The Malibu City Council has selected Lifeguard and educator Shari Latta and environmental nonprofit Poison Free Malibu as the recipients of the 2024 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award in recognition of their contributions to recreation in Malibu.

Mayor Doug Stewart stated, “It is an honor to recognize Shari Latta and Poison Free Malibu with the 2024 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award. Shari’s dedication to teaching and mentoring young Lifeguards, alongside her impactful work with Malibu’s youth, exemplifies the spirit of community service Malibu strives for. Similarly, Poison Free Malibu’s commitment to environmental stewardship and their crucial role in shaping our Earth Friendly Management Policy reflects a deep commitment to protecting Malibu’s natural resources. Both Shari and Poison Free Malibu have made extraordinary contributions that enrich our community and set a remarkable standard for civic engagement.”

Since 2002, the Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award has been presented annually to recognize outstanding individuals who give their time and resources to enhance the quality of recreation programs within the Malibu community. Past recipients have displayed a commitment to addressing some aspects of recreation in Malibu, demonstrating the highest level of citizenship while making a lasting contribution to the community.

Shari Latta has spent over 35 years as a Junior Lifeguard Instructor and Lifeguard in Malibu. She teaches young Lifeguards about the ocean, including the diversity of ocean animals and the importance of protecting the marine environment. As a female Lifeguard, she mentors young women interested in continuing their careers in the aquatics field. She has also worked with schools, serving Malibu families for over 45 years, and will serve as the Director of Our Lady of Malibu Preschool in 2024-25. Shari has dedicated her life to serving and mentoring Malibu’s youth and has expressed her deep gratitude as a potential recipient of this year’s award.

Poison Free Malibu is a Malibu-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the public about pesticide problems and offer viable alternatives. The organization, led by Joel and Kian Schulman, helped the City draft the Earth Friendly Management Policy, which was implemented in 2019. Mrs. Schulman serves on the City’s Earth Friendly Management working group and finds ways to enhance public education, outreach, and environmental programs at City parks and properties. Due to the organization’s diligence and hard work, poisons have been kept out of City parks for over six years.

The 2024 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award will be presented to the recipients at the September 9 City Council meeting.

A mountain lion attacked a child on Septepber 1st at Malibu Creek State Park (minor injuries, the animal was euthanized).

Santa Monica Police are investigating a tragic incident involving a male victim, believed to be homeless, who was found deceased from an apparent stab wound in the alley near the 1100 block of 6th Street. At this time, no suspect is in custody, and they are seeking the community's assistance in identifying and locating the individual(s) responsible. If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact SMPD at 310-458-8491.

SMPD recognizes that the community has recently been impacted by several violent crimes and understand the heightened concern these incidents cause. SMPD wants to reassure the community that the safety and well-being of residents remain the highest priorities and is working diligently to identify the suspect(s), and a strong police presence will remain in the area as the investigation continues.

On August 28th, 2024, at about 11:45 PM, a good Samaritan riding southbound in the 2700 block of Barnard Way was flagged down by a distressed woman who needed help calling 911. The woman was bleeding from cuts to her face and head.

Officers were on scene within minutes. The woman reported that a male suspect in a distinctive orange shirt punched her several times in the head and face, hit her with a bottle, and tried to shove sand in her mouth. The suspect was last seen walking northbound. While officers flooded the area looking for the suspect, others arranged for medical transport and located the crime scene in the 2600 Block of Ocean Front Walk.

Officers located the suspect nearby. Mario Alejandri, a 31-year-old homeless individual, was positively identified and arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. While conducting his investigation, the handling detective recognized the suspect as the perpetrator in a recent Assault with a Deadly Weapon that occurred the day prior at the Trader Joe’s on Broadway in Santa Monica.

At about 7:45 PM on August 27th, Alejandri entered the store and was immediately recognized by store staff from prior shoplifting incidents. When a store employee asked him to leave, Alejandri became irate and hit the victim in the face. He proceeded to throw two potted plants at the victim and then, on the way out, picked up a sign and was poised to throw it when the doors closed blocking him. Thankfully, the employee was not seriously hurt. The incident was captured on store surveillance video, allowing the beach assault detective to definitively connect Alejandri to both incidents.

Alejandri is on summary probation for Battery (242 PC). He also has prior arrests for Battery, Trespass to Injure Property (602(k)PC), Assault with a Deadly Weapon (245(a)(1) PC), Petty Theft (484 PC), Resisting Arrest (148 PC), Vandalism (594 PC), Brandishing (417 PC), Possession of Methamphetamine (11377 H&S), and Contempt of Court (166 PC).

On September 3, 2024, the LA County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony Assault with a Deadly Weapons charges, two counts for the incident on the beach and one for the attack at Trader Joe’s.

Anyone with information about this individual or incident is encouraged to contact Detective Jenkins at Benjamin. Jenkins@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On the morning of September 5, 2024, both Santa Monica and Los Angeles Police officers responded to a report of a man wielding a machete near the Venice-Santa Monica border along Ocean Front Walk.

The incident unfolded as a local man, who was biking in the area, noticed a stranger carrying a machete. "I look at him, and he’s looking at me. This guy thinks he’s Conan the Barbarian or something," the victim recounted. Feeling threatened, the victim continued to pedal away while attempting to call 911. At that point, another man on a skateboard intervened, yelling, “Don't be a snitch!” He then forcibly took the victim's phone. "I’m trying to get away from this guy with a machete, and this other guy is more concerned about me making a call," the victim added.

The victim described the suspect who took his phone as a homeless man with a "Y-shaped mark on his face," and expressed regret about letting the man walk away with his phone without escalating the situation further. "I feel like letting that guy take my phone is bad. As a man, I shouldn’t have let that happen, but I didn’t want things to get worse," he said.

Los Angeles Police officers arrived at the scene to speak with the victim about his stolen phone, while a Santa Monica Police officer continued searching for the suspects and speaking to witnesses on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. An LAPD officer noted, "We will take a courtesy report since it occurred on the border and will follow up with Santa Monica detectives."

Police are still searching for both suspects involved in the incident. The investigation is ongoing."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

September 04, 2024

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

· Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove

100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach

100 yards in each direction of the outfall.

· Windward storm drain at Venice Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· Outer Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

Boardriding Clubs Japan, Canada, East Coast and Australia will be participating in this year’s contest on Sept 7-8th at Surfrider, 1st Point Malibu

The MSA Classic is one of the most iconic and enduring surf longboarding surf contests. It is hosted by the Malibu Surfing Association and has been held at Surfrider Beach, Malibu for the last 61 years!

This prestigious event has a rich history rooted in the traditional values of longboard surfing. The Classic draws surfers from around the globe, all vying to showcase their skills on the legendary waves that have shaped the history of surfing. The contest not only highlights exceptional surfing talents but also embodies the spirit and culture of the surfing community, making it a pivotal event in the surfing calendar.

Surfrider Beach, with its perfect swells and scenic beauty, provides an ideal backdrop for the MSA Classic, enhancing the competitive atmosphere with its natural allure. Over the decades, the event has seen some of the most memorable performances in longboarding history, and its longevity is a testament to its significance within the sport. Each year, the competition fosters a sense of community and continuity among surfers, celebrating new talents and honoring seasoned legends. The MSA Classic not only commemorates the sport's heritage but also inspires future generations of surfers to keep the tradition of longboard surfing alive and thriving.

Click Here for more info.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

A chill car cruise in/meet at Ocean P{ark this Sunday

See 310 Riders Car Club Instagram for more info.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

DAY OF THE DOG will be happening at the Main Street's Open Streets Festival on Saturday in Santa Monica.

A free and pet friendly event featuring: Yoga with adoptable puppies – 80 ft. pool party for dogs including DJ & canine cabanas – Leading pet exhibitors in California – Superhero themed photo booth – Brunch for dogs featuring a selections of Acana Pet foods with fresh fruit and goats milk

And Of Course The Races!
• Running of the Bulls – French and English bulldog races
• You did WHAT with your WIENER? – Wiener dog races
• If Baguettes could Run! – Corgi Races
• AND MORE!

From summer to fall, Open Main Street will transform sidewalks and public spaces with different programming each month, including Drag Bingo inside the beer garden in August, a collaboration with the Day of the Dog on September 9th and the return of Rocktober, celebrating Halloween with a pumpkin patch and outdoor movie screening. Each weekend brings free, pop-up fitness classes, police and fire community booths, and two satellite bars featuring local DJ’s at every event.




For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.