CWC head steps down
Beth Caskie has announced her resignation as executive director of the California Wildlife Center, a local organization that rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. Caskie wrote in an e-mail that her resignation was due to “a change in my childcare needs.” Victoria Harris, a CWC Board member, is serving as interim executive director while the CWC searches for a permanent replacement.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Cynthia Reyes was introduced as the new Marine Mammal Coordinator for the CWC. She previously served as the rescue coordinator for the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City, Calif.
Henry Gibson to host Malibu Library fundraiser
The Friends of the Malibu Library are celebrating the 25th annual Book Fair Saturday and Sunday at the library, which is located at 23519 Civic Center Way. An auction, conducted by actor Henry Gibson, will offer rare and valuable titles donated by the Friends of the Library. Auction items include books signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and Walt Disney.
The Book Fair is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.
Meeting to address fire management plan
A meeting will take place on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. for the public to review and comment on the National Park Service’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The document identifies and evaluates four alternatives for a fire management plan at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It can be viewed at the SMMNRA Web site, which is www.nps.gov/samo/pphtml/documents.html. Copies in printed or CD form are available at park headquarters or at local and regional libraries in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. For more information contact Fire Information Specialist Marty O’Toole at 805.370.2364.
CHP celebrates
75th birthday
The California Highway Patrol celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 14. A celebration will take place at the West Valley CHP station, located at 5825 Desoto Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be informational booths set up along with classic patrol vehicles from CHP’s past and present. A canine and motorcycle demonstration will take place in the rear parking lot area. There will also be finger printing for the kids and car seat installation demonstrations.
West Nile appears in more California counties
Dead crows recently found in Alameda, Glenn, Humboldt, Marin, Placer, Solano and Sonoma counties have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first evidence of the virus in these counties. West Nile has been detected in a total of 28 counties statewide.
To date, more than 100 Californians have tested positive for West Nile and four have died. The deceased were elderly people, two from Los Angeles County, one from Orange County and the other from San Bernardino County. Four individuals were exposed to West Nile through blood transfusions and have not become ill.
As of Aug. 10 the infected include 51 in San Bernardino County, 26 in Los Angeles County, 18 in Riverside County, two in Fresno, Orange and Kern Counties and one in Imperial and Tulare Counties.
According to the Health Department, about 10 to 15 percent of infected individuals will have only mild to moderate symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. Less than 1 percent of individuals will develop serious neurological illness such as encephalitis and meningitis. The elderly and those with lowered immune systems are more susceptible to serious illness.
Evidence of West Nile is found in birds and mosquito pools. The state Health Department encourages residents to report a dead bird to the department. Precautions, such as using bug repellant and wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts, can be taken to prevent acquiring the virus.
Local actor to star in “The Crucible”
Local station 89.3 FM KPCC will air “The Crucible” starring Richard Dreyfuss and Malibu resident Stacy Keach. “The Crucible” is Arthur Miller’s play written to reflect the hysteria of the anti-communist trials led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 1950s America. Miller used the 17th century Salem witch trials as the setting for his play.