Social Media Knockdown – Webinar (it’s free)

The Queen (our fearless leader Susan Tellem) and the Malibu Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to host a free webinar for anyone who wants to learn how to use social media in a way that will help their business grow. For beginner and intermediate level users, the Social Media Knockdown takes place Thursday, May 26 from 10-11am. REGISTER HERE.

-Dan TWW

Emily Shane Family Files Claim Against County, State

Did you see this congregation of reporters in Malibu yesterday? Our fearless leader the Queen, invited members of the media out for an announcement from the family of Emily Shane, the teenager who was struck and killed earlier this year on PCH.

CBS, NBC, KTLA, KCAL and FOX, the LA Times, LA Daily News, Malibu papers, Ventura Star and local radio KFI were among the media who covered and promoted the event. The parents said they have filed claims against the state and county citing a lack of safety on the highway (the attorney for the family expects the claims to be rejected, paving the way for civil lawsuits. BTW, any money secured from said lawsuits would be donated to the Emily Shane Foundation).

That lack of safety on PCH (multiple deaths in 2010 alone) has been a big concern for the city as local residents and grassroots organizations such as “A Safer PCH” strive to achieve and implement solutions for making the stretch of road safe for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Just down PCH, a battle is brewing over Malibu Lagoon. The plans are to bring in bulldozers next spring to excavate and grade 88,700 cubic yards of mud and wetland habitat.

In addition, contractors will dewater (drain) the entire lagoon west of the creek channel to transform the site from a series of marshy islands into an area with a rock-defined, hard-edged channel. Bummer. What will happen to all the plants and animals, not to mention removing shelter and food sources for those not killed or otherwise harmed?

We’ll be keeping an eye on this one… visit http://www.savemalibulagoon.com for more information.

-Dan TWW

BP Oil Spill in Perspective

Do you really understand how BIG this nasty, depressing oil spill is? Sometimes we need things in perspective…Andy Lintner created a program that does exactly that. His site http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/ allows you to see the size of the spill, should it have originated from your zip code. Try it! Here’s what it looks like as of today, if ground zero happened to be Malibu:

What a mess…………!

The way CEO Tony Hayward is making a mess of his company’s PR response is comedy to communications professionals — and so is this video “BP Spills Coffee” — so if you need a laugh at BP’s expense, check it out (though you’ve probably seen it by now!):

-Dan TWW

Malibu Seeks A Safer PCH

Trouble in paradise? A Safer PCH, the new grassroots Malibu coalition, thinks so. Susan headed to Thursday morning’s press briefing which, with Memorial Day Weekend almost here, kicked off the campaign to achieve and implement solutions for a safer Pacific Coast Highway.

All the local media showed up and covered the story!

There have been four deaths on PCH in 2010 already, including Michel Shane’s daughter Emily. Teri Love’s son Tyler was killed on PCH in 2005…Michel and Teri joined Lieutenant Tracy DeMello (a Lost Hills sheriff), members of the Malibu City Council and Public Safety Commission and Malibu Middle School rep Isaac Vandor during the press conference.

The group aims to unify Malibu’s Public Safety Commission, Malibu City Council, PCH Taskforce, Cal Trans and Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department with residents, schools and local groups.

With friends, family and an office in the ‘Bu, we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this one!

-Team Tellem

Not Sure It’s a Jesus Sighting

There’s someone or something lurking in the mountains of Malibu near Heathercliff and PCH, as seen in this photograph shot by Queen Tellem Thursday:

Is that you Supernatural Jesus? A Malibu simulacra would be quite the follow up to the recent discovery of remains from Noah’s Ark…

-Dan TWW