SMC professors issue apology regarding graduation protest
Several Santa Monica College professors have signed their name to a letter apologizing to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the protests during his commencement speech this month.
The letter states, “We trust you will not judge Santa Monica College by the behavior of a rude few.” The letter goes on to apologize for some of the staff who turned their backs on the governor during his speech. Several SMC staff members refused to sign the letter.
Malibu murder investigation continues
An investigation into the murder of a Malibu worker two weeks ago continues. A homicide detective said, “We still believe it was a personal type of thing, and we do not think there is a predator in the community.” The victim had worked for several years in Malibu as a garden maintenance worker.
Gibson’s stalker sentenced
A man convicted of stalking actor/director Mel Gibson was sentenced last week to three years in state prison.
Zack Sinclair, 35, was convicted in March of one felony count of stalking.
According to the Associated Press, Sinclair acted as his own attorney and declined to speak during the brief sentencing hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court. He has remained in custody and will immediately begin serving the sentence.
Gibson was not in court for the sentencing. The AP reported Gibson’s spokesman said the actor was vacationing with his family and could not immediately be reached.
Sinclair was arrested in September 2004. Prosecutors said he went to the gate of Gibson’s Serra Retreat home repeatedly that month after evading neighborhood security and asked to pray with him.
Fireworks on display
There are three fireworks displays scheduled for July 4. The displays are privately funded and not affiliated with the city, except that the city has issued permits for them. They will be at the offshore barrage adjacent to the Malibu Colony, the offshore barge adjacent to the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Morning View Drive, and the offshore barrage adjacent to Carbon Canyon.
New shuttle begins operation in Santa Monica Mountains
The National Park Service will launch its new ParkLINK Shuttle on Saturday. It will serve visitors to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. There will be festivities and a free ride on the new shuttle on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The shuttle will continue to offer free rides during the opening weekend through Monday.
The shuttle seats 20 passengers and includes air condition, triple bike racks, storage for items and a wheel chair lift. It stops at many Malibu points of interest, including Zuma and Westward Beaches, Malibu Creek and Lagoon, Tapia Park, Backbone Trail, Corral Canyon, Paramount & Peter Strauss Ranches, Malibu Village and Solstice Canyon.
For further information, including schedules, routes and parking, call 888.734.2323 or go to www.nps.gov/samo/shuttle.
Health warning issued on seafood
The California Department of Health Services has detected elevated levels of domoic acid in sardines and anchovies from Ventura County.
According to the CDHS, consumers should not eat sport-harvested mussels, sardines and anchovies or commercially sold viscera of sardines, anchovies, lobster and crab (commonly known as crab butter) harvested from the Ventura County coast because they may be contaminated with domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can cause human illness. Other seafood-including oysters, clams, mussels, scallops and other bivalve (two-shelled) shellfish-have not been tested recently, but could also contain dangerous levels of this toxin.
Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning include vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, disorientation, seizures and loss of short-term memory. Severe cases may be fatal or result in loss of short-term memory. Older individuals and individuals with impaired kidney function are vulnerable to the toxic effects of domoic acid.
Consumers are also advised that certain household pets and other animals are susceptible to domoic acid poisoning and should not be fed these products.
This warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing.
For more information, consumers may call CDHS’ toll-free shellfish information line at 800.553.4133.
-Tiffany Linder, Xiomara Rios and Hans Laetz