Santa Monica Mirror 10.12.18

INSIDE SPORTS: SMC Soccer, SAMOHI Homecoming Football Game

S A N TA M O N I C A

REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com

October 12 – 18, 2018 Volume XXI, Issue 13

Remember ...

VOTING DAY – Nov. 6, 2018 –

For more info, visit www.smvote.org

Where SM City Council Candidates Stand on all the Issues

By Sam Catanzaro

The race for Santa Monica City Council is heating up, with seven candidates vying for three seats up for grabs in the November 6 election. Challengers Ashley Powell, Greg Morena, Scott Bellomo and Geoff Neri, hoping to bring a fresh perspective to the Council, are taking on incumbents Kevin McKeown, Sue Himmilrich and Pam O'Connor, who are looking to get elected based off their experience and knowledge in governing.

To find out where these candidates stand on all the issues, the Santa Monica Mirror sat down with each of them for a one-onone live video interview. Questions were sourced from Santa Monica residents, local stakeholders and Mirror staff, covering a range of topics, from tackling the criss of homelessness and violent crime to term limits and how to approach development in the city.

Here are some highlights from these each of these candidate interviews to keep in mind when deciding who to vote for on November 6.

VOTE, see page 10 ST HIGHE ELP! ON Y RATED

PAGES 4 & 5

Homeless man exposes himself to a 12-year-old at Reed Park Lewd acts becoming an issue at this Santa Monica park.

B y T or Marom According to the 2018 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, the number of homeless citizens has decreased by four percent from the previous year. Despite this seemingly significant decrease, Santa Monica residents have found that some of the encampments are a significant cause for concern. Most recently, several parents have witnessed disturbing incidents at Reed Park.

One such instance occurred the week before last, when Jen Levy and her friend Debbie Mahdessian took their 12 year old sons to Reed Park for a tennis lesson.

While the intention was to leave their sons in the class and return to pick them up afterwards, Levy decided to use the restroom first.

Inside the restroom, Levy could tell that there were two homeless individuals having sexual relations inside the stall.

“You could see [in the gap beneath the stall door] someone’s pants dropping around their ankles,” Levy said.

The incident was reported to park employees and the police were called, but by the time they arrived it was too late to catch the perpetrators, who had by then returned to a larger group of homeless people in the park.

“My friend and I were really bummed out,” Levy said, “because we can’t leave our kids at the park.”

Debbie Mahdessian, who was with Levy at the time of the occurrence, runs Santa Monica Tennis Collective, a youth tennis program and stated that the two of them are

TWO FREE SODAS WITH ANY MEDIUM PIZZA

not alone in their concerns.

“A lot of the parents in the program are frustrated because Reed Park is the only place where you can reserve courts and send your kids so they can go play tennis,” she said. “But clearly like my 12-year-old son, I’m not gonna let him go to the bathroom alone there.”

“It seems to me certain parks like [Reed Park] should have more regular patrolling than other parks,” Mahdessian said.

Another local parent, Colette O’Connel, also had an unsavory run in with a homeless man in Reed Park.

“I was on court number 2,” she said, “[and] a guy was standing over by the side of the court and said ‘do you want any tennis balls’?”

After looking over at the man, he pulled down his sweatpants and exposed himself to O’Connel and her 12-year-old son.

O’Connel notified a park employee who called for a park ranger. The perpetrator was reported by several other witnesses and eventually was arrested. O’Connel has been summoned to court to testify on the incident.

Another instance O’Connel mentioned happening in Reed Park was one in which she was taking her son to the restroom.

Upon opening the door and seeing garbage and refuse all over the restroom, she pulled her son back and had him use the women’s restroom instead. “[Her son] said ‘you know there was somebody in [the men’s restroom]’,” she said. Apparently her son had seen a man hiding behind the door when she had pushed it open, though O’Connel hadn’t noticed.

“I just think it’s a dangerous situation,

EXPOSE, see page 17

Sweet Home Santa Monica

(Redeemable in Store Only)

SaMo Pizza

Photo: Courtesy.

Many Santa Monica residents feel unsafe letting their kids play at Reed Park because of the homelesness issue.

Dan & Charlee Nessel | 310.365.0195 | 310.755.8180

FRESH! GREAT T ASTIN

G!

1711 Pico Blvd- Across from SaMo College

Dan@NesselHomes.com | Charlee@NesselHomes.com | NesselHomes.com

TAX

Lic# 01349526

©2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC.

Lic# 01309674

01349526

11/12/2018

Samuel Moses, CPA 100 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica

310.395.9922

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

Sa ve

$3 00

2

Tibetan Wonder

Coastal “Safari” by Rail

FEATURING

Beijing, Xian, Lhasa, Chengdu and Shanghai

May 17, 2019 (14 Days, 12 Nights)

$300/couple Early Booking Discount

An Oceanfront Stay in Pismo Beach, Coast Starlight Train, Morro Bay, Cambria FEATURING

February 6, 2019 (3 days)

$599 per person double |

$780 single 2 Nights deluxe accommodations, 3 meals and more!

(if booked by October 31)

Tour Highlights

• All international and China domestic flights • Deluxe hotel accommodations • Comprehensive sightseeing tours (Great Wall of China, Olympic Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Centre, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors in Xian, Potala Palace in Lhasa, Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre, Shanghai Museum, the Bund and more!)

WISE & Healthy Aging

$3,600* per person double

| $4,525* single * Includes air & early booking discount!

Adult Day Your Trusted Source for Service Center $300 deposit secures your spot

Philadelphia, the Poconos & the Brandywine FEATURING

Amish Country & 5 Nights at One Hotel

Sunday, May 5, 2019 (6 days)

$2,099* per person double |

$2,699* single * Air fare and $100 booking discount included.

Visit www.wiseandhealthyaging.org for complete trip itineraries and reservation forms. (310) 394-9871

Adult Day Service Center

The right choice for adult day care for your loved one.

Socializing with peers in a safe, enjoyable environment.

Trained and caring staff.

Center open 10 hours daily, For Your Loved One: Monday–Friday.

• A safe and enjoyable environment

The Right Choice for A You Vete rans and Your Loved BeneOne fit !

Let Us Support You –

Addressing Early Memory Loss Using the latest research, WISE & Healthy Aging’s WISEMinds programming empowers individuals in the early stages of memory loss to impact cognitive ability, stress and depression. Our smaller group setting promotes wellness and includes activities that stimulate mind, body and soul. We offer the best that research has to offer to maximize capabilities.

• Tailored activities for each participant

Call for a complimentary • Open 11 hours daily, Monday through Friday “sample” day:

• Daily socializing with peers

• Personal care (310) 394-9871 • Health maintenance • Purposeful recreation

(therapeutic activities)

• Monitoring of changes in condition • Trained and caring staff

For information: (310) 394-9871, ext. 482

TTER

ce

officers otted a nt code area of ers folce initiith the his man ition to y theft. cle and tools, l under whom utilized covered mail had he offier, aged he was mphetay theft, ation of

m. offint were 0 block

October 12 – 18, 2018

NEWS

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

Climate Change in SM in the MIRROR • WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

FEBRUARY 10 – 16, 2017

City Council approves local coastal program land use plan.

of Montana Avenue in order to investigate a report of a disturbance. The reporting party had stated that they had heard loud noises and the sound of objects being hurled around the residence. When the officers arrived at the location they knocked on the door of the apartment and the tenant answered.

The learned from this tenant that his

By Sofficers taff W riter “friend” was inside the apartment and that his The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel “friend” had become intoxicated after consuming copious amounts of alcohol is typically whata on Climate Change (IPCC)(that recently released happens).

The tenant addedwethat hisjust “friend” had special report that warns have 12 years made quite a changes mess of to thethe apartment and had to implement global energy inrefused to leave when requested.

The officers frastructure to keep the impacts of global warmentered the apartment andSanta noticed that furniture ing at moderate levels.

Monica, which had been strewn around thelevel, roomare and that the has many areas right at sea among the “friend” was indeed heavily intoxicated. areas that stand to be the most affected.The officers"There attempted reason withhistoric this drunken man is noto documented precedent," but to no avail, and as the officers continued to said IPCC said in their report "Some of talk the with man heareas suddenly punched one ofmegacithe offimostthe affected are small islands, cers the face withand a closed fist. Theranges." officers ties, in coastal regions high mountain immediately the manthat andtheafter a brief The IPCC tackled report suggests impacts of struggle the man was overpowered and arrested. climate change could come sooner, rather than This Venice resident was later later,26-year-old due to a combination of higher seacharged levels with resisting arrestrainfall, and battery upon aemission police offiand more intense if carbon is cer. was set at $50,000. not Bail reduced within the next twelve years.

“Scientists have been warning us for years A Glassless Window that we can expect to see more extreme weather Wednesday, February at 12:58wildfires, a.m. offiwithOn climate change.

The heat1, waves, cers the Santa Monica Police Department were and of heavy rainfall events of recent months all flagged down by a citizen in the 2000 block of Pico over the world underscore these warnings,” Boulevard whoLee, told them they had heard glass said Hoesung chairthat of the IPCC. shattering and had spotted a man standing to The Santa Monica City Council tooknext steps the of a the parked car onoftheclimate street. thisbroken week window to address impacts

change when at their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 9, unanimously approved the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Land Use Plan at last night’s meeting – the first update to the plan since its adoption in 1992.

According to the City, the update is an important step toward aligning the LCP with s of any race, color, ethnic current Citynational policiesand related to origin mobility, sustainability and adaptation to sea rams, and activities generally accorded orlevel rise, as

DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

e school. asis of race, color, ministration of its policies, scholarship and other

By Staff Writer Rex Evans,One son of Shari and Ray Evans reliable source and a junior at Santa Highneeds.

School, for all your Monica insurance earned theThe Ideal combination of highestcoverage, possible ACT composite score of price and service.

36. On average, only around one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2017, only 2,760 out of more than 2 million graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student's composite score is the average of the four test scores. The score for ACT’s optional writing test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.

Todd Mitchell

Photos: Courtesy University of Southern California.

A visualization of what the Santa Monica shoreline may look like with future levels of sea level rise.

required by Coastal Commission guidelines.

“We have been working for more than two years with Coastal Commission staff to ensure that our updated LCP Land Use Plan will support a coastal development permit process that aligns with our sustainability and mobility goals,” said David Martin, Director of Planning The added that this person had to and citizen Community Development.

“Inappeared addition, have been picking items off the ground next to the our planning process utilized the Coastal Comvehicle before leaving theand area.the Thelatest citizensea gave the mission’s guidelines level officers a detailed description of the suspect and the rise science and modeling to develop policies officers went in search of this man.

As the officers to prepare Santa Monica for the advent of sea were searching the area they spotted another vehilevel rise. The Land Use Plan outlines policies cle with a smashed window that was parked at the for hazard zone properties as well as a roadmap side of the street. The officers then drove back to for adaptation to make our City more resilient the 2000 block of Pico Boulevard where they spotas measurable sea level rise occurs.” ted a man who fit the description of the suspect.

The Land Use Plan consists of seven policy arThe officers detained this man and a few moments eas that address State Coastal Act requirements. later the citizen who had flagged the officers down Two of the most important policy areas address appeared and positively identified the suspect. access to the beach and sea-level rise. The access Shortly thereafter the owner of the first vandalized policiesappeared ensure beach visitorsthat have many options vehicle and stated numerous items to access the coast, including management of that had been recovered from the suspect had been shared parking resources and a comfortable pestolen from his car. The owner of the vandalized destrianwas anddesirous active oftransportation vehicle a prosecution environment. so the officers The sea level policies will prepare Santa Monica arrested this 19-year-old Santa Monica resident and to was plancharged strategically to protect beach infrastruche with vehicle burglary in addition to ture and coastal assets. of$20,000. the California possession of opiates.

BailSections was set at

coast are already experiencing destruction from wave run-up and storms. While Santa Monica has not yet experienced effects of sea level rise, adopting these policies now makes Santa Monica one of the first Southern California cities to MIRROR ARCHIVES begin this preparation.

The LCP Land Use Plan adoption follows the in which she resided.ResiThe twoapartment years ofcomplex outreach and analysis. victim had been able to supply a detailed descripdents may remember the OWL visualization tion thethe suspect, had2016 also been conveyedthe to toolofon Pierwhich in late depicting the officers, as they were en route to the location. impacts of sea level rise. Community feedThe in theasvicinity of the apartment backofficers from arrived the OWL well as from public complex and began to scour the area. The officers meetings and other outreach tools informed soon spotted the suspect lurking in the 1300 block the Final Draft LUP adopted by Council. of Alley Number 10. The suspect was easy to recThe LCP Land Use Plan will now move forognize due to the fact that in addition to the ward to the Coastal Commission for certification description given by the victim the suspect was ridfor conformance with the Coastal Act.The next ing one bicycle whilst pushing a second one with his step will be development of an Implementation free hand. The officers attempted to stop this susPlan, including an update of the Low-Cost Lodgpect but he tried to speed away and in doing so dising Mitigation Fee.Until full certification includcarded the second bicycle. The officers eventually ing thethe Implementation Plan, the Land caught man and he was arrested and Use takenPlan off will serve as a basis for Coastal Commission’s to jail. A search of this 21-year-old Hemet, Califorreview of Santa Monica’s Coastal of Development nia resident resulted in the discovery not only the Permits.

The combined process in the future seemingly obligatory burglary tools but alsoun-a der City authority will integrate coastal sensitivpacket of methamphetamine. This man was later ity unique to possession Santa Monica and streamline the charged with of burglary tools, possesreview process for projects in the Coastal Zone. sion of methamphetamine, theft and resisting or delaying arrest. Bail was set at $10,000.

He Tried Speed

SM Student’s Perfect ACT Score Samohi’s Rex Evans earns top possible score.

3

On Wednesday, February 1, at 3:40 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a call for service in regard to a possible bicycle theft that had just occurred in the 1300 In a letter to the student recognizing this block of 10th Street. As the officers hastened to the exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Execscene they learned via police radio that a victim had utive Officer Marten Roorda stated, “Your seen a man stealing her bicycle that at that time, had achievement ona the ACT and been locked up in bicycle rackisinsignificant the courtyard of rare. While test scores are just one of mul-

Editor’s Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of The Mirror’s coverage of tiple colleges consider incidentscriteria involvingthat policemost are portrayed in this manner. when making admission decisions, More serious crimes and police-related activities areyour reguexceptional ACTeditorial composite score should larly reported without in the pages of the Santa prove pursue your education Monica helpful Mirror andasitsyou website, smmirror.com. and career goals.”

Buying or selling a home in Santa Monica?

Call me today:

310-899-3521 Todd@NOWHomes.com CalBRE# 00973400

25 Years on Montana Avenue!

TAXES All Types, All Forms, All States Samuel Moses, CPA

100 Wilshire Blvd., #1800, Santa Monica, CA

310.395.9922

Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.

4

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

SPORTS: SMC Soccer

One Month Without a Loss

SMC Women’s Soccer team pick up two more victories.

By Chad Winthrop

The Santa Monica College Corsairs women’s soccer team cannot be stopped.

This past week, the women took on Victor Valley College and LA Valley College and picked up two victories to improve to 8-1 on the season with four draws. With these victories, the Corsairs have gone now a month without dropping a game, dating back to September 11 when they lost versus Santa Baraba City College.

On Friday, October 5 the women traveled to Victor Valley College and picked up a 7-2 win. The Corsairs got off to a fast start, scoring three goals in the first ten minutes of the game, with two of these coming from Filippa Struxsjo. By halftime, the Corsairs found themselves up 5-1. With two more goals in the second half, the women showed why they have been the team to beat this season.

On Tuesday, October 9, the Corsairs were right back at it with a home game versus LA Valley College. In a contrast to the scoring fest versus Victor Valley, the game versus LA

Valley showcased both of the teams’ defense.

SMC only scored one goal, Filippa Struxsjo in the 31st minute, but with stellar defending, this was all the women needed to pick up their eighth win of the season.

Up next for SMC is an away game on Tuesday, October 16 at LA Pierce College.

Photos: Morgan Genser.

ABOVE – SMC’s Rene Escobar is grabbed by LA Valley’s Wendy Garcia.

CENTER – Cierra Little from SMC heads a ball versus LA Valley College.

TOP RIGHT – Fllipa Struxsjo of SMC fends off LA Valley’s Jessica Vasquez.

BOTTOM RIGHT – Antoinette Saldana is chased by LA Valley’s Wendy Garcia on Tuesday, October 9.

October 12 –18, 2018

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

5

SPORTS: SAMOHI Homecoming

SAMO Football Wins for Homecoming Crowd Vikings defeat Hawthorne High School on homecoming night.

By C had W inthrop In front of a large homecoming crowd, the Santa Monica Vikings football squad scored 29 points and limited the visiting Hawthorne Cougars to 21 in the Vikings league win on Friday, October 5.

The Santa Monica offense was led by junior Donovan Parks, who scored two touchdowns for 164 yards. Seniors Melvin Hicks and Kobe White picked up touchdowns of their own as well.

Quarterback Anthony Arnou passed for 286 yards at a 50 percent clip, averaging 23.8 yards per play.

Seniors Eddie Saldana and Dwayne Davison led the defense for Santa Monica, picking up six and five tackles each.

The Vikings now possess a 3-4 record.

They play next when they travel to Lawndale for a Ocean battle on Friday, October 12. Santa Monica will play a Cardinals squad coming off a 34-27 league win over Culver City (Culver City, CA). The Cardinals record now stands at 5-2.

Photos: Morgan Genser.

FAR LEFT – Santa Monica Melvin Hicks carries the football down the field while chased by Hawthrone’s Jeremiah Elima.

ABOVE – Members of the Santa Monica High School homecoming court pose together during halftime, including Ryan Chien & Sheena Sandhu (center), King and Queen of homecoming.

DIRECT LEFT – From Left to right Ian Gomez from the Santa Monica High School Varsity football team along with teammate Anthony Castillo run forward to tackle Joesph Taylor III from Hawthorne High School.

You’ll never think of high school the same way again.

In business since 1984

Keeping your house beautiful for over 30 year!

• RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • Family Owned • Los Angeles, Santa Monica

Learn why at an Open House.

Saturday, October 20 Saturday, December 8 Saturday, January 12

CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATE!

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Registration opens at 8:30 AM. RSVP at vistamarschool.org/openhouse

310.485.6541

737 Hawaii Street • El Segundo • CA www.vistamarschool.org Vistamar is a private independent high school in the South Bay region of Los Angeles.

VM 2018 VM ad 4.917x5.75 v7.indd 1

7/30/18 1:28 PM

6

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

OPINION

The School Bond Challenge SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

In about four weeks we will be voting on a school bond. This $485 million bond will cost over a billion dollars by the time the bond is retired in 30-40 years depending on how it is parceled

out. This proposed bond has many deficiencies.

Currently there is no master plan how the money is going to be spent at each school. Our school population is shrinking as families find it harder and harder to find affordable housing in Santa Monica and our City’s limited income population continuous to gray. The 15.4% "out of district" permitted students add diversity to our schools but we receive no financial benefit from their home

MANAGING THE STRESS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOUSE

By Ron Wynn

Before we discuss the remedies, let’s discuss what emotional stress is all about. Stress is your body’s reaction to uncertainty, fear, and the unknown. It is also about being put in a position to react quickly without having adequate time to consider all your options. Nobody enjoys feeling hurried or rushed, particularly when there is a sizeable asset and financial consequences for making a poor decision.

The best advice I can give everyone is to take your time and do things in a well-planned organized way.

Of course, the first thing I recommend is to have an outstanding realtor manage the entire sale. The more you have somebody manage the sales for you, the less burden that there will be on you, and the less you’ll have to think about it and be put in a position of stress.

When I hire somebody to do a job, I always hire someone that is highly recommended with reviews. One of the things I look for in the reviews most is that somebody was able to manage the project from the very onset to the very end, and that there were no hiccups in between. When I hire somebody to do a job for me I don’t want to have to do half the job myself. The reason why I am hiring somebody and paying a sizeable amount is to have the job handled professionally. Particularly when It is something that I don’t know much about myself. One of the things that certainly would create stress is having to make decisions about something I know nothing about. I would rather leave that to the professionals and trust their judgement, knowing that they have my best interest at heart. Here are a few things that you can do and will probably be recommended by your agent.

1. Home Inspections in Advance – Although there is a small cost involved with having an inspection and knowing that a buyer will still want to do their own home inspection, I recommend having an inspection in advance. This way you will be well prepared for whatever comes up and can make decisions without being pressured. It is totally up to you whether you want to make some repairs in advance, or just dig your heels in and say the house is being sold as is. When the market is good, you can sell as is and probably get away with it. When the market is not so good you may want to do those repairs in advance so that when the buyer has their inspection they don’t get scared off with a long laundry list that the inspector is going to provide. Of course, you will need to show the buyer that you had done an inspection in advance and that you had make the following list of repairs. Even if you are not going to do the repairs, having an inspection in advance levels the playing field and will let everybody know what to expect. There will be no surprises to the buyer if you show them that inspection before they make an offer and certainly you will have no surprises because you will know long in advance what is up with your house.

2. Appraisals – Although many offers currently are being written without an appraisal contingency, you might want to know well in advance if your house will appraise out. This does not mean that you need to hire a professional appraiser, but at least have your realtor run the comparable sales so you know if you are in the ballpark. If you are trying to sell your home for above what the comparables show, be prepared that there could be a problem. Look to your real estate agent

for a strategy of how to deal with that problem up front so that you’re are not faced with it at the last minute and fall out of escrow. There are certainly ways that a good realtor can work around the fact that there are not adequate comparable sales. You need to get that direction from your agent. That is one of the things that an agent is being paid for.

Your agent should have an alternative strategy to deal with this.

3. Home Showings – Although it is never comfortable to have people walking through your home, you want to be prepared by packing up your valuables so that there are no problems with the house being shown.

I recommend putting away medications as well as valuables. You might even want to de-personalize your house by removing pictures and things with your name on them. You don’t want a buyer knowing your personal business. Showings can be by appointment only, or you might want to allow an open house. Have your agent explain the pros and cons of an open house.

4. Preparing your House – A good real estate agent should help you prepare your house and not leave that entirely to you. Even if your home is somewhat of a fixer upper there are things that you can do to make it show its best. You are going to want to look to your real estate agent for advice. You want the house to be photo ready and look it’s very best when the photographer comes. And by the way, a good real estate agent should have an outstanding photographer to take the photos and make the house look it’s very best. Staging is another thing that might be advisable to discuss. It is difficult to stage a house when you are still living in it but perhaps your agent has somebody on their team, or a consultant that can help by making suggestions to either move furniture around, delete certain pieces of furniture or add necessary furnishings or art. Sometimes plants are another thing that will enhance a house, but dead plants will do just the opposite. Your agent will help you prepare your house and give you advice on how to make the house look the best. If you are anticipating selling your house in the next 6 to 9 months, make the right moves pertaining to landscaping and so forth. Perhaps it is a dormant time of the year and you may want to sell your house in the spring time or when the flowers are in bloom. There are also slow periods of times in the market and not so slow periods. That is another thing to discuss with your agent in advance.

At the end of the day, be prepared for the market by asking good questions and choosing a good agent.

Price your home accordingly, understand the market, understand the average time on the market, and be prepared. When it comes to escrow closing, make sure that your agent has long in advance cleared all the contingencies and you are not waiting until the last minute to find out whether the sale is going to go through. One of the biggest stress components is waiting until the last minute for the contingencies to be removed and not knowing whether your house is really sold or not.

A good agent will be sure to follow the contingencies carefully and get them all removed, giving you plenty of advanced notice to move, and prepare for your move. If you have questions about this, please call Ron Wynn at 310-963-9944. I am always happy to discuss the procedures of selling and how to make it a seamless and comfortable experience, as opposed to a stressful one that you will say is the worst experience ever.

cities, and they represent about 1/7 of our student population. Our residents already burdened with worthy State, County and Local bonds and recent sales tax increases are reaching donor fatigue.

The real additional tax burden to parcel owners and tenants is unknown. Construction costs are at an all time high because of the unsustainable economic bubble we are in. And finally the vast majority of the funding for this bond’s campaign is coming not from residents, but from outside interests hoping to benefit from the bond in a City that has a tradition of overpaying for its construction (e.g. the $2.2 million toilets in Clover Park.).

This is not a prudent, effective and attractive bond.

Naturally our schools need continuous upgrading as teaching methods evolve and buildings become obsolete when their long-term maintenance costs exceed their replacement costs. A School district apart from selling/leasing its property or getting a subsidy from the City or the State has no way, other than bonds, to raise the capital funds on a scale needed for our good but unbelievably expensive school buildings. Our children are going to school today in buildings that previous generations of generous residents paid for with previous bonds.

For example one of the rumored uses of this bond money might be to air-condition an unknown number of classrooms. There is good reason for this as the research is clear that students learn better in cooler classrooms and even test scores improve on cooler days. But the problem

is that we need the air conditioning because, as a society, we have failed, even with all those expensive previous bonds, to build sustainable buildings. And now, we are going to add to pollution and global warming by increasing the amount of air-conditioning feeding the vicious circle that got us here in the first place?

So we would like to reframe the issuance of a bond with a challenge that we support the bond on one ambitious condition: that the first piece of the bond go entirely and only to making our entire school district electrically self sufficient in four years. This means principally roof top solar photovoltaic (PV) collectors but can also involve more efficient lighting, better window glazing, more nuanced AC controls, and a host of new and old improvement integrated technologies. Some schools, because of their roof mounted equipment, trees, or adjacent buildings cannot be effectively self sufficient, but other schools with a more advantageous solar profile may compensate with additional PV so that the the entire district has a zero electrical bill. When the district generates all the power it needs (including for new air-conditioning) we can talk about what to do with the balance of the bond. The 4 year timeframe is because the upgrades will primarily be during the summer.

The advantages of this are: These systems, when made visible, are a teachable moment for students, getting them ready for

BOND, see page 7

SOLAR FORWARD IS AN ELITE SUNPOWER DEALER

Solar Electric (PV) • Battery Back-up and Advanced Energy Storage • Electric Vehicle Chargers • Maintenance, Upgrade and Repairs • Custom System Design • More!

www.solarforward.com (310) 433-3770 CONTACT US TODAY!

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

Get

7

300

$

in Value1

ON SELECT PLEASANT HOLIDAYS VACATIONS TO HAWAI`I, MEXICO, AND THE CARIBBEAN DURING THE EXCLUSIVE

AAA Travel Sale

Photo: Sam Catanzaro.

A $485 million school bond on the November ballot is the topic in the latest SMa.r.t. column.

BOND,

from page 6 the world they will live in.

There will be a continuous trickle of savings that could enhance the financial stability of the district at a time of increasing electricity costs and possibly pay off the bond earlier.

When brown outs come in 5-10 years because of SCE’s failure to upgrade the grid (eg to anticipate the increasing load of electric cars), our schools will be unaffected.

Our school's PV powered cafeterias and auditoriums can be cool refuges when the senior killing heat waves roll in over the coming decades.

And finally when the Big One comes (which is statistically overdue) and the whole grid is knocked out for days or weeks, our seismic resistant schools will be daytime functioning public sources of power, of food and water distribution etc etc.

In other words instead of seeing the bond as just for schools, see it as part of our survival strategy of a resilient City. Our schools will be our urban lifeboats for when our City is overcome by increasingly severe and unavoidable “storms”. A bond for survivability is much more sellable than the vague promise with unknown costs we have now.

Now the moaners and groaners will say it can’t be done in 4 years or at all. Those paralyzers got us in this mess 20 to 40 years ago when the climate crisis first became visible, and they still have no viable alternative today. Instead I would refer them to the Space Program that got us to the moon 50 years ago when the drumbeat of naysayers was equally loud and the costs frightfully high until it was in fact done. We need to think big with the same vision and courage of that type of an initiative. We could be the first electrically neutral school district in the country. This is really something that should have been done much earlier and now we need to do it as fast as is humanly possible. We also know this is just a first step, we also need to address the unsustainable use of natural gas and water at our schools before they can become true net zero buildings, but its a visionary first step.

The School Board should make this commitment publicly in the next 4 weeks to accept this challenge otherwise we don’t see why we should stick our, our children and our grand children’s

necks into this financial noose when the real sustainability problem of our district (and city) is unaddressed. Remember the whole State must reach net neutrality by 2045. The school district should lead the way.

Finally we don’t need to wait for a completed district wide master plan to take this first step. Just do what’s necessary. Now!

By Mario Fonda- Bonardi AIA for SMart Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow. Sam Tolkin, Architect; Dan Jansenson Building and Safety Commissioner, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner; Ron Goldman, FAIA; Thane Roberts, AIA; Bob. Taylor, AIA

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTO CLUB BRANCH AND YOU MAY RECEIVE: Limited-time special offers on a variety of other land and cruise vacations Exclusive Member Benefits AND MORE! GET A $50 OR $100 GIFT CARD per household

• • •

with qualifying bookin 2 gs Many options to choos e from: popular restaurants, gas, retail stores, and more!

OFFERS ARE ONLY VALID OCTOBER 1 – 20, 2018 CALL OR VISIT TODAY!

O`ahu, Hawai`i

CALL: 310.453.5800 CLICK: AAA.com/Travelsale VISIT: 2730 Santa Monica Blvd. • Santa Monica 90404 1 The value listed is per booking and equals the total of a $150 savings per booking3 on select vacations plus the $150 in activity vouchers4. 2Gift Card offer only valid on bookings made through Automobile Club of Southern California. Minimum purchase required to qualify for Gift Card offer. Maximum one (1) Gift Card offer per household. Offer valid only on new bookings made on or after October 1, 2018 which are under full deposit no later than October 20, 2018 for travel commencing no later than December 31, 2019.

Gift Card will be provided to lead client/trip payee following trip final payment. Bookings of $5,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $50 Gift Card; bookings of $10,000+ qualify to receive a $100 Gift Card. Valid only on cruise or tour bookings provided through one of AAA’s preferred travel providers; not valid on Fly/Drive packages. The program’s gift card merchants are subject to change at any time and are not endorsed by or affiliated with AAA, nor are such merchants considered sponsors or co-sponsors of this program, and AAA disclaims responsibility for any products or services purchased using a gift card provided under the program. Gift cards/certificates are subject to the issuing merchant’s terms and conditions. A U.S. address is required for delivery. 3Pleasant Tropical Days $150 savings per booking is valid on new bookings made August 24 – October 31, 2018 for travel August 24, 2018 – June 30, 2019. Blackout dates apply December 21, 2018 – January 3, 2019. Round trip airfare from the continental U.S. and minimum 5 nights’ accommodation at a participating hotel or resort required to receive Tropical Days offer. Savings is per booking and is applied at time of booking. 4$150 in activity vouchers are valid on new bookings made August 24 – October 31, 2018 for travel August 24, 2018 – June 30, 2019. Blackout dates apply December 21, 2018 – January 3, 2019. Round trip airfare from the continental U.S. and minimum 5 nights’ accommodation at a participating hotel or resort required to receive Tropical Days offer. For Mexico, Hawai’i and select Caribbean destinations, $100 value in activity vouchers is combinable with standard Member Benefit activity voucher of $50, totaling $150 value in activity vouchers per booking maximum. Ask your AAA Travel Agent for qualifying destinations. Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only bookings. Valid toward the purchase of a select optional activity. Not valid for hotel direct activity bookings. Voucher is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value.

Offers subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Travel Sale will take place October 1 – 20, 2018 during normal business hours. Certain restrictions may apply. AAA members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Member Benefits and savings. Member Benefits may vary based on departure date. Rates are accurate at time of printing and are subject to availability and change. Not responsible for errors or omissions. The Automobile Club of Southern California acts as an agent for the various travel providers featured at the sale. CST 1016202-80. © 2018 Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.

SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? TELL US!

sam@mirrormediagroupla • (310) 310-2637

8

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

REASON

1

#1 in Transfers for 27 Years SECOND SESSION STARTS OCTOBER 22

APPLY TODAY AT SMC.EDU

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Barry A. Snell, Chair; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Louise Jaffe; Rob Rader; Dr. Andrew Walzer; Alexandria Boyd, Student Trustee; Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Boulevard | Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

9

Joey Chestnut: 62 Tacos, Eight Minutes

World-renowned competitive eater sets record for street-style tacos at Pacific Park World Taco-eating Championship.

By Sam Catanzaro

Photos: Morgan Genser

ABOVE – Pacific Park’s Nation Smithson presents Joey Chestnut with a $2,500 check for taking first place.

TOP RIGHT – The scene before the carnage.

BOTTOM RIGHT – 302 tacos were downed in eight minutes by the competitors at Pacific Park.

BELOW – Mary Bowers, the 49th ranked competitive eater, receives a towel to wipe her face off after downing 14 tacos in eight minutes.

Eight minutes, 12 competitors, 302 total tacos consumed. This is what happened at the inaugural Pacific Park World Taco-Eating Championship on Thursday, October 4 on the Santa Monica Pier.

Emerging victorious from the heaps of tortillas and shredded pork was competitive eating legend Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who downed a world-record 62 street style carnitas tacos in eight minutes.

The event, which took place on National Taco Day, started off with a bang. Chestnut set a fast pace early, stuffing whole tacos into his mouth and washing them down with water, downing 16 tacos within the first minute.

After setting this record, Chestnut now holds 45 eating records. Most notably, Chestnut has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 11 times and set the world record in 2018 for eating 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

For first place, Chestnut took home $2,500, half of the $5,000 in prizes up for grabs in the contest. Gideon Oji had a good showing, downing 52 tacos for a second place result. Adrian Morgan came in third with 40 tacos while Mikl Sudo, the world’s top female competitive eater, came in fourth place finishing 37 tacos.

RON WYNN Complete line of Flowers, Concentrates, Tinctures, Edibles, Clones.

Open Monday-Saturday 10 am - 8 pm.

Sunday 11 am - 8 pm.

Veterans 10% discount PH: 424-208-3945 NEW LOCATION 2340 S. Centinela Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90064. (Exit I-10 Centinela.)

S.

GRACE

E.

.

AV

AV E

N

A

TO

EL

G

IN

N

NT

I RR

CE

BA

S.

.

CO

PI

MEDICAL MARI J UANA P HARMACY

VD BL

gracemmp.com

Hands On Real Estate Advisory 310-963-9944 As a trusted advistor, I work together with your CPA, your attorney and your family to be sure we are putting your specific needs first www.ronwynn.com email: ron@ronwynn.com

10

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

VOTE,

from page 1

On Homelessness “I see the homelessness crisis throughout the City and County and I do believe we need to have more mental health outreach and include more people who are formally homeless,” Powell says. “There’s a multi-pronged approach to homelessness in treating the different issues of why people are homeless.”

On term limits “When I was in elementary school, two of our incumbents I am running against were in City Council...It's time for those 20-year incumbents to get out of office.”

On Development “I think we have to be resident focused with whatever we do, but we do have to address tourism...I think we need to support our local businesses and residents first and treat tourism as a source of income.”

Greg Morena Ashley Powell

A shley Powell

Ashely Powell led off the series by making the case that she was qualified to tackle the issue of homelessness facing Santa Monica.

Powell, a challenger, was born and raised in Santa Monica and is the youngest candidate in the race.

Greg Morena, another challenger, was the second candidate to be interviewed. Morena, who grew up in Santa Monica, has extensive experience in the private sector. In his interview, Morena touted the wide range of interest groups and stakeholders who have endorsed him.

On Endorsements “I’m endorsed by Santa Monica for Renters Rights…I am also endorsed by Santa Monica Forward,” Morena says. “I span the breadth of different organizations. In part because I have

Vote Yes on Prop 5 & No on Prop 10 Prop. 5 will help many seniors sell their homes and move to a new home without having to pay much higher property taxes on their new home. Vote Yes on Prop. 5.

Prop. 10 will repeal a state law known as Costa Hawkins.

That law provides some protection for residential landlords, homeowners, condo owners and commercial landlords. If repealed, cities (like Santa Monica) will be able to pass rent control laws that burden regular homeowners, condo owners, commercial landlords, as well as residential landlords.

Please take a few minutes to learn more about the potential impacts of the repeal of Costa Hawkins. There will be a big drop in property taxes paid by landlords. That loss of revenue will need to be made up with other higher taxes. Seniors *many on fixed incomes) cannot afford to pay more taxes.

The law of unintended consequences is real. If Prop. 10 passes, in the future, people will be saying over and over – I DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY COULD DO THAT TO MY REAL ESTATE!!!! Please find out more about Prop. 10 ASAP (www.noprop10.org) Vote No. on Prop. 10

October 12 –18, 2018

Greg Morena

been in town for quite some time. I am a business owner in town. I also have the core values that were created in Santa Monica in the early ’70s.”

On Term Limits “As it's written, I do not support measure TL. I believe that the City and the people, ultimatley, benefit from the institutional knowledge,” Morena says. “I do believe there is a challenge with only a 12-year term. You can get some things done but you can't get all the wonderful things that we have done.”

On Homelessness “We as businesses, have to advocate for what we believe is right. And we, as people of Santa Monica, with these incredible values, to help people, to move people along and not just kick them out. To guide them into services,” Morena says. “It's incredibly important that the business community uses its voice...to communicate with City Council to create humane policy.”

Kevin McKeown

Next up was Councilmember Kevin McKe-

own, the first of three incumbents to sit down for an interview. McKeown, who has served on Santa Monica City Council since 1998 and was Mayor from 2014-2015, was critical in his interview of Measure TL (term limits for councilmembers).

On Term limits “At the end of 12 years, if someone is serving me as my Councilmember, no matter how happy I was with the job they are doing, I would be prohibited from voting for them,” McKeown says. “If you feel a councilmember has not served you well, go the ballot box and vote for somebody else. We have term limits. They are called elections.”

On Homelessness “It's hard for many people in our community to accept that so many people are destitute on our streets in this amazingly wealthy part of the world,” McKeown says. “We put into place a program called Housing First that says we'll find the most vulnerable, most threatened peo-

VOTE, see page 11

Kevin McKeown

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE REMODELED CENTURY CITY Office Building FOR LEASE 3,700 sq. ft. $3.50 Per Sq. Ft. Includes 8 parking spaces

1 Block from Century City Mall

For more info, contact Gary

310.995.0075

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

11

VOTE,

from page 10 ple living on the streets and we will get them housing. By getting them housing we kind of change the atmosphere on the streets.”

On Crime “We are already moving on this issue. We are not ignoring the fact that there has been an increase in crime...The increase is worrisome,” McKeown says. “We have brought in a new police chief who has a new philosophy of how to do things in the City...we have also decided, and already Council has taken this action, to hire more police officers. “

Scott Bellomo

Challenger Scott Bellomo, a long time Santa Monica resident, touted his commitment to crack down on crime if elected to City Council. Bellomo’s catalyst for getting into the race, was when he and his son were assaulted by a “deranged” person outside Vons on Broadway and 7th in Santa Monica.

On Crime “Regardless of what the length of incarceration would be, regardless of the amount of paperwork, I want to start enforcing the laws immediately so that it gets out the criminal elements in our community that we are not going to allow this to happen anymore.”

Scott Bellomo

On Term Limits “I absolutely support term limits. I think career politicians are detrimental to democracy. It breeds a lot of backroom dealing and support from groups who don't necessarily have residents' positions in mind.”

On Homelessness “This is a businesses issue, a resident issue, a tourism issue, so it affects all areas of the City. Specifically, the Council needs to empower the police chief...we are going to start enforcing the laws that are on the books so that a business does not have to worry about

Sue Himmelrich

their customers being attacked.”

Sue Himmilrich

Incumbent Sue Himmelrich, an attorney who has lived in Santa Monica for 26 years and has served on City Council since 2014, was next to sit down for an interview. Himmelrich, the only incumbent on City Council to support term limits, spoke in the discussion about her belief that compassion is needed when tackling the issue of homelessness.

On Term Limits “The City Council is a volunteer position and

while you do work hard, I think it is important you have different perspectives over time...I think it opens up opportunities for people who otherwise simply can't defeat the power of incumbency.”

On Homelessness “I understand people feel heavily impacted by homelessness and are very afraid of people who are homeless. I think the first thing people need to understand is that most of the crime in our city is not committed by homeless people,” Himmelrich says. “The way that we treat the homeless here and frankly throughout the state and throughout the country is in my mind inhumane.”

On Crime “I am aware of the uptick and I believe that it is real and I believe that people are angry about it and people are afraid,” Himmelrich says.”I think that we need to one, prepare people how to be vigilant and protect themselves, two, I think that we need to have more police presence on the streets as a deterrent.”

Geoff Neri

Challenger Geoff Neri, a local attorney, was next to come in for an interview said that if elected, he would be tough on crime and enforce all laws.

On Crime

VOTE, see page 12

ASHLEY POWELL for Santa Monica City Council Vote November 6th

* Integrity

* Vision

* Leadership

The experience & change Santa Monica needs! ashleypowellsantamonica.com

Paid Political Advertisement Paid for by Ashley Powell for Santa Monica City Council 2018

12

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

VOTE,

from page 11 “My number one priority as both an attorney and as a candidate for office is law and order. Unless you live in a bubble, you know we have a serious problem with law and order.

We have a major problem with crime. There's been three aggravated murders in the City of Santa Monica in the last month.”

On Term Limits “Incumbency is a problem. When you feel secure in your job, whether it is a commercial setting or a government setting, you have less incentive to be responsive to the people you should be responsive to, in this case, the residents of Santa Monica.”

On Homelessness “We really need to explore a program that is known as Housing First. It was a program that was adopted by the Santa Clarita City Council as well as Salt Lake City Council. What it has done is move the homeless off the streets.

They do that by creating prefabricated housing units that simply give homeless people, the op-

Geoffrey Neri

tion of leaving their head on the street at night or going to a short-term solution.”

Pam O'Connor

Incumbent Pam O’Connor, who has served on Santa Monica City Council since 1994, was the final candidate to come in for an interview.

October 12 –18, 2018

O’Connor, who served as mayor twice, spoke out against the idea of term limits, saying they prevent elected officials from attaining leadership roles on county and state boards.

On term limits “We already have term limits. That's the voters...One of the issues about term limits is that it would prevent future Santa Monicians in elected office to achieve any kind of regional leadership, to be able to represent the City at the regional level...it takes a while to get into leadership positions.”

On homelessness “There are things that are going on right now. Just last November the City Council, in addition to the $2.8 million dollars that it gives out annually in grants to agencies that help provide services to the homeless, the Council authorized $1.2 million to do an immediate, homeless action plan.”

On Affordable Housing “I think we could do more to support the production of housing...we need to look at the decisions we have made about housing production and whether it is getting built. And if it's not, we have to figure out how to adjust our

Pam O’Connor

policies and practices to encourage and incentivize that production of housing.”

To watch the full interviews, visit the Santa Monica Mirror Facebook page at Facebook. com/smmirror or online at www.smmirror.com.

Ask Rent Control Board Candidates Questions

By Staff Writer Next week, as part of our 2018 Election coverage, the Santa Monica Mirror will be sitting down with every candidate running for Rent Control Board for a Facebook live video interview and we are calling on Santa Monica residents to submit questions to ask these candidates.

These interviews will take place on October 15, 16 and 17. The candidates for this race are Steve Duron (incumbent), Nicole Phillis (incumbent), Jon Mann, Naomi Sultan and Lori Brown. Questions for Rent Control candidates must be submitted by Saturday, October 13 at 5 p.m.

To submit questions, email sam@mirrormediagroupla.com with “Rent Contol Question” in the subject line. Questions can also be submitted by commenting on our Facebook page or by sending us a message on Facebook (facebook.com/smmir-

ror/) or Twitter (twitter.com/Smmirror).

Feel free to reach out to us for any clarification or information regarding the election and we look forward to hearing from the residents of Santa Monica.

For more information about the 2018 Santa Monica election, visit www.smvote.org.

VOTE LORI BROWN

for Santa Monica Rent control Board

www.voteloribrown.com 2633 Lincoln Blvd. #115, Santa Monica, CA 90405

www.cinemaitalianstyle.com

Together, We Can Do Better!

ote November 6!

ID# 1410424 Paid for by Lori Brown for Santa Monica Rent Control Board 2018

Mechanical released: 9/11/18 APT18-014

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

13

IT ENDS IN A 90401.

APARTMENTS.COM HAS JOINED FORCES WITH WESTSIDE RENTALS TO EMPOWER YOU WITH LOCAL IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE BACKED BY THE LATEST MARVELS IN RENTAL TECHNOLOGY. OUR NEW LOCATION MAKES IT SIMPLE TO TAP INTO THE WIDEST POOL OF PROPERTIES AND RENTERS THE WESTSIDE HAS EVER KNOWN.

BRAD BELLFLOWER INVENTOR OF THE APARTMINTERNET

VISIT OUR NEW FLAGSHIP STORE AT 1020 WILSHIRE IN SANTA MONICA. ©CoStar Realty Information, Inc. 2018

CYAN

MAGENTA YELLOW

14

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

Op-Ed From the City’s Desk

Oct. is Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Santa Monica City Disability Commission As we note October’s promise of a changing season, we note too, this is Disability Employment Awareness month. This is one month in which all the members of this vibrant and worldclass city, are asked to raise their awareness that all members of this town be treated with equal respect, inclusion and empowerment, through employment.

I am a relatively recently unemployed, disabled Santa Monica resident, and I struggle every day to remain an independent, contributing member of society. I am enrolled in Santa Monica College, and am an anthropology major, with a 4.0 GPA. I intend to earn a paid internship, transfer to a four year college where I can earn my Bachelors degree, then move on to graduate work. Through education, I am preparing myself for employment, and a self-sufficient life. However, I need — as does every disabled member of society — those with the power to employ, to see me for what I can do and what I can contribute.

As of 2017, the National Bureau of Labor Statistics (NBLS), claims 125.97 million people are employed in the United States. Of those, 18.7percent are disabled workers, 32percent of whom work part time. The unemployment rate for disabled workers is 9percent, double the na-

tional unemployment rate of 4.7percent. That means over 11 million people in the U.S., who happen to have a disability, of whom the NBLS has records, are unemployed. Further, the employed, disabled individuals tend to not be in the higher paid management, professional and financial occupations. In addition, data shows that employed disabled workers earn approximately one-third less than those without disabilities.

More significantly, eight out of ten people with a disability are not in the labor force, compared to three out of ten people without a disability.

These statistics represent a significant segment of our population whose employment could and should enhance the U.S. economy. Even with a low general unemployment rate, unemployment benefits represent $2.96 billion tax dollars. What is the economic impact of such a high unemployment rate on the nation, on a community, and on an individual’s sense of independence, inclusion and contribution to society? There is conflicting data about the benefits of unemployment; I won’t pursue that avenue since it doesn’t address the important value of human dignity, and sense of purpose when one is a part of mainstream community. Why is the unemployment rate so high for those with a disability? How do employers look at job applicants with a disability? How vigorously do headhunters pursue employment opportunities for clients with disabilities? Are schools and colleges vigorously placing disabled

Wellness and serenity for the body, mind, and spirit.

Photo: Getty Images.

“This is one month in which all the members of this vibrant and world-class city, are asked to raise their awareness that all members of this town be treated with equal respect, inclusion and empowerment. through employment.”

students in paid internship positions with possible employers? How does the disabled community get the recognition and equal status as those who are not disabled?

I urge employers, educational institutions and organizations everywhere, to reach out every week to disabled workers, with the same eager

BOOK TODAY !

IV therapy, Botox & Fillers, PRP for Hair Loss and Facial Rejuvenation, Skin Tightening & Body Contouring w/ Radio Frequency & Hormone Optimization.

310-451-9900 OCEANOASISDAYSPA.COM 1333 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401

acceptance as is offered to those with no disability.

Thank you.

Dee Cappelli Commissioner Santa Monica City Disability Commission 9/29/18

October 12 – 18, 2018

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

15

SALES MANAGER RideAmigos Corp is looking for a Sales Manager for its office in Santa Monica, CA. Salaried/Fulltime position, Bachelor degree in Business, Marketing or similar field, and 2 years exp in software sales required.

Please fax resume & salary requirements for add details about job openings go to jobs@rideamigos.com Evan Meyer (516) 473-1096 evan@rideamigos.com

Mary FealkoFF 310.488.6502 fealkoff.com

Life gets busy.

Let us care for you.

Great health care just got easier and more convenient on the Westside. Let Saint John’s Physician Partners care for you and your family.

• Over 50 primary care physicians in convenient locations throughout Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Playa Vista • Easy 24/7 online appointment scheduling for primary care physicians with some same-day opportunities

• Online medical records and doctor messaging • Access to nationally ranked specialists • Convenient locations with easy parking • Most insurance plans accepted

We are the Doctors of Saint John’s and Santa Monica Family Physicians primary care doctors.

We build lasting relationships rather than just treating symptoms. We’re here for you. Schedule your appointment today.

Sit Down with a StanD Up realtor... ®

DRE#00830105

3130 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100, Santa Monica CA 90403 © 2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-800-CareNow (227-3669) or visit providence.org/sjpp

16

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

October 12 – 18, 2018

EXPOSE,

from page 1 to tell you the truth.”

Many similar cases have been posted about across social media. The City of Santa Monica provided a statement to the Mirror on the subject.

“The City of Santa Monica wants all residents to feel comfortable in beloved public spaces and parks. We understand that the impacts of the regional homeless crisis are felt by residents during the course of everyday life, including in Reed Park. This is why we have made significant investments in infrastructure, programming and public safety at Reed,” the statement reads.

In addition to planned improvements for the physical park, the City is increasing patrols in Reed Park as well as other.

“The Santa Monica Police Department has enhanced their presence in Reed Park,” the statement reads. “Public Service Officers have made Reed a priority and regularly patrol the park. The Mounted Patrol Unit will continue to patrol Reed and other municipal parks on a routine basis.”

Along with increased police presence, C3 — one of the City’s homeless outreach teams — visits Reed and Tongva Parks multiple times a week to try and connect the homeless population to services and shelters.

The City is also pressing incentive programs such as “Meet Me at Reed,” which is

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

17

a seasonal weekly event on Saturdays held with the intention of bringing the community together with things like music and entertainment.

“We’re experimenting with other programming opportunities like food trucks, and welcome the community’s involvement in other ways to activate Reed,” the statement ends.

Please report all unlawful and lewd acts to the Santa Monica Police Department by calling 310-458-8491 or in case of emergency, 9-1-1.

Mirror Media Group Publisher: T.J. Montemer tj@smmirror.com 310.310.2637 ext. 107 Executive Editor: Sam Catanzaro editor@smmirror.com 310.310.2637 ext. 103 Production Manger: Amy Patton Editor-at-Large: Beverly Cohn Advertising VP of Sales: Judy Swartz judy@smmirror.com 310.310.2637, ext. 102

Photo: Jen Levy.

Santa Monica resident Jen Levy recently witnesses these two homeless having sex in a bathroom stall at Reed

Business Manager: Max Montemer

Bob Gabriel Co. Insurance 310-829-0305 Professional & Personalized Service Since 1936

Immediate Phone Quotes

It’s not just about insurance... It’s about peace of mind.TM Let Us Be Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Insurance Needs AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH • BUSINESS • WORKERS’ COMP • APARTMENTS/CONDOS • E-COMMERCE You Could Receive Up to a 15% Discount When You Purchase Both Homeowners & Auto Insurance Policies

2325 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD • SANTA MONICA • www.bobgabrielinsurance.com Family Owned & Operated

LIC #OF82074

Distribution: distribution@mirrormediagroupla.com Contributors: Tom Elias • Tor Marom Morgan Genser • Barbara Bishop

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Mirror invites letters from readers on any subject. All letters must include the phone number and address of the writer. Letters are subject to editing from the Editor for reasons including length or questionable content. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily the views of The Santa Monica Mirror.

Mail : 2116 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 260 Santa Monica, CA 90403 E-mail: editor@smmirror.com

MIRROR MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATIONS Santa Monica Mirror | Westside Today Yo! Venice | Brentwood News Century City-Westwood News | The Pride

18

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 12 –18, 2018

Rated R 120 Minutes Released October 12

FILM REVIEW:

Bad Times at the El Royale BEHIND THE SCREEN

By Kathryn Whitney Boole Wow! From the jet black soundless screen that begins this movie, to the emotionally explosive end, get ready to be completely drawn into a tornado of wild twists and turns inhabited by rich, intense and colorful larger-thanlife characters who all come together at the El Royale, a once-bustling, now dilapidated resort in Lake Tahoe. This is a poetic symphony of life, a moody, creative concoction of characters and conversation – a real “trip!”

Writer/director Drew Godard is a master of cinema, one of the best writer/directors working today. His background is in television writing (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel). He has even written for comic books. He “gets” the medium of film in a way seldom seen. There are lines that will become part of our lexicon, such as “I know men like you – they never stop talking.” Or “I’ve done horrible things.” “So has everybody.

Shit happens. Get the whiskey.”

The camera angles, the colors, the dialogue and silences, the movement of the camera and most emphatically the use of music all come together to make this movie the total experience that it is.

The actors also add to the excellence of this work of art. The characters Godard has written are an incredibly fascinating mélange of the most dramatic elements of humanity. You will find yourself drawing conclusions about who these people are, only to be surprised by what lies behind their outward personalities. No one is who they seem, and all of them are true to their real identity in the end. They are all much more complex and unique than the personalities they present to the world, which may be a common trait for most of us.

And the acting…Jeff Bridges can say more in two seconds with the transformation of the look of his eyes and his subtle expressions than most actors can convey in a ten-minute dissertation. Darlene Sweet, portrayed beautifully by the talented Cynthia Erivo, sings her way through the film.

Her voice becomes an integral tool in the manipulations initiated by the characters to outwit one another. Jon Hamm finds the humor in Laramie Seymour Sullivan and keeps it bubbling under the surface. Chris Hemsworth excels at playing a character completely against type. Lewis Pullman (son of Bill) is riveting as Miles, the (supposedly) mild-mannered hotel manager. Dakota Johnson lets her sweetness mask her rage as Emily Summerspring. Music plays anintegral role in this movie – it’s not just a sound track. A jukebox becomes a leading character.

PRICE ADJUSTMENT

PRIMESECLUDEDOASIS.COM 3BD, 3BA | 2,101± SQFT | $2,495,000

Brentwood

PRIME SECLUDED OASIS sothebyshomes.com

MURRAY WEISBERG Knowledgable. Professional. Confidential.

310.729.6156 | DRE: 0906751 MW729@aol.com

319 North Bundy Drive

BRENTWOOD BROKERAGE 11911 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 200 | Los Angeles, CA 90049 | 310.729.6156 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. SIR DRE#: 899496

This is on the surface a period piece from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. The color, the location and the music are skillfully recreated to the time.

However the story is universal. “Bad Times at the El Royale” is another movie that will go down in film history. It’s a poetic symphony of life populated with characters that will live on in the minds of everyone who sees it. The film also puts life, faith, art, abuse and war into perspective on a larger scale.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people.She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

DBAs and LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. SS029330 Superior Court of California, county of Los Angeles 1725 Main Street | Santa Monica, CA 90401 Petition of: Lalove President for change of name.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all interested persons: Petitioner: Lalove President filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Lalove President to Al Le President The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 10/19/2018 | Time: 8:30AM | Dept: K Room A copy of this ORDER to SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: SANTA MONICA MIRROR | Dated: Sept. 18, 2018 Judge Gerald Rosenberg Published: 9/21/2018, 9/28/2018, 10/05/2018, and 10/12/2018

October 12 – 18, 2018 MIND THE GAP

BY TOM MCCOY / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ ACROSS

1 Experts 6 Accord 12 The Harry Potter novels, e.g.

18 External parasites 20 Minuscule, cutesily 21 Not yet packed, say 22 Another nickname for Old Abe … or a description of the circled letter?

24 Got fit 25 Funny Brooks 26 Eight: Prefix 27 Astronaut’s place …

29 Aves.

30 Let out, as a sigh 33 Venus, but not Serena 34 Truckful 35 A lid usually covers it at night 37 Naval rank: Abbr.

38 Counterpart of Venus 42 Screen or partition …

47 Kitchen-sink attachment 50 Much-disputed part of an airplane 51 Where decongestant spray goes …

53 Animal with a snout 54 Candidate’s goal 57 “____ time” 58 Discontent 59 Alternatively 60 Kind 61 Cellular messenger 62 CBS drama beginning in 2018 63 Negative connector 64 Cyberexpert’s worry …

69 ____ Poke (caramel candy) 72 ____-rock 73 Each “O” of BOGO 74 “____ and the Real Girl” (2007 comedy) 75 “What have I done!”

79 Part of an auto garage’s business 81 Hawaiian mash-up?

82 Product much advertised during football games 83 Clutch 84 Office device …

87 “That’s my intention” 89 At the end of the day 90 Heist figure …

93 General ____ chicken 94 Bear: Sp. 96 Soon 97 Memphis-to-Nashville dir.

98 Coinage during the 2008 presidential election 101 “Spider-Man” baddie 103 ____ drive 106 Bit of good fortune …

111 Something you might get your mitts on 112 By birth 113 Away from work for a while 114 Store banner …

118 Early ____ 119 Scowling 120 Worry in East Africa 121 Something to chew on 122 Some see-through curtains 123 “Ni-i-i-ice!”

DOWN

1 Common phobia source 2 Overturn 3 Omani money 4 Powerful arm 5 What a “singleton” is, in baseball lingo 6 City from which the U.S. moved its embassy in 2018 7 Big retailer of camping gear 8 Middle-earth denizen 9 About 10 Keep busy

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

19

NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE 11 Dr. Seuss title animal 12 Be a lousy bedmate, say 13 Physicist Mach 14 Little protestation 15 “Ain’t I somethin’?!”

16 Cabinet dept.

17 Kind 19 Is on the up and up?

21 Part of a place setting 23 Mom-and-pop org.

28 Followers of talks 31 “____ tu” (Verdi aria) 32 Chose not to 34 Whigs’ opponents 36 “Water, water, everywhere,” per Coleridge 38 “You’re in my spot!”

39 Like an increasing amount of immigration to the U.S. nowadays 40 Rizzo in “Midnight Cowboy” 41 More cunning 42 The “r” of r = d/t 43 Kind of hygiene 44 Experts in the field?

45 Publisher’s announcement 46 Wet 48 Visits a school, maybe 49 Feeling with a deadline approaching 52 Like carbon 12, but not carbon 14 55 Trip up 56 Intrinsically 60 Eyeball layer 61 Calif.’s 101, e.g.

62 Containing iron 65 Gung-ho 66 Quick signatures, quickly 67 Grammy winner Corinne Bailey ____ 68 Poet who originated the phrase “harmony in discord”

1

2

3

4

5

18

6 19

22 26

29

30

10

11

43

27 32

35

59

36

37 46

55

70

71

79

57

85

108

95

99

87

114

118

119

121

122

76

77

78

88

92

96

97 101

102

110

113

Last Week’s Answers

83

91

100

109

69 Apostle of Ireland, for short 70 Lounges 71 Have because of 76 Respond to a bumper sticker, maybe 77 Bill 78 Lilac or lavender 80 Section at a zoo 81 Distant source of radio waves 82 “X” isn’t really one 83 Void 85 Wallop

41

75

86 90

107

40

63

82

89 94

39

68

74

81

93

38

62 67

73

84

17

58

66

72

98

47

61

65

80

16

52

56

60 64

49

15

28

51 54

48

14

33

45

53

13

24

31

44

12 21

50

106

9

20

34

69

8

23

25

42

7

This Week’s Sudoku Puzzle

103

111 115

105

A D I E U

W E L F A R E

O N E U P O N

S H I R T

T R A I N O R

112

116

86 Org. founded under Nixon 88 General rule 91 “Aw, nuts!”

92 Converts to binary, e.g.

95 Literally, “great O’s” 98 “Pretty slick!”

99 Expression of dismay 100 “Gah!” 102 Egg: Prefix 103 Join 104 Have a feeling

104

B A R B Q

117 120 123

105 Bring into the world 106 Truckful 107 Computer command 108 Problem for a plumber 109 Remained fresh 110 ____ chips (trendy snack food) 115 Scot’s refusal 116 Scottie’s warning 117 ____ Amsterdam (name on colonial maps)

N G O R B E L L E E E N S PEA N C E E I A L L B PEA L S R S C T H P O H R O O I L W N T C O R E A U S T E S S

R I D S I S E N C O C A F A K O F M E R P O O B I M A I L E L L O D I E C A P H A C H I P E D S S E M U S O S C U B U N T E L T I M Z E T U S S

M A R R E S A N L E M A F R O A S E D E X T P I C D S F A S A N K I PEA R E T A R

A L O E

V O L T R H O A N D A F A E N W I S M E A N E N G H E E S I T M A

S E M I U L A N L W I T H T H E T O A Y R U N P E S D O S E A I L S S O Y F I R S H A A C I T N S I S T PEA K S A R I T I S P A L B L T S O L O M N B O O O R O P G U Y U S T S P

R A I N G O D

S I T E S

O K E E F F E

B E D R E S T

O Z O N E

N E M E A

20

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

October 5 – 12, 2018

NEED HELP REMODELING YOUR CONDO OR TOWNHOME? KITCHEN

KITCHEN / DINING

ER

E MAS

R BEFO

Designed a creative way to open floor plan, use existing cabinets, add countertops, appliances and lighting.

Total cost: $15,000.

AFTER

ER

E MAS

R BEFO

Completely renovated unit from top to bottom.

Length of time for project: 2 months.

Total cost: $50,000.

STAGING / PAINTING / FLOORING

ER

E MAS

R BEFO

Original condition unit with original owners.

We put in fresh carpeting, painted and staged the unit.

Total cost: $20,000.

R

MASE

AFTER

Unit SOLD for $100,000 above asking and set record by $150,000 for the complex.

R

MASE

Property was purchased at onset of project for $419,000 and it was SOLD for $640,000.

Profit of $131,000.

AFTER

R

MASE

Unit SOLD for $6,550,000, the highest price in the history of the complex.

FROM RENOVATIONS TO SALES, WE HELP OUR CLIENTS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. CALL US TODAY IF YOU WANT HELP!

BRIAN MASER THE CONDO SALES LEADER • 310.314.7700 MASERCONDOSALES.COM