Australia

Greer Wylder Outback Steakhouse has the feel of a speedy, airport restaurant -- bustling crowds; oak booths, bar top and flooring; and passable food. The decor is just different enough that you know you're not in a T.G.I. Friday's. That and the boomerangs, kangaroos and koala bears sprinkled throughout to give it that down-under feel. You get the feeling that an exact replica of this restaurant exists in hundreds of cities throughout the world. The manufactured Australian theme is a tribute to American ingenuity.

The U.S. men's national water polo team won its second consecutive game to place first in Group B at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, with a 13-7 victory over Australia on Friday. The U.S. (2-0-1) never trailed and Australia got as close as 1-1 and 3-3. But the U.S. took a 5-3 lead at halftime and scored eight second-half goals to only four for Australia. UC Irvine graduate Ryan Bailey scored the first of his two goals to begin the scoring four minutes, 49 seconds into the game on a pass from captain Wolf Wigo.

Christina Hewko, a senior this fall at Corona del Mar High, scored twice in an 11-5 Team USA victory over the Australia "B" entry in a five-game girls water polo series Down Under, and scored in a final 6-5 loss to Australia "A" to wind up competition Sunday. In the 11-5 victory, Long Beach Shore's Lauren Silver led the U.S. offensive with three goals, while Elsie Windes, Courtney Matheson and Hewko each scored twice. A 2-0 spurt in the second quarter expanded the U.S. lead to 5-2 at halftime, and a 4-2 run in the third period put it on ice. In the final match of what was a 3-1-1 overall record for the U.S., Hewko and her teammates were within a 6-5 count entering the final quarter, but both teams went scorelesss in the final segment.

Harvey and Kathryn Takara of Kaaawa, Hawaii, announce the engagement of their daughter Natasha Takara of Redwood City, to Brad Harrington of Redwood City. Takara graduated from Hawaii Baptist Academy and Stanford University. The future bridegroom is the son of Bruce and Nancy Harrington of Newport Beach. He graduated from Corona del Mar High School and Stanford University. A June 22 wedding is planned in Oahu, Hawaii. Brock-Medland Katie Brock of Newport Beach and John Medland of Labrador, Queensland, Australia, exchanged wedding vows in Chapel by the Sea in Nandi, Fiji on Aug. 26. The bride is the daughter of JoAnn and Ray Brock of Newport Beach.

SYDNEY, Australia - The United States national water polo team secured a valuable victory over host Australia, 6-4, Wednesday at the XI Fina World Cup. With both teams tied at 1-1 after the first half, the Americans jumped out to a two-goal lead on tallies from Kyle Kopp and Robert Lynn. After Australia cut the lead to 3-2, USA scored twice more on goals from Chris Humbert and Tony Azevedo for a 5-2 advantage. Australia again cut the lead to one with two quick goals, but Gavin Arroyo scored with just under a minute to play to secure the win. USA will take on Russia in the final preliminary match before heading into the medal round.