Proposed amendment to decrease beach lot width on Coastal agenda
The California Coastal Commission’s agenda this week includes the city of Malibu’s proposed Local Coastal Program amendment to lower the minimum width for beach front lots from 80 feet to 45 feet. The city is also requesting a zoning change for a property at the 5000 block of Paseo Canyon Road from public open space to single-family residential, low density.
The meeting will take place in Santa Rosa on Wednesday.
The commission will also discuss a cease and desist order for the owner of a property on Escondido Beach. The commission staff accuses the property owner of nonpermitted beach grading, removal of sand and construction of sand berms.
Additionally, Pepperdine has a request for an amendment to its Long Range Development Plan to modify the footprint of Firestone Fieldhouse.
Wednesday’s session begins at 10 a.m. at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chambers, located 575 Administration Dr. The meeting is shown live on the Internet at www.coastal.ca.gov. The webcast is archived on the site. The agenda can be accessed at the site.
Lifeguards go green
The Zuma Beach lifeguards last week received seven new Escape Hybrids from Ford Motor Co. for free. Ford made a deal with the Los Angeles County to donate 46 of its environmentally friendly vehicles to the county lifeguards, and Zuma Beach was the first to receive them.
“They are running great, and not only are they good for the environment, they have no cost to the taxpayers,” said Fernando Boiteux, North Section chief for the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division.
SongFest 2008 Public Recitals
Pepperdine University and SongFest, an intensive summer training program for exceptional singers and pianists, will present a series of six free public recitals beginning Friday through Tuesday, June 17, on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus.
This year’s internationally renowned faculty of professional performers and composers includes award-winning composer and pianist John Musto, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison, pianists Graham Johnson and Martin Katz, American tenor Paul Sperry, and sopranos Amy Burton, Frances Young, and Melanie Emelio.
All performances are free of charge and will take place in Raitt Recital Hall. More information can be obtained online at www.songfest.us.
Major funding made possible through the generous support of The Marc and Eva Stern Foundation.
Volunteers needed for Adamson House
The Malibu Lagoon Museum’s Adamson House needs docents to provide tours of the oceanfront state historical site and to work in the gift shop. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The docent training program will begin on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it lasts for six weeks. There is a $40 fee for course materials and museum membership. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.8432.
Warm weather means West Nile virus risk
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, this week reminded Californians to prevent West Nile virus infections by protecting themselves from mosquito bites.
“The arrival of warm weather promotes the breeding of mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus,” Horton said. “While no predictions can be made about the severity of West Nile virus this season, Californians should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying insect repellent and eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding.”
West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.
Health officials say the most effective ways for individuals to prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile include:
€ Apply inspect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting. DEET can be used safely on infants and children ages 2 months and older.
€ Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure.
€ Mosquitoes that carry West Nile bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
€ Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on the property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. Those with ponds should use mosquito fish or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.
Most individuals who are infected with West Nile will not experience any illness. People age 50 and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop serious symptoms when infected. Recent data also indicate those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.
California’s West Nile Web site, www.westnile.ca.gov, has been updated to make it easier for the public to find the latest information on virus activity in the state. In order to help identify West Nile activity, residents are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the Web site or call 877.WNV.BIRD.
-Jonathan Friedman