Point Dume included in Marine Protected Areas
After weeks of public hearings and dozens of comments from the public and appointed stakeholder members, the Marine Life Protection Blue Ribbon Task Force selected a preferred alternative for a network of marine protected areas, which includes Point Dume, in the South Coast Tuesday. Ten years ago, California passed the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which calls for the creation of a statewide ?network? of marine protected areas? underwater refuges that allow wildlife and habitats to recover and thrive. The task force recommendation will be forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission for consideration, likely this December.
The task force deliberations throughout the South Coast process were focused on balancing concerns from the fishing industry about short-term negative economic impacts and support from the environmental community to protect areas of high conservation value. Members of the science panel advising this process recommended that the task force include protections for key habitats throughout the South Coast, such as rocky reefs and kelp forests, to help restore marine life populations and habitats.
In the end, the task force recommended a network of South Coast MPAs that included some key conservation priorities, while conceding to pressures from the fishing industry in others. In the final alternative, areas like the Point Dume canyon and a portion of the reefs to the east of Point Dume, are included in a fully protected marine reserve; however, in areas like Palos Verdes, the recommended MPAs do not meet the science guidelines.
?Although some key areas, like Point Dume, were recommended for protection by the BRTF, concessions were made in areas like Palos Verdes which compromised the science,? said Sarah Sikich, coastal resources director for Heal the Bay, and South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group participant. ?We are cautiously hopeful that the preferred alternative is effective in restoring marine life populations and habitats throughout Southern California.?
Local woman skips arraignment in burglary case
Local resident Blythe Rifkin failed to appear at an arraignment hearing at the Malibu Courthouse Friday on complaints filed against her involving a string of home burglaries. A warrant for her arrest was requested, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jamie Garrison said.
The case against her 19-year-old codefendant, Oliver Lyon, was continued until next month. Rifkin and Lyon have each been charged with grand theft, receiving stolen property and forgery.
District Attorney Garrison said that charges were filed against Blythe and Lyon based on Malibu resident Bennett Liss? report to authorities about his home being burglarized, as well as complaints by other victims.
Detective Steve Colitti of the Lost Hills Sheriff?s Station, who is investigating Rifkin and Lyon, said he does not know Rifkin?s whereabouts.
Anyone with information on Blythe Rifkin is encouraged to contact Detective Colitti at the Lost Hills station at 818.878.1808.
Man arrested in Chapter 8 stabbing case
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff?s detectives arrested 35-year-old Jaiyro Reyes of Calabasas, suspected in a stabbing that occurred Nov. 1 at Chapter 8 nightclub in Agoura Hills.
According to a press release from the Lost Hills Sheriff?s Station, at approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 1 a victim was stabbed multiple times while at Chapter 8. Witnesses? accounts and evidence obtained in an investigation by Sheriff?s detectives led them to suspect Reyes.
Reyes was booked at Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff?s Station and is being held on $1 million bail.
Detectives are continuing their investigation of the case and are asking any witnesses to the event to call Detective Cooley at 818.878.1808.
Malibu Country Club files for bankruptcy
The Malibu Country Club, part owned by former Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Chief Executive Richard Fuld, filed for bankruptcy protection after negotiations for a loan extension failed, according to Bloomberg News.
The company, officially known as Malibu Associates LLC, owns the 6,740-yard 18-hole golf course set on about 650 acres in Malibu in Encinal Canyon and a 10,000 square foot clubhouse, according to Chapter 11 documents filed Nov. 3 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Fernando Valley, California.
Malibu Associates had assets of $42.9 million and debt of $35.8 million, according to court papers.
Fuld owns about 5 percent of Malibu Associates through a company called RSF Jr. LLC, court papers show. Fuld was at the helm of the fourth-largest investment bank when it collapsed and filed the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history with more than $613 billion in debt.
Malibu Associates also listed Michael Moritz and Doug Leone as investors, each owning 14 percent of the company.
California National Bank froze the club?s credit line in May and Malibu Associates wasn?t able to negotiate an extension. A receiver was to take over the company as soon as Nov. 5, according to court documents.
Malibu Associates owes California National Bank about $34.6 million, secured by all the company?s assets, court papers show. Federal regulators seized California National Bank two weeks ago and U.S. Bancorp acquired its assets.
Malibu Associates said it plans to continue negotiating with the bank regarding the loan.
The course was built by a group of Japanese monks in 1977.
?As part of their religion, and as a tribute to God, they desired to build a golf course high along the Mulholland mountain ridge,? according to the Malibu Club?s Web site.
City hold sports gear drive
The City?s Parks and Recreation Department, at the suggestion of Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School 4th Grader Jimmy Loftus, is holding a sports gear drive to collect new or gently used sports equipment to be donated to less fortunate youth.
Donations of sports gear, uniforms and other sports apparel will be accepted from Nov. 26 through Jan. 31 to benefit the Global Gear Drive and the Sammy Wilkinson Foundation. Drop off locations are: Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway; Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School, 6955 E. Fernhill Dr.; Malibu High School Gymnasium (on City Youth Basketball program game days only), 30215 Morning View Dr.
More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.2489 ext. 363
City Hall closed for Veterans Day
Malibu City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. City Hall will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, Nov. 12. No construction is allowed on civic holidays.
The Malibu Times offices are open on Veterans Day.
Preschoolers learn about farmin
The words to the song, ?Old McDonald Had a Farm…,? came to life as 15 local preschoolers from the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue visited local organic farm, Vital Zuman, and witnessed first hand how the items they see on their plates are planted and grown.
Lauren Abramowitz, the director of Malibu Jewish Center Preschool, told The Malibu Times, ?We have always encouraged the families of our preschoolers to support local businesses and I can think of no better way than to combine support for our local businesses with a chance for our students to expand their knowledge. We are very fortunate to have a real working organic farm right here in Malibu and we are very thankful for the kindness and generosity of Zuman farms, in letting us turn this into a true learning experience.?
-Laura Tate