA GREGORY MOORE INGERSON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that GREG M. INGERSON AKA GREGORY MOORE INGERSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
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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.
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Chesterfield recalled some of his favorite moments at his catered parties, including when he met a young talent, Celine Dion, at David Foster’s and an unexpected reunion between the Everly Brothers, Don and Phil, who famously had not been speaking to each other.
“One didn’t know the other was coming,” Chesterfield said. “It was just pretty amazing.”
Now that one of his chefs of 38 years has taken over the business, Malibu’s caterer said he can enjoy his retirement and a bit of travel, “but, I love Malibu. Where is there a better place? People always ask me if I’ve been on holiday and I say ‘no’ I’ve been in Malibu. We have the most beautiful little city here.”
Chesterfield said his heart “may always belong to Liverpool, even though I love my Malibu, my heart belongs here too.” With no plans to leave the area, he and his wife Donna, who many people also remember from the business, are only a “phone call away” from Monrose and the many families they’ve come to know over the years through planning life cycle events as they were woven into the fabric of our community.
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.
Attorney for Petitioner
MAX M. ALAVI, ESQ. - SBN 272099
MAX ALAVI, ATTORNEY AT LAW, APC 2424 S.E. BRISTOL STREET, SUITE 300 NEWPORT BEACH CA 92660 Telephone (949) 706-1919
BSC 226239
1/2, 1/9, 1/16/25 CNS-3882678# MALIBU TIMES MALIBU 4
2024257379
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: THE CAREGIVER 1801 CENTURY PARK EAST 24TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES, CA 90067, LOS ANGELES COUNTY Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): Registered Owner(s): KEITH GORE 1801 CENTURY PARK EAST 24TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES, CA 90067
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, KEITH GORE, OWNER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 12/20/2024. NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED
Pepperdine men’s volleyball head coach Jonathan Winder talks to his team after they arrived to help load donated items to victims of the Palisades Fire. Photo by McKenzie Jackson
LUCKY
MALIBU’S
2024254521
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: FAB STAINS
527 WOODLAND DRIVE, SIERRA MADRE, CA 91024, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable):
Registered Owner(s):
PSYCHEDELIC CIRCUS LLC
527 WOODLAND AVE, SIERRA MADRE, CA 91024
If Corporation or LLC- State of Incorporation/Organization CA
This business is conducted by: A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 12/2024
I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed, PSYCHEDELIC CIRCUS LLC, JESSI JOPLIN, CEO
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 12/17/2024.
NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).
Publish in The Malibu Times: 01/09, 01/16, 01/23, 01/30/2025 MALIBU 6
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Case No. 24SMCP00665
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Petition of: KELLY AIKO KINSELLA TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
Petitioner: KELLY AIKO KINSELLA a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
Present Name: KELLY AIKO KINSELLA Proposed Name: KELLY AIKO KINSELLA RELF
The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing:
Date: 2/7/2025 Time: 8:30 AM, Dept.: K
The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 1725 MAIN STREET, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401
A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county (specify newspaper): The Malibu Times
Date: DEC 26, 2024
LAWRENCE H. CHO, Judge of the Superior Court
DAVID W. SLAYTON Executive Officer/Clerk of Court
PUB: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 The Malibu Times MALIBU 8
2025000188
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: TARA DEVI MA
2106 MANHATTAN BEACH BOULEVARD APT 6, REDONDO BEACH, CA 90278, LOS ANGELES COUNTY Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): 202465012469 Registered Owner(s): INVIGORATE YOUR ESSENCE
2106 MANHATTAN BEACH BOULEVARD APT 6, REDONDO BEACH, CA 90278 If Corporation or LLC- State of Incorporation/Organization
CA This business is conducted by: A LIMITED LABILITY COMPANY
The date registrant commenced to transact business un-
der the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 12/2024 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed, INVIGORATE YOUR ESSENCE, LLC, ERICKA Y REYNOLDS, CEO
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 1/2/2025
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: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025
MALIBU 9
2024261072
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PERSON IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS:
PARAWALL MEDICAL
505 N BRAND BLVD SUITE 1525, GLENDALE, CA 91203, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): Registered Owner(s):
PARAD AND REGODON WALLIN MD INC
505 N BRAND BLVD SUITE 1525, GLENDALE, CA 91203
If Corporation or LLC- State of Incorporation/Organization CA
This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION
The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/2024 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed, PARAD AND REGODON WALLIN MD INC, AMANDA MATILDA REGODON WALLIN, PRESIDENT
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 12/27/2024
NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER.
A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE).
Publish in The Malibu Times: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 MALIBU 10
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Los Angeles County Hearing Officer will conduct a public hearing to consider the project described below. A presentation and overview of the project will be given, and any interested person or authorized agent may appear and comment on the project at the hearing. The Hearing Officer will then consider to approve or deny the project or continue the hearing if it deems necessary. Should you attend, you will have an opportunity to testify, or you can submit written comments to the planner below or at the public hearing. If the final decision on this proposal is challenged in court, testimony may be limited to issues raised before or at the public hearing Hearing Date and Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Hearing Location: Hall of Records, 320 W. Temple Street, Room 150, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Virtual (Online) at bit. ly/ZOOM-HO. By phone at (669) 444-9171 or (719) 3594580 (ID: 824 5573 9842).
Project No.: 2017-003699-(3)
Project Location: 21653 Saddle Peak Road, within the Santa Monica Mountains Planning Area
Applicant: Martin Rasmussen
CEQA Categorical Exemption: Class 3, Class 4
Project Description: Minor Coastal Development Permit for construction of a new 2,825-square-foot single-family residence.
More information: Tyler Montgomery 320 W. Temple Street, 13th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 9746411. tmontgomery@planning.lacounty.gov. planning.
lacounty.gov.
Case Material: https://bit.ly/PRJ2017-003699
If you need reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at (213) 974-6488 (Voice) or (213) 617-2292 (TDD) with at least 3 business days’ advanced notice.
1/16, 1/23/25
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MALIBU TIMES
MALIBU 2
Trustee Sale No. 1235621
Notice of Trustee’s Sale You Are In Default Under A Deed Of Trust Dated 08/08/2022. 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 Proceedings Against You, You Should Contact A Lawyer. On 02/13/2025 at 11:00AM, First American Title Insurance Company as the duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded on September 8, 2022 as Document Number 2022-0883092 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by: Jayan A Partow and Mana Partow, husband and wife as community property with right of survivorship, as Trustor, East West Bank, as Beneficiary, Will Sell At Public Auction To The Highest Bidder For Cash (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or national bank, 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). At: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County, California describing the land therein: Parcel 2 Of Parcel Map No. 18631, As Per Map Filed In Book 244 Page 63 And 64 Of Parcel Maps, In The Office Of The County Recorder Of Said County. Except Therefrom One-Half Of All Oil, Gas Or Other Hydrocarbon Substances In, Upon, Or Under Said Real Property, Together With The Right To Explore, Drill And Prospect For, And To Produce And Remove The Same, As Reserved In The Deed Recorded On March 27, 1951, As Instrument No. 1668 In Book 35894, Page 343 Of Official Records. Also Except One-Half Of All Gas, Oil, Hydrocarbon Substances And Minerals Now Or Hereafter Commercially Exploitable, In Or Under Said Property, But Without The Right To Enter On The Surface Or Said Property, But With The Right To Enter The Subsurface And Pass Through The Subsurface Of Said Property Below A Depth Of 500 Feet Measured Vertically From The Surface Thereof, To Explore, Drill Mine, Produce, Extract, Market And Sell Such Oil, Gas, Hydrocarbon Substances And Minerals, As Reserved By Bragg C. Cammack And Ruth H. Cammack, Husband And Wife, In Deed Recorded December 31, 1965 As Instrument No. 2124, Official Records. APN: 2063-014-032 The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 4119 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said 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 said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to-wit: $1,087,690.28 (Estimated) Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. 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 visit the website below using the file number assigned to this case. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected 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 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 (858) 410-2154, or visit this internet website [iSee Link Below], using the file number assigned to this case [TS 1235621] 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. For information on sale dates please visit our website at: https://foreclosure. firstam.com/#/foreclosure Date: 1/2/25 First American Title Insurance Company 9255 Town Center Drive Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 410-2158 David Z. Bark, Foreclosure Trustee MALIBU 12
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 25NNCP00014
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: GALUST KHACHIKYAN, AVETIS KHACHIKYAN BY AND THRU PARENTS ARAYIK KHACHIKYAN, OUSANNA MELICOAYAN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: GALUST KHACHIKYAN, AVETIS KHACHIKYAN
a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
Present Name: a. GALUST KHACHIKYAN b. AVETIS KHACHIKYAN Proposed Name: a. GALUST CHRISTOPHER KHACHIKYAN b. AVETIS KEVIN KHACHIKYAN The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: 3-12-2025 Time: 8:30 AM, Dept.: 3
The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
ALHAMBRA COURTHOUSE, 150 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE., ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county (specify newspaper): The Malibu Times Date: JAN 06, 2024
ROBIN MILLER SLOAN, Judge of the Superior Court
DAVID W. SLAYTON Executive Officer/Clerk of Court PUB: 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 The Malibu Times MALIBU 13
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS Notice is given that Statement of Qualifications for OnCall Community-Based Organization Services Program (BRC0000489) will be received by the Los Angeles County Public Works, Cashier Office, 900 S. Fremont Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803 or BidExpress until 5:30p.m., Monday, February 3, 2025. There will be an optional Proposers Conferences to be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. using the Microsoft Teams meeting platform. Instructions for participating in the meeting can be found in the RFSQ. Instructions for accessing the RFSQ document are available at the following link: http://pw.lacounty. gov/brcd/servicecontracts or may be mailed to you upon request by calling(626) 458-2509.
1/16/25
CNS-3883971#
MALIBU TIMES
MALIBU 14
POPPY’S PALS
CLASSIFIEDS
“NOTICE TO READERS: California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor and/or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www.cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.” ALL REAL ESTATE advertised herein are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, ancestry or national origin or intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
THE MALIBU TIMES reserves the right to refuse the publishing of any advertisement(s) and to delete any objectionable word(s), phrase(s) and/ or image(s) from such advertisement. If there is an error or omission in the printing and/ or publication of an advertisement, The Malibu Times’ liability is limited to only one incorrect insertion or omission.
Advertising Packages
DO YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS KNOWN IN MALIBU! .We can make it happen with our SPECIAL ADVERTISING PACKAGES. . Our low discounted rates will save you up to 50%. *Billing on monthly basis. *Get in 2-3 sections of the paper +
online. *Your ad will be seen weekly in print & 24/7 Online at MalibuTimes.com Call 310456-5507
Animals
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
Announcements
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Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply.) Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 3/30/25.) Call 1-833985-4766
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Autos Wanted
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE to fund the SEARCH FOR MISSING CHILDREN. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24 hour response. Running or not. Maximum Tax Deduction and No Emission Test Required! Call 24/7: 1-877434-6852 (Cal-SCAN)
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DONATE IT TO PATRIOTIC HEARTS. Fast free pick up. All 50 States. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-855-4086546 (Cal-SCAN))
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Donelo a Patriotic Hearts! Recogida rápida y gratuita en los 50 estados. Patriotic Hearts ofrece programas para ayudar a los veteranos a encontrar trabajo o iniciar su propio negocio. Llama ahora: 1-844- 244-5441 (24/7) (Cal-SCAN)
Antonio Alessi – Hospitality, Restaurant, Business Consulting expert with 25+ years in management, finance, and design, specializing in iconic food establishments in the Malibu Country Mart, Fred Segal Melrose, and Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey. (310) 463-0739, antonioalessi.com
Contractor
KANEROY and ASSOCIATES has been proud to serve Malibu & the Westside for the past 20 years, and look forward to putting it’s broad experience, creativity and craftsmanship to work for you on your next construction project. Kane Sickner 310-456-6841, www.kaneroy. com. Lic.#569337-Bonded/ insured.
Eva Ackerman - Consultant, Coach, Mediator, Lighthouse. Se habla español. Eva blends psycho-spiritual training, transformational leadership and Sacred Commerce consulting to provide loving support, insightful reflection and effective tools for grounding and executing your vision into physical reality. Call 503-7919939.
Education
Enhance Your Problem-Solving Skills: Guided imagery inspires you to approach personal or professional problems with fresh perspectives and renewed energy. Find new solutions and take action. Joanna Poppink, MFT,15563, offers virtual sessions. Free consultation: joanna@poppink.com
Electrical
CONEJO VALLEY ELECTRIC
Lighting & electrical solutions. Full service electrical contractor & lighting specialist. We also install all wall mounts, flat screen TV’s, speakers & network systems. Family owned. Call 818-259-4055 or 805-497-7711. Lic#922260.
Fencing
COASTLINE FENCE CO Wood, Chain link & Vinyl Fencing * Custom Gates & Entry Systems *Windscreens * Snake Fences & Corrals. Competitive prices * Quality work. Local Malibu Co. for over 26yrs Jeff Turner 310457-2139 coastlinefence@ gmail.com Lic#965437
Financial Services / Money to Loan
Struggling with debt? If you have over $10,000 in debt we help you be debt free in as little as 24-48 months. Pay nothing to enroll. Call Now: 1-877-4354860 (Cal-SCAN)
Flea Market
TO PLACE YOUR FREE FLEA MARKET ADS CALL 310-4565507 OR EMAIL OFFICE@ MALIBUTIMES.COM.
For Rent
Available Now - Gorgeous Malibu Ocean View For Rent. Three bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhome. Newly remolded. Attached 2 car garage. Washer dryer. Large walk in closets. 3 Balconies. Pets Welcome. Security guard. $5,900. 310-614-3949
The Magical Paradise Retreat. Private, gated view estate with spectacular vistas in all directions. Overlooking picturesque Los Olivos village near Santa Barbara. The ultimate writer’s retreat. Fully furnished. Currently occupied by evacuees. Available February 1st for 6-month lease (potentially longer). Suitable for 2 adults without pets. $12,500/month (price unchanged). Credit and references checked. Details, photos, contact info here: MagicalParadiseRetreat.com
Gardening
DUARTE LANDSCAPING
Complete Garden Service Yard & Hillside Clean Up. Tree * Trimming * Topping * Shaping *Palm *Cleaning *Sprinkler Work. Insurance. Bonded. Free Estimates. Jose Duarte, Owner. 323-733-2699 or 323333-7003
Your local handyman Professional Repair Services * Knowledge in all trades. We Fix It!. Call Bob 818-635-9319. Lic#924813
Legal OLAN LAW Personal Injuries, Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death, Uninsured Motorist, Premises Liability, and Product Liability. Call David Olan 310566-0010
Piano & Voice Lessons
In-Home Piano and Voice LessonsMaster’s in Piano Performance. BA in Music - Voice and Piano. 20+ years experience. Contact Greg at 818-8511473. malibuwestlakemusic@gmail. com. www.malibuwestlakemusic. com
Real Estate Agent
Bianca Torrence - Local Realtor with 24 years of experience, Listing, Leasing, Selling, Residential Properties & Vacant land. Certified Home Luxury Marketing Specialist & Senior Real Estate Specialist. DRE: 01148864 When looking for excellent results call Bianca at 310-736-5005
Real Estate Loans
RETIRED COUPLE $$$$ for busi-
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Real Estate - Out of State For Sale: 2 Adjacent Lots, 3 Structures Included. 659 Huron St. & 325 Pearl St. South Haven, Michigan. No floods, no fires, no atmospheric rivers. Walking distance to beach, marina, stores, school. Quit neighborhood. Room to breath. $975,000 269-993-5221
Rental Office Space
21355 PCH Malibu: Great Office Spaces for Lease Available Now!
Unit 101B : Ground Floor: +/- 500
sq. ft. @ $2,500/m.OBO. Professional, Nail Salon, Wellness, Retail etc.
Unit 200: +/- 700 sq. ft @ $3,000/m. Perfect for Pilates or Yoga Studio, Soundbaths, Acupuncture, Chiropractic or Massage Place-- a very healing and calming energy.
Unit 202B: +/- 200 sq. ft.@ $1,950 Good for professional work space, counselor, therapist, wellness etc. Common waiting room included.
Unit 100: Ground Floor. +/- 1000 sq. ft. with 6 built out offices and an open conference / reception area. $5,000/m OBO. Significant PCH frontage and plenty of parking. Great office, professional, massage, healing practice space.
To view any property please call/ text/email Mayra @ 323-559-8119
/ propertymanager@divineimaging. com or Kim @ 310-617-6339 / kim@ divineimaging.com
Roofing
THOMAS MURRAY, WATERPROOFING SPECIALIST Seamless gutters, slate, decks, shingles, copper, hotmop, torch. All types of Roofing and Repairs. Residential* Commercial* Industrial. Call for a GREAT free quote 310-779-5265. #1117921. Bonded/Insured.
Services
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-877-252-9868 (Cal-SCAN)
Don’t Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! Our home warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. We stand by our service and if we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it! Pick the plan that fits your budget! Call:1-855-411-1731 (Cal-SCAN)
WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home’s value! Call 24/7: 1-888-248-0815. Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (Cal-SCAN)
Tree Services
JOHNSON TREE CO. Fruit tree care,
brush clearance & removals, pest control, pruning, preservation, Tree surgery, trimming & feeding. Call 310-393-5700. Johnsontreecompany.com. Lic#924238/Insured
Affordable Tree Care Certified Arborists, Family Owned Business, 25 + Years Experience. Palm Tree Specialist, Citrus Pruning for high yield, Brush Clearance, Disease, Pest, and Tree Removal. Call 310456-6564. Joseph Christman’s West Coast Tree, Inc. LIC #1109716
Volunteer FRIENDS OF THE MALIBU LIBRARY Volunteering for the Malibu Library Bookstore contact Harriet Pollon
SPORTS
Members of Malibu Sports Community React to Palisades Fire: Unite and Persevere
TBy McKENZIE JACKSON
he Malibu Volleyball Club’s boys and girls teams took the court for a volleyball match in the South Bay days after the Palisades Fire began its blazing march through Pacific Palisades, Malibu’s eastern flank, and other Los Angeles areas.
The squads scrimmaged at the Bob Crowell Multi-Purpose Athletic Center in Carson on Jan. 11 and participated in a tournament at Long Beach State the next day.
Derek Saenz, the club’s coach, and coach of the Malibu High boys and girls volleyball squads, said despite the historic devastation the fire handed their community, the Malibu players were upbeat.
“Everyone has been keeping a positive attitude,” he said. “The kids who lost their homes have been like, ‘We will figure it out one day at a time.’ It is sad. It is tragic, but they are not alone in this.”
A handful of the players’ homes were destroyed in the Palisades blaze, the largest of several wildfires that began decimating residential and business areas in Los Angeles and surrounding areas on Jan. 7. Mizuno Long Beach, a youth volleyball program, donated gift bags, which included gift cards, to Malibu players affected by the wildfire during the scrimmages.
Saenz, who lives 2 miles from Will Rogers State Beach, which had historic buildings destroyed by the furious inferno, said high school and college volleyball coaches offered to donate volleyball equipment to Malibu.
“The outreach has been great,” he said. “In volleyball, people are ambassadors of the sport and very much connect in a community way.”
Propelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire burned 23,707 acres and businesses, homes, and landmarks in Pacific Palisades and along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu by Jan. 12. Neighborhoods such as Big Rock and Carbon Mesa are decimated. At least three Malibuites died.
The wildfire paused all athletics play in Malibu for several days. Play resumed on Monday at Pepperdine, though. The Waves men’s volleyball team hosted Missouri S&T at Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse defeating the Miners in three sets.
The squad’s Jan. 10 and Jan. 12 games were canceled. The team did community service during their time practicing in Newport Beach last week.
Marv Dunphy, the head coach emeritus for the Waves men’s volleyball team, said sports are a part of things getting back to normal.
“Sports — whether you like it or not, value it or not — are part of the fabric of our society,” he said. “It is part of who we are.”
Saenz said Malibu players were engaged during their
time in the South Bay.
“They weren’t withdrawn,” he noted. “They were excited to be with their friends. It took them away from being immersed in all that happened.”
Malibu High football coach Mike Halualani, who lived in Pacific Palisades for two years before moving to Malibu in 1999, said due to power outages, it has been tough to connect with his players, but he is ready to assist his athletes.
“Sometimes the great thing about sports is that it is the great unifier,” said Halualani, also Malibu’s interim girls basketball coach. “It can take them away from their everyday loss. Hopefully, getting out and playing sports with their friends helps their mental and emotional well-being.”
Dunphy grew up in Topanga and has lived in Malibu for years. As a kid, he and his friends would ride bicycles to the “big city” of Pacific Palisades from their mountain homes.
“It was an all-day deal,” he said. “It was really fun times. People I know in the Palisades lost everything in the fire. It’s tough.”
Pepperdine women’s soccer player Sophia Prud-
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Mister Roberts Painting Company
Mister Roberts Painting brings 59 years of trusted
holme, a 21-year-old Malibuite, has fond memories of the Pacific Palisades. She had a habit of driving to Point at the Bluffs to walk around, take in the view, and enjoy some time to herself.
Prudholme went to the Palisades Village to purchase a gift for a friend the night before the Palisades fire sparked.
“It was super peaceful,” Prudholme said of the bluffs.
“There is a point where you can see down the coastline. It’s super heartbreaking. The Palisades is a place where people who don’t live there still have a connection with it.”
Prudholme’s younger brother, Waves men’s basketball player Stevie Prudholme, 20, played youth flag football in Pacific Palisades. He noted that wildfires in the area are sadly a common occurrence.
“It is devasting,” he said. “It’s a hard thing to recover from. Our team and coaches pray about it and are always looking to help.”
Malibu High boys and girls water polo head coach Hayden Goldberg aims for his teams to do that. After the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the Palisades High water polo program gave the members of the Malibu water polo girls team who lost their homes in the fire a backpack of
essentials. He wants Malibu to return the gesture.
“This is what you do for your community,” he said. “We are for everyone. For some of these kids, this is their second fire and they could have this fear for the rest of their lives that one day the winds will be just right to cause another.”
Goldberg, a Malibu native, said an image from his youth seared into his mind is of watching a wildfire in the mid-’90s burn while at his family’s home near Point Dume. He said one of water polo players and his family lost their Malibu home in the Woolsey Fire, so they moved to Pacific Palisades. That residence was destroyed last week, Goldberg said.
“It’s so sad for a lot of our students,” he said.
Halualani hopes students at Pacific Palisades’ schools are able to gather online or in-person somehow soon.
“The kids need the schools probably now more than anything,” he said.
Malibu’s girls water polo team is in season, but players are scattered from Palm Springs to Malibu to Santa Barbara currently because of the fire. They will return to the pool, though, Goldberg said. “They want to have a season.”
