Santa Monica Daily Press, April 29, 2008

INSIDE SCOOP

OPINION

STATE

DEAD BODY FOUND IN BAY PAGE 3 NICE PEOPLE SWALLOW PAGE 4 BORDER BARRIER GROWING FAST PAGE 6

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

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Volume 7 Issue 144

Santa Monica Daily Press

TO THE RESCUE SEE PAGE 3

Since 2001: A news odyssey

THE GO LAKERS ISSUE

Federal judge forces City Hall to put jet ban on hold

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN, L.A. A U.S. District Court judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order against City Hall from enforcing a ban on the fastest and heaviest jets at Santa Monica Airport, keeping jet activity alive while the FAA and city officials battle out the validity of the ordinance enacted last month.

The decision comes just days after the ordinance was set to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 24, the ban temporarily suspended by City Hall later that day after the Federal Aviation Administration filed for a temporary restraining order.

“Council directed us to work very hard to protect public safety and we will continue to do so,” Kate Vernez, the assistant to the city manager for governmental relations, said on Monday. “We are studying the court order.”

The temporary restraining order forces City Hall to comply with a cease-and-desist order issued by the FAA a day before the ban was set to go into effect and was subsequently rejected by City Hall, city officials arguing they had a duty to protect the residents living just off the west end of the runway.

Runway safety at the airport has been a source of contention between the FAA and City Hall for decades, city officials echoing the concerns of Sunset Park residents that there is

a possibility an aircraft will one day overshoot the runway and land on homes. Santa Monica, which is considered a reliever airport for LAX, is unique in that there are homes within 300 feet of the east and west ends of the runway.

Judge George Wu’s order forces City Hall to cease and desist from immediately enforcing the ban and requires that a letter informing airport users of the ordinance be publicly withdrawn, replaced with a written notice that the restraining order is in effect pending completion of the FAA’s administrative investigation of the ban. City Hall will also be required to send copies of that notice to the FAA. SEE COURT ORDER PAGE 10

Kevin Herrera kevinh@smdp.com A construction crew last April demolishes a structure at the old Marion Davies Estate, soon to be the Annenberg Community Beach Club.

Caltrans, and the cities of Los Angeles, Malibu and Santa Monica have launched a Web site informing people about construction projects along PCH, including the beach club, to help commuters.

Getting the latest 411 on PCH projects

BY DAILY PRESS STAFF CYBERSPACE To make life a little easier for

attributed to the loss of spaces available to students since parking restrictions went into effect on streets near Samohi just a few weeks ago, limiting accessibility to two hours between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless a residential permit is displayed.

“The juniors are going to have a hard

commuters using Pacific Coast Highway, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and cities of Los Angeles, Malibu and Santa Monica have launched a Web site featuring the latest information on construction along the popular roadway.

The Web site, www.PCHPartners.org, was launched last Friday and is intended to be the primary source of information and updates related to planned construction projects. The intent is to help minimize traffic impacts on PCH through the coordination and communication of construction activities.

Several construction projects are planned by various agencies that will affect drivers using PCH between the McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica to Cross Creek Road in Malibu, beginning in Spring 2008 with an estimated completion in 2011.

“I am pleased these agencies are coordinating planned construction on or adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway” said engineer Tony Antich of Santa Monica. “The spirit of cooperation is impressive and the public will

SEE PARKING PAGE 9

SEE WEB SITE PAGE 7

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

ON THEIR WAY: Santa Monica High School students on Monday cross Pico Boulevard following classes. New parking restrictions just south of the campus have helped residents there find parking, but have forced students to search far and wide for spots. Public transit may become popular.

Parking good for residents, bad for students

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

CITYWIDE It was almost like any other Friday for Santa Monica High School senior Jennifer Lopez, starting the morning by driving to class with her boyfriend, finding a spot near campus and making short walk to begin another school day.

Except this time that walk turned into a decent trek for Lopez, who had her morning commute extended after searching far and wide for a sparking space, finally finding one blocks away from where she along with other high school students have been accustomed to leaving their cars since receiving the keys from mom and dad.

The detour, according to Lopez, can be

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Calendar

Eddie Says...

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“Better To Be Safe Than Sorry!”

A newspaper with issues

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

Edward Avedis Collection

spring JEWELRY REPAIR CHECK LIST Have jewelry cleaned & checked FREE* K Have watch battery checked FREE K Jewelry and watch repair estimates FREE K K Have gemstone settings checked K Have bracelet clasps checked K Have watch battery changed K Have pearls restrung K New watch band K Have insurance appraisal updated K Have watch serviced K Update and redesign old jewelry

Word to the WISE

Santa Monica Family YMCA, Noon — 1 p.m.

WISE & Healthy Aging is a senior services group that promotes wellbeing, independence, self-esteem and education. The organization is holding a seminar focused on healthy aging, transportation and mobility. Program director Barbara S. Harrison will speak at the event. For more information, call (310) 393-2721

Shop where they know your name

Get deep

331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 www.readersjewelers.com *Limit three pieces.

601 Santa Monica Blvd., 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Watch the wonders of underwater and seaside life in “Deep Blue” — a BBC documentary that is being shown in conjunction with this year’s marine-themed Citywide Reads book, “The Highest Tide.” It’s a free program. Seating is first come, first serve in the Main Library Auditorium.

Sing it loud

112 W. Channel Rd., 9 p.m. — 1 a.m.

The Hideout is one of the most popular lounges in the Santa Monica area. Every Tuesday and Thursday, adults can enjoy some late-night karaoke, which includes singing, dancing, alcohol — $6 drinks, $4 beers — and a free taco bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prizes are given away to the night’s best singers. For more information, call (310) 429-1851.

Getting wild on the Westside

Noon — 5 p.m.

For the first time, the true crime archeologists of the 1947 project have set their sights on points west of Robertson Boulevard, and the results are truly astonishing. In this new tour spotlighting some of the weirdest, most horrific and downright unbelievable crimes of historic West Los Angeles. Seats are $55 a person. For more information, call (323) 223-2767.

www.dr4insurance.com Insurance Lic. #: 0618319 1220 Lincoln Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401-1704 Bus: 310-458-3400

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Kiwanis Club Meeting

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Santa Monica YMCA, Noon — 1:30 p.m.

Come and join the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club — an organization made up of volunteers that provides community support through grants, volunteer hours and much more — for their weekly club luncheon at the Santa Monica YMCA. Members use these meetings to increase fundraising efforts and spread the word on support committees and community events. Special guest speakers will be attending the luncheon. For more information, call (310) 613-1249.

12 Steps For Everybody

16370 Bollinger Dr., Pacific Palisades, 7 p.m. — 8 p.m.

12 Steps for Everybody’s one-hour 12-Step Writing Meeting hosts a more intensive practice to the traditional 12-Step program — reading literature, going to meetings, finding a sponsor and then working the 12 Steps. This program is for anyone who would like to join, or anyone with a habitual problem or illness. For more information, call (310) 454-5138, or e-mail info@12stepsforeverybody.org.

For more information on any of the events listed, log on to smdp.com and click the “Events” tab for the given day’s calendar.

Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com

COMMUNITY BRIEFS EASTSIDE SM

Fire snuffed out Santa Monica and Los Angeles firefighters joined forces on Monday to rescue a small dog that was trapped in a second-floor apartment while a fire burned below.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 1725 Centinela Avenue around 12:30 p.m., finding flames coming from a ground level apartment and the unit just above it, said SMFD Capt. Scott Ziegert.

While trying to extinguish the flames, firefighters discovered the fire spread to the roof of a neighboring apartment Josh Lewis flickr.com/undertow_drown building just to the south. Firefighters HARD AT WORK: Santa Monica and Los Angeles quickly evacuated those inside the sec- firefighters responded to the 1700 block of ond building and within minutes put out Centinela Avenue on Monday afternoon to put out the fire. Once the building was cleared a blaze that destroyed two apartments and forced and found to be safe, residents were the evacuation of several others. allowed to return to their apartments, Ziegert said.

No one was injured in the fire, however, the dog was treated for smoke inhalation. It’s owner transported the animal to a local veterinarian for further treatment.

Both apartment units where the blaze was concentrated suffered severe fire and smoke damage and several adjacent units suffered heavy smoke damage.

Four engine companies, one truck company, one rescue ambulance and a battalion chief from Santa Monica initially responded to the fire. Once on scene SMFD units were assisted by several LAFD apparatus consisting of two engine companies, a taskforce and a battalion chief. Santa Monica police and community service officers assisted with traffic and crowd control and administrative staff from the SMFD assisted with civilian and firefighter safety.

Fire investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause of the fire, total loss, and the extent of damage to the structure. The investigation is ongoing and no further information was available at press time.

The Santa Monica Red Cross is providing housing for six individuals from 1725 Centinela. Most of the building’s tenants are single. With electricity cut off from the 10 unit building at 1733, the Red Cross was considering setting up a shelter for three to 10 families (depending on the number of people who need sheltering) if power was not restored by the evening.

DAILY PRESS

SM BAY

What a flush The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has posted warning signs advising beach visitors, swimmers, and surfers to avoid the ocean 1/2 mile north and 1/2 mile south of Ballona Creek after receiving word about a sewage spill that may have entered the water.

L.A. County health officials were notified Sunday of the spill. The advisory is posted as a precautionary measure and will be in effect until at least the afternoon of Wednesday, April 30 pending test results that measure the bacteria level in the ocean water. Water samples were taken Monday morning.

“We are asking people to avoid entering or swimming in the ocean in the area immediately surrounding Ballona Creek,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, director of public health and county health officer. “Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of the people who visit the beach and water areas. Once we determine bacteria levels in the water have returned to normal, we will remove the beach advisory.”

Public Health was notified by the Los Angeles City Fire Department on Sunday regarding the discharge. It was determined the discharge may have entered Ballona Creek and therefore, could enter ocean water. Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation was involved with the clean-up.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available around the clock on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Ocean Water Quality Hotline at (800) 5255662 and online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.

DP

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

3

League title in sight for Samohi softball

BY JON HABER Special to the Daily Press

SANTA MONICA Despite two losses in a tournament last weekend, the Santa Monica High School girls’ softball team remains undefeated in Ocean League play and looks poised for its sixth consecutive league championship.

The Vikings (17-7, 6-0) carried a ninegame winning streak — during which Samohi outscored opponents by a staggering 90 runs (96-6) — into the El Segundo Tournament April 26, but couldn’t piece much together against Torrance or Bishop Montgomery en route to 6-0 and 6-3 losses, respectively.

Despite serving up six runs to Torrance, Samohi’s pitching staff, which hadn’t given up more than four runs in a game since a 76 loss on April 1 to Downey, didn’t pitch as poorly as the scoreboard indicated. “[Torrance] was hitting a lot of little bloopers,” Samohi head coach Debbie Skaggs said. “There’s not much you can do about that.”

The following game against Bishop Montgomery was delayed two hours due to scheduling conflicts. When Samohi finally made it out to the field, Skaggs said, her team wasn’t ready to go.

“We were just not ready to play,” she said.

“We were really pretty flat at that point. We

just didn’t come with the intensity we had last weekend [in the El Segundo Tournament] when we beat two quality teams.”

Standout sophomore catcher Emma Woo, who Skaggs has mentioned as a quiet leader on a young team, said the team tired as the day went on.

“We weren’t really hitting the ball well, and our offense just wasn’t there,” she said. “[The team] kind of fell apart with our communication out on the field.”

The Vikings began tournament play April 19 with victories in two consecutive pitching duels. They defeated Banning 1-0 and North Torrance 3-2 behind strong efforts from the pitching staff and timely hitting.

“Our pitching’s been outstanding,” Skaggs said. “And our hitting has really come along as the season’s progressed.

Unfortunately, this weekend [against Torrance and Bishop Montgomery], we hit it right on the nose, but right at [our opponents].”

Coming into this season, Skaggs knew the team she had was very young and that most of the talent would have to come from the sophomore level. Still, the goal in the coach’s mind is always to take home a league title, even without much veteran leadership.

SEE SOFTBALL PAGE 7

Dead body found in SM Bay may be missing boater

BY JON HABER Special to the Daily Press

SM BAY A kayaker may have found the body of a man who has been missing since April 8 when a boat he rented was found about a mile off the coast of Santa Monica, authorities said.

The kayaker spotted the body about 300 yards off the shore at approximately 7:45 a.m. Sunday. Lifeguards and the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s department responded to the scene and transported the body to Marina Del Rey, said Capt. Erik Albertson, Los Angeles County lifeguard.

“We suspect that [the body found Sunday] could be related to the person that went missing April 8,” Albertson said.

Detectives Carmine Sasso, Bruce Kuohl and Chris Beltran of the Los Angeles Police Department are currently handling the investigation and said the positive identification of the body is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

“We at this time become a support function for the coroner’s office as well as with the Sheriff ’s Department because this was a joint investigation from the start,” Sasso said.

SEE BODY PAGE 6

SMALL BUSINESS STARTUP? LET ME HELP YOU SUCCEED

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(310) 395-9922 1000 Wilshiree Blvd.,, Suitee 1800 Santaa Monicaa 90401

OpinionCommentary 4

A newspaper with issues

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PUBLISHER

What’s the Point?

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

David Pisarra

Don’t cry over carobs

Ross Furukawa ross@smdp.com

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kevin Herrera

Editor:

I read with interest “’Other’ trees causing controversy” in the Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Santa Monica Daily Press. Initially, I was amazed at the self appointed, uninformed, but well meaning, residents that claim cutting down dangerous carob trees will, “destroy the character of the neighborhood.”

I have lived north of Montana on a street with carob trees for over 30 years. I have seen heavy limbs that have fallen onto the sidewalk and street many times, sometimes during a storm and other times from no apparent cause.

Not too long ago, one fell on the 300 block of 12th Street and damaged a BMW parked at the curb, luckily without occupants. Last night or this morning, one fell in the 200 block of 12th Street, blocking the sidewalk on the west side of the street.

The wood in these trees is very heavy and could cause serious injury or kill someone or cause serious damage to property. In addition, many of these trees have fungus infections … . I don’t think the people that oppose the removal of these trees would be so worried about the “character of the neighborhood” if they or a member of their family were injured by one of these trees or had one fall on their automobile.

Further, the carob trees can are also be considered a nuisance for other reasons. The carob pods attract squirrels, rats and other pests that feed on them, and they litter the ground and parked cars when they fall from the trees.

I don’t purport to be a tree expert, but what the community forester says seems to make good sense to protect the residents …from injury and property damage and to protect the city from personal injury and property damage claims.

While at one time carob trees may have been considered good trees for city parkways, I believe that they are no longer considered wise choices because of their susceptibility to fungi infection and likelihood of falling limbs if not falling trees.

Alan Freedman Santa Monica

Council needs to protect district Editor:

The Third Street Historic District is anchored on the side of the Fourth Street hill but the truth is, it’s a very slippery slope.

This unique district features 84 percent original structures and was established in 1990 in a commitment between the Third Street neighbors and the City Council to preserve a snapshot of an early Santa Monica neighborhood. Now the City Council is being put to a test to see if they have the will to honor that commitment.

A resident of the district, a man who bought with full knowledge he was moving into an historic district, wants to build a very modern house behind his historic house that faces the street.

The new structure is so blatantly different from everything else around it, it spits in the face of all his neighbors.

No one wants to deny a person the right to build what they want on their own property.

But even property owners are subject to zoning restrictions, and in this case, other commitments that were made. He knew about that when he bought the property and apparently was willing to take his chances.

The future of the … district is fragile and hinges on this council decision.

If the council approves this modern building it becomes more impossible to deny the next one, and it leads to the slippery slope where soon you have no historic district left.

The City Council needs to honor their commitment to the historic district and deny this building.

Dick Orton Santa Monica

It is more polite to swallow than spit EVERYONE LOVES DISNEYLAND. IT’S THAT

perfect place where the flowers are always blooming and the streets are kept clean.

People are polite and generally friendly.

When Disneyland was being created there were of course many rules that were established by Walt and Roy. No liquor was one, and no chewing gum was another.

I sometimes wish that the no chewing gum rule was made applicable to the wider world. Now, I like chewing gum. I probably go through a pack a week.

It’s very useful when I’m working out, after a garlicky meal at Fritto Misto.

Seriously, who hasn’t gone overboard on the garlic in olive oil and fresh hot bread there?.

But like all things, chewing gum needs to be used wisely and responsibly. It is one of those items that is a staple of childhood, much like cotton candy, and churros on the Santa Monica Pier.

I don’t think that it should be banned entirely, but I would not mind in the slightest if our illustrious police force would start giving out tickets to the inconsiderate expectorators who feel the street is an appropriate place to dispose of their used gum.

In the last month I have had to scrape some baboon’s used bubble gum from the sole of my shoes, which thus exposes me to their vile saliva and whatever other gross things are growing in their mouth.

I have had to stop and rescue my dear dachshunds furry paws from the sticky grossness that happens when he accidentally steps in some discarded gum.

Trying to get a panicky dog to hold still long enough for me to remove a wad of chewed gum from his paw is not an enjoyable experience and it is one that I would rather never have happen again.

This of course is just one example of the overall impolite behavior that has become all too common among people today.

On Sunday I was walking my dog, and a homeless guy, who was listening to his iPod, threw a cigarette butt directly in my path, while it was still burning.

Now, aside from the obvious irony of a homeless guy with an iPod, the sad fact is that no police officer would ever cite him for his bad behavior.

Littering is just not something that they are going to waste their time on, because there is no money to be had from that sort of indolent boob.

However had I thrown a gum wrapper, even a biodegradable paper one no less, on the ground I feel sure that some lurking officer would swoop down to cite so that the city can recoup their fine of whatever dollar amount they deem necessary to assist in the tree deforestation project they are currently funding.

My first reaction when I have to clean up someone else’s gum from the bottom of my shoe or my dog’s paw is that we should ban the stuff, or make it like the spray cans of paint that you have to be over 18 to buy, from behind the locked case.

I want to see it removed from society, like we did with alcohol in the 20s or regulate it like we do with smoking in the 2000’s.

Of course, that’s never going to happen. Our City Council has far more important matters to attend to than passing municipal codes that are not going to be enforced and serve to keep the city safer.

I DON’T THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE BANNED ENTIRELY, BUT I WOULD NOT MIND IN THE SLIGHTEST IF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS POLICE FORCE WOULD START GIVING OUT TICKETS TO THE INCONSIDERATE EXPECTORATORS WHO FEEL THE STREET IS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO DISPOSE OF THEIR USED GUM.

editor@smdp.com

MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com

STAFF WRITER Melody Hanatani melodyh@smdp.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Bauer, David Pisarra, Meredith Carroll, Kenny Mack, Jack Neworth, Lloyd Garver, Seth Barnes, Taylor van Arsdale, Dane Robert Swanson, Ryan Hyatt, Steve Breen, Elizabeth Brown, Maria Rohloff, Merv Hecht, Mike Heayn, Brian Hepp Mariel Howsepian and Cynthia Citron

NEWS INTERNS Chiara Canzi news@smdp.com

Jon Haber news@smdp.com

PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS Geoffrey Dunn news@smdp.com

Morgan Genser news@smdp.com

Alexis Hawkins news@smdp.com

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Rob Schwenker schwenker@smdp.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Julie Martinez juliem@smdp.com

Robert Hertel roberth@smdp.com

ADVERTISING TRAFFIC FACILITATOR Amber Kessee amberk@smdp.com

It is far more important that our police department enforces the dog registration laws, and make sure that I’m not parked beyond my allotted 20 minutes at a meter.

We have commissions for everything in this city.

What I’d like to see is a commission that has one, just one, police officer assigned to enforcing the No Expectorating laws.

We like making a splash with publicity to show how progressive we are as a city, perhaps we should have a Spit or Swallow detail. All they have to do is give out a few citations, get a news crew down here, and have the mayor give a speech about “cleaning up the city.”

If he needs me to, I’ll gladly write the speech for him. Just a little publicity, and maybe we can reduce the amount of gum and spit on the streets, which is healthier for everyone.

We should all remember to use a proper receptacle for our gum, and keep in mind that it is more polite to swallow than spit.

David Pisarra is a family law attorney focusing on father’s rights and men’s issues in the Santa Monica firm of Pisarra & Grist. He welcomes your questions and comments. He can be reached at dpisarra@pisarra.com or (310) 6649969.

OPERATIONS MANAGER Connie Sommerville connies@smdp.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER Robert Summa summa@smdp.com

CIRCULATION Keith Wyatt Osvaldo Paganini circulation@smdp.com

A newspaper with issues 410 Broadway, Suite B Santa Monica, CA 90401 OFFICE (310) 458-PRESS (7737) FAX (310) 576-9913

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The Santa Monica Daily Press is published six days a week, Monday through Saturday.

19,000 daily circulation, 46,450 daily readership. Circulation is audited and verified by Circulation Verification Council, 2006. Serving the City of Santa Monica, and the communities of Venice Beach, Brentwood, West LA. Members of CNPA, AFCP, CVC, Associated Press, IFPA, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

Published by Newlon Rouge, LLC © 2006 Newlon Rouge, LLC, all rights reserved.

OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Santa Monica Daily Press staff. Guest editorials from residents are encouraged, as are letters to the editor. Letters will be published on a space-available basis. It is our intention to publish all letters we receive, except those that are libelous or are unsigned. Preference will be given to those that are e-mailed to editor@smdp.com. All letters must include the author’s name and telephone number for purposes of verification. Letters also may be mailed to our offices located at 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica, 90401, or faxed to (310) 576-9913. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content.

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MY DENTIST IS SO BORING...

HE ALMOST PUTS ME TO SLEEP!

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Political pressure leaving thousands unemployed OF

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So this week’s Q-Line question asks: If Will Rogers and Topanga state parks were forced to close what impact do you think it would have on the city’s public parks?

Art Pulaski is executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation. He can be reached at www.calaborfed.org.

D O E S T H I S S O U N D L I K E YO U ?

#

T. HS 14T

Day at the park Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed closing a number of open spaces in the Santa Monica Mountains including Will Rogers and Topanga state parks due to a $10 billion budget deficit.

Air Force officials stunned the industry when they stated that they didn’t consider that their decision would outsource 44,000 good American jobs and decades of technical expertise to Europe.

Here in California, the IAM estimates the decision will eliminate 4,000 jobs at over 80 independent supplier companies across California, draining $175 million from the state economy each year. Of course, EADS has promised many states — California included — new jobs as a result of their tanker project. But the promises of a foreign company without physical infrastructure on American soil should be taken with an enormous grain of salt.

As Boeing pursues a formal protest before the Government Accountability Office, one can only hope that the public will get some answers as to why the Air Force made this surprising decision.

The IAM has questioned what possessed DOD officials to ignore the billions in illegal subsidies EADS used to develop their tanker aircraft, and to eliminate provisions that would forbid EADS to sell military technologies developed on the tanker aircraft (like anti-missile systems) to hostile countries like Iran or China.

By allowing EADS to use billions in illegal subsidies to build their tanker design, Air Force officials placed Boeing’s alreadyproven tanker at an unfair disadvantage and gave billions in taxpayer dollars to a U.S. trade enemy.

With the WTO lawsuit still pending, the French company is making a mockery of the USTR, the DOD, our valued military, and the aerospace industry. If the investigation proves that the Air Force changed the rules and handed EADS the tanker contract because of political pressure, the resulting scandal will rival the Halliburton fiasco, the Dubai ports deal, and 2003 tanker scandal combined.

Until then, the California labor movement will join the outraged aerospace and defense workers who have lost their jobs to demand answers on how our own Air Force could completely ignore job creation, infrastructure and a critical, already-existing military industrial base in any defense contract decision.

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Doctors?? Exams?

Auditions?? Spiders?? Heights?

Wee cann makee them m disappear!

John McGrail C.Ht. Clinical Hypnotherapist

(310) 235-2883 www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com Hypnotherapists are not licensed by the state of California as healing arts practitioners; for your benefit and protection, work on some issues may require a written referral from a licensed physician or mental health professional.

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workers, rising unemployment rates, an enormous budget deficit and a looming recession are the least of their concerns.

California aerospace workers are more worried about the fact that the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD) is sending 44,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs and a critical defense contract for tanker refueling aircraft overseas.

According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International Vice President Lee Pearson, this new fleet of tanker refueling aircraft, or “gas stations in the sky,” is one of the most important purchases that the DOD will make in the coming years. These aircraft fuel in-flight Air Force fighter and cargo planes and ensure long-range capabilities that are critical to defending our troops in war zones.

Everyone assumed that the DOD would choose Boeing for the contract, largely because of the company’s long experience building tanker aircraft and its advanced tanker design. But instead of keeping these good-paying jobs on U.S. soil, DOD is handing them over to the French manufacturer EADS, a top trade enemy of the U.S. EADS has a major black mark on the company’s record: Its A330-based tanker aircraft design was funded by illegal subsidies from the French and other European countries, according to our own U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). EADS has used these subsidies, totaling some $100 billion, to launch the company’s line of commercial jetliners.

This effort to steal market share and thousands of manufacturing jobs from the United States prompted a World Trade Organization lawsuit against the EU. Nevertheless, the Air Force confounded reasonable expectations by choosing EADS over Boeing for the tanker contract.

According to the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the DOD may have outsourced this contract due to political pressure, turning centuries of conventional wisdom on its head.

Most were shocked that the Air Force would reward a foreign company that had violated trade laws with a critical defense contract, particularly when their proposed aircraft did not match the Air Force’s exact requirements for a flexible and fuel efficient tanker.

CLOVERFIELD

Art Pulaski

FOR

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Its future uncertain, barrier on the border going up quickly

BY EILEEN SULLIVAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON The U.S. fence along the Mexican border is less a wall than a stuttering set of blockades: half barrier, half gaps.

Americans are split pretty much the same way: half in favor, half against, passionate on both sides when it comes to the idea of erecting a wall to keep people from entering the country illegally.

It can seem a shaky foundation as the United States rushes to complete the fencing on nearly 700 miles of the border by the end of the year. That’s when a new administration arrives in the White House with its own ideas about security, freedom, the 11 million illegal immigrants already here and the prospect of many more on the way.

Nearly half complete, the multibillion-dollar fence project stretches from the Pacific surf at Tijuana to the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. The messages it sends are decidedly mixed.

For Rep. Peter King, the New York Republican who wrote the legislation to build the fence, the message is simple: Don’t sneak into America; we are taking control of our borders.

For others, the fence is inconsistent with a country founded by immigrants and priding itself on opportunity.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says it’s simply a new law enforcement device, part of a multipronged crackdown on the flow of illegal immigrants. The government also has hired more border agents, stepped up enforcement nationwide and increased penalties for those who don’t follow the law.

“I don’t invest the fence with the iconic significance that some people place on it,” Chertoff says. “To some people, it is a be-all and end-all of controlling the border. To some people, it is a symbol of ... the Berlin Wall. I think it’s a tool.”

The concept of a border fence took on new life after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which revived the heated immigration debate.

Intelligence officials have said the holes along the southwest border could provide places for terrorists to enter the country.

About 317 miles of the southwest border fence have been built, with plans for another 353 miles by the end of the year. Longer term, there are plans for physical fencing or surveillance and detection technology along the entire 2,000-mile border by 2010.

An Associated Press-Ipsos poll last month found Americans just about as split as they could be: 49 percent in favor of the fence, 48 percent opposed. Tellingly, a majority of 55 percent think it won’t fix the problem.

Congress already has allocated $2.7 billion

for fence construction, and there’s no estimate how much the entire system — the physical fence and technology — will cost to build, let alone maintain.

The new construction includes completion of a nearly solid stretch from San Diego to Yuma, Ariz.; a new section extending several miles in each direction from Lukeville, Ariz.; additional lengths flanking Nogales, Ariz., and Columbus, N.M.; extension of the current barrier at El Paso; new sections near the Texas border towns of Esperanza, Presidio, Del Rio and Eagle Pass, and a dotted line of fence stretching from Roma to past Brownsville.

Border fences have been sprouting across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for decades — dating to the 1940s, when the International Boundary and Water Commission built 234 miles of fence to keep out foot-and-mouth disease.

As a result, the U.S. fence is a patchwork of old and new construction and in varying states of repair; the only consistency is a uniform ugliness.

In San Diego, rusted, corrugated metal wades ashore from the Pacific onto a beach and becomes a 9-mile wall that dips into canyons, runs along hillsides and jogs beside a highway. In Arizona, short vertical posts, some connected by horizontal rails, mesh fencing and World War II surplus corrugated steel sheets are scattered along the border from Yuma to Douglas. In New Mexico, 15-foot poles poke up from the desert floor on either side of the Columbus port of entry, rust-colored pipes just inches from each other, allowing enough space to wriggle a hand between.

And in Texas, dull gray panels of thick steel fencing curve along the Rio Grande through downtown El Paso, patched here and there with mismatched pieces of metal.

Over the years surveillance cameras, ground sensors and unmanned aerial drones have been used in spots along the border. But the current building spree is the first comprehensive federal push to seal the entire stretch with either physical fencing or detection and surveillance technology.

The path hasn’t been smooth. The government’s first test of a 28-mile “virtual” fence _ a $20 million combination of cameras, satellite images and relay towers _ was a disappointment. The technology was designed to distinguish people from cattle 10 miles away and improve border monitoring. But Border Patrol agents weren’t in on the planning of the system, and in practice the components didn’t work well together, sending contractor Boeing back to the drawing board.

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FROM BODY PAGE 3

“[The body] could be related [to the missing boater], but we won’t know until further examination is given by the coroner’s office,” the detective added.

Because the case is still open, LAPD could not release more information.

Associated Press Writers Traci Carl and Elliot Spagat in California, Art Rotstein in Arizona, Alicia Caldwell and Christopher Sherman in Texas contributed to this report.

“Some of the particulars we have to keep confidential in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” Sasso said.

Investigators are waiting for updates from the coroner’s office to get more information about the body.

news@smdp.com

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

Web site features PCH construction information FROM WEB SITE PAGE 1 benefit from this effort.”

PCH Partners was formed as a multiagency government response to address public concerns about the numerous infrastructure and water quality projects that had been planned and scheduled along PCH. With PCH serving as the main transportation corridor for the Westside beach communities, the principle concern about the resulting traffic impacts called for communication between the agencies managing the projects.

The partnership will share information as well as develop well-defined traffic management plans and post regular project updates on the Web site.

“With this multi-agency effort, involving the state, three municipal agencies and elected offices, the public in Los Angeles, Malibu and Santa Monica, we all get a big win,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl. “Collaboration between state and local governments for improved communication on construction projects that impact residents and commuters are central to reducing delays and the difficult process of construction.”

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR In Santa Monica there is the construction of the Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 PCH. Officials are also seeking permits for the Palisades Bluff Improvement Project, with construction expected to start after Labor Day. There is also the California Incline Reconstruction Project and the Santa Monica Pier Bridge rehabilitation.

The draft environmental impact report for the California Incline project is being modified to include additional traffic information and is expected to be re-circulated this summer. The pier bridge is being reevaluated and a draft EIR will be modified

and re-circulated, city officials said.

Caltrans on Sunday began resurfacing and paving PCH from Cross Creek Road south to the McClure Tunnel. Work will take place five days per week with the expected completion in 1 1/2 years. Most work will take place at night with the exception of daytime work adjacent to the Malibu Pier. Work will be done in 1/4 to 1/2 miles stretches with at least one lane remaining open at all times.

In Malibu, city engineers plan to install a signal at Corral Canyon with construction expected to take place for 60 days in July and August. Construction on underground utilities in Carbon Canyon should start after Labor Day. “The city of Malibu is very pleased to be part of the PCH Partners,” said Richard Calvin, city of Malibu Public Works superintendent. “We feel that this partnership will enhance the ability to inform the public as to what is happening in a timely manner for projects that may impact Pacific Coast Highway.”

The Web site will provide and update the public with background information, news, maps and construction schedules.

Contact information for each of the distinct projects will be provided for each of the respective oversight agencies to keep the public and commuters informed about status of construction, lane closures and detours.

The traffic impacts will be reduced to the extent possible based on the construction site conditions and any unanticipated circumstances such as poor weather.

PCH Partners will keep local elected officials, homeowner groups and community based organizations informed of project progress and other construction related issues. news@smdp.com

Young players are leading team FROM SOFTBALL PAGE 3 “We’ve won the league championship five years in a row. Our goal is to make it as deep into the playoffs as possible,” Skaggs said. “We had a lot of reshuffling at the beginning of the year, but we’ve really settled down and established ourselves.”

Junior Holly Elander and the sophomore duo of Woo and pitching ace Celisha Walker have helped lead the young team to a 6-0 Ocean-League record.

Samohi will also be getting a boost from sophomore Kaile Nakao, who has recently returned to the lineup after battling seasonlong trouble with mononucleosis.

The Vikings will look to continue their strong play in league action today against Beverly Hills (6-10, 3-3).

“Our goal is to [start] Walker and try to take care of business early,” Skaggs said. “It’s business as usual. We’ll get in there and try to score as many runs as possible and take the pressure off a little bit.”

“We’re looking to show the league our dominance a little more,” she added.

The players feel if they play up to their ability, the should take the remaining four games of their league schedule and secure another league title.

“We just have to get really pumped up and go out there and play strong,” Woo said.

“I know we can do it. If we bring our A game, we’ll be fine.”

First pitch is set to be thrown in Santa Monica at 3:15 p.m. news@smdp.com

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

Students desperate for more parking FROM PARKING PAGE 1 time next year,” Lopez said on her way to class.

The Santa Monica Police Department began enforcing the new restrictions in phases beginning on April 14, monitoring stretches of Bay and Grant streets and Kensington Road. Enforcement on the second phase, which includes parts of Sixth and Seventh streets, is expected to begin on May 1.

City Hall began posting the new preferential parking zone signs earlier this month, each one accompanied by an orange flag, warning students and other drivers that tickets will be issued to those who violate the two-hour restrictions on many of the streets.

Residents near Samohi have complained to city officials for years about the loss of parking spaces that come during school hours, successfully petitioning City Hall and the California Coastal Commission into creating a new permit-based zone.

Though the signs on some streets went up as recently as the middle of last week, the effect of their presence was evident soon thereafter, the streets once crammed with cars now appearing as though every day is a street cleaning day.

“This is much better,” Cindy HughesHammer, who lives on Sixth Street, said on Friday. “It used to be ridiculous here.”

Hughes-Hammer was among the residents who signed a petition to create a parking zone, clearly pleased to see the changes.

“I’m sick of seeing people park in front of my house constantly,” she said. “If I have guests over, I would like for them to have parking on the street.”

About 10 to 15 citations were issued in relation to the parking zones during the first week of enforcement, according to Ruth Harper, a transportation planning associate with City Hall. The number of citations has dwindled, often the case with new parking restrictions .

“Naturally if there is a new preferential parking zone, there would be a tendency of people still not paying attention to the signs,” Margarita Verduzco, the lead traffic service officer with the SMPD, said on Friday.

The neighborhood is a popular spot for parking because of its proximity to the high school, Verduzco said, adding that restrictions are often seen near academic institutions such as Santa Monica College.

Among the complaints from residents was that students and parents drove recklessly through the neighborhood and teenagers leaving trash behind. Some students would sit in their cars, playing loud music early in the morning as they waited for their class to start, residents said.

“I like the outcome,” Ron Nickerson, a long-time neighbor, said. “It’s more convenient for the people living here and because it’s not the cheapest area to live in, it shouldn’t have to be difficult to find parking.”

While residents welcome the changes, students bemoan the restrictions, saying it has created a problem for young drivers who have become accustomed to parking just blocks from the high school.

Lopez said there is now more competition among students to find parking within walking distance to the high school, adding that the battle has moved a few blocks south

past the restriction zone.

Such restrictions have caused students to consider other options, such as parking in the Civic Center garage, which charges $82.50 a month or $8 a day, something that many high schoolers say is not feasible.

“I don’t think the kids should have to pay to come to a public school,” Lopez said. “It kind of defeats the purpose of a public school.”

Samohi has about 40 on-campus parking spaces that are available to high school seniors. The roughly $125 a semester spaces are allocated on a lottery system and a student cannot receive a permit for more than one semester.

Parents and students say they would like to see city and district officials work out a shared-use agreement with the Civic Center parking garage, negotiating a lower price for students to use the lot during the day.

“I’m still hoping there is some kind of effort by the city and the school district to negotiate what could be a more reasonable rate for the parking garage,” Alison Kendall, who chairs the PTSA Transportation Committee, said last week. “Some parents pointed out if there was a reasonable market rate for the parking garage, it would be full.”

Harper said she isn’t aware of any reduced price options for students as of yet.

The school district has held workshops in the past exploring shared use options.

Among those advocating for a reduced rate is Wendy Kramer, whose son, a senior at Samohi, relies on his car to get to and from golf team practices. Her son received a parking ticket just last week.

“Although we encourage our boys to bike and take the bus whenever possible, more often than not, it is impossible,” Kramer said, adding that students with an early morning class would be biking in the dark during part of the year.

The residents in the preferential parking zone seem to agree.

Barbara Wallace, who has lived in the neighborhood for 10 years, said students should have parking spaces without impacting the residents.

Wallace signed the petition but said she is not in favor of the restrictions, was told that if some blocks didn’t submit petitions, they would receive the brunt of the impacts if zones were established on other streets.

“I understand the frustration of never having parking on school days,” Wallace said.

Some of the students have opted to ride their bikes, including Kendall’s son, who has rounded up a group of friends to ride with every day.

Kendall said that parents in general understand the needs of the residents to have more control of the parking situation on their street.

Kendall added that she is working with the Big Blue Bus to improve their service for Samohi students.

The Big Blue Bus added a Samohi stop on both lines 4 and 9 just last month, according to spokesman Dan Dawson. The public transportation agency also offers a special student fare card that includes 20 rides for a reduced fare of 50 cents per trip.

“The card is a great way to get around because the students don’t have to carry change,” Dawson said. melodyh@smdp.com

9

Local 10

A newspaper with issues

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

City Hall and FAA to meet in court FROM COURT ORDER PAGE 1

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 55-60°

SWELL FORECAST ( 6-8 FT )

This swell should mix with a good amount of 305+ degree wind swell containing 8- 10-second periods. Size will likely increase towards head high on Tuesday at west facing breaks, perhaps chest high or so at south facing breaks able to work the wrap. Conditions on Tuesday are questionable as a heavy onshore flow is expected.

Gradients are looking tight along the coast from strong troughing pushing southward from the Gulf, interacting with high pressure off Baja. This should whip up some brutal outer water winds.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS SW

AND

NW

TRANSITION

TIDE FORECAST

THURSDAY

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

The FAA argued that irreparable harm would exist if the temporary restraining order was not issued because the ban would disrupt 9,000 aircraft operations a year at Santa Monica Airport, affecting 20,000 to 30,000 passengers.

The ordinance covers Category C and D aircraft, which includes the Gulfstream IV. “We’re glad that (the court) ruled in our favor,” Ian Gregor, spokesman for the FAA, said on Monday. “It remains our hope to resolve this issue through an agreement and not through the court system.”

City Hall argued that the FAA waited until 30 days after the adoption of the ordinance to file for the temporary restraining order. City Hall representatives said the emergency stay should’ve been sought immediately after the enactment of the ban. The council also clearly documented that the safety concerns outweigh the federal government’s of protecting category C and D passengers’ ability to use the airport, city officials said.

City Attorney Marsha Moutrie said among the documentation is a declaration from James Hall — the former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board — stating that large jet aircraft activity should be banned because of the safety risks posed to residents.

City officials are currently studying what the next steps should be.

The FAA has made several runway safety proposals in the past, including most recently an option to install a 70-knot Emergency Material Arresting System that would be designed to stop roughly 97 percent of operations at the airport and 90 percent of categories C and D classified jets. The enhanced safety measures would consume more runway than the 40-knot EMAS, which the FAA previously proposed. City officials turned down both options as being insufficient.

Several Sunset Park residents and longtime advocates for enhanced runway safety made the trip to Downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, expressing disappointment that the judge appeared to rule in favor of a restraining order.

“We feel we’ve long since demonstrated that these aircraft are dangerous, especially the way the runway is situated at SMO,” Santa Monica resident Brian Bland said following the hearing. “These aircraft do overrun runways … some within the past year on similar runways that resulted in fatalities.”

City Hall will have until May 6 to file its opposition to the U.S. government’s application for a preliminary injunction, giving federal officials until May 12 to respond. A hearing for the preliminary injunction is scheduled for May 15 in Downtown LA. melodyh@smdp.com

Movie Times Horoscopes Visit us online at smdp.com

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MOVIETIMES AERO THEATRE 1328 Montana Avenue (323) 466-FILM The Dark Backward (NR) 7:30 Detroit Rock City (R) 1hr 35min

AMC LOEWS BROADWAY 4 1441 Third St. (310) 458-1506 The Bank Job (R) 1hr 50min 1:50, 4:35, 7:10, 9:45 Street Kings (R) 1hr 47min 1:45, 4:20, 7:00, 9:35 Pathology (R) 1hr 33min 2:10, 4:25, 6:45, 9:10 Stop-Loss (R) 1hr 53min 4:10 The Ruins (R) 1hr 37min 1:55, 6:55, 9:20

1:00, 1:50, 4:00, 4:50, 7:00, 7:45, 9:45 Nim's Island (PG) 1hr 35min 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 The Ruins (R) 1hr 31min 3:00, 5:25, 7:40, 10:00 Prom Night (PG-13) 1hr 38min 1:45, 4:10, 7:05, 9:20 The Forbidden Kingdom (PG-13) 1hr 53min 1:40, 2:25, 4:30, 5:15, 7:15, 8:00, 10:00 Forgetting Sarah Marshall (R) 1hr 51min 2:00, 4:45, 7:30, 10:10

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88 Minutes (R) 1hr 48min 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:00, 3:00, 4:30, 5:30, 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 10:30 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (PG) 1hr 30min 12:00, 2:30, 4:50, 7:10, 9:50, 12:10am Superhero Movie (PG-13) 1hr 25min 11:40 a.m., 4:40, 10:10 Leatherheads (PG-13) 1hr 54min 11:50 a.m., 2:30, 5:10, 7:50,

Bra Boys (R) 1hr 30min 1:00, 3:15, 5:30, 8:00, 10:15 The Counterfeiters (NR) 1hr 38min 1:45, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30 Smart People (R) 1hr 33min 12:15, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10 Young@Heart (PG) 1hr 47min

AMC 7 SANTA MONICA 1310 Third St. (310) 289-4262 21 (PG-13) 2hrs 03min

10:30 Shine a Light (PG-13) 2hrs 02min 1:50, 7:20 Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (PG-13) 1hr 33min 12:20, 2:40, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40, 11:50

For more information, e-mail news@smdp.com

Order in, Scorpio ARIES (March 21-April 19) ★★★★ Vagueness and possibly a sense of confusion surround friends, meetings and goals. You can weave your way through any haze, especially if you maintain a sense of humor. Tonight: Friends and fun mix.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ★★★ Step up to the plate knowing what you want and expect. A boss might not be as direct as you would like. Deal with this person as he is, as he isn’t about to change. Tonight: A must appearance.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★★ Opinions might transform your thoughts — all the better, as you are evolving.

Your choices need to reflect you, not thoughts of the past. Make calls and consider planning a getaway very soon. Tonight: Take in new vistas.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) ★★★★ How you handle a partner might make a difference, or so you think. This person is direct and sometimes stubborn. He or she will react to any tendencies to manipulate. Give this person space to express his or her thoughts. Tonight: Togetherness works.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) ★★★★ Others might be determined to have events occur as they think they should. You could challenge their thinking. Or you could just go off and do your own thing; you will be much happier as a result. You don’t always need to be the lead player. Tonight: Sort through invitations.

what negative ramifications could ensue.

Tonight: Squeeze in a walk.

TELL SANTA MONICA WHAT YOU THINK!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

★★★★★ Your creativity emerges no matter whom you deal with or what you are discussing.

Remember, you choose your focus, and that is where you are likely to infuse your imagination.

Tonight: Add zip to your personal life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ★★★★ Establish stronger ground rules and realize your limits. Confusion surrounds a personal or domestic matter. You might not be hearing the whole truth. Skeletons literally might fall out of the closet! Tonight: Order in.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ★★★★★ Talk and express yourself. Don’t put anything on the back burner. Your sense of direction might be off, but your intuition will steer you. Tonight: Visiting.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ★★★★ Take your time making up your mind. If you feel that there are too many mixed messages, slow down and sort through what you are seeing. Understanding gets you far. Clear out the cobwebs before they trip you up. Tonight: Easy on the wallet.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ★★★★ You easily could be overwhelmed. Take a deep breath and make it your pleasure to move a project along or get a situation under control.

Tonight: Say yes to an enticing offer.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★ Dig into a project, but at the same time realize your goals might not be another’s. If you’ve been thinking about an avant-garde diet or exercise program, check it out, but also see

★★ Slowing down might not decrease your efficiency. In fact, it might increase the quality of your work. A positive attitude gets you far.

Tonight: Hang out.

Happy birthday

JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS The stars show the kind of day you’ll have: ★★★★★Dynamic ★★ So-So ★★★★ Positive ★ Difficult ★★★ Average

You often react to the unexpected and then have to catch up to others. Stay focused, knowing what you want. Remain impervious to distraction as much as possible. Your success will depend on your focus this year. Your imagination helps create even more dynamic ideas and leadership, if you choose to use it in that manner. You become more decisive than in the past. If you are single, you’ll meet people through your work or public appearances. Someone is drawn to you because of your incisive wit. If you are attached, a dream the two of you have shared for years becomes a distinct possibility. Go for it together. AQUARIUS encourages you to dream.

EMAIL TO: EDITOR@SMDP.COM OR FAX TO (310) 576-9913 Visit us online at smdp.com

Comics & Stuff 12

A newspaper with issues

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

Janric Classic Sudoku

Girls and Sports

By Justin Borus and Andrew Feinstein

Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).

Difficulty

SILVER

The Meaning of Lila

By John Forgetta & L.A. Rose

Š 2008 Janric Enterprises Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

GETTING STARTED There are many strategies to solving Sudoku. One way to begin is to examine each 3x3 grid and figure out which numbers are missing. Then, based on the other numbers in the row and column of each blank cell, find which of the missing numbers will work. Eliminating numbers will eventually lead you to the answer.

The Other Coast

By Adrian Raeside

SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE

Garfield

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

13

DAILY LOTTERY 19 32 37 45 52 Meganumber: 41 Jackpot: $85M 4 12 17 20 31 Meganumber: 20 Jackpot: $17M 3 24 26 30 31 MIDDAY: 3 4 4 EVENING: 9 0 6 1st: 04 Big Ben 2nd: 09 Winning Spirit 3rd: 08 Gorgeous George

MYSTERY PHOTO

RACE TIME: 1.48.31

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

The first one to identify where this shot was taken wins a prize from the Daily Press. Send answers to editor@smdp.com.

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 at http://www.calottery.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

Strange Brew

By John Deering

Speed Bump

By Dave Coverly

CHUCK

SHEPARD

■ Experimental "natural orifice" surgery might be health care's next big thing following its U.S. introduction last year at Columbia University (as reported also in "News of the Weird"), where doctors removed a woman's diseased gall bladder not by an abdominal incision but through her vagina. In March, doctors at UC-San Diego Medical Center removed a woman's appendix through her vagina, and a man's through his mouth. (A microscopic camera must be inserted through the abdomen, however, to guide the surgeons.)

Pain and healing time are usually less than half that of ordinary surgery, but the risk of internal infection is greater. The next step, doctors say, will be removing kidneys through the anus.

■ A Maryland governmental fund created to assist "innocent" victims of violent crime has paid out nearly $1.8 million since 2003 to injured (or deceased) "drug dealers, violent offenders and other criminals," according to an investigation by the Baltimore Sun published in March. Burial expenses were awarded for a carjacker, a victim of an inter-gang killing and a sex offender who was fatally beaten in prison. The Maryland courts have ruled that as long as the applicant was not engaged in a crime at the time he was injured, he must be considered for an award.

TODAY IN HISTORY Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of 1429 Orleans to lead a French victory over the English.

Joseph Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation” was rehearsed in Vienna, Austria, before an invited audience.

Maryland’s House of Delegates voted against seceding from the Union.

Japanese Emperor Hirohito was born in Tokyo. the Easter Rising in Dublin collapsed as Irish nationalists surrendered to British authorities.

28 former Japanese officials went on trial in Tokyo as war criminals; seven ended up being sentenced to death. the counterculture musical “Hair” opened on Broadway following limited engagements off-Broadway.

1798 1861 1901 1916

1946

1968

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maelstrom \MAYL-struhm\, noun: 1. A large, powerful, or destructive whirlpool.

2. Something resembling a maelstrom; a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs.

14

A newspaper with issues

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

Classifieds

550 per day. Up to 15 words, 20 cents each additional word.

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CLASSIFICATIONS: Announcements Creative Employment For Sale

Furniture Pets Boats Jewelry Wanted Travel

Vacation Rentals Apartments/Condos Rent Houses for Rent Roomates Commerical Lease

Real Estate Real Estate Loans Storage Space Vehicles for Sale Massage Services

Computer Services Attorney Services Business Opportunities Yard Sales Health and Beauty Fitness

Wealth and Success Lost and Found Personals Psychic Obituaries Tutoring

All classified liner ads are placed on our website for FREE! Check out www.smdp.com for more info.

Employment

Employment

For Rent

Host Families

Commercial Lease

Legal Services

CASHIER P/T for busy retail business in Culver City. $12.50/hr. Fax resume to 310-204-4309.

or fax to 509 356-3100.

Telephone inquiries please leave a voicemail at 509 356-3100.

BEAUTIFUL

MONTANA GARDENS

CREATIVE AGENCY Offices for Lease – Available Now!

COUNTER HELP needed. Cafe near 3rd St. Promenade 215 Broadway. Must be experienced. Immediate openings. Apply afternoons in person. (310) 396-9898.

Room and Board

Considering Filing for Bankruptcy?

Help Wanted

HOST INTERNATIONAL Students!

Gain New Perspective, Share American Culture & Language Kaplan Aspect Host Family Program offers $700 monthly stipend and competitive referral bonuses.

You must live within one hour of Westwood (via public transit) & English must be your primary language.

Our friendly staff will provide training and support during your hosting experience.

Join our growing International family!

(310) 717-5871

DENTAL ASSISTANT/ OFFICE MANAGER Modern, high quality, SM office. No HMO or Medi-Cal. Chairside experience and x-ray license required. 3/ 3.5 days per week. Front office and back office duties. Flexible hours. Excellent pay for the right person.

(310)451-1446 GIVE OF YOURSELF volunteers wanted at the discovery shop. Help us contribute to the American cancer society by spending 4 hours per week assisting in our resale shop in Santa Monica. Contact Terry or Shaunna at (310)458-4490 JEWELRY SALES Associate World famous Santa Monica Jeweler is looking for a sales associate for his first class organization. Retail store experience a must. Must love people and have excellent customer service skills. Please call or fax resume to 310-451-1349 (Fax).

ATTN: 29 Serious People Wanted to Work From Home using a computer.Up to $1,500-$5,000 PT/FT www.DTNglobal.com ATTN: NEEDED 15 people to lose up to 30 lbs, 30 days, $30+s/h. All natural, Dr.recommended.(800)218-3767

Career Opportunities

401 Montana Avenue Your home away from home.

Daily meals, laundry, housekeeping, utilities, and cable. 1 Bdrm, 1 Bath + Full Kitchen. Seniors and all ages welcome. Ask about 1 month of free rent.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

$2,500/MO

(310) 245-9436

CREATE WEALTH and Freedom now.

Make your Annual income your Monthly income.

Training, no exp. nec. 800-541-5892. iseekgrowth.com

For Sale

PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME Driver. Must have own car, need to be familiar with L.A. have Ca. driver’s license, English speaking. Can earn up to $100/ a day.

Submit resume to bsberkowitz@aol.com PART-TIME SALES position. Our attorney service is looking for referrals to law firms. Referrals result in ongoing commissions. Submit resume to bsberkowitz@aol.com RECEPTIONIST BOOKKEEPING background please e-mail resume to porchlightbankers@yahoo.com EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Possible career change. L.E.D. lighting and environmental solutions. Great opportunity for talented individual 310-917-3399 WAIT STAFF Full time positions available. AM Shift 6-2:30p. No experience necessary.

Competitive wages and benefits. Must have clear criminal background and be drug free. Please apply at 2107 Ocean Ave. SM, 90405.

WAIT STAFF Gardens of Santa Monica, an upscale assisted living community, are looking for Part Time servers PM shift 3pm-7pm. No experience necessary.

Please apply at 851 Second Street, SM 90403 or you can call (310) 393-2260.

WE NEED an elderly part-time office assistant with wisdom, good taste, and broad experience in general office procedures to staff a one person office on Benedict Canyon in Beverly Hills. Please submit your resume to subject “Part Time Help” at ExecutiveOffice@aol.com

A PROFESSIONAL LEGAL CORPORATION

2001 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica CA 310 453 8320

Commercial Lease

www.lawgross.com

Lost & Found

RETAIL SPACE/ 1727 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica. 2629 sqft. Off street parking. Contact Scott (805)766-0072

PLATINUM & Diamond Wedding Band has gone missing. April 12th at 14th & Wilshire - Rite Aide Parking Lot in Santa Monica. Help me cheer up my heartbroken wife.

Reward offered.

310-393-2933

Massage Ideal for a small company (2-5 people) specializing Web, PR, Advertising or Marketing. $600 for small office & $900 for large office.

1998 Audi A4 1.8T 50,800miles. 5-speed manual. Mint condition. White with terracotta leatherette interior. Sports package, moonroof, power windows, remote locking, LoJack. New clutch Feb 2008. $9,900.

310-391-8155 SPA/HOT TUB 2008 Model. Neck Jets.

Therapy seat. Warranty. Never used.

Can deliver. Worth $5950, sell for $1950 (310) 479-3054

Employment Wanted TRAINED MALE OPERA SINGER for parties and occasions.He Will sing Jolson, popular songs, and have a sing along. Call Gabe 310-392-6501

For Rent 1244 11TH st. unit H, 2bdrm/1bath, stove, carpet, blinds, laundry, parking, no pets.on site manager $1765.$300 off move in (310)393-6322 www.jkwproperties.com 501 N. Venice unit 16, single, $1125 stove, fridge, carpet, utilities included, laundry, parking, no pets.

(310)574-6767 www.jkwproperties.com HOWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP (310) 869-7901 1120 6th St. 2bd/1ba $1995 1214 Idaho 1bd/1ba $1695 PLEASE Visit our website for complete listings at: www.howardmanagement.com FREE RENTAL Lists & No Fee Rentals. Sullivan-Dituri Company.

2111 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

MAR VISTA, 11621 Braddock Dr. unit 9, 2bdrm. 1.5 bath, $1375, townhouse style, stove, carpt, w/d hookup, patio, gated parking, carpet, intercom entry, no pets. (310)967-4471 www.jkwproperties.com

Amazing location – walking distance to Promenade, restaurants, hotels and pier. Two blocks from the I-10 freeway.

SANTA MONICA NEWLY REMODELED One bedroom lower unit one year lease one car parking outside storage refinished hardwood floors new tiles in kitchen and bath laundry on site fridge stove controlled access building new ceiling fans new paint new window cover quiet street available now $1550 deposit $1550 George (310)396-0128

Must see to appreciate! Contact Nicole at 310.393.3993 xt 203

PALMS/BVRLYWD-ADJ.$750.Bachelor, utilities paid, NO PETS, parking small refrigerator hot plate 2009 Preuss Rd,.#1.Los Angeles,.90034.Open daily for viewing Additional info in unit.

BLISSFUL RELAXATION! Heal your body, mind, spirit. Therapeutic bodywork/energy healing. Strictly non-sexual. Introductory specials $68.00. Lynda, L.M.T. (310) 749-0621 EXQUISITE, INTUITIVE, strong and tender relaxing body work by mature Europen.

Very Professional, Sonja (310) 397-0433.

DBAS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES STATEMENT FILE NO. 20080622887 FIRST FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as MLLO DESIGN; MLLO, 1429 N. CURSON AVE, #301, LOS ANGELES, CA 90046, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. The full name of registrant(s) is/are : MARCELLO POZZI, 1429 N. CURSON AVE, #301, LOS ANGELES, CA 90046, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES This Business is being conducted by, an individual.

Signed: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name or names listed herein.. /s/: MARCELLO POZZI This statement was filed with the County Clerk of LOS ANGELES County on 4/10/2008. NOTICE: THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED PRIOR TO THAT DATE. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name statement in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411et seq.,Business and Professions Code). SANTA MONICA DAILY PRESS to publish 4/15/2008, 4/22/2008, 4/29/2008, 5/6/2008

VENICE 714 1/2 Indiana Ave. 2 bedroom 1 bath lower unit stove fridge ceiling fans tile hardwood floors laundry gated entry no pets (310)574-6767 www.jkwproperties.com

Houses For Rent SANTA MONICA - Cute house. 3 blks from Beach; 2bd 1ba; dining room; stove; washer; dryer; yard; parking $2300. Call (310)399-2288 or (323)252-6633.

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Your ad could run here!

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Contemporary interiors, very bright and beautifully maintained. Upbeat environment. Shared amenities, conference room and full kitchen. Workstations and overhead bookshelves in offices. Daily janitorial service. Secured parking and entry to building.

Utilities included, B&W/Color copier/printer & IT available for additional cost.

MAR VISTA $1300 spacious two bdrm/2bath lower. Patio. Parking.

Stove, refrigerator, intercom entry, carpet, blinds, no pets. Centinela, near Palms. (310)456-5659

CALL TODAY FOR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES! Prepay your ad today!

• Free phone consultation • Speak to your local Santa Monica Attorney • Get the facts now

DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA Sunny Private office 230 sq/ft.Available May 1st (310) 394-3322

Local Mexican Restaurant needs a part time/full time line cook.

Experience necessary. English a plus.

Call Mike or Alex 310-828-1315

“Your Local Santa Monica Attorney”

458-7737

Call us today at (310) 458-7737 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CONDITIONS: REGULAR RATE: $5.50 a day. Ads over 15 words add 20¢ per word per day. Ad must run a minimum of twelve consecutive days. PREMIUMS: First two words caps no charge. Bold words, italics, centered lines, etc. cost extra.

Please call for rates. TYPOS: Check your ad the first day of publication. Sorry, we do not issue credit after an ad has run more than once.

DEADLINES: 3:00 p.m. prior the day of publication except for Monday’s paper when the deadline is Friday at 2:30 p.m. PAYMENT: All private party ads must be pre-paid. We accept checks, credit cards, and of course cash. CORRESPONDENCE: To place your ad call our offices 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, (310) 458-7737; send a check or money order with ad copy to The Santa Monica Daily Press, P.O. Box 1380, Santa Monica, CA 90406 or stop in at our office located at 1427 Third Street Promenade, Ste. 202. OTHER RATES: For information about the professional services directory or classified display ads, please call our office at (310) 458-7737.

HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

15

Shop our easy-to-use directory for services of every kind.

Post your services by calling today!

(310) Prepay your ad today!

458-7737

Please call our Classified Sales Manager to reserve your ad space. Specific ad placement not gauranteed on classified ads. Ad must meet deadline requirements.

All classified liner ads are placed on our website for FREE! Check out www.smdp.com for more info.

Services

Services

BILL WALTER - LOCKSMITH Residential & Commercial License # LCO-4438 Emergency Service 24/7 (310) 396-7784

Handyman

Handy Man • Carpentry • Frame/Finish • Foundation/Concrete • DryWall, Paint, Elec.

• Lighting Landscape • Hardscape Furniture • Architectural Design • Plans & Permits -Green & Sustainable -Free Consultation -Unlicensed

10% off 1st Job 27 Years exp.

Call (310) 430-2806

The Handy Hatts Painting and Decorating Co.

Nannies SOUTHBAY NANNIES Now accepting families and nannies.

(310)985-4399. www.sbnannies.com

Eldercare

EXECUTIVE HOME ------CARE------

SINCE 1967 RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL SPECIALISTS IN ALL DAMAGE REPAIR “EXPERT IN GREEN CONCEPTS” Free estimates, great referrals

FULL SERVICE HANDYMAN FROM A TO Z Call Brian @ (310) 927-5120 (310) 915-7907 LIC# 888736 “HOME SWEET HOME”

ELDERCARE IN-HOME SPECIALISTS • Caregivers • Companions • CNA/HHA • LIVE-IN/ LIVE-OUT

Life is short — Why make it shorter

Bonded • Insured Licensed-Fully Screened

John J. McGrail, C.Ht.

MEMBER

AAA RATED

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS

310.859.0440 "CARE YOU CAN COUNT ON"

Therapy

STILL L SMOKING?

Certified Hypnotherapist (310)) 235-2883 www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com

Gen. Contracting

A/C CONSTRUCTION General Construction Commercial & Residential

Remodel & Add ons

SIGN UP TO GET FREE AMBER ALERTS ON YOUR CELL PHONE. wirelessamberalerts.org

Honest. Reliable.

FREE ESTIMATES — Sabbath Observed—

310.278.5380

A child is calling for help.

Lic# 804884 Fully Insured

HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008

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