Schedule tentatively set for Conservancy parks plan review
As reported last week in The Malibu Times, the city’s Environmental Review Board is meeting this week to review the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s plan to develop various parks in Malibu with overnight camping and other enhancements. According to city officials, the plan is expected to go before the Planning Commission in late August, and then will head to the City Council for a vote in September.
The plan includes the introduction of overnight camping for the parks at Ramirez Canyon, Corral Canyon and Charmlee Wilderness. It also includes the creation of additional trails to link various national, state and city parks throughout Malibu, and the construction of a parking facility at Escondido Canyon Park. The proposal is being submitted as an amendment to the Local Coastal Program, so it must receive final approval from the California Coastal Commission.
Trapped horse rescued
A horse trapped in a canyon off Calpine Drive was rescued Friday by local fire officials. According to published reports, rescuers went to the area in the morning and took about an hour to walk the horse to safety. He was not injured.
Livingstone reappointed to head Pepperdine’s Graziadio School
Pepperdine University recently announced the reappointment of Dr. Linda A. Livingstone as dean of the Graziadio School of Business and Management for a second five-year term.
The Graziadio School includes 2,000 students across 10 programs. Livingstone’s second term will coincide with the initiation of a strategic planning process that will guide the Graziadio School in the next five years, including initiatives to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the business school in 2009, according to a press release issued by Pepperdine.
Livingstone has served as the first female dean of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School since June 2002. Prior to joining the Graziadio School in 2002, Livingstone was the associate dean for graduate programs at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. A Malibu resident, she holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree, as well as a doctorate, from Oklahoma State University.
Adoptable dogs coming to pier
Dogs from local shelters available for adoption will be at the Malibu Pier on Monday prior to the screening of “Best in Show,” the 2000 mockumentary directed by Christopher Guest. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own beach chairs and snacks.
Dept. of Health issues warning about beef
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, this week warned consumers not to eat several canned products manufactured by Castleberry Foods due to possible contamination with the toxin that causes botulism poisoning. The products are labeled with different brand names. One of the products, Castleberry Hot Dog Chili Sauce, has been associated with four cases of botulism in Texas and Indiana. The additional products listed are included in the recall because they may pose a similar risk. No illnesses have been reported in California.
The recalled products were sold in supermarkets and club stores throughout the United States and Canada. According to preliminary distribution information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 15-ounce cans of Castleberry’s Chili with Beans were distributed to Costco stores in Southern California.
Georgia-based Castleberry Foods is voluntarily recalling the following products: Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Morton House Corned Beef Hash, Cattle Drive Chili with Beans, Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, Meijer Corned Beef Hash, Castleberry’s Chili with Beans, Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork and Bunker Hill Chili No Beans
This recall only affects products with a “best by” date of April 30, 2009 through May 30, 2009. The “best by” date can be found either on the top or bottom of the can.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention.
Red Cross provides wildfire safety tips
In the wake of recent wildfires, the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided some wildfire safety tips.
People start most wildfires. Find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety. Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire. Also, teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach. Be sure to plan several escape routes away from your home by car and by foot. Additionally, talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire.
Protect Your Home:
Regularly clean roof and gutters. Inspect chimneys at least twice a year and clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Use half-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor area and the home itself. Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it’s kept. Keep a ladder that will reach the roof. Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes. Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket and shovel.
Before Wildfire Threatens:
Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it. Use fire resistant or non-combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling. Or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking, or trim with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals.
Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.
Plan Your Water Needs:
Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool or hydrant. Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home. Consider obtaining a portable gasoline-powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.
When Wildfire Threatens:
If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information.
Follow the instructions of local officials.
Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate. Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.
Emergency Supplies:
When wildfire threatens, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or trash containers.