DNA testing to determine who’s polluting
County officials will soon begin performing DNA tests on the fecal matter in the Malibu watershed to determine if the pollution is caused by humans or animals. After that question is answered, they plan to continue their research by taking samples from streambeds behind people’s homes to find the specific culprits. Mark Pestrella, the assistant deputy director of the county’s Department of Public Works, told the Los Angeles Times last week that if property owners do not grant permission for the county to do the further testing, the county is prepared to seek inspection warrants.
State health official says lettuce situation being monitored
California Public Health Officer Mark Horton said this week that the voluntary recall of green leaf lettuce by The Nunes Co. of Salinas is being closely monitored by the California Department of Health Services.
“Today’s prompt action by The Nunes Co. is voluntary and a precautionary step to protect the public health,” Horton said. “No illnesses associated with this product have been reported to date and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The recall was initiated when the company discovered that water used to irrigate the product might have been contaminated with E. coli. When The Malibu Times went to print Tuesday evening, it was not known if this situation was related to the E. coli outbreak associated with spinach. CDHS and the federal Food and Drug Administration are assessing the situation and working with the firm to monitor the recall.
E. coli bacteria may cause a diarrhea illness, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. HUS is most likely to occur in young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
The items recalled by The Nunes Co. are: Green Leaf 24 Count, waxed carton and Green Leaf 18 Count, cellophane sleeve, returnable carton. The product can be identified as Foxy green leaf lettuce.
PCH lane closure
One northbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway is being closed at various locations between Sweetwater Canyon Road and Kanan Dume Road through Oct. 31 between 9 a.m. and 3 a.m. The closures will not take place on the weekends.
The closure is due to Verizon’s fiber optic cable installation work.
Fat Tire Fest returns
The Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association is hosting the 19th annual Fat Tire Fest on Saturday at Malibu Creek State Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to support mountain bike trail access and advocacy in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
The event begins with the poker ride, and helmets are required. Also included at the fundraiser will be a free mountain bike skills clinic with celebrity professional riders Marla Streb and Mike Aucutt. There will also be a log pull contest.
Additionally, there will be a catered lunch and a raffle with a chance to win bicycles and other prizes. Also, there will be many exhibitors and demonstration bikes.
Registration for the event costs $25 for CORBA members and $30 for non-members. Children ages 12 and younger can come for $10.
To register for the event, go to www.corbamtb.com. For information, send an e-mail to info@ccorbamtb.com.
Fundraiser to benefit torture victims
Actor Edward James Olmos will be the honorary host at a fundraiser for Program for Torture Victims, or PTV, on Sunday at the Bergamot Station Arts Center’s William Turner Gallery. PTV aids victims of state-sponsored torture from around the world.
The event will include a musical performance by Son Mayor, named the best salsa band in Los Angeles by L.A. Weekly. Also, there will be a performance by the Santa Monica High School Quartet. Additionally there will be a live auction and raffle. Food and beverages will be provided by Allegria, Moonshadows, Sunset, Casa Del Sol, Semler and Saddlerock Vineyards, and Toad Hollow Vineyards.
Tickets for the event cost $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for $500 to $5,000. To RSVP or for more information, call 213.747.4944 ext. 248
For more information on PTV, go to www.ptvla.org.
Casting call
A casting call is scheduled for Sunday at Malibu Stage Co., located at 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, for local African-American actors to play the legendary baseball greats, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige.
For more information, call 661.724.2322