Memorial Day weekend roundup
The Memorial Day holiday weekend, commonly thought of as the start of summer weather, drew fewer visitors to Malibu than past Memorial weekends. Between Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 143,450 beachgoers visited Malibu’s shores. Last year, more than 400,000 visited Malibu during the three-day holiday.
Lifeguards made four rescues, eight major medical calls, which includes a cut leg, and a fire at the Malibu Pier, to which lifeguards, sheriff’s deputies and the fire department all responded, according to Los Angeles County Lifeguard Captain Merrill Riley.
The fire at the pier, which was started by a cigarette, damaged 200 square feet of decking and stringers (pier supports) at the westernmost side said Councilmember Jefferson Wagner, who has an ownership stake in pier operations. He said damage is estimated at $40,000 to $50,000.
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station received no reports of major incidents.
Proposed sale of Ramirez Canyon ignites local response
Since Gov. Jerry Brown’s revised 2011-2012 state budget was released, calling for the sale of the “Ramirez Canyon property,” many have spoken out in response. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which has its headquarters on the 22-acre site, reportedly opposes the sale, while Ramirez Canyon residents are for it.
The conservancy argues that it is a valuable resource for park-goers that it has worked on for decades. According to Gov. Brown’s budget, the property should be sold because it “serve[s] no state programmatic need.”
Some canyon homeowners hail the governor’s recommendation. “The residents of Malibu Road support Gov. Brown’s budget proposal to sell the Ramirez Canyon Property in Malibu,” Bill Rhodes, president of the Malibu Road Association, wrote in an open letter to the governor, Sen. Fran Pavley and Assemblywoman Julia Brownley. “The Ramirez property is inaccessible to the general public…in a very high risk fire zone and generally not suited as an active recreation facility.”
Amid the responses to the planned sale, Barbra Streisand, who donated the property in 1993, has released a statement as well.
“While I had hoped that the Ramirez Canyon property I donated to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy would have been used for a state-of-the-art Environmental Conference and Study Center as was originally intended, I understand Governor Brown’s tough decision given the severe budget shortfalls that California is facing,” Streisand’s statement reads. “I only hope that there is little disruption to the residents of Ramirez Canyon through this potential transition and that whatever entity does purchase the land and the homes on it will preserve its special habitat.”
Malibu Navy Days dock at the pier June 10
The USS John Paul Jones will anchor off the Malibu Pier for Malibu Navy Days June 10-12, according to a release from the Malibu Navy League. The 505-foot-long ship will bring 270 United States Navy sailors to the Malibu area, who will be on shore-leave shifts throughout the weekend.
The event is taking place through the sponsorship of the Malibu Navy League, the City of Malibu, the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and Pepperdine University.
The welcoming ceremony will take place June 10, at the Malibu Pier, 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, at 2 p.m. Additional activities and events take place throughout the weekend. More information can be obtained by calling the Malibu Chamber of Commerce at 310.456.9025.
Richardson’s mother files suit
Mitrice Richardson’s mother, Latice Sutton, has filed a second lawsuit against Los Angeles County. Sutton is seeking unspecified damages, alleging negligence and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to City News Service.
Richardson went missing Sept. 17, 2009 after being arrested and subsequently released from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. The 24-year-old’s remains were found nearly a year later, on Aug. 9, 2010, in a Malibu Canyon ravine.
Richardson’s parents have filed previous lawsuits against the county in connection with their daughter’s disappearance and death.
Arthritis walk raises funds, awareness
Saturday’s “Let’s Move Together” Arthritis Walk, taking place at the Santa Monica Pier, acts as a way to raise money for the cause and a reminder of those it helps.
Last year before the event, The Malibu Times wrote an article about local girl Aspen DeMeritt, now five, living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. DeMeritt is “doing great right now,” her mother, Amanda, wrote in an e-mail to The Malibu Times. “She just finished T-ball league and next will be soccer!” The five-year-old also enjoys karate, swimming and dance, and the activities help her arthritis.
While she was able to stop taking strong medications for about three months, the disease flared up again, causing her to lessen certain activities and return to medication. The pattern of flaring up and calming down is a common one for children living with arthritis.
DeMeritt was last year’s Arthritis Walk 2010 Youth Honoree. DeMeritt and her team, Aspen’s Angels, raised more than $25,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.
This year’s honoree is Sophia Rothman, a three-year-old who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was two.
There are more than 50 million adults and nearly 300,000 children living with arthritis in the United States today. The walk raises funds for research in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis.
The “Let’s Move Together” Los Angeles Arthritis Walk, hosted by the Arthritis Foundation, takes place at the Santa Monica Pier, in Lot 1, 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, registration at 7:30 a.m., walk at 9 a.m. Participants can choose a one or three-mile course to walk. There will also be live entertainment, a “kids’ zone,” food and refreshments at the event. More information can be obtained by calling 323.954.5750.
Sheriff’s station releases safety tips
With summer approaching, the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station has released a series of crime-prevention tips for families planning vacations.
Before families leave on a trip, they should make sure their homes are protected by making it appear that they never left. While away, residents should keep blinds in their normal position and put timers on several household lights so they turn on and off at normal times. Additionally, don’t stop mail and newspaper delivery, have a neighbor pick them up for you, and arrange to have grass mowed while gone. Finally, make sure all windows and doors are locked and the alarm is set.
Precautions can be taken while on vacation to avoid becoming victims of theft as well. Travelers should clean out wallets and purses, keeping only essential credit cards and identification, and carry items close to the body. Additionally, pack as light as possible, avoid using expensive designer luggage and keep valuables on hand at all times.
Finally, while on vacation, do not wear expensive jewelry, bags, cameras or other items that attract attention. Also, check maps before venturing into an unfamiliar city and always lock cars when parked.
More information can be obtained by calling Deputy Shawn Brownell at 818.878.5506.