Malibu Hardware and Masonry Supply opens
Malibu Hardware and Masonry Supply, owned by Malibu resident Dave Anawalt, opened on Cross Creek Road near Civic Center Way on Monday.
Malibu Hardware and Masonry Supply sells plants, paint, cinder blocks, concrete mix and other building materials along with its namesake hardware and masonry goods.
Malibu Hardware’s manager, Hector Ramirez, said they are glad to bring a hardware store back to the city.
“We’re just looking to familiarize ourselves with the needs of Malibu residents,” Ramirez said. “Whatever we can do to help.”
Ramirez added that the store doesn’t carry much lumber now, but they will order it for people if needed.
Anawalt bought the property in February, and it took the company three or four months to get ready to open for business, Anawalt Lumber Co. President Rolando Robles confirmed. Anawalt Lumber Co. has three other locations currently open in Los Angeles.
Malibu Hardware and Masonry Supply is located at 3730 Cross Creek Rd., and is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HOWS market may be closing
Malibu’s HOWS Market, located in the Trancas Market Shopping Center, may close as early as the end of next week. The market’s employees have reportedly been informing patrons of the closure over the past few weeks.
The HOWS Market store manager declined to comment on when or if the store was closing. Additionally, calls to the buildings reported landlord went unreturned.
It was rumored that the local market was facing closure in December 2010. At that time, the store’s manager, Eric Sustin, told The Malibu Times that the branch was up for sale, not closing. He added that there was no way to know when the store would be sold, saying “It could be two weeks, could be three months, could be two years.”
Last year, the Torrance and Granada Hills locations of HOWS closed.
The HOWS Market chain was founded in 1999 by an heir of the Hughes family supermarket dynasty, along with three other partners. The Malibu and Pasadena branches are the only two stores currently in operation.
City accepting votes for Malibu’s official song
The City of Malibu is now accepting votes from the public to choose the official Malibu City Song. Voting opened at the start of this month and ballots will be accepted until Aug. 31. Ballots were included in the city’s fall recreation guide that was mailed to Malibu residents July 29, but they can also be downloaded from the city’s website or picked up at City Hall or Bluffs Park.
Voters can listen to the final five songs chosen for free online. The finalists will perform their songs at the Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off Sept. 4, where the winner will be announced.
The city began its song contest in March of this year. Musicians from throughout Malibu submitted songs that they felt represented the town.
Ballots can be mailed to City Song Contest, City of Malibu, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., faxed to 310.456.3356, or hand-delivered to Malibu City Hall or Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.2489 ext. 349.
Senator Pavley’s bill signed by governor
A bill by Senator Fran Pavley that aims to put new protections in place for domestic violence victims was signed by Governor Jerry Brown Aug. 1, according to a press release from the senator’s office.
The bill, SB 723, will allow courts to issue restraining orders for up to 10 years in all felony and misdemeanor domestic violence cases resulting in a conviction. It passed both houses of the Legislature without a “no” vote and will go into effect as a law Jan. 1, 2012.
Currently in California, only felony convictions involving serious bodily harm done to the victim can lead to a restraining order for up to 10 years. In all other domestic violence cases, felonies and misdemeanors, once the offender is released from prison there is not a protective order in place until the victim seeks one in family court. Reportedly, the family court process can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful for victims.
“I’m pleased the governor saw the importance of this bill,” Pavley said. “We simply must protect victims from the threat of further attack from an abuser.”
DUI checkpoint planned in Agoura
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will conduct a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Agoura Hills Aug. 5 between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to a press release from the sheriff’s station.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its ongoing campaign to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes,” the release states. “DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as bring awareness to our community of the dangers of impaired driving.”
Redmond O’Neal arrested on drug charges
The son of Malibu resident Ryan O’Neal and the late Farrah Fawcett was arrested on Tuesday in Santa Monica after being stopped by police for a traffic violation.
Police allegedly found heroin in O’Neal’s car during a routine inspection.
The 26-year-old has a history of drug problems. He completed a rehab program last year but remains on probation.