Santa Monica Daily Press, October 15, 2008

REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS

ELECTION ‘08

MARKET MATTERS

THE REAL DEAL

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES IN THEIR OWN WORDS PAGE 3 RESIST BAILING OUT PAGE 6

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

Visit us online at smdp.com

Volume 7 Issue 287

Santa Monica Daily Press PRICE CUT SEE PAGE 6

Since 2001: A news odyssey

THE DIGGING DEEP ISSUE

Measure financing may show conflict

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

“The worst is over, but we’re still not out of the woods,” said Leslie Appleton-Young, the association’s chief economist.

The association’s outlook hinges on the health of the U.S. economy and the nation’s credit markets, which have been strained, making it tougher for would-be homebuy-

OCEAN AVENUE Funding for a campaign against Measure T has called into question whether it puts some of the most vocal opponents of the initiative at odds with their beliefs in preserving rental housing.

Developers, including some who have butted heads with political group Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights over plans to replace rental units with condos, have given generously to the Save Our City campaign against the measure as well as some SMRRbacked City Council candidates, including Ken Genser and Richard Bloom, both of whom rely heavily on SMRR endorsements to get re-elected.

Measure T, often referred to as the Residents’ Initiative to Fight Traffic (RIFT), would limit commercial growth to 75,000 square feet a year. Developers are concerned that if the measure passes it will prevent them from moving forward with their projects, costing them millions of dollars. Some SMRR members fear that Measure T would force these same developers into residential neighborhoods, replacing rental units with condos.

Genser and Bloom have been vocal in their opposition to Measure T, arguing it does more harm than good and has nothing to do with alleviating traffic as its proponents claim. The two councilmembers also received $250 contributions — the legal limit in Santa Monica — from Gregory Ames, a Santa Monica resident who serves as the senior vice president for the Trammell Crow Company, which is proposing to tear down a 47-unit apartment complex at 301 Ocean Ave. in favor of condominiums, a project that would conflict with SMRR’s platform. The company has also donated $6,150 to Save Our City.

Ames said he supports the re-election of Genser, Bloom and Mayor Herb Katz main-

SEE HOMES PAGE 11

SEE FINANCING PAGE 10

STRANGE BEAUTY

Fabian Lewkowicz FabianLewkowicz.com Smoke from the various Southern California wildfires made Monday's sunset more intense than usual. If wildfire smoke has you seeing red, the reddish tinge to the sun is caused by ‘Rayleigh scattering’ in the atmosphere. Rayleigh scattering – named after English scientist Lord Rayleigh – is the primary mechanism behind both blue sky and orange sunsets, as small particles in the atmosphere (including air molecules) scatter light.

Voter registration climbs to new heights

BY DAILY PRESS STAFF DOWNTOWN Voter registration reached an all time high this week, breaking the record set in 2002 when registration rolls exceeded 4 million voters for the first time in Los Angeles County history.

Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan said he has 4,149,229 registrants on file, the largest number in any county in the U.S.,

and expects that number to increase before Oct. 20, the last day to register to vote in the Presidential General Election, to be held on Nov. 4.

“These numbers signal an historical interest in the 2008 presidential election,” Logan said.

The previous record was set during the 2002 gubernatorial primary when registrations totaled 4,142,514. Registration statis-

tics for the 2004 presidential election showed 3,901,106 registered voters in the county and participation in that election reached 79.10 percent.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY VOTER PROFILE

As of Tuesday, 51 percent of all voters in Los Angeles County are registered as SEE VOTERS PAGE 11

California home prices to continue slide in 2009

BY ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES California will remain a buyer’s market next year, with prices declining across most of the state and home sales climbing for the second year in a row, a trade association for real estate agents said Wednesday.

In its 2009 forecast, the California Association of Realtors calls for the median price of a home in the state to decline by 6 percent to $358,000 from the group’s projection for this year of $381,000.

The forecast also anticipates sales of existing single-family homes will rise 12.5 percent to 445,000 units — essentially the same as the increase in sales this year over 2007.

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Calendar 2

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

A newspaper with issues

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In your own skin

Whole Foods, 2201 Wilshire Blvd., 7 p.m. — 8 p.m.

Dr. Julia Tatum Hunter, a dermatologist that combines a holistic approach with the latest medical breakthroughs, will provide a free lecture series on proper skin care, the first addressing foods that maximize skin’s youthfulness. Hunter will walk through the market and show visitors all the hidden items that can unlock the mystery to a glowing complexion. The doctor will also be giving free consultations and available to answer many questions. RSVP: caroline.capizzano@wholefoods.com, or call (310) 315-0662.

Kicking it with Kiwanis

1332 Sixth St., Noon — 1:30 p.m.

Join members of the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club for their weekly luncheon where quests connect and hear from a rotating panel of speakers. The club has been serving the needs of the community and its children since 1922. For more information, call (310) 613-1249.

Get lost in thought

1008 11th St., 1 p.m. — 2 p.m.

Stressed out at work? Then take an hour to revitalize by walking and meditating at the First United Methodist Church’s new permanent labyrinth in Simkins Hall. The labyrinth is open every Wednesday until Sept. 10, 2008. For more information contact Mary Garbesi at (310) 393-8258, ext. 106 or via e-mail at mary.garbesi@santamonicaumc.org.

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Celebrate local nonprofit organization Sustainable Works’ successes and growth during its first annual fundraiser. There will be drinks, organic local cuisine and music provided by KCRW DJ Anthony Valdez.

Tickers are $75. For more information about this event taking place at Bergamot Station, call (310) 458-8716 ext. 1.

Healthy Body, Healthy Brain

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Learn how taking care of your body has a direct impact on brain health and may reduce your risk of memory problems during this free event at the Santa Monica Public Library.

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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.

Election ‘08 Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

3

With four candidates running for three open seats on the Board of Education, it can be difficult for voters to determine who will represent them best (Ralph Mechur is running unopposed and will be appointed by the board following the election, but made it clear he wants to participate in the political process, hence his inclusion here). To make it easier, the Daily Press sent out questionnaires to each candidate, giving them 1,000 words to explain their positions on a host of issues important to residents, as well as shed light on their personalities. Check out tomorrow’s issue as we publish responses from the rest of the pack.

Ralph Mechur

Maria LeonVazquez

• Age: 58 • Occupation: Architect.

• Married/kids: Divorced with three adult children.

• Your neighborhood and how long have you lived there? Sunset Park since 1982.

• Age: 52 • Occupation: Santa Monica College administrator.

• Married/kids: Married, two kids.

• Your neighborhood and how long have you lived there?

Sunset Park as a homeowner since 1985.

Ben Allen • Age: 30 • Occupation: I’ll be starting work as an attorney in Santa Monica shortly.

• Married/kids: No. • Your neighborhood and how long have you lived there?

I grew up on the north side. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for about 20 years.

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE: WHICH DID YOU ATTEND?

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE: WHICH DID YOU ATTEND?

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE: WHICH DID YOU ATTEND?

K-8 public; 9-12 private.

Private: St. Monica Catholic High School.

Public: Santa Monica College, UC San Diego, UC Hastings College of Law.

Public: Franklin, Lincoln, Samohi.

A little bit of each.

WHAT WERE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL: JOCK, ARTIST, NERD, OR LONER?

SOME RESIDENTS IN MALIBU BELIEVE THE BEST THING FOR THEIR KIDS IS TO CREATE A SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. HOW CAN THE DISTRICT KEEP MALIBU IN THE FOLD OR SHOULD IT SPLIT? HOW CAN YOU ENSURE MALIBU REPRESENTATION WHEN THERE IS NO ONE ON THE BOARD FROM THE SEASIDE CITY?

Normal, involved in school activities and clubs, honor roll.

I definitely had a nerdy side. I participated in student government and theater (was student body president and also played Captain Hook in “Peter Pan”), environmental programs, and many clubs.

SOME RESIDENTS IN MALIBU BELIEVE THE BEST THING FOR THEIR KIDS IS TO CREATE A SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. HOW CAN THE DISTRICT KEEP MALIBU IN THE FOLD OR SHOULD IT SPLIT? HOW CAN YOU ENSURE MALIBU REPRESENTATION WHEN THERE IS NO ONE ON THE BOARD FROM THE SEASIDE CITY?

SOME RESIDENTS IN MALIBU BELIEVE THE BEST THING FOR THEIR KIDS IS TO CREATE A SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. HOW CAN THE DISTRICT KEEP MALIBU IN THE FOLD OR SHOULD IT SPLIT? HOW CAN YOU ENSURE MALIBU REPRESENTATION WHEN THERE IS NO ONE ON THE BOARD FROM THE SEASIDE CITY?

I would not want and do not promote separation, but that decision comes from Malibu residents as their right to self-determination.

The school board members must make a stronger effort to have communication and presence in Malibu by participating in site governance meetings, PTA, and school activities. I also will propose that our superintendent and staff set up an office in Malibu and conduct business in Malibu once a week. My bottomline is that our students in Malibu continue to receive the great education they have been receiving which comes from the teachers, staff and administrators.

Malibu needs to look at its options and make the decision it thinks best. I would respect Malibu’s right to self-determination and neither encourage nor discourage a split. Politically, it might eventually make sense.

However, there are financial factors that might make Malibu think twice before seceding.

As for representation, I would say that board members need to go to Malibu and spend more time there, engage with Malibu residents and make a point of working to understand the issues there. But I would also say that there are many different leadership positions in the school district besides those on the board, from PTA to the district advisory committees. I would love to see more Malibu residents apply to serve on our DACs. They play an important role in providing community input in district affairs.

WHAT WERE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL: JOCK, ARTIST, NERD, OR LONER?

Whether or not Malibu becomes its own district is a financial question, as I understand it. If its residents want to go through the review process, they certainly should. But at the same time we should work together to understand the significant issues causing distrust and see if we can get back to working together. The board and district consider the needs of all students.

All our students have access to a great education. Board members are as accessible to Malibu parents as to Santa Monica parents and both need to let us know what their concerns are.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION TO WITHHOLD ROUGHLY $500,000 BECAUSE OF CONCERNS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION? DID THE COUNCIL OVERSTEP ITS BOUNDS?

The council responded to concerns of residents to push the district to make necessary changes to how we provide special education services. Changes have been made and there is ongoing review, assessment and planning for more changes.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION TO WITHHOLD ROUGHLY $500,000 BECAUSE OF CONCERNS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION? DID THE COUNCIL OVERSTEP ITS BOUNDS?

WHAT WERE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL: JOCK, ARTIST, NERD, OR LONER?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION TO WITHHOLD ROUGHLY $500,000 BECAUSE OF CONCERNS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION? DID THE COUNCIL OVERSTEP ITS BOUNDS?

A seminar for seniors on topical issues. We would agree on what they wanted to explore and decide on the

I agreed with the City Council’s decision initially because it prompted the school board to look deeper into the special education systems in place. This led to the audit conducted by Lou Barber and his report made many recommendations that the school board is following up on and really making the necessary

SEE MECHUR PAGE 7

SEE LEON-VAZQUEZ PAGE 8

SEE ALLEN PAGE 9

IF YOU COULD TEACH ONE SUBJECT IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

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OpinionCommentary 4

A newspaper with issues

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PUBLISHER

Going Postal

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Steve “the Mailman” Breen

Serious doubt Editor:

I am not sure whose talking points I’ve been parroting, or whether I have done so to perfection. My own concern about Senator Obama and Weatherman William Ayers stems from the fact that when Sen. Obama was first asked (many months ago) about his relationship with Ayers, his answer was that Ayers was just “some guy who lived in the same neighborhood” with whom he “crossed paths occasionally.” Why did Sen. Obama need to lie? What was the point of lying?

The fact that he dispatched his followers to intimidate WGN to prevent that radio station from airing its interview with Stanley Kurtz concerning the Obama-Ayers relationship, also calls into question Sen. Obama’s character. Indeed, his propensity for, and ease at, telling obvious lies, not to mention his attempts to silence his critics, raise serious — and wholly legitimate — concerns about him assuming the office of president.

Edward S. Reisman Santa Monica

Trio has to go Editor:

Bill Bauer wrote an interesting and informative column again (“City Council race is same-o, same-o,” page 4, Oct. 13). He pointed out what the “trio” — [Richard] Bloom, [Ken] Genser and [Herb] Katz — have wrought and will continue to inflict on Santa Monica if they are re-elected.

He then states that he plans on using two of his four votes for [Bobby] Shriver and Ted Winterer, whom he calls the “only viable challenger.”

I suggest that he use one of his two remaining votes for Susan Hartley. Admittedly, she was a co-founder of Treesavers, which Mr. Bauer despises. Treesavers saved over 100 trees on Second and Fourth streets from being cut down.

The most important work that Treesavers did was expose the mind-set of the above “trio.” They and the city bureaucracy put forth reasons for removing the trees; disease, danger to passersby and traffic, etc.

They spent thousands on “consultant reports,” brochures to taxpayers, etc. Ficus trees were the trio’s “weapons of mass destruction” and these fabrications were discredited just like the “weapons of mass destruction.”

Susan Hartley, like Ted Winterer and Bobby Schriver, is for Measure T. She is also against SM College’s bond issue, AA. How much traffic does the college add with its 30,000 students, only 16 percent of whom come from Santa Monica and do we want more?

If viable means having a large war chest from developers and their allies, then Susan is not viable. If viable means she is capable of winning one of the four seats, then the answer is yes. She and her supporters, who are not the establishment, are working daily to make her one of our next council members.

Check her out Bill, and add this civic minded, woman to your two man list and help get rid of another one of the “trio.”

Bob Wolff Santa Monica

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BARTENDERS ARE THE SMARTEST PEOPLE

I know. I must confess having an affable affinity for this peculiar prejudice as I had once been a whiskey slinger myself. Barkeep Jonathan Rockett and I were having a postpresidential debate “talking heads analysis” over a pint of Guinness at Finn McCool’s when he formulated his “Fast-Food Theory” of politics. I figure that Jonathan and I are at least as smart as constipated debate moderator Tom Brokaw. Obama, by his own account, has “… been to all 57 states …” while McCain “… will have one of [his] aides get back to [us] on that … .” In these circumstances, Jonathan and I are definitively ahead on the brainiac prix fixe menu over these guys.

Jonathan’s “Fast Food Theory” is simple, yet elegant in its applicability.

It stipulates that the voting choices of modern “homo politicus” is based upon his/her hard-wired culinary conditioning to the “Big Picture” menus found at every fast food franchise from here to Uzbekistan.

The titular “I’ll take the number 1,2,3 etc.” is intoned without much thought or consciousness given. God help you, however, if you step outside of that “Big Picture” menu provided by media flacks at the behest of our faceless fast food government when you “special order” an item not found on the “Big Picture.” You then become a scorned pariah from the conformity of pre-packaged political slop served on uniform plastic brown trays. And why are the trays always excrementally brown? It must be a subliminal thing.

Upon receiving your special order, the government then invariably and execrably gets your order wrong. Usually their screw up is super-sized, too. Look how Congressman Barney “Beans and” Frank got your Big Freddie Mac order fouled up. Now he wants to un-cook your financial travails, which he scorched to a crisp in the first place, with a $700 billion Hamburger Bailout Meal without the cheap Chinese toy in the bag … and then you eat it anyway.

What’s wrong with this “picture?”

Considering that “millions are served” by the electoral process and you can’t always “have it your way” at the drive-thru ballot box, please be averse from taking the Subway and “running for the border.” Arm yourself with a pump dispenser of ketchup and demand an audience to see the Burger King.

Good luck getting past the Secret Service detail.

But some folks, however, like to cut to the front of the line and stuff a mob of orders in ahead of yours. ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) diners, in all the contested battleground states, have fraudulently filed several thousands of forged and duplicate voter registration cards on behalf of Sen. Obama under the franchise name of “Obama-in-the-Box.” ACORN workers in Las Vegas have included 59 former felons convicted of identity theft who have proceeded to register the entire starting line up of the Dallas Cowboys, Mary Poppins, Dick Tracy, Jive Turkey and the

complete contents of the Las Vegas phone directory. Over 4,000 tombstones in Houston were registered by ACORN to improve Obama’s menu choices on Election Day. In Indianapolis/Marion County, 105 percent of eligible voters are now registered.

OVER 4,000 TOMBSTONES IN HOUSTON WERE REGISTERED BY ACORN TO IMPROVE OBAMA’S MENU CHOICES ON ELECTION DAY.

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, Cynthia Citron, Amanda Cushman, Steve Parker and Phyllis Chavez

NEWS INTERNS Christina Walker, Catherine Cain, Saba Hamedy, Elizabeth Kenigsberg news@smdp.com

PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS Morgan Genser, Soraya Danesh, Raymond Solano, Rachel Dardashti news@smdp.com

According to the Wall St. Journal, ACORN workers in Ohio were “given crack cocaine in exchange for fraudulent registrations.” A Domino’s pizza worker was registered “1015” times and a 19-year-old in Cleveland signed up “72 times in 18 months” while bribed with cigarettes and money. Both gentlemen are currently under subpoena by the state of Ohio for testimony against ACORN. Let me get this straight. Obama’s “Fight the Smears” Happy Meal Web site sizzled that he “never was an ACORN trainer and never worked for ACORN in any other capacity.”

According to ACORN National Association board member Toni Foulkes, however, Obama’s quarter-pound all beef patty was invited “to [ACORN] leadership training sessions to run sessions on power every year, and as a result, many of our newly developed leaders got to know him before he ever ran for office.”

Obama’s been on the grill with ACORN from 1992 until 2002. He was also employed

by ACORN in 1992 as an attorney in ACORN v. Edgars.

Maybe Foulkes ate some bad mushrooms and just hallucinated Obama’s presence as a “power trainer” at their meetings.

Additionally, Obama’s amended financial campaign files to the FEC reflect an $866,000 payment to Citizen’s Services Inc. for “advance services” yet his campaign has recently admitted that it was for “voter services” and pizza delivery.

Is it an inconvenient truth that Citizen’s Services Inc. and ACORN share the same board of directors? More importantly, are Democrats attempting to steal the election in revenge for Bush/Gore 2000? Obama’s looking like four more years of Bush everyday.

I think I’ll go with the “number 2” this time instead of “the one.” Would you like yours here or to-go?

STEVE BREEN votes the way he eats (see you at Houston’s) and is still “the best looking mailman at the U.S. Post Office”. He can be reached at dulcamarax@yahoo.com

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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.

OpinionCommentary Visit us online at smdp.com

Letting the clock run out MY FRIEND CARLOS HAS BEEN A

basketball referee and baseball umpire around New York City for the last 25 years.

Among the things he taught me (besides the fact that Manny Ramirez has been a slugging freak of nature since he was a teenager) was there comes a moment in any game when one team doesn’t want to compete any more.

“You can tell by the body language when they just give up,” he’d say. When that happened, he saw his job as making sure nobody got hurt.

The presidential campaign reached that point last Friday. It was John McCain’s “I’m honored to be here with Barack Obama” moment and it was the beginning of the end of his White House run.

I’ve been following presidential politics since 1980 when my dad took me to cast a (pretend) vote for John Anderson and I’ve never seen anything like this campaign. It might be that the two major parties basically have their own cable networks or that those networks run on a six-hour news cycle, but the end result is that in this goround, a week seems like a year and a month seems like a lifetime. So if you have forgotten what happened last week on the campaign trail, the wind-up doll John McCain picked as his running mate was going around the country claiming that Barack Obama was “palling around with terrorists.”

The person she was referring to, William Ayers, was never convicted of any crime. His main connection to Barack Obama comes through Illinois State Sen. Alice Palmer who, over coffee in Ayers’ living room back in 1995, announced she was planning to run for Congress and wanted Barack to be her successor.

Last week the stock market was in a free fall. The Dow was seeing record-breaking losses on just about a daily basis. World leaders were meeting to figure out how to prevent the carnage from spreading around the globe and a McCain strategist said, “If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we’re going to lose.” So they decided to try to scare people by asking the question, “Who is Barack Obama?”

Of course, anyone who cares already knows who this man is. He’s been on the cover of Vanity Fair, GQ, People, Men’s Vogue, Vibe, Wired, The Atlantic, Ebony, Tiger Beat, Newsweek, and has landed no fewer than seven Time Magazine covers this year alone. He’s been interviewed everywhere from “60 Minutes” to “Access Hollywood,” he’s campaigned tirelessly from

coast to coast, kicked Bill and Hillary Clinton square in their lying asses, and he’s killing John McCain in national and battleground state polls. Who is Barack Obama?

Where have you been for the last year and a half? Alaska?

John McCain has been reduced to asking a question that even kids at Roosevelt Elementary School know the answer to because running on fear is all he has left. In the last month, he’s said the economy is fundamentally strong when we’re in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, pulled out of the state of Michigan and basically conceded 17 Electoral College votes, suspended his campaign and tried to back out of a debate, then attended the debate and re-started his campaign like nothing ever happened.

He’s seen his unfavorable ratings rise and any lead he’s had in any battleground states evaporate. He’s now gotten to the point where he needs to carry Colorado, Nevada, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida to have a chance to win the election — and he’s trailing in all of them.

Which brings us to last Friday. John McCain was at a rally in Minnesota speaking to his supporters in his favorite “town hall” setting where he could wander around waving his arms and talking to his shoes like he loves to do. A guy stood up and said that he and his family were “scared” of an Obama presidency. Sen. McCain’s response was, “I have to tell you he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States.”

Then an elderly woman took the mic and said, “I can’t trust Obama … he’s an Arab.”

John McCain took it right back and said, “No, Ma’am. He’s a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.” With that, it was over.

I haven’t spoken to Carlos in a while because he’s a Yankee fan and a Republican (and both his teams are really struggling right now), but I’m pretty sure that if tonight’s debate was a basketball game he was working, he’d just be trying to run the clock out before John McCain gets hurt.

KENNY MACK is a writer, comedian, and social commentator living in Santa Monica who is shopping his book, “Word In Edgewise:The Collected Opinions of America’s Smartest Columnist,” to forward-thinking publishers. He can be reached at kennymack@gmail.com.

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So this week’s Q-Line question asks: What are some of your fondest memories of visiting the beach? Also, what do you think could be done to make the beach experience even better?

Call (310) 285-8106 before Friday at 5 p.m. and we’ll print your answers in the weekend edition of the Daily Press. Please limit responses to a minute or less.

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24TH

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

CLOVERFIELD

Word in Edgewise Kenny Mack

5

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

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The Real Deal 6

A newspaper with issues

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

Market Matters Brian Hepp

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Nervous investors shouldn’t bail out IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT A TURBULENT

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stock market is making some investors in employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans wary of putting any more money into these plans. But a volatile stock market doesn’t mean you should stop or cut back on contributions to your 401(k).

In fact, you should do just the opposite. If you’ve reached the maximum annual contribution this year to your 401(k) and still have money left over to invest, then you may want to consider a Roth or traditional IRA. If you need liquidity, you might want to fund investments outside of your retirement accounts.

Most 401(k) investors should plow as much money as they can into these plans in order to benefit from their employer’s matching contribution and tax deferred growth, and also to take advantage of a simple strategy called dollar-cost averaging.

By continuing to invest a fixed dollar amount each month into your 401(k)’s stock portfolio, you’re able to buy more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices rise.

Add that to your employer’s matching contribution and tax-deferred compounding, and you’re poised to see the value of your plan go up when the market rebounds.

Keep in mind that dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee profit or protect against loss and you should consider your financial ability to continue purchases at low levels.

If you’re worried about your declining 401(k) balance, you may want to look at some of these options: • Diversify into bonds. If you’re 100 percent invested in stocks and are uncomfortable with the volatility, shift more of your 401(k) assets into fixed-income investments such as bonds, which may offer your portfolio more stability and income to fund your golden years. However, avoid wholesale switches back and forth and it’s a good rule of thumb to consider having at least 25 percent of your portfolio in stocks throughout your retirement to keep ahead

of inflation and keep your retirement income growing.

• Retire later. Delaying your retirement one or two years can have a dramatic effect on the value of your retirement portfolio.

For example, if you’re 40 years old and plan to retire at age 55 with a portfolio currently valued at $300,000 earning 8 percent annually, you would run out of money at age 73 if you withdrew $100,000 in income each year beginning at age 55. However, assuming the same numbers, by postponing your retirement only two more years to age 57, that same portfolio could last until age 85, about 12 years longer.

• Work part time. More retirees are finding that the good life doesn’t always mean relaxing poolside. Many become bored and start second careers or work part time for some extra cash. By working part time you can decrease the amount of income you draw from your investment assets such as your 401(k). This can greatly extend the life of your 401(k) assets and provide a potentially higher income in your later years.

• Reduce debt. Paying off high-interest credit-card debt and other loans can put more money into your pocket each month that can reduce the amount of income you need to tap from your 401(k) or buy more time for your portfolio to grow. Because many mortgage balances are higher on average than they were a decade ago, that means refinancing your mortgage may save you a significant amount each month even if mortgage interest rates drop only 1 to 1.5 percent.

Please note that the examples above are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the performance of any particular investment. Your financial advisor can help you create a plan to suit your individual needs and can help discuss other alternatives to help you better plan for retirement.

BRIAN HEPP is a financial consultant for A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He can be reached at (310) 453-0077 or at brian.hepp@agedwards.com.

TECHNOLOGY

Apple to offer affordable laptop

BY JESSICA MINTZ AP Technology Writer

CUPERTINO Apple Inc. touched up its line of laptop computers Tuesday with a minimal nod to the economic turmoil that might push consumers to be more frugal this holiday shopping season.

Apple did lower its least expensive laptop, the existing version of the entry-level MacBook, by $100 to $999.

But in the updated versions of its MacBook and MacBook Pro machines, Apple focused mainly on adding features.

Some had been in the svelte MacBook Air, including thinner laptop casings and a “multitouch” track pad, which, like the iPhone, understands gestures for spinning and zooming.

In an event at Apple’s headquarters, Steve

Jobs, Apple’s co-founder and CEO, also said Apple broadened its use of graphics chips and associated technologies from Nvidia Corp., at the expense of Intel Corp., which still supplies the computers’ central processors. Jobs said the change speeds up processing-intensive activities — playing popular 3-D video games, for example — as much as six-fold.

As at other events in the last few months, Jobs appeared thin but, in a tongue-in-cheek nod to persistent questions about his health, projected a slide with his healthy 110-over70 blood pressure reading.

The redesigned laptops are thinner and lighter, and use what Apple touted as a construction “breakthrough” when it debuted in the super-slim MacBook Air in January. All the new laptops now use casings cut and tooled from aluminum, without a stronger skeleton fused to the insides.

Election ‘08 Visit us online at smdp.com FROM MECHUR PAGE 3 reading. It would be more akin to upper level college classes and hopefully engage them more than many seniors are now.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ARE THEY NECESSARY TO KEEP COSTS DOWN?

Only when they are part of due process and imposed by an arbitrator or judge.

WHAT DID YOUR PARENTS PACK YOU FOR LUNCH?

Back then mom made lunch — sandwich, fruit and cookies WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT?

Experience in a like district where they successfully tackled achievement gap, special education and equity issues.

GIVEN THE BUDGET CRISIS IN SACRAMENTO, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HANDLE ITS FINANCES TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS ARE PAID WELL AND THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE?

Carefully evaluate the effectiveness of programs and use reserve funds as necessary to maintain programs.

HOW CAN SANTA MONICA-MALIBU REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS SUCH AS CROSSROADS, ST. MONICA, WILDWOOD, NEW ROADS, ETC.?

We have successful schools that provide our students with everything they need to become successful in college or the workforce. The other schools need to justify to their parents that paying tuition gets their kids a leg up. Once we implement the facility upgrades we have been working on, that will be harder for them to do.

HAVE YOU EVER CHEATED ON A TEST, AND IF SO, WHY (BE HONEST)?

Did I ever have answers to questions on a cheat sheet or know the questions in advance? No.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

7

DO YOU THINK THE DISTRICT SHOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS MORATORIUM ON ISSUING OUTOF-DISTRICT PERMITS EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS THE BOTTOM LINE?

It only hurts the bottom line if it leads to the loss of programs. The decline to date has not.

This year we allowed up to 200 new permit students in K-8. At Samohi we still need to get the total number of students down a few hundred more.

IF A SPOUSE WERE TO RECEIVE A JOB OUT OF STATE, WOULD YOU MOVE WITH THEM OR FINISH OUT YOUR TERM?

That’s a family decision.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN PERFORMANCE-BASED PAY FOR TEACHERS? HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD A TEACHER HAVE TO WORK BEFORE BEING GRANTED TENURE?

I’m fine with the three years for tenure. The important thing is to provide professional development — mentoring, workshops, etc.

— to help new teachers learn their craft.

Performance-based pay would need to be tied into individual student performance.

Each class is different so just looking at how a class does doesn’t tell you enough about the effectiveness of a teacher. It seems we are headed that way but I would rather we head to more collaboration — mentoring, workshops, etc.

WHAT SHOULD THE DISTRICT’S POLICY BE WHEN ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ARISE?

Immediate leave and full investigation. The board just approved an updated policy after staff worked with parents at a very detailed level.

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WHEN REMODELING A CAMPUS, WHAT SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY?

Upgrading facilities so that a full curriculum can be implemented — language, math, science, history, the arts and athletics.

Additionally, community use should be planned for. Our schools should be neighborhood centers where all feel comfortable and proud.

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Election ‘08 8

A newspaper with issues

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

FROM LEON-VAZQUEZ PAGE 3

LUNCH?

My favorite, ham and tuna sandwiches. changes proposed. There are many mechanisms in place: i.e. PTA Council Special Education committee was established; the Claros Group was hired to establish a redesign team that will oversee our internal practices; the district is working hard to change the culture of more inclusiveness and collaboration. With district work in progress, the City Council needs to allow the school board and the district to do its work.

IF YOU COULD TEACH ONE SUBJECT IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

History, because I would impress on the students how actions in the past have affected present day history and how their actions today as student leaders will impact history.

WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT?

Great leadership skills, communicator, knowledgeable, well versed, good sense of humor, understanding of diversity and how it can be used to the benefit the community, special education knowledge, fiscal management, construction management — someone who can take the bull by its horns.

GIVEN THE BUDGET CRISIS IN SACRAMENTO, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HANDLE ITS FINANCES TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS ARE PAID WELL AND THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE?

COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS SUCH AS CROSSROADS, ST. MONICA, WILDWOOD, NEW ROADS, ETC.?

FOR TEACHERS? HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD A TEACHER HAVE TO WORK BEFORE BEING GRANTED TENURE?

The key is class size and the private schools’ charge for smaller class sizes. However, Santa Monica/Malibu remains competitive because of the extensive class offerings, excellent teachers, AP class selection, excellent music and arts instruction, and sports.

It would depend on the circumstances, and of course, it is a point of negotiation between the teachers union and our district.

I do think teachers should work at least three to four years before they get tenured.

This would give the teacher more of an opportunity and time to perfect their teaching skills by taking advantage of our district BTSA program without the threat of being let go.

HAVE YOU EVER CHEATED ON A TEST, AND IF SO, WHY (BE HONEST)?

No. I’m Catholic so the guilt moves me to be honest.

DO YOU THINK THE DISTRICT SHOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS MORATORIUM ON ISSUING OUTOF-DISTRICT PERMITS EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS THE BOTTOM LINE?

WHAT SHOULD THE DISTRICT’S POLICY BE WHEN ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ARISE?

We need to initiate an investigation immediately and follow the protocols that have recently been adopted. As a result of a recent tragic situation in our district, a committee made up of school administrators, staff, parents, and community members was formed which reviewed board policy and procedures proposing substantial changes, which the board recently adopted. With the protocols in place, intensive professional development has occurred to get all staff in the district up to speed.

No, I don’t believe in them and I voted initially for the moratorium and subsequently moved another vote to enforce the moratorium. These agreements did not keep our costs down as our budget indicates. My bottomline is to ensure that all children, especially special needs children receive the education and services they need.

Our local community has understood its responsibility to education. The fact that we have negotiated contractual agreements between our school district and both Santa Monica and Malibu, and passed a parcel tax to support our schools is indicative that our community must assist and the school district must conservatively budget the monies. However, we must lead the charge and make our voices heard in Sacramento because changes must be made in Sacramento. Locally, we can’t continue to bail Sacramento out.

The moratorium should continue and be reviewed on a yearly basis as the board has done. We know what the bottomline line is and can more effectively control the issuance of permits so that it doesn’t impede our excellent academic programs and not overcrowd our schools.

My decision to move or stay would depend on my family circumstances.

WHEN REMODELING A CAMPUS, WHAT SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY?

WHAT DID YOUR PARENTS PACK YOU FOR

HOW CAN SANTA MONICA-MALIBU REMAIN

DO YOU BELIEVE IN PERFORMANCE-BASED PAY

Building safety, health, and traffic flow issues around the campus.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ARE THEY NECESSARY TO KEEP COSTS DOWN?

IF A SPOUSE WERE TO RECEIVE A JOB OUT OF STATE, WOULD YOU MOVE WITH THEM OR FINISH OUT YOUR TERM?

Election ‘08 Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

FROM ALLEN PAGE 3 ism they deserve. But I hope that the council releases the money soon, because the district is working to assuage concerns and work more collaboratively with our parents. The district has been damaged by its handling of this controversy, and I hope that we’ll soon be able to heal the rifts caused.

IF YOU COULD TEACH ONE SUBJECT IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Probably history. History examines where we’ve come from, sheds light on the future, and shows us that there is rarely anything “new under the sun.”

DO YOU BELIEVE IN CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ARE THEY NECESSARY TO KEEP COSTS DOWN?

There are many different ways to keep costs down. I understand why the agreements were put in place, and there might be a place for them under certain circumstances. But the past policy has not proven helpful for either the district or parents. It is important that parents feel that they are being dealt with fairly and evenly.

WHAT DID YOUR PARENTS PACK YOU FOR LUNCH?

My dad would stick a slab of cheese between two pieces of sourdough bread. It became a family classic.

WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT?

Genuine caring for kids and student achievement. A commitment to community outreach and engagement. Someone with diplomatic, political, and negotiation skills,

who also knows how to manage a complicated bureaucracy. Someone who the board feels comfortable empowering to lead, and who can be convinced to stick around for a while. I don’t think that the constant turnover in superintendents has been helpful for our district.

GIVEN THE BUDGET CRISIS IN SACRAMENTO, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HANDLE ITS FINANCES TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS ARE PAID WELL AND THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE?

It’s not just Sacramento that’s a concern — it’s also the credit crisis, which might force us to rethink the way we finance entire areas of district operations. When setting budgetary priorities, there are no easy answers. As the question suggests, we need to pay teachers well while taking care of our other priorities. That takes very careful stewardship over the district’s finances.

HOW CAN SANTA MONICA-MALIBU REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS SUCH AS CROSSROADS, ST. MONICA, WILDWOOD, NEW ROADS, ETC..?

We need to keep focusing on quality instruction, academics, and extra-curricular programs, as well as student safety. We also need to continue building upon one of our greatest strengths — strong teaching — making sure that we do not unnecessarily lose some of our fine teachers who leave us out of frustration. I am very grateful for the education I received in our district, and know that our schools prepare students for modern American life, everything from navigating bureaucracy to learning to thrive amongst diverse peers.

9

I think we need to find ways to better incentivize good teaching. Of course, we don’t want to have teachers hesitating before sharing instructional materials because they’re worried about colleagues’ students doing better than their own students. I’ve been reading a book — “Who’s Teaching Your Children?” by Troen and Boles — which advocates creating career advancement opportunities for teachers that reward advanced training and experience with higher levels of pay, responsibility, supervision, and team management, and it has been giving me a lot of ideas. As for tenure, there is a strong argument to be made for increasing years to tenure by a year or two, but it’s important not to exacerbate the teacher shortage.

HAVE YOU EVER CHEATED ON A TEST, AND IF SO, WHY (BE HONEST)?

I’m sure I tried to look at friends’ answers a few times when I was a kid. Why? Probably because I didn’t know the answer! But I’ve found over the years that it’s much better to prepare beforehand and know your stuff. I do think that putting in place stiff penalties can deter students from attempting to cheat.

At law school, for example, the specter of having an honor code violation on your record that would be reported to the bar association dissuaded many people from even thinking of cheating.

DO YOU THINK THE DISTRICT SHOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS MORATORIUM ON ISSUING OUTOF-DISTRICT PERMITS EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS THE BOTTOM LINE?

WHAT SHOULD THE DISTRICT’S POLICY BE WHEN ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ARISE?

One of the advantages the district has is that it can adjust our enrollment numbers using permits. However, issuing permits to fill budget gaps is not a catch-all solution. There is a point after which the quality of the student experience starts to decline. As a result of our previous permit policy, we had too many students at Samohi a few years ago and the school became overcrowded and more impersonal. I would be open to modifying the moratorium, but I would not want to return to our old permit policy.

Allegations of sexual misconduct need to be treated with the highest degree of seriousness. It is important that our employees know that they will be treated fairly, but it is also imperative that we carefully and professionally investigate allegations as they arise.

What happened at Lincoln was an absolute travesty, and I hope that it will make our district far more careful when it comes to investigating and responding to credible allegations.

IF A SPOUSE WERE TO RECEIVE A JOB OUT OF STATE, WOULD YOU MOVE WITH THEM OR FINISH OUT YOUR TERM?

WHEN REMODELING A CAMPUS, WHAT SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY?

N/A

We have a limited amount of money, and it is disappointing when cost overruns and poor planning limit the effectiveness of our building program. We should emphasize user-friendly facilities that make it easier for teachers to teach.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN PERFORMANCE-BASED PAY FOR TEACHERS? HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD A TEACHER HAVE TO WORK BEFORE BEING GRANTED TENURE?

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Local 10

A newspaper with issues

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

Group doesn’t see conflict with financing FROM FINANCING PAGE 1 ly because of their opposition to Measure T, stressing that the initiative would have no effect on the project at Ocean Avenue because it is residential.

“As a private citizen, as somebody whose son is about to be admitted at some point into the Santa Monica public school system … I think it’s important that we take the right steps now to ensure we preserve the best interest of the city’s future,” Ames said.

He added that RIFT isn’t based on sound planning fundamentals and more focus should be paid on finalizing the Land Use and Circulation Element, which would dictate development in the city for at least 20 years.

Genser, who lives a few doors down from the Trammell Crow project, said that the measure doesn’t conflict or have anything to do with the ideology of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, adding that he has always gotten money from developers in the past.

“The reality is people who want something from the city are people who give money and that is why we should be considering public finance,” Genser said. “I think we’ve done a good job limiting contribution at $250 because that reduces the influence of campaign contributions on policy makers.”

Both Bloom and Genser stressed that the money they receive has no bearing on the decisions they make on the dais.

THE REALITY IS PEOPLE WHO WANT SOMETHING FROM THE CITY ARE PEOPLE WHO GIVE MONEY AND THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING PUBLIC FINANCE.” Councilmember Ken Genser “I don’t believe that one could be corrupted by these small amounts of money,” Bloom said, adding he didn’t even make the connection with Trammell Crow and the project.

Genser attended a public meeting regarding the condo proposal a few months ago and voiced his opposition.

He added that he is one of the strongest proponents of slow growth in the city, which is reflected on his voting record.

One of the biggest donors to Save Our City was the Edward Thomas Management Company, which gave $10,000. The company, which owns Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar, also financed a campaign against Councilmember Kevin McKeown two years ago, running a series of television ads. McKeown is also a long-time SMRR member.

The Save Our City campaign is believed to be one of the most well-financed in recent history, with nearly half a million dollars in its coffers.

Terry O’Day, a SMRR member who serves as the co-chair of Save Our City, said he doesn’t see any conflict between receiving contributions from developers and the SMRR ideology, pointing out that funding for the campaign has come from a variety of sources, including the average citizen.

“This is a campaign that was organized by concerned residents who represent a broad coalition of interests — environmentalists, renters rights leaders, educators and business leaders — and we came together as residents to defeat an initiative we think has terrible detrimental effects on the city,” O’Day said.

O’Day added that it could have an impact on mixed-use housing. The initiative makes an exemption for mixed-use developments that have only affordable housing units. But the trend in the past for mixed-use building in Santa Monica has been to include housing for a diverse income base, O’Day said.

“This would require ground-floor commercial to qualify under the (75,000 square

feet) cap,” he said.

McKeown has disputed the claim that Measure T would have an effect on renters.

“Prop. T is about traffic and commercial overdevelopment,” he said.

McKeown said there are several passages in the SMRR platform that might lend its support to Measure T, including statements that the organization supports continued prosperity of the local economy while protecting the community from excessive development and ensuing traffic.

Patricia Hoffman, who co-chairs SMRR and who has not taken a position on Measure T, said she doesn’t believe that any of the SMRR candidates have violated any principles in accepting money from developers.

“While ideally we wouldn’t need developers’ money in order to run a successful campaign, this year the campaign is going to cost more than usual because a lot of people are voting who have not voted before,” Hoffman said.

What could be concerning is the relationships within SMRR after the elections are over. The membership within the organization has been split on the issue of Measure T and ultimately did not take a position during its annual convention earlier this year.

“I do have concerns about whether wedges are being driven because of how divisive this issue is,” Hoffman said. melodyh@smdp.com

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

More young people registered to vote FROM VOTERS PAGE 1 Democrats, 25 percent are registered as Republicans, and 20 percent registered with the option to decline to state a party preference. The percentage of registered Democrats has remained consistent since the 2004 presidential primary, while the percentage of Republican registrants has decreased by 2 percent and the percentage of voters choosing to decline to state a party choice has increased by 3 percent in the past four years.

Daily voter registration activity since June 7 — the opening of registration after the June 6 Statewide Direct Primary — shows that registrations for the November election have outpaced those of every election since 1950, when records were first kept.

Current average daily registrations are over three times what they were during the 2002 election, when the previous record high was established.

NEW VOTER PROFILE

Fifty percent of voters who have registered since June of this year are between the ages of 18 and 25; 30 percent are between the ages of 30 and 49; and 14 percent are between the ages of 50 and 64. Fifty-four percent of all new voters are female, while 46 percent are male.

Of all newly registered voters, 56.8 percent have registered with the Democratic Party, 15.2 percent with the Republican

Party and 27.9 percent have declined to state a party preference. These percentages follow closely with the youngest age cohort of new registrants. Of those newly registered voters between the ages of 18 and 29, 56 percent registered with the Democratic Party while 14.5 percent registered with the Republican Party and 29 percent declined to state a party preference.

Los Angeles County is the largest election jurisdiction in the United States and has more registered voters than 30 states. It has 4,394 voting precincts and employs over 25,000 poll workers in each countywide election. The county clerk has conducted 10 elections since 2007 including the February 2008 Presidential Primary, the June 2008 Statewide Direct Primary, a uniform district election and several local special elections.

“With the phenomenal interest in the election voters may experience longer lines or wait times at polling places than in past elections,” Logan said. “Where possible, voters are encouraged to [vote] mid-day when lines are likely to be shorter.”

Additionally Logan cautions that election night results reporting could be slow due to the unprecedented number of ballots.

“We want to emphasize accuracy and efficiency over expediency,” he said, “and we will work as long as it takes to properly gather and tally all the votes cast.” news@smdp.com

Prices slump for third year FROM HOMES PAGE 1 ers to get financing.

The forecast assumes that economic growth in the first half of next year will be in recession territory — either flat or negative — then improve in the second half of the year. And that the credit markets will stabilize sometime this year or early next year.

But all bets are off if the state’s economy — already considered by some economists to be in recession — worsens should the U.S. experience a sharper-than-expected economic downturn.

“This forecast is not baking in a recession with huge job losses,” Appleton-Young said.

California is in the third year of a housing slowdown that has been among the worst in the nation. Pricey coastal markets such as San Francisco have seen moderate price declines compared with inland regions, where foreclosures have helped drive down

prices by double-digits.

Several of the state’s metro areas, including Stockton, Merced and Modesto, have among the highest foreclosure rates in the nation.

Home sales statewide bottomed in late 2007 at 265,000 units, but since then, have turned around, fueled largely by buyers seizing on foreclosure bargains.

The forecast calls for home sales to ebb statewide until the second quarter of next year due to seasonal slowdowns.

Foreclosure sales should continue to be the main factor in driving down the statewide median home price next year.

The forecast also calls for sales of distressed properties to peak early in the year, which should help slow price declines.

“I would think by 2010 we would be up by mid-single digit (percentages),” Appleton-Young said, referring to the state’s median home price.

11

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State 12

A newspaper with issues

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

Wildfires threaten homes

STATE BRIEFS SACRAMENTO

BY THOMAS WATKINS Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES Flames whirled dangerously close to homes Tuesday as gusty Santa Ana winds sent the biggest of Southern California’s wildfires flaring in hilly brushlands on the city’s northern edge.

Firefighters with hoses guarded houses as helicopters unleashed loads of water on hot spots of the 9,872-acre blaze charring slopes above the San Fernando Valley communities of Porter Ranch and Granada Hills.

The fire is one of three major blazes that have burned more than 27 square miles of Southern California, killed a man, destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes this week.

Despite the fire’s activity, there were no reports of new structural losses in the Porter Ranch area. Nineteen buildings including some homes were destroyed there on Monday.

Ten miles away, there was major progress against Los Angeles’ other big wildfire.

The 4,800-acre Marek fire in the northeastern San Fernando Valley was 70 percent contained and some evacuees were allowed to go home.

But people who lived in an area where 38 mobile homes were destroyed were not permitted to return.

Teresa Escamilla, 47, lay on a cot in a Red Cross shelter, thinking the worst. She believed she lost everything including a shoebox containing five years of savings.

“It feels like it’s not real,” the nursing assistant said in Spanish. “It’s a nightmare.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa acknowledged the uncertainty facing residents of the

fire areas.

“Many still don’t know when they are going to return home,” he told a press conference. “Our hearts and prayers are out with all of them.”

On the north coast of San Diego County, a 3,000-acre fire at the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton was 25 percent contained.

Evacuation orders were largely lifted for about 2,000 Marine Corps personnel and family members in military housing and residents of about 1,500 homes in neighboring Oceanside. A separate small fire closed Interstate 5 through the base for two hours Tuesday before it was controlled.

In eastern San Diego County along the U.S.-Mexico border, a 100-acre fire that forced residents from 300 homes in the community of Campo was 50 percent contained.

In the inland region 60 miles east of Los Angeles, a fire in the Little Mountain area of San Bernardino was contained at 100 acres.

The outbreak of fires followed the weekend arrival of the first significant Santa Ana winds of the fall. The National Weather Service said the intensity of the winds was diminishing but warned there would still be strong gusts. Warnings for critical fire weather conditions were to remain in effect until Wednesday night.

The notorious Santa Anas usually sweep in between October and February as cold, dry air descending over the Great Basin flows toward Southern California and squeezes through mountain passes and canyons. The extremely low humidity levels, which make vegetation easier to burn, and high windspeeds combine to whip fires into infernos.

Driver in deadly bus crash wasn’t intoxicated Toxicology tests show that the driver of a charter bus that crashed on a rural Northern California road, killing nine, was not drunk or on drugs at the time, prosecutors said Tuesday. Quintin Watts, 52, was released from the hospital and taken into law enforcement custody after he was released Tuesday morning from Woodland Memorial Hospital, where he had been recovering from the Oct. 5 crash. He was being held on suspicion of driving without a proper license at Deuel Vocational Institute in Tracy, while authorities continued their investigation. The California Highway Patrol initially arrested Watts on suspicion of driving under the influence after the casino-bound bus overturned on a two-lane road. Many of the 42 passengers heading to Colusa Casino Resort were Laotian seniors, and some remain hospitalized.

Watts’ mother, Chaney Mae Watts, 77, of Stockton, said her family did not believe reports that he was driving under the influence. She said her son fell into a diabetic coma and only regained consciousness a few days ago. “We’re all really sorry that the accident happened,” she said. “When they said DUI, it wasn’t the boy I know. It wasn’t the boy I raised.” Chaney Mae Watts noted that her son had a history of health problems related to diabetes, including a trip to the hospital last spring when he appeared impaired because of low blood sugar. Colusa County District Attorney John Poyner said Tuesday that the toxicology tests came back negative.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES

Mayor gives $25K to defeat gay marriage ban Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has donated $25,000 to defeat a ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California. In a statement released Tuesday

by Courage Campaign, an online political organizing Web site, the mayor noted that he has officiated many weddings for gay couples since same-sex marriage was legalized in California in June. He said he entered politics because “the America of my dreams includes everyone, not just a few.” Like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose words and image have appeared in television ads by Proposition 8’s supporters, Villaraigosa is mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2010.

AP

SAN FRANCISCO

Residents mull George W. Bush Sewage Plant The campaign to rename a San Francisco sewage plant after President Bush hasn’t generated much in the way of political activity. But it may be one of the few electioneering efforts to boast a ballot argument in haiku form. Proposition R would change the name of the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant, to the George W. Bush Sewage Plant. The people behind the idea which, surprise, was dreamed up over beers, say their plan strikes the right note for the 43rd president’s memorial.

AP

National Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

McCain proposes $52.5 billion economic plan

BY BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer

BLUE BELL, Pa. John McCain, echoing both Barack Obama and Republican orthodoxy, proposed a $52.5 billion economic plan Tuesday that would eliminate taxes on unemployment benefits and cut the capital gains tax. He warned voters about taking a chance on his Democratic rival.

“Perhaps never before in history have the American people been asked to risk so much based on so little,” McCain said of his opponent during a speech at a community college in this Philadelphia suburb.

McCain also promised that as president he would order the Treasury Department to guarantee 100 percent of all savings for six months. Such a guarantee, above the $250,000 now in force, would ease consumer fears of bank failures and restore “rational judgment to the choices of the market,” he said.

The Arizona senator, who trails in the polls on economic issues, said, “The moment requires that government act. And as president I intend to act, quickly and decisively.”

McCain said President Bush’s $250 billion plan to buy shares in the nation’s leading banks — advance word of which helped stocks soar on Monday — should be shortterm and last only until the institutions are reformed and put on a sound footing again.

“When that is accomplished,” McCain said, “government will relinquish its interest in these private companies. We’re going to get the government out of the business of bailouts and equity stakes and back in the business of responsible regulation.”

More than 3.6 million Americans received unemployment benefits, according to the McCain campaign. If the government eliminated taxes on unemployment benefits, recipients would see an increase on average of nearly 10 percent, the campaign said.

McCain also called for cutting the tax rate on capital gains in half, down to 7.5 percent for two years. “This vital measure will promote buying, raise asset values, help companies and shore up the pension plans for workers and retirees,” he said.

The Republican standard-bearer wasn’t breaking new ground with the unemployment and capitol gains proposals. He was a day behind Obama in suggesting that taxes on jobless benefits be suspended, and Obama also proposed extending the duration of those benefits. And Republicans for years have offered proposals to reduce the tax on capital gains from investments.

McCain also proposed lowering the tax rate on Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) plans to the lowest rate, 10 percent, on the first $50,000 withdrawn. The McCain campaign estimated it would affect 9 million people over the age of 60, but the biggest benefit would go to the highest income seniors.

“Sen. McCain also shows how little he understands the economy by offering lower capital gains rates in a year in which people don’t have an awful lot of capital gains,” Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton responded. “His trickle-down, ideological recipes won’t strengthen our economy and grow our middle-class.” Burton added that the McCain plan provides “no tax relief at all to 101 million hardworking families, including 97 percent of senior citizens, and it does nothing to cut taxes for small busi-

PERHAPS NEVER BEFORE IN HISTORY HAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BEEN ASKED TO RISK SO MUCH BASED ON SO LITTLE.” John McCain GOP presidential candidate

nesses or give them access to credit.”

Obama’s economic plan announced Monday called for suspending the tax on unemployment benefits as well as extending benefits. The Democrat also for a 90day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks, a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs and for allowing people to withdraw up to $10,000 from their retirement accounts without any penalty this year and next. McCain called the withdrawal provision “an invitation to capital flight.”

McCain kept up a drumbeat of criticism for Obama’s economic plans, particularly his promise to cut taxes for everyone making less than $200,000 a year.

Obama “now presents himself as a tax cutter and champion of middle-class America,” McCain said, “But he can’t turn a record of supporting higher taxes into a credible promise to cut taxes. What he promises today is the opposite of what he has done his entire career.”

McCain reiterated his plan for the government to buy up bad mortgages at full face value and renegotiate them at a lower rate, although the proposal has been widely criticized by conservatives as a bailout for bad lenders.

McCain’s speech came after two days of mixed signals from his campaign on whether he intended to offer any new economic proposals at all. He finally issued the new plans a day after Obama unveiled his, leaving McCain to appear as though he were playing catch-up.

The two candidates rolled out their plans ahead of Wednesday’s third and final presidential debate and with just three weeks to Election Day. McCain’s proposal comes as Republican campaign veterans say he needs to do more than just criticize Obama in an economic environment that favors Democrats. Recent polling shows Obama with an edge on which candidate can do a better job handling the economy.

Obama leads in pre-election polls in enough states to be within reach of the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory while McCain is being forced to defend Republican turf where polls show the race close.

That’s partly because of Obama’s wellfunded onslaught of TV ads and extensive network of field troops registering and canvassing voters; McCain trails on both fronts.

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Sports 14

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

MLB

Dodgers rest up for pivotal game

BY BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 60°

SWELL FORECAST ( 2-3 FT ) The NW/SW combo should peak. The NW part of this combo being from Aleutian Chain activity angled from 290 degrees with 15-second periods, and the SW element from a New Zealand storm that peaked.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS FRIDAY

THE

17TH

SWELLS SHOULD BACK OFF.

TIDE FORECAST

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a difficult road to get back in the NL championship series, and manager Joe Torre decided the best way to begin that process was a day off.

No batting practice Tuesday. No infield, either. Just some time away from the ballpark to rest and a few extra moments for Torre to come up with something to say with the Dodgers coming off a costly late-inning loss and trailing the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

“I’ll just remind them of everything that they’ve accomplished to this point and to just continue to fight,” he said.

“You don’t get to this time of year without the ability to win three, four, five games in a row.”

The Dodgers are in a hole after pinchhitter Matt Stairs’ two-out, two-run homer off Jonathan Broxton capped a four-run eighth and sent the Phillies to a 7-5 victory Monday night.

“I think the fans were just as disappointed and shocked as we were,” Casey Blake said after the Dodgers blew a tworun lead. “We have nothing to lose now.

We need to grasp on to every positive thought we can at this time.”

That’s why Torre canceled the team’s scheduled workout, believing another round of BP was useless.

“I just thought getting away from it would probably benefit them more than anything else,” he said. “I sense we’ll be back here with the right attitude. These guys have been playing hard. There’s a little inexperience sprinkled in, but we know that. But they’re certainly not afraid.”

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel took the opposite approach, with his team swinging freely on a warm, sunny day that offered only a hint of a breeze rustling the palm trees in left field.

“We don’t want to disrupt the flow of things,” Greg Dobbs said before batting practice. “There’s a nice sense of realism in here. You don’t want to give any team hope. You want to pounce early, score runs and put pressure on defensively.”

History is on Philadelphia’s side. Nine of the previous 11 teams to go up 3-1 went on to win the NLCS. “We’re anticipating something good to happen,” Jimmy Rollins said. “No one is overly excited. When we get there, we’ll be excited.”

Chad Billingsley will start Wednesday night for the Dodgers, who need a better performance out of the 24-year-old righthander than what he showed in Game 2.

He allowed eight runs — seven earned — and eight hits over 2 1-3 innings in their 8-5 loss Friday in Philadelphia.

“It’s pretty much do or die,” he said Monday.

Billingsley took it hard after Phillies starter Brett Myers — a career .116 hitter — hit a go-ahead RBI single off him with two outs in the second inning, then chased Billingsley with a two-run single in the third.

“He’s sensitive, yet he’s very aggressive

I’LL JUST REMIND THEM OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY’VE ACCOMPLISHED TO THIS POINT AND TO JUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT. YOU DON’T GET TO THIS TIME OF YEAR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO WIN THREE, FOUR, FIVE GAMES IN A ROW.” Joe Torre Dodgers manager

and very sure of himself,” Torre said. “The tough part about playing in this postseason is to make sure you keep it as a baseball game and let the panic come from the manager and not from you. Hopefully he can get himself in that frame of mind ... you can only win one game right now and that’s the game you’re pitching.”

Game 1 winner Cole Hamels returns for the Phillies. He staked the Dodgers to a 2-0 lead in the series opener before settling down, allowing two runs and six hits over seven innings.

“He’s our guy. Any time you have your guy going you feel very confident,” Dobbs said. “He finds a way to right the ship the next time out. He’s going to come out with a lot of intensity and as a club, we need to feed off that.”

The Phillies have built a commanding lead despite the offensive struggles of home run hitter Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, who are a combined 5-for-33 in the series. Myers, Stairs, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell have provided some of the team’s big hits in its three come-from-behind wins.

“Who thought Myers was going to get three hits? You couldn’t draw that up,” pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins said. “Even if Jimmy isn’t locked in at the plate, he takes runs away in the field. He always plays defense.”

Rollins hasn’t come close to matching his MVP numbers from a year ago.

“This team has been built around a number of guys. There isn’t just one hero, which makes everyone feel like they’re involved,” he said. “I was able to do something in the first series and guys weren’t.

Now I’m not and guys are. It’s about the team.”

For the Dodgers, it’s about getting strong performances from Billingsley and their bullpen, which collapsed in Game 4.

“Pitching is going to be the way you get off on the right foot and get a little momentum going,” Torre said. “Our goal right now is to be on that plane on Thursday.”

Movie TimesHoroscope Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

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Home is your castle, Capricorn ARIES (March 21-April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

★★★★★ As others give you their two cents, you are ready to greet them with yours. This “discussion” could become extremely creative or could develop into the War of the Roses. Which one do you want? This one is your call. Tonight: All smiles.

★★★★★ Your ability to accomplish a lot is clearly defined by your ability to push through a problem and not allow others to get to you. Also, whatever you do not need to handle, you shouldn’t. Do only what you want and can do well. Tonight: Say “yes.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

★★★ Take your time making a decision that is long overdue. You are easy and relaxed.

Investigate alternatives with care. More facts could come to light all day long. Be more in touch with your long-term desires. Tonight: Slow down.

★★★ Others might demand a lot, but don’t you do the same? Do not cop an attitude. Give 100 percent, and in the long run, you’ll be building stronger foundations in your relationships.

This is the only way to go, if you look at the quality of life. Tonight: Choose a stress-buster.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★★ Friends come through, though it might not be easy. You could feel overwhelmed and wonder what you can do to relax. Push through a disagreement or a problem meeting. Let go of negativity. Tonight: The fun times are here.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ★★★★★ You have idea after idea, and trying to resolve what is happening takes talent and energy. Others might have a rough edge because they are frustrated, but not necessarily with you. Tonight: In the thick of living.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) ★★★ Take a stand, fully knowing what you want to accomplish. You could surprise yourself when you look at the possibilities. Be direct and caring with someone in your family. Someone still could be irritating if you take his or her comments personally. Tonight: Fun and games.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

★★★★ You might want to head in a different direction when you understand the liability of moving into a new space. Not everything can happen the way you would like. Realize your limits and that perhaps you do not want to try an innovative solution.

Tonight: Go for an escape from the here and now.

★★★★★ You speak your mind, and others might listen. Sometimes you are so bombastic that others cannot listen or have built a defense against your powerful mind. Consider another approach. What would work? Tonight: Chat and catch up on news.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★★ You might like what is happening within your immediate circle. Think in terms of growth and change within a key association.

Though this person can irritate you, he or she makes you think. Tonight: Take a positive view of what is happening.

★★★ Do not worry so much about finances, yet be willing to say “no” to spending until you get the complete picture. You could be overwhelmed by what does happen, if you relax. Claiming your power does not mean arguing. Tonight: Learn to not trigger by simply saying “no.”

Happy birthday

★★★ Basics count. You are able to make headway because you want to. Do not push yourself too far. Know what works, and do not hesitate to ask for more of what you want and need.

Lighten up. Tonight: Home is your castle.

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

You have a lot going for you. Handling what is happening could be overwhelming, but you develop a real style and a way of handling pressure this year. You are able to make a difference this year. Help motivate others. Be willing to deal with controversial situations, knowing that everyone has the right to his or her opinion. If you are single, you might be surprised by what 2009 offers. Cupid’s arrow easily could hit the bull’s-eye. If you are attached, the two of you demonstrate the ability to warm up the love temperature between you.

ARIES opens up new doors, if you allow it.

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Comics & Stuff 16

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

Girls and Sports

Sudoku

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 ★ (easiest) to ★★★★★ (hardest).

The Meaning of Lila

By John Forgetta & L.A. Rose

King Features Syndicate

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

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Comics & Stuff Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

17

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MYSTERY PHOTO

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

Strange Brew

By John Deering

Speed Bump

By Dave Coverly

CHUCK

SHEPARD

■ Police in Knoxville, Tenn., arrested Richard Smith, 25, in September after he called 911 from an air duct in the Knoxville Museum of Art, and Smith immediately volunteered that he was "special agent 0-9-3-1" with the "United States Illuminati" and that he had come to retrieve a nuclear warhead from the Soviet Union that was concealed in a blue plastic cow in the basement, according to a report on WBIR-TV. Smith got trapped, he said, after he received a phone call aborting the mission because the cow was actually supposed to be in a museum in Memphis. He said he had entered the Museum of Art by being lowered from a "CH2 Huey" helicopter, but police basically rejected everything Smith said except his name.

■ Angel Cruz, 49, was indicted in August in Florida for various dubious financial schemes, including attempting to convince employees and contractors to accept his "United Cities Group" "currency" as of parallel value with U.S. currency. Cruz came to federal prosecutors' attention when he tried to sneak $214 million of UCG money into a Bank of America branch in Miami and allegedly threatened to take over the bank when it balked at allowing withdrawals in U.S. dollars.

■ A 17-year-old boy in Reno, Nev., accidentally set his family's house on fire trying to kill spiders (August). A woman in Santa Fe, N.M., accidentally caused severe fire damage to her home while trying to torch a rattlesnake (July). A 26-year-old man in Mobile, Ala., accidentally caused $80,000 damage to his home and a shed trying to kill a swarm of bees (June). A Buddhist monk accidentally burned down his temple in Ojiya City, Japan, trying to destroy a hornets' nest (September).

TODAY IN HISTORY peace demonstrators staged activities across the country, including a candlelight march around the White House, as part of a moratorium against the Vietnam War.

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Obituaries Ronald J. Knudson

Ronald J. Knudson, 99, passed away October 9, 2008 in Providence, Utah. He was born in Brigham City, Utah on April 5, 1909. He and his wife lived in Santa Monica, California for over 50 years. He was an active member of the LDS church.

He is survived by his son, Dennis V. Knudson (Shirley) of Mount Vernon, Washington and Janice K. Gill (Richard) of Brigham City; 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held at 11:00 Monday, October 13, 2008 at the Logan City Cemetery.

Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.

Special thanks to Dr. Nathan Call and Cache Valley Assisted Living.

Heartfelt appreciation to the workers at Alpine Hospice who lovingly cared for him.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Association.

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Help Wanted

Education

ASSEMBLE MAGNETS & CRAFTS FROM HOME! Year-round Work! Excellent Pay! No Experience!

TOLL FREE 1-866-844-5091, No-MD

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AT HOME, 6-8 Weeks. Low payments. FREE Brochure.

1-800-264-8330 or www.diplomafromhome.com

Announcements

CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment School. 3 wk training program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Trackhoes. Local job placement asst. Start digging dirt NOW. Toll free 866-362-6497

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Fast, affordable, accredited. FREE brochure. Call now! 1-888-583-2127, www.continentalacademy.com

Employment Wanted 42 YO European man will care for disabled/elderly 10 yrs local experience excellent references. Mike (310)393-2940/ (323)687-5496(cell)

Employment MONEY PROBLEMS? Guaranteed help?

Pay OFF your debts 50-70% off. No application fees. Good/Bad credit.

1-866-677-2455, www.paylessSolutions.com MOVIE EXTRA/MODELS NEEDED! Earn $200 - $400 per day. No experience required. Call now. 1-800-464-0897 Customer service/sales position/on site coordinator at lawfirm in Santa Monica.

Prior experience in lawfirm preferred.Salary negotiable. Contact bsberkowitz@aol.com.

MYSTERY SHOPPERS! Earn up to $150 daily. Get paid to shop pt/ft. Call now 800-690-1272.

OFFICE CLEANERS OPPORTUNITIES. Start today, PT/FT. Night -Day- Wkend poss. Flex Hrs. $17.00 per call.

1-900-945-9400 OUTGOING DENTAL Assistant wanted for fast paced, high tech westside office. Willing to train the right person for this opportunity. Send resumes to contactus@doctorsakurai.com or fax to (310)453-6612.

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

Help Wanted $500 SIGN-ON Bonus! Seeking 5 sharp guys or girls to join our hip-hop rock-n-roll bluejean sales group. Travel, travel, travel. 877-539-8673. $8000 GUARANTEED! Receive $8 for every envelope stuffed with our sales material.

24hr information.

1-877-220-4470 1000 ENVELOPES = $12,000 GUARANTEED! Receive $12 for every envelope stuffed.

24hr information.

1-866-861-0703, code11.

$5.50 A DAY LINER ADS! CALL TODAY

EARN UP TO $500 weekly assembling angel pins at home. No experience required.

817-230-4879, www.angelpin.net NANNIES AND SITTERS NEEDED. View jobs at www.GoNannies.com. Housekeepers and elder caregivers also needed.

WORK FROM HOME: Government Office Jobs, Basic Computer Skills. Full Benefits, Flexible Hours.

Call 1-888-611-9333.

Business Opps 3 GREAT Franchises Under 20K. One Great Company. Human Resources Video Services.

877-485-5858, www.3greatfranchises.com ABSOLUTELY ALL Cash! Do you earn $800/day? Local Vending routes. 30 machines + candy. $9,995.

1-800-807-6485. (Void/SD,CT,MD) ALL CASH VENDING Business. Instant Profits! Be your own boss! Investment $7,188.00 to $49,900.00. Call for free brochure. 1-800-584-8887.

Adoption PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching birthmothers with families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7. Abby's One True Gift Adoptions.

866-910-5610.

For Sale

Wanted LOOKING FOR a small white rocking chair with gold roses. and gold base with leafs and white flowers. items have sentimental value were sold at state auction (818)481-7854 WANTED! OLD GIBSON LES PAUL GUITARS! Especially 1950's models!

Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, D'Angelico, Rickenbacker, Stromberg, Ephiphone. (1900- 1970's) TOP DOLLAR PAID! Old FENDER AMPS! It's easy. Call toll free 1-866-433-8277 CALL TODAY.

Travel & Vacation

For Rent MAR VISTA, 11621 Braddock Dr. unit 16 2bdrm. 1.5 bath, $1350, townhouse style, stove, carpt, w/d hookup, patio, gated parking, carpet, intercom entry, no pets.$500 off move-in (310)967-4471 www.jkwproperties.com

BRAND NEW studio for rent in SM 1/bath, stove, refrig,.all appliances call Shaun $1500 (310)849-3500

Electronics * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! * - Get a 4-room, all-digital satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting under $20. Free Digital Video Recorders to new clients. So call now, 1-800-795-3579.

For Rent

Newly Lowered Rates

Room and Board 401 Montana Avenue Your home away from home.

Daily meals, laundry, housekeeping, utilities, and cable. Studios, 1bdrms avaliable. Seniors and all ages welcome.

Ask about move-in special 1 month FREE.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

Starting at $2,000/MO Beautiful Montana Gardens

(310) 245-9436

Venice 25 19th Ave. Single unit E $1085/mo stove, fridge, carpet, blinds, laundry, no parking or pets, $300 off move-in (310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com WLA $1750/MO. Large bright 2 bdrm upper, on Barrington near National. Very spacious. Large closets, crown moldings, gas stove, refrigerator. Closed garage with storage, well maintained, charming, older building in good WLA area.near Whole foods and Starbucks Info (310)828-4481 or (310)993-0414 after 6pm.

WLA, LARGE 3+2. OCEAN VIEW, top of hill, prv drvwy, 3 patios/backyard, gated, no pets. Redeco $2950/mo 310-390-4610.

Real Estate BANK ORDERED: LAND AUCTION. 2000+ properties. Land in 29 states. NO RESERVES. Multiple Lot Packs. Min Bids at $1000.

Big online at: LandAuctionBid.com/2 FOUR FULLY self contained trailers for rent across from Will Rogers state beach 2 miles from Santa Monica Pier $1095/mo and $995/mo (310)454-2515 Mar Vista $2300.00 2Bdrms, 2 Baths W / Loft Stove, Refrig, Dshwshr, Wshr/Dryr, Gated Parking, NO PETS 4077 Inglewood Blvd, # 1 Call for Appt. (310)780-3354 MAR VISTA 12450 Culver Blvd. Unit 208 1bdrm/1bath, gated parking, intercom entry, stove, fridge, utilities included, laundry, parking, no pets. $1150/mo on site manager (888)414-7778 www.jkwproperties.com MAR VISTA 3976 Inglewood Blvd. Unit 1, 2+2 lower $1475/Mo, stove, fridge, blinds, carpet, balcony, laundry, parking, no pets.

(310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com MDR adj.$900 large single upper with private balcony,.full kitchen, appliances, laundry, parking, no pets info (310)828-4481 or (310) 993-0414 after 7p.m.

PALMS 9804 Regent unit #3. 2+2 $1595/mo, dishwasher stove, fridge, carpet, on-site laundry, parking, no pets, $300 off move-in (310) 578-7512 jkwproperties.com Santa Monica/ West LA $1395.00 & up 1Bdrm, 2Bdrms W/ Lofts . See manager at 1935 Cloverfield Blvd, Apt. #19 for list of vacancies

Computers A NEW COMPUTER NOW. Brand Name.

Bad or NO Credit - No problem. Smallest weekly payments available. Call NOW 800-838-7127

458-7737

Wealth and Success Lost and Found Personals Psychic Obituaries Tutoring

SM $1750 large 1 bdrm Arizona & Franklin hardwood floors,.remodeled kitchen & bath, lots of windows, bright & airy. Spacious closets, beautiful yard & garden area. Laundry on site frig & stove (310)729-5367

Resorts/Timeshares SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE NOW!!

Maintenance fees too high? Need Cash?

Sell your unused timeshare today. No commissions or broker fees. Free consultation. www.sellatimeshare.com, 1-866-310-0115

SPA/HOT TUB 2008 Model. Neck Jets.

Therapy seat. Warranty. Never used.

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

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

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

view (310)458-2702 $1500/mo plus security

VEGAS BABY - Complimentary! 3 days, 2 night accommodations. Pay nothing High Roller Treatment. Las Vegas - at a fabulous resort casino.

Call 1-888-704-6946 for details.

1244 Euclid 1+1 lower unit #2 stove, fridge, AC, carpets blinds, laundry room, intercom entry, tandem parking, small pets ok with deposit .$1475/mo $300 off move-in (310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com

There is no more convincing medium than a DAILY local newspaper.

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For Rent

DIRECTV SATELLITE TV: 4 Months Free + NFL Sunday Ticket; Free Set-up, HD-DVR Upgrade.

Ends 10/31/08.

1-866-926-2068. (CC Required)

GET A NEW COMPUTER Brand name laptops & desktops. BAD or NO credit - no problem. Smallest weekly payments avail. It's Yours NOW 1-800-624-1557.

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

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

Miscellaneous

SANTA MONICA girl (has NY family) in Vegas on 10/8-10/9. Want to get to know you. We talked at table before club - closed. PA-CA guy. email rush510@hotmail.com

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. See complete conditions below.

POST OFFICE NOW HIRING. Avg. $20/hr. $57K/yr. including Fed. Benefits, OT. Placed by adSource, not affiliated w/ USPS, who hires. 1-866-483-1057

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

YOUR AD COULD RUN TOMORROW!*

Santa Monica/ West LA $1395.00 & up 1Bdrm, 2Bdrms W/ Lofts . See manager at 2535 Kansas Ave. #101 for list of vacancies

Run your personals here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

SEMI FURNISHED loft, light & bright, quiet, 2 blocks north of Montana location at rear of 433 Euclid call John to

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

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 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica. 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

Visit us online at smdp.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

GET RID OF YOUR ROLLERBLADES. Sell your sports equipment to someone who will actually use it.

Prepay your ad today!

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Real Estate

458-7737

There is no more convincing medium than a DAILY local newspaper.

Bookkeeping Services

Financial

TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN ACREAGE. 2 acre beautiful homesite. Million $ view! Secluded, utilities, overlooking Tennessee River, close to Marina, Schools, Shopping! $49,900, low down, owner financing! 330-699-1585.

QUICKBOOKS BOOKKEEPING service, personal or businesses. Online version available. Call 310 977-7935

$$$ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!! Injury Lawsuit dragging? Need $500 $500,000++ within 48 hours? Call 1-877-386-3692, www.casepay.com

Services

Health/Beauty

TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN River Property.

5+acres, $59,000. Cabin w/16acres $159K, 180acres $299,000. 255acres, $2,700/acre w/commercial gas well.

Great hunting/Investment.

1 - 8 8 8 - 8 3 6 - 8 4 3 9 . www.tnwithaview.com

CAREGIVER OR housekeeper available any day Estella (310)396-2720 Rose (310)396-4914

PHENTERMINE - SOMA, FIORICET, and more. Doctor CONSULTATION included.

Shipped FedX 1-3 days. www.EasyBudgetRx.com, 1-877-453-7701

Vehicles for sale 1987 TOYOTA Land Cruiser FJ60 4x4 in showroom condition. Perfectly maintained and all factory original.

Great beach, surfing or town car. 4 speed manual, 133,000 easy miles in 21 years! $14,500.00 505-982-5238 x 104 or 505-690-9999 in Santa Fe New Mexico. doug@mcdowellsantafe.com to request images

Vehicles for sale

CALL TODAY FOR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES!

1996 Ford Explorer 4WD $3795. Are you an outdoorsy person? Do you go skiing, to the mountains, or have dogs you don’t want to tote around in your nice car? This is your vehicle. Don’t wait because this is priced to move. VINA42842 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SINGER Will sing at all parties, churches, women’s clubs, and all occasions.Jolson, Sinatra, Tony Bennett, popular songs, and will have a sing along. Lots of fun. Call Gabe 310-392-6501

Gen. Contracting

A/C CONSTRUCTION General Construction Commercial & Residential

Remodel & Add ons

2007 Toyota Corolla CE $12,995. This is a great, reliable car. It’s not a car you pull up to the Oscars in, but you’re fine getting around town and to the stores.

Plus, with the money you save on this car, you can go to the stores more. Good MPG. VIN834748 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

2005 Chevrolet Astro Van $9995. If you need a work van with bins already in it, here is your chance to pick one up. If you don’t need the bins all of the time, they are removable. This is your portable work space. VIN121431 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

310.278.5380 Lic# 804884 Fully Insured

Handyman

The Handy Hatts Painting and Decorating Co.

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

$ 50 5 per day. Up to 15 words, 20 cents each additional word.

VIAGRA/CIALIS SAVE $400, 40/$99.00.

Free Prescriptions. Lowest Prices. Order Now. 1-877-242-5305. Save on Drugs.

Lost & Found REWARD STOLEN purse at Broadway/ Lincoln Vons newsstand. Black w/strap TD, glasses, keys, Call (310)319-0382

Massage

Honest. Reliable.

1992 Dodge 1 Ton Van $2995. This is your Plain Ole Work Van. It was a postal van. It is great for hauling. Perfect for contractors to have a mobile shop or any delivery company. VIN167697 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

Classifieds

SAVE ON MEDS. No Insurance? Under Insured? In the Donut Hole? Save up to 80%. Call now for free quote 1-866-839-9581 or visit http://meds4less.betterlifepharmacy.co m

FREE ESTIMATES — Sabbath Observed—

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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 European.

Very Professional, Sonja (310) 397-0433.

HEALING 1 hour full body Swedish massage in the privacy of your own home.

Elderly are welcome, out calls only. Call Stella (310) 396-2720

FULL SERVICE HANDYMAN FROM A TO Z Call Brian @ (310) 927-5120 (310) 915-7907 1991 Dodge Van Conversion $5995. Your home away from home.

Perfect for those weekend trips to the mountain or the beaches. Has a built in cooler, and TV. If you don’t want to buy a full motor home, this is a good alternative. VIN404374 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

LIC# 888736 “HOME SWEET HOME”

WEST SIDE HANDYMAN All RepairsCarpentry- PaintingPlastering- Electrical Termite & Dry Rot Repair Not a Licensed Contractor

Call the House Healer

(310) 409-3244 Therapy

1999 Mazda Protégé $3995 – This is your basic good transportation car. It’s reliable, great for students or a second car.

If you just need to get form one place to another, this is your car.

VIN131663 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

03 Toyota Celica GT. $12,995. This sporty 2 door coup is great for a couple with no kids, needs a second sporty car or single person. If you want to zoom around town and look stylish doing so, this is your car. And being a Toyota, you know it’s reliable and gets good MPG. VIN152214 Claude Short Auto Sales 2802 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.

The Best Cars on a Crumby Little Lot. (310) 395-3712 If we don’t have your car, we’ll find it for you, saving you time and frustration.

STILL L SMOKING? Life is short — Why make it shorter

John J. McGrail, C.Ht. Certified Hypnotherapist (310)) 235-2883 www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com

Computer Services

Automotive WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI,1970-1980, Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2-350, S3-400. CASH PAID. 1-800-772-1142. 1-310-721-0726.

COMPUTER REPAIR and WEB DESIGNER cheap price (310)450-5085 or (323)786-6746 www.topwebonline.com

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

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

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

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

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