Water main construction
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works will begin construction later this month to install three 10-inch water mains on Pacific Coast Highway in order to provide a bypass for the existing 30-inch main water feed, and improve the water supply reliability to Malibu residents.
Once work begins, the beach side of PCH will be affected between Big Rock Drive and Pena Creek until work is complete. The construction will be in effect for approximately four to six months. Working hours will be on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The city would have to approve any night work. The contractor will provide traffic control and will notify residents prior to beginning of actual work. Approximately three to five residential driveways will be temporarily blocked for two to four weeks during open-trench construction near Big Rock Drive. Alternate parking will be made available during this period. For further information, contact Sami Kabar at 626.300.3399 or via e-mail at skabar@ladpw.org.
City grants
The city of Malibu is accepting applications for the General Fund Grant Program, which provides funding for nonprofit organizations located within Malibu that provide services of benefit to the residents of the community.
Applications will be accepted through March 31. Those organizations eligible for the program will be considered by the City Council in the 2004-05 budget, which will be adopted in June. To obtain an application, call City Hall at 456.2489 ext. 248 or go to the city’s Web site at www.ci.malibu.ca.us.
City Hall closure
City Hall will be closed on Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day. It will re-open on Tuesday.
Local society receives grant
The Starbucks Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Malibu Ballet and Performing Arts Society to support its dance education and literacy outreach program. The program uses dance and the stories of popular ballets as tools for self-expression, healing, leadership and education. The mentors lead programs that involve diverse and traditionally underserved children from the greater Los Angeles area. Children participating in the program are introduced to ballet through a literacy program that involves reading the story and creative writing exercises. The main goal of the program is to help children increase their enthusiasm and desire for learning, their communication skills, productivity, teamwork skills and self-confidence.
Music excellence
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District music teacher Bonnie Lockrem has been named the California Music Educators Association Southern Section Outstanding Music Educator. She will receive the award on March 19 in Sacramento.
Lockrem has taught instrumental music in the school district since 1973, and currently teaches at all three Malibu elementary schools. She helped create the award-winning music programs in the district. Lockrem
has served as a coordinator of
the elementary instrumental music program for eight years, and for three years she has been coordinator of the district’s production of “Stairway of the Stars.”
Filming request
The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains is looking for filmmakers to make a low-budget 10 to 15-minute film called, “The Clean Water Act and Our Backyards.” Those who are interested should send a one-page list of qualifications to Melina Watts at mwatts@rcdsmm.org or to M. Watts c/o RCD, 122 N. Topanga, CA 90290. The deadline is Feb. 21. Further information can be found at www.malibuwatershed.org.
SMMUSD financial committee opening
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education is accepting applications for its Financial Oversight Committee following the resignation of Walter Rosenthal. The application deadline is Friday.
The Financial Oversight Committee was originally formed to increase communication and understanding of the school district’s financial operations and because of a need to generate additional revenue for the district. Since Rosenthal resides in Malibu, the board is encouraging Malibu residents to apply.
Pepperdine in the spotlight
The NCAA, CBS and Fox Sports Net have chosen to showcase Pepperdine on the next edition of “NCAA On Campus,” which airs later this month. The crew interviewed Pepperdine athletes and students on campus Friday.
The show will feature men’s volleyball player Fred Winters and soccer standout Daniella Bosio. Also, baseball players Brandon Boesch and soccer athlete Lisa Steepleton got a chance to ask questions to NCAA President Myles Brand during a segment.