Local group opposes LNG proposal
A new local political organization has formed to oppose a liquified natural gas facility proposed to be built off the coast of California near Malibu. Called Citizens Against Crystal Energy, or CASE, the group says it is trying to inform people about Crystal Energy’s recent signing of a long-term lease for a local oil platform and its plan to retrofit it into an LNG facility.
“I understand we need to find a way to meet the growing need for energy in our country, but the proposal is just dead wrong,” said CASE member Anne Hoffman, who usually devotes her political activity to property rights.
CASE says that the facility is old, highly unstable and prone to possible terrorism.
Another company, BHP Billiton, early proposed building an LNG facility off the coast of Oxnard. That sparked outrage throughout the area, with many saying such a facility presented enormous health risks. The Malibu City Council issued a resolution against the proposal.
Hoffman said she did not decide to become active in that LNG fight because there was already so much opposition. But in this scenario, she said there is not as much opposition because there is not as much knowledge.
“This one is moving along at a much faster pace and we need to galvanize the people who might not be aware of it,” Hoffman said.
Mayor Pro Tem Andy Stern has also vocally opposed Crystal Energy’s proposed facility.
Veteran’s Day celebration at City Hall
World War II veteran Roy Ringer will read his poem “On Veteran’s Day” as part of the ceremony at City Hall on Nov. 11 to honor the nation’s veterans. Ringer is a 41-year Malibu resident who worked in the newspaper business in New York and Los Angeles. He was involved in speech writing for Robert Kennedy. Ringer’s book of poems, “The Anchovy and the Pelican” will be available at Diesel, A Bookstore in Malibu later this month. The Veteran’s Day ceremony begins at 11 a.m.
Exhibit to partner art and nature
Members of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore will exhibit their work on Sunday at a show hosted by the Nature Trust of the Santa Monica Mountains. The event will take place at the Malibu Nature Preserve, located at 33905 Pacific Coast Highway.
The Nature Trust of the Santa Monica Mountains was created in 1998 to preserve the Nicholas Canyon watershed and the grounds of the Malibu Riding and Tennis Club. Twenty percent of all sales from the exhibit will go to the Malibu Nature Preserve. The art that can be seen on Sunday includes oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels.
Animal shelter appreciation
Sunday marks the beginning of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Shelters serve 8 million to 10 million injured, homeless and abused animals each year with food, water and shelter. They rely on cash donations from the community to make that possible. The pets also enjoy receiving donated treats and toys. For more information about the week, go to the Humane Society’s Web site at www.hsus.org.
Study says L.A. County has worst water quality
Heal the Bay has released its Beach Report Card for the period of Memorial Day 2004 through Labor Day 2004. Of 436 statewide locations, 382 were rated very good to excellent. Executive Director Mark Gold said Los Angeles County has the worst water quality in Southern California and that neighboring counties, Ventura and Santa Barbara, had excellent water. San Diego is said to have its cleanest water since 1999.