Santa Monica Daily Press, November 24 2011

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Volume 11 Issue 11

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NICE RIDE ON MARS SEE PAGE 11

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Feds say mobster Whitey Bulger’s girlfriend lied ASSOCIATED PRESS BOSTON Federal prosecutors say the girlfriend of former Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger should not be released on bail because she lied about her wealth, including a secret bank account “with a substantial balance.”

Catherine Greig is charged with conspiracy to harbor a fugitive by helping Bulger evade capture for more than 16 years. Bulger is accused of participating in 19 murders.

They were caught in Santa Monica in June.

They have pleaded not guilty.

On Nov. 4, a judge said Greig had shown a willingness to leave home and family when she fled with Bulger in 1995.

Prosecutors argue in court documents filed Tuesday that Greig has failed to provide a sworn statement showing her wealth, preventing court officials from determining a forfeiture amount that would assure she meets bail conditions.

Officials to clear Occupy L.A. camp CHRISTINA HOAG Associated Press

LOS ANGELES The Occupy Los Angeles encampment around City Hall will be cleared sometime next week, a city official and a lawyer for demonstrators said Wednesday.

Attorney Jim Lafferty and Occupy L.A. organizer Mario Brito made the announcement after a meeting with officials they said included a deputy mayor and high-ranking police officials. Lafferty said the camp would be given 72 hours' notice.

Deputy Mayor Matt Szabo told The Associated Press that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, after consulting with police, decided the encampment on City Hall lawns will be closed at some point next week, then

THE VERY THANKFUL ISSUE

Turkey-free turkey day Santa Monicans find alternative ways to feast

BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Daily Press Staff Writer

THE DINNER TABLE It’s a day of excess and gluttony for most, but the euphemistic “turkey day” can be something of a misnomer for the growing multitude that like the celebration without a side of death.

In fact, many of the traditional dishes consumed on Thanksgiving can be off-putting for those seeking an alternative to the meat and preservative-filled menu that many have come to associate with the holiday.

Green bean casserole cooked in sodiumrich cream of mushroom soup. Cranberry sauce that holds the shape of the can it comes in. Stuffing that comes out of a cardboard box. Ambiguously crunchy sticks that claim to be onions.

A big roast turkey. Free range and organic? Who knows.

Andrew Wilder, the man behind the blog www.EatingRules.com, has seen, eaten and overcome them all.

Eating Rules puts forth three clear-cut, but hardly simple, rules. First, if you eat grains, make them whole grains. Second, cut the high-fructose corn syrup. Third, no more hydrogenated oils, trans fats or anything deep fried.

Even with the one cheat day Wilder allows per week, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for the dishes that appear in Ladies Home Journal.

Wilder further limits himself by embracing fish as the single source of meat in his life, making him either a pescetarian or vegequarian, whichever you prefer.

These days, the main course of the Thanksgiving meal no longer holds much sway over Wilder’s holiday plans.

“My strategy is to skip the turkey, my family has gotten used to it,” he said.

It wasn’t always that way. When Wilder first went vegetarian in high school, his supportive mother dutifully purchased a faux turkey, which are now made of seitan, a protein gleaned from wheat.

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

SEE OCCUPY PAGE 8

Andrew Thurm 310.442.1651

AndrewThurm@aol.com

SEE THANKSGIVING PAGE 7 YUM: Main Street's Euphoria Loves RAWvolution is offering a special Thanksgiving menu.

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What’s Up

Westside OUT AND ABOUT IN SANTA MONICA

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner (Fri-Sat)

Come try our Chicken and Waffles, Pizza Waffles & Waffle Sliders ~ Illy gourmet coffee ~ Monday Closed | Tues - Thurs: 8am to 5pm | Fri - Sat: 8am to 9pm | Sun: 8am to 5pm

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Beach Cities Volleyball Thanksgiving Week-End

Volleyball Clinics When:

Friday November 25th from 9 to 11:30 and

Saturday November 26th from 9 to 11:30

Turkey feast Back on Broadway 2024 Broadway, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Fred Deni’s restaurant Back on Broadway and the Senior Center are hosting a Thanksgiving meal for adults ages 50 and older. Attendees must have their own transportation.

BBB lines 1, 5 and Rapid 10 run within one block of Back on Broadway. Tickets are $2.50 each; for more information, call (310) 4588644.

Giving to those in need Civic Auditorium 1855 Main St., 11 a.m.

Community members come together for the Westside Thanksgiving celebration, designed to offer people a helping hand. Thanksgiving dinner will be provided, along with free medical consultations, basic eye exams, children’s immunizations and haircuts. Over the past three decades, volunteers have served thousands of meals and passed out blankets and clothes to those who are less fortunate. For more information, go to www.westsidethanksgiving.org or call (310) 394-3153.

Friday, Nov. 25, 2011

Where:

Rolling Hills Prep Gym

ONLY $25 for both days.

Registration forms available at ‘Beachcitiesvbc.com’, and at the door.

Players (parent signature required) can register at the door.

Come to either or both days!

ROLLING HILLS PREP GYM: 1780A OAK STREET, TORRANCE, 405 TO CRENSHAW, SOUTH ON CRENSHAW TO CARSON, LEFT ON CARSON 70 FEET TO OAK STREET. THE GYM IS THE 4TH BUILDING ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF OAK STREET

See you there!

Sleight of hand Magicopolis 1418 Fourth St., 8 p.m.

Thanksgiving weekend’s magic show “Escape Reality” premieres tonight and lasts until Nov. 27. The show features an array of acts ranging from floating ladies, mind reading and sleight-of-hand. Admission costs are $29 for an evening ticket and $24 for the matinee ticket. For more information, call (310) 4512241 or contact info@magicopolis.com.

Retail therapy Exhale Spa 101 Wilshire Blvd., 9 a.m.

Exhale is hosting a holiday retail therapy event for the Black Friday craze, with complimentary mini spa therapies, music and food. A shopping list with special boutique discounts, raffles and treats will be available when you make a purchase that day. For more information, call (310) 319-3193.

Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 Run, turkey, run Emerson Reed Park 1133 Seventh St., 8 a.m.

The third annual Santa Monica Gobble Wobble returns, offering community members a holiday 5K Turkey Trot. Westside Food Bank, which is co-hosting the event, encourages participants to bring canned food donations. The familyfriendly event includes a costume contest and 1K Widdle Woddle dash for kids. For more information and to register, visit www.genericevents.com/gobble or call (310) 821-7898.

Horton hears a Who Morgan-Wixsom Theatre 2627 Pico Blvd., 2 p.m.

Jump into the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss in this musical adventure, with your favorites Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz and more. This youth musical, based on many different works by Dr. Seuss, plays Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17 (no performance on Dec. 11). Tickets are $15; visit http://morgan-wixson.org for more information.

To create your own listing, log on to smdp.com/submitevent For help, contact Daniel Archuleta at 310-458-7737 or submit to editor@smdp.com For more information on any of the events listed, log on to smdp.com/communitylistings

Inside Scoop THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

Visit us online at smdp.com

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Toy safety report finds quite a few holiday dangers JENNIFER C. KERR Associated Press

WASHINGTON Hidden dangers lurk in some of those less-expensive toys that parents might grab as stocking stuffers this time of year — like a Sesame Street Oscar the Grouch doll.

The small furry green Oscar, purchased for $6.99, was one of the toys singled out in the annual toy safety report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

The consumer advocate's report, released Tuesday, found just over a dozen toys on store shelves that violate federal safety standards. Some had unsafe levels of lead or chemicals called phthalates, and others contained small parts that young children could choke on. Besides Oscar, other toys deemed potentially dangerous included a plastic book for babies; a $1 plastic mini-crossbow that fires off little balls and a hand-held "whirly wheel."

The Oscar doll has a small hat that could come off easily, which is a possible choking hazard, PIRG said. The crossbow's small parts also put young children at risk of choking, according to the report.

The book and the whirly wheel had high levels of lead, according to the study. But an importer of the whirly wheel disputes that, and says the company's own testing shows the spinning magnetic toy with lead levels well below the limit.

PIRG also warned about toys that are too loud and could lead to damaged hearing, such as an Elmo talking cellphone that the group says tested just above voluntary industry noise limits.

Ed Mierzwinski, the group's consumer program director, said industrial chemicals and toxins in toys were the biggest problems the group found this year. Exposure to lead can cause irreversible brain damage, and some studies have linked phthalates to reproductive problems.

Toy makers played down the report and pointed to government figures showing sharp declines in the number of national toy recalls.

"All eyes have been on toy safety for several years now," says Joan Lawrence, the Toy Industry Association's vice president for safety standards. "I am confident that the toys on store shelves are safe. The toy indusSEE TOYS PAGE 7

Paul Alvarez Jr. news@smdp.com

ON HIS WAY: Samohi's Kori Garcia runs for a gain against Channel Islands during last week’s first round playoff game.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Samohi, Ventura playing for respect

BY DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor

CORSAIR FIELD For two teams sporting gaudy records, it seems that each head coach is looking for a little respect.

The second round CIF-Southern Section Western Division matchup between Santa Monica and Ventura high schools on Friday features the teams with the best records in the field, but to hear the coaches tell it, they are both somehow underdogs.

Ventura, entering the game a perfect 110, and its head coach Brad Steward consider themselves a bit off the radar. On the Samohi sideline, head coach Travis Clark and his boys liken it to a struggle much like the story of David and Goliath.

On Friday at Santa Monica College’s Corsair Field, the tale will play out.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens,” said Clark, who has guided the Samohi Vikings to a 10-1 record and Ocean League title this season. “I think we’re capa-

WE’RE TRYING TO CHANGE WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE OCEAN LEAGUE. WE HAVE TO GET SOME RESPECT AROUND HERE.” Travis Clark Samohi Head Coach

ble of winning this game. I know [Ventura] will try and get it, they have major goals as we do, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my boys.

“I think they are going to try and seize the moment.”

The Vikings do have home-field advantage, something Clark appreciates, but the feeling that they are being taken lightly lingers on.

He said that his team is embracing the challenge and obvious tension of the game.

The team’s practices since last week’s win over Channel Islands have been “some of

the best of the season.”

“They want to go after this challenge,” Clark added. “They realize that it’s a oneand-done situation and they aren’t ready to stop playing this year.”

Clark feels that this is the year to put the Ocean League on the map. With Culver City’s unlikely win over No. 1 seeded Serra last week, Clark sees this as a coming out party for the league that has two of the eight teams remaining in the field.

“We’re trying to change what people SEE SAMOHI PAGE 9

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Opinion Commentary 4

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

We have you covered

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Life Matters

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

JoAnne Barge & Katrina Davy

Let them eat … whatever they want Editor: ‘Tis the season to be merry, and conceal those whose presence may damper our spirits or open our minds that all is not OK outside. Come on, Santa Monica, you pride yourself on being so “generous” to the disadvantaged, but the minute you confront a homeless getting fed, you are upset (“Feeding homeless in public raising concerns yet again,” Nov. 23, page 1).

What is it with the hypocrisy of the season? This is a “religious” holiday, is it not? Is it the Christians or the Jews who want to overeat and shop madly while the homeless don’t get anything? Why aren’t we happy to see that someone is taking out the time to solve the problem. Why would we interfere with people getting fed?

This obstructionist attitude is what should be of concern. People need to eat, never mind that they are denied shelter and healthcare and out in the elements, by the grace of God, let them eat! Dear Lord, what is the matter with you? Why is it a “safety concern” with feeding people? A great man once put it simply: “A hungry man is an angry man.” Let the people eat, for God’s sake! Bringing the activity inside limits who gets fed.

These people who volunteer their time to collect food and feed the needy are our local heroes, protecting us from the violence ensued by hunger, and they should be supported by all means.

It’s the holidays, for crying out loud, let “them eat cake” and be more concerned that these poor souls are homeless and hungry than the fact that not everything is as shiny as your television shows. As to the number of growing homeless, with the number of growing foreclosures and joblessness, those numbers are bound to grow when you live in an area with weather like ours. It is the sun, and the often temperate nights, not the great generosity of Santa Monica, that draw the homeless to the Westside. The same sun that drew us here.

God bless us all, everyone, this holiday season, and may your heart open to the needs of others. And for the Christians, let me remind you that your savior, Jesus Christ, was born homeless, dependent on gifts of strangers to escape his adversity.

Jayne Pitchford Santa Monica

PUBLISHER Ross Furukawa

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Handling the tough questions Dear New Shrink, I have an interview coming up and I have no idea how to prepare. I have had several interviews in the past, some have gone really well and others have been a complete failure. I seem to struggle with broad questions and have no idea where to go with my answer. Can you share some common interview questions and ideas about what I should talk about in my answers?

Signed, Curious Interviewee

Dear Interviewee, Congratulations on your offer to interview; in a tough job market securing an interview is a notable accomplishment.

Many people get nervous about interviews — the key is to make sure that this does not keep you from putting your best foot forward. Before the interview, make sure that you have thoroughly researched the company and the position you are interviewing for.

The more you know about the company — their mission and goals, competitors, and successes — the better prepared you will be to handle their questions.

To start off the interview, you should be prepared to answer a broad question about your background. This question often manifests itself as “tell me about yourself ” and is designed to get to know you beyond your application materials. In crafting your response you should think about the key skills and accomplishments that you want the employer to know about you. You have complete control over your response but need to make sure that your response is clearly articulated and relevant to their hiring needs. Identify the key takeaways you want the employer to remember and integrate them into your response.

A good structure for your reply might be past-present-future. Start by talking about your past training and experiences (i.e. educational training or first experiences in the industry), then move into your present role and accomplishments. You can close your response by telling the employer what made you decide to apply to the position and your current or longer-term goals. Your answer should be targeted to the needs of the employer and address your key skills. There is no right or wrong answer so use this as an opportunity to tell the employer more about your unique qualifications and interest in the position.

Another common question revolves around one's strengths and weaknesses.

Spend time thinking about your strengths as they relate to the position. Use this as an opportunity to highlight your abilities and focus on qualities that the company values.

A strong response to this question will articulate your abilities but also focus on the value. It is simply not enough to just list your strengths; you should also provide examples of how you have applied those skills.

When handling questions about weakness it is important that you actually answer their question but at the same time do not eliminate yourself as a potential candidate.

We all know of those stereotypical answers like “I'm a perfectionist” or “I take on too much” which do not tell the employer anything about you. Instead focusing on sharing an authentic weakness but not something that is directly related to the position you are interested in. Your response should be sincere without revealing too much or showing an employer that you might be a risk. The best answer is to share a minor weakness and focus on how you are working on this limitation or your actions to improve or mitigate the weakness.

Some employers will use behavioral questions to get a better sense of your experience and abilities. Behavioral questions ask you to tell an employer about a specific experience you've had in the past and how you handled that particular situation. An example would be “tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team member.” Your answer should focus on providing the employer with a sense of the context, players involved, actions you took, and most importantly the results of the experience. The best answers to these questions will focus on the role you played and the results you attained. If things did not go well focus on what you learned and what you would do differently next time.

Employers may also ask you questions about your goals or future plans with a goal of understanding your long-range planning, your drive and commitment, and to better understand how the position they offer fits into your overall career goals. I would encourage you to focus on your short-term and intermediate goals. You do not need to provide a play-by-play of your entire professional career. Make sure to draw in the responsibilities of the position you are applying for and detail how this will play a role in your professional development.

Finally, as you craft your responses to their questions think about drawing your experience back to the skills and qualities they ask for in the job description.

Ultimately you should focus on your unique strengths and qualities and what you can do to improve the company.

ross@smdp.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kevin Herrera editor@smdp.com

MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com

STAFF WRITER Ashley Archibald ashley@smdp.com

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Morgan Genser news@smdp.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Bauer, David Pisarra, Meredith Carroll, Jack Neworth, Lloyd Garver, Ron Hooks, Taylor Van Arsdale, Merv Hecht, Cynthia Citron, Tom Viscount, Michael Ryan, JoAnne Barge, Katrina Davy

NEWS INTERNS Colin Newton, Kelly Zhou, Sophia Zhorne news@smdp.com

PHOTOGRAPHY INTERN Ray Solano news@smdp.com

VICE PRESIDENT–BUSINESS OPERATIONS Rob Schwenker schwenker@smdp.com

SENIOR ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Brittney Seeliger brittneys@smdp.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Steven Stuart stevens@smdp.com

ADVERTISING TRAFFIC COORDINATOR Rebecca Martinez admin@smdp.com

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Michele Emch michele.e@smdp.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER Darren Ouellette production@smdp.com

PRODUCTION DESIGNER Alejandro Cantarero production@smdp.com

CIRCULATION Keith Wyatt Osvaldo Paganini circulation@smdp.com

We have you covered KATRINA DAVY, M.A., Ed.M, is a Santa Monicabased professional career counselor. She holds degrees from Columbia and Cornell universities.

Visit her online at www.kdcareer.com.

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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. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content.

OpinionCommentary Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

5

Your column here Kathleen Rogers

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Green your Thanksgiving meal

1. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

City officials are currently working with the Exposition Light Rail Authority to shape the look of Santa Monica’s future train stops.

So, this week’s Q-Line question asks:

What would you like to see the local Expo stops include and how much should City Hall chip into the effort?

Contact qline@smdp.com before Friday at 5 p.m. and we’ll print your answers in the weekend edition of the Daily Press. You can also call (310) 458-7737 ext. 107.

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Try to use as much reusable dinnerware as possible. Many times, people have more folks over than the usual for dinner and that can mean not enough plates and forks. If it isn’t possible to use reusable dinnerware, encourage people to reuse their plates when going for that second helping of mashed potatoes and peas.

Have an easy way for your guests to recycle their waste, be it plastic, glass, aluminum or paper. Have separate bins or baskets next to the trash so that no one has to make a trip around the dining area before looking for that perfect place to crash after the meal.

Make your food and scraps help with your next big meal by composting them.

Starting from the food preparation to that last bit of mashed potatoes left on your plate from when your eyes were bigger than your stomach, collect the scraps and start a compost bin.

At the end of the meal, send your guests home with leftovers in the containers that you purchased some of your ingredients in, such as butter tubs, cranberry boxes or any other empty container with a lid.

2. Buy locally grown food.

Purchase produce and baked goods from local farms and small businesses. By purchasing locally, you are reducing the carbon footprint of your food by limiting its transportation. You also are supporting the local economy and giving a homegrown feel to the celebration, especially with heirloom produce. And there is no smell better than that of walking into a bakery and picking out a fresh loaf of bread direct from the oven.

3. Buy organic.

While on the subject of food, purchasing organic produce and meat is an easy way to green your Thanksgiving meal. Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers not only

leech into the surrounding environment where they are used, but also can have negative effects on human health, if not properly washed. If you are looking for a meat option for your Thanksgiving meal, purchase meat raised without antibiotics or artificial hormones, and while at it, since for many it isn’t Thanksgiving without turkey, make sure your poultry is free-range. Remember, the first turkeys were all free range! While at it, serve organic and fair-trade coffee and chocolate as your post meal, pre-food coma pick-me-up.

4. Go meatless.

OK, before you stop reading and seek me out as a blasphemer, many people don’t have turkey on Thanksgiving. If you don’t want to stray too far from tradition, think about making a turkey alternative, from using tofu seasoned around stuffing to an alternative dish completely. I know people that celebrate with stuffed shells or a nut loaf.

5. Make your own eco-friendly decorations.

Use newspaper or brown bags to make placemats or paper turkeys. Use the twine that the produce may have come in to tie napkins around silverware. Collect leaves from the yard to make a fall-themed centerpiece, or flowers from the garden for a bouquet.

6. Celebrate close to home or travel green.

The days surrounding Thanksgiving see some of the highest traffic of the year. If possible, celebrate with friends and family close to home and invite your neighbors into your celebration; that is what started this tradition in the first place, right?

If you must go over the river and through the woods, try to make your travel as green as possible. Make sure your car is in good condition, full tires, carpool when possible and avoid peak travel times to reduce idling in traffic, wasting gas and releasing unnecessary emissions. If you are flying to your destination, consider purchasing carbon credits to offset the emissions from your flight. The typical long haul flight produces nearly four tons of carbon dioxide.

7. Turn Black Friday into “Green Friday.”

The day after Thanksgiving can be a warzone at shopping malls, but don’t forget about your local boutiques and products.

Pay attention to where your purchases originate. Many products give back to local communities as well as donate to environmental causes.

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and turkeys: Whether we are conscious of it or not, some of the most prevalent Thanksgiving symbols come from nature.

No matter where you are in the country, whether the leaves change, the snow falls or you spend Thanksgiving on a beach, you are bound to see some of these influences at your celebration.

While surrounded by family and friends, it is easy to fall (pun intended) into old habits. This year, why not show how thankful you really are by committing to going green with your Thanksgiving celebration?

Here are some ways we suggest you celebrate. After all, the first Thanksgiving was a celebration of a bountiful harvest.

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State 6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

We have you covered

STATE BRIEFS LOS ANGELES

Officials considers ending 30-day car impounds Unlicensed drivers may no longer have cars impounded 30 days, and the hefty price tag to get them back, under a policy being drafted by Los Angeles officials.

California law allows agencies to impound a car for 30 days if it is driven by an unlicensed driver.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Police Department have been working to develop new rules for impounding vehicles.

Villaraigosa spokesman Peter Sanders tells the Los Angeles Times that a draft should be ready in January.

Activists have complained that illegal immigrants who cannot get driver's licenses are unfairly targeted by the impound law.

In March, police Chief Charlie Beck eased impound rules by allowing unlicensed drivers to avoid having their car towed if a licensed driver was available to take it.

LOS ANGELES

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Octomom's fertility doctor wants license back The doctor whose fertility treatments gave "Octomom" Nadya Suleman her octuplets and six other children wants to practice medicine again and asked a court to reconsider the revocation of his license by the state medical board.

In court papers, Dr. Michael Kamrava blamed what he calls negative media coverage for the Medical Board of California's decision to revoke his license, saying he was vilified in a way not justified by the evidence.

"Dr. Kamrava performed a perfectly legal procedure, but the public (or at least the media) thought that the procedure was repugnant," the filing said.

A hearing on the request was delayed Wednesday until Dec. 15 in Superior Court.

The license of the Beverly Hills fertility doctor has been revoked since July 1. In its decision, the medial board found Kamrava grossly negligent in the care of three patients, including Suleman.

The court can ask the medical board to reconsider its decision, but the ultimate licensing authority lies with the board. By law, Kamrava can petition the board for reinstatement three years after revocation takes effect.

Suleman initially told the media she had been implanted with six embryos and two of them split, resulting in her octuplets, However, medical records discussed during Kamrava's licensing hearing revealed she had been implanted with 12 embryos.

AP

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Man guilty of visa fraud in Thai welders' case

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Authorities say a California man has been convicted of seeking visa extensions for Thai welders purportedly hired for a construction job when in reality they were forced to work at restaurants and live in deplorable conditions.

Attorneys say Yoo Taik Kim was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury Tuesday of visa fraud and lying on his citizenship application.

Prosecutors say Kim filed to extend visas in 2003 for 25 Thai welders purportedly to work at Trans Bay Steel when most never worked there.

Prosecutors say Kim lied on his naturalization application about his work as a manpower agent and will lose his U.S. citizenship as a result.

Defense attorney Raul Ayala says Kim lacked understanding of U.S. immigration and labor laws and did not intend to employ the workers.

AP

SANTA CLARITA

Detectives use Craigslist to nab car burglars

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Detectives used Craigslist to arrest two Southern California teenagers suspected in at least 16 vehicle burglaries.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Mike Marino says some of the stolen property was posted on the website and investigators set up an appointment with a 16-year-old boy at a shopping center.

The teenager had stolen items with him at the rendezvous spot and he was arrested.

City News Service says he was booked for investigation felony burglary and was released to his parents.

More stolen items, including video equipment, were found at a Santa Clarita area home and investigators were led to a 17-year-old boy.

He was booked for investigation of burglary and he remains in juvenile hall because of an outstanding probation warrant.

AP

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SACRAMENTO

Report: Measure would close nuclear plants A nonpartisan analysis finds a proposed state ballot initiative would force California's two nuclear power plants to shut down, causing electricity rates to jump dramatically and possibly resulting in rolling blackouts.

The Legislative Analyst's Office says the loss of San Onofre and Diablo Canyon, which provide about 16 percent of the state's electricity, would have an immediate impact on consumers, businesses and governments.

The Nuclear Waste Act of 2012 would require that no nuclear power be generated until the federal government can permanently dispose of high-level nuclear waste.

The Orange County Register reports Wednesday that supporters must gather 504,760 signatures to get the initiative on the November ballot. The deadline is April 16.

Southern California Edison, which runs San Onofre, declined comment unless the measure ends up before voters.

AP

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THANKSGIVING FROM PAGE 1 “We bought a Tofurky. It was a special order at the co-op,” Wilder said. “I very clearly remember stretching the fake skin over it.

“They can’t possibly be doing that anymore,” he said.

Taking the chemical unwanteds out of Thanksgiving is all about cooking from scratch. That can sound daunting to anyone tasked with putting together a spread for Thanksgiving, but it’s all about sharing the burden, Wilder said.

“We share the workload, that’s a big part of it. We list the menu, who’s preparing what. Planning and e-mail has made it all a lot easier,” he said.

TURKEY THE PALISADES WAY

Karen Dawn takes her holiday meal one step further.

Dawn’s neighborhood knows her as “the turkey lady.” Turkeys don’t show up at her Thanksgiving table, mostly because they’re outside, living the life (“Turkeys have a seat at the table not on the dinner plate,” Nov. 23, Your Column Here).

Dawn fell in love with turkeys after visiting one named Olivia at an animal sanctuary. Since, she has either sponsored or rescued turkeys, which then live at her Palisades home.

This year, Dawn does plan to begin the celebration with her two newest avian tenants — named Russell and Perry after the newly vegan couple Katy Perry and Russell Brand.

“Well, they’ll be hanging out with us outside,” she said. “We’ll start on the patio overlooking the ocean, with hot apple cider with Wild Turkey bourbon.”

The rest of the feast is turkey-free.

Dawn will create butternut squash soup, heightened with cashew butter for flavor and richness, and pumpkin pies, stuffing with pecans and cranberry sauce.

The protein of the show is hickorysmoked Tofurky slices and seitan smothered

TOYS FROM PAGE 3 try works year-round on this."

Government figures show 34 toy recalls in fiscal year 2011 — down from 46 recalls the previous year; 50 in 2009 and 172 in 2008. Recalls related to lead were down from 19 in 2008 to four this past year.

PIRG credited a 2008 law that set stronger standards for children's products, including strict limits on lead, for helping to make many of the products on store shelves safer for youngsters. The law was passed after a wave of recalls of lead-tainted toys.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

7

in vegan gravy.

“It’s festive and delicious, while still being animal-friendly,” Dawn said.

RAWESOME

Vegan, but don’t want to take the cooking home?

Santa Monica’s raw food restaurants have the answer for that.

Euphoria Loves RAWvolution and Planet RAW both have holiday meal specials that approximate traditional grub for those that value not only animal-friendly practices, but also the preservation of key nutrients and enzymes.

The Euphoria Loves RAWvolution Thanksgiving menu is unique, said Zat Baraka, the cafe manager.

“We’re creating something that resembles [what] people are used to eating at a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and having it also be highly nutritious,” Baraka said.

The menu includes coconut turkey jerky, cauliflower mashed potatoes, heirloom kale salad, walnut stuffing, mushroom gravy and a cranberry orange sauce.

The trick lies not just in the taste of the meal, but creating the right look while using raw techniques, which can be quite labor intensive, Baraka said.

“You’re soaking the seeds and nuts to activate the enzymes to make them more alive,” he said.

Raw food is a life-changing and life-saving endeavor, Baraka said.

“It helps us rid ourselves of poisons and toxins to prevent horrible diseases,” Baraka said. “We don’t get enough of those through eating fast food or the processed, cooked food diet.”

Whatever your dietary inclinations, the point of Thanksgiving is to appreciate the things you have in life, preferably with good food, family and friends.

It doesn’t have to be healthy or unhealthy, meat-filled, vegan, raw or par-cooked, just an authentic celebration of what’s gone right over the last year.

Happy Thanksgiving. ashley@smdp.com

Bob Adler, a commissioner at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said some problems remain but added that new rules that require manufacturers to have their toys tested at independent third-party labs have led to important improvements in safety.

"I would feel much more confident today than I would several years ago," Adler said as the report was released.

PIRG reviewed about 200 toys and other children's products from major retailers and dollar stores for its 26th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report. The full list and report can be found at uspirg.org/edfund/toysafety2011.

Local 8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

OCCUPY FROM PAGE 1 cleaned and restored.

"The encampment as it exists is unsustainable," Szabo said.

Lafferty, executive director of the National Lawyers Guild in Los Angeles, said the notice could come as early as Monday, meaning the eviction would occur no earlier than Wednesday.

Police vowed not to use violence, he said.

"I have been assured over and over again by the chief of police and all the deputies that they do not intend to do and will not do what police in New York and Oakland have done," Lafferty said.

In a statement late Wednesday, Villaraigosa announced that 50 shelter beds would be made available on Monday for homeless members of the encampment.

"We know that a number of the Occupy L.A. participants

We have you covered are homeless," the statement said. "We want to make sure that these individuals have the opportunity to get out of the elements and have a warm and safe place to go at night."

Beginning Monday afternoon, homeless participants in Occupy L.A. desiring shelter will be picked up at the encampment and taken to a shelter, the statement said.

The LAPD also announced Wednesday that it has created a special text messaging system in an effort to communicate more efficiently with Occupy L.A. members.

Lafferty said he plans to file a request for a court order to stop the eviction early next week. He said he had requested that the city give the campers several weeks to make alternate arrangements, but they refused.

The announcement was met with stunned silence by many protesters and shouts of defiance by a few.

Camper Alifah Ali said she would pack up her tent when the order came down.

"Maybe we need to move," Ali said. "People here need to organize more. Maybe this will give us room to organize,

make our voice clear."

Brito said it was up to each individual to decide whether to leave or stay, but he stressed the need to stay peaceful.

"We're all going to have to remain non-violent, no matter the choice we make," he said.

Unlike other cities where Occupy encampments have been met with police action, Los Angeles officials initially endorsed the movement and allowed tents to sprout on City Halls lawns. More than 480 tents have since been erected.

But problems began to arise with sanitation issues, drug use and homeless people moving into the camp.

The city sought to negotiate an end to the seven-week-old encampment by offering 10,000 square feet of office space in a civic center mall and use of empty land that could be used to cultivate food if protesters packed up.

But after the proposal was made public at an Occupy L.A. general assembly, it generated outrage from some who saw it as a giveaway of public resources by a city struggling with financial problems, and the offer was rescinded.

College students seek answers after UC Davis leader speaks GARANCE BURKE JUDY LIN Associated Press

DAVIS The University of California, Davis chancellor, in responding to student demands for more answers about what led to the pepper spraying of peaceful demonstrators, said she had instructed campus police not to use force in breaking up the protest.

Video footage of Lt. John Pike and another officer casually spraying an orange cloud at the protesters as they sat peacefully on the ground began circulating online Friday night.

Students gathered on campus Tuesday for the second time in as many days to condemn the violence. They also urged university officials to require police to attend sensitivity training.

Chancellor Linda Katehi, who has faced criticism from students, faculty and staff in recent days, told some 1,000 students gathered in an auditorium that she asked police to remove tents from the university's quad but did not direct them to forcibly remove the demonstrators.

"I explicitly directed the chief of police that violence should be avoided at all costs," she said. "It was the absolute last thing I ever wanted to happen."

She stressed that students have a right to demonstrate peacefully.

"Because encampments have long been prohibited by UC policy, I directed police only to take down the tents," she said. "My instructions were for no arrests and no police force."

Yet not all students who attended the town hall in a performing arts complex were satisfied with the response from Katehi.

Puneet Kamal, 22, an environmental science and policy major, was among those lined up to ask questions Tuesday.

"She didn't say 'I'm sorry that I did this, or I'm sorry I made this call,'" Kamal said. "She said 'I'm sorry that this situation had to happen.' Where's the blame going to?"

Natalie Poulton, 20, a communications major, said Katehi has not fully explained what she knew in advance about the police plans for clearing out protesters.

"I want more answers," said Poulton. "She totally didn't explain if there was a miscommunication with the cops and what exactly happened in terms of the higher-ups."

Pike, another officer and the campus police chief have been placed on paid administrative leave in the wake of the incident at the 32,000-student campus that lies west of the state capital.

The school is the third most populous in the UC system behind the campuses in Los Angeles and Berkeley.

Pike, 39, is a retired Marine sergeant who has been honored for his police work on campus but also figured in a discrimination lawsuit against the university.

He has twice been honored by the university for exceptional police work, including a 2006 incident in which he tackled a scissor-wielding hospital patient who was threatening fellow officers. Afterward, he said he decided against using pepper spray because it might harm his colleagues or other hospital patients.

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

9

• • • •

Paul Alvarez Jr. news@smdp.com

GOT IT! Samohi's Dylan Muscat makes a catch against Channel Islands last week.

SAMOHI FROM PAGE 3 think about the Ocean League,” he said. “We have to get some respect around here.”

But even with confidence in his team, Clark is leery to proclaim the win in the bag.

After watching four games worth of film on Ventura, Clark sees a team that’s “as good as advertised.”

He considers the teams they’ve faced this season pretty talented, with Ventura ranking up there with the vaunted Valencia program that handed the Vikings their only loss of the season.

Clark sees a team disciplined in its execution and unified in its effort — both attributes key for any team to succeed.

After reviewing footage, Clark is particularly impressed by the tandem of quarterback and running back. The latter, Conner Armstrong, rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns during the first round against Dominguez, a feat all the more impressive considering his stature. Standing 5 foot 7 and weighing in at 170 pounds, Armstrong runs like a much larger back. While he is prone to break off large gains, he’s equally adept at running between the tackles, Ventura’s Steward said.

For Clark, he doesn’t see anything in Armstrong’s size that will give his Vikings an edge. He’ll approach him the same way they have every running back this season.

“Some of their guys are small, but they get after it,” Clark said.“You can’t judge an individual’s heart. They are small in stature, but we’re not going to look at their size as an excuse.”

Also on the smallish size is Ventura quarterback Rodney Stanley. Again, Clark isn’t fooled into thinking he’s any less dangerous because of it. Helping the Ventura Cougars make up for the lack of size among the skill position players is tight end Nick Rudolph, who is considered one of the top prospects at his position in the state.

Standing 6 foot 4, Rudolph poses two

issues for the Samohi defense. He’s taller than any of the Vikings’ defensive backs and he plays more like a wide receiver than tight end.

That stretches the field, something Clark knows has the tendency to open up the running game. He’ll work at bottling up Rudolph, much like Samohi did against Channel Islands’ Jeremiah Valoaga, a towering presence who caught more than 50 passes this season.

The Vikings were able to slow him enough to take the passing game out of the equation. That helped Samohi stack the box against Richard Gray, another highly touted running back from Ventura County.

That mix resulted in a win last week and Clark is confident that it may result in another win and a trip to the third round.

“My boys are capable of playing with anybody in high school,” he said. “These kids like to fly around and hit people. And they can cover, too.”

To that end, a defensive backfield that features Kori Garcia, Dylan Muscat and Mathew Rusk-Kosa will be called on to keep Rudolph out of the end zone and come up in support against the run. It’s been a recipe that has held opponents to just 144 total points all season.

Ventura too has been able to keep opponents in check. Giving up just 96 points all season, Ventura poses problems for a Samohi offense reliant on running the ball with Garcia and passing to junior wide receiver Sebastian LaRue, who scored three touchdowns via the passing attack last week.

He added another score on a kickoff return, a threat that Steward is taking very seriously.

“They like to run the ball,” he said of Samohi. “But we also know that they like to take shots down the field and can break big plays at any time.

“It looks like it will be quite a game.”

The game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. daniela@smdp.com

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We have you covered

Midsize car sales down as buyers go smaller DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Auto Writer

DETROIT You can’t drive far in the U.S. without seeing a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or Ford Fusion.

Midsize sedans have been America’s favorite cars for decades. That’s changing.

More people are choosing small cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and even smaller ones like the Honda Fit because they’re worried about gas prices and car payments. There’s another reason, too: Small cars are no longer the cramped econoboxes of the 1980s and 1990s, and they have many of the same features as larger cars.

Compact cars will outsell midsize ones as early as this year, forecasts J.D. Power and Associates, a marketing information firm.

That hasn’t happened in at least two decades.

Just five years ago, automakers sold nearly 250,000 more midsize cars than compact cars in the U.S. Gas was cheaper then, and automakers had fewer small models to sell.

But by 2015, J.D. Power expects compact and subcompact cars to command 20 percent of sales, while midsize cars will account for just 14 percent.

For most of the past 15 years, the Camry has been America’s best-selling car. And Toyota wants it to stay that way. This fall, the Japanese company released a new version that increases fuel economy to 35 miles per gallon (15 kilometers per liter) and sells for even less than the old model. But it’s facing tough competition from smaller cars such as the Hyundai Elantra, which gets 40 mpg (17

kpl) and costs $5,000 less. Elantra sales surged 46 percent to 161,000 through October, while Camry sales fell 9 percent to 251,000.

The Elantra isn’t the only competition.

For a brief period this year after the Japanese earthquake, the Chevrolet Cruze unseated the Camry as the best-selling car in the country.

Melanie Jackson, 29, a paramedic, went shopping for a midsize car last summer but wound up with a two-door Honda Civic coupe because she was wowed by its fuel economy. She says the Civic can easily fit her three sons, their backpacks, football equipment and groceries. And she averages 38 mpg (16 kpl) and spends only $30 a week on gas.

“I forget how to put gas in the car because I do it so rarely,” Jackson says.

Here are some reasons for the growing appeal of small cars: — Today’s small cars have all the bells and whistles. Unlike the stripped-down models of earlier decades, small cars offer all the amenities of bigger models, like leather seats, satellite radio and keyless entry. Buyers can get a Nissan Versa hatchback with a navigation system for a little more than $15,000.

Downsizing Baby Boomers, as the more than 76 million Americans born from 1946 to 1964 are known, and tech-savvy young drivers don’t want to compromise on features when they get a smaller car, so automakers are responding.

Mara Landers, 35, an assistant professor of mathematics at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California, drove a 1998 Civic that

was so spare it didn’t have a radio. She traded it in for a 2009 Civic with power windows, keyless entry and a digital dashboard display.

“The new Civic really feels like a luxury update of the old one,” Landers says.

— Small cars are cheaper. An Elantra starts at $16,445, but can be loaded up with leather seats, a navigation system, a rearview camera and other features that raise the price tag to $23,305. To get a midsize Hyundai Sonata with those same features, buyers have to pay $6,000 more.

— Small cars are roomier. The 2012 Ford Focus compact is nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters) longer and 5 inches (12.5 centimeters) wider than the Ford Escort — the car it replaced — was a decade ago. That means buyers don’t need to move up to a midsize just to stretch their legs. Adding inches here and there is an easy way for carmakers to increase a vehicle’s perceived value. The difference between compact and midsize cars also is narrowing. In 1992, the compact Corolla was nearly 17 inches (43 centimeters) shorter than the Camry. But the Corolla has stretched, and is now just 10 inches (25 centimeters) shorter.

The Environmental Protection Agency defines compact cars as having 100 to 109 cubic feet of passenger and cargo space, while midsize cars have 110 to 119 cubic feet. That gives automakers plenty of room to play with.

One reason companies are racing to improve their small car offerings is an upcoming increase in fuel efficiency standards. Carmakers have agreed to double the

average fuel economy of their fleets to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Companies will have to meet that goal with more efficient gas engines, hybrid technology and other methods. But they’ll also meet it by selling more small cars. The Ford Focus, for example, gets 5 more miles (8 more kilometers) per gallon than the Fusion.

That difference is important to many cars buyers because gasoline prices remain high.

At an average of $3.34 a gallon (88 cents a liter) nationwide, regular gasoline costs 16 percent more than a year ago. And it could reach $4 ($1.05 a liter) next spring, a level it almost touched earlier this year.

Of course, it’s too early to declare the death of the midsize car. Sales have dropped before, most recently with the rise of crossover wagons such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Edge in the last decade. Those vehicles combine the roominess of SUVs with the nimbler handling and higher gas mileage of cars.

And midsize cars remain very popular in the U.S. Five of the 10 top-selling vehicles in October were midsize sedans, and sales actually grew during the recession as people downsized from even larger cars, such as the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300. However, small car sales grew faster.

Toyota, for one, isn’t predicting a big drop in sales of midsize cars over the next five years. One factor: As women make more money, they’re expected to move from small cars up to midsize ones, says Gregg Benkendorfer, Toyota’s national manager for product marketing.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

11

Internet memes sprout around Occupy movement JAKE COYLE AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK Call it the Meme Movement.

Whatever degree of success achieved by the Occupy protests, it’s largely been based on its old-fashioned, off-line demonstrations. They’ve been decidedly beyond virtual, staking out real ground in downtown Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park and forging signs-and-sit-in protests around the country. Some of its founding members even disdain online interaction.

But the protests — the country’s first large-scale demonstrations led largely by a generation raised on the Internet — were originally conceived of as “the Occupy Wall Street meme” and made its name by its website: OccupyWallStreet.org.

The protests went viral, but they’ve also spawned all kinds of more playful Internet memes that highlight the dual nature of the Web to an American protest movement.

Though the Internet is an essential tool for amplifying a message, it inevitably leads toward frivolity and parody.

Whereas much was made of how social media aided the uprising in Egypt, the same tools have commonly been used for jokes when it comes to the Occupy Wall Street protests.

Earlier this week, the University of California, Davis, police officer who casually swept a line of campus protesters with pepper spray became a viral sensation. The officer, whose name is Lt. John Pike but who’s known simply as “Pepper Spraying Cop” online, was captured on video dousing the faces of sitting protesters. The footage is remarkable for his seemingly cavalier disposition.

The meme positions the officer pepperspraying famous figures through history, movies, famous paintings and just about anything else. George Washington crossing

the Potomac gets it, and so does Jesus at the Last Supper. Even the hobbits of “Lord of the Rings” get sprayed.

The images have been collected at peppersprayingcop.tumblr.com, which states that the page will “document the long pepper spraying arm of this officer of the law!”

The essential point of the manipulated images is to highlight the absurd nature of the spraying, an apparently callous authority meting out punishment. This kind of meme — unlike the viral protests themselves — runs counter to the movement’s seriousness.

It’s amusing satire, but instead of shouts of injustice, the meme gleefully separates from reality.

Meanwhile, UC Davis students are doing more than snickering at Internet photos.

They’ve gathered to condemn the violence and urged university officials to require police to attend sensitivity training. Pike, another officer and the campus police chief have been placed on paid administrative leave.

There have been other goofy online reverberations, too. On Amazon.com, ironic reviews of pepper spray have been written.

Five stars, reads one: “Accept no substitutes when casually repressing students.” The comedy website FunnyOrDie.com gathered the reviews together.

An earlier video of a marriage proposal at Zuccotti Park has been seen by more than 108,000 on YouTube. The clip is titled “Occupy My Life.”

The name of the Occupy movement has led to countless parodies, everything from football watchers saying they’re spending a Sunday with “Occupy Couch” to a collection of protesting pets: “Awwccupy Wall Street” (http://awwccupywallstreet.tumblr.com).

One image of a cat bears a note: “I am the 99 purrcent.” Yes, even the Occupy movement has its own LOLcats.

NASA launching dream machine to explore Mars MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. As big as a car and as well-equipped as a laboratory, NASA’s newest Mars rover blows away its predecessors in size and skill.

Nicknamed Curiosity and scheduled for launch on Saturday, the rover has a 7-foot arm tipped with a jackhammer and a laser to break through the Martian red rock. What really makes it stand out: It can analyze rocks and soil with unprecedented accuracy.

“This is a Mars scientist’s dream machine,” said NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Ashwin Vasavada, the deputy project scientist.

Once on the red planet, Curiosity will be on the lookout for organic, carbon-containing compounds. While the rover can’t actually detect the presence of living organisms, scientists hope to learn from the $2.5 billion, nuclearpowered mission whether Mars has — or ever had — what it takes to nurture microbial life.

Curiosity will be “the largest and most complex piece of equipment ever placed on the surface of another planet,” said Doug McCuistion, director of NASA’s Mars exploration program.

Ten feet long, 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall at its mast, Curiosity is about twice the size of previous rovers Spirit and Opportunity, weighs 1 ton and is loaded with 10 science instruments. Its formal name: Mars Science Laboratory, or MSL. In a spacecraft first, Curiosity will be lowered to Mars’ surface via a jet pack and a tether system similar to the sky cranes used by helicopters to insert heavy equipment in inaccessible spots on Earth. No bouncing air bags like those used for the Mars Pathfinder lander and rover in 1997 and for Spirit and Opportunity in 2004 — Curiosity is too heavy for that.

It is the kind of precision landing that officials said will benefit future human explorers on Mars.

The rover is scheduled to arrive at the mineral-rich Gale Crater next August, 8? months after embarking on the 354-millionmile voyage aboard an Atlas V rocket.

It’s a treacherous journey to Mars, and the road is littered with failures. In all, more than three dozen missions have aimed over the decades at the most Earth-like planet known, and fewer than half have succeeded.

Of this flotilla, only one lander is still working on the dry, barren, cold surface — Opportunity — and only three craft still are observing the planet from orbit.

LEGAL GRIND

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People often ask me what to do if a landlord does not make repairs to a rental unit. Let me start with something a tenant should not do.

DO NOT T WITHHOLD D RENT Under certain limited circumstances, a tenant may withhold rent. But, it is never a good idea to withhold rent. If a tenant does not pay the full rent, when due, the landlord would most likely serve the tenant with a three day notice to pay or quit. Once a three day notice to pay or quit expires, the landlord does not have to accept the money even if the tenant offers the full amount.The landlord can refuse the payment and proceed with an unlawful detainer action (eviction case).

An unlawful detainer action is very stressful.Also, the tenant would have the expense of litigation costs and probably attorney fees.A tenant does not have to retain an attorney to defend an unlawful detainer action, but it would be very wise to do so.

If a tenant loses an unlawful detainer case, the tenant would be evicted and owe all of the back rent and possibly the landlord’s attorney fees and litigation costs. Further, the unlawful detainer judgment would probably appear on the tenant’s credit reports as well as reports kept by landlord agencies which could make it difficult to rent a new home in the future.

For all of the above reasons, a tenant should never withhold any rent.

GIVE E LANDLORD D A LIST T IN N WRITING The first thing a tenant should do is give the landlord a list in writing of items which need to be repaired.The list should be hand-delivered or mailed to the landlord.The tenant must keep a copy of that list and keep track of when and how the list was delivered to the landlord (the specific date when the list was mailed or hand-delivered).

A tenant must give the landlord a reasonable period to make repairs.What is a “reasonable period”is defined on a case by case basis.Usually,a tenant should give the landlord 30 days to make repairs.But, if the condition is serious (i.e.:no electricity,no hot water,hole in the roof),a reasonable time would be much shorter.

A tenant should list all items which need repair, in detail. Failure to notify the landlord of a specific problem may prevent a tenant from being compensated later for the defective condition.

CONTACT T GOVERNMENT T INSPECTORS If the landlord does not make the repairs within a reasonable period, the tenant should contact appropriate government inspectors.

In Santa Monica, the first office to be contacted should be the Santa Monica Code Compliance Department: (310) 458-4984.The Code Compliance Department will not come to a rental unit to perform a general inspection.

The tenant must have a specific list of items which need repair.

In addition to the Code Compliance Department, a tenant should call the County

of Los Angeles Department of Health Services.To arrange for an inspection, a Santa Monica tenant would call: (310) 665-8484.

The advantage of government inspectors is that the government agency may order the landlord to make repairs.Also, if the tenant is in trial with the landlord (or a hearing with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board), the government inspectors’ reports may be admissible as evidence.

PETITION N FOR R RENT T DECREASE E If the landlord does not make the required repairs, a tenant may file a petition for rent decrease.The petition is filed with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, located in Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main Street, Room 202, Santa Monica, CA 90401; (310) 458-8751.The petition for rent decrease may be filed 30 to 180 days after service of the written notice to the landlord of items which need repair.

If the petition is granted, the rent will be reduced.

But, the rent reduction is prospective (from that point forward).The Rent Control Board does not have the authority to award any money to compensate the tenant for past conditions or reduced services.

SMALLL CLAIMSS COURT T If a tenant wishes to be compensated for the defective conditions or reduced services in the past, the tenant would have to file a lawsuit.A suit could be filed in superior court.Although an attorney is not required for superior court, it is likely that the landlord would retain an attorney.When one party has an attorney and the other does not, it is a big advantage.

If the tenant retains an attorney, the expenses might make such a suit in superior court impractical.

Usually, the most economical way to proceed is to file a lawsuit in small claims court.A person can sue in small claims court for up to $7,500.00.And, there are no attorneys in small claims court.Thus, the expenses are greatly reduced.

CONSULT T WITH H AN N ATTORNEY Even if the tenant is not going to retain an attorney on a fulltime basis, it is usually a good idea to at least have a consultation with a tenants’ rights attorney, especially before filing suit in small claims court or filing a petition for rent decrease.

®

THIS COLUMN WAS PREPARED BY MARK PALMER, A SANTA MONICA TENANTS’ RIGHTS ATTORNEY. HE CAN BE REACHED THROUGH THE LEGAL GRIND AT 310-452-8160 OR REFERRAL@LEGALGRIND.COM Disclaimer: this article does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney client relationship.

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Sports 12

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

We have you covered

NCAA FOOTBALL

Shaw says BCS ‘flawed,’ makes case for Stanford ANTONIO GONZALEZ AP Sports Writer

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 61°

SWELL FORECAST NW swell come ashore, hitting SB/VC early in the day, and finally SD mid to late morning. Size should run head high at most west facing breaks with pluses at standouts going about 2' overhead.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS NW

IS EXPECTED TO BACK OFF A BIT, MORE ALONG THE LINES OF CHEST TO AT TIMES HEAD HIGH FOR WEST FACING BREAKS.

TIDE FORECAST

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

STANFORD All season Stanford coach David Shaw has kept quiet about the Bowl Championship Series rankings and tried to keep the focus on his team’s upcoming opponent.

Not anymore.

Shaw came ready to rail at the BCS at his weekly news conference Tuesday. He opened his iPad on the table and began with a 2?-minute opening statement that discussed the system for the first time in his short coaching career.

“The bottom line is the BCS is flawed,” Shaw said. “They themselves know it, which is why they’ve proposed a lot of changes going forward. All I’ve heard all year is the computers don’t like Stanford. The computers haven’t programed themselves.”

Stanford, No. 4 in the AP poll, ranks sixth in the BCS and hosts No. 22 Notre Dame on Saturday night in the regular-season finale.

Top-ranked LSU is undefeated and is followed by several one-loss teams, starting with Alabama and Arkansas.

Shaw said No. 5 Virginia Tech doesn’t belong ahead of the Cardinal (10-1, 8-1) because the Pac-12 is stronger than the Atlantic Coast Conference. He also contends No. 4 Oklahoma State doesn’t deserve a higher ranking because it lost 37-31 at unranked Iowa State — which he perceives as a worse defeat — in double overtime.

Stanford lost 53-30 at home to No. 10 Oregon.

“To have a one-loss Pac-12 team behind a one-loss ACC team means that the computer values the ACC more than it values the Pac-12, which I don’t believe is the case. I don’t believe that is accurate,” Shaw said.

“You look at common opponents. (Virginia Tech) beat Duke by four. We beat them by 30. I keep hearing about quality wins, quality wins, quality wins. First off, who decides what the quality wins are? And secondly,

how does a quality or non-quality loss effect people?”

“Oklahoma State is outstanding,” Shaw added. “They’re a very good football team.

Once again, we lost to a team that’s in the top 10. They lost to a team that’s not ranked.

I don’t get it. Not saying that where we should be as opposed to where other people are. I’m just saying the explanations that I get don’t make any sense.”

Join the club.

The BCS has been one of the most debated topics in the nation since its inception.

But Shaw had made a commitment to avoid lobbying for his team the way so many others do — including former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh — so many times.

With the season finale this week, Shaw finally had enough.

The first-year head coach deflected follow-up questions about his remarks. He allowed only that a playoff would be difficult to organize and called any changes he wants to the system “irrelevant” because the structure is already in place this season.

“It doesn’t matter what I’d like to see.

That’s not where we are right now,” he said.

The Fighting Irish (8-3) will visit The Farm on Saturday night in what could be Stanford’s last chance to show its worth to a national audience. A win, however, likely will not be enough.

The Cardinal can only reach the Pac-12 title game if Oregon loses at home to rival Oregon State. Even without a Pac-12 title, a chance to play for the BCS championship in New Orleans is still there.

Stanford probably needs Alabama to lose to Auburn and Oklahoma State to drop its home finale against Oklahoma — both very possible — to have a real shot at a BCS title berth. Or if Oregon loses and Stanford can win the Pac-12 championship, the Cardinal could have an argument that a league champion might trump a program that didn’t even win its own division in the SEC West.

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Comics & Stuff THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

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MOVIE TIMES Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Ave. (310) 260-1528

Immortals 3D (R) 1hr 50 min 10:45am, 1:45pm, 4:45pm, 7:45pm, 10:30pm

Call theater for information.

J. Edgar (R) 2hr 17 min 10:15am, 1:30pm, 4:40pm, 7:45pm, 10:50pm

AMC Loews Broadway 4 1441 Third Street Promenade (888) 262-4386 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (PG-13) 1hr 48min 12:15pm, 3:15pm, 6:15pm, 9:15pm Like Crazy (PG-13) 1hr 29min 11:45am, 2:15pm, 4:50pm, 7:30pm, 10:10pm Tower Heist (PG-13) 1hr 44 min 11:55am, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:00pm, 10:30pm A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (R) 1hr 29 min 11:50am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:15pm, 9:45pm

AMC 7 Santa Monica 1310 Third St. (310) 451-9440 Happy Feet Two in 3D (PG) 1hr 45 min 11:15am, 2:00pm, 4:30pm, 7:15pm, 10:00pm

Skin I Live In (La piel que habito) (R) 2hrs 00min 1:20pm, 4:10pm, 7:10pm, 10:00pm

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Puss in Boots (PG) 1hr 30 min 11:15am, 4:30pm, 9:30pm Puss in Boots 3D (PG) 1hr 30 min 1:50pm, 7:00pm

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (PG-13) 1hr 48min 10:45am, 1:45pm, 4:45pm, 7:45pm, 10:45pm

The Muppets (PG) 1hr 38 min 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 4:15pm, 5:15pm, 7:10pm, 8:10pm, 9:55pm, 10:55pm

Jack and Jill (PG) 1hr 31min 11:45am, 2:20pm, 4:50pm, 7:25pm, 10:00pm Happy Feet Two (PG) 1hr 45min 11:55am, 2:45pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm, 10:55pm

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (PG-13) 1hr 48 min 11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 8:30pm, 11:15pm

My Week with Marilyn (R) 1hr 36min 11:15am, 1:50pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm, 10:20pm

Laemmle’s Monica Fourplex 1332 Second St. (310) 478-3836

MYSTERY PHOTO

Paul Alvarez Jr. news@smdp.com The first person who can correctly identify where this image was captured wins a prize from the Santa Monica Daily Press. Send answers to editor@smdp.com. Send your mystery photos to editor@smdp.com to be used in future issues.

Hugo 3D (PG) 2hr 7min 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, 11:00pm

Descendants (R) 1hr 55min 12:00pm, 1:20pm, 2:50pm, 4:10pm, 5:40pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:45pm

Arthur Christmas (PG) 1hr 37min 11:45am, 5:00pm, 10:30pm

Margin Call (R) 1hr 49min 1:40pm, 4:30pm, 7:20pm, 9:55pm

Arthur Christmas 3D (PG) 1hr 37min 2:15pm, 7:45pm

Speed Bump

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Strange Brew

By John Deering

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

Stay home tonight, Virgo ARIES (March 21-April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

★★★★ Rethink a personal decision with a

★★★★ Have you considered the fact that you might be spoiling a partner or a trusted pal? Such is the case if you aren't careful. A child or loved one creates so much cheer, you can scarcely see anything else. Do you really care? Tonight: Visit.

partner. Whether it is about the turkey or excess, you are likely to be focused on this holiday. Someone from a distance surprises you. A new beginning becomes possible. Tonight: Let your mind wander.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

★★★★ Your smiling manner takes you far. Realize

★★★★ Your ability to make a difference, to

what is happening with others. Let it be said that not everyone is as upbeat as you. You also might not be able to change anyone's mood. Put on an invigorating piece of music. Curb indulgence, if possible. There is a tomorrow. Tonight: Slow down.

touch base with others and to feel deeply emerges. Someone seeks advice or direction.

The unexpected action promotes insight about this person. Allow others to play a bigger role.

Tonight: An important conversation.

Dogs of C-Kennel

By Mick and Mason Mastroianni

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

★★★ You could feel out of sorts and in a bah-

★★★ Your pace is erratic, as you are distracted

humbug mood. You cannot change what is going on; you can be more sensitive to your needs for a few hours. You might be surprised by how rapidly your mood changes with a favorite pastime or some fresh air. Tonight: In your element.

by phone calls or remembering phone calls you didn't make. Get into the celebration and relax.

You could be quite surprised by a friend or what a group does. Forget the judgment -- enjoy.

Tonight: Reviving your energy by socializing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) CANCER (June 21-July 22) make loved ones relax emerges. You simply cannot get enough of people today. Honor today's rituals. Catch up on news, share some happy events and relax. Tonight: Helping out.

★★★★ Make calls, if not visit with some friends. Someone could be lonely, and you might want to ask this person to join you in this Thanksgiving Day. Remember, some people cannot be forced no matter what. Let them be.

Tonight: Some private time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

★★★★ Stay close to home, and share an easy

★★★★ Somehow you might be more instru-

morning. Though you might want to toss yourself into the festivities, you are taken aback by recent events and activities. Be an observer until late afternoon, when you feel like plunging into the happening. Tonight: Loving the moment.

mental in another person's day than you realize. Allow greater give-and-take. You might not always be right, you know! After the festivities, visit with a loved one or friend you don't see all that often. Tonight: All smiles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★★ Reach out for those you cannot be with

★★★★ A thought, a call or someone's sharing inspires not only you but also others.

Remember the true meaning of the holiday.

Touch base with a loner before you partake in your turkey. An invitation just might be appropriate. Tonight: Others definitely notice you!

★★★★★ Your ability to move past issues and

this Thanksgiving. Exchange well wishes and news. As a result of the interchange, you will feel much more abundant and flowing. Try to make the social rounds before dinner; otherwise, you won't be in the mood. Tonight: Stay home.

Happy birthday

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

This could be a very special year. A New Moon christens this day, indicating an increase in your creativity and charisma. You attract people with ease and are full of ideas. Curb a tendency to be a little too me-oriented. Take time out for some alone time.

Use these periods to recharge your battery. If you are single, sort through the many potential suitors. If you are attached, allow greater give-and-take. Your partner needs extra time, as you are so strong this year. SAGITTARIUS could be a soul mate.

Garfield

The Meaning of Lila

By Jim Davis

By John Forgetta & L.A. Rose

Puzzles & Stuff 14

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

We have you covered

Sudoku

DAILY LOTTERY 4 16 23 33 48 Meganumber: 38 Jackpot: $55M

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).

6 13 30 31 45 Meganumber: 2 Jackpot: $10M 7 13 14 18 22 MIDDAY: 2 6 9 EVENING: 3 9 1 1st: 12 Lucky Charms 2nd: 07 Eureka!

3rd: 02 Lucky Star RACE TIME: 1:45.70 Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning number information, mistakes can occur. In the event of any discrepancies, California State laws and California Lottery regulations will prevail. Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at California Lottery retailers. Visit the California State Lottery web site at http://www.calottery.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

SHEPARD

■ Veteran New York City performance artist Marni Kotak, 36, gave birth to her first child, Ajax, on Oct. 25 -- and that was her "art," as the birth took place at the Microscope Gallery in Brooklyn, N.Y., after Kotak had moved into the space two weeks earlier to interact with visitors.

Previously, Kotak had "re-enacted," as her "art," both her own birth and the loss of her virginity in the back seat of a car. (A New York Times report suggested that Kotak may not be the most extreme performer in her family.

Her artist-husband, Jason Martin, makes videos in which he dresses as a wolf or dog and "conducts seance-like rituals intended to contact the half-animal, half-human creatures that visited him in dreams as a child.")

■ Cutting-Edge Policing: Officials in Prince George's County, Md., reported that crime had fallen as much as 23 percent during the first nine months of 2011 -- the result, they said, of holding meetings with 67 of the most likely recidivist offenders in five neighborhoods and sweettalking them. The 67 were offered help in applying for various government and volunteer programs, but were told they would be watched more closely by patrols.

King Features Syndicate

GETTING STARTED

CHUCK

SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE

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.

TODAY IN HISTORY TM

– Arithmo Crossmath – Reclaim Your Brain • Insert the given numbers in the empty squares so when they are calculated in threes from left to right and top to bottom they satisfy the demands in the shaded boxes both horizontally and vertically.

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The West Berlin branch of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany forms a separate party, the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin.

Lee Harvey Oswald is murdered by Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas police department headquarters.

The shooting happens to be broadcast live on television.

Vietnam War: Newly sworn-in US President Lyndon B. Johnson confirms that the United States intends to continue supporting South Vietnam both militarily and economically.

Joseph Désiré Mobutu seizes power in the Congo and becomes President; he rules the country (which he renames Zaire in 1971) for over 30 years, until being overthrown by rebels in 1997.

1962 1963 1963

1965

WORD UP! crepitate \KREP-i-teyt\ , verb; 1. To make a crackling sound; crackle.

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