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MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009
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Volume 8 Issue 291
Santa Monica Daily Press GAGA MARCHES ON DC SEE PAGE 12
COMMUNITYPROFILES
MAJA GARTMANN
We have you covered
THE TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE ISSUE
Not just the economy Struggling businesses want more flexibility and help from City Hall BY KRISTIN PAZULSKI Special to the Daily Press
CITYWIDE Local merchants and commercial brokers say the economy is not the only reason businesses are struggling and vacancies are increasing here. According to both groups, Santa Monica’s permit system, code restrictions and a lack of employee parking are challenges to surviving in this difficult economy. In response, the Planning Commission
last week directed city staff to seek ways to alleviate these obstacles for businesses. Gary Gordon, executive director of the Main Street Business Improvement Association, provided the commission with a list of 16 items that he would like to see changed in order to help Main Street businesses. These included adding employee parking, reviewing restrictions on sidewalk signs and sales, and creating a crosswalk mid-block between Ashland Avenue and Hill Street. Another request was removing the restric-
tion on the number of restaurants per block, particularly north of Ocean Park Boulevard where only one restaurant is allowed per block. Janabai Owens-Amsden, owner of the raw food store Euphoria loves Rawvolution, said this restriction has hurt her business. At the Planning Commission discussion, Owens-Amsden reported that sales at Euphoria are down 40 percent, largely because of the economy, but anything she SEE BUSINESSES PAGE 11
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com GARTMANN
A passion for her homeland BY MARISSA LYMAN Special to the Daily Press
DOWNTOWN When people think of Switzerland, some of the first things that come to mind usually involve good cheese and luxury watches. But as with all countries and places, stereotypes do not always capture the whole picture. Just ask Maja Gartmann of Switzerland Tourism in Downtown Santa Monica. As the organization’s media relations coordinator for the western U.S. and Mexico and a Swiss native herself, it is Gartmann’s job to show people what her homeland really has to offer. “A lot of times you have an idea about a country, [and] it might be completely the opposite of what you expected,” Gartmann said. With tourism, people are able to see what Gartmann refers to as the “edgier” side of Switzerland, complete with superb skiing and the world’s largest techno rave parade.
RUNNING ALONG
Fabian Lewkowicz FabianLewkowicz.com Athletes run on Barnard Way during the fourth annual Lexus Santa Monica 5000 on Sunday. The Santa Monica 5000 is sponsored by Lexus and Ed Hardy Sport. Proceeds from the race will benefit Saint John’s Health Center.
SEE CP PAGE 10
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