Rosenthal to be named Malibu mayor
Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Laura Rosenthal is expected to replace John Sibert as mayor of the City of Malibu at the city council’s meeting Monday. Councilmember Lou La Monte is expected to replace Rosenthal as mayor pro tem.
The council rotates the position, with each councilmember getting to serve as mayor and mayor pro tem during his or her term. Each councilmember has one vote, although the mayor moderates discussion at the council dais and represents the city in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other events.
Man found dead on Zuma beach identified
The man found dead on Zuma Beach Oct. 31 has been identified as Kevin Grenon, Los Angeles County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winters confirmed. Grenon, 51, washed up on shore with an abrasion on his head. Lifeguard and fire officials attempted to revive him, but were unable to. The cause of death was a “drowning accident,” Winters said. Winters added that he did not know where Grenon lived, but that his next of kin has been notified.
Bicyclist killed in Las Flores Canyon accident identified
The bicyclist who died in an accident Saturday morning on Las Flores Canyon Road has been identified as 51-year-old Robert Hyndman of Laguna Beach. Hyndman collided with a guard rail on a tight curve just north of Hume Road at about 11:45 a.m. Saturday and was thrown over his handle bars, according to the California Highway Patrol. Hyndman suffered head injuries despite wearing a helmet and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
According to the OC Register, Hyndman was a writer and brand developer. He was riding with a group of cyclists in celebration of the first anniversary of the Santa Monica bike store Bike Effect. The bike store is reportedly planning a ride in Hyndman’s honor this Sunday morning, with cyclists starting at 910 Broadway in Santa Monica and continuing to the scene of the accident in Malibu to pay their respects.
Malibu Presbyterian to start rebuilding
Malibu Presbyterian Church is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the rebuilding of facilities lost in a 2007 fire Sunday morning, according to a press release from the church.
The church’s sanctuary was destroyed on Oct. 21, 2007 during the Malibu Canyon wildfire. Despite the loss, the church continued its local and international community service. After four years, the organization has received approval to re-build its sanctuary.
The groundbreaking ceremony takes place Nov. 13, at Malibu Presbyterian Church, 3324 Malibu Canyon Rd., at 11 a.m. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.1611.
Shark dies following release
A young great white shark that was on display in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Open Sea exhibit unexpectedly died a few days after its release, according to a press release from the aquarium.
The four-foot, 10-inch shark weighing 52 lbs. was caught off the coast of Marina del Rey and held in Malibu for two weeks before being transported to the aquarium in Monterey Bay. The shark was then released Oct. 25, but the electronic tag he wore indicated he died soon afterward. The shark was recovered Oct. 30 and transported back to the aquarium for analysis.
“This is a very difficult day for all of us, and for everyone who saw and cared about this animal,” Jon Hoech, the aquarium’s director of husbandry, said in the release. “Based on the shark’s behavior and condition prior to release, we had every confidence that he’d do well back in the wild. Unfortunately, that’s not how things turned out. We’re surprised and saddened by the outcome.”
Aquarium staff veterinarian Dr. Mike Murray said the decision to release the shark after 55 days on exhibit was based on changes in how well he was navigating his surroundings.
This is the first death among six young sharks exhibited at the aquarium since 2004. Five other great white sharks have been successfully returned to the wild after spending time in the aquarium.
“While we determined it was best not to keep him on exhibit any longer, we had no reservations about whether the shark would do well in the wild,” Murray said. “That’s why his death is both distressing and puzzling.”
Kaufman speaks at Pepperdine
Malibu resident Victor Kaufman offered an inside view of paradigm shifts that have affected the film industry and interactive media over the past three decades when he spoke as part of Pepperdine University’s State of the Industry speaker series Oct. 27.
Kaufman is vice chairman of the IAC, a leading interactive company that owns more than 50 Internet brands. He has also worked as the CEO of Columbia Pictures and was the founder and CEO of Tri-Star Pictures.
The event was hosted by Craig Detweiler of the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture.
Red Flag Warnings prompt fire safety concerns
Two recent Red Flag Warnings, advisories issued by the National Weather Service during periods of high fire risk, have prompted concerns in the community about fire safety and preparation.
“[When we have] high winds, low humidity, and high temperatures then we would go into a red flag warning,” Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Quvondo Johnson said. “When there are red flag warnings or alerts, we augment our staffing. We place equipment in different areas so we can have a quicker response in case something happens, because of winds and low humidity, fire would move pretty fast.”
While some think fire season only takes place in the late summer and fall months, in Los Angeles County fire is a year-round threat, Johnson said. It reaches its height, however, around this time of year when the Santa Ana winds kick up. Between low humidity and dry onshore winds, the risk of fire greatens.
To prepare for a fire, the City of Malibu’s Emergency Services coordinator Brad Davis stressed three main points. “Have a plan of what you’re going to do in an emergency, where you are going to go,” Davis said. “Have supplies, have an emergency kit, make sure you have something ready to go.” Finally, knowing where to get accurate information is key. “Make sure you know how to get good information, that you know where to dial in terms of Malibu hotline,” Davis said. (The City of Malibu’s information hotline is 310.456.9982.)
Johnson explained a similar three-step emergency preparation plan, the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s “Ready, Set, Go!” program. Getting ready involves creating a defensible space around the home, get set by creating and rehearsing a disaster plan, and be sure to go, to leave home as soon as possible in the event of an emergency.
Homeowners should also be sure that they have taken proper fire insurance precautions.
“Simple steps such as creating defensible space around your property and being prepared can save your home or reduce the impact of a wildfire on your home should one strike,” California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a press release.
Jones also reminded all homeowners to be prepared in the event of a wildfire by conducting a home inventory. The commissioner advised homeowners to catalogue possessions of value by taking photos and labeling them with information about each item. A copy of the inventory and supporting documentation, such as receipts and model numbers, should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe-deposit box, work office, or a relative’s house.
More information about fire safety, including the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s “Ready, Set, Go!” plan, can be obtained by visiting www.fire.lacounty.gov. To obtain the California Department of Insurance’s Home Inventory Guide visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
Broad Beach work scheduled through November
Contractors from the City of Malibu will be conducting work along Broad Beach Road between Victoria Point Road and Pacific Coast Highway starting Nov. 8 and continuing intermittently for four weeks, according to a press release from the city.
Work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No work will be done on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, or the week of Thanksgiving, from Nov. 21-25. Scheduling may also be altered due to weather.
More information can be obtained by contacting Rob DuBoux, the city’s senior civil engineer, at 310.456.2489 ext. 339.
City honored for ‘Women in Sports’ clinics
The Channel Cities Municipal Athletic Association has awarded the City of Malibu the 2011 Innovative Sports Activity Award for its “Women in Sports” youth clinic series.
“Women in Sports” featured female athletes Jessica Mendoza, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in softball, Candace Parker, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in basketball and Los Angeles Sparks forward, and Kerri Walsh, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in volleyball.
The city was also awarded a CCMAA Innovative sports Award in 2010 for its NFL Play 60 program.
“The City of Malibu is very appreciative of these commendations from the Channel Cities Municipal Athletic Association and the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation,” Malibu Mayor John Sibert said. “Malibu is proud to offer opportunities for youths to enjoy the health and recreational benefits of athletic participation.”
Restaurants recognized for reducing pollution
The City of Malibu and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC) have been implementing the Clean Bay Restaurant Certification program, which recognizes restaurants that exceed local stormwater regulations to reduce water pollution, according to a press release from the city. Nearly 80 percent of Malibu restaurants made the cut in 2011.
The program, which is in its third year, recognizes establishments that receive a score of 100 percent on the program’s criteria checklist, which exceeds local stormwater regulations. This year, 49 Malibu businesses qualified for certification, which is 78 percent of all local restaurants and food service businesses. In 2010, 39 Malibu food service businesses qualified.
“We’re very excited to see this program in Malibu,” Shelley Luce, executive director of the SMBRC said. “The public needs to know which restaurants in this beautiful beach city are doing everything they can to protect the ocean, so they can then make environmentally responsible choices when dining out.”
More information can be obtained, including the list of local businesses that met the criteria, by visiting http://bit.ly/qc5TKM.
Veterans Day ceremony set for Legacy Park
Local businesses, schools and organizations will gather to honor the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces Friday at the 12th annual Veterans Day ceremony. The ceremony will kick off at Legacy Park at 11 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. Last year’s event was scheduled for Bluffs Park, but was forced inside at the old Malibu City Hall due to high winds. The new city hall will serve as the backup venue for unforeseen inclement weather. The event is sponsored by the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, the City of Malibu, Pepperdine University and The Malibu Times. For more information, call the Malibu Chamber of Commerce at 310.456.9025 or Ani Dermenjian at 310.317.9382.