Mayor proposes to challenge U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Mayor Andy Stern said at Monday’s City Council meeting that he would like an election to take place in April with a proposal for the city not to follow the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling over eminent domain. Last month, the court ruled that a local government could take over private property, under the right of eminent domain, and then allow a private construction project on the property such as a mall or hotel if it were determined to be beneficial to the community.
Stern said he did not believe anybody in the current Malibu government would try to do something like that, but he would like a law established in Malibu to prevent any future Malibu government from taking over private property for such a purpose. The City Council will discuss the issue at its Aug. 8 meeting.
Application made to beautify Zuma Beach
The nonprofit group Malibu Green Machine has applied to the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors for permission to beautify a portion of Zuma Beach between lifeguard stations 10 and 11. The application asks to be able to make the picnic tables nicer by covering them with Malibu tiles, landscape the area and possibly build a structure for shade.
The Malibu Times to host booth at festival
The Malibu Times will host Booth No. 171 this year at The Malibu Chamber of Commerce’s 34th annual Malibu Arts Festival on July 30 and 31 at Cross Creek Road at 9 a.m. Booth 171 is located near the Optimist Club Pancake Breakfast and Food Court. Copies of the latest magazine and newspaper issues will be available.
Road construction and closure updates
The California Department of Transportation will continue the closure of various northbound and southbound lanes on Pacific Coast Highway between approximately Las Posas Road and Callequas Creek, until Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pavement work and striping. At least one lane will be open for northbound and southbound traffic at all times.
Energy conservation tips
On July 22 the California Independent System Operator declared a Southern California Region Stage 2 electrical emergency that ended at 8 p.m. that same evening. A Stage 2 alert is declared when operating reserves fall below five percent of generating capacity.
In response to the recent incident, the city of Malibu released some tips for energy conservation on its Web site. They include: Set the thermostat at 78-80 degrees when home and 85 degrees off when away. Keep the refrigerator full and unplug any second units. Switch off the lights when leaving a room. Avoid using appliances from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nick Nolte skips rehab court hearing
Actor Nick Nolte, a Malibu resident, was a no-show in court on Wednesday regarding his drug rehabilitation, according to World Entertainment News Network. Nolte could have been eligible for early probation termination if he had shown up to his hearing.
Nolte’s attorney, according to World Entertainment, said his client is happy being on probation and would prefer to remain on it until the term ends rather than appear in court to have it reduced.
Nolte is due back in court in December, when his probation is expected to officially conclude.
Group Combats renewed Oil Drilling
Elected officials and environmental activists have joined forces with Stop Offshore Oil Drilling to fight plans to renew drilling off the coast of Oxnard. Venaco, Inc. intends to restart drilling on Platform Grace, just 12 miles off the Ventura County coast. The activists said they are worried that another spill like the one in 1969 could occur. That spill spread more than 35 miles of coastline and devastated marine life in the area. A Federal moratorium on oil drilling was subsequently enacted but Platform Grace is exempt from the current standards. Mitchell Schwartz, the spokesman for Stop Offshore Oil Drilling, said he feels strongly that coastal ecosystems are far more important than any economic gain incurred through renewed drilling.
Summer Miracles
This summer the Palisades-Malibu YMCA is providing partial scholarships for three Russian orphans to participate in Kidsave’s 7th annual Summer Miracles program. This program gives the children an opportunity to travel to the United States, experience family life and attend local day camps. While the children are hiking and practicing their archery skills at camp, Kidsave is working with volunteers to help find them permanent families. It is usually difficult to find homes for adoptive children over five, but Kidsave has a high success rate because it gives children exposure to prospective families. Kidsave has found homes for more than 1,100 kids since 1999, and says it hopes to find homes for 160 more this summer through it’s Summer Miracles program. There are 35 children visiting Southern California until mid-August, and many of them still need permanent homes. For more information, call 888.kidsave or visit www.kidsave.org.
“Princes of Malibu” axed
The reality television show on FOX following the lives of music producer David Foster, Linda Thompson Foster and her two sons, Brandon and Brody Jenner, in Serra Retreat was canceled after just two episodes. The low-rated show was replaced by a repeat of “The Simpsons” in the 8:30 p.m. Sunday night slot.
-Vive DeCou, Jonathan Friedman and Tiffany Linder