Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Corporate sponsored beach party house, the bell tolls for thee.
()
Just in case you haven't heard, a few corporations have recently decided that a really awesome way to get lots of free publicity would be to rent a beach house in Malibu, throw a ton of parties for celebs (some with quotation marks, some without) and invite the paparazzi along to ensure that photos of said celebs interacting with said corporation's product get splashed all over the web and certain print publications.
It seems to be working, but boy is it pissing off the neighbors.
According to articles in the Malibu Times and the Malibu Surfside News dated July 16th, one of the houses has been shut down after neighbors filed a complaint requesting that the city take code enforcement action.
Support for LAist comes from
A Malibu city official declined to state which house was shut down, but according to the Surfside News, reports from neighbors are that activity at the Polaroid-sponsored house on Malibu Road has ceased.
Neighbors have told both newspapers that the party houses have created almost round-the-clock noise, "unbearably rude" crowds, and parking problems.
The other two known party houses - LG's beach house (also on Malibu Road), and the Silver Spoon Beach Body house on Carbon Beach, are apparently still in operation, although perhaps not for much longer.
Malibu City Attorney Christi Hogin told the Malibu Times that she did not believe the houses were following city law because the activities are clearly commercial in nature and none of the party-house operators have applied for the proper permits. Even if they had applied for and been granted the permits, the party houses are far exceeding the allowed number of events (from four to six per year).
By not applying for permits, the house operators have actually bought themselves some time - according to an unnamed city official, Malibu city council policy does not allow code enforcement action without a written complaint, so by the time the neighbors get organized and write the complaint, it's halfway through the summer.
The city of Malibu plans on not having the same problem next year, though.
Yet another unnamed city official gave this warning to the Surfside news: "I plan to be more proactive next summer. We are not going to tolerate this."
Support for LAist comes from
Photo by kangaroozach via Flickr
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist