NEW FALL HOURS: 9-7 DAILY
S u n d a y N o v. 2 3 f r o m 1 1 a m t o 2 p m
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. XXIX
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025
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Aerial view of the Woolsey Fire showing the estates of Mark Hamill and other homeowners whose properties were protected by Bobby Milstein’s sprinkler systems. Image courtesy of Bobby Milstein
Lessons from Woolsey guide Malibu through today’s fire challenges Officials and residents reflect on seven years of rebuilding, resilience, and protection By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
As city officials work to move on from this year’s devastating Palisades Fire, they still remember the damage and aftermath of a Malibu blaze that happened seven years ago. “Malibu lost 465 single-family residences in the Woolsey Fire and 150 accessory structures were also damaged or destroyed,” said Yolan-
da Bundy, the City of Malibu’s community development manager. “The owners of 212 properties have their certificates of occupancy, some of which include owners of properties Ani Dermenjian (third from right), organizer of the Malibu Veterans Day ceremony, stands with LA County Sheriff Commander Jennifer Seetoo (second from right), alongside residents and that were damaged, but not entirely city leaders at the Nov. 11 event.. Photo Photos courtesy of Malibu Veterans Public Ceremony Committee destroyed.” The 97,000-acre Woolsey Fire damaged more than 300 structures, destroyed another 1,600, and left three dead in the Santa Monica Mountains in 2018. In the aftermath of the disastrous A meaningful day to honor those who serve, filled with remembrance and heartfelt gratitude Veterans Day ceremony, thoughtfully organized jian reflected on the remarkable growth of the Palisades Fire, Bundy states that the By HAYLEY MATTSON by Ani Dermenjian, chairwoman of the Malibu ceremony over the years. “The first year I did Woolsey Fire rebuilders are still of Publisher, Editor in Chief Veterans Public Ceremony Committee, united this, we had 30 attendees,” she said. “We’ve paramount importance to her and On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the community came veterans, their families, local students, and civic made a promise to the city that this is going to CONTINUED ON PAGE A8 together to pay tribute to the men and women leaders for a meaningful day of remembrance, be an annual event — rain or shine, COVID whose courage and sacrifice have protected the celebration, and heartfelt gratitude. or not. Even during COVID, we did this via freedoms Americans hold dear. The 26th annual Calling the event a “success,” DermenCONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Malibu’s 26th annual Veterans Day ceremony celebrates bravery, community, and legacy
INSIDE
this week
Empty chairs are set up across the stage at City Hall Park Center on Nov. 16 to commemorate the 711 lives lost to traffic incidents in 2024. Photo courtesy of Michel Shane
Empty chairs, heavy hearts: LA remembers 711 Lives lost to traffic violence Families, advocates, and community members gather downtown to honor victims and call for safer streets during World Day of Remembrance By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
On Sunday, Nov. 16, downtown Los Angeles transformed into a sea of remembrance as 711 empty black chairs adorned with yellow roses filled nearly four city blocks around City Hall Park Center. Each chair represented a life lost to traffic violence in Los Angeles
County in 2024, a visual tribute that resonated with families, advocates, and the community at large during the World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims (WDoR). The event, a collaboration among Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), The Emily Shane Foundation, the California Office of Traffic Safety CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Rain lifts for Run Malibu Half Marathon |B1 All lanes of Kanan Dume Road were closed on Nov. 14 from Cavalleri Road to Tunnel One after a vehicle-versus-pole collision brought down a utility pole and wires. Photo courtesy Lost Hills Sheriff Station
Malibu weathering storms: City avoids major damage but remains on high alert After a weekend of heavy rain triggers rockslides, debris flows, and road closures, officials warn saturated hillsides and burn-scarred canyons leave Malibu at risk By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
After a powerful storm system drenched Southern California over the weekend, Malibu was relieved the damage wasn’t worse — but officials remain on high alert for another round of heavy rain expect-
Local company buys iconic Surfrider Hotel Off-market deal closes at $37.5 million By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu luxury brand Chrome Hearts has just bought a piece of the Malibu landscape — the iconic Surfrider Hotel in the heart of Malibu. The landmark hotel sits right across from Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, known the world over. The $37.5 million off-market transaction was brokered by the boutique firm The Marella Group, which specializes in smaller high-
end retail and hospitality brands. The Marella Group represented both buyer and seller. The high-priced deal for the 20-room boutique inn on Pacific Coast Highway amounts to roughly $1.8 million a room, making it one of the most expensive hotel sales on a per-room basis locally. The Surfrider Hotel was built to serve the burgeoning Malibu surf scene in 1953. Eventually becoming tired and run-down, the historic property was purchased in 2017 by architect and hotelier Matthew Goodwin, CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
ed later this week. While the region avoided catastrophic flooding or major mudflows, the storm delivered exactly what officials warned: rockslides, debris flows, minor road flooding, and closures of key canyon routes. Saturated hillsides, particularly in recent burn areas from the Palisades and Franklin Fires,
turned canyon roads into hazard zones as boulders tumbled onto roadways and mud washed across lanes. Saturday morning saw the first significant impacts. Caltrans reported multiple minor debris flows and small-to-medium CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 • Recovery in Malibu: A Community Journey News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • LA County investigates State Farm Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • NOV 22: The Friends of the Malibu Library: Annual Home for the Holidays Book Sale Real Estate . . . . . . . . . .A9 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • James Brolin on Hollywood, ‘Night of the Juggler,’ and life in Malibu People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Malibu Seen: Sunday Rainy Sunday Community . . . . . . . . . .B3 • Paradise Cove hosts Malibu’s First Tip-A-Cop, raising spirits and support Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Business & Directory . . . B7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . B10 • Clark makes statement • in first start