News Briefs

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Conservancy parks enhancement hearing scheduled for Oct. 13

The California Coastal Commission will consider the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s (SMMC) Malibu parks modification plan at a meeting in Oceanside on Oct. 13. The City Council on Monday authorized city staff to submit a letter to the Coastal Commission in opposition to the project, which calls for 54 overnight camping sites at Bluffs Park (35), Corral Canyon (17) and Ramirez Canyon (2), among other features.

The plan was approved last month by the boards of the SMMC and its sister organization the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA). Coastal Commission approval is needed to finalize the plan.

A city staff report for Monday’s meeting noted several reasons to oppose the project, including various legal technicalities. The project has been criticized because of alleged fire risks and for intensifying the use of Ramirez Canyon beyond what residents say it can handle. SMMC officials say the project includes enough fire safety precautions and brings much-needed public access to Malibu and its rare coastal beauty.

The Oct. 13 Coastal Commission session will also include a hearing on the Malibu Lagoon restoration project. For more on that, see the story on page A1.

Gov. signs bill to dampen motorcycle pollution, noise

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday signed a bill into law that creates fines for tampering with federally required emissions equipment on motorcycles. Critics say the tampering increases pollution and noise. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Fran Pavley, whose district includes Malibu.

“The noise caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state,” Pavley said in a press release. “Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, that is too loud. Additionally, many of the modifications which are aimed at making a bike louder-for example, removing the catalytic converter-also make the bike exponentially more polluting. This has direct, measurable and negative impacts on public health. Our motorcycle-riding governor clearly recognizes that a few bad apples on our roads are infringing on the rights of others with their illegal, attention-seeking loud pipes.”

The bill was opposed by various motorcycle advocacy groups.

City looking for applicants for Arts Task Force

Applications are being accepted through this week on Wednesday at 5 p.m. from residents interested in joining the 11-member Arts Task Force. The task force will be responsible for evaluating the community’s comments about pubic art and aiding the City Council in the establishment of a Strategic Arts Plan. For more information on how to apply, go to www.ci.malibu.ca.us.

John Lennon celebration concert Friday

The Quarrymen, the British band that evolved into the Beatles, and The Malibooz, the British Invasion-inspired band, are playing a concert to celebrate John Lennon’s 70th birthday at Our Lady of Malibu on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Quarrymen have been playing music together since the 1950s in Liverpool. Former members of the Quarrymen include John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. The Malibooz have been performing together for more than 40 years. Their current album “Queens’ English” features authentic British vocal and guitar sounds and is currently No. 3 on the CDBaby British Invasion Chart. In addition, John Zambetti of the Malibooz received the Dolphin Award from The Malibu Times. The performance will benefit Our Lady of Malibu in memory of Monsignor John V. Sheridan and Sister Mary Campbell. Tickets are $20 to $25. To purchase tickets, go to www.brownpapertickets.com

Voter registration opportunity at Colony Plaza

Carrying on the tradition of his late mother, Chuck Levin is at Malibu Colony Plaza in front of the post office next to CVS every Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help people register to vote. The deadline to register in time to be able to vote in the Nov. 2 election is Oct. 18.

Levin’s mother, Sylvia, registered more than 47,000 people from 1973 until her death at age 91 last year. This is considered a national record. Sylvia Levin was stationed at various locations in the county, including in front of the post office at Malibu Colony Plaza. She never earned any money for her work. During her lifetime, Levin was recognized by many politicians and organizations for her contribution to the voting process.

Volunteers clean the coast

More than 14,000 volunteers participated in Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday at various local watersheds throughout Los Angeles County, including those in Malibu. City crews, families, local businesses, faith-based organizations, schools and youth sports teams worked together to remove 103,524 pounds of debris.

“Coastal Cleanup Day 2010 was a record-breaking day of action that made an immediate impact on our oceans,” said Eveline Bravo, Heal the Bay’s beach programs manager. “But its lasting impact is teaching people what they can do in their daily lives throughout the year to combat neighborhood blight and beach pollution.”

Unusual items found at this year’s cleanup included three bowling balls cut in half in Cerrito’s Coyote Creek Trail, a vibrator in Lake Machado, a mummified cat in the Tujunga Wash, a submerged gas-burning stove at the Redondo Pier dive site, several crack pipes in Malibu and other cities and a floating bag of marshmallows at the Marina del Rey kayak site.

School board candidates forum scheduled for Oct. 13

Malibu residents will have their one opportunity to see a Board of Education candidates forum in this city on Oct. 12. The forum will take place at 7 p.m. at the Malibu High School auditorium. The Malibu High PTSA and ASB are hosting the forum.

There are eight candidates running for four seats on the board. They are incumbents Oscar de la Torre, Barry Snell and Ralph Mechur, as well as challengers Cady, Laurie Lieberman, Chris Bley, Jake Wachtel and Nimish Patel.