THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2006
Volume 5, Issue 88
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
DAILY LOTTERY
Emotions run high at outset of trial
Sticking their landings
SUPER LOTTO 10 16 21 25 34 Meganumber: 1 Jackpot: $22 Million
FANTASY 5 3 10 20 22 30
DAILY 3 Daytime: Evening:
597 481
DAILY DERBY 1st: 2nd: 3rd:
02 Lucky Star 01 Gold Rush 04 Big Ben
RACE TIME:
1.47.35
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning number information, mistakes can occur. In the event of any discrepancies, California State laws and California Lottery regulations will prevail. Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at California Lottery retailers. Visit the California State Lottery web site: http://www.calottery.com
BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer
NEWS OF THE WEIRD CHUCK
SHEPARD
Selina Valdez, 28, was arrested in January and her suspected partner, Daniel Marquez, 41, was sought by police, on counterfeiting charges in Pueblo, Colo., after police walked into their foul-smelling home. No hoarded animals were present, but according to police, about a week before the arrest, officers had called on the couple, who had then hurriedly flushed the bogus bills down the toilet. After questioning them, police left, but the toilet clogged, and since then, the couple have been relieving themselves into plastic bags that police found strewn about the home.
TODAY IN HISTORY Today is the 54th day of 2006. There are 311 days left in the year. On Feb. 23, 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised the American flag. In 1822, Boston was granted a charter to incorporate as a city. In 1836, the siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio.
QUOTE OF THE DAY “If you wish to avoid seeing a fool you must first break your mirror.”
FRANCOIS RABELAIS
FRENCH SATIRIST (1494-1553)
INDEX Horoscopes Go with invitation, Cancer
2
Snow & Surf Report Water temperature: 57°
3
Opinion Sooner than later
4
State Final stop
5
National Ports of call not made
6
International Bombs stir tensions
7
Business Checks and balances
10
Comics Strips tease
12
Classifieds Ad space odyssey
13-15
“We are very pleased at the results of the Work/Life Survey and commend employers for sharing their experiences, practices and policies,” said commission chair Tia Skulski. “Many women today are very savvy about work/life benefits when seeking employment. We shouldn’t have to jeopardize our careers to raise a family and
DISTRICT HDQTRS. — The executive board of the Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teacher’s Association intends to recommend current assistant superintendent Mike Matthews be named interim superintendent of schools. Matthews would be stepping in for outgoing superintendent John Deasy, 45, who has accepted the post of chief executive officer for the school district in Prince George’s County, Maryland. “Dr. Matthews has the institutional knowledge to ensure a smooth transition, and more importantly, he has the mind and heart to help lead this district,” said teacher’s union president Harry M. Keiley. “There’s no doubt that Mike Matthews is the clear choice of Union leadership for the interim job.” Union leadership is solidly united in their support of
WEST LA COURTHOUSE — The wife of a man whose arm was amputated after it was allegedly crushed by a Big Blue Bus broke down in tears Wednesday as her attorney showed jurors a photo of the couple, hand in hand, celebrating one of their 51 wedding anniversaries. Parvin Mehdipour, who has filed a civil suit against City Hall and the Big Blue Bus along with her husband, Haroun, had to be escorted out of the courtroom by her daughter during attorney Browne Greene’s opening statement, which also included a photo of Haroun on an operating table with much of his left arm mashed and unrecognizable. “Before the accident, Mr. Mehdipour was a healthy, active husband, father and grandfather … who loved to take (his grandchildren) by the hand,” Greene told jurors. “Now he suffers from a hideous form of pain … suffering from phantom limb syndrome, he has lost much of his memory, he is left with an unbalanced gate and must walk with a cane. He’s no longer the man he was (before the accident) and now Mrs. Mehdipour must give 24-hour basic support to her husband. She has now become his nurse.” Mehdipour, now 81, was injured on May 5, 2004, following what is believed to have been a car or bus accident at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue. Mehdipour’s left arm was crushed and later had to be amputated near the shoulder. He also suffered a head injury that his family said has resulted in severe memory loss. Greene claims Mehdipour was trying to hail down a Big Blue Bus about 10 a.m., walking alongside it
See BENEFITS, page 9
See TEACHERS, page 9
See BIG BLUE, page 8
Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press The acrobatic crew from Stilt Circus gathers near Santa Monica Beach recently to promote an upcoming project.
She works hard for the money ... and benefits ipated offered some level of health care, career advancement programs and retirement plans.
BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer
CITYWIDE — If you’re a woman in Santa Monica, chances are your working environment is better than most. Employers here are on the “cutting edge” in offering work/life benefits to female employees, according to a survey released recently by the Commission on the Status of Women, a City Hall-supported organization. Of the nearly 200 companies surveyed, all offered at least three — with most offering four — work/life benefits, including onsite child care, lactation rooms, paid leave for adoptive parents and paid maternity leave. All but one of the employers provided seven or more benefits including job-sharing, tuition reimbursement, unpaid sabbaticals, support for community volunteerism, and referral services for elder/child care. The survey also found the majority of employers who partic-
THE UNDER $10 DINNER SPECIAL
Back by popular demand...
The survey, which was funded by the commission at a cost of roughly $1,400, was authorized in late 2004.
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