Return of the dead whale
A 70-foot dead whale washed up on Broad Beach Sunday, less than a week after scientists had sunk the carcass 10 miles out to sea. The dead whale was originally found on Sept. 22 floating in the Santa Barbara Channel. The remains were brought ashore for testing to determine the cause of death. It was determined that a ship collision was the cause, and the carcass was returned to the ocean.
A biologist from the National Marine Fisheries Service this week told the Ventura County Star that he fears the carcass could return.
Road closures on PCH
One westbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between Winding Way and Ramirez Mesa is being closed this week through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility work. An eastbound lane near Paradise Cove is being closed through Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
EPA fines Thousand Oaks company
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week fined Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc. $24,328 for violations of federal hazardous waste handling laws. Amgen is a human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry. According to the EPA, the company failed to monitor or inspect hazardous waste tanks and equipment as required by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
“Companies that handle toxic waste need to manage them properly not only to protect the environment, but to ensure public safety,” said Nancy Lindsay, acting Waste Management division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “This facility was quick to own up to these infractions and fix the problems to comply with the law.”
Animals to be blessed
Malibu’s annual “Blessing of the Animals” will take place at Our Lady of Malibu on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The celebration is in conjunction with the feast of St. Francis, patron saint of pets.
Pastor Rev. Bill Kerze, who will officiate, said, “We will thank God for them and ask God to watch over them.”
All creatures of all religious persuasions are welcome. Leashes, carrying cases or cages are encouraged.
Our Lady of Malibu is located at 3625 Winter Canyon Road. For more information, call 310.346.8183.
Reef Check festivities rescheduled
Reef Check International’s Ocean Festival, which was rained out last month, has been rescheduled to this Saturday at Bluffs Park. The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and is free to the public, includes family-oriented and educational booths on how to be a better custodian of the ocean and reef ecosystems. There will also be dance and music performances, plus T-shirts and food for sale. Actors from Nickelodeon will also make appearances. It will conclude with the screening of “Surf’s Up.”
Bluffs Park is located at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway. More information can be obtained online at www.reefcheck.org.
Pepperdine volleyball digs for a cure
The Pepperdine University women’s volleyball team is accepting pledges for its Oct. 11 home match against UC San Diego, with money raised going to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Money can be pledged at a flat rate or per dig. For more information or to make a pledge, call the Pepperdine Athletics Department at 310.506.6438.
Nonprofit helps children
Steve Sampson, former head coach of the U.S. National Soccer Team and the Los Angeles Galaxy, will host a soccer clinic at UC Channel Islands on Oct. 13 for abused and neglected children from the nearby Casa Pacifica.
The event is the biggest to date for the four-year-old Casa Pacifica Amigos, a group of more than 70 volunteers who host recreational events for children in need of adult role models.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to spend time coaching these boys and girls who are being nurtured by the good people at Casa Pacifica,” Sampson said. “Any kind of fun or sunshine that I can shed on their day will be well worth it.”
The Amigos began as a volunteer group to complement fundraising and volunteer work by the Casa Pacifica Angels, formed in 1990. While the Angels raise thousands of dollars each year and stage large-scale annual events, the Amigos dedicate their spare time to present fun and recreational activities for Casa Pacifica’s young residents.
“We hope the kids can simply enjoy themselves and interact with other adults besides Casa Pacifica staff,” said Dennis Murphy, president and founder of the Amigos.
“The big thing is these kids don’t have a normal family life, and they don’t have memoirs such as photographs which we provide back to the kids at each event,” Murphy said. “Our community is full of resources and people like Steve Sampson who can really teach great skills but most importantly, give them hope.
“In three or four hours of time, you can really brighten a child’s day. We expect Steve Sampson’s event to be a great success.”
Casa Pacifica provides hope and help for abused, neglected or at-risk children, age infant to 18, and their families. Based on a 23-acre campus in Camarillo, the organization is a public/private partnership that must raise at least $2.5 million annually from private funds to maintain its level of services.
Children arrive through referral from county agencies (Child Protective Services and/or Mental Health). Most have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services due to neglect, abuse, abandonment or being at-risk of these conditions. Children remain at Casa Pacifica until foster homes are found or their cases are resolved by courts. More than 500 children and their families are served annually. For information, call 805.445.7800, or go to www.casapacifica.org.
-Jonathan Friedman