Home Care In Del Rey, CA

A temporary marine mammal “resting zone” has been set up in Marina Del Rey to address the impact of the largest toxic algae bloom ever recorded off Central and Southern California’s coast.

Sea life specialists and volunteers from the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) are working tirelessly inside a makeshift 50 by 50-square-foot fenced area near the shoreline at Charlie Beach. Officials report that there are currently eight sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bloom of toxic marine algae called Pseudo-nitzschia australis. The toxin can cause seizures and heart failure by attacking the brain and heart.

At a press-conference held on Thursday afternoon, Councilwoman Traci Park was joined by Los Angeles city, county and wildlife officials including John Warner, CEO of MMCC and Gary Jones, Director of Department of Beaches & Harbors to discuss the marine mammal crisis.

“We’ve seen [marine mammal] events that have been really bad in the past, but nothing quite like this,” Warner told the Current. “It’s a rare occurrence to see a neurological toxin where the symptoms are very severe and you see these animals in absolute distress all over the beaches where they normally don’t haul out because of them being so populated. This is a very new phenomenon.”

According to Warner, it all started at the end of May when wildlife officials at MMCC began seeing the effects of the toxins on marine life. By the end of June, the San Pedro-based organization was at maximum capacity with 120 “marine mammal patients,” which is 100 more than the center treats in a year. Warner said that within a two week period, they received over 1000 calls from locals reporting marine mammals in distress.

The sea lions are disproportionately affected by the neurotoxin as they regularly consume large quantities of shellfish as well as small fish, which eat the deadly algae. The heart and brain damage is in direct proportion to the amount of infected fish the mammals consume.

A full-time veterinarian is currently delivering treatment that consists of seizure medication as well as supplying fluids to the sea lions in effort to wash out the toxins. In addition, the sea lions are isolated from human contact in order to provide them with a restful “stress-free environment.”

According to Warner, immediate treatment can, within the span of 72 hours, prevent further brain issues such as memory loss. While algae blooms have been known to last from 4-8 weeks in the past, Warner said the MMCC is currently awaiting a status update on future blooms from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with the hopes that the worst has passed.

Park raised concerns over recent reports of local beachgoers approaching, petting and taking photos alongside the sea lions.

Marine Mammal Care Center’s sea lion resting zone at Charlie Beach in Marina Del Rey. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for the public to be aware of what’s happening with these animals and to have some respect for them if they see them stranded on your local beaches and jetties,” Park said. “If people do see a sick or stranded animal, it’s important to keep a safe distance.”

Warner, Park and Jones delivered a call to action requesting volunteers to aid in the rescue as well as donations that will go towards the assembly of more resources including paying off $500,000 of unforeseen rescue costs.

“We need people to volunteer to help identify stranded animals, to help educate the public about what’s happening and help us keep these animals safe while they rest and recover,” Park said.

Warner and Jones praised Park and city officials for rallying the community and thanked the “wonderful neighbors” for volunteering.

“I’ve never seen the government act so fast and responsive in my entire life,” Warner told the Current. “While the wheels of government tend to churn very slow, this has been amazing. It’s very clear that people in Southern California love their ocean, beaches and their creatures that are a sense of joy for all of us.”

Magnolia Lafleur

Special to the Daily Press

A sustainable communities environmental assessment published by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning offers new details on the latest multifamily residential complex slated for Del Rey.

In mid-2022, LaTerra Development announced the acquisition of a new development site near the intersection of Washington and Lincoln Boulevards. The property, located at 4112 S. Del Rey Avenue, is currently in the midst of an entitlement process which would permit the site for the construction of a new six-story building featuring 210 one, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as parking for 282 vehicles in an adjacent garage.

LaTerra Development

LaTerra is seeking approvals using density bonus incentives to permit a larger structure than would otherwise be allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, the 18 of the new apartments would be set aside for rent as deed-restricted very low-income affordable housing.

The design of 4112 Del Rey has previously been described as being of the California Coastal modern style, with plans calling for cladding of plaster, fiber cement panels, wood, glass, and metal. The project is expected to include resident amenities such as a courtyard, a gym, a lounge, and a rooftop pool and spa deck.

According to plans, TCA Architects is designing the apartment complex. while MJS is serving as its landscape architect.

Construction of 4112 Del Rey is currently expected to commence as early as September 2024 and conclude by August 2026. That schedule would depend on approval of entitlements and permits by the City of Los Angeles.

Kidder Mathews

LaTerra is the latest developer with designs on the industrial blocks to the east of Lincoln Boulevard in Del Rey. California Landmark Group has already built numerous projects in the area, such as the recently completed G8 and C1 apartments. Additionally, the neighborhood remains home to a number of office and commercial centers, such as a 123,000-square-foot campus now under construction one block to the east on Glencoe Avenue.

LaTerra, which is based in Century City, is one of the region's more prolific developers of multifamily rental housing, boasting under-construction projects in Los Feliz, West Hollywood, and Burbank.

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Wildlife officials have set up a temporary resting zone along the Marina del Rey coast for sea lions sickened by a toxic algae bloom.

The area is surrounded by fencing at Charlie Beach, where eight sea lions are currently being treated by volunteers.

Wildlife experts, along with Los Angeles city and county officials unveiled the resting area during a news conference Thursday addressing an alarming spike in cases.

Overall, there’s been more than 1,000 sea lions reported sick or dead because of the toxic algae. Experts say domoic acid from the algae gets into the sea lions through their food and causes several health problems.

The toxic bloom is making sea lions aggressive and the mammals have been attacking beachgoers and surfers who have gotten too close.

“I have personally witnessed what happens when sea lions are in distress, it’s a heart wrenching sight. These normally vibrant creatures have seizures,” Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park said.

John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center, described the resting zone as the first of its kind.

“It’s the first time we had a county work with us to do something like this and it’s the first time our partners at NOAA had such a request from any county within the United States for such a thing because the numbers were overwhelming and because Los Angeles is unique in that sea lions do come out on beaches,” Warner said.

Humans who get too close to sickened mammals could end up being sick as well, and as more people start flocking to local beaches as temperatures rise, officials hope to raise awareness of the issue.

They ask anyone who encounters a sick sea lion to avoid it at all costs and report it to 1-800-39-WHALE.

While cockroaches are good for the ecosystem, they can be a nuisance and hard to avoid in some of America’s largest cities.

Pest Gnome, a company that specializes in connecting people to pest exterminators in their area, ranked the most roach-infested cities in the country.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, several highly-populated metros made the list — which was determined using data from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Houston topped the ranking, with 37% of homes showing signs of these critters in the past 12 months, according to the study. H-Town is known for its heat and humidity, and Pest Gnome said roaches thrive in these conditions.

Another Texas city came in at No. 2 on the list: San Antonio. The study found that about 28% of homes in the Alamo City showed signs of roaches in the past 12 months. Tampa, Phoenix, and Las Vegas rounded out the top five.

Here’s the full list:

Cockroaches play an important role in our ecosystem since they are a food source for other creatures, like toads, mice, beetles and spiders, according to Orkin.

But they can also pose a health risk to humans.

“Cockroaches are known to transfer disease pathogens, such as the various bacteria that produce ‘food poisoning’ in humans, by contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, dishes and eating utensils,” the Illinois Department of Public Health stated on its website.

To prevent roaches from roaming in your home, Pest Gnome recommends sealing any points of entry, cleaning up any stray crumbs, fixing leaky pipes and using Raid and roach motels. If all else fails, call an exterminator.

A boat fire was caught on video in Marina Del Rey late Sunday night.

The fire was reported around 11:35 p.m. in the area of Basin B and Tahiti Way, a Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesperson confirmed.

Arriving firefighters found the 40-foot vessel engulfed in flames.

The marina was packed with people for the holiday weekend and many had to evacuate from nearby boats.

Video showed the fire rising several feet above the burning boat.

Seth Vernon, who witnessed the fire, said the owners were not on the boat.

“They were actually in the middle of remodeling and refinishing the interior … It’s really sad for them,” Vernon said.

Firefighters knocked down the blaze shortly before midnight, the spokesperson said.

No injuries were reported and no other boats caught fire in the incident.

While cockroaches are good for the ecosystem, they can be a nuisance and hard to avoid in some of America’s largest cities.

Pest Gnome, a company that specializes in connecting people to pest exterminators in their area, ranked the most roach-infested cities in the country.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, several highly-populated metros made the list — which was determined using data from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Houston topped the ranking, with 37% of homes showing signs of these critters in the past 12 months, according to the study. H-Town is known for its heat and humidity, and Pest Gnome said roaches thrive in these conditions.

Another Texas city came in at No. 2 on the list: San Antonio. The study found that about 28% of homes in the Alamo City showed signs of roaches in the past 12 months. Tampa, Phoenix, and Las Vegas rounded out the top five.

Here’s the full list:

Cockroaches play an important role in our ecosystem since they are a food source for other creatures, like toads, mice, beetles and spiders, according to Orkin.

But they can also pose a health risk to humans.

“Cockroaches are known to transfer disease pathogens, such as the various bacteria that produce ‘food poisoning’ in humans, by contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, dishes and eating utensils,” the Illinois Department of Public Health stated on its website.

To prevent roaches from roaming in your home, Pest Gnome recommends sealing any points of entry, cleaning up any stray crumbs, fixing leaky pipes and using Raid and roach motels. If all else fails, call an exterminator.

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach was overrun with hundreds of Lana Del Rey fans over the weekend as they celebrated the release of the artist's new album "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd" with various pop-up activities throughout the city.

Fans traveled from all over to participate in events such as an album listening party at Fingerprints Music on 4th Street and a three-day pop-up shop at Shoreline Aquatic Park next to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Rumors ran rampant with many fans speculating that Del Rey would make an appearance at either event.

Speculation grew pretty loud causing officials at Fingerprints to issue a statement confirming the singer was not going to be at the music shop's official listening party.

"First, and foremost, Lana Del Rey will NOT be at this event. Just like all 80 of the other events for this release, it’s a LISTENING PARTY for the new album," Fingerprints said in the statement. "... this is NOT, and has NEVER been, a 'Live With Lana' event."

Despite the minor letdown of not getting to meet their idol, fans still flocked to Long Beach for the opportunity to spend time together and be immersed in the new album. On all three days of the pop-up shop, fans began lining up in the early hours of the morning to ensure they got their hands on some exclusive merch.

The shop sold shirts, mugs, vinyl records, jewelry and other items that couldn't be purchased anywhere else.

Many embarked on long journeys to essentially stand in hours-long lines each day at the pop-up shop that was scheduled to open at 11 a.m. each day but consistently opened up later.

"It took two hours to get here, we woke up a little early but it was kind of spontaneous too," one fan at the pop-up shop told Patch. "It was worth it, listening to the new album as we drove on the PCH."

Though the level of excitement was high, some fans had less-than-ideal experiences and they waited in lines with some reporting that they got sunburnt and merch selling out extremely quickly, leaving only a few options for fans to choose from.

However, many fans reveled in the chance to mingle with others with the same interests and even got to enjoy appearances from Del Rey's father and sister. Del Rey herself didn't visit the event in person, but she did get to interact with fans on FaceTime to show her gratitude.

"Thank you so much," Del Rey told fans on FaceTime. "Honestly, you guys are what carries the record. Thank you so much you guys, I love you."