MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011
Volume 10 Issue 98
Santa Monica Daily Press
‘RANGO’ CLEANS UP SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE AT FULL FORCE ISSUE
Puff while you can
COMMUNITYPROFILES RAQUEL PAEZ
New smoking restrictions going into effect in L.A. CHRISTINA HOAG Associated Press
LOS ANGELES Smokers are getting down to
completed projects across the country and was often away from home. The shaky political climate was one of many reasons several of the Paezs made the difficult decision to leave Ecuador, acknowledged her son, Fabian Paez. “Those times, we had a very unstable government,” Fabian said. “Of course, in addition, we’d always heard that the United States is the best country in the world. Life is different, better.” Ximena Paez, one of three girls in the family, was the first of the Paezs’ to be
their last drags in the nation’s second-largest city with a new ban on lighting up in outdoor dining areas. The ban, which takes effect Tuesday, even includes areas near food trucks. The prohibition makes Los Angeles the nation’s biggest city with a smoke-free outdoor dining policy and is believed to be one of few that includes mobile food vendors. City officials on Thursday launched a public education campaign about the new law that was adopted in January 2010 with a one-year grace period to give business owners time to prepare. Food tastes better “with a side of fresh air,” proclaim posters and radio announcements to be used in the campaign. “We will be putting out cigarettes all over Los Angeles, and that’s a beautiful thing,” said Kathy Magliato, president of the American Heart Association. Tobacco-toking is already prohibited at city beaches, farmers markets and parks, as well as within 25 feet of playgrounds, bleachers, sports fields and picnic areas. Now it also will be off-limits within 10 feet of outdoor dining areas or within 40 feet of a food truck. Bars, clubs and private events at restaurants will be exempt. The ordinance will be largely self-regulatory, said Councilman Tom LaBonge. Businesses will be required to post signs and request that patrons extinguish their cigarettes or face fines of up to $500 for the smoker and the business. "We can clean up the city, as well,” LaBonge said. “How many butts go down the drains and onto our beaches?” The new restriction has many restaurateurs fuming, particularly those who installed sidewalk tables and patios to
SEE CP PAGE 9
SEE SMOKING PAGE 7
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
WHAT A LIFE: Raquel Paez (right) cuts her red velvet cake with her son Fabian during her 100th birthday party at St. Monica's on Friday.
Local woman nears the big 100 Family from around the world will help celebrate the event BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Daily Press Staff Writer
For some people, age is just a number. For Raquel Paez, it’s a pretty big one. The 16-year resident of Santa Monica turns 100 this month, and remains a marvel of independence despite her advanced years. Friday, amid well-wishing banners and a large plate of red velvet cake served at the Senior Luncheon at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Raquel sat peacefully, and reflected on her day. “I’m very happy,” she said in thicklyaccented English. “I have a long life and good health. God is good to me.”
That long life also has great breadth, spanning two continents, two languages and a lot of history. Raquel Paez was born and raised in Quito, the agrarian capital of Ecuador, in March 1911, where she lived with her husband and six children until 1963. It was a trying time for the small South American country. A series of militarybacked populist leaders came and went, including five-time president Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, who was eventually ousted from power in a 1961 coup. Raquel worked in a government office in the capital while her husband, an engineer,
Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339 In today’s real estate climate ...
Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com www.garylimjap.com
ALL FORMS, ALL TYPES, ALL STATES
BACK TAXES • BOOKKEEPING • SMALL BUSINESS
SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA
(310) 395-9922
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800Santa Monica 90401