Congressman Waxman honored
The Center for Inquiry on Thursday presented U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Beverly Hills, with its award for the Advancement of Science and Reason, selectively given to honor members of the 110th Congress who have worked to further the center’s values. Waxman was one of six U.S. Representatives out of 435 Congress members who were given the award.
The purpose of the Center for Inquiry-a transnational, nonpartisan, and nonprofit organization-is to promote and defend reason, science and freedom of inquiry in all areas of human endeavor.
“In his legislative actions and speeches during the 110th Congress (2007-8), Waxman has consistently endorsed these values,” states a press release from the Center for Inquiry.
He was given a personalized, engraved crystal tower award commissioned for the occasion, presented by CFI Office of Public Policy Director Toni Van Pelt.
“Rep. Waxman deserves this honor and the profound thanks of all dedicated Americans who work for the advancement of science, reason and civil rights,” states the press release.
Charter files for bankruptcy
Charter Communications Inc. entered into a prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in Federal Bankruptcy Court in New York Friday. The cable company, whose majority shareholder is Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen and has been a main cable TV service provider to the Malibu area, listed about $21.7 billion in debt at the end of last year.
Prearranged bankruptcy proceedings occur when a debtor negotiates a deal with creditors over reorganization plans before it files for Chapter 11.
Company officials said Charter, based in St. Louis, filed for bankruptcy because of accrued debt from years of expansion and acquisition, not because of any deeper operational issues.
According to The New York Times, Charter has reached an agreement with a majority of its bondholders, including the private investment firms Apollo Global Management, Franklin Capital and Oaktree Capital Management, which would eliminate $8 billion in debt. However, not all stakeholders were involved in the prearranged Chapter 11 deal and some have filed a lawsuit against Charter, saying it broke some of its legally binding loan agreements.
Billionaire Paul G. Allen will remain invested in the company and will retain a 35 percent voting stake when it reemerges from bankruptcy, according to the Times.
Younger O’Neal pleads not guilty to drug charges
Redmond O’Neal pleaded not guilty to drug charges Wednesday in a Malibu Superior Court.
The son of actor Ryan O’Neal is facing a felony count of methamphetamine possession, two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one misdemeanor count of illegal possession of pepper spray.
The younger O’Neal, 24, was arrested Sept. 17 along with his father, Ryan O’Neal, 67, in the actor’s Malibu home during a probation sweep.
The younger O’Neal has a history of drug abuse and entered rehab in 2004 for heroin use. Last June, he pleaded guilty to drug possession and one misdemeanor DUI charge.
On Jan. 9, the elder O’Neal pleaded guilty to felony drug possession and agreed to enter an 18-month drug diversion program.
Redmond O’Neal’s next hearing is set for May 14.
CERT conducts mock emergency evacuation
Malibu’s Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, volunteers joined with the American Red Cross March 21 to convert the gym at Malibu High School into an evacuation shelter in a mock rehearsal in case of emergencies. The Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. CERT volunteers are called on in an emergency to provide trained assistance along with the City of Malibu Emergency Services to residents throughout Malibu.
Galleries protest plans to replace Bergamot Station with maintenance facility
Art galleries and artists are circulating a petition to save Bergamot Station, an arts and cultural center in Santa Monica, which is in danger of being turned into a maintenance facility by the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority, funded by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“This decision potentially harms a rich cultural asset for the arts which serves the community in both Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area,” wrote Wayne Blank of William Turner Art gallery, which is located at Bergamot.
Phase 2 of an exposition rail line being built by the Expo Metro Line will join Culver City and Santa Monica to the greater Los Angeles area, and will help alleviate traffic congestion. The Metro Rail Line, which begins at 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles will end at Culver City; however, the MTA’s board’s dream is to have it go all the way to Santa Monica.
The Bergamot Station, located at 2525 Michigan Ave, is home to the Santa Monica Museum of Art and more than 35 art galleries.
Those wishing to lodge their protests against turning the art center into a maintenance yard can e-mail the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority at Phase2@exporail.net. More information about the rail line project can be found online at buildexpo.org