Former Sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 2-1/2 years in prison
A Van Nuys judge on Sept. 22 sentenced former Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s deputy Juan-Antonio E. Jimenez to 2-1/2 years in prison after he was convicted in August of sexual battery and filing a false police report.
Jimenez, 37, sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in December 2002 during a routine traffic stop in the Topanga Canyon area. The false report conviction involved a separate matter in which he arrested a man while giving a woman a ride home in his patrol car, but did not list the woman as a witness or being present when the arrest occurred.
During sentencing, Judge Martin Herscovitz said Jimenez’s crimes were a disgrace to law enforcement and undermined the criminal justice system. Jimenez will have to register for life as a sex offender.
Meeting to address bike safety on PCH
The Public Safety Commission will address bike safety issues on Thursday at City Hall. The commission will take public comment into consideration for its recommendation on safety issues to the City Council.
Public Safety Commission Chair Carol Randall and Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich were appointed last week by the City Council to represent Malibu on a PCH Task Force being headed by Sen. Sheila Kuehl. The taskforce is expected to hold its first meeting at the end of this month.
City employee assists with hurricane damage assessment
Malibu Environmental and Community Development Director Vic Peterson is in Bay St. Louis, Miss. assisting with damage assessment efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Peterson traveled to the disaster area late last week and is expected to be there for two weeks. Peterson is working with a team that includes personnel from the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Beverly Hills.
Water main break causes PCH lane closure
One southbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway from Las Flores Canyon Road to the Big Rock area had to be closed while county workers repaired a damaged water main on Monday night through Tuesday afternoon. A joint of the water main split, causing a leak.
During morning rush hour on Tuesday, one northbound lane was turned into a southbound lane to create two southbound lanes.
Horse show to entertain this weekend
The third annual A Day with Horses event will take place on Saturday at the Malibu Equestrian Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is being put on by local nonprofessional costumed horse people and will showcase different breeds of horses to an audience of horse lovers and children and adults associated with Free Arts For Abused Children.
The Malibu Equestrian Center is located at 6225 Merritt Drive. For more information about Saturday’s show, call 310.457.5280.
Variety show to take place at Malibu Stage Co.
Members of Handicapped Artists, Performers and Partners Inc. and the Film Actors Shop will participate in a variety show on Oct. 15 at Malibu Stage Co. The performance will include a cast of disabled and able-bodied actors, comedians, singers and musicians.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served at 7:30 p.m. The show will take place at 8 p.m. And a buffet and post-show party will follow at 9 p.m.
Seating is limited for the show, so people are encouraged to call 310.470.1939 to RSVP. Donations can also be made at www.ottofelix.com or www.happi-talent.com to RSVP. A $20 tax-deductible donation for HAPPI is requested at the door.
The Malibu Stage Co. is located at 29243 Pacific Coast Highway.
Help for SMC’s nursing students
Santa Monica College was recently awarded a $1.09 million grant to help nursing students-particularly those in danger of failing-complete the rigorous nursing program and pass the state licensing exam.
The grant was awarded through Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Nurse Education Initiative, which has given $30 million to community colleges statewide in an effort to alleviate the nursing shortage in California.
The money will be used to get additional tutoring for nursing students that will help them pass the licensing exam. There are about 150 students in SMC’s nursing program.
Heal the Bay receives grant
A $100,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation has enabled the Santa Monica-based environmental organization Heal the Bay to open a microscope lab at the nonprofit’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
The new S. Mark Taper Foundation Science Lab will serve to teach students and other aquarium visitors about microscopic organisms.
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, located beach level at the Santa Monica Pier, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are required for school groups interested in attending an education program. Call 393.6149 ext. 105 for more information.
Jr. Philharmonic auditions extended
The Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California has extended auditions for the orchestra’s 69th anniversary season to Oct. 25. Auditions are open to advanced musicians ages 12 to 25 who play symphonic instruments and there are no audition fees or membership charges. The orchestra performs in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Shrine Auditorium and Kodak Theatre. It was founded in 1937, and has a permanent roster of 125 young musicians from Southern California. More information can be obtained by calling 323.272.3667.