SMMC releases parks enhancement plan
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy on Friday released a new draft proposal to enhance five of its Malibu parks. This is an updated version of a previous proposal that seeks to increase public access to the various parks: Zuma/Trancas, Ramirez Canyon, Solstice Canyon, Escondido Canyon and Corral Canyon. The plan has been criticized by some nearby homeowners and the Malibu government for various reasons, including that the city does not get to vote on the plan. Rather, the plan only needs approval from the SMMC board and the California Coastal Commission.
A lawsuit has already been filed against the conservancy for its use of Proposition 50 bond money to fund the project. And an attorney for Ramirez property owners has said that a lawsuit against the conservancy over the plan itself could be filed in the future.
A public hearing on the plan will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Webster Elementary School, located at 3602 Winter Canyon Road. SMMC Executive Director Joe Edmiston said in an interview on Tuesday that the conservancy board will not vote on the plan on Monday. Following the hearing, the consultant for the project will take the public input and write a report responding to the comments.
Edmiston said a meeting will most likely take place next month at which the board would vote on the plan. If approved, it would then be forwarded to the Coastal Commission for final review.
The plan is available online at the Web site of the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority; www.mrca.ca.gov.
MHS student kills self
A Malibu High School junior last Wednesday committed suicide. Principal Mark Kelly informed parents about the death in a memo last Thursday. In the notice, Kelly told parents that counselors are available at the school to help children. If parents feel their children need immediate assistance, they should call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health at 800.854.7771 or Saint John’s Hospital at 310.829.5511 and ask for the on-call clinician.
City to celebrate Bluffs Park purchase
The city of Malibu will be celebrating its acquisition of Malibu Bluffs Park by holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at 12 p.m. Local officials and dignitaries will be speaking at the event that will take place at Bluffs Park next to the Pony Field. A reception will follow the spoken portion of the program inside the Michael Landon Center. The city recently purchased a 10-acre portion of Bluffs Park for $2.5 million from the state, which contains the ball fields and a running track, as well as the Michael Landon Center.
Volunteers needed for Thanksgiving feast
The annual Thanksgiving Dinner for People in Need will take place at Malibu United Methodist Church on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The meal will take place after the Interfaith Thanksgiving Day Service, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue. Those interested in volunteering or donating for the meal should call 310.589.5508. Those interested in cooking should call 310.589.1964.
Malibu AYSO
uniform recycling
Malibu AYSO has instituted a uniform recycling program. Beginning Saturday through Dec. 22, Malibu AYSO will have two drop-off bins for uniforms (shirts, shorts, shoes, shin guards, socks). One bin will be placed at Bluffs Park and the other will be put at Papa Jack’s Skate Park. Parents can drop off any soccer uniform or part of a soccer uniform. These will go to teams that need the items in other parts of the country and to needy areas in other parts of the world. Papa Jack’s is open Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Ham radio network available during emergencies
The city of Malibu’s Emergency Preparedness Department maintains a ham radio network for use during disasters and emergencies when telephone and cell phone communications may be interrupted. This network, based at City Hall, is tested every Thursday morning at 8 a.m. All ham radio operators in the Malibu area can be a part of this link to the community. For more information, contact Brad Davis, the city’s emergency preparedness coordinator, at 310.456.2489 ext. 260, or by e-mail at bdavis@ci.malibu.ca.us.
Archery Club Closing
Malibu Mountain Archery Club is closing. The farewell shoots are Nov. 18 and 19 at 5656 Latigo Canyon Rd.
-Jonathan Friedman