SPEND 2023 AT OUR PLACE ! 202
3
Y HAPP ear!
N ew Y
The Malibu Times The Malibu Times NEWS PA PER • MAGAZ I NE • O NL I NE
NEW S PAPER • MAGAZINE •ONLINE Malibu’s Award-Winning Community Paper Since 1946
VOL. LXXVI • NO. XXXV
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Living with coyotes How Malibu can learn from the Woodlands Hills incident By JIMY TALLAL Special to The Malibu Times
On Dec. 3, local newscasts played the video of a coyote that tried to carry away a toddler from the sidewalk of her Woodland Hills home while her father was unloading the car. The father chased it away. That video was played hundreds of times by every TV station over a period of several days. Judging by the posts on social media here in Malibu since then, people were scared. It seemed like every local coyote sighting was posted, along with photos and Several of Harry Gesner’s friends and family gathered Nov. 19 for a paddle out in memory of the Malibu architect, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 97. Photo by Emily Scher videos. Due to overwhelming public pressure, officials captured the offending Woodland Hills coyote on less than a remarkable adventure. forever be linked with his spirit, original character, his eccentricities, Dec. 9 and later euthanized it after Family hosts a paddle out We take comfort in the knowledge and in our family who will carry his wild sense of humor, and the DNA identification. in honor of the legendary that his adventure will live on in on his legacy. sage-like wisdom that he shared So, how does this kind of scenarthe many beautiful homes that he On a beautiful sunny and crisp with everyone who was lucky io happen, and what can be done architect designed, in his inventions and in November Saturday, our family enough to be in his presence. My to prevent it? Coyotes exist everyBy ZEN GESNER where in our local area. his 1957 Mercedes 190SL that hosted a celebration of life for brothers, Jake Gesner and Casey Special to The Malibu Times he converted to be 100 percent Dad, surrounded by family and Dolan, spoke from the heart about “It was a perfect storm,” said Rebecca Dmytryk, Malibu native and The Malibu maverick architect electric. He will live on in those close friends at our family house, the impact he had on them, and original founder of the California Harry Gesner lived an exceptional inspired by his work and in the the Sandcastle. It was a special day the world. His three grandsons, Finn, CONTINUED ON PAGE A8 97 years. His life story is nothing ocean and environment that will of remembering his unique and
Harry Gesner Memorial ‘Celebration of Life’
Shoppers supporting businesses in Malibu for the holiday season Malibu’s the go-to destination for custom and creative gifts By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Despite the easy access to online shopping, shoppers headed to Malibu to purchase their lastminute Christmas gifts at its main shopping destinations, Malibu Country Mart on Cross Creek Road and Trancas Country Market. With no malls in the area, these outdoor centers provide a less-hectic shopping experience. While the Malibu Pier is known to be an area that is a
INSIDE
must-see when visiting due to all the holiday activities, the growing businesses around town have become a “go to” destination as well. In addition to Malibu’s many beaches and restaurants, Malibu has an array of retail clothing and jewelry boutiques, from high-end couture to sustainable fashion such as Outerknown in Malibu Country Mart. The retail store recently opened this year and is located in Suite 9 on Cross Creek Road. Trancas Country Mart was decorated for the holiday with its annual Christmas tree. Photo by Hayley Mattson/TMT Tam Leader and Assistant Store Manager for Outerknown, Alan Christmas. rushes in and it’s been fun,” Wittmore. The retail store sells “It’s been really good, it’s been Mooney said. Mooney was wrapping gifts for an array of fun and colorful customers shopping days before pretty busy, we’re getting good Just across the center lies CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
permanently closed after being in business just a little over two years. The husband-and-wife owners of the restaurant, Daniella Hunter and Charlie Stuart Gay, are back in Tulum, Mexico, where they own and operate the Sanara Tulum Hotel and the original Real Coconut restaurant. The Malibu By JIMY TALLAL restaurant was their first attempt Special to The Malibu Times at expansion. The couple released a statement The Real Coconut Kitchen restaurant, located in The Park at on social media in late October. Cross Creek (Whole Foods) is now “It is with an open yet heavy
PHOTOS ON PAGE A6
this week
Real Coconut Kitchen closes its Malibu location
Owner expresses the struggles of building, maintaining, and operating a food establishment during the pandemic
Rory, and Tuck Gesner, also shared stories that brought both laughter and reflection on the profound influence he passed down to them over the last 25 years of their lives. Dad was a traditional Waterman in every sense of the word. He spent most of his life in the ocean surfing, waterskiing, fishing, and
heart that I write today to you that our Malibu Resturaunt is facing closure in November,” the couple wrote on social media. “Daniella and I embarked in Malibu to help nourish you and the community while nurturing our world ... It has been one of the honors of my life to serve you.” Hunter continued to explain the struggles of building, maintaining, and operating a food establishment during the pandemic. “You may be aware of the
conscious commitments we made with support from our friends to build and open during COVID,” the post continued. “Our commitment in large part comes from our collective sense that the world and our communities would become increasingly affected by the pressure around food production, supply chains and how we act around the asset of water. These basic factos are materializing around the planet today and they are impacting all of us. However,
maintainting our USA business has come at much cost and we are now simply not able to maintain the personal financial flow to sustain the obligations we have. We see a path to growth for the brand and Malibu has been a superb test with great appreciation from the community. Like any business if we are unable to cover costs then the issue needs to be addressed. To have to close is a very sad outcome for many especially as there is much CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Local woman celebrates her 100th birthday |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • 2023 Building codes go into effect Jan. 1 • More Beacon Boxes Installed to Assist Out of Town Firefighters • Community Volunteers Needed for the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Malibu resident and Oscarwinning director Damien Chazelle talks about his new film ‘Babylon’ Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B2 Business & Directory . . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B5