Reward offered for finding culprits who shot sea lions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service is offering a reward of as much as $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for shooting several sea lions.
Five California sea lions, all with bullet wounds, were recovered in February between Malibu and El Segundo. Three of the mammals died and another is in critical condition.
Killing or harassing marine mammals is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If the culprit or culprits are nabbed, they face the prospect of heavy penalties, jail time or both.
Sea lion numbers have skyrocketed during the last several years, and the pinnipeds have become increasingly bold and bothersome to commercial and recreational fishermen.
Anyone with helpful information can call 562.980.4050 or 800.853.1964. The latter number is a 24-hour NOAA hotline.
Coldwell Bank property up for lease
The City of Malibu is soliciting written proposals for the lease of the property that housed Coldwell Banker, a realty firm that has recently vacated the property after the city announced it intended to significantly raise the rent. Coldwell Banker has decided to consolidate its operations into its Malibu Colony office.
The .52 acres of commercial-zoned property located in the Civic Center area, on the corner of Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway on city-owned property, includes the 4,848-square foot building that housed Coldwell.
The building sits on a 20-acre property acquired by the city in 2006, comprised of approximately 17 acres of vacant land that will be developed into Legacy Park. The remainder of the site has three commercial properties, including the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital and the Malibu Lumber Mall.
The wastewater treatment system on the property up for lease has a maximum capacity of 1,692 gallons per day, which are discharged to the Winter Canyon pumping station. Due to limitations of the wastewater treatment system, the site cannot accommodate a restaurant. It can, however, be used as an office, retail or bank space.
The city requires proposals with a 20-35 year suggested term, depending on the scope of investment in the project, a triple net, unsubordinated lease and a minimum anticipated lease amount of $428,000.
Malibuite named to Girl Scouts board of directors
The new Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles recently named Malibu resident David Valdez to its board of directors. Valdez will serve as a director at large on the board.
Valdez is an independent investor and investment manager. He began his career in financial positions in the apparel industry and then practiced management consulting with international management consulting firms for more than 10 years. His practice served Fortune 500 companies, such as Mobil, Sarah Lee Corporation, Olin and Corning. He has held the post of chief operating officer for Equity Marketing and lead position in the day-to-day interaction with RSI, the purchasing arm of Burger King’s restaurant operations.
“I am honored to be a part of the Girl Scout organization and the vision of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles of helping girls develop the self-confidence, strong values, responsibility and leadership qualities that will build a better world for us all,” Valdez said in a press release.
The newly formed Girl Scout Council, the result of a Dec. 1 merger of six area councils, serves 45,000 girls and 22,000 volunteers in Los Angeles County and parts of Kern and San Bernardino counties.
Red Cross gala salutes doctors and emergency medicine
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica’s annual “Red Tie Affair” fundraiser gala will be held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica on March 28.
This year’s Red Tie Affair will include fine dining, music, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. Its theme is a salute to the medical profession and emergency medicine. Christine Devine, award-winning KTTV Fox 11 news anchor, is the master of ceremonies for the gala.
The Red Tie Affair gala honors the humanitarian spirit of those who have shown courage, exhibited unselfish character and whose work has saved lives and/or improved the human spirit.
Red Tie honorees include the cast and crew of the daytime television show, “The Doctors.” Jay McGraw, the show’s executive producer, will accept the chapter’s coveted Spirit Award for the show’s contribution to the everyday understanding of medicine and health issues.
The Rick Crocker Spirit of Volunteerism Award will be presented to Russ Kino, chief executive officer of St. John’s Emergency Specialists, and medical director of emergency services at St. John’s Health Center.
More information can be obtained by calling 310.394.3773.
Marathon proposed
The Malibu City Council received a verbal proposal to allow a 26.2-mile marathon, which would start at Camarillo Airport and end at Zuma Beach on Nov. 15.The proposal was delivered by Blue Benadum, a professional runner and the CEO of Forever Runners, a running team and company that sells running merchandise, who asked the council to place the item on its next agenda.
Benadum said in an interview Tuesday he expects the marathon to cost a minimum of $150,000, and that a number of potential sponsors have shown interest. He said the marathon costs would include water stations every mile, food, medical stations, road closures, a starting line, a finish line, law enforcement and traffic control.
A portion of the proceeds raised from the marathon would be donated to the Legacy Park Project, he said, and the event would attract people of all ages and help unite the community.
The marathon is intended to attract experienced runners. The first place purse has not yet been determined, Benadum said, but a $50,000 purse is being considered.
-Olivia Damavandi