Point Dume charter school online poll
According to The Malibu Times online poll, 86 percent of voters think Point Dume Elementary School should become a charter school. Of the remaining votes, 11 percent believe it should not, and 3 percent are undecided. Visit www.malibutimes.com to cast your vote. The poll box is located on the home page, midway down the page.
Long-time Saddle Peak Lodge chef leaving
Saddle Peak Lodge head chef Adam Horton is leaving the restaurant after eight years. Horton will become the head chef of a small family restaurant in Studio City after a “food exploration” trip in Vietnam and Thailand. Saddle Peak’s current chef de cuisine Chris Kufek will take over as head chef on Feb. 15.
“We all are so proud of Adam and so supportive of him, and we look forward to enjoying and applauding his success at every step on his culinary journey,” Ann Ehringer, owner of the restaurant, said. “We all fully expect this transition in kitchen leadership to be seamless for our guests and our staff.”
Malibu Film Society screens Oscar nominees
The Malibu Film Society will screen two Oscar-nominated films, “Blue Valentine” and “Biutiful,” Feb. 5 at the Malibu Screening Room.
“Blue Valentine,” starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, chronicles the ups and downs of a contemporary marriage. Williams has earned a best actress Oscar nomination for her role.
“Biutiful,” starring Javier Bardem and Maricel Alvarez, is nominated for best foreign language film.
The films will be shown Sat., Feb. 5, at the Malibu Screening Room, 24855 PCH. “Blue Valentine” will screen at 5:30 p.m. followed by “Biutiful” at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.malibufilmsociety.org.
‘Race to Nowhere’ screening
“Race to Nowhere,” a documentary about the pressures young American students face, will be shown Feb. 3 at Malibu Methodist Nursery School, 30218 Morning View Dr., at 7 p.m.
The film is directed by attorney Vicky Abeles and was recently shown to a sold out audience at Malibu High School. Local marriage, family and child therapist Susan Stiffelman will lead a panel discussion after the screening. Tickets must be reserved at www.racetonowhere.com.
Malibu scores poorly on tobacco report card
The American Lung Association in California released its annual State of Tobacco control report for 2010.
The report grades the state’s 480 incorporated cities and towns in categories such as reducing the sale of tobacco products. For overall tobacco control, Malibu received a D. In the subcategories, Malibu received a B for smoke free outdoor air, an F for smoke free housing and an F for reducing the sale of tobacco products. The city was, however, one of only 16 cities in the state to receive a B for smoke free outdoor air. Additionally, neighboring Calabasas was one of nine cities to receive an A for overall tobacco control.
Statewide, California received an F for tobacco control and spending, an A for smoke free air, a D for cigarette tax-at 87 cents per pack it’s well below the nation’s average of $1.45 per pack-and an F for cessation.
CERT training classes
The Malibu Community Emergency Response Team training program will conduct another session on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 1 through March 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CERT provides training in safety and lifesaving skills to participants. Community response trainees can provide services in the event that professional first responders cannot reach victims in time. The CERT program has been in use since 1985 and has trained 50,000 people nationwide. Contact Brad Davis at 310.456.2489, ext. 260 to sign up.
Parkland and trails map to be reviewed Feb. 1
The Planning Commission will review the Parkland and Trails Map at its regular meeting Feb. 1.
According to the meeting’s agenda, the recommended action includes the adoption of the Local Coastal Program Amendment and the General Plan Amendment in order to update the City’s Parkland and Trails System Map.
Restoration commission accepting grant applications
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission began accepting grant applications Jan. 24.
Under the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Proposition 84 Grant Program, approximately $6 million may be available to the commission.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Jack Topel at 213.576.6647
Missile launch seen from Malibu
The largest rocket to launch from the West Coast of the United States, the Delta IV Heavy, took off Jan. 20 at 1:10 p.m. from the Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif.
“The Delta IV Heavy launched today is 235 feet tall and produced 2 million pounds of thrust,” according to a press release from the Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The massive rocket, which was launched out over the Pacific, could be seen from Malibu, which is about 140 miles south of the base.