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M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXX • NO. XXXIV
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
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Los Angeles County fire rebuild fee waiver program still not implemented Confusion reigns over processing waivers and receiving refunds
MICHELE AND ROB REINER
Hollywood family tragedy with brutal slayings of Michele and Rob Reiner Son Nick Reiner under arrest on murder charges, misses first court appearance By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Karin Al-Hardan (left), president of the Malibu Education Foundation, stands with the “Happy Birthday” poster at the Malibu Tree Lot. Malibu High student Maizee Marderosian (right) holds the large community birthday card created for Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, for which she did the artwork, during the community celebration on Dec. 13. Photo courtesy of Malibu Education Foundation.Photo courtesy of Malibu Education Foundation
Malibu celebrates Dick Van Dyke’s 100 remarkable years
The Hollywood and Malibu The centennial celebration honored the beloved entertainer’s legacy while highlighting the power of arts communities are still in shock over the unthinkable murders education to unite generations at the Holiday Tree Lot, complete with music, ice cream, and cupcakes ed becoming a centenarian — he was born on the birthday celebration transformed the MEF’s of Michele and Rob Reiner. By BARBARA BURKE Dec. 13, 1925. The day-long gathering brought tree lot into a festive hub featuring birthday The bodies of the noted actor/ Special to The Malibu Times together fans, families, students, and perform- cake, an ice cream truck, photo opportunities, director/producer and his wife The Malibu community gathered last week- ers in a celebration filled with music, laughter classic music, and a steady stream of wellMichelle, a noted photographer, were found Sunday in their end for a joyful, multi-generational celebration and heartfelt tributes — all in support of arts wishers throughout the day. Hundreds of attendees stopped by to sign a large community Brentwood home. Reports honoring legendary entertainer and longtime education in Malibu public schools. Hosted by the Malibu Education Foundation, CONTINUED ON PAGE A5 Malibu resident Dick Van Dyke as he celebratCONTINUED ON PAGE A10
On June 17, after promising to waive building permit fees for victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires, streamline the rebuilding process, and extend equity for fire-affected households in Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to waive rebuilding permit fees, but not for all fire victims, only those residing in unincorporated sections of the county. By specifying that the relief was afforded to “unincorporated” areas only, the City of Malibu was excluded from the financial relief for costly building permits afforded to their fellow county fire victims. After weeks of reaching out to county representatives to alert them to this injustice, staff categorized the omission as an “oversight” despite the language in the resolution having the intended effect of limiting relief. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
INSIDE
this week
Malibu’s Christmas Woodie Parade cruises into its 22nd year |B1 During the Malibu Rebuilds Gathering of Hope on Dec. 11, roughly 50 people gathered in City Council chambers for a fire-rebuild community session, Photo by Judy Abel/TMT
A gathering of hope at Malibu City Hall Malibu fire-affected gather to commemorate, learn, and support
Family and friends of Matt Rapf gather around the memorial bench in his honor that sits at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church. Photo courtesy of Nick Danischewsky
A lasting tribute to Malibuite Matt Rapf Bench dedicated at Our Lady of Malibu to honor his founding of a men’s Alcoholics Anonymous support group 37 years ago By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Many Malibuites achingly remember that fateful day in March 2024 when Malibu native Matt Rapf collapsed in the ocean, succumbing to heart failure as he and hundreds of others participated in a paddle-out at Zuma Beach to honor Lyon Herron after he lost his courageous, decades-long battle with cancer. A loving and loyal husband to Jill. A devoted and doting father to Luke and Chloe. A cherished brother and uncle. A trusted friend to many. A re-
spected Malibu realtor. A mentor to multitudes as they travelled the arduous, challenging journey to sobriety as he did. Rapf was all of those things, and he meant so much to so many. “I met Matt after he became sober,” Jill told The Malibu Times when she met with this reporter to gather all the information a journalist needs to write a proper tribute to someone after he has passed. One does not magically become and stay sober. Rather, it is a lifelong struggle and journey. Those who strive for sobriety benefit from gathering and sharing. Knowing those realities very well, 37 years CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
As Malibu faces its first holiday season since the Palisades Fire wiped out 700 homes, displaced families, businesses, and upended lives, city leaders held a community gathering Dec. 11 in an effort to bring some holiday cheer to fire-affected. The event, titled the Malibu Rebuilds Community Gathering of Hope, was billed as a “family-friendly event designed to bring our community together during the rebuild process and the holiday season.” However, held during school hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a Thursday, there were no children in attendance to take part in
city-organized activities, including a hot chocolate station, gingerbread house building, and a story wall intended for colorful messages of hope and cheery greetings written by participants that appeared mostly blank when viewed by this reporter. The gathering, though sparsely attended in person, was also available on a YouTube live stream. Still, it was a meaningful effort on the part of city organizers to bring hope not only to the fire-affected in attendance, but to every attendee, many who no doubt traverse half the city, still a disaster zone. Support groups such as the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, the Malibu Community Long-Term Recovery Group and various city departments, set up booths at City Hall offering helpful information to assist the fire-affected through CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Opinion . . . . . . . . . A2
• Driving Change: When slowing down saves lives: why PCH’s roundabout pilot deserves our support News Briefs . . . . . . . A3 • New Year’s Eve terror plot foiled in Los Angeles Calendar . . . . . . . . . A4 • DEC 26-JAN 11: City of Malibu Free Holiday Tree Recycling Real Estate . . . . . . . . A7 • HCA Healthcare and Pepperdine University Malibu Life . . . . . . . B1 • Malibu girl’s pizza a recipe for success People . . . . . . . . . . . B2 Legals . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Business & Directory . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . B5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Waves mens’s basketball clamps down on defense in 70-62 road win at Bakersfield