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. LXXIX • NO. XXXII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Suspect charged after shooting at deputies in Carbon Mesa
Residents and the media waited at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Carbon Canyon Road for close to three hours. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
After two-hour standoff, Malibu local Damon Bivens, 58, was apprehended at his childhood home on Nov. 29 By BARBARA BURKE Special to the Times Volunteers man the food line during the Malibu Methodist Church’s Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 28. Photos by Susi Manners
28th Annual Thanksgiving celebration at Malibu Methodist shares the joy of giving and receiving Joy, love, and togetherness can be felt by the guests and the participants volunteering By BARBARA BURKE Special to the Times
Some came by foot, others by car and many by bus. Arriving at Malibu Methodist Church on Thanksgiving morning, they were seeking a hot meal and convivial camaraderie — they were seeking an embracing community to share our nation’s annual day of gratitude.
“The Ettenger, Gabbard, and Malecha-Brickin families have been organizing the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the last 28 years,” Diane Malecha-Bricklin said. “Our kids have grown up together and have spent every Thanksgiving together from its inception, and now, they are the ones heading up the kitchens, kids’ craft tables, food, volunteers, and
they are bringing the unhoused guests from the labor exchange to the dinner on the bus that we provide for the day.” Through fires, windstorms, landslides, electrical power outages, the Y2K debacle, recessions and a pandemic, the church’s annual Thanksgiving day tradition has persevered, growing exponentially every year. The celebratory
gathering includes a dinner, a clothing exchange, and the distribution of household items for those in need. The event gives appreciation to the many Malibu Labor Exchange workers and their families and also supports the unhoused, as well as those who, for whatever reason, don’t have a place to celebrate CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Authorities have identified Malibu local Damon Bivens, 58, as the active shooter who fired at sheriff ’s deputies who were trying to arrest him on Nov. 29 in the 22000 block of Carbon Mesa. Bivens was arrested by a SWAT team at approximately 3 p.m. as he emerged from the home he grew up in after barricading himself for approximately two hours. Authorities were initially called by a concerned family member because the defendant had fired at least six shots from a weapon. “The defendant is in custody under booking number 6926897 and he is on a $1 million bond.” said Lt. Carr Dustin of the Los An-
geles Sheriff ’s Department, Lost Hills Station. “He is charged with attempted murder, possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.” Residents and the media waited at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Carbon Canyon Road for close to three hours. After the police department’s crime lab conducted a forensic investigation, residents were allowed to enter the neighborhood. Sgt. Eduardo Saucedo, a Los Angeles County Police Department officer stationed at Lost Hills Sheriff ’s Station explained what occurred. “Deputies were called to the 2200 block of Carbon Mesa at approximately 1:50 p.m. to investigate a 911 call stating that CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
INSIDE
this week
Small Business Saturday supports businesses, benefits schools, and creates stronger communities
Many businesses in Malibu celebrated Small Business Saturday with local artists, and book authors By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Christine Carter Conway, (center, in black jacket with red flannel) who has undertaken the Herculean task of coordinating the Nativity’s installation this year encourages the community to attend their three remaining community gatherings, which begin at 4 p.m. on December 8, 15, and 22. Photo by Barbara Burke/TMT
Volunteers carry on the decades-long Malibu Community Nativity tradition The Nativity will be on display through the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025 By BARBARA BURKE Special to the Times
As favorite holiday songs festively played, Los Angeles Fire Department Ladder 88 pulled up and parked in the driveway at the intersection of Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway on the morning of Nov. 29. Curious onlookers who were driving by and those who gathered for the event cheered on Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Cole Kahle, LAFD Engineer Matt Ricard and Firefighter
Paramedic Tony Castaneda as they took a ladder from the fire truck, climbed up the ladder, and carefully positioned a large star on the roof of the Malibu Community Nativity Scene. Let there be light! Soon, the star’s luminous glow hovered above the gorgeously carved creche statues, beckoning everyone to visit the Nativity, which will be on display through the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025. “The Malibu Community Nativity is a Malibu legacy — it’s one of the longest local holiday traditions,” said Christine Carter Conway, who has undertaken the Herculean task of coordinating the CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
This holiday season, shopping local means more than finding the perfect gift — it’s a chance to support our community and make a meaningful impact. Over the weekend, visitors enjoyed a quiet evening in Malibu while searching for a gift for their loved ones. Compared to the hustle and bustle and struggling to find a parking spot at the mall or outlet, shopping in Malibu provides ease and convenience.
Sharks girls tennis captures CIF title |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • Volunteers needed: Trippet Ranch Tree Care (From left) Cecilie Stuart, Thread & Crystal designer Bettina Minero, and Diego prepare for shoppers at Third Space for Small Business Saturday in Malibu. Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT
We visited some retail centers Country Mart at Cross Creek in Malibu to see where shoppers were busy on Saturday as they decided to stop by. feature a mix of local boutiques Malibu Village and Malibu CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
Planning Commission approves proposed two-story single-family residence on Pacific Coast Highway
Commissioners expressed their concerns with the height of the project, stating it will block coastal view By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
To start off the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, the commission approved the request for an extension for the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue. The commission then approved the Administrative Coastal
Development Permit No. 24-020; An application to install a new onsite wastewater treatment system. The motion passed 3-1, with Commissioner Kraig Hill abstaining. The commission moved on to Coastal Development Permit No. 19-011, Site Plan Review No. 24-022, and Minor Modification No. 24-006; An application to permit the construction of a new 3,977.5-square-foot, two-story 28-foot-high single-family resi-
dence with a basement, pool, spa, retaining walls, new onsite wastewater treatment system, and associated development. The proposed two-story residence proposes a maximum height of 28 feet with a pitched roof, subject to approval of SPR No. 24022. In addition, due to the topographic constraints of the lot, the applicant is requesting approval of MM No. 24-006 to allow a 50 percent reduction of the required CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events
Local News . . . . . . . . . A6 • Butterfly garden taking shape in Malibu Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Point Dume Club showcases local creative vendors People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Ben Marcus: ‘Vegan Dairy’ is not an oxymoron. A conversation with Julie Piatt, fromagerista of Srimu Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B5
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9 • High Schoolers beat Graduates for second straight year in annual Sharks water polo alumni match