Its been awhile...

You know sometimes real life actually gets in the way of technology or it can be the other way around for some. In my case, I elected to not Facebook or blog over the past several weeks as I continued to run my real estate business, a home and comfort an ailing mom who lives in another state. I feel family does come first always. We can so easily loose sight especially when we need money to live on. This is when we must trust in a higher power which I call God, the Lord of my life. When it comes down to it, I can't do it all myself. And He doesn't expect us to.

LInk for the Malibu Lagoon Project... http://www.restoremalibulagoon.com/

http://www.restoremalibulagoon.com/

Limit Malibu Lagoon Development

From the Malibu Patch...

An initiative is taking shape to give Malibu residents a voice in future large development projects, but organizers are already running up against deadlines to make it on the ballot for the November election.

To get the initiative before voters, organizers would have to get enough signatures by June 18, according to Malibu City Clerk Lisa Pope.

"That allows the appropriate time for arguments," Pope said, adding that the city would still have to ask Los Angeles County if the city could consolidate with the November election.

If the county says no, then the city would have to pick up the tab for a concurrent election to the tune of $30,000 to $40,000, and voters would have to turn in two separate ballots, Pope said.

California state law allows the voters to petition to put an initiative on the ballot, but they need the support of 10 percent of registered voters, according to Malibu's City Attorney Christi Hogin. That could mean as many as 950 signatures.

"The city council has the option of placing an item before the voters," Hogin said, adding that the council would need three out of the five votes to take that action.

According to Pope, the City Council would have until Aug. 10 to introduce and adopt an ordinance in order to allow time for the initiative to make the November ballot. She added that the city would still have to get special permission from the county to get on the November ballot.

Activists and other concerned Malibu residents, including Preserve Malibu, have been meeting over the past few weeks to craft the initiative, which will likely be similar to Measure P, known as the Malibu Right to Vote On Development Initiative.

The original Measure P sought to give residents the right to vote on proposed projects with more than 25,000 square feet if they require a variance, a conditional use permit or exceeds the density of zoning limitations, or permits construction or widening of a public roadway.

The movement takes aim at more than 1 million square feet of proposed development in Malibu's Civic Center.

"There is a consensus building with the residents if you put all these projects in the Civic Center, you are basically putting a parking lot in there," said Steve Uhring, a Malibu activist who has been active with the recently formed group Preserve Malibu.

Uhring said he hopes the council opts to put the initiative on the ballot. He said the measure will address three main concerns that have emerged with the large number of planned projects in Malibu's Civic Center:

• The ballot initiative will keep the residents engaged and make sure they know what is going on.
• Requiring citizens approval will result in better development projects. Developers will need to listen and respond to the needs of the residents.
• The proponents of the measure will be able to get the needed number of signatures to get it on an election. Placing it on the November election will save the city money.

Separately, Malibu Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal and Councilwoman Joan House have been working to put together a public meeting on how to retire commercial land in Malibu’s Civic Center.

“We mentioned when we did our ad hoc meeting we would do one like this and see if we could get some creative ideas from the community,” Rosenthal said.

A potential meeting date could be announced by June 25, she said.

In Calabasas --King Gillette Ranch Grand Opening to Public

The words "government efficiency" may seem like an oxymoron, but not in the case of the new Santa Monica Mountains interagency visitor center, set to open June 9 at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. The new headquarters for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will also house the various agencies, all in one place, that manage the sprawling mountain range. Now that's efficient

http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm

CHUMASH IN CALABASAS

New Chumash Village Opening Saturday at Creekside Park

Authentic-looking Chumash huts art part of the new permanent exhibit.

• By Arin Mikailian
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• 4:50 am
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The Leonis Adobe Museum presents a“California Tribal Gathering” on Saturday to celebrate the opening of the new Chumash Village in Calabasas Creek Park, next to theSagebrush Cantina and the Leonis Adobe Museum.

Listen to Native American singers and storytellers and enjoy cultural displays and Native American vendors.

Entertainment & Guests: Alfred Mazza and Graywolf, Chumash Indian Museum; Gil and Jay Unzueta, Chumash; Chumash Steve Villa and the Birdsingers, Ted Garcia and Alan Salazar, Chumash Storytellers; Rosemary Castillo, Chumash jewelry artist.

The Chumash Village is a permanent exhibit and will part of school tours. Admission: Members, $3 adults, $1 children under 12; non-members, $5 adults, $3 children. For more information: 818-222-6511 or www.leonisadobemuseum.org.

About this column: This information came from a press release sent directly to Calabasas Patch. It may have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Its Rattlesnake Season! How to be safe.

 Rattlesnakes

Know how to identify rattlesnakes, how to stay safe outdoors and what to do if you get a rattlesnake bite.

  

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As temperatures soar and people head outside to hike and engage in other outdoor activities, encounters with snakes are almost expected.
According to the Department of Fish and Game, California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake.
California rattlesnake species include the northern Pacific rattlesnake (in northern California), and the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake (all found in Southern California). Though rattlesnakes are dangerous if provoked, they also provide humans with a tremendous service because they eat rodents, other reptiles and insects.
On rare occasions, rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans. According to the California Poison Control Center, rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year and one to two deaths.
Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning, no venom was injected, but the bites still require medical treatment.
The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors. However, there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country–which is just about anywhere in California.
Dos and don’ts in snake country
Rattlesnakes are not always confined to trails or rural areas. They have been found near urban areas, in rivers, lakeside parks and at golf courses.
Be also aware that startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively.
"Heed the warning if you hear the snake’s rattle, slowly back away and leave the rattlesnake alone," said Brand. "Rattlesnakes are naturally shy and do not want to bite people, but they won’t hesitate if they feel threatened."
The Department of Fish and Game shares some safety measures to reduce the likelihood of startling a rattlesnake:

• Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots.
• When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.
• Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step on logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.
• Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim.
• Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.
• Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.
• Do not handle a freshly killed snake, it can still inject venom.
• Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes.

Dog owners also need to be aware. Brand said, "They should consider a rattlesnake vaccine. It might buy them enough time to get them to an animal hospital for treatment."
Brand added, "There are also rattlesnake aversion classes available locally to train your dog to avoid rattlesnakes."
How to identify a rattlesnake
According to the Department of Fish and Game, many useful and non-threatening snakes have suffered quick deaths from frantic humans who mistakenly identified them as rattlesnakes.
A rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied, blunt-tailed snake with one or more rattles on the tail. It has a triangular-shaped head, that is broader at the back than at the front and a distinct “neck” region. The rattlesnake also has openings between the nostrils and eyes, which is a heat-sensing pit. The eyes are hooded with elliptical pupils.
Additional identifying characteristics include a series of dark and light bands near the tail, just before the rattles which are different from the markings on the rest of the body.
Also note that rattles may not always be present, as they are often lost through breakage and are not always developed on the young.
What to do if bitten
The California Poison Control Center has the following advice:

• Stay calm
• Wash the bite area gently with soap and water
• Remove watches, rings, etc, which may constrict swelling
• Immobilize the affected area
• Transport safely to the nearest medical facility

For more first aid information please visit California Poison Control.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS FREE SEMINAR TOMORROW--HOW WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER IN LOCAL BUSINESSES BE A SUCCESS

STRENGTH IN NUMBER SEMINAR-- HOW WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER IN LOCAL  BUSINESSES TO BE A SUCCESS --Delivering on its commitment to help support local community-serving businesses, the City of Malibu will host the public seminar, Strength in Numbers,on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Admission is free, no registration is required and the public is highly encouraged to attend and participate.

Led by the nonprofit American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the Strength in Numbers seminar is designed to bring together the various interests engaged in local- community serving business and to build a coalition to stimulate local business and the economy. The purpose of the seminar is to educate and provide participants with a solid understanding of keys to successful local business alliances and best practices for a range of activities and campaigns.

Strength in Numbers will provide a wide range of opportunities to enhance local community serving business in Malibu and is open to all interests involved.

The presentation begins with the economic, civic and environmental benefits of independent, community based business and some of the hidden costs accompanying reliance on absentee businesses or chain proliferation. Examples from successful campaigns in numerous communities are given to illustrate “Buy Local” campaigns, programs to nurture local entrepreneurs, and policy initiatives.

The seminar then moves into workshops focused on planning and implementation to help participants develop clear ideas about priority actions, necessary resources, realistic timelines and how to take immediate action. Workshop topics may include successful organization of “Buy Local” campaigns; building local entrepreneurism; developing local and social media; strengthening branding and funding; and engaging local interest groups, associations, and the local government. Workshops may also be designed according to specific requests.

To RSVP and obtain more information, please call (310) 456-2489 ext. 256 or visit www.malibucity.org.