Mayor to deliver State of the City Address Friday
Malibu Mayor Laura Rosenthal will deliver the annual State of the City Address Friday morning during a breakfast hosted by the Malibu Chamber of Commerce at City Hall. Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky will also discuss California’s budget at the event.
In the speech, Rosenthal is expected to review the goals and accomplishments of the city during the last fiscal year and discuss what the city plans to accomplish in the fiscal year to come.
For more information, visit the Malibu Chamber of Commerce website at Malibu.org.
Local group hosting cash mob
Local group Preserve Malibu is hosting a cash mob this Saturday in Malibu. A cash mob is an event where participants meet to spend money at a chosen business to boost the local economy. Cash mob attendees are asked to spend a minimum of $20 at the chosen business, which will not be announced until the day of the event.
To participate in the cash mob, meet at the corner of Kanan-Dume Road and Pacific Coast Highway Saturday at 1 p.m. Follow the signs to the “mystery” store. At 3 p.m., the group will move to a local restaurant for drinks and appetizers (there is no minimum spending requirement at the restaurant). Both cash mob businesses will offer a 10 percent discount to attendees. For more information, call Kim Ledoux at 310.457.2789 or visit the Preserve Malibu Facebook page.
Political meeting held at Point Dume Club
At least 85 people attended a meeting last Saturday at the Point Dume Club. Outgoing City Councilmembers Pamela Conley Ulich and Jefferson Wagner were joined by representatives from the Malibu Township Council, Preserve Malibu, Cornucopia and opponents to the California State Parks plan to reshape the Malibu Lagoon.
The meeting was described as “a coming together” by attendee and resident Cindy Vandor.
“It was people who care so much about Malibu that they’ve each gotten very passionately involved with various issues coming together to say, are there any frustrations we share in common that we can make better as we have a new city council come in. And we looked at the lessons learned during the election campaign,” Vandor said.
National Park Service hosting science festival
The National Park Service is hosting its third annual Science Festival this weekend at Paramount Ranch. Last year, more than 2,500 people attended the two-day event, which also coincides with National Park Week.
Friday evening, park rangers and scientists lead a nighttime adventure through the park. Participants will walk along trails and listen for nighttime animal sounds, collect bugs, learn about wildlife and astronomy, see a live animal show and sing campfire songs.
On Saturday, a variety of presentations, hands-on demonstrations and other activities will take place. Participants will learn about mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and have the opportunity to interact with “touch tanks” filled with live marine tide pool critters. Scientists from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park and Cabrillo National Monument will give presentations on the science of the various parks.
Visitors to the Saturday festival are encouraged to bring lunch, water and a hat, though a few vendors will be available on-site.
The festival takes place Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Paramount Ranch, 2813 Cornell Rd.
For a full schedule of events, visit nps.gov/samo/sciencefestival.htm
For more information, call the National Park Service Visitor Center at 805.370.2301.
City to co-host outdoor movie night
The City of Malibu and the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center are co-hosting an outdoor movie night May 4, featuring the film “Abduction,” at the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center at 7:30 p.m. The free event is open to students 18 years old and younger.
“Abduction” stars Taylor Lautner and is rated PG-13. Event-goers are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. There will also be food and giveaways at the event.
For more information, visit the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 310.317.1364.
DFG reminds public to be cautious of rattlesnakes, young wildlife
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has provided a series of guidelines to advise the public on what to do when encountering rattlesnakes or young animals when taking part in outdoor activities this spring and summer. The tips are aimed at those planning to hike, camp and relax outdoors around Southern California in the upcoming warm months.
According to a release from the department, as the warm weather returns, snakes tend to come out to soak up the sun’s rays. While many snakes are harmless, it is important to steer clear of the venomous ones and know what to do if one strikes.
“Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and usually strike only when threatened or deliberately provoked,” the release states. “Given room, they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing.”
The department advises that in order to stay safe while hiking, wear hiking boots and long, loose-fitting pants. Stay on well-used trails and avoid venturing into tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day. Additionally, never hike alone so someone will always be there to assist in an emergency.
While uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur. In the event of a bite, stay calm and wash the bite area gently with soap and water. Then remove watches, rings or other items which may constrict swelling and immobilize the affected area. Finally, get to the nearest medical facility.
Rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied and blunt-tailed, with one or more rattles on the tail and a triangular-shaped head. They are California’s only native venomous snake.
In addition to rattlesnakes, newborn wildlife also begin to come out during the spring and summer. The DFG recommends that people leave young wildlife alone if encountering them outdoors. The improper handling of young wildlife is a problem in California and across the country and occurs most commonly in the spring.
“People frequently encounter young wild animals and assume they need assistance or have been orphaned,” the release states. “However, in most cases neither assumption is true and the animals should be left alone.”
In the event of finding an animal that is actually sick or injured in the Malibu area, call the California Wildlife Center’s emergency hotline at 310.458.9453.
For more information about how to take caution around rattlesnakes and young animals, visit dfg.ca.gov.