Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy awards grant to city
In what could be a sign of a good relationship in the making, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board Monday night voted to give the city of Malibu $100,000 for preliminary planning for the construction of a 3,000- to 5,000-square-foot nature center at the city-owned Charmlee Wilderness Park.
Councilmember Ken Kearsley attended the meeting with the city’s grants coordinator, Barbara Cameron. Following the board’s approval of the grant, Kearsley walked up to SMMC Executive Director Joe Edmiston and shook his hand. That was a sharp contrast to the last public interaction between the two men last fall, when they had a heated exchange during a hearing on the SMMC’s plan to enhance various Malibu parkland.
Last week, the SMMC submitted an application to the city for a Local Coastal Amendment to allow for the creation of overnight camping grounds at Charmlee and the parks at Ramirez Canyon and Corral Canyon. The proposal also calls for trail development and other enhancements. It is a revised version of the SMMC’s plan from last year that avoided city review. This proposal must be approved by the City Council for passage.
The Malibu Times had planned to do an in-depth story on the application this week. However, many of the major players affected by the SMMC proposal have not yet received the lengthy document, and could not comment on it. This includes the representatives of Ramirez Canyon property owners and some of the people living near Charmlee. Both groups have criticized the proposal for overnight camping in those areas.
Local airlifted to hospital after car wreck
An unidentified Malibu resident drove his car off Pacific Coast Highway near Latigo Canyon Road early Saturday morning after speeding, a Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station official said.
The man’s car overturned, and he was airlifted to a hospital. No one else was in the vehicle.
The Sheriff’s station official refused on Tuesday to release the man’s name or age.
Mother’s Day Tea at the Adamson House
The Adamson House hosts its 10th annual Mother’s Day Tea on May 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event takes place in the historic site’s garden, and attendees will receive a catered box lunch and beverages at tables adorned with flower baskets and set under an ancient sycamore tree.
Tours of the Adamson House will also take place. The event costs $25 for adults and $20 for children. Reservations can be made by calling 310.456.8432.
Supplies needed for cultural event
A collection will take place this Thursday in Topanga to gain supplies for Sunday’s Hopi Celebration at the Wright Organic Resource Center in Malibu. The celebration event will include 30 Hopi dancers, artists, singers and runners coming to share their hopes, visions, songs and prayers.
The items needed, which will be returned after they are used, include tents, camping pads/air mattresses, sleeping bags/blankets, towels, washcloths, sheets and flashlights.
Volunteers are also needed for set-up and day-of-event activities. The Wright Organic Resource Center is located at 24680 Piuma Road. For more information, call 310.288.2541 or send an e-mail to hopicelebration@yahoo.com
Pepperdine biology professor finalist for award
Dr. Stephen Davis, a biology professor at Pepperdine University’s Seaver College and a Malibu resident, has been selected as one of three finalists for the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching sponsored by Baylor University.
The award was created by Robert Foster Cherry, a 1929 graduate of Baylor University and Baylor law school 1932. Through the gift, Cherry wished to show his deep appreciation for how his life had been changed by significant teachers. The award is given to honor outstanding professors in the English-speaking world who are distinguished for their ability to communicate as classroom teachers. Finalists-and the ultimate winner-are required to show a proven record as an extraordinary teacher with a positive, inspiring, and long-lasting effect on students, along with a record of distinguished scholarship.
The selection committee is comprised of leading academics across Baylor’s campus.
As one of three finalists, Davis will receive a $25,000 stipend and will be expected to make three presentations at Baylor in the fall of 2007. Davis will also make other presentations and participate in interviews while visiting the university.
Because of Davis’ selection as a finalist, the Pepperdine Natural Science Division will host a special Cherry Award lecture in the 2007-08 academic year. In addition, the division will receive a monetary award to advance pedagogical skills among its teachers.
If Davis is selected as the recipient of the Cherry Award, he will spend a semester in residence at Baylor during the 2008-09 academic year. Both Davis and the Natural Science Division will receive additional monetary awards if he is selected as the recipient of this prestigious award.
-Jonathan Friedman