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Volume 8 Issue 207
Santa Monica Daily Press NEVERLAND TO STAY CLOSED SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY ISSUE
Court ruling could impact promenade performers BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
MAKING SWEET MUSIC: Matt Gerovac (left) and Joseph ‘Panhead’ Peck from the band Babylon Saints play their style of reggae on the Third
DOWNTOWN A recent U.S. appellate court decision ruling that a law regulating street performers in Seattle violates the First Amendment has prompted city officials in Santa Monica to evaluate the implications locally. The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office has been in close contact with Seattle city officials since the ruling came down on June 24, waiting for their next steps, which could be in the form of an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the mean time, local officials are reviewing how the decision would impact an ordinance requiring a $37 renewable permit for performers on the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier and Transit Mall. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last week struck down a 2002 law that estab-
Street Promenade Friday afternoon. A recent U.S. appellate court decision that a law regulating street performers in Seattle violates the First Amendment has prompted city officials in Santa Monica to evaluate the implications locally.
SEE PERFORMERS PAGE 10
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
From gas guzzlers to money savers
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Samohi’s Padilla tosses pair of no-hitters BY DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor
DOWNTOWN Santa Monica High School’s Adam Padilla is using his summer vacation wisely. Padilla, the varsity baseball team’s lone freshman last season, recently set the 16 and Under Junior Olympics on fire with a pair of no-hitters. “It was the most in the zone I’ve ever been,” he said of his performance late last month in Arizona. “I knew scouts were going to be watching.” Playing for the Irvine Blue Wave, a team that plays on the Connie Mack circuit, Padilla feels his strong performance during the tournament will springboard him to
another strong season for the Vikings next year. After being called up to varsity mid-season, Padilla settled into the lead off spot in the order while playing outfield and pitcher. Neither no-no was a complete game due to the mercy rule, but Padilla said he felt he could have pitched all day. The tournament featured 90 teams with the Blue Wave finishing 33rd. Padilla said that his performance caught the eyes of scouts on hand, a fact that gives the young hurler confidence going forward. “It’s really important to get noticed by scouts,” Padilla said. “That’s how you get them to start following you.” Padilla’s summer work will continue as he prepares to play for the White Sox’s
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scout team. A number of Samohi players play for the scout team. Once summer is over, the Samohi baseball team will begin preparing for a new season led by new coach Sheldon PhilipGuide. Padilla has yet to meet the coach, but from what he hears Philip-Guide looks like a good choice to lead the team following the departure of former coach Rob Duron.
BY NATALIE JARVEY Special to the Daily Press
Former Crespi High School star E.J. Woods has decided to leave UCLA’s football team and is reportedly heading to Santa Monica College.
CITYWIDE Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic it might feel as though all of Los Angeles is on the roads, but a recent report from the State Board of Equalization shows that gas consumption is down, and has been for the past three years. According to the figures for January through March of 2009, Californians used 213 million gallons less than they did in the same three-month period in 2008, a decline of 5.6 percent, despite the fact that gas prices have also been down.
SEE PADILLA PAGE 13
SEE GAS PAGE 12
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