Gov. and Australia talk LNG
Australian Prime Minister John Howard met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger June 2 to discuss the liquefied natural gas facility proposed to be built off the coast of Oxnard by the Australian-based energy company BHP Billiton. The company’s chairman was also at the meeting, which took place in Los Angeles.
According to an article in the Ventura County Star, the governor has the ability to veto the licensing of such a facility. Schwarzenegger has not publicly taken a position on the proposal.
Last month, the Malibu City Council passed a resolution in opposition to the proposed facility, citing potential environmental and health risks. Also, this week, the Marine Corps said it opposes constructing the facility near Camp Pendleton, which has been named as an alternative site.
School board candidates seek teachers’ endorsement
The seven candidates for November’s Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education election went before the Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teacher’s Association last week to seek its endorsement. The candidates answered several questions in writing and in person. Education activist Kathy Wisnicki, who kicked off her campaign last month, is the only Malibu resident so far running for one of the three seats being contested. Board President Jose Escarce is running for re-election, as is Board member Maria Leon-Vazquez. Board member Mike Jordan, the only Malibu resident on the board, is not seeking a second term. SMMCTA President Harry Keilly said the organization would be deciding on its endorsements before next month.
PCH lane closure
One southbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between Las Flores Canyon Road and Big Rock Drive will be closed on Thursday at 9 p.m. until Friday at 5 a.m. for utility construction.
Pepperdine sports roundup
What looked to be a glorious weekend for the Pepperdine University baseball team ended in disappointment Sunday. The Waves, who came into the NCAAA Regional with a record below 500, upset top-seeded Arizona State and second-seeded Cal State Fullerton to bring the team into the final day of the double-elimination tournament with an undefeated record. But Pepperdine lost both games Sunday to Cal State Fullerton, 15-1 and 16-3. Pepperdine second baseman David Uribes, third baseman Nick Kliebert and outfielder Cory Brightwell were named to the All-Regional Team.
Also this past weekend, the Waves men’s golf team competed in the NCAA Championship, finishing 10th. Junior Michael Putnam placed fourth in the individual standings. On Monday, Putnam was named as a second team PING All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America. He had a 71 stroke average on the season and was ranked No. 22 in the final Golfstat rankings. Pepperdine junior Brian O’Flaherty, who finished tied for 36th at the NCAA Championship, received an All-American honorable mention recognition.
Additionally, four members of the men’s volleyball team were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team. Seniors Mike Gledhill and Fred Winters and juniors James Ka and Sean Rooney earned at least a 3.0 GPA to receive the honor.
Lastly, it was announced recently that Pepperdine has earned the West Coast Conference Commissioners’ Cup, an award recognizing the top performing conference school in sports overall. The win was the Waves’ third straight. Pepperdine won six WCC titles this academic year.
Duke’s wants to be a king
Malibu’s Duke’s Barefoot Bar has been nominated for the Grolsch Best Beach Bar Award in a national competition conducted by the Dutch lager.
This summer, Grolsch will send guests to the establishment to conduct site observations. According to Grolsch, the winners of the competition will be determined based on the relaxed quality of the atmosphere and bar design. Also, the quality of the Malibu community will be taken into consideration. On Labor Day, Grolsch will announce five winners from each state.
Las Virgenes super-intendent comes to Pepperdine
Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent John F. Fitzpatrick has accepted the position of Superintendent in Residence at Pepperdine University’s School of Education and Psychology. He will teach classes in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program and will do research regarding the superintendent position. Fitzpatrick begins work at Pepperdine on Sept. 1.