FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006
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Volume 5 Issue 264
Santa Monica Daily Press A beach brainstorm A newspaper with issues
THIS MONTH IS NATIONAL BED CHECK MONTH
DAILY LOTTERY
3 16 25 30 44 Meganumber: 42. Jackpot: $163M
9 10 23 26 37 Meganumber: 27 Jackpot: $15M
3 13 25 26 31 MIDDAY: 0 8 4 EVENING: 8 0 2
PROMISES, PROMISES: Visitor’s Bureau tries to solve SM’s identity crisis BY KEVIN HERRERA
1st: 08 Gorgeous George 2nd: 04 Big Ben 3rd: 03 Hot Shot
Daily Press Staff Writer
RACE TIME: 1:45.64 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
CHUCK
SHEPARD
Just before the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, John M. Lyons Jr. filed a lawsuit in New Orleans against Mark Morice, who admits to commandeering Lyons’ 18-foot pleasure boat during the chaos after Katrina hit in order to rescue more than 200 people (according to his count), including a 93-year-old dialysis patient whose wife praised Morice for a TimesPicayune story. Nonetheless, said Lyons, Morice (who voluntarily identified himself to Lyons for taking the boat) didn’t have permission to use it, and since it was ultimately lost (Morice said he abandoned it for other rescuers to use), and insurance covered less than half of its replacement, Lyons says Morice should pay him $12,000.
Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press
STORMING: Christine Troutt (left) and Nicole Nez (right) record information on Thursday during the ‘safety perception session’ during the Beach Summit, a marketing branding brainstorming session put on by the Santa Monica Visitor’s and Convention Bureau.
SM BEACH — There may have been a light drizzle here Thursday morning, but that did not dampen the spirits of those who attended a beachside barbecue aimed at creating a new identity for Santa Monica. Ideas flew from every direction as a crowd of roughly 60 participants broke off into three groups — environmental stewardship, safety perceptions and beach amenities and services. In each group, elected officials, city employees and concerned citizens were asked to give their opinions as to what can be done to enhance the experience of tourists visiting local beaches. The effort is part of an extensive research project by the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau to create a brand for Santa Monica that
conveys a powerful message to consumers, enticing them to come back time and time again. That is crucial, participants said, given the importance tourism plays in the local economy, generating $30 million last year in hotel tax revenue alone. It’s estimated that tourism brings in annually $840 million in revenue to Santa Monica. “For the last 18 to 21 months we have been working very hard to make Santa Monica premier travel destination,” said CVB president Misti Kerns. “This represents an important next step. The beach experience is critical in whether or not visitors decide to stay in Santa Monica and if they will return to our community in the future.” The current brand “promise,” also known as a slogan, is as follows: “Santa Monica … the best way See IDENTITY, page 12
TODAY IN HISTORY
Employees stick with the status-quo
Today is the 258th day of 2006. There are 107 days left in the year. The U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of State. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev arrived in the U.S. to begin a 13-day visit.
1789 1959
QUOTE OF THE DAY
BY KEVIN HERRERA
“My heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.”
Daily Press Staff Writer
“FIONA MACLEOD” (WILLIAM SHARP), SCOTTISH AUTHOR AND POET (1855-1905)
INDEX Horoscopes Leo, play it low key tonight
2
Surf Report Water temperature: 69°
3
Opinion Youth violence needs addressing
4
State Fraudulent bodyguard nabbed
6
National Drug scientists reprimanded
8
Entertainment Art Festival to hit our city
14
International Gunman plays a dangerous role
10
MOVIETIMES Catch a flick!
17
Comics Yak it up, yakmeister
18
Classifieds Ad space odyssey
Off the hook
Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press Multimedia artist and sculptor, Tony Longo, 46, hangs up his sculpture called ‘Captain Green’ in his booth in preparation for the Santa Monica Arts Fair to be held this weekend.
See CITY EMPLOYEES, page 12
19-23 VONS
RALPHS
CITY HALL — Municipal employees seem pleased with the current makeup of the City Council, throwing their support behind three incumbents seeking re-election in November. The Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees — comprised of roughly 1,500 City Hall employees — announced Thursday that Mayor Bob Holbrook and City Councilmembers Kevin McKeown and Pam O’Connor received their endorsement following 30-minute interviews with each candidate last Saturday. The elected officials were required to answer a series of questions before the interviews and were then asked to explain those answers during face-
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