Winter 2023

MALGOSIA MIGDAL DESIGN

Highly recognized as one of the top interior design firms for over 25 years, Malgosia Migdal Design established its headquarters in the famed Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills With a second office in the iconic beach city of Malibu, MMD remains one of the few ultra high end interior architecture and design firms resonating from the heart of Southern California

MALGOSIA MIGDAL, CID, ASID

Owner/Principal Designer

T. 310.345.9299

E. mm@malgosiadesign.com

www.malgosiadesign.com

MALIBU OFFICE

29160 Heathercliff Rd. #415 Malibu, CA 90265

BEVERLY HILLS OFFICE

420 N. Camden Dr. PH Beverly Hills, CA 90210

B.W. BAKER INSURANCE SERVICES

Proudly Insuring Malibu and the surrounding areas for over 35 years

Personal Insurance

• Home

• Fair Plan

• Wrap Around

• High Value

• Difficult to Insure

• Renters

• Flood

• Earthquake

• Auto

• Umbrella

Services offered:

Commercial Lines

• Business Owners

• Workers Compensation

• Liability

• Cyber

• Commercial Auto

• Business Income

• Business Interruption

• Errors and Omissions

• Bonds

• Building Coverage

• Associations

Health & Wellness

• Life Insurance

• Medicare Supplements

• Long Term Care

• Disability

• Health Plans

• Guaranteed Income

• Annuities

• Estate Tax Funding

• Tax Free Retirement Income

Left to right (back row): Kim Hahn, Katie Diaz, Virginia Barragan, George Martinez, Bart Baker and Victoria Rodiguez.

Left to right (front row):Alexis Moreno, Rhiannon Brown, Wendy Baker and Yannick Truchi

What types of coverage should I have for my home?

To start, you need a policy that covers your home with enough to rebuild. If you don’t know what the amount is, your agent can help. Many carriers will inspect after binding and will prepare a figure as well.

Home policies do not cover earthquake or flood. Both are readily available. Most home policies can be endorsed for workers compensation. This will cover employees like maids and gardeners.

If you have art and jewelry, talk to your agent and make sure they’re covered. If you have any stand-alone structures such as a guesthouse or pool cabana, talk to your agent and make sure you have enough separate structure coverage. This will also include gates, fences and hardscape.

Umbrella Coverage

This coverage is a must. It used to be a million dollar umbrella was a lot of coverage. Not anymore. It’s not uncommon to see liability claims exceed 5 million and higher. Consider an umbrella to be asset protection. It’s one of the least expensive coverages you can buy for what you get. Be sure you have uninsured motorist too. Protect yourself and passengers in your car, in case the other driver isn’t insured properly.

Flood Insurance

A flood policy can go up to 250,000 for the home and 100,000 for contents. Excess flood is available in case this isn’t enough.

Life Insurance

Everyone is quick to acknowledge the importance of Auto, Home, Umbrella, etc…but Life Insurance is equally as important. When it comes to Life insurance, there are multiple types of policies: Term, Permanent, Investing, Funeral Expenses, Business Protection and more. It can be overwhelming to choose the protection best for you.

It is important that you have the right amount and the right product so you don’t have any surprises before it’s too late!

BW Baker Insurance Services Inc.

29169 Heathercliff Rd. Ste 208

Malibu, CA 90265

Phone 310.457.5092

Fax 310.457.6225

bwbaker.com

With the start of 2023 we set our sights on not only Malibu, but also some of our favorite travel destinations around the world — both near and far. From the lush jungles of Costa Rica and the rugged Channel Islands to the historic city streets of France, we have no doubt that our travel issue will have something of interest for any traveler. Find all of our favorite destinations for 2023 on page 96.

Sticking with the theme of travel, we are thrilled to be featuring Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner, owners of Calabasas-based AmaWaterways on our cover. The dynamic duo has been curating exotic river cruises for guests all over the world for years now, and are without a doubt one of the best at what they do (page 86).

Of course, we can’t spend all of our time traveling. We take a look at some of the harder hitting topics that Malibu faces such as the continued dangers of PCH. We catch up with Michel Shane, who recently came out with a documentary titled 21 Miles following the tragic death of his daughter, Emily Shane, nearly 13 years ago now (page 60). And we take a moment to remember Andrea Bullo, co-owner of Moonshadows, and his 13-year old son Marco Bullo, who were both killed in a collision in Woodland Hills in November (page 48).

We’re taking a look at some of the other biggest issues in Malibu as well, including its unprecedented decrease in full-time residents over the past ten years. Check out our investigation into the cause on page 126. Erosion has also long been another of the city’s biggest threats. A new project to rebuild a crumbling stretch of PCH is proving that after decades, we’re still not sure how to fight coastal erosion in the long run (page 54).

For something a little lighter, check out our story on the fascinating histories of five iconicly weird Malibu locales (page 132).

Here’s to a fantastic year!

Holly Bieler

Julie Wuellner

5,000+ 7,000+ Subscribers

26

PEOPLE EVENTS ROUNDUP

Coverage from some of the best local events of the fall, plus People We Love featuring Wailani O’Herlihy and Robert Kerbeck.

48

MEMORIAL ANDREA & MARCO BULLO

Malibu mourns the tragic loss of Andrea Bullo, long-time restaurateur and co-owner of Moonshadows and his 13-year-old son Marco.

52

CITY COUNCIL THE NEWEST MEMBERS

We take a look at what City Council newcomers, Marianne Riggins and Doug Stewart have planned for Malibu.

54

EROSION LESSONS AT BIG ROCK

The Big Rock Slope Restoration Project was supposed to be permanent. Like many erosion fixes, it turns out it has an expiration date.

60

21 MILES PCH DOCUMENTARY

Like clockwork, pedestrians and motorists are injured and killed on PCH. Michel Shane’s documentary 21 Miles digs deep into the problem.

66

SMC CAMPUS OPENING & CLASS SCHEDULE

After years of construction, SMC Malibu will open this spring. We take a first look at the new campus and course offerings.

54 BIG ROCK A damaged sea wall under PCH in east Malibu has illustrated the difficult task of coming up with long-term solutions to erosion.

76 HOWDYS The Malibu favorite offers plenty of delicious winter options.

48 ANDREA BULLO Co-owner of Moonshadows’ tragic death.

66 SMC CAMPUS The new three-acre campus houses a two-story building for general ed classes, science and art labs, and a sheriff’s substation.

82

WORLD MARATHON MALIBU CONTENDERS

Two longtime Malibu friends embark on one of the planet’s toughest physical challenges: the World Marathon.

86

COVER AMA WATERWAYS

Award-winning rivercruise company, Ama Waterways offers travelers luxurious cruises through Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.

96

TRAVEL WHERE TO GO IN 2023

2023 is about embarking on an adventure, and we’ve compiled all the places to do it, from a SoCal Park to the Costa Rican rainforest.

126

COMMUNITY SHRINKING MALIBU

Malibu’s full-time population has decreased by nearly 15% over the last decade. What’s behind the unprecedented fall?

132

WEIRD MALIBU HIDDEN HISTORY

For locals, a handful of odd buildings and homes are the real Malibu landmarks. Here’s the history behind five of our favorites.

138

REAL ESTATE HOME OF THE MONTH

A modern Point Dume estate with coveted Riviera 2 beach access and a seaside villa near the Bluffs are some of our favorite new homes.

132 WEIRD MALIBU Villa de Leon has an unlikely past.

86 AMA WATERWAYS Calabasas-based river cruise company AmaWaterways takes travelers on personally curated, once-in-a-lifetime cruises.

96 TRAVEL GUIDE 2023 The lush high valleys of Bijagua de Upala is one of six locations we’ve chosen as the best for visiting in 2023.

82 TRAINING Malibu friends train for the World Marathon.

MALIBU

PUBLISHER

Dirk Manthey

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Julie Wuellner

MANAGING EDITOR

Holly Bieler

ART DIRECTOR

Petra Pflug

EDITORS-AT-LARGE

Holly Bieler

Barbara Burke

Daniela Torres

Helen Linski

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Wuellner

Nicolas Horniblow

Jack Guy

Kyler Duran

Michel Shane

SECURITY / MODELS

Bailey Willow

ADVERTISING advertising@malibumag.com

EDITORIAL editorial@malibumag.com

DISTRIBUTION

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Malibu Magazine (ISSN1938-9272) published quartely by ES Media Services LLC. 23410 Civic Center Way Unit E-8, Malibu, CA 90265. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material, and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Malibu Magazine’s right to edit.

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GARDEN OF EDEN

Underwater photographer Nicolas Horniblow captures a moment in the kelp beds of the Point Dume Sate Marine Reserve, the first dive site ever explored on the american coastline by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. Taken Aug 2022. You can see more of his work @nickhorniblow.

KING GILETTE RANCH

Nights of the Jack

The ultimate fully immersive Halloween event came back to King Gilette Ranch this year. Nights of the Jack offered guests a chance to see thousands of illuminated pumpkins through a nearly milelong immersive walking trail, a live expert pumpkin carve creating halloween masterpieces, a spookeasy offering craft beer, wine, and halloween cocktails, and of course, some of LA's best food trucks. Nights of the Jack was attended by celebrities such as Aaron Donald, Amber Rose, Brody Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Rebel Wilson, Jack Wright, and Justin Baldoni almongst others.

Rebel Wilson

Zulay Henao and Kevin Connelly

Brody Jenner

Kim Kardashian with Saint West

KING GILETTE RANCH

Holiday Road

LA's top immersive holiday event, Holiday Road, came back for the 3rd year to King Gilette Ranch from November 25 through December 30. The enchanting holiday event included countless photo opps, an immersive walking trail featuring larger-than-life holiday installations and thousands of Christmas lights, a festive souvenir shop, premium holiday bar, food trucks and more. Food trucks included beloved Cousins Maine Lobster, Dreamy Creations, and Salt N Pepper. The event was attended by celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Garner, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus, Rebel Wilson, and Megan Fox amongst others.

OUR LADY OF MALIBU Annual Christmas Boutique

On December 3, Our Lady of Malibu put on their annual Christmas Boutique, where kids were invited to sit on Santa’s lap and parents were able to shop for unique gifts.

Santa sat at the end of Our Lady of Malibu’s Sheridan Hall - smiling broadly and beckoning the children. Hesitating, two little boys approached, and sat on his lap - little Roy Orbison, III and his brother Bo soon conversed with Santa Claus, who beamed as the boys told him their wishes. Their mother Asa Orbinson smiled, noting all the boutique items, canned jams and sauces, jewelry, clothing, ornaments, books and many attendees’ personal favorite: books and 2023 calendars curated by local artist, Suzanne Guldimann. All sales benefitted OLM school.

“This is terrific,” Asӓ said. “We can buy fun gifts to take to Sweden where we are going to see family for Christmas.”

“I had fun at the Christmas Boutique, playing with friends,” first grader Sienna Malibu Amini said. I was excited when my teacher, Ms. Cosette, came. I got to visit Santa and we had candy canes, cookies and hot chocolate with marshmallows!

Bo and Roy Orbinson with Santa Claus

Suzanne Guldiman

Sienna Malibu Amini, Mila Bonetti, Lily Helberg, August Scott O'Neill

Nova Thanksgiving Soundbath

Nova Soundbath put on a Thanksgiving soundbath in Malibu on November 27 to help people relax and recharge from all the holiday stress. Nova believes that sound has the power to light up people's lives and create soundbath experiences to bathe you in healing sounds that help wash away your limitations. For this special event, Nova partnered with The NOW Westlake Village, a new concept massage boutique opening soon in Westlake Village. The NOW Westlake Village offered complimentary seated chair massages before and arfter the soundbath. Guests brought their own blankets and pillows and delicious fresh fruit was provided at the event.

ZUMA BEACH

Panelist, Jen Marples

EASTERN MALIBU Tracy Park Gallery Exhibit

“Everything here is so uniquely interesting and eclectic,” Producer George Paige said. “It’s artistic eye candy.” Greeted by Ann Krasner’s whimsical sculptures, attendees’ moods were festive at Tracy Park Gallery’s open house on December 3.

Malibu artist Hunter Blaze Pearson’s “BANG!” an acrylic and resin work on wood panel, captured many viewers’ attention

“I’m very rarely blown away by somebody’s entire body of work,” Park said. “Hunter as a human being knocks me out.” Pearson and his friend, Armyan Nispel, who sat together in art class at Malibu High, smiled as they celebrated Pearson’s exhibit. Park first met Pearson when she conferred a scholarship to support young MHS artists in 2018. Pearson and his friend, Armyan Nispel, who sat together in art class at MHS, smiled as they celebrated Pearson’s exhibit. His artistic career is soaring. Look for this emerging artist as he creates new works and shares his talents in Malibu and beyond.

George Paige and Lisa Robyn Deutsch

Ann Krasner

Hunter Blaze Pearson and Armyan Nispel

MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION

Holiday Boutique

The Malibu Art Association holiday show on December 3 and 4th featured local artists and celebrated the opening of Malibu BUngalows, a new Eastern Malibu nursery located where the Cosentino’s florists once stood.

Eugenie Spirito, stone sculptor, displayed her beautiful works adjacent to Gay Summer Rick’s urban and coastal atmospheric landscapes. Noting that some proceeds benefit young artists, Daniela Schweitzer, whose bright works play between light and contrast, added, “It’s really nice to give back and support artists and collaborate for a beautiful day.”

Event Coordinator Carla Bates’ works were juxtaposed with her son, Declan Bates’ artwork, exclaimed, “The caliber of the art is extraordinary!” Mosaic artist Kim Bennett’s charming creations made from vintage materials intrigued attendees who leaned in to enjoy the intricacies of her works. It was the perfect Malibu day for creatives to joyfully celebrate their works. Hostess Lynn Bealer, Malibu BUngalows owner, plans to host similar events and invites Malibuites to stop by and see her plants and flowers.

Declan and Carla Bates

WAILANI O’HERLIHY Sailing Through Life

With an air of calm mixed with a contagious sense of humor, Wailani O’Herlihy revels in revealing that she is an accomplished, avid sailor. A native of Hawaii, O’Herlihy moved to the mainland at 17 and became intrigued by all things sailing.

“I learned to repair a Volvo Penta Diesel engine and how riggings, masts, and sails worked,” she said. “I lived on a boat in King Harbor for eleven years.” Soon, her husband Cormac and her were racing boats in Marina del Rey, and over time, they owned five boats.

“I raced with kids in the womb,” she said. Ultimately, their busy lives intervened, and they quit sailing for a long time.

“We raised three kids and sold a lot of real estate,” she noted, referring to herself as a Global Luxury Advisor. “I love working in real estate, and I love this community - all of Malibu is my ohana.”

A couple of years ago, O’Herlihy discovered the Channel Islands Women’s Sailing Association. Now she participates in competitive racing. O’Herlihy is enthralled with learning more about navigational techniques, cloud recognition, and sailing in storms.

“I love learning the Hawaiian way of navigating by the stars as done on ‘Hokulea,’” she said. “With no instruments or a watch - strictly sailing by the tides, currents, birds, and the constellation navigation. I’m preserving the tradition.”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Wailani O’Herlihy for her dedication to sailing, the Malibu community, and tradition.

RYDER BOGART

A Musical Genius

Flawlessly playing song after song with perfect rhythm and an impeccable beat one morning at Malibu’s Dreamland, Ryder Bogart, 7, commanded the stage.

Musicians preparing for a set admiringly looked on in disbelief, implicitly saying, “If this kid keeps playing, everyone will know his name!”

Wicked smart and discerning, Bogart chats about his drumming passion and his favorite drummers.

“Star Thriller and the Smashing Pumpkins are awesome,” he says, reverently adding, “I got to meet Machine Gun Kelly, who is amazing. Plus, he’s really nice.” He was on stage with Kelly in front of 30,000 people, and played guitar at a soldout Starcrawler concert at the Troubadour.

Bogart loves playing gigs and is already in a band - Ryder B & The Masters. Committed to striking the precarious balance between supporting Bogart’s prodigious musical development and ensuring he has a wonderful childhood, his parents Jason and Jessica provide a nurturing and inspiring home.

“He can jam and riff with professional drummers,” Jason said. “He’s laser-focused on doing shows with big crowds,” Jessica said. “When he’s playing in his bedroom on his drums, he’s playing to a 100,000.”

Bogart’s drum instructor, Billy Diblasi, who is teaching him to read music, sums it up best. “He’s a genius!”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Ryder Bogart for his musical genius and his dedication to his craft.

ROBERT KERBECK

Encouraging Malibu’s Creatives

“My great grandfather sold horse carriages before cars were invented and my family still sells cars in New Jersey.” Robert Kerbeck, Malibu author and founder of the Soho House Literary Salon and The Malibu Author’s Circle said, noting that after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with an English degree, he “decided to try my luck at acting and moved to the City, where I had a fairly successful acting career and an extremely successful career as the world’s greatest corporate spy — just ask my clients.”

Kerbeck’s new monthly Soho House Literary Salon features noted authors speaking about their most recent works.

“Many Malibu people are writers, actors, musicians, and TV and film writers, and Malibu doesn’t have a stage company for presenting plays,” he said. “I created the salon to discuss literary works from a variety of genres and to give a little love to the artists in Malibu.”

His award-winning books, Malibu Burning, a work featuring thirty short stories about the Woolsey Fire and wildfire preparation, and Ruse - Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street, a riveting memoir about his corporate spying in international banking circles, are excellent reading. He promises that two more books are forthcoming and shared that a TV series is in the development phase.

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Robert Kerbeck for creating a space for Malibuites to come together and share their love for all things creative.

IRENE BIERY

Exploring a Love of Art

Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Malibu artist Irene Biery moved to Los Angeles when she was 19.

“Growing up in a working-class Austrian family, it was unacceptable to be an artist or pursue art in any way,” Biery said. She always loved art and painting but never dreamed of pursuing it in any serious matter.

“After moving to LA, I decided to study graphic design. It was my way of being creative but financially secure,” she explained. “I worked as a freelance graphic artist for a few years.” Later, she married. “After having a baby, I had no time for painting or creative expression,” she said. “I went through a divorce when my daughter was two years old. As a single mom, I had to be financially responsible for two people, and so I returned to bartending full time.” Biery missed painting terribly.

Standing at the December 3 opening of the Music Inspired Art exhibit at Malibu City Hall Gallery, Biery explained the importance of her displayed work and what inspired her to resume expressing herself through art.

“It is only in the last year that I started painting again,” she said. “My boyfriend is a Flamenco guitarist. His music and playing have greatly influenced my recent work. Flamenco music and dance are so powerful and filled with passion. It is this passion and vibrancy that inspired this piece.”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Irene Biery for persuing her love of art and sharing her gift with the Malibu community.

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Creating Joy

Malibu artist Ann Krasner’s works were featured on December 3 at the Montana Avenue art walk. Her exhibit of other works opened that night at Malibu’s Tracy Park Gallery. The next day, she and seventeen other artists’ works were highlighted at Music Inspired Art at Malibu City Hall Gallery.

Pasternak once said an artist’s goal is to transmit the “joy of one’s existence.” This encapsulates what Krasner achieves as she invites viewers to enjoy her intriguing sculptures in bronze, ceramic and mixed media at her West Malibu Sculpture Garden. Her rooster sculpture welcomes viewers to enjoy her sculptures at Tracy Park gallery. “He’s inspired by Marc Chagall’s roosters,” Krasner says, coyly noting, “The reference to 42 denotes that this algebraic equation has not been solved for a century: X3 + Y3 + Z3 = 42.”

That’s a paradigm example of Krasner’s intellectual approach to art. She thoroughly researches her subjects, then cleverly includes nuances of their perspectives and eras. Her sculptures and paintings focusing on artists, musicians, and authors include intricate details about their lives, their loves, and their impact.

“Her colors, shapes, and characters are very joyful and full of life,” said Anna Sapenuk, a Getty museum educator. “Ann is a beautiful, energetic person whose imagination and positivity flow through her works.”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Ann Krasner for sharing joy with every piece of art she creates.

MERLIN CLARKE

Helping People Give Back

Affable and full of creative ideas, Malibu’s Merlin Clarke catalyzes people’s efforts to contribute to the greater good. “The highest form of being is being in service to others,” said Clarke, who serves as Director and Head of Happenings. “Our nonprofit organization provides two experiences - Our Do Good Bus arranges outings for businesses, such as Hulu, Disney, and AT&T, for team building activities and days of service, and there are outings for individuals as well. Our healing bus is a small bus that travels around where attendees gather, and that effort focuses on having conversations with thought leaders from many backgrounds in smaller settings.”

The DGB makes volunteering easy by organizing pre-planned days of direct giving. Participants meet at a designated place, sometimes not knowing one another at all - and all not knowing what type of philanthropic effort they’ve signed up for. They might be helping address homelessness, obtaining food for students, or planting a garden.

They hop on the bus off to a mystery volunteer location, Clarke explained, adding, “People make friendships and build relationships.”

The DGB’s mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of the communities we serve through meaningful connections and purpose, he noted, adding by creating fun volunteering opportunities to connect businesses and individuals with giving, we keep adding to our incredible community of do-gooders.

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Merlin Clarke for creating ways that allow people to give back to the community.

ANN KRASNER

DIANE PETERSON

Fearless Stuntwoman

Malibu Stuntwoman Diane Peterson takes readers on her action-packed journeys in her book Hollywood Stuntwoman: Follow Your Dreams. Peterson was featured in more than 100 movies and TV shows, including Titanic, Laundromat, Airplane, and Robocop II. Her film credits include doubling as Sharon Stone, Farrah Fawcett, Jessica Lange, and Diane Keaton.

A trailblazer in the stunt industry, long dominated by men, Peterson shunned one male stuntman’s jest that a woman wasn’t needed for the job. “Forget it honey,” Alex Stevens had said. “We put on the wigs and we do it.” Ultimately, Stevens was Peterson’s mentor and one of her biggest fans. Readers enjoy a helluva ride vicariously experiencing her global perilous gigs. From the time she was labeled a “hot shoe,” a stellar driver, she undertook feats defying the laws of physics, including her favorite set in a South African fishing village “On the Umzimvubo River, the river of death, the day started with chasing a huge snake off set and the scene involved an explosion so big it knocked me into that river!”

“My speciality is car chases,” Peterson says, grinning. What’s most intriguing about her book is that death-defying action scenes are interspersed with her inspiring message: alway play the long game, focus on your ultimate goals and never give up.

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Diane Peterson for giving readers a glimpse into her action-filled life and inspiring others to follow their dreams.

KAY GABBARD

A Catalyst for Change

Smiling as she always does, she loaded baked goods into her trunk, as she does every week. Grateful, Malibuite Kay Gabbard, was off to help serve dinner to anyone in need.

“Kay, the former director of Malibu Methodist Nursery School and longtime member of Malibu United Methodist Church, is a pillar in our Church Community and in Malibu as a whole,” Pastor Erin Stenberg said. “She has been a blessing to children and families for years. She is also a tireless advocate for the homeless community and a leader of C.A.R.T (Community Assistance Resource Team.)”

She has also served tirelessly for the Malibu Labor Exchange. To her, it’s just another way to make a difference. How does one summarize the ethos of Malibu’s one and only Kay Gabbard? After the Woolsey Fire burned her Malibu West home, she helped to organize Pepperdine’s Thanksgiving dinner. She’s always there when anyone needs her. Always.

“Kay will go above and beyond to listen, to care for, to find connections and resources for those who are without a home, looking for assistance, or simply seeking human kindness,” Stenberg said. “Kay demonstrates what it means to be a good neighbor, and we are grateful she is a part of Malibu UMC.

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Kay Gabbard for her tireless efforts to advocate for the less fortunate and for her tremendously large heart.

RICHARD GIBBS

Connecting Creatives

“No composer with his salt has anything else to do on a Monday morning at 9 a.m., so that’s why the Composer’s Breakfast Club meets weekly at that time at Dreamland,” Malibu composer Richard Gibbs, CBC’s founder, said.

Gibbs, once an Oingo Bongo keyboardist, is an award-winning composer with more than 70 scoring credits ranging from Dr. Doolittle and The Simpsons to Battlestar Galactica

“The CBC started organically after I periodically had lunch with Dave Kitay and Frankie Blue, and they invited friends,” he said. “At CBC, all are welcome, including composers, architects, actors, directors of various types, engineers, creatives, realtors, and those in insurance.”

At CBC, there are no name tags, and the club is not meant to be a money-making venture, Gibbs said, adding, “I think money pollutes everything.” CBS is about camaraderie and learning.

“Ninety percent of our speakers are people with great life stories who have done something interesting or are about to do something interesting,” Gibbs said. “I am fascinated with the guy who broke the speed record for non-motorized, unmanned flight - to me, it’s about the drive to do that. The human who would come up with that fascinates me - that applies to all forms of creativity.”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves Richard Gibbs for his curiosity and drive to bring creatives together.

JOHN GARCIA

Challenging Perception

A Malibu kid who grew up immersed in his parents’ creativity, artist John Garcia, Jr.’s work is currently exhibited in Sweet Dreams in Copenhagen, Denmark’s Simian Gallery.

The exhibition, in collaboration with Bri Williams, focuses on how representations transform our understandings of both the world and ourselves. Specifically, how shifts that occur between a romanticized love, such as in novels or films, compare with an experienced everyday love.

“The title of my oil painting is Dead Roses,” they said, noting the work alludes to Alice in Wonderland’s “Paint the Roses,” where the cards with their exaggerated smiles are gardeners tasked with fabricating the red-hued roses the Queen of Hearts desires.

Looking closely - what Garcia has created is a work composed of hundreds of dead roses, moribund yet curiously intriguing, vibrant, and seemingly almost alive, akin to Malibu’s plants and flowers that were fire-parched and burned to the core, as were all of Garcia’s belongings in the Woolsey Fire. Garcia’s painting also alludes to the ballet “Le Specter de la Rose,” set in the bedroom of a girl who falls in love with a rose that animates itself in the night to dance with her in her dreams. The takeaway: Love is a looping back to a person— lover or friend—to renew the bond between ever-changing beings.”

MALIBU MAGAZINE loves John Garcia as their art challenges one’s perceptions, daring us to stay grounded, yet always yearning for what seems unattainable.

If you have suggestions for community members to feature in our next issue, email us at editorial@malibumag.com ✎ written by Barbara Burke

ANDREA & MARCO BULLO

Gone Too Soon

Malibu mourns the unexpected tragic loss of Andrea Bullo, a long-time restaurateur and co-owner of Moonshadows and his 13-year-old son Marco.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Their smiles always lit up the room and they both viewed the world with a contagious optimism, Franco Simplicio, partner and friend of Andrea Bullo, recalled about Andrea, 60, and his 13-year-old son, Marco, who were killed in a fiery collision in Woodland Hills on November 1.

The Bullos were driving in a vintage Mustang on West Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills when they were rear-ended by a speeding Toyota Camry driven by a suspected drunk driver, Kevin Gonzalez, 21, who faces two charges of murder, with bail set at $4 million. The Mustang was engulfed in fire and, although firefighters responded very quickly, both of the Bullos were pronounced dead at the scene. Gonzalez was able to escape and sustained only minor injuries. He was filmed doing a sobriety test on the scene.

The elder Bullo, a Venice, Italy native, purchased Moonshadows with a group of friends of Italian descent, including his partner Franco Simplicio in 2001. The venue combines typical Venetian cuisine with American fare. Moonshadows rapidly became a hotspot for Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and many other celebrities. The restaurant has received awards including the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, the Michelin Award, the Best of City Search, and the venue is on Yelp’s list of 100 places to dine.

“Andrea and I were partners for more than 20 years, and we were friends for more than thirty years,” Simplicio told Malibu Magazine. “We were very close, almost like brothers, and 3 to 4 times a week, I would go by Moonshadows to talk with him. Andrea always had a smile and an ‘everything’s going to be okay kind of energy.”

More than a thousand people attended the memorial mass for the Bullos at St.

ANDREA BULLO Andrea Bullo, co-owner of Moonshadows Restaurant, enjoys a glass of wine in happier times.

Mel’s Catholic Church in Woodland Hills on November 19, Simplicio noted, adding, “Andrea touched the lives of each and everyone who attended in some way. All losses are horrible, but some people like Andrea were one-of-a-kind. He will be very missed.”

Simplicio recalled how vivacious Marco was, saying, “He was at my wedding when he was very young and he stole the show - he was a showman and was so energetic and he was a very talented dancer.”

Marco, Simplicio noted, “had a special spirit that was so captivating that you wanted to spend time with him and talk to him. He had such a bright future, but, unfortunately, it was not to be.”

Memorial service attendees entered the church tearfully. When they sang Amazing Grace, one could feel the balm that only a communal gathering can bestow on mourners.

Andrea was married to Ira Soebroto, Marco’s mother, who bravely eulogized her husband and son at the funeral, as did

a host of Marco’s friends, who at tender ages, like everyone, are trying to process the magnitude of the losses.

A myriad of social media postings echoed Simplicio’s comments that Marco and Andrea were very special and their

spirits infused others with joy and they will be sorely missed.

“This is a tragic, tragic moment with news (of the Bullos’ deaths) that will ripple across the oceans from Moonshadows and touch the hearts of thousands around the world. In honor of Andrea & Marco, the Bullo family is welcoming messages of condolence on the Moonshadows Facebook page. www.facebook.com/moonshadowsmalibu.

“Moonshadows has been my favorite place since I was a student at UCLA in the 1970s,” Barbara Bruderlin, CEO of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce said. “I was amazed by the venue, as though my life had finally come to fruition because it existed and I found it. Thirty years later, I visited Moonshadows with my fiance, eager to show him the most romantic spot in the world. It was then that I first met Andrea, this larger-than-life figure who greeted us. There was a new, personal touch and elegance that Andrea brought to Moonshadows, with his warm, gracious style. Andrea made every visit memorable, always acquiescing to personal wishes, and ready to share in customers’ joy. Over the years, Andrea and his partner Franco have brought the essence of Malibu to the locals and people from all over the world - that indescribable Malibu “je ne sais quoi” that you just have to “get.”

Bruderlin added, “I am personally heartbroken at the loss of Andrea and his beautiful son, Marco. From the bottom of my heart, I send my deepest condolences on behalf of the Board of Directors and all members of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.”

Oreste Di Gregorio, a longtime friend and colleague of Andrea, summed up the sentiments of many, saying “Andrea was always a special person to me and all others,” He said. “He made you feel confident in any situation. He was a perfect friend.”

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON Full of love and energy, Marco Bullo was as vivacious and affable as his father, Andrea.

“Andrea was always a special person to me and all others... He was the perfect friend”

Doug Stewart and Marianne Riggins, Malibu’s two newly elected city council members, have great aspirations for the City, aspirations tempered by the City’s mission statement’s strong focus on protecting Malibu’s unique land and marine environment and preserving its unaltered natural resources and rural characteristics.

Both incoming council persons have long, strong ties to Malibu. Stewart has lived in Malibu for 23 years. He began his career as a banker and later served as Chief Operating Officer of Colorgraphics, then the West Coast’s largest commercial printing business. He and his wife, Sharon have one son, Doug (“Chip”).

Riggins is a Malibu native. She and her

MARIANNE RIGGINS & DOUG STEWART

Newest Members of City Council

The newcomers have focused priorities, including addressing PCH’s hazards, developing city-owned land for recreational opportunities for residents and getting California Highway Patrol to monitor traffic in Malibu.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

husband raised a daughter, who attended Malibu schools. She served as a City employee for 17 years in the planning and building safety departments and is very familiar with Malibu’s zoning code, local coastal plan and lengthy process of rebuilding homes after wildfire devastation.

“One of my passions is helping people get back home and rebuild,” She said. “Unfortunately, it is very difficult to rebuild and many people have chosen not to embark on that path.” Her priorities also focus on school separation ~ she serves on the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee which advises the district concerning projects for Malibu Schools.

Stewart was appointed to the Malibu Public Safety Commission in 2019. Like Riggins, neither he nor anyone in his family has held public office. He ran for city

council because he thinks there is a desperate need to return to a culture of civility in city government and to reduce pervasive divisiveness.

“Everybody in the City needs a fresh start - no one wants a hostile, non-productive city,” He said, adding, the City’s hiring challenges should acknowledge compensation isn’t the only important thing as employees need to be comfortable, secure and able to pursue professional development.

He added, “We need a kinder, safer Malibu. It all starts with being kinder and we’ll work on being safer.”

Further, Stewart says, his broad banking and management careers have armed him with the necessary skills for leading people, managing an organization through difficult times and always trying to reach consensus.

MARIANNE RIGGINS A Malibu native and long-time City employee, Riggins has significant experience with zoning codes, coastal plans and rebuilding processes.

“One of the most important things that people miss is to have early intervention during problem solving.” He said.

Riggins agrees, noting “Doug and I intend to create a foundation in the City that is more based on cooperation and finding middle ground to reach consensus.”

When asked about his goals for his first 100 days in office, Stewart said, “Water is the most critical issue we face long term and there is a lack of water recycling that we need to address.”

Stewart is highly critical of the City council’s notoriously marathon meetings, finding them antithetical to accomplishing necessary tasks and serving the public. “Let’s start meetings earlier to handle administrative matters and then, at 10:30, let’s adjourn and reconvene later in the same week.” He proposed.

Stewart and Riggins advocate having a sheriff’s substation manned in Malibu.

“We need local management and less commuting time for law enforcement serving Malibu,” Stewart said. “Further, I strongly advocate that we prevail upon the decision makers in Sacramento to rescind the State Vehicle Code §§ 2.400.6-2.400.7, prohibiting California Highway Patrol from patrolling in Malibu - the law makes no sense.”

Riggins heartily agrees, “When we register our vehicles, Malibuites and our 15 million annual visitors are taxed like everyone to fund CHP. It seems unbalanced that we are not provided that safety service.”

Mindful that the PCH is a treacherous thoroughfare, Stewart notes, “No one ever speeds up when they see a black and white patrol car. We need more heavy law enforcement presence and to lower the PCH’s speed limits in Malibu.” Riggins noted, “No one should die simply because they are trying to get from one place to another.” She added, “Malibu has a big parking issue and the council needs to talk with - and listen to - traffic experts to reach a solution.”

Turning to other priority issues, Stewart said, “The expansions and actions by Mountains Restoration Conservation Authority (MRCA) are also hot on my list, given the agency’s recent acquisition of parcels in

Malibu Canyon and Carbon Mesa and its proposal for camping on Malibu Bluffs. We have enough camping opportunities.”

Stewart strongly advocates adding City employees to vigorously enforce short term rental rules. He notes, “You can’t have a party house going on a Saturday night and have compliance officers show up the next Monday or Tuesday.”

Finally, both he and Riggins aim to have city-owned vacant land developed for recreational opportunities for citizens. “We need to develop a plan for building what the citizens want, including sports venues and perhaps a community pool.” Stewart said.

“My intention is to work for the citizens of Malibu,” Riggins said. “It’s my home and I want to make sure we have both recreational and cultural events.”

DOUG

STEWART With significant experience in managing companies and budgets, Doug Stewart seeks to make the City work more efficiently for residents and local businesses.

“Everyone in the City needs a fresh start — no one wants a hostile, non-productive city.”

ARE TEMPORARY FIXES OUR ONLY TOOLS AGAINST EROSION?

The Big Rock Slope Restoration Project demonstrates how elusive a long-term plan for coastal erosion remains.

✎ written by Holly Bieler

 Photos by Julie

Wuellner

Erosion has left many parts of the PCH in Malibu unrecognizable, and none moreso than a small stretch of highway just east of Big Rock. The 200 feet of highway sits on one of the city’s most vulnerable areas for erosion, supported by a collapsing rock wall that was constructed more than 100 years ago. In 2016, high surf pummeled the area, shrinking the beach and crumbling so much of the rock wall it was at risk of collapsing. The erosion even reached PCH, destroying large swaths of the shoulder and washing chunks of pavement out to sea. As a result of the damage, a high-pressure gas pipeline was exposed, presenting “an imminent danger to the traveling public”, according to a Coastal Commission report.

Emergency workers were able to temporarily stabilize the rock wall with shotcrete, a kind of sprayable concrete. But the damage had struck a nerve. In a climate change vulnerability assessment released later that year, Caltrans District 7 identified the Big Rock corridor as highly vulnerable, and in an Adaptation Priorities Report released the next year, said repairing it was a first priority for the district. Local Caltrans officials began calling the area the most worrisome in their infrastructure portfolio in terms of erosion impact.

But five years later, finding a long term fix seems farther than ever before. Indeed the halting process of keeping PCH east of Big Rock from falling into the sea illustrates just how far we are from developing a permanent solution to our shrinking coastline.

By 2021, Caltrans had supposedly come up with a long-term fix for the Big Rock corridor. In their proposed Slope Restoration Project (SRP), they called for installing a new seawall under the highway, this time made with secant piles, a support system used in deep foundations that is drilled directly into bedrock and utilizes alternating piles as well as

steel and concrete to create a water-tight surface. Total costs for the wall were pegged at $12.4 million.

The City was quick to support the SRP. Increased erosion on the Big Rock sea wall now meant that stretch of PCH was at risk of developing sinkholes, which overnight could trigger long-term closures of the highway, Malibu’s most essential roadway. In the worst case scenario, PCH could collapse while people were driving on it.

The secant pile wall, as Caltrans set out, would serve to ensure this didn’t happen. On the project’s website and brochure, the new wall was described as a “permanent solution”, a final fix to one of the area’s biggest headaches. Work was tentatively scheduled to begin in September of 2022, pending approval by the California Coastal Commission.

The following month, the Commission released their recommendation. The bottom line: the project was approved. The erosion was simply too bad, in too important a part of PCH, to let it sit in disrepair any longer.

“It has very limited, if any, alternate routes, in the event of damage; and it serves as an emergency evacuation route for adjacent communities,” the recommendation read.

But in order to break ground on the project, Caltrans would have to agree to a major, somewhat odd stipulation. Sometime within the next 50 years, the new secant pile wall would have to be torn down, and replaced with something better.

Indeed the Coastal Commission had found that the wall didn’t present a permanent solution to the roadway’s erosion at all. By their estimates, the project might hardly last more than a few decades. Caltrans could go ahead and build the new $12.4 million wall, the recommendation read. But within the next ten years, it would have to come up with a proposal that would actually fix the area permanently.

Local Caltrans officials began calling the area their most worrisome in terms of erosion impact.

CRUMBLING PCH High tides caused significant damage to the area of PCH in 2016.

It’s an approach the Coastal Commission has recently adopted in other parts of Southern California which have been outsizely impacted by beach erosion. Over the last few years, the Commission has approved seawalls in San Luis Obispo and Sonoma County only with the special provision that the projects serve as temporary fixes, to be replaced once officials come up with a better solution.

What exactly that could look like is still unclear. Data seems to indicate that any form of armoring, the process of using physical structures to protect shorelines from erosion, can actually exacerbate

erosion in the long-term. But the numbers get less definitive when it comes to finding a solution for halting, or even slowing, coastal erosion.

In its approval of the Big Rock project, the Coastal Commission didn’t present any ideas. But the 10 year span they gave Caltrans to develop a permanent fix suggests getting there will require a scale of time, money and innovation unparalleled in the city’s history.

But that’s a problem for another time. For now, officials are focused on the secant pile wall, which broke ground in September. MM

Data indicates that armoring can actually exacerbate erosion.

BREAKING GROUND While the Coastal Commission said Caltrans would have to eventually come up with a more permanent solution for erosion in the area, the Big Rock restoration project will buy decades of time, officials said.

Hi All – Since the simple phrase “Thank You” doesn’t really cover it in this situation, allow me to elaborate a bit.

Hi All – Since the simple phrase “Thank You” doesn’t really cover it in this situation, me to elaborate a bit.

On [November] 2018, our family was rocked by the devastating fires in Malibu.

On [November] 2018, our family was rocked by the devastating fires in Malibu.

Three days later, Jaq and I drove Dad and Jadi to see the remains of their dream home. The first house they bought since getting married. It was probably one of the worst moments I can ever remember.

Three days later, Jaq and I drove Dad and Jadi to see the remains of their dream home. The first house they bought since getting married. It was probably one of the worst moments I can ever remember.

Dad and Jadi just held each other and cried – staring at a hole where thirty years of memories, family heirlooms, art work they had collected...a smoking, charred pile of destruction where their dream home used to be. The place where both of my children learned how to swim, ride a bike, have birthday parties and graduation celebrations.

Dad and Jadi just held each other and cried – staring at a hole where thirty years of memories, family heirlooms, art work they had collected...a smoking, charred pile of destruction where their dream home used to be. The place where both of my children learned how to swim, ride a bike, have birthday parties and graduation celebrations.

Then, the always amazing Howard introduced them to all of you.

Then, the always amazing Howard introduced them to all of you.

Ryan – to say you designed a masterpiece is literally an understatement. You listened to their ideas, and then proceeded to design a home that completely took our breath away yesterday.

Ryan – to say you designed a masterpiece is literally an understatement. You listened to their ideas, and then proceeded to design a home that completely took our breath away yesterday.

Your excitement throughout this process was felt by all of us.

Your excitement throughout this process was felt by all of us.

NOTHING EVER CHANGES

Like clockwork, pedestrians, and motorists are seriously injured or killed on PCH despite experts perennially proposing infrastructure resolutions. Michel Shane’s 21 Miles in Malibu digs deep into the problem.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Miles in Malibu , a documentary released in late October, graphically depicts the extremely hazardous dangers on Pacific Coast Highway. The film grabs viewers’ attention with intense footage of innumerable, horrific, often fatal collisions on a thoroughfare that serves as both Malibu’s main street and a state highway. Collisions that are legion among both locals and visitors.

Collisions - and the infrastructure deficiencies that contribute to and often cause them - are the subject of many repetitive, albeit well-intended and

taxpayer-funded studies by engineers and other highway design experts. Collisions that continue incessantly, unabated by the implementation of any of the recommendations in those studies, according to subjects quoted in the film, including local journalist Hans Laetz, former Malibu Mayor, Lou Lamonte, and Fireball Tim Lawrence, a local car designer, and publisher.

One of the publicly-funded studies culminated in a report setting forth 52 recommended changes to make the PCH safer, Laetz states in the film, incredulously adding, “None of those recommendations have been implemented.”

OUTDATED DESIGN The design of the Pacific Coast Highway, both Malibu’s main street and a perilous thoroughfare, hasn’t been significantly improved since the 1950’s.

MICHEL SHANE Producer Michel Shane’s 21 Miles in Malibu documentary aims to motivate viewers to demand change.

The work is a paradigm example of film activism demanding change. The documentary is produced by Malibu’s Michel Shane (Catch Me If You Can, I Robot, North Fork), who collaborated with screenwriters Nic Davis and Meredith Mantik, Executive Producer Susan Moulton and cinematographers James Suter and Joey Graziano. The gut-wrenching images of fatal collisions are brilliantly accompanied by original music composed by sound designer Abigail Rodi.

“The film provides viewers with a sense of why it is important to drive safely and of their need to always be aware of their surroundings,” Lawrence said. “It’s important that we all connect ourselves with the outcomes of how we live our lives, but also that is not enough - what we need is action.”

The film confronts the long-unaddressed dangers of PCH and unrelentingly demands for action - not merely another study. It’s a message bemoaning the senseless deaths that predictably occur like clockwork at many of Malibu’s perilous intersections and curves. It’s a message that many locals and visitors pray is heeded immediately. It’s a message that the film emphasizes could save lives.

Michel and Ellen Shane’s daughter Emily Rose Shane, 13, was tragically targeted and run down in April 2010 by a maniacal driver with a suicide wish along PCH at Heathercliff Road. The eighth grader was struck along the right shoulder of a stretch of the PCH that has been dubbed “Blood Alley,” because there are no sidewalks along that extremely busy section of highway which includes bus stops and Pt. Dume shopping center.

“Emily’s death increased my awareness of the dangerous situation along PCH,” Michel Shane said. “Producing

this film was the only way I could react to her death.” He notes that Emily’s horrific passing is only part of the film’s focus, which also addresses the heartache experienced by friends and family of Marisela Echeverria, a cyclist training

for the Ironman Distance Triathlon who was struck by a Metro bus and killed on the PCH in 2012.

The statistics astound, the film notes. The inexcusable lack of attempts to take seemingly simple steps to address the

EMILY AND ELLEN SHANE Emily Rose Shane and her mother, Ellen celebrated Emily’s bat mitzvah shortly before Emily’s tragic death. of the L.A. County Fire Department for over a decade, and has protected

lessly championing The Emily Shane Foundation, which serves students with learning disabilities as Emily had. The Foundation provides free mentors and tutors to challenged students who struggle academically and who, without the help provided by the organization, could fall through the cracks.

The students are only asked to do one very important thing to “pay it forward,” and give back to their community, even if only in a small way. In a similar vein, Michel Shane hopes to pay it forward with the film and he hopes the work saves innumerable lives by catalyzing infrastructure improvements on PCH.

“I’d like the film to create a real movement to start change,” Shane said. “This is about awareness - Malibu is not the only town that has very risky roads. It’s a worldwide problem. If we can make people aware and get them upset, then we can create change.”

Pausing, he added, “If the politicians see that their constituents are extremely angry, they will act to keep their power.”

highway’s dangers equally astounds. Measures such as reducing the speed limit, putting in protective barriers where pedestrians cross the highway, putting in medians to better divide traffic, and synchronizing lights - all solutions that other municipalities with congested traffic have successfully implemented.

The Shanes both note that when faced with such an unspeakable tragedy as losing a child, one can go into darkness - or choose the light.

They have chosen the light by tire -

Shane intends to approach the Malibu City Council to propose a community screening in hopes the film will be impactful throughout the town. On a broader scale, he intends to distribute the film nationally and internationally. Currently, the film is being distributed on the festival circuit. Shane notes that it would be ideal for high schools and instructors to use in their beginning driving curriculum.

“The film will resonate with audiences worldwide.” He said. “I would have never gone down this road but for Emily’s death.”

Hopefully, his twelve-year-long journey into the light - a long path from concept to the screen - will be instrumental in effecting changes in the PCH’s design as soon as possible.

“I’d like the film to create a real movement to start change. This is about awareness.”

CLASS IS IN SESSION

Opening February, 2023, Santa Monica College’s Malibu Campus is functional and energy efficient, offering residents a host of classes and public gathering spaces.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Malibu’s Santa Monica Community College campus in Malibu’s civic center adjacent to the old courthouse and library, opens in Spring, 2023. Registration for all classes other than Emeritus is ongoing and people can register now. Registration for Emeritus classes begins in early January.

Credit classes include environmental biology, marine biology, film appreciation: Intro to Cinema, to name a few. Noncredit classes include Introduction to Early Care and Education, a certifi-

cated program. Some of the community education classes include Barre Fusion, Architectural Styles of Los Angeles and Women Architects and Designers who Defined 20th Century Design. Enrollment for emeritus classes for senior citizen students will begin in early January, and some options include Creative Writing, Autobiography, Poetry and Fiction, and Life Drawing Studio.

Malibu Magazine sat down with Scott Silverman, Interim Dean of Noncredit

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE The Malibu campus will offer credit, noncredit, community college and emeritus classes.

SMC CAMPUS The three-acre Santa Monica College campus houses a two-story building with general education classrooms, dedicated science and art labs, a multipurpose physical activity space, a 100-seat lecture hall with capabilities for music and film, as well as a computer lab.

& External Programs, to learn all the details about the three-acre campus, which features a 25,000 square foot, two-story building with two general education classrooms, dedicated science and art labs, a multipurpose physical activity space, a 100-seat lecture hall with raked seating with capabilities for music and film, and a computer lab.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department substation will occupy the ground level of the community college. Malibu Mayor Paul Grisanti stated that before the substation can become operational, the City of Malibu will have to approve funding to pay for the staff at the Sheriff’s Substation. The City contracts with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services.

The City’s fiscal year ends June 30, 2023, and according to Grisanti, the City would have to approve a budget of approximately $2 million to fund the Sheriff’s substation through June 30th.

“The first day of classes will be February 13,” Silverman said. “We are planning a fun opening event and will send a postcard with information about that event to all who reside in Malibu.”

SMC staff on-site will include an associate dean and three classified, non-teaching staff, Silverman said. Additional staff reporting to other departments, but based on the Malibu campus and focused on Malibu operations, include three campus safety officers, custodians, and five grounds and maintenance personnel. While there are no plans at the moment for any full-time instructors to have all of their teaching assignments in Malibu, Silverman noted that there are more than twenty instructors scheduled to teach at least one course at the Malibu Campus this coming Spring semester, with some teaching multiple courses. Office hours for related classes will also be held there.

As early as the 1970s, Santa Monica College offered a host of classes in Malibu, Silverman said, noting that over time, space became a constraint on the num-

ber of classes available, and the offerings ended completely after the Pandemic.

QDG Architecture, a firm that also built the SOFI stadium, was the associate architect for the three-story building. The project is LEED Gold Certified and utilizes low energy and water use, along with green building materials.

Concerns Regarding the Large, Bright Tower on Community College Grounds

Many Malibuites have been asking about the large tower sitting adjacent to the building. Grisanti stated that he has been told by several people that the tower is taller than what is depicted on the original plans. “Some of the rack area is designed to accommodate the Sheriff’s communication needs.” Grisanti said. “Basically, what they have built with the three levels of racks on the tower is an antenna farm and if three or more companies intend to load things on the tower, each company will need a permit.”

Addressing the concerns regarding the tower, Silverman said, “During the contract negotiations, the tower was agreed to by the City of Malibu Planning Commission and LA County in order to support emergency communications,” Explaining further, Silverman said, “The College is continuing to follow the specifications of the regulating agencies.”

The applicable federal regulations mandate that there be such a tower to support the pre-existing heli-pad, he added.

“People have complained about the tower’s location, height and color. We’ve made the folks at the community college and the County aware about their concerns as well as the City’s concerns,” City Manager Steve McClary said. “They will have to try to get a conditional use permit from the City to operate that tower. We will ensure that there is an open forum for the public to weigh in regarding any decisions.”

“The first day of classes will be February 13, and we are planning a fun opening event.”

SCOTT SILVERMAN Interim Dean of Noncredit and External Programs, leads SMC’s dedicated Malibu Campus Team.

The Community College’s Effects The Farmer’s Market and Labor Exchange

“The Farmers Market is being relocated next to Legacy Park,” McClary said. “Regarding the Malibu Labor Exchange, the objective is to make sure that service to the community is not squeezed out and representatives from the college, the City and the County are working to keep the Labor Exchange on the grounds as the original plans include having a location for them. Going forward, on a temporary basis the Labor Exchange may operate out of a cargo van until final solutions are found. What’s important is that all stakeholders are rowing in the same direction.”

When asked whether the space will be open for public events, Silverman stated “Yes, it is our hope that community groups will want to hold meetings and events at SMC’s Malibu Campus and the

courtyard and interpretive center are ideal locations for such gatherings. This is one of the possibilities we are most excited about! For now, inquiries regarding public programming and events space should go to malibu@smc.edu.”

Further, college-run events at Malibu will definitely happen, Silverman said, adding, “Some of this will be in the interpretive center and we have already begun to discuss a schedule for the amazing, groundbreaking Matika Wilbur exhibition featuring the works of this acclaimed artist/photographer from the Tulalip and Swinomish tribes.”

As Malibu welcomes its new community college classes, local employers may wish to explore offering internship opportunities to students. Such opportunities could be coordinated by the SMC Career Services Center. MM

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT LOBBY A Los Angeles Sheriff’s department substation will be located on the ground floor of the campus. Malibu does not currently have its own sheriff station.

The Malibu Farmers Market will be relocated next to Legacy Park.

SPRING 2023

Class Schedule

See the full class schedule and find information on how to enroll in various classes at www.smc.edu/ about/campuses/malibu/2023-spring-classes.php.

For Credit: Credit classes can be used to earn an Associate degree or transfer to a four-year college or university.

• Environmental Biology

• Marine Biology (Non-Laboratory)

• Elements of Public Speaking

• Beginning Salsa Dance

• Intermediate Salsa Dance

• Reading and Composition

• Critical Analysis and Intermediate Composition

• Film Appreciation: Intro to Cinema

• Elementary Statistics

• Introduction to Nutrition Science

• General Psychology

Noncredit: Noncredit classes are part of a flexible tuition-free program that offers short-term certificates that can assist you in entering the workforce or continuing your education.

• Introduction to Early Care and Education

• Culturally Revelant Curriculum

• Early Care Licensing and Workforce Readiness

Emeritus: The emeritus program is a noncredit, free, lifelong learning program offering classes designed for older adults.

• Life Drawing Studio

• Painting

• Drawing and Painting

• Poetry and Fiction

• Creative Writing

• Autobiography

Community Education: Community Education is a not-for-credit, fee-based program focused on promoting personal enrichment and professional development.

• Barre Fusion

• Salsa and Stretch

• Vocal Yoga -- Free Your Throat Chakra

•

• Architectural Styles of Los Angeles and the Southern California Area

• Women Architects and Designers Who Defined 20th Century Design

It was one of those moments when someone you know shares a detail about their life that totally surprises and intrigues you.

“Please read my new book, My Name was Mushroom — My Life as a Teenage Runaway in the Source Family Commune,” Malibu’s Wendy Baker said.

What a journey! When Wendy was just 12 years old and then named Wendy Gossard, she met Bart Baker, who has been her husband for decades. Wendy was mesmerized by the crystal blue eyes and magnetism of Bart’s father, the very charismatic Jim Baker, known as Yahowah, who was the six-foot-five towering patriarch of the Source Family, a spiritual group composed of young people who considered Yahowah their father.

Wendy Baker’s book takes readers on her journey during the 1960s and 1970s, describing love-ins in Hollywood and on Sunset Avenue, and gatherings at The Source Restaurant, Yahowah’s business, and one of the country’s first health food restaurants on the Sunset Strip. John Lennon and Yoko Ono were regular customers as were Warren Beatty and Mar-

My Name Was Mushroom

Author Wendy Baker shares her experiences as a young teen lured into a commune, her valiant emergence back into society and her path to becoming a Malibu business executive.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

lon Brando. Woody Allen gave a nod to the restaurant in his classic, “Annie Hall,” wherein he sarcastically orders mashed yeast and alfalfa sprouts.

Wendy’s alcoholic single mother had four young daughters and she was distracted, exhausted, and overworked, leaving home life for Wendy and her sisters challenging and intolerable. Wendy describes her family environment as a mixture of abuse and neglect. “She wasn’t a hands-on mother,” Wendy said. “Mine

was a childhood without guidance.”

Ultimately, when she was only 14 years old, she escaped from her biological family and joined The Source Family, inveigled by the group’s seemingly boundless love and freedom and enamored with the music played by family members. One of Wendys biological sisters, Marci, joined the commune and, like all of its members, became inculcated by its groupthink mentality, which included meditations, yoga, vegetarianism, and rituals.

In the Source Family, Wendy was named Mushroom. Her sister was named Blessing. Immersed in the cult’s communal living and intrigued by Yahowah’s teachings, Wendy and others in the commune kept to themselves, calling outsiders Pisceans from The Maya. The group relocated several times, ultimately leaving California and settling in Lahaina, Maui. There, 16-year-old Wendy gave birth to a daughter by another commune member, Starman. An elder woman in the commune named their child Stardust.

Ultimately, the Source Family relocated again to the Big Island where they lived through a large earthquake and were

YAHOWAH Jim Baker (“Yahowah”) surrounded by Wendy Baker and other Source Family members.

more impecunious than ever and very close to starvation. Slowly, the commune began to unravel, and Baker had the sense that Yahowah was becoming disenchanted with his responsibilities within the group.

Shortly thereafter, Yahowah died from injuries sustained in a tragic hang-gliding accident in Oahu in 1975 – he had never hang-glided before, yet he jumped off a 400-meter cliff. Soon, the Source Family disintegrated, leaving 18-year-old Wendy with a toddler, no high school education, and facing the challenge of navigating their future.

Slowly, she did so. She earned her GED and attended community college. She began a career. Ultimately, she married Yahowah’s son, Bart Baker, when they were both 21 years old.

Sitting in her Malibu office where she and her husband sell insurance and investments, the strikingly beautiful, successful professional is years and worlds away from her life in a commune.

“It was so emotional writing my book,” She said. “I didn’t talk about my Source Family experiences for fifty years – my own children didn’t even know my full story until they read my book.”

Would she follow the same life path and repeat her commune experience? “I would repeat the experience because it saved me. I think we all are subconsciously drawn to take our paths,” she said. “I think I was saved from my home circumstances, and I figured out life on my own.”

Wendy notes that she missed many quintessential coming-of-age experiences and having an intact, functional nuclear family.

“I spent my entire high school years in a spiritual commune that was heavily disciplined and focused on healthy eating,” she said. “I didn’t go to a prom, get my license when I was 16, or party a lot - I

missed all that.”

Realizing that she didn’t know how to effectively be a parent, Wendy attended a parenting class for two years, and she and her husband participated in couples counseling.

Wendy’s opinions about her commune experiences have evolved over time. “At first, I regretted joining The Source Family,” she said. “It took me a long time to get to the place I am today.”

Asked what she hopes readers will glean from her book, Wendy paused, reflected carefully, and responded, “I think the book sends a strong message that one can go through something horrific and still come out as a good person.”

Baker’s recently-published book has garnered critical acclaim and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. The book is available on Audible, Kindle, Amazon, and at Barnes and Noble.

MM

VINTAGE GROCERS

A COMMUNITY PILLAR

It’s the hub of activity in Western Malibu and the anchor tenant at Trancas Country Mart. It’s a gathering place where friends and neighbors start their morning, preparing for a busy day buoyed by the delicious coffees, smoothies, health shots, and juices served by the friendly baristas, many of whom are on a first-name basis with customers. One is welcome here. Waiting for their beverages, neighbors catch up, surfers share stories about epic waves and customers make new friends.

Offering an array of well-displayed products, including beautiful produce, a

hot bar, a sushi bar, a full-service deli, and bakery, Vintage Grocers is upscale, yet welcoming. If you need to catch breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Vintage has you covered. If you need to order a beautiful cake for a special occasion, Vintage has you covered. If you need to quickly pick up diapers, paper towels, or other necessities, Vintage has you covered. If you need to have a meal catered, the talented team at Vintage will curate all the details impeccably – you’ll look like a star and Vintage did all the work. Perfect!

On any given Saturday, while customers hustle and bustle, Vintage has new vendors handing out samples of their in-

novative products. Vintage is first to market with many items.

The company also hosts fun community events for all the holidays – from Halloween on the Green, with free hot beverages and trick-or-treating, to samples of the catering menu for Thanksgiving, Easter, and all holidays, to Santa visiting as delighted wee ones enjoy delicious snacks and arts and crafts, to special events for all other community occasions, Vintage is always leading the way in organizing wonderful gatherings for both locals and visitors. There’s always something on at West Malibu’s cutting-edge grocer! Look for fun, themed dinners on Vintage’s spa-

✎ written by Barbara Burke

More than a market, Vintage Grocers is Western Malibu’s venue where locals gather, enjoy coffee, juices, fine food, purchase necessary items as well as fine bakery goods and meet their catering needs.

cious patio in 2023. Expect the best – you won’t be disappointed.

However, what really distinguishes Vintage is the company’s sincere commitment to the Malibu community. Impressively, it’s one of those businesses that helps behind the scenes, quietly and consistently making a wonderful local impact.

“Christy OBryan and Vintage Grocer’s generosity is unparalleled!” said Nora Cohen, Director of Malibu’s Big Heart Ranch and Farm, a nature-based community center and animal rescue sanctuary. “We are beyond grateful for their weekly food contributions. Our restorative rescue herd of farm animals is healthier than ever as a result.” Cohen added, “Our animals help so many people in the community so the fact that Vintage rallies back for them is an absolute blessing!”

What’s so fun is that Cohen often sends pictures of her four-legged charges enjoying Vintage’s produce – always triggering a wonderful smile from viewers who wonder, “Do hogs actually smile?”

Heartily agreeing about Vintage’s generosity and community impact, Kay Gabbard, a Community Assistance Resource Team volunteer and a member of Malibu Methodist Church, sings Vintage Grocer’s praises. Malibu Magazine caught up with Gabbard one day in the Trancas parking lot as she and Carlos, one of Vintage’s many terrific employees who help to gather donations for the community, were loading baked goods into Gabbard’s car.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BIG HEART RANCH

Vintage Grocers generously donates produce to Big Heart Ranch animal rescue sanctuary, much to the delight of the animals.

“Vintage always helps our small but mighty church serve meals for the community five days a week,” Gabbard said. “The baked goods they donate help to feed and enrich those who need it.”

Vintage Grocers takes part in organizing many community events for all holidays, from Halloween on the Green to catering menus for Thanksgiving and Santa visiting for Christmas.

SANTA MONICA

When you’re in Western Malibu visit Vintage Grocers – see old friends and make new ones and enjoy the warm, convivial vibe – and grab a cup of delicious coffee and something from the well-curated hot bar. Everyone’s welcome at Vintage.

VINTAGE GROCERS

30745 E Pacific Coast Hwy #24

(310) 457-2828

www.vintagegrocers.com

HOWDY’S SONRISA CAFE

MADE FROM THE HEART

Malibu’s winters can get a little windy and cold. Throw on your Uggs and head to Howdy’s for a hearty, delicious dinner. Consider enjoying Howdy’s hot chicken soup – a special recipe from Linda Kabrins’ mother. Chocked full of chicken and vegetables with a wonderfully robust broth, it’s deliciously satisfying and warming.

Another delicious option is Tres Mares Caldo – fresh seafood from the sea, including moist, meaty salmon, large scrumptious shrimp, and fish of the day amidst a tomato-based broth. It hits the spot.

Many customers yearn for Howdy’s famous filling and delicious burritos, flush with beans and rice, and the customer’s protein choice, whether meat, seafood, or veggies. The broad burrito selection intrigues.

Sushi at Howdy’s is expertly and fresh-

ly made – many customers think it is the best in town! Try the famous sushi burrito with choices including spicy tuna with crab meat and Wasabi sauce, Shrimp tempura with crab meat and eel sauce, spicy salmon, yellowtail, or a veggie bur-

rito made with a whole wheat tortilla, rice, pinto beans, Pico Gallo and guacamole.

Of course, Howdy’s has tasty tacos — it’s hard to choose from delicious steak, chicken, or seafood. No matter what the selection, the tasty tacos are filling and satisfying.

Enjoy a cerveza, a refreshing margarita, or Howdy’s famous Bloody Maria with your meal - the perfect accompaniment to delicious dining. Howdy’s is also here to meet all of your catering needs. Contact the friendly, knowledgeable staff to discuss ordering Howdy’s for any event –it’s the most popular fare in Malibu, and your occasion will be wonderful.

Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe

23401 Civic Center Way, Unit 3A

www.howdyscafe.com

instagram: @howdyscafe

(310) 579-7549

Anything one orders is a winner — Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe’s chicken soup, caldos and bowls are perfect for winter days or enjoy the best sushi in town, tacos and burritos that satisfy and delight.

OUTDOOR PATIO Howdy’s welcoming patio is the perfect place to dine, relax and enjoy cervezas, margaritas and Bloody Marias. MM

MALIBU BEACH AESTHETICS

SPECIALIZED BEAUTY

Claudia Schaefer, PC Director at Malibu Beach Aesthetics, exudes beauty and energy as she explains her passion for helping to transform clients’ images, rendering them more youthful and confident in their appearance, while also educating them about the latest, safest, effective, noninvasive medical procedures.

“As aesthetic consultants, we help individuals look more beautiful and rejuvenated,” Schaefer says. “When they have benefited from our experienced medical team’s magic touch, they often feel like they’re ready to be on a movie set!” Patients are amazed at how glowing, natural and young their results appear, she added.

Malibu Beach Aesthetics offers a variety of curated medical degree procedures, such as personalized biotech facials, injectables, including the ever-popular ones Sculptra and Radiesse, all hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, RHA, Juvederm, Versa), Botox and other excellent neuromodulators like Jeuveau, collagen treatments including microneedling, radio frequency, threads, medical strength chemical peels and more. Each procedure and treatment is individually tailored and targeted to address specific concerns such as crows feet, forehead wrinkles, restoring volume to the face, neck, decollete, crepey skin, jowls sagging, etc.

“Understanding aging and fillers is crucial when determining whether nonin-

vasive procedures are appropriate for a client,” Schaefer explains. “As we follow a patient’s treatment, we gain their trust. It all starts by booking a consultation and explaining all the options to them.”

There are so many choices! Many clients opt to get fillers for under the eye, cheeks, to address Marionette lines ~ wrinkles around the mouth and chin ~ and to reduce the formation of lines of one’s forehead and glabella ~ the area between one’s eyebrows and above the nose.

Another popular treatment is radio frequency skin tightening, a non-surgical treatment that is less invasive than having fillers or microneedling. The radio frequency procedure involves using energy waves to heat the dermis, the deep layer

Experienced medical team provides patients with a myriad of the most effective, updated, non-invasive rejuvenation treatment options. To benefit from their customized procedures and to experience their magic touch, book an appointment today.

of the skin, thereby stimulating the body to produce collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness. Such a treatment effectively fights sagging skin and signs of aging.

Schaefer also noted that there are other non-laser options available to address acne scars and very fine lines in the skin. She explained that new hyaluronic acid fillers such as RHA Redensity help to fill fine and superficial skin wrinkles thereby smoothing the skin almost completely. Those fillers can also be used to add volume to lips with a more natural outcome.

Schaefer added that for certain areas of the body, patients have to repeat treatments after six to twelve months because one’s body will re-absorb hyaluronic acid on its own.

“One of the best options to address facial sagging and hollowness is to opt for a liquid lift procedure,” She said. “That achieves harmonization of one’s whole face and the client gets a gorgeous, overall natural result.”

“For those patients who are adverse to fillers, we offer the revolutionary SOFWAVE technology, a non-invasive, minimal downtime approach to lifting the eyebrow, lax skin of the neck and submental tissues, and improving facial lines and wrinkles in a more aggressive manner than RF.”

The team of certified aesthetic nurse injectors at Malibu Beach Aesthetics works under the direction of Dr. John Beauclair, MD - Plastic Surgeon, MBC.

Schaefer and the entire team invite you to come in for a free consultation so you can explore the many options available to keep your skin youthful, vibrant and glowing. For the best individualized, superior cosmetic services, using highend products, innovative techniques and state-of-the-art technologies, come to Malibu Beach Aesthetics. MM

RHA FILLER RESULTS Age 55. Treated with 5 syringes of RHA collection. Results from HA fillers are immediate. RHA line will deliver natural looking contouring for dynamic areas of your face, it was designed to last up to 15 months.

SCULPTRA RESULTS Age 42. Treated with 5 vials of Sculptra. Provides a subtle and natural looking lift that develops over several weeks, and can last for years. This injectable replaces lost collagen and stimulates rejuvenation over time.

NEWCASTLE MOTORS AUTO BODY

FLAWLESS REPAIRS

Newcastle Motors coordinates with customers’ insurance companies and its certified, experienced technicians provide excellent collision repair and auto body services and pricing. When vehicles are restored, they look as good as new!

✎ written by Barbara Burke

No one enjoys getting in a car accident. No one enjoys having to wait for their car to be repaired. Newcastle Motors Auto Body Shop in Simi Valley makes the insurance claim and repair process easier and provides excellent service.

“I had a friend refer me to Newcastle after I had an accident in my Mercedes S550. I was devastated at all the damage. I thought my car was totaled or would never be the same!” Customer

Mark Harwell said. “Eddie and his father did a magnificent job…my car was perfect when I got it back! Above and beyond amazing!”

Owners Cosmo Torres and Eddie Torres and their talented team consistently receive the highest level ratings from customers. The business enjoys a perfect 5-star rating on Yelp. Newcastle has provided excellent service to its loyal customers since 1991.

“We work with all the insurance companies and provide ethical and

efficient service,” Eddie said. “In California, customers can select what body shop to use and we consistently get referrals from returning customers or those whom they have told about our quality, dependable service.”

Newcastle has an exemplary reputation for performing repairs using its team of technicians who have experience in working on all types of vehicles. “We can bring a customer’s wrecked vehicle back to pre-collision condition using the latest technology

A VARIETY OF AUTO SERVICES Whether your vehicle was in a major wreck or it needs a custom body and paint service, Newcastle provides excellent services.

at a reasonable price,” Eddie said, adding “All of our staff is ASC certified as well as I-CAR certified.”

Automotive Service Collision (ASC) certification ensures that a technician is qualified to work on all mechanical and electrical components and systems within a vehicle, Torres explained. I-CAR certification denotes that a technician is experienced in collision repair. Both certifications help customers be confident that a repair will be professionally and competently performed.

“We keep our service standards at the highest level,” Eddie said. “We use the best parts and provide the best quality service at affordable prices.” Newcastle Motors Auto Body provides all collision repairs, auto glass services, windshield installation and auto body painting, as well as rust repair, and interior vehicle restoration.

The Torres family and their team of friendly, experienced technicians invite readers to come in for a free estimate. They can order necessary parts and will call a customer as soon as possible to schedule a time-efficient repair.

“MY CAR WAS PERFECT WHEN I GOT IT BACK! ABOVE AND BEYOND AMAZING!”

WORLD MARATHON

7 Continents, 7 Days, 7 Marathons.

Malibuite Moritz Baier-Lentz and his friend, Joel Butler will run 7 full-distance, 26.2 mile marathons, one on each of the 7 continents, on 7 subsequent days, within an amazing 168 hours. Their herculean undertaking aims to test the limits of their physical and mental grit. However, more importantly, they are undertaking the challenge to raise money to fund Johns Hopkins’scientific studies aimed at defeating treatment-resistant depression.

All told, they will journey for approx -

imately 65 hours in a dedicated charter plane. Carbon offset payments will be made for all flights.

The pair will start in Novo, Antarctica on January 31st. Then, they travel to Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Madrid, Spain; Fortaleza, Brazil; finally finishing in Miami, representing the final leg in North America. Each race is professionally administered and involves approximately twenty-five runners. The series, dubbed The World Marathon, is one of the most grueling athlet -

ic activities on Earth.

For Baier-Lentz, Malibu’s beaches and mountains provide great places to train. His regimen includes running . . . and running . . . and running a lot more. . . on Zuma and Broad beaches as well as training at Malibu Fitness with Malibuite Michael Galate three times a week.

“We will embark on this once-ina-lifetime challenge to support the most promising research to cure treatment-resistant depression,” Baier-Lentz states on the Go Fund Me page the pair has established. Their goal is to raise

TRAINING BUDDIES Joel Butler (left) and Moritz Baier-Lentz (right) training for The World Marathon on Malibu’s beaches.

$250,000 to fund three research efforts by Johns Hopkins’ psychedelic research unit. All donations and sponsorships will directly fund the depression treatment research.

“Having experienced the impact of depression in our families, we’re dedicated to being part of the solution,” Baier-Lentz said. “Today, an estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and it can lead to issues like alcoholism, dependency or suicide.”

Just how does one prepare for such a grueling race? Butler is a 156-mile Sahara Marathon des Sables ultra finisher. That ultra marathon through the Southern Moroccan desert is approximately the distance of 6 marathons, and is often regarded as the toughest foot race on Earth given its arduous terrain and self-sufficiency challenges: athletes are isolated from civilization and tote a backpack with everything necessary for a week in the desert: food, shelter, clothing, com -

pass, headlamp, and approximately 100 weight-optimized items from medication to technical gear such as a venom pump to treat scorpion stings and snake bites. Sharing any items among runners immediately disqualifies a participant.

Impressively, the Sahara Marathon was Butler’s first entry into the endurance sports world! Baier-Lentz has competed in Ironman competitions and is an ultra-distance runner who has completed

more than fifty marathons. He began his endurance career in 2011, starting with sprints, graduating to Ironman competitions and marathons and ultimately making his way into various lengthy triathlons. He’s completed about 50 endurance races.

During the Sahara Marathon, Butler met Baier-Lentz and together, they supported one another as they ran in the sand and in 100-degree heat through some of Morocco’s largest dunes, including Erg Chebbi which features inclines and downhill slopes equivalent to a 115-story building. Runners often take more than 20 hours to complete the longest phase of the race which stretches for more than 50 miles. In 2019, Butler and Baier-Lentz were among the 680 runners who completed the race.

The pair are tenaciously training to build the endurance to complete the World Marathon. Butler is averaging running more than 60 miles a week and

INTENSE TRAINING Both men are building physical strength, endurance and mental focus.

“OUR CHALLENGE - WE RUN TO HELP THOSE WHO CAN’T.”

WORLD MARATHON CHALLENGE Over 168 hours, the pair will run 7 complete marathons, one on each continent, starting in Antarctica and ending in Miami.

knocks out a half marathon in the early morning. Baier-Lentz’ endurance sports experience and his previous Ironman training helps to prepare him.

However, as a venture capitalist who works 80 to 90-hours a week, including some hours on the weekend, the time commitment and consistency needed for training for the World Marathon presents a challenge. Nevertheless, he trains assiduously and meets with a personal coach for strength and conditioning training sessions to ensure he builds a hyper-optimized focus when training. Baier-Lentz completes the equivalent of an organized marathon every month.

Of course, preparing for - and getting through - the World Marathon’s 7-day

challenge is not only a physical endeavor. It’s also a matter of building up one’s mental toughness. In Butler’s words, “there is no way through but to finish.”

Although there’s no doubt the pair will encounter many trials and tribulations throughout the marathon journey, Butler addressed such obstacles by saying, “you get out there, you start and you’re going to find a way to finish. It’s just getting from place to place.” Striving to overcome the grueling challenges of the arduous World Marathon, Baier-Lentz sums up the duo’s motivation for undertaking the effort, “Our Challenge - We run to help those who can’t.”

Although there is no live feed of the race, Netflix has plans to produce a special highlighting the race. MM

“HAVING EXPERIENCED THE IMPACT OF DEPRESSION IN OUR FAMILIES, WE’RE DEDICATED TO BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION.”

ANI DERMANJIAN A Malibu Douglas

Elliman realtor, Ani Dermanjian has built an incredibly successful career in Malibu being in the top 5% of Douglas Elliman agents company-wide, all while giving back to the community and raising her family.

BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

Calabasas-based expert river cruise company, AmaWaterways helps travelers chart new paths with personally curated, once-in-a-lifetime, cruises.

icture yourself gazing with awe at the panoramic splendors unfolding along Europe’s Danube River, Africa’s Nile and Chobe rivers, Asia’s Mekong River or Colombia’s Magdalena River, enjoying a cocktail on your private balcony and relaxing, confident that all of your accommodations and desired delightful travel experiences, both on land and while cruising, have been perfectly curated for you.

That image, in a nutshell, captures the joys of taking a once-in-a-lifetime river cruise journey with AmaWaterways, the award-winning, trailblazing luxurious river cruise company that has transformed the river cruising industry.

Celebrating its 20th year in 2022, co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst proudly lead a team of experienced sales, marketing, and operations people from their new corporate headquarter offices in Calabasas. The company offers all-encompassing river cruise and land packages along breathtaking waterways in Europe, Africa, Asia, and soon, South America. The company is world-renowned for the unparalleled quality of its modern fleet, which features 25 custom-designed ships welcoming, on average, only 150 guests. Each of AmaWaterways’ 35 or more itineraries includes an impressive array of small group shore excursions, highlight-

✎ written by Barbara Burke

destinations. Instead of cruising with large ocean ships, which often carry thousands of passengers, AmaWaterways’ small ships offer up to 150 guests the convenience of quick accessibility to ports of call and premium, personalized experiences.

Pre- and post-cruise land packages are optional additions to most 7-night cruises and enable guests to dive even deeper into the cultural highlights of certain destinations. In unparalleled customer service, the same Cruise Managers accompany guests for these optional land packages, thereby offering continuity of service and seamless touring experiences.

If a reader is new to river cruising - an ideal first river cruise is exploring the Danube River on board AmaMagna, the one-ofa-kind queen of the cruise line’s European fleet.

5-STAR CUISINE Gastronomy is top of mind with AmaWaterways’ regionally-inspired cuisine and complementary hand-selected wine pairings for lunch and dinner. Pictured here is The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant.

ing cultural and culinary experiences and bicycle and walking tours at gentle, regular, and active paces. Notably, the company was the first river cruise line to embrace active travelers by including bicycles on board and introducing an award-winning complimentary Wellness Program.

River Cruising ~ The Best Option to Really See Countries

It is often said that ocean cruises only take guests to countries, while river cruises take them through countries. No river cruise company curates and includes more authentic experiences for its guests than AmaWaterways.

Impressively, the company has received

the highest rating in the first, second, and third editions of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe. Its European fleet also dominated the top 20 rankings in Insight Guide to River Cruising’s latest edition. A variety of included shore excursions allows guests to choose from walking tours, guided hikes and bike rides in small groups, and culinary-themed and special interest tours such as cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Due to the small size of AmaWaterways’ ships, they often dock just steps from the heart of fascinating European cities, immersing guests in their exciting, eclectic vibes and ensuring they have the freedom to come and go as they like while experiencing different aspects of the

Double the width of traditional river cruise ships, the majestic AmaMagna was specifically imagined and designed by Rudi Schreiner, co-founder, and co-owner of AmaWaterways. Launched in 2019, the ship quickly garnered vast industry and customer accolades for its offering of more personal space for guests, more leisure opportunities, and four unique dining venues, all included in the cruise fare. Most accommodations are spacious suites measuring 355 to 710 square feet, with full balconies. Adjoining staterooms are available, making for wonderful cruising experiences for multi-generational families.

AmaMagna immediately transformed European river cruise experiences by offering the luxury of space while accommodating only 196 guests. Travelers enjoy boutique-hotel-like amenities while cruising on the upper and lower stretches of the majestic Danube River between Vilshofen, Germany, and Giurgiu, Romania.

Among the vessel’s many amenities is an expansive Sun Deck with a heated pool and a whirlpool that invites guests to relax and enjoy scenic cruising through the Wachau

Valley and Iron Gates as well as stunning scenes arriving into majestic capitals like Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava.

Consider the 7-night Magna on the Danube cruise visiting five European countries between Budapest, Hungary, and Vilshofen, Germany, with ports of call in Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein (Krems), Spitz, Linz (excursion to Salzburg) and Passau. Optional pre- or post-cruise land packages provide extra days to explore Budapest and Prague. It is a wonderful cruise providing guests with an astounding array of cultural, epicurean, touring, and relaxation experiences.

With a crew of 70 to attend to guests’ every need, AmaMagna cruises provide customers with unforgettable, special-

ly-tailored experiences and wonderfulmemories whether experienced as a couple, a multi-generational family, or a solo traveler.

Complimentary On Board Wellness Opportunities

At the AmaMagna’s expansive Zen Wellness Studio, guests enjoy a fitness center, two massage rooms, and a refreshing juice bar. A dedicated wellness instructor offers daily classes in Pilates, yoga, core strengthening, stretching, spinning, circuit training, and more. The fitness center is equipped with modern cardio equipment and spin bikes on the aft deck outside overlooking

the river, affording wonderful views as one exercises.

Like all AmaWaterways vessels, the AmaMagna incorporates the concept of Seven Dimensions of Wellness along with exhilarating hikes and independent and guided bike tours. Each 7-night cruise, whether on AmaMagna or other ships, offers between five and eight included biking or hiking excursions, with each ship carrying its own fleet of bicycles and helmets.

On Board Beauty Services and Special Amenities

AmaMagna also offers guests spa services, including a hair salon, massages, manicures, and pedicures. A large, luxurious Sun

MULTI-COUNTRY TRIPS Unpack once and journey through multiple countries. AmaWaterways spacious river cruise ships are perfect for relaxing and taking in spectacular, breath-taking views as you cruise through charming countryside and towns.

CRUISE THROUGH AFRICA Enjoy

African Cruises on the Chobe River where you can view the elephants watering up close and enjoy safaris.

Deck with a pool and whirlpool, a dedicated cinema with movies, and two beautiful libraries forward of the lounge are some of the special features that make this ship indulgently luxurious. Guests have complimentary internet access and can share their cruising experiences with friends and family using the myAmaCruise app.

After a day cruising or enjoying shore excursions, guests can enjoy a lecture about different cultures and destinations or enjoy musical entertainment by the resident musician, or local groups brought on board to entertain guests.

Special One-of-a-Kind Shore Excursions

A ship as unique as AmaMagna warrants some exclusive events like an included visit to the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens in Vienna and an exclusive wine experience in Spitz, Austria.

A highlight of that experience is visiting Klosterhof Spitz, a local restaurant and winery where serenaded by local musicians in traditional attire. Touring the stone wine cellars and historic vaults is like enjoying a trip back in time as guests learn the fascinating history of winegrowing and winemaking in Spitz.

Those enjoying cruises on the Danube can revel in many cultural, scenic, gastronomic, walking, and biking experiences. These include wine and apricot tastings and biking in the Wachau Valley or touring the beautifully preserved medieval town of Ceskẏ Krumlov, Czech Republic, and historical Salzburg, Austria.

Other highlights include a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey and a hike up to the ruins of Dürnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where one finds spectacular views of the valley, river, and village below. Finally, they can cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour.

Vienna, the “City of Waltzes,” charms guests with its majestic opera house and the former imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, while Bratislava, Slovakia, the “Coronation City of Kings,” offers up intriguing nooks

ON SHORE EXCURSIONS

Hiking and bicycling tours led by local guides are available for all ability levels.

AMAWATERWAYS SHIPS DOCK JUST STEPS FROM THE HEART OF FASCINATING EUROPEAN CITIES.

CUISINE

Enjoy delicious cuisine aboard any of AmaWaterways luxurious cruises. ROOMS Enjoy spacious rooms with balconies while on board.

and crannies of the ancient city on a walking tour. Budapest delights travelers with its spectacular riverbanks, impressive markets, and its vibrant art and culinary scene.

On the Gems of Southeast Europe 7-night itinerary on the lower Danube, guests enjoy the less visited countries of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Ports of call include Mohacs, Hungary, which features old town architectural wonders, like the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Christian Necropolis and Serbia’s fascinating cities of Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Golubac Fortress, which affords guests the opportunity to visit one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. Always impressive is the scenic cruise through the Iron Gates, a series of magnificent gorges as the Danube narrows between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Magnificent!

Guests finish this wonderful river cruise by visiting Vidin, Bulgaria’s oldest city, and its Baba Vida Fortress - the largest preserved medieval castle in the country. From there - as always - guests have choices. They can visit Rousse, Bulgaria, known for its 20th Century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture and the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescoes revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century painting. Or they can visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital Veliko Tarnovo, with

A CRUISE FOR EVERYONE

its medieval fortress and multiple Orthodox temples. Either way, they end the day by traveling through Bucharest, Romania, known as “the little Paris of the East,” where they enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.

AmaMagna is the signature ship of AmaWaterways. AmaMagna’s many sister ships sailing in Europe offer enjoyable cruises along Europe’s other iconic rivers, including the Rhine, Main, Moselle, the Dutch and Belgium Waterways, the Seine, Rhône and Garonne rivers in France and the Douro River in Portugal.

Cuisine Par Excellence

All of AmaWaterways’ ships, including AmaMagna, offer guests delicious included cuisine options. As a member of the internationally recognized La Chaine de Rôtisseurs and with an eminently qualified Culinary Director who is a member of the

prestigious French association Tables et Auberges de France, AmaWaterways prepares exquisite, regionally-inspired cuisine paired with complimentary hand-selected wines with every lunch and dinner.

Besides the Main Restaurant, each ship’s piece de resistance is The Chef ’s Table, a multi-award-winning, gourmet, 7-course epicurean feast that customers rave about, often comparing it to Michelin star dining. At all of the dining venues, the chefs prepare healthy cuisine with fresh seasonal ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sodium choices are always available. No matter where guests dine, the crew takes care to personalize dining experiences. Bon Appetit!

Thanks to AmaMagna’s double width, the ship is able to feature four dining venues. Besides the Main Dining Room and The Chef’s Table restaurant, guests are also able to choose to dine in the Al Fresco, featuring scrumptious Mediterranean food - an ex-

cellent dinner venue while cruising - and Jimmy’s, a family-style, communal dining restaurant named for AmaWaterways late co-founder Jimmy Murphy.

For readers who are contemplating switching from large ocean cruise ships to something more intimate on the rivers, then with AmaMagna, your ship has arrived.

AmaWaterways’ Family Spirit Begins with the Founders and Includes all Employees and Guests

The founders of AmaWaterways grew up along the European rivers, falling in love with their panoramic views and diverse characteristics. President Rudi Schreiner, affectionately known in the travel industry as the “godfather of river cruising,” is from Vienna, while co-founder and life partner Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President, is from Dresden, Germany. Together, they

AmaWaterways provides a myriad of specially curated river cruises throughout Europe.

have built an award-winning customer-oriented cruise line that warmly welcomes every type of traveler, delivering innovative and unforgettable experiences for their ever-growing base of repeat travelers.

Cruising Destinations In Africa and Asia

For experienced travelers looking for something completely out of the ordinary, AmaWaterways offers African Safaris, Wildlife River Cruises, and Nile River Cruises in Egypt. Centered around the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River, AmaWaterways offers five different journeys combining city stays, luxury land safaris, and even rail travel. After the 4-night Zambezi Queen cruise and visit to Victoria Falls, the cruise line’s Rivers and Rails of Africa itinerary allows guests to tour with steam locomotives rolling through the countryside, taking in the impressive wildlife and rugged landscape of the continent. Five-star cuisine, excellent South African wines, and extraordinary views await explorers when traveling on this 995mile journey. From there, guests wind their way through the timeless beauty of the African bush.

Egypt Nile River Cruises also fascinate travelers. The company’s Secrets of Egypt and The Nile - an amazing 11-night voyage - includes four nights in Cairo and seven nights on the dazzling AmaDahlia ship, enjoying exquisite cuisine, authentic experiences, and stops to take in ancient wonders, such as the beguiling Temple of Luxor and the mystifying Valley of the Kings and Queens.

Asian river cruises are also very popular and include visits to Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River reveals the sagas of ancient empires, colonial powers, and modern conflicts. Pre- or post-cruise land packages offer guests an unparalleled opportunity to view Angkor Wat: The City of Temples, with its life-sized elephant bas reliefs carved out of temple walls.

Personalize Your Experience with Specialty Cruises

Eat, drink and be merry on a Celebration of Wine River Cruise through Europe, providing travelers with an even more in-depth epicurean dimension to regular itineraries — at no additional cost. Through any of these more than 60 annual exclusive Wine Cruises, guests will be guided by a dedicated Wine Host who

Markets cruise, perennial holiday season favorites in Europe that take place in late November through the end of December on board the most elegantly decorated ships on the Danube, Rhine, and Rhône rivers. It’s time to plan your 2023 or 2024 Christmas season cruise!

Interested in learning more about your family history? Join AmaWaterways and Ancestry® on their 2023 Heritage on the River: Your Personalized Ancestry Experience sailings on the Danube or Rhine rivers, which feature exclusive excursions and opportunities to meet and learn about your own family tree from an AncestryProGenealogist®. There are even opportunities for custom Jewish Heritage excursions for groups of 25 guests or more along select rivers.

You can also join the line’s first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience, exploring Black history and culture in Provence and Paris, or go on a Latin Touch cruise catered specifically to Spanish speakers, both available in 2023. Whatever river cruise you choose, you cannot lose. All options promise unforgettable experiences and cherished memories.

leads tastings and discussions as well as a specially curated wine pairing dinner on board. Special excursions include visits to wineries and vineyards with opportunities such as learning the nuances of wine and chocolate pairings in Tournon, and tasting history with a sparkling wine reception at Austria’s majestic Greinburg Castle.

Get swept up in the magic of the holidays with an AmaWaterways Christmas

Proudly celebrating 20 years on the rivers, award-winning AmaWaterways is a family-owned and operated company based in Calabasas. They invite Malibu Magazine readers to contact their preferred travel advisor or go online, email, or telephone the company’s cruise specialists who can help pick the perfect river cruise experience that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

MM

FOUNDERS The Godfather of River Cruises, Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, founders of AmaWaterways.

ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE

6 TOP DESTINATIONS FOR 2023

If the last two years were about staying inside, 2023 is about getting out. It’s the year for adventure. Here are our six favorite places, near and far, to have one.

BEYOND THE SEA The Channel Islands are located 50 miles off the Ventura coastline. There are 8 islands in total, five of which comprise the Channel Islands National Park.

CHANNEL ISLANDS, CALIFORNIA

Galapagos-Like Paradise in SoCal

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Dubbed “The Galapagos of the Pacific,” the Channel Islands are like nowhere else in the world, let alone Southern California. An eight-island archipelago filled with unique wildlife and plants, a trip to the Channel Islands can sometimes feel like a trip to mars. There are no cars and hardly any structures on the islands, providing a restorative and awe-inspiring respite from the modern world, less than two hours away from Ventura Harbor. There are countless activities to enjoy and each island is unique. Five of the islands– Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel and Santa Rosa– comprise the Channel Islands National Park,

This stunning 8-island archipelago is one of the country’s natural wonders, and only a short ferry-ride away from the Ventura Harbor.

ENDLESS ACTIVITIES Each of the five islands offers a range of amazing activities, from fantastic hiking to snorkeling, swimming and kayaking. You’ll also be sure to see a range of wildlife, depending on what time of year you visit.

the surface, where seal pups frolicked and large bright orange Garibaldi swam, feeding on the kelp and krill.

a source of amazing camping, hiking and bird watching opportunities. The Islands and their surrounding waters host diverse ecosystems, endemic species and subspecies, and 150 unique plant species.

Hiking on the various islands affords not only panoramic views of the Pacific, but also wonderful animal watching.

From top predators like the bald eagle and sharks, to intertidal creatures such as barnacles and sea stars, nature unabashedly shows off here. The deer mouse and island fox are established subspecies on the islands. A total of 23 endemic terrestrial animals have been identified in the park, including 13 land birds.

MALIBU MAGAZINE ventured out on a boat tour with Channel Islands Expeditions, concessionaire for the National Park. As we left the harbor, bossy sea lions barked at us, as if to say, “You’re in for the time of your life!”

The open air refreshed us as we enjoyed sailing. As we approached Anacapa Island, the closest island to the mainland and the second smallest in the national park, a school of playful dolphins obligingly swam along, delighting in our picture-taking.

Anacapa is a cliff island that has no beach in the landing area. We dropped anchor and snorkeled. The water was crystal clear and one could see many feet below

Then, it was time to kayak. Gliding gleefully across the surface of the ocean amidst the island’s various sea caves, travelers enjoy an incredible sight, replete with stalactites gracefully growing from the damp, dark ceilings. Mother Nature’s wind and waves have carved interesting rock formations along the coast, offering beautiful views. We kayaked down the inside coast of the island until we reached the famous Anacapa Arch, its impressive form making for great photographs.

For an even more adventurous kayaking experience, consider taking a trip off of Santa Cruz Island, its Painted Canyon, one of the world’s largest sea caves in the world, measuring 1,227 feet in length. The cave entrance is more than 130 feet high , and the cave’s walls are covered in a dazzling rainbow of colors. During the rainy season, the waterfalls are spectacular.

TRAVEL GUIDE CHANNEL ISLANDS

How to Get There

The Channel Islands are only accessible via boat or helicopter. A variety of companies run ferries to the islands out of Ventura and Santa Barbara Harbors, with rides available most days. The boat ride takes about an hour and a half from Ventura Harbor and three hours from Santa Barbara Harbor, and runs from $30-$50 per ticket. Pro tip: For those who might get seasick, pack Bonine or Dramamine and make sure to take your pills before embarking on the boat.

When to Go

There is no bad time to visit the Channel Islands, but what you see and what you will be able to do does change depending on what time of year you visit.

For snorkeling, diving, swimming and kayaking, summer is a great season to aim for, when water temperatures can rise above their normal frigidity to upwards of 70° (F). This is a great time for flower aficionados as well, with the islands’ verbena, poppies, buckwheat and gumplant blooming in June and July.

Fall is also a fantastic time for water activities, especially snorkeling and diving, when underwater visibility can reach 100 feet. You’ll also be treated to some amazing bird sightings.

The islands themselves are at their most stunning in spring, when wildflowers reach peak bloom.

If you’re looking for a spectacular sunset, winter is definitely the time to visit. Aroun d that time you’ll get enjoy some fantastic gray whale watching, as they migrate past the islands in the winter.

Staying Overnight

There are no hotels or other structured accommodations at the park, but tent camping is available year round on all five island, each of which has one established campground. All campgrounds are equipped with picnic tables and pit toilets, but don’t provide water. Advance camping reservations are required for $15 per night.

What to Remember

There are no food or other services on Anacapa or any of the other Channel Islands, so for any trip, make sure to pack plenty of water and a large lunch. There are also no trash cans on the islands, so bring trash bag to store all your refuse. for the duration of your stay.

PARADISE ON EARTH Origins Lodge sits on 111 acres of pristine rainforest in Costa Rica’s lush high valleys. Kayaking is an incredible way to take in the lodge’s stunning environs.

BIJAGUA DE UPALA, COSTA RICA

5-Star Adventures in the Rainforest

Located in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful rainforests, luxury eco-retreat Origins Lodge promises once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a luxurious stay.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Rain fell softly, gently blessing the Earth and the evening air was pleasantly humid as we hiked toward the lagoon, our galoshes sloshing on the ground.

“R-rrrr-ibit! R-rrr-ibt!” beckoned the elusive red-eyed tree frogs, strawberry poison dart frogs, swamp tree frogs and armies of other frog species, their glorious crescendo celebrating the beauty of our spectacular surroundings.

It was my first day exploring the rainforests of Provincia de Alajuela, a virgin ecosystem sandwiched between two

volcanoes in the lush high valleys of Costa Rica. Already I was completely mesmerized.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting sound echoed through the forest, almost like a howl, but more goofy than menacing. The sound prompted my guide, Porfirio Eduardo Campos García, to break out in smiles.

“There’s a Howler monkey up there,” he said excitedly, pointing up towards the canopy. I looked up to see a small, ginger-bearded monkey with beautiful black eyes. “That’s the world’s loudest monkey.”

As if on cue, the adorable little Howler began emitting its howl once more. With a giggle, Eduardo began howling right back, emitting a perfect impersonation of the monkey. Incredibly, the little Howler responded right back, with another howl.

I sat there in amazement, watching two species banter a bit.

It was one of countless unforgettable experiences I would have in Costa Rica that week. I was staying at Origins Lodge, a premier eco-luxury retreat nestled on 111 acres of the country’s pristine high valley jungles. The celebrated retreat is the perfect venue to interact with thousands of rain forest species of animals and flora, indulge in exhilarating excursions, luxuriate in a lovely spa, practice yoga, meditate and enjoy personally curated cuisine par excellence.

What to Do

Perhaps the best part of Origins Lodge is its incredible location. This is a place like no other, a breathtakingly beautiful rain forest that hosts one-third of Costa Rica’s wildlife. Origins offers guests a plethora of ways

to interact with its environs. Many guests begin each day by enjoying Koora Yoga on a large platformed deck affording an amazing view. Then, one can choose from a variety of meditations, sound healings, and spa services. Try the chocolate coconut wrap - it’s phenomenal!

For those seeking outdoor adventures, opportunities abound. Hiking to the waterfall at the edge of the property, one is greeted by a myriad of wildlife. This is a tropical bird watcher’s heaven. This is also reptile heaven - many species of turtles and anoles reside in the habitat.

Hiking is just one of the ways Origins allows you to experience and learn about the land around you. The retreat’s gracious and warm staff can set up a range of excursions in the area, from sugarcane and wine tours to horseback riding, white water rafting and ziplining.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL On a tour through the virgin rainforests surrounding Origins Lodge, you’ll observe rare kinfs of monkeys, amphibians and birds living in their natural habitat.

One of our favorite trips was touring the Tree Chocolate Farm, a grove of cacao trees hovering above volcanic-filled soil that provides local plants and flowers with their high mineral content and, many Costa Ricans believe, with medicinal powers.

Where to Stay

Origins’ luxury accommodations pay tribute to the nature surrounding it. The retreat comprises six, one-bedroom circular luxury lodges and one three-bedroom Villa Vertigo, each offering private plunge pools and outdoor fireplaces.

The villas are architecturally unique, designed by creative directors Hugues

Blanchere and Patrick Rey, local Costa Rican design professionals who keep environmental stewardship as their creative compass and describe their approach as true bioclimatic luxury design. The architectural style derives from the different strata of the forest using trunks, branches and trees.

What to Eat

Another of Origins’ stellar amenities is its on-site restaurant, El Salto. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Jean Luc L’Hourre, who holds the prestigious title Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), El Salto’s culinary team brilliantly integrates traditional cuisine with modern twists.

The living room is gorgeous, with a massive wood-heated stove, coconut fiber lights and furniture from Costa Rican designers. Daily specials include freshly caught fish or lamb rib, mashed cauliflower, roasted, fresh red onions in a red wine reduction.

After dinner, make sure to grab a drink made with locally-grown produce at Skyview Bar. Cocktail in hand, head over the negative edge pool after dinner, and watch as the sunsets’ colors dance gently amidst the clouds.

The frogs and other native species fill the air with joyful vocalizing at night, accompanying guests to their bungalows. Even there, adventure might await; the sloths have been known to nap on the balcony sofas.

ARRONDISEMENTS 1-12 & 16-20, PARIS, FRANCE

The Right Bank Less Traveled

Paris’ Right Bank is known for its touristy landmarks, but outside of the bustle this area north of the Seine is brimming with charm and authenticity.

✎ written by Holly Bieler

With its cramped streets and bohemian bona fides, Paris’ left bank, the area of the city located to the south of the Seine river, is often touted as the city’s artsier, more authentic side. The right bank, located on the other side of the Seine to the north, is known for being a little more hoity toity and generally more touristy, the location of some of Paris’ most famous landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre.

On a trip to Paris, it’s easy to abandon the Right Bank for the Left once you’ve hit

all the big monuments. But that would be a mistake. Indeed if you further a little past the Right Banks’ sneaker-worn attractions, you’ll discover some of the most charming and little-known neighborhoods in the city. If you know where to go, the city’s Right Bank embraces foreigners like no other area, presenting exquisite little opportunities to observe and participate in life as the locals know it. Next time you’re in Paris, here’s where we recommend checking out.

What to Do

For the purposes of this article, we’re assuming you’ve hit all the major tourist spots on the right bank: the Champs-Elysée, the Louvre, etc. If you haven’t, check them out. Paris

is one of the rare places where the touristy stuff is actually worth seeing. Once you’re done with all that, you’ll probably need a little quiet. As it so happens, this is something the Right Bank has a lot of. The area is home to some of the best and largest parks in the city, and none is better than the Parc Monceau. Designed in the 1780s by a wonky cousin of King Louis XVI, the Park Monceau combines strikingly lush open spaces with weird statues of things like Egyptian pyramids and Dutch wind mills. It’s perfectly bizarre, and equally gorgeous. Its location, a residential neighborhood in the ritzy 8th arrondissement, is a fabulous place to perch up and people watch for a few minutes, an hour or the whole day.

Some of our other favorite right bank

parks include Coulée Verte René-Dumont, Parc floral de Paris, and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

The Right Bank happens to be the location of one of the world’s most famous museums, the Louvre. But it’s also home to some of the city’s best small museums and galleries.

One of our favorites is the Musée de Montmartre. Located in a 17th century chateau at the edge of neighborhood, the museum provides a fascinating look into Montmartre’s formative influence on so many artists and movements. It also features a stunning collection of works by some of the area’s most well-known past residents, including Renoir and Modigliani.

No trip to Paris would be complete

MONTMARTRE One of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris, Montmartre has a rich history in the arts. Head to the Musée de Montmartre for a rundown on the neighborhood’s fascinating past.

FOOD & CLOTHES Centre Commercial

(bottom left), located in the Canal Saint Martin area, is a great place for contemporary mens and womenswear. La Poule Au Pot (bottom right), located in Les Halles, is one of our favorite restaurants in the city.

without some shopping, and especially no trip to the Right Bank, the birth place of Haute Couture and home of one of the world’s most famous shopping streets.

We’re going to skip all those though, and head to Canal Saint-Martin instead, a trendy up-and-coming area situated along one of the city’s prettiest canals. The area is filled with independent shops selling a range of interesting wares.

Start at Centre Commercial, a spacious and airy store from the couple behind popular sneaker brand Veja. The store offers a fantastic collection contemporary mens and womenswear, and only carries brands that have committed to sustainable and transparent practices. Next head to Dante & Maria, an endlessly charming little gift boutique featuring

lovely jewelry made in-house and antiques.

If it’s Saturday, jump on the metro and take a ride to Montreuil. This small neighborhood in the 20th arrondissement is a bit out of the way, but it’s home to our current favorite flea market; the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil. This is one of the last flea markets in Paris where the locals shop, and there are some amazing deals.

Where to Eat

The Marais is another of Paris’ more relentlessly charming neighborhoods, with winding carless streets and secret gardens. It’s also the location of Miznon, an Israeli/French fusion to-go counter that’s developed a cult following for inventive dishes like a

beef bourguignon pita, as well as a fantastic classic falafel.

One of the city’s best food areas has long been Les Halles, located in the 1st arrondissement in the heart of the city. It’s an elegant and central spot that’s home to a number of the city’s most charming classic restaurants. La Poule Au Pot, a longtime bistro serving perfect French dishes in a gorgeous historic setting, is one of our favorites.

If you’re looking for something a bit more modern, we’ve been hearing wonderful things about Champeaux, the newest eatery from Alain Ducasse, one of France’s most decorated chefs. Housed in a chic, industrial dining room, the menu features traditional brasserie fare reimagined with modern techniques.

HOTEL GUIDE PARIS’ RIGHT BANK

BVLGARI HÔTEL

Bvlgari Hôtel Paris, the 7th hotel from the Bvlgari jewelry brand, will easily run you a couple carats a night. Whether it’s worth it, is not up to us to say. What we will say is it’s among the city’s most opulent and luxurious hotels, and has the best underground pool in Paris.

Located on Avenue George V in the Golden Triangle, the hotel sits in one of the best locations in all of the city, with incredible access to luxury shops and some of the city’s best restaurants. Interiors are sleek and refined, rendered in dark woods and beautiful gem-tone velvet velvets. The rooms are luxurious, but not loudly, featuring every creature comfort.

The restaurant and bar is another lovely little perk. Headed by three-Michelin-star Chef Niko Romito, the deeply elegant space contains less than 30 tables. If you can snag one though, you’re in for a treat. Chef Romito’s menu features a range of Italian dishes prepared with innovative takes and classic techniques, making it one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Try to snag a table in the restaurant’s gorgeous garden.

Bvlgari Hôtel Paris

GREEN SPACE The Bvlgari Hôtel hotel boasts a lush rooftop terrace, with views of its enviable location on Avenue George V.

COUR DES VOGES

One of our favorite new hotels is the Cour des Vosges. Located in a 17th century residence right on the Place des Vosges, one of Paris’ oldest and most beautiful squares, this stunning hotel proffers some of the best views and accommodations in the city.

Each of the 12 rooms have been impeccably redesigned by acclaimed Parisian house Lecoadic & Scotto, featuring sumptuous modern furnishings in palatial rooms which have retained many of their original architectural elements, including muralled beams from the 17th centu-

ry. Each room is a marvel of historic yet modern design, and no comfort has been spared, from fluffy, luxurious bedscapes to original fine art in each room.

Its small size makes Cour de Vosges a welcome respite in the city. Each guest gets a key to the hotel’s front door, as if the mansion is your private residence. Service is personalized and exceedingly warm, with a consistently good cafe on site waiting at the ready to satisfy a croque madame craving. Other incredibly luxurious amenities, like a replica Roman bath room, just put it over the top.

Cour des Vosges

19 Pl. des Vosges

courdesvosges.com

+33 1 42 50 30 30

@courdesvosges

SAINT JAMES

The Saint James is another consistent right bank favorite, and truly like no other hotel in Paris. Located in a chateau setting on nearly one acre of land near the Arc de Triomphe, this fairytale-like hotel feels both like a county refuge and a vibrant city hotel.

The hotel also is also home to Chef Julien Dumas’s Michelin-star restaurant Bellefeuille, which offers refined cuisine both inside the exquisite dining room, decorated with period antiques, or the exquisite pergola in the chateau’s gardens.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to

check out the restaurant’s stately bar, a wood-paneled dreamboat that’s easily one of the prettiest watering holes in the city.

It’s one of a maze of spectacular rooms in the chateau, including living rooms and grounds that will make you feel like an aristocrat.

Saint James is also home to a spa. In partnership with acclaimed French skincare brand Guerlain, the spa offers luxurious single and double treatment rooms and offers an array of cutting edge skincare treatments as well as massages, manicures and other services.

Saint James

5 Pl. du Chancelier Adenauer

saint-james-paris.com

+33 1 44 05 81 81

@saintjamesparis

LE BRISTOL

For the full Parisian right bank experience, there’s nowhere like Le Bristol.

Housed in a sumptuous 18th century limestone building just off the Rue St Honoré, this 5-star hotel is the epitome of Parisian elegance. It’s magnificent and opulent but not pretentious. Riding the gilded glass and gold elevator over a lobby of 200-year-old marble and vases of fresh roses, you somehow don’t feel like an imposter.

Le Bristol boasts some of the city’s most luxurious amenities, including a stunning wood and glass rooftop Le Bristol boasts some of the city’s most luxurious amenities, including a stunning wood and glass rooftop pool that’s one of the prettiest we’ve ever seen. On the same floor, the luxurious Spa Le Bristol offers a range of services utilizing products from acclaimed French skincare brand La Prairie.

But one of Le Bristol’s best perks is surely its in-house restaurant, Epicure. Helmed by four Michelin star chef Eric Frechon, this classic French restaurant has long been one of the most acclaimed in the city. Its achingly elegant location, in the hotel’s formal dining room overlooking its romantic central gardens, cements Epicure as worth a splurge. Reservations are also easier to snag as a guest at the hotel.

UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES

The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows offers guests access to a range of underwater activities, including snorkeling and diving.

KA’ANAPALI BEACH, MAUI

Rediscovering a Beachside Classic

Luxurious and old-worldly, the Royal Lahaina Resort has been a locally-owned Maui favorite since the 1960s. On a recent visit, it still managed to surprise.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Maui offers visitors a quintessential Hawaiian experience, with black sand beaches, stunning waterfalls, hikes, amazing driving tours and multitudinous outdoor experiences.

Having a home base to explore from is important. Nestled on the Island’s world-renowned Ka’anapali Beach, the palatial grounds of the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows were once frequented by Hawaiian royalty. The venue has charmed generations of guests who relax and enjoy its 27 acres of sun-kissed tropical gardens and beaches that overlook Lanai and Molokai. The Royal Lahaina’s sto-

ried, classic venue now boasts a new look, offering lovely grounds, experiences and amenities, while keeping true to its traditional, old-world ethos by preserving loyalty to native Hawaiian culture, making it one of the most intriguing establishments on Maui.

What to Do

Explore the historic whaling village of Lahaina, a laidback Hawaiian town reminiscent of bygone eras, with its expansive, ancient, tall ban-

yan tree, the largest one in the United States, providing a canopy over a lovely park on Front Street, flush with art galleries and lively eateries.

History buffs enjoy touring the approximately 55 acres of old Lahaina Historic Trail. Consider visiting Baldwin Home Museum, Lahaina’s oldest home, where Rev. Dwight Baldwin entertained many famous guests from ship captains to members of Hawaii’s royal court.

Art aficionados should check out Art Night, held every Friday evening, when

art galleries open their doors for guests to chat with exhibiting artists. The town is also a haven for scrimshaw, the whaler’s art of carving on ivory.

In the winter months, Lahaina is a great place to launch exciting whale watching adventures. Two-hour cruises allow tourists to get up close and personal with humpback whales. The channel off Lahaina’s coast is one of the best places to view these amazing cetaceans.

Go bigger and take a West Maui and Moloka’i helicopter tour. Fly into the hidden valleys of the West Maui Mountains and take in waterfalls that can only be seen by helicopter. Then cross over to Moloka’i to witness the world’s tallest sea cliffs and the extensive coral reef system.

Consider staying on property and lounging in the resort’s two oceanfront

DANCE LESSON The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows offers a number of cultural activities, including hula and ukelele lessons.

swimming pools with cabanas, a beach activities center, fitness center, a first-class spa and tennis courts.

Enjoy the resort’s many activities celebrating Lahaina’s native culture. As you lounge in the hotel’s comfortable lobby, visit with Chiiko, who gracefully creates mementos for guests, her hands adeptly wrapping coconut palm fronds. When finished, she presents visitors with beautiful flower motifs.

Venture out onto the oceanfront lawn and learn to dance the hula or the fundamentals and songs of the ukulele. Such experiences are complimentary at Royal Lahaina. The teachers are knowledgeable, experienced dancers who carefully explain each hulu movement’s significance. Every hand gesture has a meaning and a unique place within the fluid language of

the ancient dances. At the coconut education class, attendees learn how to husk coconuts and how to weave its lush green fibers.

Where to Eat

The Royal Lahaina features an open-air restaurant, Royal Ocean Terrace, which boasts eclectic, delicious dishe served from a truly unique and lovely setting.

Enjoy the fine dining poolside just steps from the sand. In the evenings, if you’re lucky, Uncle Joe Cano will perform his smooth Latin jazz. That is, when he’s not gigging with local Carlos Santana.

Start with a handcrafted tropical cocktail. We enjoyed the frozen coconut mojito, featuring hibiscus vodka.

Then, select from a variety of Chef Mike

Neustein’s creative, delicious dishes. It’s hard to choose! The expansive menu features dishes that celebrate the island’s unique bounty, including poke bowls, coconut shrimp, hand line ahi carpaccio and seafood cioppino with Kona lobster.

Venturing beyond the hotel in search of all things epicurean, one has a lot of choices. Kino’s Restaurant in Lahaina on Front Street offers live entertainment as guests enjoy fresh seafood, steaks and grog. Try the coconut crusted fish, the venue’s signature dish, or the grilled shrimp and beet salad, featuring gold and red beets, local arugula, goat cheese and Asian pears topped with mint and macadamia nuts. Whether you’re coming to Maui just to relax or for its array of incredible activities, the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows makes for a perfect home base.

UNSPOILED BEAUTY Sitting on 27 acres of sun-kissed land, the hotel feels like a nature reserve. It also enjoys a prime location right on Ka’anapali Beach, often voted one of the best beaches in the country.

HISTORIC PAST

Antibes has a long history, originally founded in the 5th century BC as an important Greek port. The city’s old town dates back to the 1700s.

ANTIBES, FRANCE

Touring Fitzgerald’s Saint-Tropez

Located on the French Riviera, Antibes feels both unpretentious and wildly glamorous, especially while sipping a martini at F. Scott Fitzgerald’s old villa.

✎ written by Holly Bieler

If you’re looking for some creative inspiration, F. Scott Fitzgerald is a good place to start. No matter how you feel about his writing, you have to admit the man had the right idea when it came to creative work. Pound out an American classic in less than a year, live off the royalties for life. And most importantly: when you’ve got a case of writers block, head to the French Riviera.

Antibes, in particular, was Fitzgerald’s locale of choice, and it’s not hard to understand why. Located about seven miles south of Cannes and 15 miles north of Nice, this ancient port city retains all the luxury of its flashy neighbors, but sparkles

OLD TOWN

The city’s Old Town features narrow streets of beautiful buildings from the 1700s, as well as a slew of delicious restaurants. with a sophistication and relaxed energy all its own. It’s the perfect European beach spot to check out in 2023.

What to Do

Venture a couple miles north of Antibes’ downtown, and you hit our favorite part of the city: Old Town. This centuries-old neighborhood feels like you’re walking in a postcard, filled with rambling cobblestone streets, beautiful old buildings in vivid colors and charming bars and restaurants with tables spilling out onto the narrow roads.

It’s also home to a fantastic Picasso museum. One of the many artists to fall in love with Antibes, Picasso spent much of his later life in the city, where he would

eventually buy a house.

The Musée Picasso boasts a stunning collection of his works, many of which were painted in the area. While you’re there, make sure to check out the Marche Provencale, one of the prettiest food markets in the south of France and a great place to buy local honey, wine and lavender to take home.

Where to Eat

Antibes is home to a number of fancy eateries, but our favorite meals took place in the city’s impressive collection of more homey spots, where patrons speak French and specials change depending on the fishmonger’s mood.

L’Oursin is one such place, a bustling little seafood restaurant that’s been a local favorite since the 1960s. Everything about this place is traditional, from the decor to the menu. But if you’re looking for unfrilly seafood classics prepared exceptionally, look no further.

In the Old Town, we’ve heard wonderful things about Le Cinq Epices, a small Moroccan eatery that’s gained a big local following.

And no trip to Antibes would be complete without a stop at Gelateria Del Porto, a decades-old gelato shop that’s a French Riviera tradition. The line tends to be

long, but believe us, it’s worth it, especially if you get a scoop of pistachio.

Where to Stay

There are no small number of jaw-droppingly opulent (and equally expensive) accommodations in Antibes, however for those in the know, there’s really only one place to stay: Hotel Belles Rives.

Probably our favorite hotel in the French Riviera, a stay at Hotel Belles Rives feels like you’ve entered another decade. Located in a spectacular villa on a prime stretch of Côte d’Azur beach, the Hotel Belles Rives is unlike any other 5-star hotel we’ve stayed in the area, steeped in sophistication, luxury and a truly romantic history.

Indeed before it was a hotel, the Hotel Belles Rives was home to none other than F. Scott Fitzgerald. Attempting to cure a writing dry spell, Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda rented the Hotel Belles Rives, then a private home, in 1926, living and writing there for most of that year. The move

seemed to work; it was at the Hotel Belles Rives that Fitzgerald would write one of his masterpieces, TenderisTheNight, chronicling life in the French Riviera during the Jazz Age.

It’s not hard to see why the hotel inspired Fitzgerald so. It is a masterpiece of Art Deco design, painstakingly restored but still brimming with intricate original design details from the 1920s.

The hotel’s lobby is a masterclass in the sophisticated modernism characteristic of the time period, with original blue and pink murals and a trademark pebbled marble floor. Just off the lobby is another of our favorite rooms, a sumptuous wood-paneled study with breathtaking ocean views where Fitzgerald is said to have done much of his writing. Today, it’s the location of the hotel’s bar, duly named the Fitzgerald Bar, a stunningly elegant space with wafting piano music and waiters in starched uniforms ferrying endless flutes of Moët come sunset .

Most captivating, however, is probably

the hotel’s location. Nestled right above the water, Hotel Belles Rives offers unparalleled access to the beach. Enjoy coffee and a pastry on the hotel’s stunning terrace overlooking the water. Better yet, venture down a narrow set of cliffside stairs onto the beach itself, where the hotel’s surprisingly great restaurant serves exquisitely-prepared classic French coastal fare, served just feet away from the lapping waves.

The hotel’s beachfront offers a range of opportunities to enjoy the Mediterranean. A lovely dock of lounge chairs jettisons right into the water, perhaps the best seat in Antibes. The beach area is also wellstaffed with a crew of warm attendants, waiting at the ready to grab you a glass of ice-cold Sancerre or an exquisite vegetable plate with homemade aioli, and pesto.

Indeed to my mind, there’s probably no better place in the world to spend a summer afternoon than on that stretch of beach. But don’t take my word for it; take F. Scott’s.

HOTEL BELLES RIVES Perched just above the water, the Hotel Belles Rives proffers a stunning terrace where guests can eat breakfast or order drinks in the evening from the Fitzgerald Bar.

Portland, Oregon

Banishing Clichés in the Rose City

✎ written by Holly Bieler

If you’ve never had a desire to go to Portland, then you’re wrong, first of all, but second of all, it’s not your fault. It’s Fred Armisen’s. Not since The Mary Tyler Moore Show tried to convince us that Minneapolis was glamorous has a city been so woefully misrepresented as Armisen’s Portlandia, his long-running IFC sketch show which defined the role of the Portland hipster. As a result, Portland has become kind of a shorthand for the pained earnestness and contradictory moralizing associated with millennials.

But don’t let IFC trick you. In reality, Portland is one of the loveliest, least-annoying cities in the country, brimming with culture, a tremendous restaurant

scene and stunning natural spaces. This is coming from an earnest millennial, so take it with a grain of salt. But to my mind, there’s no better city to visit in 2023.

What to Do

Portland’s downtown is impressive, but our favorite places to explore are the city’s up-and-coming neighborhoods Slabtown is one of our favorites, a tree-lined pocket of northwest Portland filled with Victorian homes and tons of local shops and eateries.

Head to the area’s main stretch, NW 23rd Ave., for some of the city’s best shopping. Check out Superette for a beautifully-curated selection of contemporary womens clothing and The Meadow for rare choco-

lates, wines, salts and other goodies. Once you’re shopped out, head to McMenamins Tavern, a Portland landmark with one of the best beer menus in town.

One of the best things about Portland is its unparalleled access to nature. Every corner of the city seems to explode in green, and it boasts some of the best hiking in the west.

The Multnomah Falls Trail is one of our favorite hikes in the city. A 2.4-mile loop with some steep uphill areas, it’s not exactly a walk in the park. However the hike immerses you in stunning greenery, and offers a truly unique payoff: an up close look at the 611-foot tall Multnomah Falls. Another, slightly easier favorite is the Pittock Mansion hike.

Portland can get pigeonholed a lot, known for coffee or hipsters or rain. In reality its vibrantly ineffable, a town of multifarious treasures and surprises.

ENDLESS OPTIONS Portland offers a city and nature vacation in one,with cosmopolitan downtown neighborhoods and some of the best hikes on the west coast within just miles of .

Where to Eat

In recent years Portland has established itself as one of the country’s great food cities. One of our favorite restaurants is Kachka, a homey and endlessly convivial Russian restaurant serving some of the best dishes in the city. Make sure to order “Rabbit in a Clay Pot”, their trademark dish, and don’t snooze on the menu of dangerously yummy house-infused vodkas.

For something a bit more lowkey, check out Arden, A cozy wine bar that just beckons you to sit for hours, Its seasonal menu and impressive winelist make for a lowkey and surprisingly affordable dinner. And no trip to Portland would be complete without a trip to Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai, a family-owned bakery whose

small batch doughnuts have become a favorite among locals.

Where to Stay

Portland’s downtown area is a fantastic launching pad for exploring the city. Hotel Zags has long been one of our favorite hotels in the area, a trendy spot featuring beautiful rooms and a stunning outdoor area. Centrally-located in the fountain district, Hotel Zags feels at once luxurious and unique, with thoughtful amenities such

as bikes and even vintage gaming consoles and games available to use.

For something a little quieter, the Kimpton RiverPlace can’t be beat. Located right on the river just a few steps from downtown, the hotel proffers waterfront views and beautifully-appointed, surprisingly large rooms. The Kimpton RiverPlace also boasts an exceptional on-site restaurant, King Tide Fish & Shell. Helmed by Executive Chef Alexander Diestra, the restaurant features an inventive, thoughtful seafood-forward menu. MM

REAL ESTATE

MALIBU MARKET TRENDS

JANUARY 2023 MARKET TEMPERATURE

MEDIAN SALE PRICE SINCE 2020

$4.7M $1.5K $3.5M

MEDIAN LISTING HOME PRICE

MEDIAN LISTING HOME PRICE SQ/FT

MEDIAN SOLD HOME PRICE

Currently, the median sold price is on average 25% lower than the median listing price.

The chart on the left shows Malibu’s median sale price fluctuations. Since 2020, Malibu has seen many fluctuations in price with a couple of big spikes in 2020. However, the later part of 2022 saw a large spike in median sale prices, which unfortunately was quickly followed by a drastic decrease.

NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD SINCE 2019

The number of homes sold in Malibu saw a huge spike in 2020 and parts of 2021 and has since decreased slightly.

Source: Zilllow.com/Realtor.com/Own Research

Source: Redfin.com

Source: Realtor.com/Redfin.com

Source: Redfin.com

Does Anyone Still Live in Malibu?

Malibu’s full-time population dropped by 2,000 in the 2020 census, the first decline in the city’s history. Have the parttimers officially taken over?

✎ written by Holly

Bieler

 Photos by Kyler Duran & Julie Wuellner

The numbers were baffling. It was August of 2020, five months into the U.S. census, and Malibu officials had just received some very strange news. Only 36% of Malibu residents had participated in the census so far.

But that made no sense. In most cities in Los Angeles, particularly affluent ones, the average response rate rarely dropped below 60%. Indeed in the 2010 census, Malibu had recorded a 66% participation rate, 5 points higher than the national average. If these new 2020 numbers were correct, Malibu now had among the lowest participation rates in the state, if not the country.

This wasn’t the first time a statistical oddity had emerged from the city’s population data. The following summer, amidst the rollout of the first covid-19 vaccines, city officials were again left scratching their heads when county health reports seemed to suggest Malibu residents were inoculating at a rate 20 points lower than neighboring areas.

The mystery would be solved two weeks later, however, with the release of the 2020 census results. To Malibuites, the results were startling. Data now indicated 10,654 people lived in Malibu full-time, down from 12,645 in 2010. That was the population number the state and city officials had been using to calculate the city’s perplexing participation rates. Their numbers made no sense because over the past decade, more than 15% of Malibu’s population had quietly disappeared.

Even for residents who griped about Malibu’s climbing housing prices or city hall inefficiencies, it was a surprising number. 2,000 full time residents, gone. It was also unprecedented. 2020 marked the first time in Malibu’s modern history its population had decreased, capping a half century of steady growth. The city’s population

hadn’t dipped below 11,000 since the 1980s.

Viewed a certain way, the data could appear heartening. Afterall, maintaining its small-town feel has been the predominant goal of Malibu politics and activism since it gained cityhood in 1991. A strong anti-growth community and a city council notoriously wary of developers meant the city’s population grew only 25% between 1980 and 2010, while neighboring communities saw their populations double and triple

during the same period.

At the same time, Malibu has seen serious development in the last few years. Indeed the 2020 census showed more housing units were built in Malibu over the last 10 years than any decade before it. That was the weird thing about the 2020 census numbers, to many locals. How was it possible the City had shrunk by 2,000 people, when Malibu had more housing than ever before, and every home on the market seemed to sell within the week?

The Woolsey fire in 2018 accounts for some of that decrease. As of December 2022, only 63 of the 488 Malibu homes that were destroyed have been rebuilt. But what about the rest?

Experts say a likely culprit could be the rise in second homes and shortterm rentals. Census data only includes residents who live in an area full-time, so owners of vacation homes or shortterm rentals in Malibu aren’t counted towards the city’s population numbers (long-time renters are counted as fulltime residents).

Data on part-time ownership isn’t regularly collected, but in a 2013 housing report, the City of Malibu estimated that a quarter of the city’s housing stock was owned by part-time residents. By one survey’s account, that number is closer to 60% today.

For many Malibuites, these numbers aren’t surprising so much as ominous, proof that one of the community’s persistent issues has now morphed into an existential threat. As more families move out and more LLCs move in, will Malibu become a ghost town?

Some residents say it already has.

When Doug Bruce moved to Big Rock in 2015 he was an anomaly, one of the few new people in a neighborhood of Malibu old-timers who had lived in the area for 30 and 40 years.

“We all knew each other,” Bruce said.

Most days during his morning run, Bruce couldn’t get far without striking

“How was it possible the City had shrunk by 2,000 people, when Malibu had more housing than ever before?”

A MODERN GHOST TOWN Some Malibu residents believe Malibu has already turned into a ghost town. Neighborhoods in which neighbors used to know each other by name have over the last few years become dominated by Airbnbs, vacation homes, and construction sites of house flippers.

up a chat with a neighbor.

But it was an old neighborhood, and in the ensuing years, many of the original families would pass away. And in almost every case, Bruce says, their homes have sold to people who hardly, if ever, live in them. Slowly then quickly, the houses on his street have turned into Airbnbs, vacation homes and the construction sites of house flippers.

“The neighborhood’s completely changed in seven years,” he said.

Today, he’s less likely to run into a neighbor than a property manager, or a bleary-eyed teen looking for one of the nearby Airbnbs that regularly hosts parties.

“I walk down the street and I don’t recognize anyone,” he said. “I feel like I’m in New York City.”

Like many Malibu residents, Bruce is also concerned how the influx of new visitors could affect safety in his neighborhood. Since the Airbnbs popped up, he says, he’s caught people staking out houses more than once.

It’s a sentiment that’s widely felt in this city, but a solution remains elusive. The Malibu City Council has been working on regulating short term rentals for at least a decade, and in 2020 passed an ordinance requiring homeowners to remain on-site during short-term rental stays. But the Coastal Commission struck down the ordinance last summer, saying the provision was too strict, and would drive many homeowners out of the business.

“We’re turning Malibu into a hotel,” said Malibu City Councilmember Steve Uhring, who campaigned in 2020 on stricter regulations for short-term rentals. “That’s what it’s becoming from one end to the other. Just come on and rent a place and have a good time. I don’t know if that does a whole bunch to help build a solid community.”

And the repercussions go beyond community ties, Uhring pointed out. A

shrinking population in an already tiny town could have a huge impact on the city’s economic future, from shuttering businesses to cuts in government funding. The numbers could even affect the city’s schools, which have seen rapid drops in enrollment over the past few years. From 2010 to 2019, the schoolage population in Malibu decreased 37%. The number of children younger than 5 — a measure of future enrollment— dropped by even more, to 49%.

They’re sobering numbers during a sobering time in the city of Malibu, grappling with how much of its past it can realistically take into its future.

“Where I grew up in upstate New York, everybody took care of each other,” Uhring said. “When anybody bought a new car, everyone on the street would come out to look at it. For me, it’s always been the same here.”

“We’re turning Malibu into a hotel. That’s what it’s becoming, from one end to the other.”

STEVE UHRING Elected to the Malibu City Council in 2020, Steve Uhring has advocated for stronger restrictions on the city’s Airbnbs.

5 THE STORIES BEHIND

LOWKEY

MALIBU ICONS

Forget Little Dume; locals know Malibu’s real landmarks are its wacky mega-mansions, secret labs and haunted hotels. Here are the stories behind 5 of our favorite local-famous places.

✎ written by Holly Bieler

Villa de Leon

One of the best moments during a drive from Malibu to Santa Monica occurs a few minutes after the Mastro’s bend, at the traffic light just past Sunset Mesa. After uninterrupted miles of modern homes, a massive, genuinely old-looking Renaissance-y castle emerges into view, perched high above PCH on a giant seaside cliff.

Most out-of-towners assume the lavish castle is the Getty Villa (the real Getty Villa is located just up the hill from it on Coastline Dr.). But locals know– it is the random castle that is not the Getty Villa.

In fact, it has a name: Villa de Leon. And if it looks out of place on the eastern Malibu/Palisades border, that’s because Villa de Leon was here long before the rest of the city was. It is in face genuinely old, at least by L.A. standards, built in 1930 by Austrian industrialist Leon Kauffman for his wife.

The Pacific Coast Highway was still new back then and Malibu still largely rural, with open fields and towering coastal vistas that reminded Kauffmann of the Amalfi Coast. So much so, Kaufmann reasoned, the area might work as a passable substitute for the Italian summer villa he’d long promised his wife, Clemence.

Surprisingly, this idea went over alright at home. Kauffman soon bought a six-lot parcel of land in the new Castellammare neighborhood, and by the late 1920s had begun construction on his dream vacation home.

Renowned San Francisco-based architect Kenneth A. Macdonald, Jr. headed the home’s design, using a chapel in Versailles as inspiration in his plans for a palatial French Revival/Mediterranean villa. At 12,000 feet square feet, Villa de Leon was one of the largest estates in Southern California when it was completed in 1930. At a cost of $1 million, it was also one of the most expensive. Frequent travelers to Europe, the Kauffmans decorated their new home with a world-class collection of antiques from their voyages. Unfortunately, Leon and Clemence were only able to live in the completed home for a few years. Clemence died in 1933 at the age of 42, and Leon a few years later, at 62 years old.

The home has remained largely empty in the years since. A caretaker and his dog lived alone on the property for nearly twenty years after the Kaufmans’ passing before the home was sold at auction in the 1950s. Since then, it’s been handed off to a list of unlikely owners, from a Christian cult leader who required his parishioners to pay the mortgage, to a Pacific Palisades urologist. Currently Villa de Leon sits unoccupied, used mainly as a location for filming and photo shoots.

MOTEL

Topanga Ranch Motel

The old Topanga Ranch Motel might be about the spookiest looking place in Malibu. Closed since 2004, the abandoned motor court nestled at the base of Topanga Canyon on PCH looks more like the backdrop of a slasher movie than some of the most pricey real estate in the world. Decades-old rumors that Charles Manson and his cult once lived at the motel have only added to its creepy lore.

As it turns out, the Topanga Ranch Motel is a vital part of Malibu’s history.

The motel’s earliest iteration dates back to 1924, with the opening of Cooper’s Auto Camp, a modest settlement of tents and bungalows, as well as a small general store, for weary budget travelers passing through the area. However the camp’s beautiful locale and affordable rates were soon a big hit, contributing to the first surge of tourists to the Topanga/Malibu area.

The increased traffic eventually led the State of California to replace the small dirt road which connected Malibu with Los Angeles with the Memorial Highway, which would become PCH.

In 1932 the Los Angeles Athletic Club purchased Cooper’s Camp, demolishing the tents and general store but

retaining the original wood cabins, and constructing an additional 10 bunglaows. In 1934 the new motel, called the Topanga Beach Auto Court, opened.

The motel would be renamed the Topanga Ranch Motel in the 1940s, and in the 1950s began offering some of the bungalows for long term rentals as well.

As the counterculture movements of the 1960s gained steam, lower Topanga began to develop a reputation as a refuge for characters living on the fringes of society. The Rodeo Grounds, a creekside stretch of land behind the Topanga Ranch Motel, became a haven for everyone from hippies to motorcycle gangs to runaways to drug dealers. It was soon renamed the Snake Pit, both for its surplus of rattlesnakes and the sketchy characters which frequented the area.

And while he was never a resident of the motel, records indicate that Charles Manson was indeed a resident of the Snake Pit, living in a house on the land called the Spiral Staircase for much of 1968.

Through the 1970s, the Topanga Ranch Motel would continue to operate as a motel. However in 2001, California State Parks purchased the property, planning to into the Topanga Nature Reserve and restore coastal wetlands.

At the time, around 70 people were living in the motel long-term, some since the 1950s and 60s.

After a years-long legal battle, the state was able to evict the tenants in 2005, after agreeing to pay restitution.

Since then, the site has sat vacant, the bungalows becoming the thing of legends and nightmares.

MURDER

CARBON COLOSSOS

22435 Pacific Coast Highway

Since it was built in 2018, 22435 Pacific Coast Highway has remained one of east Malibu’s more controversial pieces of architecture. Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet on an empty stretch of hillside across from Carbon Beach, the home’s palatial aesthetic, replete with Italianate balusters and soaring rows of arched and Roman columns, has gained its share of detractors, as well as proponents. What everyone has in common, though, is an opinion of it.

Designed by Paul Essick, a prolific commercial architect throughout the Southland, the home was commissioned by a couple who own a successful import company. Property records show the completed house includes 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and a pool.

The original builders appear to still own the house today, although it’s not clear if anyone lives in the property. In 2020, the home caught fire while undergoing renovations, suffering some damage.

30553 Morning View Dr.

If you or or your child ever went to Malibu High School, chances are you’re well-acquainted with 30553 Morning View Dr. Chances are, you have a nickname for it.

For kids of my generation, the massive property just down the road from MHS was known as the the “Lion House”, sonamed for the two lion statues parked at the entrance of the home’s grand, if always

slightly rusty, gate. Other nicknames are equally as neighborhoodly inoccuous — “White House” or the “Manor”. But real estate blog Curbed was a little kind when describing the mansion in a 2013 article, calling it a “gilded monstrosity.”

The home was built in 1993 for a Valley-based jeweler, and designed by Los Angeles architect Ronald Firestone. Firestore was well-known for his opulent aesthetic, inspired by European design from the 19th and 18th centuries. When it was completed, the palatial home on Morning View Dr. spanned 16,000 square feet and included 11 bedrooms, a 50-car motorcourt and horse stables.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, the owner’s wife eventually decided that the house was too far from Los Angeles, and the house was put on the market

in 2009. In 2010 it it sold to an English businessman, who lived there with his young family until April of 2014, when the property was sold for $12,000,000.

It’s unclear if anyone is currently living at the house, which was purchased under an LLC. The home appears to be listed on photo shoot and film location rental websites.

Sales records seem to indicate the 2014 buyer is still the current owner of the 30553 Morning View Dr. Who exactly that is is anyone’s guess. The home was purchased by an LLC based in the City of Industry, which appears to have connections to a handful of other companies based in China. The CEO of the LLC did not respond to emails.

Today, 30553 Morning View Dr. appears to be used mainly as a filming location.

HOWARD HUGHES’ SECRET LAB

HRL Labs

In Iron Man, genius inventor Tony Stark spends his days tinkering in the workshop of his futuristic seside Malibu mansion, refining technology he hopes can save the world while staring out at a glistening Point Dume beach. Many a tourist has been disappointed to learn that the home is not real, a CGI creation. A little further south from Point Dume, however, and you’ll find a real-life hive of innovation and invention, not to mention a few geniuses: the HRL Laboratories.

To be clear, HRL Laboratories is no Stark Industries. Even compared to companies that actually exist, the research center and laboratory enjoys a relatively low profile, mainly developing technology for the automotive and aerospace industry, the kinds of products that aren’t generally rolled out to consumer fanfare. Even the entrance to the lab’s sprawling campus in the mountains above downtown Malibu is disappointingly innocuous.

But don’t be deceived; HRL Laboratories is one of the most interesting and histor-

ic places in Malibu. For evidence of this, look no further than its name: Hughes Research Laboratories. That Hughes refers to no other than Howard Hughes (below), one of the most famous and controversial figures in American history.

The business magnate founded HRL Laboratories in the 1950s, using it as the research arm of Hughes Aircraft Company, his aerospace company. In the late 1960s, Hughes decided to move the company from Culver City to Malibu, commissioning Los Angeles architect Ernest Lee to build two massive white and glass buildings in the hills near Malibu Canyon. HRL Laboratories’ Malibu headquarters officially opened in 1960, and remains at the location to this day.

Early major breakthroughs at the lab included the invention of the first working model of the laser, created in 1961 by engineer Theodore Maiman, and one of the earliest iterations of the atomic clock.

In 1985, Hughes sold his Hughes Aircraft Company, at which point its new owner, General Motors, took control of HRL Laboratories. In 2000, Boeing also became a co-owner.Today, HRL Laboratories employs approximately 300 people out of its Malibu facility, and counts innovations such as presenting the first stabilized outdoor augmented reality system.

HOME OF THE MONTH

23426

MALIBU COLONY RD. #97

This stunning Malibu Colony property

is a beachfront dream.

ABUNDANT CHARM The home features a large and light-filled kitchen, perfect for any chef.

BEDROOM WITH A VIEW The light master bedroom suite is surrounded by ocean view windows and open to a private rooftop deck. The home includes four en-suite bedrooms as well as a detached studio.

Available now! The essence of charm abounds and captures your senses in this newly remodeled custom home in prestigious guard gated Malibu Colony. Gorgeous blue tones, turquoise and green accents draw the ocean hues into the warm living environment. The living room and tea room offer two distinct sanctuaries for conversation and media desires. The tea room has a beckoning window seat for reading your favorite book. Bi-fold doors open from the living room and tea room to the patio with a built-in barbecue, bar, fireplace, lounge and dining areas to create the dream setting for entertaining. Sophistication and comfort are combined in the furniture and decor for easy living.

The four en-suite bedrooms and detached studio are beautifully appointed for your comfort. The light master bedroom suite is surrounded by ocean view windows and open to a private rooftop deck. The courtyard entry features lush landscaping and romantic climbing vines. Welcome to Beachwood House.

$150,000/MO. SUMMER LEASE

$50,000/MO. WINTER LEASE

5 Beds 5 Baths 2,543 Sq. Ft.

SUSAN MONUS

(310) 589-2477

susan@susanmonus.com

susanmonus.com

Coldwell Banker | CalRE#: 00827409

BEACHFRONT LIVING Bi-fold doors open from the living room and tea room to the patio with a built-in barbecue, bar, fireplace, lounge and dining areas to create the dream setting for entertaining.

HOME OF THE MONTH

24824 PCH

Villa Solé design and resort-like amenities.

This bluff-top estate features stunning

LOVE ALL The property is a tennis lover’s dream, featuring a private lighted north-south facing tennis court.The resort-like backyard also features an oversized pool, Jacuzzi, exterior bar, pizza oven, built-in gas BBQ and custom built circular fire pit.

PRIME LOCATION Villa Solé sits on 1.5 acres of land in the prized Malibu Bluffs, located in the ‘’Celebrity Bluff Row’’ section above Malibu Rd. The property is located moments from downtown Malibu and world-class beaches and hiking.

Introducing Villa Solé, a private oceanview retreat on the prized Malibu Bluffs. Completed in 2022, this one-of-a-kind estate has been fully reimagined by renowned celebrity designer Malgosia Migdal and noteworthy Fun-Bu Developers. Arrive to the blufftop estate through privacy enhancing gates, which reveal an expansive lawn with a guest house featuring two bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen and private patio. Adjacent is a private lighted north-south facing tennis court and an exterior limestone loggia. The long driveway leads to an impressive motor court, which presents the single-level main estate.

Enter through the impressive tailored pivot door and be greeted immediately with the breathtaking ocean views. The great room, living room and dining room all feature 10 to 14-foot ceilings, French white oak wide plank floors, trimless LED recessed lights and various high-end New York-made interior lighting designs. The oceanview dining room also overlooks the impressive wine cellar. The kitchen is replete with leather finish stone countertops, sequence-matched rift-cut white oak cabinetry and Miele appliances. Relax and enjoy an oceanfront den with a bar, which can easily be transformed into a guest room. Adjacent, the ocean view primary suite boasts spacious dual walk-in-closets and luxurious custom-built bathrooms featuring white oak cabinetry and Euro-

pean fixtures. The primary wing of the house also includes a bedroom suite with its own entrance. Impressive home theater, sound and security system, top of the line HVAC units with multiple zones and trimless vents. Above the home theater is an attached 2 bedroom guest suite with its own entrance. The main home opens to a divine, resort-like backyard with an oversized pool featuring handmade tile, a Jacuzzi, exterior bar, pizza oven, built-in gas BBQ and custom built circular fire pit. The landscaping includes a citrus grove and over a dozen mature olive, coral, ficus and palm trees. Villa Solé enjoys a prime Malibu location in the ‘’Celebrity Bluff Row’’ section above Malibu Road, commanding approximately 1.55 acres. Located moments from Nobu, Soho House, Malibu Pier and world-class beaches and hiking trails.

Acres 11 Baths 7 Beds $55,700,000

IRENE DAZZAN-PALMER

(310) 418-3777

Irene.Dazzan@theagencyre.com

irenedazzan-palmer.com

The Agency | License # 00597226

1.55

MODERN SANCTUARY The estate was designed by renowned celebrity designer and Malibu local Malgosia Migdal.

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