Santa Monica Daily Press, December 07, 2006

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Visit us online at smdp.com

Volume 6 Issue 21

Santa Monica Daily Press ‘BREAK’ TIME: LIFE IMITATES ART PEOPLE IN THE NEWS P21

Since 2001: A news odyssey

High water mark

DAILY LOTTERY 6 9 13 43 46 Meganumber: 45 Jackpot: $15M 1 4 17 36 42 Meganumber: 24 Jackpot: $15M 8 18 23 35 38 MIDDAY: 2 1 2 EVENING: 6 9 4 1st: 12 Lucky Charms 2nd: 02 Lucky Star 3rd: 04 Big Ben RACE TIME: 1:44.67 Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning number information, mistakes can occur. In the event of any discrepancies, California State laws and California Lottery regulations will prevail. Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at California Lottery retailers. Visit the California State Lottery web site at http://www.calottery.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

CHUCK

SHEPARD

Twice in October, motorists were arrested for DUI after driving up to the security guard house at the nuclear power plant in Braidwood, Ill., by mistake. According to police, Lloyd Kuykendall, 38, drove up and handed the guard $1, thinking it was a highway toll booth, and 10 days later, Stanislaw Drobrzawski, 51, tried to align his car with the guard house, thinking it was a gas station pump. And in Des Moines, Iowa, in October, customer Michelle Marie Engler, 45, was arrested for public intoxication at the Big Tomato Pizza restaurant after boisterously demanding to know why her food was taking so long. (An employee explained that she hadn’t ordered yet.)

1988

WORD UP! risible \RIZ-uh-buhl\, adjective: 1. Capable of laughing; disposed to laugh. 2. Exciting or provoking laughter; worthy of laughter; laughable; amusing.

3. Relating to, connected with, or used in laughter; as, "risible muscles."

INDEX Inside Scoop 3

Business 18

Surf Report 19

Horoscopes What the future holds

20

MOVIETIMES The reel in

21

Comics & Stuff Strips tease

Daily Press Staff Writer

BY KEVIN HERRERA

See NOTEBOOK, page 16

1983

Classifieds Finding your place

Council signs off on $131M deal to construct facility

BY KEVIN HERRERA

25-27

including the home base of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Iin Madrid, Spain, an Aviaco DC-9 collided on a runway with an Iberia Air Lines Boeing 727 that was accelerating for takeoff, killing all 42 people aboard the DC-9 and 51 aboard the Iberia jet.

A major earthquake in the Soviet Union devastated northern Armenia; official estimates put the death toll at 25,000.

Water temperature: 61°

Bloom-Katz: Now that’s the ticket

22-23

Japanese forces attacked American and British terri1941 tories and possessions in the Pacific,

Drawing from Wells

ONE MAN’S TAKE ON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY HALL — It was a night of new beginnings here on Tuesday as the City Council appointed a new mayor and mayor pro tempore after certifying the results of the Nov. 7 municipal election.

In front of a capacity crowd, comprised largely of elected officials and their friends and family, the council selected fellow Councilman Richard Bloom to serve for one year as mayor. Councilman Herb Katz was appointed mayor pro tem. The two will trade positions next November.

Bloom, who was elected to the council in 1999, served as mayor from 2002 to 2004. Katz, who served as mayor pro tem from 1986 to 1988, has never been mayor. Both are residents of Sunset Park.

“It’s an honor to be back in this chair,” said Bloom, after taking the mayor’s seat in the middle of the dais. “It’s a great town I know we all love and we will be working together in the best interest of everyone.”

Ditto for Katz.

“I’m very honored with this and looking forward to working with Mayor Bloom,” said Katz. “I think it’s going to be a good cohesive council.”

By majority vote, the council chooses its mayor, who is then charged with presiding over council meetings and is recognized as the head of city government for ceremonial purposes.

Bloom and Katz have at times been at odds while serving on the council. Both are backed by two very different constituencies — Bloom is

TODAY IN HISTORY

Company in the loo

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

We’re in Culver City too!

Daily Press Staff Writer

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com

LEAN TIMES: A woman runs along the San Vicente Boulevard median this week. While the eggnog and sugar cookies will surely be calling, fitness experts insist all hope is not lost in maintaining a healthy look through the holidays.

Some slim pickings this holiday season Experts: Keep fitness on the wish list

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

CITYWIDE — With candy canes, chocolate, holiday pies and eggnog, it’s the time of year when even the biggest fitness and nutrition buff tends to crack.

“I indulge a little bit,” admitted Chloe Hunter on Wednesday, while she stretched on Fourth Street prior to a workout on the renowned “stairs.” “I love sweets. I love See’s Candies and holiday pies and everything the holiday brings.”

The month and half from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year, when people across the country are planning their holiday schedules, fulfilling Christmas shopping list and stuffing their faces in holiday treats as their fitness plans get placed on the back burner.

“Higher calorie foods and higher consumption of those foods and lack of exercise leads to a 5-8 pound weight gain [for the average

(310) 202-6874

See KEEPING FIT, page 15 See CLEAN WATER, page 14

GABY SCHKUD (310) 586-0308

10862 Washington Blvd.

Lessons • Studio rent Music • Instrument Repair

CITY HALL — Residents will be able to tap into clean drinking water from a local source sooner than anticipated, following the City Council’s approval Tuesday of a $131 million settlement with three major oil companies that will streamline construction of a new water treatment facility.

The agreement struck with Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil gives City Hall full control over the design, construction and operation of the water treatment facility, which will remove the toxic chemical compound methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE, a gasoline additive that seeped into the city’s groundwater, forcing officials to close two wells in 1996.

City Hall has since imported water from the Metropolitan Water District at rates as high as three times what would normally be paid for local water, creating unstable prices for customers.

City officials hope the new facility can be completed by 2010, instead of 2012, allowing for 7,000 gallons of fresh water to be pumped per minute to more than 48,000 households.

Money from the settlement will be used to fully fund the companies’ current obligations for construction and also allow City Hall to pay for replacement water until the plant begins operation, as well as maintain and monitor regional test wells.

Any funds left over following the facility’s completion can be kept by City Hall. Likewise, if city officials are unable to complete the facility under

The name you can depend on!

Izzy says,

“Place your holiday orders today! Open 24 hours Christmas and New Years.”

1433 Wilshire Blvd at 15th St.

(310) 394-1131

Calendar 2

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

MORADI

14k yellow/white Gold earrings with diamonds

S

T

U

D

I

Hair Cut & Blow Dry (Long Hair Extra) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hilight Full Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Goldwell Touch-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Perm or Body Weave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Petite Facial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$29000* GOLDWELL

O

20 50 & UP 35 50 & UP 45 5& UP

Special prices on line of Clothing, Hair Care & Skincare

PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE

7 Days 310.453.1533 1625 Wilshire at 17 Street in Santa Monica

shop where they know your name Mon – Sat 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Sundays 12 – 5 pm Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 4 pm 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com

Eddie Guerboian

*ITEM IS OFFERED AS A SPECIAL SALE PRICE, NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

FIRST CLASS FREE! LEARN WHAT TO DO, IF YOU HAVE TO

MODERN DAY BRAZILIAN

TOTAL DEFENSE JIU JITSU Boxing and Kickboxing

Self-defense the fun way!!

BEGINNER AND ADVANCED WELCOME

1711 Stewart St., 7 a.m. — 8 a.m.

Latin-style aerobic program includes pilates, stretch and yoga, cardio and muscle training, as well as core training. You’ll also receive a nutritional meal plan to help with your success.

Classes are $99 for a 10-week course or $12 per class at the Westside Academy of Dance. For more information, call (310) 515-4840

Winterlit Best Gift Ever gift drive

Third Street Promenade, 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.

New, unwrapped gifts of any size or value are being accepted at the Winterlit Playhouse on the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade and at Guest Services at Santa Monica Place, from Nov. 24 through Dec. 21.

The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) will be distributing the gifts to children who might otherwise go without presents this holiday season.

Kids(3-12), Teens(12-14) and Adults Kids Classes Available

Fitness Class (Mambo Mania)

PRIVATE LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE

Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre

16632 ⁄2 Marquez Ave., Pacific Palisades 1

Call us today! (310) 454-7105

w w w.t h e m a x i m p a c t .c o m

THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP AFTER YOUR PET...

1211 Fourth St., 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

A 90-minute Wednesday Mommy (or Daddy) and Me theatre experience for kids ages 3 to 5 and their parents, with story-telling, sing-a-longs, handicrafts and enactment of a fairy tale. Also includes lunch.

Reservations are a must with at least 24-hours advance notice. Call the Playhouse Box Office at (310) 394-9779 ext 2 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.

Weekly LeTip Business Networking Group 11th Street and Wilshire Boulevard, 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

Yappy Hour @ Tails of Santa Monica

2912 Main St., 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.

A social gathering for dogs and their people. There will be light refreshments, doggie snacks and play time. For more information, call (310) 392-4300.

Salvation Army Youth Night

1533 Fourth St., 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.

Youth Night is a fun-packed event for kids between the ages 5-12. Activities include games, crafts and Bible lessons. A meal is also included.

DivorceCare

3838 S. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

A divorce recovery and support group that meets weekly on Thursdays at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Westside. For more information, please call (310) 581-0455.

The Biggest Little Holiday Party

Valerie Jean Hiss

(310) 230-2444

(aka Lily of the Valli)

530 W. Pico Blvd.,7 p.m. — midnight For $65 a person, groups can experience a decorated ballroom, buffet dinner, DJ and dancing, and a silent auction benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Reserve your seat by calling (310) 309-8073 or visit www.sheratonsantamonica.com/holidayparty.

Los Angeles County 2006 International Art Auction 825 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, 7 p.m. — 10 p.m.

Are YOU seeking

SPIRITUAL BALANCE? Lee is known for her honesty and integrity. She will not only tell you your troubles and what do to about them, she will help you discover your path toward spiritual balance.

25 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Tarot Card Readings Chakra Treatment Palm Readings Spiritual Readings

Spiritual Healing Past Life Regression Meditation Ask about meditation discounts (Individual and Group sessions)

ASTROLOGY AWARENESS CENTER 2550 OVERLAND AVE. LA (NEAR PICO)

(310) 845-9688

5

$

TAROT CARD

READING REGULAR PRICE $40

Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com

3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

STATE

Baby booties that are so nice, they’re criminal

By The Associated Press

LOGAN, Utah — Jail inmates are spending hours knitting caps, blankets and booties for children around the world.

“We might all be criminals,” said David Evans, 25, of Blackfoot, Idaho, “but some of us have big hearts.”

The pastime at the Cache County Jail in northern Utah began about two years ago.

The handmade crafts go to a group called Save the Children or to humanitarian efforts organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Inmates have knitted more than 300 hats this year, about half with matching booties.

They also have stitched mittens and small blankets.

“We are like an army,” said Jane DeSpain, a Mormon Relief Society president who organized the project. “There are humanitarian projects going on all over the world.

They are part of that.”

Jail officials said they were wary about putting knitting needles, a potential weapon, in the hands of inmates. But there have been no incidents. The needles are counted and collected before 30 to 40 prisoners return to their minimum-security blocks.

“Anytime you are doing something good for someone else, you are improving yourself,” said Capt. Kim Cheshire, jail commander. “That isn’t just for the inmates; that’s for the rest of us.”

One man created a large hat that resembled the one worn by the cat in Dr. Seuss’ “Cat In The Hat.” It stretched more than 3 feet, with broad red and white stripes and a braided tassel. Folded beneath was a child’s hat to match.

Justin Paz, 19, of Logan recently was making a blue baby blanket. As his tattooed hand worked the needles, he thought about the child, probably a boy, who would snuggle with it.

Paz said he’s hooked on a hobby that is “helping somebody.”

“Honestly, when I get out, I’m going to buy one of these,” he said of the knitting tools.

Lost when

it comes to insurance?

A couple of six-packs

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com Maggie Padilla (left) and Lorena Godinez, a pair of Santa Monica High School teacher aides from the Infant and Toddler Center, each push a sixpassenger stroller full of 2-year-olds along the Third Street Promenade earlier this week. They were en route to the decorative Christmas trees.

Attending to the public Public restrooms about to get helping hands

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN — The public restrooms in two parking garages here are about to become a lot safer and cleaner, again.

As a continuation of a summer pilot project, the restrooms in a pair of city owned garages — Parking Garage 3 on Fourth Street and Parking Garage 4 on Second Street — will soon be staffed with attendants to ensure the facilities are safe and sanitary for downtown patrons.

Last month, at the request of officials in the Environmental and Public Works Management department, the City Council voted to appropriate $179,000 to pay for attendants to staff the restroom facilities in

LOOK TO US...

Vann Duzerr & Associates,, Inc. Insurancee Brokers For over 60 years, Van Duzer insurance brokers have balanced cutting edge technology with personal service to meet the needs of their clients.

Calll now w forr a freee quotee andd benefitt from m our competitivee premiums

(310)) 476-9831 Auto Home Lifee Health Business Insurance Professionals for Today and Tomorrow

3130 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 390 Santa Monica

the two parking garages until June 2007 after receiving positive feedback from patrons about the pilot phase.

“We’re trying really hard to get the attendants back in operation by the end of this week,” said Director of Environmental Public Works Management Craig Perkins this week.

In order to collect information that would contribute to the redesign of Parking Structure 4 next year, the city and Bayside District Corporation, which manages parts of Downtown Santa Monica, implemented the Premier Promenade Restroom Pilot Project.

“The restrooms get a lot of hard use and we were challenged by the city manager to see whether or not to really upgrade the services

QUITE A LOAD: A man pushes his belongings

See RESTROOMS, page 14

into one of the city’s public bathrooms, two of which will soon have full-time attendants.

File photo

TA X E S ALL FORMS • ALL TYPES • ALL STATES

AUDITS • BACK TAXES • BOOKKEEPING • SMALL BUSINESS

SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA

(310) 395-9922

100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800 Santa Monica 90401

Opinion Commentary 4

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

GUEST COMMENTARY BY DORIS SOSIN

Living in infamy

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No justification for jaywalkers Editor:

I can somewhat sympathize with Michael Pardridge’s chagrin over his $30 fine for jaywalking (“Going Postal Over Jaywalking,” Dec. 2, page 4). Although it’s wrong to jaywalk, the punishment should fix the crime. A few years ago, I was walking down the Third Street Promenade at 7 a.m., on my way to take the bus to work. There were no other people on the promenade and nary a car in sight as I crossed against the light on Arizona (Avenue). Out of the blue came a police officer on a motorcycle. He stopped and gave me a ticket for crossing.

The cost of my ticket? $103!

Michael, consider yourself lucky.

Sunny Collins Palm Desert

SAVE YOUR MONEY AND ONE DAY IT’LL RETURN THE FAVOR.

FIND THE BENEFITS OF SAVING FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.

I was 10 years old in 1941 and did not understand the implications of an impending world war. My father, Louis Dreller, was a naval officer stationed on the USS Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser, which was the flagship for the Pacific Fleet. Pearl Harbor was the base from which the Indianapolis operated. Our family lived in Hawaii to be near dad. He was out at sea much of the time. We felt lucky to be living on the island of Oahu, where he returned often to direct the overhauling of ships in Pearl Harbor.

This was a magical time in the islands, before statehood and the influx of tourist hotels, condominiums and shopping malls.

The islands were sleepy rural environments, relatively untouched. We lived far from Pearl Harbor, in the Nuuanu Valley, an area lush with vegetation. Houses were scattered along a winding road up a mountain. Next door to our modest house was an estate with large grounds tended by a staff of Japanese gardeners. Our home overlooked their tropical gardens.

My father and our neighbor, Lt. Commander Rochefort, often met to discuss their theory that the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor. Commander Rochefort was with Navy intelligence. He had broken a code, which said that the Japanese were planning to bomb Pearl Harbor. Both dad and Rochefort communicated what they had discovered to the Navy brass, but no one took them seriously. I remember many evenings when guests were over for dinner and my father would explain why the Japanese would attack and that it was the strategic thing for them to do. He left to go out to sea in September. Before he sailed, he made reservations on the Matson Lines for my mother, my sister and I to sail to California on Nov. 13 — and thus escape the attack he feared would happen.

As soon as my father left, my mother canceled the reservations.

I remember the day well. I arose early, around 7 o’clock, and went out of the house.

We lived on a beautiful road called Oahu Avenue. It ran for miles, in a rural setting of Hawaiian vegetation, up, up, up the valley, into the hills. I began to walk leisurely down the valley when I noticed hot metal in the street — it was shrapnel from bursting bombs. I was fascinated with it and began to collect it to take home and use for molding tin soldiers. I observed planes diving low and ack-ack fire hitting the planes. I saw and heard what sounded like bombs bursting. I assumed it was practice, and that it was a mock battle. We had been preparing for war and having practice raids for months, however, never on a Sunday, and usually out at sea. I did wonder what was going on when I noticed the rising sun emblem on the planes.

In my imagination, I assumed the Navy was going all out to look realistic.

Just as the enormity was beginning to dawn on me, a woman ran out of her house and grabbed me and pulled me into her house.

She shouted at me, “Don’t you know there’s a war on? You will get killed out there in the street.” She was hysterical. I ran out of her house and back up the hill to my own home.

I looked for my mother. She was gone and had left a note saying she went off with Mrs. Rochefort to the highest mountain, Tantalus, to watch the war. She would be back. I ran to get my sister, who refused to allow me to awaken her. She was a teenager, who had been on a Saturday night date and wanted to sleep late. I don’t think she realized what I was telling her. So, I turned on

the radio to listen to the news. So many messages were thrown at me. “Fill your bathtub with water ... Do not go outside ... We expect Japanese spies on the island to take over the radio and the telephones ... Don’t believe anything you hear, unless it has been confirmed ... Many ships have been sunk in the harbor ... This is war.”

I received a call from Lt. Cmdr. Rochefort telling me he would let us know as soon as the Navy had word about the Indianapolis. He said the Japanese spies had prepared well for the attack and had lists of our ships with the names and phone numbers of every naval officer attached, and might call to say my father had been killed. As it turned out, there were no disloyal Japanese living in the Islands.

Each Sunday at dusk, the Japanese maids walked up the valley to return to the homes they worked and lived in six days a week. It was a picturesque Sunday parade, watching them stroll up in their kimonos and getis. I loved that scene of the women taking delicate steps, wearing traditional garb, carrying paper parasols, chatting to each other in Japanese.

This Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, was different.

The maids were very frightened. Certainly, they had been as surprised by the raid as the rest of us. As they climbed the hill, our neighbors jeered at them, yelling insults. My mother, my sister and I ran out to protect them. We yelled back at the neighbors, claiming the maids’ innocence.

My father was safe. He stayed out at sea.

We left our beloved islands in tears. We were evacuated in late February, 1942 by the USS Henderson. These ships plied the Pacific picking up dependents in Hawaii, escorting them to the states and returning to Pearl with a shipload of green recruits. We were lucky to get on a ship as they were bulging with people frantic to get back to the States.

The troop ship was escorted by submarines and cruisers to protect us in case of attack.

We zigzagged across the Pacific to try to elude enemy submarines. It was a 13-day crossing, with blackout lights, practice air raids and submarine attacks.

One night, when we were all asleep, the alarms rang out. We grabbed our life jackets and went quickly to our stations. Enemy submarines had been spotted. My mother and sister arrived at our station and the crew began to lower the lifeboats. I vividly remember my knees knocking against each other and my teeth chattering. It was dark and cold. We could make no noise and show no lights, so the enemy would not hear or see us. We waited for a very long time, until the all clear was sounded. We had escaped notice by the Japanese subs and were safe and able to return to our cabins.

It took a long while before I stopped shaking.

Dad was later assigned to the Philadelphia Naval Yard to design and oversee the construction of war ships. We moved to Philadelphia. I went to junior high in Drexel Hill, one of the many stately towns on the Main Line. My dad worked seven days a week during the entire war to commission one ship after another. When the war was over, we were reassigned to Hawaii. My father was promoted to admiral and put in command of Pearl Harbor Naval Base.

We returned to the islands in 1946 ... happy and victorious.

Doris Sosin is founder of the SM Conservancy and a past commissioner of the Recreation and Parks Commission.

PUBLISHER Ross Furukawa ross@smdp.com EDITOR Michael Tittinger miket@smdp.com STAFF WRITERS Kevin Herrera kevinh@smdp.com Melody Hanatani melodyh@smdp.com NIGHT EDITOR Lori Bartlett lorib@smdp.com Lori Luechtefeld sandytoes@smdp.com SANTA MONICA PARENTING Nina Furukawa nina@smdp.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Robbie P. Piubeni rob@smdp.com Rob Schwenker schwenker@smdp.com Andrew Swadling andrews@smdp.com ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Cynthia Vazquez advertising@smdp.com TRAFFIC MANAGER Connie Sommerville connies@smdp.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Alejandro Cesar Cantarero II alex@smdp.com PRODUCTION ARTIST Io Still production@smdp.com CLASSIFIEDS SALES MANAGER Annie Kotok anniek@smdp.com CIRCULATION Keith Wyatt Glenn Bolan INTERNS Maya Meinert Jessica Roberts Amy Kaufman news@smdp.com SPECIAL PROJECTS Dave Danforth dave@smdp.com EDITOR-AT-LARGE Carolyn Sackariason csackariason@smdp.com

A newspaper with issues 1427 Third Street Promenade, #202 Santa Monica, CA 90401 OFFICE (310) 458-PRESS (7737) FAX (310) 576-9913

Visit us online at smdp.com

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 1427 Third Street Promenade, Suite 202, Santa Monica, 90401, or faxed to (310) 576-9913. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content.

Commentary Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

5

Taking your chances with toys ICONOCLAST BLAST

BY SETH BARNES

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about the yearly bonanza of conspicuous consumption, otherwise known as the holiday season. And those religious observations (I think they’re called “Christmas” and “Hanukkah”) that some people still celebrate between trips to the mall and all-nighters on Amazon.com? I’m not talking about those either. The tradition I’m really excited about is the release of the annual list of Dangerous Toys That Will Probably Kill Your Child.

You’d think that after all these years toy manufacturers would get smart to a simple idea: It’s not good business to make a product that can kill or maim your primary customers. But alas, each year, concerned moms and dads find themselves on the lookout for playthings that can explode, choke, recoil, strangle, puncture, electrocute, destabilize, whip, sicken or otherwise injure previously healthy tots.

Luckily, as a service to vigilant parents, I’ve taken it upon myself to compile a comprehensive list of toys to stay clear of this season. Your children will thank me. And so will you.

My First Ginsu Knife Set — “The sharpest gift under the Christmas tree,” said one toy industry analyst. “Contains a product known as a ‘blade’ that has cut human skin in several laboratory experiments,” warns a leading consumer group. Stay clear of this product, even if little Tommy wants to be the next Iron Chef.

Online Pen Pal Kit: Mark Foley Edition — The Internet can be a wild and dangerous place. Especially when a perverted congressman is your guide.

“If I Did It, Here’s What I’d Need” Playset — Comes with 15-inch stiletto, gloves and a set of wishy-washy alibi index cards. Bonus Edition contains a primer on shamelessly exploiting your position as a C-list celebrity-

turned-known murderer.

How Mommy and Daddy Made Me: The Real Story — “Way, way, way too much information,” cautioned an alarmed Focus on the Family spokesman.

Young Jihadist Roadside Bomb — While it’s never too early to start killing in the name of whatever higher power floats your boat, this device has been known to malfunction, sometimes barely exploding at the critical moment.

Russian Radiation Tablet — This lethal dose of radiation would seem perfect for snuffing out any rogue spies who’ve been a thorn in your child’s side (and hey, the package is festooned with Alexander Putin’s likeness!), but there’s a real risk that your child will themselves contract radiation poisoning. Bummer.

Iraq Study Group Costume — It’s tempting to dress up like a jowly old white guy who gets to be a “decider” about the war in Iraq. But then your child might have some measure of responsibility for the mess over there. And nobody wants that.

Diversity is The Spice of Life: by Michael Richards and Mel Gibson — “A fascinating, intellectually rigorous read — if your child’s an aspiring Neo Nazi,” a leading book review chirps.

Guest Role in Borat II — Could brand your child for life as a bumbling, closeminded buffoon.

Baby’s First Illegal Immigration Fence — “Nice idea, but isn’t it too much when we start fencing infants into their cribs?” asked a commentator for the activist group Order at The Border.

Weapon of Mass Destruction — The package reads, “Randomly selected object from registered Axis of Evil nation. Could be a missile from North Korea! A component of a nuclear reactor from Iran! Or a harmless piece of sheet metal from Iraq! Open up and find out!”

Raincoat with Exposed Electrical Current — “Just an awful idea,” laments the Consumer Bureau.

Seth Barnes can be reached at barnesseth@hotmail.com P R O U D LY B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y

Christmas on the comeback trail ...

This year, Wal-mart switched policy from the generic, PC friendly, all-encompassing “Happy Holidays” greeting back to “Merry Christmas.” Meanwhile, the makeshift Christmas trees on the Third Street Promenade and the traditional nativity scenes set up along Ocean Avenue promote a traditional, Christian version of Christmas across the city.

This week’s Q-Line question asks: Should businesses and communities try to encompass all religious beliefs by using generic slogans like “Happy Holidays” or is it fine to appeal to the majority with tidings of “Merry Christmas?” Is there a way to make all religions feel accepted while maintaining tradition?

Call (310) 285-8106 before Friday at 5 p.m. and we’ll print your answers in next weekend’s edition of the Daily Press.

Please speak clearly and limit responses to a minute or less.

TELL SANTA MONICA WHAT YOU THINK!

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR EMAIL TO: EDITOR@SMDP.COM OR FAX TO (310) 576-9913 Visit us online at smdp.com

State 6

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Turning of the tide

LA crime story is a positive one, at least this year BOXER’S DAY: Senator promises a ‘sea change’ on global warming

By Daily Press staff

BY JOHN HEILPRIN

LOS ANGELES — Crime in the nation’s second-largest city is down for a fourth year, but Police Chief William Bratton said he will need more overtime money to achieve the same 8 percent drop next year.

With a month to go in 2006, Bratton told the Police Commission on Tuesday he is confident the department will achieve a significant drop in serious crime. There was a 10 percent drop in crime last year.

As of Monday, Los Angeles has seen a 5.4 percent drop in homicides _ from 465 during the same period last year to 440 in 2006.

Rapes dropped 8.3 percent, aggravated assaults 8.5 percent and burglaries 8 percent.

Robberies rose 5.7 percent.

“We’re in a period where most of the nation has seen an increase in crime.

Fortunately, under the chief ’s leadership, crime is still on a downward trend here,” commission president John Mack said.

Bratton said the overall crime drop will be less than 8 percent next year.

A fee on trash collection to raise money to hire 1,000 officers over five years was approved in July, but the department has not grown significantly because, in large park, lagging recruitment.

Bratton asked for $11 million to increase overtime from 1.2 million hours to 1.4 million. It would give the department the equivalent of 250 to 300 additional officers on the street on any given day.

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — The Democrat poised to take over the Senate environment committee promises a “sea change” from six years of Republican inaction on global warming and says she expects Congress to send President Bush legislation to start curbing greenhouse gases.

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, who will lead the Environment and Public Works Committee beginning in January, acknowledged Tuesday she may fall short of her goal: imposing the nation’s first mandatory limits on industrial emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases.

“I have no line in the sand,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Even a little step will look like a big step.”

In the interview, Boxer also promised to end Bush administration rollbacks on environmental rules if they are not supported by science.

“Any kind of weakening of environmental laws or secrecy or changes in the dead of night — it’s over,” Boxer said. “We’re going to for once, finally, make this committee an environment committee, not an anti-environment committee. ... This is a sea change that is coming to this committee.”

Her chairmanship will be an abrupt turnaround from Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., whose last hearing Wednesday as chairman will be devoted to his view that the news

media have fanned alarmism about global warming. Inhofe, who calls global warming a hoax, blocked attempts in his committee to regulate carbon dioxide.

Boxer’s first hearing next month also will be devoted to global warming, but from an opposite point of view from Inhofe’s.

“This is a potential crisis of a magnitude we’ve never seen,” she said Tuesday, explaining that her goal is to impose mandatory caps on carbon dioxide, a step vehemently opposed by Bush’s top environmental advisers.

“This is a potential crisis of a magnitude we’ve never seen.”

BARBARA BOXER CALIFORNIA SENATOR

Nonetheless, she promised to hear from all sides before trying to move a bill to Senate passage.“I very much want the environment to go back to being a nonpartisan issue,” she said.

She said her model will be a new California law that imposes the first statewide limit on greenhouse gases and seeks to cut emissions by 25 percent, dropping them to 1990 levels by 2020. “Real goals, real percentages,” she said.

Other areas of primary concern include children’s health and toxic chemicals, and contaminated toxic waste sites yet to be cleaned up under the Superfund program.

She said she also intends to use a committee chairman’s powers to obtain documents on how regulations have been developed and priorities chosen.

“We want to send a signal to the world,” Boxer said, complaining the United States now lags behind more than 50 other countries addressing global warming. She said she has received calls from several foreign leaders expressing hope for a new U.S. environmental policy.

Boxer said she supports European plans to make manufacturers demonstrate that their products and processes won’t harm the environment or that they have at least considered safer alternatives.

To help pay to clean up Superfund sites that are the nation’s worst contaminated, Boxer said she will push to reinstate a special tax on oil and chemical industries and other businesses. She has long criticized the administration for the pace of its cleanup progress. Boxer also plans to hold field hearings in Louisiana on the environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Boxer’s committee also is in charge of writing highway bills, the next one due in 2009. She said she does not oppose specific projects inserted into bills at individual lawmakers’ request.

“THE OMELETTE GUYS”

FAMOUS FARMERS MARKET OMELETTE Now served daily AT

THE VICTORIAN

2640 MAIN STREET SANTA MONICA, CA 90405 PHONE (310) 314-3250 FAX (310) 392-8392 w w w. t h e v i c t o r i a n b a k e r. c o m

open mondays-saturday 7am-2pm sundays @ the sm farmers market 8am-2pm

State Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

STATE BRIEFS LOS ANGELES

Pirates busted for booty Two cousins were arrested for allegedly stealing and making bootleg copies of Academy Award contenders, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “Superman” and “The Queen.”

The so-called “screener” copies intended for Oscar consideration were allegedly stolen from the firm where one of the cousins worked, authorities said.

John Acas, 22, was arrested at his home and Sheryl Demesa, 22, was arrested at the Los Angeles accounting firm where she worked as a receptionist, the Sheriff’s Department said Monday.

The accounting firm received copies of films intended for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force, an anti-piracy law enforcement group, investigated the case.

Copies of “Infamous,” “Little Children,” “Running With Scissors” and “Marie Antoinette” were also allegedly stolen.

“This should serve as a reminder to all those participating in the voting process to keep these films safe from people who may seek to sell them for a profit,” said Dan Glickman, chief of the Motion Picture Association of America.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES

Police need more training Poor supervision and tactics led police officers to fire toward one another and into the building where a toddler was held by her father during a 2 1/2-hour standoff, new details showed.

Nineteen-month-old Suzie Pena and her father Jose Raul Pena were killed during the July 2005 siege, according to a 21page summary of the Police Commission’s findings released Tuesday.

The commission announced last week that only two of the more than 30 officers at the South Los Angeles car shop violated Police Department policy.

Tuesday’s report said a lieutenant, three sergeants and 13 officers needed more training. The summary said poor communication and inadequate leadership early in the incident caused some officers to mishandle it.

“Because of limits of command and control during this incident, subordinate officers assumed leadership roles, implemented tactics that were not coordinated and ultimately fired into a building where it was known at least one hostage was being held,” the report said.

Pena began shooting at officers while holding his daughter and retreated into a small building. The incident ended when SWAT officers stormed the office, killed the father and discovered that the toddler was also dead.

AP

Drawing the lines Governor proposes letting the people draw political map

BY LAURA KURTZMAN Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed putting an independent citizens’ commission in charge of drawing California’s political map, saying state legislators should not control it because of their inherent conflict of interest.

But the idea has not caught on with Democratic lawmakers, whose support is crucial to striking any deal to reform the process.

Schwarzenegger tried and failed to change the way the state’s political lines are drawn with Proposition 77 in the November 2005 special election. That plan would have given a panel of retired judges the power to draw the lines, but it drew opposition from both parties and voters turned it down.

Legislators draw new districts after each census, which is done every 10 years. Critics say the boundaries are drawn to protect incumbents and decrease competition between the two parties. As a result, hard-liners rather than moderates tend to get elected, contributing to partisanship in the capital.

The governor is seeking to neutralize the influence of the two major political parties by giving county election officials and the state Fair Political Practices Commission the power to name the 11-member citizens’ panel.

Schwarzenegger’s plan is similar to a Republican bill introduced Monday by the new Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis. Villines said Tuesday he hoped the governor would support his bill and planned to meet with Schwarzenegger’s chief of staff, Susan Kennedy, on Tuesday to talk about it.

But Schwarzenegger’s plan is more detailed about how the citizens’ commission would be drawn up. The county clerks would create a pool of eligible candidates, from which legislative leaders could remove two candidates each. Then, the FPPC would draw names at random to determine the 11-member panel.

But Democrats are reluctant to change the way district lines are drawn. They already have a majority of both houses and have strong hopes of winning back the governor’s office in 2010, when Schwarzenegger will be out because of term limits.

GOT NEWS?

IF YOU SEE NEWS HAPPENING OR HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT,

CALL THE SANTA MONICA PRESS AT OUR NEW TIPLINE!

CALL [310] 285-TIPS Visit us online at smdp.com

7

StateNational 8

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Inmate health care receiver claims he’s a saver

BY DON THOMPSON Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO — The federal courtappointed receiver who controls inmate health care in California estimates that his changes to a dangerously inept system will eventually save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, although they cost more in the short term.

Robert Sillen’s report comes as a competitor challenges his multimillion-dollar contract to a Texas firm to run the state’s 33 prison pharmacies.

Sillen said Amarillo-based Maxor National Pharmacy Services Corp. will operate an efficient pharmaceutical system to replace one he estimated costs taxpayers $46 million to $80 million over comparable programs in other states.

He projected the state will save another $39 million in the first year from a separate change ending the prisons’ use of medical technical assistants. The med-techs are sworn peace officers who earn far more than the licensed vocational nurses who will replace them, Sillen said.

The med-techs are being replaced because Sillen said he wants the emergency responders to have inmates’ health as their first priority, not prison security and discipline. The financial savings are a byproduct of an overall plan to have nurses coordinate patient care in prisons as they do in hospitals, he said.

Sillen’s savings estimates were in the third bimonthly report he has made to U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson since he took control of inmate health care in April.

Henderson, of San Francisco, appointed Sillen after finding that an average of an inmate a week dies of neglect or malpractice in California prisons.

There is no question that health care costs are increasing, Sillen said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, so his goal is “to offset those increases by using taxpayers’ money more wisely.

“The real issue here is California taxpayers aren’t getting value for their money. All too many patients are dying when they shouldn’t be,” said Sillen, who spent 27 years running Santa Clara County’s public hospital and health system.

A California Department of Corrections

Search for missing father continues

BY JEFF BARNARD Associated Press Writer

MERLIN, Ore. — Fresh search teams prepared to join the hunt for a San Francisco man who set out on foot Saturday to find help for his stranded family in Oregon’s

snowy coastal mountains.

Searchers tracking a creek in a steep canyon found a pair of gray pants on Tuesday that apparently belonged to James Kim, 35. His family said he was wearing them over a pair of jeans.

“This is frustrating. We are so close,”

AA OLYMPIC Self Storage Serving Santa Monica and West L.A.

nt e R E RE F s h t 2 Mon EE Lock + FR ils a t e d r o f l l a C

OPEN 7 DAYS Calll About E Truck FREE Rentall Plan SELF STORAGE MEMBER

(310)829-2525 3250 OLYMPIC BLVD. • www.selfstorage.net/aaolympic

“The real issue here is California taxpayers aren’t getting value for their money. All too many patients are dying when they shouldn’t be.”

ROBERT SILLEN SDFSDAF

and Rehabilitation spokesman declined to comment on the report.

Oakland-based Public Health Service Bureau LLC is challenging Maxor’s pharmacy management contract. Sillen hired Maxor in March as a consultant, then let the firm craft contract terms for pharmacy management so that only Maxor would qualify for a project worth $80 million to $100 million, Public Health Service Bureau, the losing bidder, alleged in a motion filed with Henderson.

Though Sillen announced in October that Maxor will get the contract, he said negotiations are continuing over its cost.

Henderson let Sillen bypass state law to raise prison medical workers’ salaries so they are closer to wages at University of California hospitals.

The raises will cost taxpayers $24 million in the first year, Sillen estimated. But he said the higher wages will reduce the high number of vacancies that forced the state to spend $90 million last year on contractors who cost more than permanent employees.

Sillen said he also is setting up a team that will use a new computerized system to better manage more than 2,600 medical contracts with outside doctors and hospitals that cost more than $408 million each year.

Josephine County Undersheriff Brian Anderson said Tuesday evening. “There are people pouring their heart and soul into this. We are not going to quit until we find him.”

His wife and two daughters were rescued Monday at their car, stuck in the snow on a remote road.

Kim went about two miles along the road

then headed down into a drainage area, said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police. The pants were found about a mile from where Kim left the road.

“It could be a sign he’s trying to indicate the path he was going,” Hastings said.

It also could mean Kim suffered severe hypothermia, said Dr. Jon Jui, professor at Oregon Health and Science University.

CLUB TWENTY TWENTY

HOST YOUR HOLIDAY

PARTY WITH US!

VIP ROOM

MARTINI LOUNGE

FULL BAR

SUNKEN DANCE FLOOR

FREE PARKING

CATERED FOOD

DJ’S & LIVE MUSIC

CALL NOW FOR SPECIAL RATES! 2020 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 829-1933

www.clubtwentytwenty.com info@clubtwentytwenty.com

National Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

A failure to connect POWER MOVE: Bonneville manager claims to be a troubleshooter

9

Parents accused of kidnapping the bride to stand trial

BY DEBBIE HUMMEL Associated Press Writer

By The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Bonneville Power Administration manager charged in a contract-steering case testified at the close of her trial thiss week that she was a conscientious troubleshooter hired to fix overspending on software contracts, only to become a victim after a contractor hired her husband.

Jane Selby is charged with felony conflict of interest, wire fraud, making a false statement and witness tampering tied to the BPA’s purchase of software and services from California-based Knowmadic Inc., between 2001 and 2003.

The case has exposed allegations of mismanagement, lack of accountability and corruption within BPA with a resulting waste of tens of millions of dollars.

In her testimony Tuesday, Selby presented herself as an honest manager who declared a conflict of interest after her husband was hired as a salesman by a BPA contractor in March 2002.

She contended that she repeatedly sought guidance from BPA managers and worked to avoid conflict of interest. Her defense contends that other BPA employees mismanaged the contract and blamed Selby.

Selby worked her way up over 23 years to become a top manager.

“Bonneville was my life,” Selby told jurors.

When BPA hired Knowmadic in 2001, the agency faced financial sanctions if it missed a deadline to automate the scheduling of its power transmissions.

Prosecutors say Selby helped persuade Knowmadic to hire her husband, Scott, as a commissioned salesman assigned to its BPA account.

Selby denies that role. She said a Knowmadic salesman, Burt Buser, first suggested she bring her husband to a software demonstration in February 2002.

When her husband was hired, Selby said she had no idea he would be selling to BPA, but approached her boss about a potential conflict of interest. She said he advised her to file a disqualification letter from decisions related to Knowmadic.

Selby said her assignment put her “smack dab” in the middle of the implementation of Knowmadic’s project, and that she sought specific guidance about what she could and couldn’t do.

BPA and Knowmadic managers told jurors last week that Selby was heavily involved in BPA’s Knowmadic deliberations.

Buser, who has been offered immunity by federal prosecutors, told jurors she was a “strong advocate” for Knowmadic.

ROP_K_# 99545113.ad

Selby is charged with wire fraud for forwarding e-mails to her husband in which BPA managers discuss expanding their use of Knowmadic’s software. At least two witnesses testified that the e-mails amounted to insider information.

Selby said she made an error by sending the e-mails, but that the content was common knowledge to contractors and Knowmadic employees.

Selby said she and her husband never discussed Knowmadic contract or development issues at home.

Scott Selby earned about $95,000 in salary and commissions on Knowmadic sales to the BPA during seven months in 2002. Selby said her husband resigned after she got a promotion that fall.

Selby is accused of witness tampering because after she was contacted by federal investigators in July 2003 she allegedly asked Buser, her husband’s boss, to lie to investigators or avoid talking to them.

Selby said Tuesday that she may have shared her frustration about the investigation with Buser, but never asked him to avoid being interviewed or lie.

Defense attorneys have portrayed Buser as an unreliable witness, saying he agreed to testify to avoid prosecution for backdating Knowmadic sales contracts.

PROVO, Utah — A couple accused of kidnapping their daughter to prevent her from getting married were ordered to stand trial Wednesday after she emotionally described how they grabbed her by the hair and pressed her against a van at a rural gas station.

On the witness stand, Julianna Redd Myers, 21, said her parents described her fiance, now her husband, as “wicked and evil.”

She said her parents, Lemuel and Julia Redd of Monticello, picked her up Aug. 4 for a quick shopping trip to get special religious clothing, a day before her scheduled wedding at the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City.

But once in the van, she realized they had other plans.

Myers said they drove south and then east toward Colorado, where the Redds already had a hotel reservation.

They stopped at a gas station in Salina, 175 miles west of the Colorado line, where Myers used the bathroom.

When she emerged, Myers testified her parents forcibly grabbed her by the wrists and hair, claiming she was breaking the Fourth Commandment, which says to honor parents. They continued the trip, spent a night in Grand Junction, Colo., and returned to Provo the next day.

CITY OF SANTA MONICA NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Santa Monica invites sealed bids for the: BBB Transit Store A Federally Funded Project SP2053 Bids shall be delivered to the City of Santa Monica, Office of the City Clerk, Room 102, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California, not later than 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2006, to be publicly opened and read aloud after 3:00 p.m. on said date in City Hall. Each Bid shall be in accordance with the Contract Documents and will be evaluated based on "best bidder" criteria, city municipal code 2.24.072.

MANDATORY JOB WALK will be held on Thursday, December 14,2006,10:00 am at the project site, 223 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE: $260,000 - $290,000 CONTRACT CALENDAR DAYS: 120 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES: $1,200.00 PER DAY COMPENSABLE DELAY: $500.00 PER DAY

You can have

Beautiful Teeth New patient special $55 cleaning and exam.

SANTA MONICA Cosmetic Dentistry Center Dr. D avid T aft - 3 10-315-3676 UCLA Parkside Medical Center - 2428 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 303 - Santa Monica, CA 90404

Contract Documents may be obtained at the Office of the City Engineer or by mail for an additional mailing charge (check or money order payable to the City of Santa Monica). Cost of the documents shall be $40.00. Additional mailing charge shall be $10.00. "All communications from the bidders shall be submitted in writing to the designated City Project Manager for this procurement. Except as set forth herein, there shall be no other communication with any other City employees or consultants with respect to the Bid Document or Project." Contract Documents may also be examined in City Hall, at the Civil Engineering and Architecture counter, phone number (310) 458-8721 or the project manager, Sam Aslanian, at (310) 458-8722, 1918 Main St., #300, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Additional information may be obtained on the City's website at www.santamonica.org/engineering. The Contractor is required to have a Class B license at the time of bid submission.

Proposers are hereby notified that this project will be funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration and therefore will be hereby bound by all applicable federal laws and regulations, and certificates. Federal Labor Standards and Federal Wage Determinations are attached to the Bid Documents and incorporated as part of the Construction Contract. You are urged to review copies of these laws and regulations prior to submitting a bid.

In accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, proposers are hereby notified that DBE's are encouraged to submit proposals and will be afforded full opportunity to submit/participate in this request.

Pursuant to Public Contracts Code Section 22300, the Contractor shall be permitted to substitute securities for any monies withheld by the City to ensure performance under this Contract.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids or cancel this solicitation at its discretion.

National 10

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Just like a rainbow Experimental fish farms are gaining favor as pollution controls get more stringent

BY JOHN MILLER Associated Press Writer

HAGERMAN, Idaho — It’s 20 degrees outside in southern Idaho’s dairy country, but 100,000 angelfish swim contentedly in steaming water pumped from hot springs into Ken Ashley’s geothermal greenhouse.

“We’ve done breeding experiments and growth experiments to see what we can profitably produce,” said Ashley, who also toys with African cichlids along with the trout and tilapia that are the mainstay of his 6,000-square-foot SeaPac of Idaho fish farm.

As pollution controls become more stringent and cold-water spring flows decline, aquaculturists in Idaho, the U.S. leader in rainbow trout production at 44 million pounds annually, have seen the value of their trout fall 5 percent to $35.3 million since 1999, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To help bolster stagnating revenues, University of Idaho researchers at the Aquaculture Research Institute near Hagerman want to raise interest in aquarium fish like the monogamous angelfish pairing in Ashley’s greenhouse.

A colorful zebra danio or gourami brings more cash per ounce than rainbow trout, said Ron Hardy, the research institute’s director who next year plans to publish a how-to manual to

give producers a better idea of how ornamentals can be raised successfully in Idaho.

“They’re worth 20 to 50 times what food fish bring per pound,” he said. “The economics are there.”

Hardy’s work with ornamentals is just a sidelight to his main research at the institute’s new $3.2 million aquaculture biotechnology laboratory. His scientists study everything from improving grain-based trout feed to replacing dwindling fish-meal supplies to slashing pollutants in trout excrement flowing from dozens of fish farms into the Snake River.

The ornamental industry in Idaho is still tiny, making up less than 1 percent of Ashley’s annual revenue.

But Hardy hopes the state can eventually win a larger share of ornamental production now dominated by Florida, which produces $50 million worth of fish annually, or 95 percent of America’s domestic supply.

At the Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute’s four-acre facility in a little hollow above the Snake River, a garage-turnedgreenhouse is home to angel fish, koi, tiger barbs and tetras. It’s here that research farm manager Michael Casten steals spare minutes away from raising thousands of trout to work with 70 ornamental species.

“We’re just learning how to breed them, how many eggs they lay, how long it takes

Washington growers hope reforms legalize some workers

them to get to market size,” he said. “We had one diet that seemed to make them spawn better, or at least more frequently, with more and better eggs. We want to follow up on that.”

Ornamental experts say industry new- BY SHANNON DININNY comers face big hurdles, even though Idaho Associated Press Writer has plentiful geothermal water that dots the landscape from Yellowstone National Park to YAKIMA, Wash. — The prospects for sweeping immigration reform that would legalize the Oregon line. some farm laborers and make it easier for farmers to hire them improve with Democratic control of Congress, a national labor law specialist has told Washington’s tree fruit growers.

However, farmers must continue to apply pressure to their elected officials to ensure that any legislation includes provisions for farm laborers, said Monte Lake, an agricultural labor law specialist for the National Council of Agricultural Employers.

“The prospects this year are very, very MICHAEL CASTEN good, barring any unforeseen circumRESEARCH FARM MANAGER stances,” Lake told the Washington Horticultural Association annual conference on Tuesday. “But you need to make your Imports from countries such as voice heard.”

Labor has increasingly become the top Singapore and Malaysia grew 10 percent in the first half of 2006 to $26.3 million, as concern among farmers nationally. More lower-cost Asian producers take a bigger bite than half of the nation’s 1.8 million farm workers are believed to be in the country illeout of a mature North American industry.

“It’s not a golden opportunity just wait- gally, and many farmers see the hope of resiing to be plucked,” said Craig Watson, dency for their workers as the only way to University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture keep them in the fields.

In Washington state, growers estimate the Laboratory director. “It’s a global industry with lots of competition, and there are many number of undocumented workers is as high as 80 percent. established players.”

“We’re just learning how to breed them, how many eggs they lay, how long it takes them to get to market size.”

Rachel West, D.O.-Board certified family practitioner Looking at the whole patient....

Listening to all your symptoms...

Enhancing your body’s wisdom...

Treating you with a combination of prescription meds, herbs, vitamins, vitamin IV’c, infrared sauna and hands on traditional osteopathy. Treating you from the inside out.

Specializing in Autism, AD(H)D, Gut issues, Autoimmune disease, Parkinson’s, Women’s health, Metal detox, Bioidentical hormones, Pain and headaches and much much more...

Currently open for patients in our new Santa Monica location--Call 310-453-1983 “Let your light shine so that you may illuminate the world around you.”

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL

PUBLIC DUMP IN SANTA MONICA

50 OFF %

GREAT PRICING!

DELAWARE AVE.

FRANK

Sushi & Rolls

MICHIGAN 24TH

CLOVERFIELD

Southern California Transfer Company

10 WEST

310-828-6444 1908 Frank St. in Santa Monica

TAKEOUT AVAILABLE

1928 Lincoln Blvd. SM (310) 396-4037 M-F 11:30-2:30 5-9:30 SAT-SUN 4:30-10

Attention Contractors and Construction Sites: a We are a close and convenient Santa

Monicaa permitted and authorized mixed C&D transfer station.

Approved C&D Recycler * Roll off service available

National Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

11

Border Patrol arrests continue to drop

BY ALICIA A. CALDWELL Associated Press Writer

EL PASO, Texas — The number of illegal immigrants being arrested at the U.S.Mexico border has dropped sharply in the first two months of this fiscal year, with some Border Patrol sectors seeing a drop of up to 63 percent.

Arrests along the border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California have dropped about 27 percent, or by nearly 43,000 illegal immigrants since Oct. 1, compared to the same time last year, Border Patrol officials in Washington said.

Reports of the decrease come about a month after Border Patrol officials announced a nearly 9 percent drop in arrests from 2004 to 2005. If the downward trend continues it would mark the first sustained decrease in illegal immigrant arrests since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Xavier Rios.

It’s nearly impossible to know if the drop in arrests really means that fewer people are coming across the border.

T.J. Bonner, president of the union that represents the majority of agents, said agents on the ground estimate that they only catch 25 percent to 33 percent of illegal immigrants.

“This is not a game of laser tag where you simply point at someone and say, ‘Tag, you’re it, go home,” said Bonner, who is also a Border Patrol agent. “It’s very time consuming to round them up and arrest them. In the meantime, who’s watching the store? No one.”

Border Patrol officials acknowledge that they don’t know how many people make it

across the border every year. But they insist that the drop in arrests, which varied widely — the San Diego Sector marked a 3 percent drop while the Yuma, Ariz., and Del Rio, Texas, sectors each showed a 63 percent dip — is a sign that recently launched border security efforts are working.

“All of these numbers are good,” Rios said. “We’re better staffed than we have been since the inception of the Border Patrol.

We’re more effective at what we do.”

Despite the significant drop in the Yuma Sector, which covers far southwestern Arizona and parts of Southern California, agents in Arizona remained the Border Patrol’s busiest.

Agents nationwide also reported a 58 percent decrease in the arrests of “other than Mexican,” or OTM, immigrants.

Border Patrol officials first noticed a drop in arrests last summer, shortly after National Guard troops were ordered to the border as part of President Bush’s Operation Jump Start. Those troops staff cameras, help maintain Border Patrol equipment, and watch for illegal crossers.

OTM arrests also started to slide last year after U.S. Department of Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff ordered the end to a “catch and release” program that allowed those immigrants to be set free after they agreed to appear in court at a later date.

Doug Mosier, a Border Patrol spokesman in El Paso, said localized agency operations and state-driven efforts have also likely helped curb arrests.

In the Del Rio Sector, for example, any adult illegal immigrant arrested is prosecuted and sent to jail before being kicked out of

Arizona judge overturns first jury conviction in smuggling case

BY JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX — A judge on Tuesday overturned Arizona’s first jury conviction of an illegal immigrant charged as a conspirator under the state’s smuggling law.

The 16-month-old law targets immigrant smugglers, but Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas says those who paid to be sneaked into the country can also be charged as conspirators to the crime.

Attorneys on both sides said the ruling won’t apply to other cases prosecuted under the conspiracy theory. Prosecutors plan to appeal the decision, and an appeals court could issue a ruling that could potentially bind lower-court judges considering similar cases.

The judge who presided over the October trial of 28-year-old Adolfo Guzman-Garcia ruled Tuesday that while the immigrant had paid to be sneaked into the country, there was no evidence presented showing he had agreed with another person to commit human smuggling.

Immigrant advocates have said the law was never meant to be used against the customers of smugglers. Thomas said his approach was needed for holding illegal immigrants accountable.

Arizonans are frustrated with the state’s role as the busiest illegal gateway into the country. More than 160 people — most of whom were the customers of smugglers — were convicted in Maricopa County under the law.

Jose Antonio Colon, the attorney for Guzman-Garcia, said the ruling underscores a major flaw in the prosecutor’s approach in

charging rank-and-file immigrants as conspirators.

“This is a red flag that we have something wrong with these cases, and we need to fix them,” Colon said.

Thomas said his conspiracy approach is legally sound and the latest ruling was a unique interpretation by a judge who had previously decided there was enough evidence for the case to go to jury. “This one is a curveball,” Thomas said.

The latest ruling came from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Thomas O’Toole, who had upheld the law earlier this year after defense attorneys said prosecutors were overreaching and questioned its constitutionality.

O’Toole, near the end of a trial in July, also dismissed the cases against two Mexican men who were charged with conspiring to commit human smuggling. The judge had said prosecutors didn’t provide substantial evidence that two or more immigrants had agreed to be smuggled.

Gary Lowenthal, an Arizona State University law professor who specializes in criminal law, said the judge’s decision to acquit Guzman-Garcia allows appeals courts to decide the issue.

“I’m not saying that was his motivation, but that certainly is the impact of his decision,” Lowenthal said.

Authorities said Guzman-Garcia and 10 other men from Mexico were arrested in May when the truck they were traveling in was spotted speeding south of Phoenix.

Once a sheriff ’s deputy prompted the truck to pull over, the driver and occupants fled on foot into the desert. The smuggler was never caught, authorities said.

“This is not a game of laser tag where you simply point at someone and say, ‘Tag, you’re it, go home.”

T.J. BONNER UNION PRESIDENT

the country. Operation Streamline is a cooperative effort between the Border Patrol, federal prosecutors, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other federal agencies.

A prosecutor in Maricopa County, Ariz., is using an anti-smuggling law to prosecute illegal immigrants who have been smuggled.

Elsewhere, cities including Dallas suburb Farmers Branch have created laws aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from living and

working in the community.

Federal officials have also formed a partnership with their Mexican counterparts to try to prosecute more human smugglers.

The Operation Against Smugglers Initiative for Safety and Security — OASISS — started in earnest in July and allows for smuggling suspects who are not prosecuted in the United States to be turned over to Mexican authorities for prosecution.

NOW OPEN CLASSES AVAILABLE FREE CROCHET & KNITTING

2112 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica CA 90403

(310) 453-2130 FREE PARKING BEHIND BUILDING PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE PATTERN WITH ANY PURCHASE

See website for class schedule. www.compattoyarnsalon.com

Come see us for unique yarns, crochet and knitting classes... Or just sit and knit a while!

ANNOUNCING 2 NEW WORKSHOPS - For Fantastic Holiday Hand Made Gifts SOCK SHOP TUESDAY NIGHT 7PM-8:30PM. Join us and learn to knit 2 socks at once on the magic loop w/Yuliya Sullivan.

FREE FORM KNITTING w/Janice Rosema for 2 consecutive Sundays...

November 26 & December 3. Seating limited. Advance reservations a must...

See our website for more info or call to RSVP and details. (310) 453.2130

HOURS: Tue-Fri 11am-7pm Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm

Closed Mondays

STRESS... ANXIETY... UNREASONABLE EMOTIONS? Chances are,YOU are a human being.There is a single source to the problems you are facing. tI s the unconscious, subconscious or reactive part of your mind. Gain control of your reactive mind by reading Dianetics, The Modern Science of Mental Health.

Dianetics is the all-time self-help bestseller.

For one reason:

It works.

$7.99 in paperback

MONSON EXTERMINATORS

General Pest & Rodent Control Licensed/Bonded

(310) 571-3102

MANNY MONSON

mmonson1@verizon.net

Licensed Operator

We’re in Santa Monica!

Organic Pest Control Available by Request

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL

Your Trusted Neighborhood Jewelers of 25 Years Buy direct and Save.

Platinum and White Gold Engagement rings.

Custom Designs

310-394-6585 415 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401 www.jacksjewelers.com Holiday Store Hours Mon-Sat 10:00 – 6:00 PM, Sun 11:00 – 6:00 PM

National 12

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Cabinet members to represent Bush at officer’s funeral

By The Associated Press

HONOLULU — Two members of President Bush’s Cabinet will be in Honolulu Friday to represent the president at the funeral for Honolulu motorcycle officer Steve Favela.

Favela died five days after the president visited last month from injuries received when three police motorcycles spun out of control while escorting Bush across Hickam Air Force base.

The White House announced Tuesday that Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne will both attend the funeral on his behalf.

Favela, who died Nov. 26, five days after the president’s brief visit to the islands, was an eight-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department and a father of four. Two other officers were injured in the accident.

Neither Cabinet member plans to make remarks at the funeral, said Delores Clark, a spokeswoman with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is under Commerce Department.

Before Friday’s funeral, Gutierrez and Klempthorne will join Gov. Linda Lingle in signing a memorandum of agreement for managing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

Bush created the vast new marine sanctuary in June. It’s the largest protected marine area in the world and it comprises 140,000 square miles of largely uninhabited islands, atolls, coral reef colonies and underwater peaks.

While in Hawaii, Gutierrez also will present a grant to a marine debris recycling program, and on Saturday he will fly to Maui to observe the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. He will take a boat to the sanctuary to be briefed on conservation activities.

In the afternoon, he plans to stop on the Big Island to tour the Kona Blue Water Farms LLC’s aquaculture operation in Kailua-Kona.

Offshore fish farming has until now been limited commercially to waters within state jurisdiction.

Nothing much ON THE OUTS: Republicans said to be mailing it in for final days

BY LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — The last days of Republican congressional rule are shaping up to be symbolic and brief, with GOP leaders hawking an abortion restriction with no chance of becoming law, loading up tax breaks with unrelated matters and dumping an unfinished budget on Democrats.

“It’s appropriate that the do-nothing Congress is ending by doing nothing,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the next House majority leader.

That’s not exactly true. Congress on Tuesday sent President Bush legislation to spend $38 million to preserve the notorious internment camps where the government kept Japanese-Americans behind barbed wire during World War II. And the Senate passed a bill to improve the government’s preparedness and performance standards in the event of a pandemic or biological attack.

House and Senate negotiators were working out final details on a package of tax breaks, many which expired at the beginning of the year, aimed at helping middle class taxpayers and businesses.

Republicans about to lose their thrones are doing nothing not blessed by President Bush before the 109th Congress shuts down after a final, four-day work week.

Late Tuesday, Republicans killed a $4.8 billion drought relief package under threat of a presidential veto. They are punting nine unfinished spending bills until next year, forcing newly minted Democrats to untangle next year’s federal budget.

And the House postponed a showdown vote on opening 8 million more acres in the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, worried about achieving the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass the measure under special rules.

Those same rules did not hold House GOP leaders back from setting a vote Wednesday on a bill to limit fetal pain during late-term abortions, a measure GOP leaders shied away from offering before the November midterm elections and which stands no chance of passing the Senate even under GOP control.

Proponents said bringing it up has educational and symbolic value. Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the bill would require abortion providers to tell women seeking abortions after 20 weeks of gestation that such a process will cause the fetus pain, a statement that some scientists dispute. The woman would then be required to either accept or reject fetal anesthesia in writing.

It’s likely that Democrats will jam all of the unfinished budget work into a mammoth “omnibus” spending bill.

Bringing up the bill is a final jab at Democrats who have professed to favor informed consent laws, according to the measure’s sponsors. Smith also said its very floor debate, short though it would be under special rules, has educational value to anyone who might hear it.

And Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a possible presidential contender, has said he would try to bring it up in the Senate this week if the measure gets the required twothirds majority House rules require.

Since any senator can halt legislation, any such move by Brownback would be almost guaranteed to be blocked by abortion rights senators.

SIGN UP FOR FREE AMBER ALERTS ON YOUR CELL PHONE. What could be worse than that feeling of dread when, for a few seconds, you lose sight of your child? Imagine that feeling if your child were actually taken. Go to wirelessamberalerts.org. Sign up today. Then when an AMBER Alert is issued in the areas you’ve chosen, you’ll receive a free text message. If you spot the vehicle, the suspect or the child described in the Alert, immediately call 911. If your phone is wireless, you’re no longer helpless.

A child is calling for help.

Smith’s bill isn’t as controversial as it sounds. NARAL-Pro Choice America, an abortion rights group, doesn’t oppose it. And House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was not planning a floor speech on the bill.

In other congressional action: — House and Senate negotiators were working out final details on a package of tax breaks, many which expired at the beginning of the year, aimed at helping middle class taxpayers and businesses.

The provisions include deductions for research and development initiatives and for higher education costs. There are also tax breaks for teachers who personally buy classroom supplies and state and local sales tax deductions for taxpayers in states with no state income tax.

The tax measure enjoys wide bipartisan support, a reason that lawmakers were considering combining it with other more difficult bills. Among the additions could be the bill to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, trade benefits for developing countries and a bill to prevent cuts in Medicare payments to physicians.

— The House was poised to pass a temporary spending bill for 13 Cabinet departments whose budgets are long overdue. The measure will keep domestic agencies on autopilot at or just below current levels through Feb. 15.

The action would kick decisions on more than $460 billion in unfinished budget business to incoming Democratic leaders, subtracting from the new majority’s time for their own agenda.

It’s likely that Democrats will jam all of the unfinished budget work into a mammoth “omnibus” spending bill.

Republicans “forfeit any right to complain about any action that we are forced to take on appropriations bills next year to clean up their chaotic mess,” said Rep. David Obey, D-Wis.

International Visit us online at smdp.com

13

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

France declares Iran will face sanctions because of its nukes

BY JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press Writer

PARIS — France’s foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran will face U.N. sanctions for refusing to halt its nuclear program, but major world powers remain divided over exactly how far punishment should go.

Philippe Douste-Blazy said on RTL radio that the measures would fall under a part of the U.N. Charter — Article 41 of Chapter 7 — that authorizes the Security Council to impose nonmilitary sanctions, such as severing or limiting diplomatic and economic relations, transportation and communications links.

“The question is about the scope of sanctions, but there will be sanctions,” Douste-Blazy said.

At closed-door talks in Paris Tuesday, France and five other major powers, including the U.S., failed to reach an accord on a U.N. resolution to punish Iran, although the French Foreign Ministry said there was “substantive progress” and that “we are now close to a conclusion of this process.”

The Security Council has been at odds over how to deal with Iran’s defiance of an Aug. 31 U.N. deadline to halt uranium enrichment. Western powers accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists it only wants nuclear energy. The Europeans and Americans want tough sanctions; Russia and China have pushed for dialogue, despite the failure of an EU effort to bring the Iranians to the negotiating table.

A top European diplomat said Wednesday that the five permanent Security Council members — the U.S., China, France, Russia and Britain — along with Germany remained split on key questions of visa bans and asset freezes for Iranians linked to nuclear development.

Douste-Blazy played down the differences, saying the talks confirmed major powers’ desire to act in concert.

“We agreed on one thing: There will be a resolution at the U.N. Security Council in a unified manner, including China and Russia,” he said.

After months of diplomatic wrangling, the U.S. and France had hoped the talks would produce a resolution to impose sanctions on Iran for defying U.N. demands to stop uranium enrichment. The process can produce material for atomic warheads as well as electricity.

Russia made some concessions in its resistance to wideranging sanctions — agreeing to a measure prohibiting financial transfers to “problematic” Iranians linked to nuclear or ballistic programs, a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

Russia still opposes the broader asset freeze that the European players proposed in a draft U.N. resolution presented in October, the diplomat said.

And the question of travel bans for those involved in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs remains “blocked,” the diplomat said. The Europeans and Americans support the bans; Russia opposes them.

The working-draft of the U.N. resolution would order all countries to ban the supply of materials and technology that could contribute to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

Russia has said its supports such measures.

style. Right here. Right now.

Feed your life

<07>tC

<06>xA

<06>xB

832 Santa Monica Boulevard

Our family of dealers includes: Lexus Santa Monica • Toyota Santa Monica Scion Santa Monica • Hyundai Santa Monica • Volkswagen Santa Monica Toyota of Hollywood • Lincoln Mercury of Hollywood • Scion of Hollywood Pacific Porsche • Pacific Volkswagen • Pacific Audi

“In Santa Monica...On Santa Monica”

888.203.8027

LA car GUY.COM

LARGEST VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP

#1 OVER IN 300 THE WEST IN STOCK

BUY OR LEASE A NEW RABBIT, GTI, NEW BEETLE, JETTA OR GLI & GET A CUSTOM FIRST ACT GARAGE MASTER GUITAR THAT PLAYS THROUGH THE CAR’S STEREOS

HOT ARRIVALS

TOUAREG TURBO DIESEL

IN STOCK MANY AVAILABLE

2007 EOS CONVERTIBLE MANY TO CHOOSE FROM 2006 Jetta $ Lease for only

99

99

+tax/mo 24mo. 1 at this payment. OAC. $5,392 64 Drive off.

10K mi/yr 15¢ excess. MSRP $19,880 (VIN 7M028135)

2006 PASSAT $5,000 OFF

NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFER (VIN 6201781)

NEW 2006 TOUAREG V8

$10,000 OFF

One at this offer. VIN #6036994

MSRP OR 0% FINANCING ORIGINAL MSRP $47,864 2006 CLEARANCE SAVE $$$

2440 Santa Monica Blvd.

TOLL FREE!

(866) 228-9639

OFFER ENDS 12/07/06. These advertised specials can not be combined with any other offers.

All vehicles exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge and any emission testing charge.

Local 14

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Summer program to man bathrooms proved a success RESTROOMS, from page 3

A thirst for adventure

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com Roger Acosta, a Sparkletts deliveryman for the past two years, rolls out this week with 270 pounds of water (45 in each five-gallon bottle) on the promenade.

City Hall strikes up a deal CLEAN WATER, from page 1

budget, the oil companies will not be required to provide more funding, according to the agreement.

“This is a big project to accomplish, but we are confident we have enough money to do the job right,” said Craig Perkins, City Hall’s director of environmental and public works management. “If we are smart and efficient, hopefully we’ll have some money left over at the end of the day.”

Perkins said once the facility is completed, residents can expect prices to be more stable.

City officials and representatives with the oil companies had seemed to be at an impasse over the design and operation of the treatment facility following a settlement in 2003.

In that agreement, the oil companies agreed to pay more than $120 million for their role in the water contamination.

The oil companies also agreed to pay for the design, construction and maintenance of a water treatment plant at the Charnock Well Field, a source of city water located in West Los Angeles. The wells were originally set to be cleaned up by 2008. But minor disagreements over the design and operation of the facility caused delays, and ultimately necessitated the need for another settlement.

TAXPAYERS WON’T FOOT BILL

City officials and attorneys representing the oil companies were finding little middle ground as to what method should be used to clean up the water wells and where the treatment plant should be located. All decisions were supposed to be

made with a consensus from both sides, Perkins said.

With the agreement, “the city is in full charge of all construction and operation, so that will speed up the process and return water to Santa Monica residents a lot faster” than previously believed, said Mark Wittenberg, principal and executive vice president of Cerrell Associates, which represented the oil companies during settlement negotiations.

Clean water will not come at the expense of taxpayers, both Wittenberg and city officials said.

“The city is pleased with the settlement,” said Mayor Richard Bloom. “It means that the citizens of Santa Monica will regain control over one of our most precious resources.”

City Hall is still involved in a legal battle with outside attorneys hired to negotiate the 2003 settlement for $121 million. There is disagreement over how much City Hall owes its team of contingency lawyers for securing the original cash settlement, plus the value of the water treatment facility, which will be owned by City Hall following completion.

City Hall argues it should pay the attorneys on the value of the plant. The attorneys argue they should be paid on the cost and operation of the plant, which could be significantly higher than its value.

The treatment plant will eventually become obsolete after Santa Monica’s water is sufficiently cleaned up, and therefore, worth nothing monetarily, city officials argue.

The case is currently in the hands of the Court of Appeals and city officials are awaiting a date to argue their case. kevinh@smdp.com

we provide in the public restrooms in the promenade,” said Miriam Mack, the city’s economic development manager.

The pilot phase, which cost approximately $317,000, provided attendants for the women’s restroom in Parking Structure 4 and the men’s restroom in Parking Structure 3 from July 1 until Oct. 9.

The attendants staffed the restrooms for 17 hours a day, seven days a week, cleaning the facilities after each use, restocking items, guarding against misuse and providing a safe presence in an area that has seen its share of crime in the past.

“They are there for the better good of the public,” said Celeste Peele, the city’s solid waste operations manager.

“Even our homeless people indicated they appreciated them being there.”

Throughout the pilot phase, patrons were surveyed on their thoughts about attendant service, cleanliness, restroom lighting and location, safety and comparison with other restrooms.

More than 62,000 men, women and children used the facilities during the pilot phase, with about 11,000 agreeeing to be surveyed. Approximately 97 percent of respondents said the restrooms either met or exceeded their expectations.

“Clearly, there is a great need and people have used them in great numbers,” said Kathleen Rawson, executive director for Bayside District Corporation, on Wednesday. “We’re just thrilled the City Council supported the program until the end of the fiscal year.”

Sharon Gant manned the women’s restroom over the summer. Patrons often thanked Gant, 50, of Los Angeles, because they felt her presence made the restroom area in the garage much safer.

“Customers would come to the restroom and tell me thank God there was a person there helping them because there had been a lot of crime down there,” Gant said on Tuesday. “It was a nice and caring job and the people would let you know they needed you and wanted you there.”

KUDOS TO CHRYSALIS

During the pilot phase, the city contracted several employees from Chrysalis, an organization in Santa Monica that helps homeless people transition out of their life on the streets by providing them jobs.

In continuing with the program, the city will most likely use its temporary employees rather than tap into Chrysalis again. The city asked the non-profit to provide some employees during the pilot phase because there was a shortage of female attendants and Chrysalis was able to supply workers in a short period of time.

“We don’t plan to use them, but we always reserve that option as we have to keep staffing up,” Perkins said.

The city has a long-standing relationship with Chrysalis, which provides temporary employees to work various odd jobs throughout the year.

“They’re great jobs for our guys,” said Chrysalis Director of Communications Rick Stoff. “It’s a way to get our guys into stages where they can find their own full time jobs.”

Gant hopes the job will lead to greater things in life. She just recently left transitional housing to live with her mother and is trying to get back on her feet.

“I would like to get back to work doing beach maintenance,” Gant said. “That’s my goal right now. I’m trying.”

THE FUTURE PARKING STRUCTURE 4

The structure on the 1300 block of Second Street is expected to receive a facelift next year, including a seismic upgrade and a new central restroom facility that includes a total of 26 new women’s and men’s stalls.

“This has been a good model for what we can expect when Parking Structure 4 is renovated,” Mack said about the pilot program.

The city will go out for bids at the beginning of next year.

The seismic upgrading and restroom renovation is expected to cost approximately $5 million.

Construction should begin in late spring.

“Now we have the experience on how to attend the restrooms and ensure the quality of service people expect,” Mack said. melodyh@smdp.com

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com

CRUNCH TIME: Personal Trainer Sean Neff, from Body Inspired Fitness, puts 14-year-old Harry Binzack through sit-up drills on Wednesday at Clover Park.

Eating in moderation is key to healthy look KEEPING FIT, from page 1

American] around the holidays,” said Rob Jewett, a personal trainer and managing director of Absolute Fitness in Florida.

One of the biggest culprits is the seasonally beloved eggnog, which consists of about 350 calories per serving.

“If you stay in the mode of consumption, it’s not unrealistic to gain 20-25 pounds [in the months after Christmas],” Jewett said on Wednesday.

Because of the heightened level of stress during the holidays, whether it’s because of worries over family entertaining obligations or fear of maxing out the credit cards, heart attacks also increase this time of year, Jewett said. The rich foods and lack of time to exercise make it an even more important time for people to try and add in extracurricular activities when possible.

“Stress can create a response and one of those is to go to comfort foods,” said Philip Haberstro, executive director of the National Association for Health and Fitness in upstate New York.

Weather can also affect whether a person is more likely to work out. Haberstro resides in upstate New York, where Mother Nature can be somewhat cruel.

“People in the northern states may be less physically active,” Haberstro said on Wednesday. “The weather may affect me more than people in Santa Monica.”

With New Year’s Day just a few weeks away, the holidays serve as a busy time for fitness clubs, but not in terms of the volume of workout by members.

“People do sign up, but don’t normally come in until after the first of the year,” said Marcy Vinson on Wednesday. Vinson is a trainer at Curves on Broadway, a women’s fitness center.

Hunter, a single mom who lives in Calabasas, but exercises three times a week at the “stairs,” which is near her work, tries to balance holiday consumption with extra workouts.

But it does get harder to keep up with her workout regimen around the holidays, when gift shopping consumes her time.

Scott Hopkins of Santa Monica, a regular fitness buff throughout the year, said he watches what he eats around the holidays.

That doesn’t mean Hopkins hasn’t slipped on occasion.

“I might feel bloated a couple of days,” he said on Wednesday.

“Don’t drink excessively. Don’t eat dessert excessively.

MARCY VINSON FITNESS TRAINER, CURVES

Tips on staying fit Though it may seem hard at times, one can stay fit during the holidays with a lot of willpower and a good solid exercise plan, experts say.

Exercise whenever there is an opportunity. This can come in the form of walking around the house, or even at the mall.

“Most people have 10 minutes somewhere in the day that they can do something,” Jewett said. “Walk up and down the stairs. Even grab a gallon of milk or water and do biceps curls.”

It might seem counterintuitive since overeating coupled with inactivity leads to weight gain, but it is important to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner because by skipping a meal, you’re slowing down the metabolism, Jewett said. He suggests even adding in a couple of snacks between the meals.

Moderation is the key, Vinson said.

Rather than eating the entire pumpkin pie, settle for a slice.

“Holiday food items are not exactly the most nutritional,” Vinson said. “Don’t drink excessively. Don’t eat dessert excessively.”

Find workout opportunities in family activities, Haberstro suggests. Go caroling around the neighborhood or take a walk around the block with relatives instead of sitting around the fire chatting over a cup of eggnog.

“It’s a good balance of personal responsibility with the support of a community,” Haberstro said. melodyh@smdp.com

15

Local 16

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Council tosses away Styrofoam NOTEBOOK, from page 1

a member of Santa Monicans for Renters Rights (SMRR), the city’s leading political party, while Katz has traditionally been backed by local business interests, including the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

Former Mayor Bob Holbrook, who was re-elected in November along with councilmembers Kevin McKeown and Pam O’Connor, nominated the Bloom-Katz ticket because he felt a compromise was appropriate.

“Herb has served for 14 years and has never had a chance to be mayor, so I felt I really wanted to support him,” said Holbrook, who served as mayor following O’Connor’s one year stint in 2005. “I tossed out Richard’s name because I felt he was a good mayor, a middle-of-the-road guy who is part of the SMRR team and has been faithful to their agenda.

“I just thought it was a good compromise to have someone from SMRR and another perspective,” Holbrook said. “I thought it would be good for the city. I think they are practically neighbors and will do a fine job working with each other over the next two years.”

Councilman Ken Genser had nominated McKeown to serve as mayor for two years and Katz to serve as mayor pro tem. O’Connor nominated Bloom for a two-year term as mayor and McKeown for mayor pro tem — the lone proposed SMRR ticket.

Genser’s nomination received two votes, as did the O’Connor nomination, while Holbrook, Councilman Bobby Shriver and Katz voted in favor of the Bloom-Katz ticket.

O’Connor changed her vote in favor of a Bloom-Katz combination, casting the deciding vote in favor of Holbrook’s nomination. O’Connor, a SMRR member, also cast the swing vote last time around, making Holbrook mayor, leading to calls within her own party to remove her from office.

There are those who feel McKeown should have been selected, given the fact that he has never served as mayor during his first two terms and received the most votes in last month’s election.

Denny Zane, a co-founder of SMRR and former mayor, said he lobbied behind the scenes for McKeown and Katz to be mayor and mayor pro tem, respectively, however, he said he is supportive of Bloom and believes he will make a great mayor.

Zane said those selected mayor have to take on more responsibilities than their council colleagues, but with the position comes respect and a sense of accomplishment that is attractive to most elected officials.

“It’s a way of being recognized by the council and the community,” Zane said.

Former Mayor Michael Feinstein, who attended the meeting and was seen smiling following the vote, said there are no guidelines for selecting mayor. It typically comes down to personalities and relationships.

“Being mayor is primarily a ceremonial function and they are in charge of chairing the meetings and playing that impor-

tant role in ensuring public business gets done,” said Feinstein.

“So when you look at it, the council majority is going to go with whom they feel comfortable with facilitating them. If the council members are not going to feel comfortable on the dais with the manner in which they are facilitated week in and week out, there are few things that could be worse.”

McKeown seemed disappointed at being passed over for a second time, however, he said shortly after the vote that he was not going to let the outcome bring him down.

“Many people have told me they voted for me because they think I make a good councilman,” McKeown said. “I will continue to do my best to be a very good council member.”

There are those who feel McKeown should have been selected, given the fact that he has never served as mayor during his first two terms and received the most votes in last month’s election.

THE SEATS OF POWER

After the drama subsided, the council members drew small pieces of paper out of a cup and learned where they would be seated for the next two years.

Friends Shriver and Holbrook landed seats next to one another, possibly setting the stage for Bloom to play the enforcer, ready to snap if any goofing off should occur.

Genser and O’Connor will be seated on either side of Bloom. McKeown and O’Connor, known to have a rocky relationship, will be seated next to one another.

Could Bloom have his hands full keeping the peace? Stay tuned.

JUST ONE WORD ... PLASTICS

While installing new officers drew a large crowd, a ban on Styrofoam and other non-recyclable plastics used to store food for take-out attracted several residents, scientists and representatives from the restaurant and plastics industry.

After hearing appeals from both supporters and opponents of the ban, the council voted unanimously to support it, citing the need to protect the environment from the non-biodegradable material that finds its way into the bellies of marine animals who become sick and die because of the toxic substance.

Representatives with the Polystyrene Packing Council (PSPC) have threatened to sue City Hall for failing to conduct environmental impact studies. Representatives said banning

POS: WTGP: LMIRL: HDOP:

plastics will do nothing to curb litter and could contribute to more trees being chopped down for paper products.

The threat of a lawsuit prompted the City Attorney’s Office to pull the ban from the council’s agenda last month, however, city staff felt confident they had complied with state law when drafting the ban.

This law would include such things as plates, bowls, cups, trays and hinged or lidded containers that are marked with number 6 in the recycle logo. Single-use items, such as straws and utensils as well as packaging for non-prepared foods are not included.

The ban goes into effect one year from adoption and applies to establishments that provide prepared foods, such as grocery stores, restaurants, delicatessens, catering trucks and other prepared food providers. The ban is in effect immediately for city-managed, -sponsored or -permitted events.

To help businesses comply, the ordinance being proposed allows for a one-year renewable, economic-hardship exemption, which would include evidence of no reasonably feasible alternatives available.

The decision to provide exemption will be made by the director of environmental and public works management or his or her designee and will be based on an exemption application that includes documentation showing factual support for the claimed exemption.

For the first violation, a written notice will be issued. The penalty for subsequent violations will be a fine in increasing amounts from $100 to $500, depending on the number of times the food provider has previously violated the law.

Enforcement will be primarily conducted on a complaint basis and will be carried out by existing inspectors with public works.

TAKING CARE OF THE KIDS, THE ARTS

Council adopted a law establishing a Child Care Linkage fee which provides funds to increase the number of childcare spaces in Santa Monica in direct relation to the need created by new development. Council also adopted a Developer Cultural Arts fee which requires new commercial and multiunit residential developments to incorporate art and cultural resources into new projects equal in value to 2 percent of the estimated development cost or developers can make an in-lieu payment equal to 1 percent of the estimated development costs to support art and cultural resources citywide.

MORE ROOMS FOR GUESTS

Council also adopted a law that increases the number of guest rooms that can be added to an existing hotel in residential zones R2 and R3. This law was requested by the Oceana Hotel in order to provide seven additional guest rooms through the division of existing rooms.

The meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Jan. 9. kevinh@smdp.com

parent over shoulder want to go private? let’s meet in real life help delete online predators

Every day, children are sexually solicited online.

You don’t know what your kids are saying online. Or who they are saying it to. A lot of times neither do they. Protect your kid’s online life. To get a full list of acronyms or report an incident, call

1- 800 - THE LOST

or visit

cybertipline.com. HDOP: help delete online predators

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Run for Mary’s sisters Runners might conjure up images of the Virgin Mary while competing in this year’s Venice Christmas Run, which benefits Harvest Home, a residential home for homeless, pregnant women.

The benefit run will be staged this Saturday, Dec. 9, for a 10k race, 5k run/walk, or a kid’s 1k run/walk. Registration will begin at 6 a.m. on the day of the event. The 10k race starts at 7:30 a.m., the 5k run/walk starts at 9 a.m., and the kid’s 1k run starts at 10 a.m.

All pre-registered entrants will receive a free longsleeve T-shirt featuring this year’s Christmas Run artwork by well-known artist James Victore. All entrants will receive free parking. The registration fee is $35 for adults and $15 for children; no late fee.

To register, log on to www.w2promo.com or contact Harvest Home at (310) 452-1223.

DAILY PRESS

Nativity scenes open in Palisades Park The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes will premiere its annual display of the Christmas story at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, in Palisades Park at Ocean and Arizona avenues.

The interdenominational display stretches along Ocean Avenue, from Arizona Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard, and includes 14 scenes with life-size figures depicting events surrounding the birth of Christ.

Preceding the opening, the public is invited to join in a caroling procession down the Third Street Promenade, then west to the park. The procession, open to all ages, will form at Broadway on the Promenade at 3 p.m.

The opening ceremony will feature seasonal songs and the recital of the Christmas story. Among participants will be choirs from Calvary Baptist Church, Saint Monica High School, Trinity Baptist Church and the Lighthouse Church School. Presiding will be Bob Gabriel, a Santa Monica insurance agent and Nativity Scenes supporter since 1955.

Individuals and churches help sponsor the scenes through the nonprofit Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee.

The lighted scenes will be on display until the end of the year. For motorists, the lane along Ocean Avenue next to the booths is expected to be reserved for passing vehicles to view the scenes during part or all of the display.

DP

Becoming a Bodhisattva While Buddhist Master Shantideva says that “the total amount of happiness in the world comes from taking care of others,” most don’t understand how to make that work for them. Venerable Marut will use the teachings on becoming a Bodhisattva to show how people can apply this very ancient notion to create happiness in their very modern lives. Based on classical texts in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dharma Essentials classes teach the basic components necessary to lead a meaningful spiritual life. The series of four classes are held on Dec. 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. in the Pacific Palisades.

For information, e-mail aci.lainfo@gmail.com.

DP

Rubin fulfills birthday donation Santa Monica community activist Jerry Rubin will fulfill a birthday pledge he made last year when he received a Big Blue Bus senior discount card at his “Big Blue Bus Birthday Bash.”

This year, Rubin will celebrate his 63rd birthday by giving cash donations to Big Blue Bus and two other community groups who are assisting senior citizens with their special transportation needs. A public cake-cutting and donation ceremony will take place on Rubin’s birthday, Monday, Dec. 11, beginning at noon at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth St. Rubin, who has never owned a car and is a frequent Big Blue Bus rider, said the money he saved this past year by paying the $.25 senior fare instead of the regular $.75 fare is estimated to be $300. Rubin will donate $100 each to the Big Blue Bus; the Wise Senior Services Transportation and Mobility Program; and the Center for Healthy Aging’s Independent Transportation Network Santa Monica For information, call (310) 399-1000.

DP

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN THE ONLY LOCAL DAILY PAPER IN SANTA MONICA?

Call us at (310) 458-7737

SIGN UP FOR FREE AMBER ALERTS ON YOUR CELL PHONE.

Sign up today. Then when an AMBER Alert is issued in the areas

What could be worse than that feeling of dread when, even for a

you’ve chosen, you’ll receive a free text message. If you spot the

few seconds, you lose sight of your child? Just imagine the feeling

vehicle, the suspect or the child described in the Alert, call 911

if your child were actually taken. Go to wirelessamberalerts.org.

immediately. If your phone is wireless, you’re no longer helpless.

A child is calling for help.

17

Business 18

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Drawing on Wells STEPPING OUT: Bank looks to shake its predatory image

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Business Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo & Co. is launching a new program to help mortgage borrowers with poor credit records improve their plight — and help the bank shake off years of accusations depicting it as a predatory lender.

The initiative, dubbed “Steps To Success,” promises to provide free credit records, personal credit scores and more financial advice to customers who can’t qualify for the best rates on home loans.

Wells Fargo plans to unveil the program Tuesday, following through on a pledge made by the bank’s executives at a national housing symposium six months ago.

The new campaign continues Wells Fargo’s recent efforts to polish its reputation in the so-called “sub-prime” mortgage market that caters to downtrodden consumers with blemished borrowing histories. Critics say Wells Fargo has been unfairly gouging sub-prime borrowers for years — allegations the San Francisco-based bank denies.

Wells Fargo ranks as the nation’s fourth largest sub-prime mortgage lender with a 2005 volume of $42 billion, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication. Only Ameriquest, New Century Financial Corp. and Countrywide Financial Corp. outranked Wells Fargo in last year’s $625 billion market for sub-prime home loans.

With its sub-prime lending practices coming under fierce attack, Wells Fargo last year made a series of changes that capped some fees and reduced prepayment penalties.

But Wells Fargo still hasn’t been able to satisfy some consumer activists who want the bank to make amends for the past or lawmakers fighting to impose more controls on the steadily growing sub-prime mortgage market.

“I believe in the power of redemption and if (Wells Fargo) is willing to sin no more, I welcome that. But more still needs to be done to protect consumers from hidden fees and other abuses,” said Rep. Brad Miller, a North Carolina Democrat who has introduced legislation proposing tougher limits on sub-prime lenders.

Miller’s reform package, H.R. 1182, never made it out of the House Committee on Financial Services last year, but the legislator expects the bill to become a higher priority next year after the Democrats take control of Congress. The Financial Services committee’s new chairman is expected to be Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat who cosponsored the measure.

Wells Fargo declined to comment on the bill’s merits, say-

ing its officials are still studying the legislation.

The backlash against sub-prime mortgage lenders has intensified in recent years as the number of borrowers with credit trouble expands. Sub-prime loans accounted for about 20 percent of the $3.12 trillion mortgage market last year.

Spurred by borrowers’ complaints, attorneys general in 49 states reached a $325 million settlement with Orangebased Ameriquest earlier this year to settle allegations that the lender had been engaging in abusive practices.

In 2002, Household International Inc. paid $484 million to settle complaints it had been duping poor home buyers scattered across the nation.

Wells Fargo staunchly defends the propriety of its subprime lending practices, attributing last year’s decision to lower its fees to changing market conditions.

The new sub-prime program is meant to be a goodwill gesture aimed at creating more responsible borrowing habits and drumming up more future business from grateful customers, said Stephanie Christie, a Wells Fargo senior vice president overseeing the new initiative.

“We are very proud and excited about this,” Christie said.

John Taylor, president of the National Reinvestment Coalition, said Wells Fargo should be applauded for helping consumers understand how they can eventually qualify for less expensive loans. “I would like to see more lenders do something like this,” he said.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a longtime critic of Wells Fargo’s sub-prime lending practices, isn’t impressed.

“We think they have been taking some steps in the right direction, and this (program) could be good if they were doing something about the people who already got subprime loans from the bank,” said Jordan Ash, director of ACORN’s financial justice center. “It’s less expensive to give away free credit reports and credit scores than to compensate people for the excessive interest rates that they charged in the past.”

ACORN is supporting a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking to represent Wells Fargo’s sub-prime mortgage borrowers dating back to December 1999.

The complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, alleges Wells Fargo repeatedly slapped sub-prime borrowers with exorbitant fees and interest rates that were often concealed until the last minute. The suit also charges Wells Fargo with violating state and federal laws.

Christie called the allegations “absolutely unfounded.”

BUSINESS BRIEFS Building anew Will Longyear, AIA, has joined Santa Monica-based Killefer Flammang Architects (KFA) as an Associate to handle the firm’s increasing work in the education sector, firm founder Wade Killefer, FAIA, has announced.

Longyear, who has two decades of experience designing numerous facilities at UC/San Diego, UC/Irvine, the University of Arizona and the University of Washington, has also worked on numerous LONGYEAR bio-tech projects.

Although primarily known for its adaptive reuse work, which includes the design of some 7,000 units in downtown Los Angeles, 45-member KFA has also designed numerous school and library projects, including: The 800student Meadows School in Las Vegas; the master plan for the Loyola High School expansion program and design of its two new buildings; the Mid-Valley Regional Library; and several branch libraries for the City of Los Angeles.

DAILY PRESS

Vons raises record for Breast Cancer Vons recently announced that it raised a record $1.8 million during its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a fundraiser that supports local breast cancer research projects, treatment and support organizations.

The total is part of a larger $8.3 million grand total raised by Vons’ parent company, Pleasanton-based Safeway Inc. The company’s month-long annual October fundraiser is one of the largest corporate programs benefiting breast cancer awareness.

“We are grateful for the generosity and participation of our customers and employees, and we’re honored to play a part in the fight against breast cancer,” said Vons President Tom Keller. “Each year, we are able to help more and more women overcome this disease.”

During October, Vons customers were given an opportunity to donate to the cause by purchasing pink ribbons — the symbol of breast cancer awareness — at checkstands in all 309 stores in California and Southern Nevada.

Money raised will be granted to a long list of organizations on the front line in the battle against breast cancer.

They include City of Hope in Los Angeles, the Santa Barbara Breast Resource Center, Corona-based Foundation for Community Family Health, the Women’s Cancer Task Force/Y-Me in San Diego and the Las Vegas chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

DP

Sports Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

19

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Cardinal knowledge: School seeks a coach

BY JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer

STANFORD, Calif. — Bob Bowlsby hopes his search for Stanford’s new football coach works out as well as it did the last time he hired one.

Eight years ago as athletic director at Iowa, Bowlsby hired Kirk Ferentz, who has become one of the most highly regarded coaches in the game. So it’s no surprise what kind of coach Bowlsby is looking for to replace Walt Harris at Stanford.

“If I could move Kirk Ferentz here, I’d be happy,” Bowlsby said Monday when he announced Harris’ firing.

“I think he has an awful lot of the characteristics I’m going to be looking for in our new coach: the integrity, the work ethic, the honesty, the teaching ability and the ability to shape young football players to become great athletes.”

But Bowlsby also knows that Ferentz isn’t about to leave the Hawkeyes to join him at Stanford, so he’ll have to settle on finding the closest thing.

Bowlsby said he has his own “short list” of candidates heading into the search but is remaining tightlipped about who those people are.

Some of the names being bandied about include Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a finalist when Harris was hired; Texas Tech coach Mike Leach; Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe; Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster; UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker; and San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh, whose father once was an assistant coach at Stanford.

The decision to fire Harris was the first major move for Bowlsby since arriving at Stanford in July. The search for Harris’ replacement will allow Bowlsby to put his imprint on the program.

“The Stanford program is an absolutely

terrific program in many different ways,” he said. “But I think it’s hard to declare yourself the best in the country when you don’t win consistently in the sports that people covet like football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and baseball, where the fan support is really substantial.”

For many players, the new coach will be the third they have had in their time at Stanford. Buddy Teevens was coach from 2002-04 before he was fired and replaced by Harris.

While that has been difficult, the players welcome the regime change.

“Coming to Stanford I didn’t think I’d have three head coaches in my time here,” quarterback T.C. Ostrander said.

“Obviously, that wasn’t the plan. It’s a challenge. I’m excited for the new coach to be here. I’m excited to work here and see what I can do.”

Harris’ style clashed with Stanford’s players, who complained of a lack of communication with the coaching staff.

“We need someone who really understands the kind of guys we have on this team,” receiver Evan Moore said. “Not only are they very good football players, but they’re bright. It might be different from around the country. Instead of going against it and butting heads with guys like that, just embrace it.”

Stanford hasn’t had a coach able to do that since Tyrone Willingham left following the 2001 season. They’ve had five losing campaigns since then under Teevens and Harris.

While some say the rigid academic standards are a hindrance to recruiting, analysts believe otherwise.

“I think it’s a benefit not a hurdle,” said Bobby Burton, of Rivals.com. “I think the Stanford football coach should shout from the rooftop about their academics. If you don’t embrace it, you have no place at Stanford.”

ODDS OF A CHILD BECOMING A ODDS OF A CHILD PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE: BEING DIAGNOSED 1 in 16,000 WITH AUTISM: 1 in 166

To learn the signs of autism, visit autismspeaks.org

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 61°

SWELL FORECAST ( 2-3 FT ) Te minor NW that's filling in today should stick around and increase a bit as well. We're expecting waist to chest high for the west facing breaks with occasional shoulder high pluses when the tide is right. SW energy is looking nil, so south facing breaks are looking even smaller. The tide will also be extremely high early, shutting down many spots. Winds though should cooperate nicely.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS SIGNIFICANTLY

SIZED

TIDE FORECAST

NW

FOR END OF WEEK INTO WEEKEND...

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

Horoscopes 20

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Happy in crowds, Virgo

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

★★★★★ You might energetic. You might want to revise plans for someone you really care about.

Follow your heart and touch base with your inner self. Be yourself, and you’ll make positive choices. Tonight: Mosey on home.

★★★★ Others always expect a lot from you — today is no different. In fact, though you might need to make an adjustment mentally and/or with plans, you head down a different route. A friendship could be testing your patience. Tonight: Know when to put a halt to demands.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

★★★★★ You have much to smile about. You feel more comfortable than you have in a long time dealing with finances and key associates. A partner or associate is on the same page as you.

Revise plans and ideas. Tonight: Out and about.

★★★★ You might want to change directions, and for good reason. New information casts a different light on personal matters. You gain understanding. Financial matters improve if you use your knowledge well. Tonight: Let your mind wander.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

★★★ You seem to enjoy spending more than ever, and with the excuse of the holidays, you could cause yourself trouble, big-time. A little thought and a conversation with a creative person help you find better solutions. Tonight: Beam in what you want.

★★★★★ You might need to revamp your approach as events unfold. You don’t always reveal the real you. Being authentic with a partner could make all the difference. Don’t get stuck. Tonight: Be with a special person.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

★★★★★ The Moon in your sign makes you number one — or at least you should feel like that.

Revise your plans with an eye to enjoying your day even more. You might have an admirer where you least expect it. Tonight: What would make you happy?

★★★★ Others’ actions force you to rethink a decision and take in what is happening in a new way.

You might not have as much control as you would like right now. Don’t fight city hall. Listen to suggestions. Tonight: Choose plans that have you out and about.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

★★★ Know when to slow down, like today. In fact, you can be instrumental in what happens but still maintain a low profile. Someone else could get the kudos, which might bother you. Don’t let it. Tonight: Vanish. You don’t have to tell everyone everything.

★★★★ You are determined to get done what you must. You will hit a problem or two on the way.

You might need to reorient your thinking and plans. Friends could become a touch strange. If you are too tired to continue, say so. Tonight: Some time off.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★★★ Your aim is excellent. Your actions hit the bull’s-eye. If you don’t like what you draw, then you might need to look at your true intentions. Sometimes we think we want one thing but actually want another. Tonight: Happiest among the crowds.

★★★★★ Your creativity surges to a new level, opening nearly any door. Nothing is impossible — remember that. A new relationship will warm up considerably. Don’t add more than what really exists. Your imagination is wild. Tonight: Get into the weekend spirit early.

i

Born Today

Happy Birthday!

Singer Tom Waits (1949)

For a flexible Sagittarian, many opportunities head your way. In fact, what you might have liked or wanted a few years ago could be dramatically different from today. Charisma helps you on your path. Your personal growth directly impacts every aspect of your life. You also have a very gentle and appealing manner about you. If you are single, you might go as far as craving a close tie. Lady Luck and need merge to make what you want a reality. If you are attached, more quality time with your sweetie makes you happier than you think.

Author, political activist Noam Chomsky (1928) Soccer player John Terry (1980) Jacqueline Bigar is on the Internet at http://www.jacquelinebigar.com (c) 2006 by King Features Syndicate Inc.

style. Right here. Right now.

Feed your life express yourself

<07>tC

<06>xA

<06>xB

832 Santa Monica Boulevard “In Santa Monica...On Santa Monica” 888.203.8027 Our family of dealers includes: Lexus Santa Monica • Toyota Santa Monica • Scion Santa Monica • Hyundai Santa Monica • Volkswagen Santa Monica Toyota of Hollywood • Lincoln Mercury of Hollywood • Scion of Hollywood • Pacific Porsche • Pacific Volkswagen • Pacific Audi

People in the News Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Calling it quits Representatives for JENNIFER ANISTON and VINCE VAUGHN have confirmed that the Hollywood couple have called it quits, People magazine reported on its Web site.

“Jennifer and Vince mutually agreed to end their relationship but continue to be good friends today,” said representatives Stephen Huvane and

John Pisani, according to People.com, in a story posted Tuesday.

Their representatives said the former co-stars decided to end their romance after Aniston visited Vaughn in London in October.

Aniston, 37, and Vaughn, 36, spent much of the last year and a half battling rumors about their relationship — first that it was

starting, then that it was headed toward marriage, and most recently that it was sputtering.

The actors met while filming “The Break-Up” in 2005. Reports of a romance quickly swirled, but the two initially said they were simply friends.

They were spotted together in various places over the ensuing months

Aniston, Vaughn make ‘The Break-Up’ a reality

Dick is sorry for making like Kramer comedian issued an apology through his publicist Tuesday.

“I chose to make a joke about a subject that is not funny,” said the statement, which was provided to the Los Angeles Times. “In an attempt to make light of a serious subject, I have offended a lot of people, and I am sorry for my insensitivity. I wish to apologize to Ian, to the club and its patrons and to anyone who was hurt or offended

by my remark.”

According to TMZ, Dick had been heckling Bagg from the audience and then joined him onstage, when the two discussed Richards. When Dick exited the stage, he suddenly grabbed the microphone and shouted at the crowd, “You’re all a bunch of ..."’ — using the n-word.

An Improv manager wouldn’t comment about the incident when reached by the newspaper.

MOVIEGUIDE AERO THEATRE 1328 Montana Avenue (310) 395-4990

but said little about their liaison. Still, by this summer, they were denying whispers of an engagement.

Within months, they were denying that they were breaking up. In October, Vaughn threatened to sue British and American tabloid newspapers that had reported that he was breaking it off with Aniston and had been seen

kissing someone else.

Vaughn, now filming a holiday comedy called “Fred Claus,” is known for his roles in comic films such as “Wedding Crashers” and “Starsky & Hutch.” Aniston, who is divorced from Brad Pitt, came to fame in the television comedy “Friends,” and has gone on to star in a string of feature films.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SIGNING OFF

ANDY DICK has apologized for using the same racial slur that got ex-"Seinfeld” star Michael Richards in trouble last month.

Dick, a former co-star of the ‘90s sitcom “NewsRadio,” jumped onstage during a routine by Ian Bagg at the Improv on Saturday night and used the n-word in an apparent attempt to joke about Richards, the celebrity Web site TMZ.com reported.

The 40-year-old actor-

21

Wednesday The Hi-Lo Country, Dirty Pretty Things 7:30

Thursday Home of the Brave 7:30

AMC LOEWS BROADWAY 4 1441 3rd Street (310) 458-6232 Babel (R) 3:30, 7:00, 10:00

Richards, who played the wacky neighbor Kramer on “Seinfeld,” has been on a campaign of contrition since videotaped footage of his outburst at the Laugh Factory on Nov. 17 surfaced on TMZ. Richards has said the tirade was fueled by anger at being heckled and not bigotry.

He plans to meet with the four black patrons who were the targets of his remarks to apologize in person.

AP

JERRY SPRINGER has ended his syndicated radio show after nearly two years, saying he’s too busy with other projects that developed after his stint on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

Springer made no mention in the opening minutes Tuesday that the show would be his last, instead launching into a critique of what he called President Bush’s “runaway presidency.”

AP

For Your Consideration (PG-13) 3:10, 5:25, 7:35, 9:50

The Fountain (PG-13) 2:45, 5:30, 8:00, 10:20

The Nativity Story (PG) 2:30, 5:00, 7:45, 10:15

AMC 7 SANTA MONICA 1310 3rd Street (310) 289-4262 Deck the Halls (PG) 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:20, 9:35

Deja Vu (PG-13) 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:45, 10:45

The Departed (R) 12:30, 3:45, 7:10, 10:25

Flushed Away (PG) 1:15, 3:25, 5:30, 7:30, 9:55

Stranger Than Fiction (PG-13) 12:00, 2:45, 5:20, 7:50, 10:40

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (R) 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:40, 10:05

LANDMARK NUWILSHIRE 1314 Wilshire Blvd (310) 281-8228 Bobby (R) 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:55

The Last King of Scotland (R) 12:45, 3:40, 7:00, 10:00

LAEMMLE’S MONICA FOURPLEX 1332 2nd Street (310) 394-9741 Captive (Cautiva) (NR) 1:40, 7:30

Fast Food Nation (R) 4:40, 10:00

The History Boys (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50

Little Children (R) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 10:15

The Queen (PG-13) 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40

MANN'S CRITERION THEATRE 1313 3rd Street (310) 395-1599 Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (R) 12:00, 2:10, 4:50, 7:10, 9:40

Casino Royale (PG-13) 11:40am, 3:00, 6:30, 7:20, 10:00, 10:30

Happy Feet (PG) 11:30am, 2:00, 4:40

Happy Feet (PG) 11:00am, 1:30, 4:10, 7:00, 9:30

National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj (R) 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Turistas Go Home (R) 11:50am, 2:20, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10

More information email news@smdp.com

Comics & Stuff 22

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Girls and Sports

Janric Classic Soduku

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 Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).

Difficulty

BRONZE

The Meaning of Lila

By John Forgetta & L.A. Rose

Š 2006 Janric Enterprises Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

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 LAST PUZZLE

Garfield

Your ad could run here!

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Dog eat Doug

By Jim Davis

By Brian Anderson

Comics & Stuff Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

23

SELL YOUR

CAR FAST!

Advertise your used car for sale in the only LOCAL DAILY newspaper in town.

LY

45

FOR ON

$

Run it until it sells!*

M SA

D! A E PL

1964 Pontiac Catalina New Transmission, new paint job. 150K original miles. Immaculate condition inside. Kept in garage for many years.

Must see!

Natural Selection

$3,000

By Russ Wallace

(310) 458-7737 Ad shown actual size

Package includes: ■ Ad runs until your car sells. Period.* ■ Large format photograph.

■ 20 word description.

■ FREE online placement!

Call us today at

(310) 458-7737 Take advantage of this great offer.

*Terms and conditions. Ad will run for thirty (30) consecutive days. After 30 days, ad will expire and advertiser must call to schedule a free renewal. Ads are renewed for an additional 2 weeks.

Advertiser must call within 5 days of ad expiration to renew. If renewal is placed after 5 days of ad expiration, advertiser must pay full price.

Photographs must be submitted digitally in JPG or TIFF format. Email photographs to anniek@smdp.com. Photographs only appear on print edition. 20 word description maximum; additional words 50 cents. Call for more details. Private parties only. Terms subject to change without notice.

Speed Bump

By Dave Coverly

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

US (310) 458-7737 ADVERTISE! CALL

24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT

Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Classifieds

550 per day. Up to 15 words, 20 cents each additional word.

$

Call us today start and promoting your business opportunities to our daily readership of over 40,000.

YOUR AD COULD RUN TOMORROW!* Some restrictions may apply.

Prepay your ad today!

(310)

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.

CLASSIFICATIONS: Announcements Creative Employment For Sale

Furniture Pets Boats Jewelry Wanted Travel

Vacation Rentals Apartments/Condos Rent Houses for Rent Roomates Commerical Lease

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

Employment

Auto Donations

For Rent

For Rent

HOWARD O. CULPEPPER

RADIO INTERVIEW campaign sales person p/t flexible SM (310)998-8305 * 84

90034. Open daily for viewing. Additional info in unit.

SENIORS—COOPERATIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Born October 8, 1920 passed away Nov. 28, 2006. He practiced law in Santa Monica for forty years. He was a graduate of the first Charter class of UCLA school of law. He was a veteran of WWII and fought in the Pacific with the second marine division. He is survived by his daughter Anne. Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary will be handling all arrangements. (714)893-2421

SALES SANTA Monica – Earn $60K $400K. One of the nation’s oldest/largest precious metals co. seeks sales pros. No cold calling or license required, paid training & full benefits. www.Goldline.com.

310-395-0762

DONATE YOUR CAR - SPECIAL KIDS FUND! Be Special - Help Disabled Children with Camp and Education. Fast, Easy, Free Towing. Tax Deductible.

Please Call Now 1-866-448-3865.

SANTA MONICA $1200/mo 1 bdrm/1bath, Cat ok with deposit, refrigerator, Blocks to beach (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com

(Age 55+) Live in a great location— unit in Beverly/Fairfax for $430/month—includes utilities!

SANTA MONICA $1250/mo 1bdrm/1bath PRIVATE & SECLUDED, Flexible lease, Carpet Floors, refrigerator, yard, ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com

323-650-7988 M-F 9-5

Miscellaneous DIRECTV Satellite Television, FREE Equipment, FREE 4 Room Installation, FREE HD or DVR Receiver Upgrade w/Rebate. Packages from $29.99/mo.

Call 1-800-380-8939.

Announcements AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPEN Community Corporation of Santa Monica announces the opening of the 2007 Marketing List. To be considered for an affordable housing unit in Santa Monica, you must pick up an appointment card at 1423 2nd St. #B, Santa Monica between Dec. 11th and Jan. 4th, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. M-Th – Closed Dec. 22, 25, 29 and Jan. 1.

EOH

Adoption ADOPTION: Living, caring and secure couples would love to adopt a newborn into their hearts and home with close extended family. Expenses paid.

Denise/Alan 877-921-1102.

Employment 3 POSITIONS AVAILABLE! Seeking outgoing fun individuals for promotions and marketing. #1 in L.A. Rep. High-end DaySpas. Sales exper. preferred not required, will train.Flex hours. Comp: $800-$1300 weekly.

Call Lisa:(310)902-5867 CAREGIVERS, WE want you to join our winning team at Good Company.

Live-in/Live-out, Full/Part- time.

Competitive compensation.

Two years minimum experience, verifiable references and valid SS#.

Call today for your appointment: (323)932-8700.

COUNTER HELP needed. Cafe near 3rd St. Promenade on Broadway. Must be experienced. Immediate openings, day and evening shifts. Apply afternoons in person.

215 Broadway, SM. (310) 396-9898.

LOUD FUNNY voice wanted. P/T Santa Monica. (310)998-8305 xt 86

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737 P/T OFFICE assistant Century City Accounting firm, flexible hours (10-12 per week) Starting $11/hr. Fax resume to attn: Marie (310)553-0413 P/T TELEMARKETING for legal recruiting office. A.M. only Eileen (310)392-6301

SANTA MONICA Fast Growing Chiropractor’s office seeking enthusiastic, responsible person with 6 arms and 6 legs. Marketing, phone, and clerical skills preferred. Must enjoy working with people. P/T. Salary based on experience. Leave a message (310)401-7313

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737 SM ROOM and board + $200/mo in exchange for part-time housekeeping/ light caregiving and cooking. Valid dl necessity, errands. 50-65. dog. Ruth (310)392-6301 SUPERVISOR, TEAM leader WLA professional home cleaning company has openings for bilingual supervisor with strong leadership and communication skills. Working with maids in a team environment cleaning homes.

Call for interview. (310)280-0300 Valid DL required.

Help Wanted HELP WANTED Earn Extra Income assembling CD cases from Home. Working with Top US companies. Start Immediately. No experience necessary.

1-800-405-7619 Ext 104 www.easywork-greatpay.com SECRET SHOPPERS NEEDED For Store Evaluations. Get Paid to Shop. Local Stores, Restaurants & Theaters. Training Provided, Flexible Hours, Email Required. 1-800-585-9024 ext. 6262

For Sale DIRECTV FREE 4 Room System! NO Credit Card Required! 250+ Channels!

Starts$39.99! FREE DVR or HD Receiver! Also, Dish Network $19.99! FREE Movie Channels!

1-800-574-2260 FREE DIRECTV 4 Room System! NO Credit Card Required! 250+ Channels!

Starts$39.99! FREE DVR or HD Receiver! Also, Dish Network $19.99! FREE Movie Channels!

1-800-490-1814 SPA/HOT TUB 2006 Model. Neck Jets.

Therapy seat. Warranty. Never used.

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

DONATE YOUR CAR.To The Cancer Fund of America. Help Those Suffering With Cancer Today. Free Towing and Tax deductible.

1-800-835-9372 www.cfoa.org

Classes Art Classes taught by established artist. Paint Sculpt and draw in a garden setting.

Classes start February 1st, 2007.

Your artwork and bio placed on www.campbellart.com free with sign up. Call 310-804-0335 for schedule and pricing.

Wanted CASH PAID FOR Used Dish Network Satellite Receivers. (NOT DIRECTV.) (NOT THE ANTENNA DISHES). Call Toll-Free (866)642-5181 x1067 Have equipment with you when calling!

Travel ARTIST DREAM IN FRANCE Silk Painting in Burgundy, 07/07. Learn unique art form in enchanting village with select group.

Sarah Pierce 310-899-1189 www.sarahsilk.com

For Rent 833 5TH St. Santa Monica, unit 203, 2+2 stove, dishwasher, blinds, carpet, balcony, swimming pool, intercom entry, gated parking, no pets. $2500/mo (310)393-2547 jkwproperties.com FREE RENTAL Lists & No Fee Rentals. Sullivan-Dituri Company.

2111 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

HOWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP (310) 869-7901 2bdrm/1bath $2200/mo 2103 Oak Unit C Refurbished.

PLEASE Visit our website for complete listings at: www.howardmanagement.com

Yard Sales

MAR VISTA/Culver City Adj. $1725 2 Bdrms, 2 Baths. "Twnhs-Apt." Stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, 2-Car garage.

No pets, 12048 Culver Blvd #202. Open Daily for Viewing 9am-7pm, Additional info in unit. Mgr. #101

SANTA MONICA Sat. 12/9 9am-3pm.

4th and Washington near corner.

Household clothing, accessories, new/used, great gifts!

PALMS/BVRLYWD-ADJ.$725. Bachelor, Stove, refrigerator, utilities paid, NO PETS, 2009 Preuss Rd., #1. Los Angeles,

CALL TODAY FOR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES! There is no more convincing medium than a DAILY local newspaper.

Prepay your ad today!

(310)

458-7737

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

Wealth and Success Lost and Found Personals Psychic Obituaries Tutoring

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

Obituaries

DONATE YOUR car to the Original 1-800-Charity Cars! FULL RETAIL VALUE DEDUCTION if we provide your vehicle to a struggling family. Call 1-800-CHARITY (1-800-242-7489) www.800CharityCars.ORG

25

SANTA MONICA $795/mo Studio/1bath, New Carpets, quiet neighborhood, small full kitchen, near SMC (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $850/mo bachelor/1bath great location north of Wilshire, New Carpets,. Paid utilities ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1000/mo 1bdrm/1bath, Carpet Floors, Spacious, Carport parking, laundry-on-site, stove, near SMC ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1325.00 1 Bdrm, 1 Bath, Stove, Refrigerator, Parking, No Pets, 2535 Kansas Ave., #203 Open Daily for Viewing 9am-7pm, Additional info in unit. Mgr. #101 SANTA MONICA $1595/mo 2bdrms/1bath, Carpet Floors, parking, quiet neighborhood, refrigerator, stove, no pets (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1695/mo 2bdrms/1bath, Cat ok, New Carpets, Parking, laundry, quiet neighborhood, refrigerator, (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1700/mo 2bdrms/1bath, Hardwood Floors, Parking, laundry-on-site, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, air conditioner ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $2195/mo 3bdrms/2baths, Carpet Floors, car, laundry-on-site, stove, dishwasher, balcony, no pets (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737 SANTA MONICA $2650/mo 3bdrms/2baths new, spacious kitchen with granite countertops, carpet/hardwood floors. (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SENIORS AFFORDABLE HOUSING (Age 62+) Single apartment in West Hollywood for $431/month—OR—4 blks to beach in Santa Monica, 2 BD+2BA, shared by 2 seniors—$565/month each.

323-650-7988 M-F 9-5 Venice 25 19th Ave. unit A 1+1 $1125/mo stove, fridge, carpet, blinds, laundry, no parking or pets, close to beach. (310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com

Real Estate

Furnished Apts WESTCHESTER: CONDO type apts. Gated estate 1/2 block/golf course. Fully furn.

2br Peaceful/park like yards. Gourmet kitchen. Sliding glass balcony/private patio, hardwood floors, laundry rooms included all but clothes and toothbrush. $1695/unf apt OR fully furnished $1995-$2250/mo. N/pets. Utilities and DSL paid. Kitchen utensils, setting for four, bedding. 6686 W. 86th Place.

Please call 310-410-2305 www.westchestergardenapts.com

Houses For Rent HOUSE IN MAR VISTA. 3 + 2, living room w/fireplace, hardwood floors everywhere, double garage, yard w/gardener, family home. Lease $2850/month.

310.454.5893

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

SELL YOUR

CAR FAST!

Advertise your used car for sale in the only LOCAL DAILY newspaper in town.

YOUR AD $ COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US TODAY AT (310) 458-7737

LY

45

FOR ON

Run it until it sells!*

M SA

D! A E PL

Roommates LUXURY SPACIOUS Apt, 2bd/2bath, private garage, very sunny, to share with female only. $950/mo 310-562-4726.

Commercial Lease SANTA MONICA 2941 Main Street. Small single room offices $825-$890/month.

Parking available. PAR Commercial (310)395-2663 SANTA MONICA, 1452 2nd street. Very charming building. 2 offices. $700/mo, $1350/mo. Includes utilities and cleaning. (310)614-6462.

SUNSET PARK 2 professional, commercial spaces, creative environment, ground floor, approx. 1050 sq. ft. Second floor, approx 850 sq ft.

(310)450-9840

Real Estate

HOME SELLERS Free home evaluation. Free compterized list of area home sales and current listings.

Free recorded message.

1-800-969-8257 ID #1041

www.FreeListingPrice.com

1964 Pontiac Catalina New Transmission, new paint job. 150K original miles. Immaculate condition inside. Kept in garage for many years.

Must see!

$3,000

(310) 458-7737 Ad shown actual size

Package includes: ■ Ad runs until your car sells. Period.* ■ Large format photograph.

■ 20 word description.

■ FREE online placement!

Call us today at

(310) 458-7737 Take advantage of this great offer.

*Terms and conditions. Ad will run for thirty (30) consecutive days. After 30 days, ad will expire and advertiser must call to schedule a free renewal. Ads are renewed for an additional 2 weeks.

Advertiser must call within 5 days of ad expiration to renew. If renewal is placed after 5 days of ad expiration, advertiser must pay full price.

Photographs must be submitted digitally in JPG or TIFF format. Email photographs to anniek@smdp.com. Photographs only appear on print edition. 20 word description maximum; additional words 50 cents. Call for more details. Private parties only. Terms subject to change without notice.

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 1427 Third Street Promenade, Ste. 202. 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 1427 Third Street Promenade, Suite 202, Santa Monica, CA 90405

26

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Automotive Prepay your ad today!

SELL YOUR PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. The only directory for used vehicles in and around Santa Monica.

458-7737

Real Estate

PAC

WEST MORTGAGE 2212 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica

1-888-FOR-LOAN

310 392-9223 VERY AGGRESSIVE

RATES TIME FOR A 30 YEAR FIXED? RATES AS LOW AS 6% 30 YEAR FIXED 10 YEAR/1 ARM 7 YEAR/1 ARM 5 YEAR/1 ARM 3 YEAR/1 ARM 1 YEAR/1 ARM 6 MO./6 MO. ARM 1 MO./1 MO. ARM

6% 6% 5.75% 5.75%** 5.5%** 5.25% 5% 1%*

*Rates subject to change * As of November 12, 2006 ** Denotes an interest only loan

NEW CONFORMING

LOAN AMOUNTS 1 Unit 2 Units 3 Units 3 Units 4 Units

CALL TODAY FOR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES!

(310)

$417,000 $533,850 $645,300 $645,300 $801,950

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

Business Opps

Personals

$$HOME WORKERS NEEDED$$ Processing Customer Returns Online!

Earn $15.00 Per Return Processed Guaranteed. Extremely Easy! No Experience Needed. Amazing Opportunity! Join Today. www.paidrefunds.com

Talk to a Model

$20,000 MONTHLY! Working From Home! Start Earning Immediately!

Guaranteed Paychecks! PT/FT Positions Available Today! Register Online Now! www.EasyIncomeJobs.com $5,000 WEEKLY! Extremely Easy Work From Home! Weekly Paychecks! No Experience Necessary! Start Earning Today.

Register Now! www.GreatCashJobs.com DATA ENTRY PROCESSORS NEEDED! Earn $3,500-$5,000 Weekly Working from Home! Guaranteed Paychecks! No Experience Necessary! Positions Available Today! Register Online Now! www.DataEntryMoney.com EARN $250-$975 WEEKLY! Processing E-mails Online! $25.00 Per E-Mail Sent Out Guaranteed! Get Paid Taking Surveys Online $25.00-$75.00 Per Survey Completed! Register Online Today. www.FastCashAtHome.com GOT A BUSINESS? Dramatically Increase Sales Accepting All Major Credit/Debit/ATM Cards. 0.00% Discount Rates. FREE Start-up. FREE Equipment Upgrades. Call Now! 1-800-568-9107 HOME REFUND JOBS! Earn $3,500-$5,000 Weekly Processing Company Refunds Online! Guaranteed Paychecks! No Experience Needed! Positions Available Today! Register Online Now! www.PaidRefundJobs.com

h

24HRS.

Vehicles for sale

Health/Beauty AFFORDABLE HEALTH Benefits Under $155.00 a month for the ENTIRE FAMILY! Hospitalization, Prescriptions, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Chiropractic & More! Pre-existing OK! Call Today!

800-971-7075

h

ATM/CC/Checks by phone

www.USLove.com

Notices THE SAFE Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) requires the Governor to develop a list of chemicals determined by the state to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. This law also requires businesses to warn individuals of exposure to listed chemicals. the following cleaner operates their facility in accordance with local, state and federal environment, health, and safety laws. this facility contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Dry Clean X-Press, 2611 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Ogden’s Cleaners, 926 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405

ROB SCHULTZ BROKER LICENSED CALIFORNIA BROKER #01218743

$$CASH$$ IMMEDIATE Cash for Structured Settlements, Annuities, Lawsuits, Inheritances, Mortgage Notes & Cash Flows.

J.G.Wentworth#1 1-(800)794-7310

Lost & Found

NO DOWN PAYMENT? PROBLEM CREDIT? If you're motivated and follow our proven, no-nonsense program, we'll get you into a NEW HOME. Call 1-866-255-5267 www.AmericanHomePartners.com

Real Estate Wanted WE BUY HOUSES, APTS, & LAND! ALL CASH, AS-IS, FAST CLOSE David (310) 308-7887

’05 Accord EX Hybrid $24,900 6Cyl, Leather, Low Low Miles (5C001873) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

LOST TOY CHIHUAHUA ON 5TH AND COLORADO THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30TH. SHE IS A LIGHT TAN-ISH BROWN AND HAS A WHITE SPOT ON HER FORHEAD. SHE WEIGHS ABOUT 3 TO 4 POUNDS AND WAS LAST SEEN OUTSIDE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. WITNESSES SAY SHE WAS PICKED UP BY A YOUNG COUPLE FROM SAN DIEGO! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, CALL ANGELA (310)855-4056

Massage EXQUISITE, INTUITIVE, strong and tender relaxing body work by mature Europen.

Very Professional, Sonja (310) 397-0433.

’04 Toyota Camry Gray, automatic, V6 3.3 L (I5937A) $17,992 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’05 Mustang Conv’t $16,995 WOW, Unbelievable Deal, Auto, Alloys, CD (5521441) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’03 Lexus RX 300 Silver, V6 3.0L, Low Miles!

(I6069A) $25,993 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’03 i35 Sedan Charcoal, automatic, V6 3.5L, Bose audio system (P1483) $19,992 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’03 G35 Sport Coupe Pewter, 6 speed, V6 3.5 Liter, 6 disc remote changer (P1488) $28,991 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’02 Infiniti QX4 Sport Utility 4D V6 3.5 Liter, Automatic, Leather Stock #: P1458 $17,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’04 Dodge Dakota Maroon, automatic, V6 3.7L (P1480) $12,494 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’04 Quad Hemi…. $16,995 Gorgeous, Black, Alloys, CD, Auto, Chrome Wheels, Must See Vin: 4J102632 Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’04 Nissan 350Z Roadster Convertible Silver, automatic, V6 3.5L (P1471A) $28,991 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

1992 BMW 325i Auto, 4dr, Blk. $4995 Lic# 3GGC432 Claude Short Auto Sales Dealer (310) 395-3712

Your ad could run here!

Vehicles for sale

$$ CASH 4 $$

$$ MERCEDES BENZ $$

1980-1995

‘04 Avalon XLS . . . .$19,995 Leather, Moonroof, Immaculate!

(4U373719) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

Running or Not

Any Questions Please Call

(310) 995-5898

’02 Sienna XLE $16,995 VIDEOPLAYER, Moonroof, Lthr, AMAZING DEAL (2U475335) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’02 MR2 Spyder Conv $13,788 Blk/Blk, chrome wheels, very low miles (20042374) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

STOP FORECLOSURE guaranteed. This is not bankruptcy. We do not buy houses.

1-800-771-4453 ext.

3550. www.house911.com

Real Estate Loans

’03 Highlander $14,995 Auto, A/C, P/W, Cruise, C/D (30075121) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Financial $$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!! As seen on TV. Injury Lawsuit Dragging?

Need $500-$500,000++ within 48/hours? Low rates. APPLY NOW BY PHONE! 1-866-386-3692 www.injuryadvances.com

Vehicles for sale

877-EZ MARIA 877-396-2742 $10–17 for 15 min.

MOVIE EXTRAS Make up to $250/day All looks and ages 1-800-714-7501 WANT TO own, start, or buy a restaurant, bar or club? iwanttostartarestaurant.com iwanttostartabar.com iwanttostartaclub.com

Vehicles for sale

$45 for two weeks. $20 every two weeks after.

’05 Hummer H2 White, automatic, V8 6.0L (I6054A) $38,993 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’00 Jetta . . . $8,995 Leather, Moonroof, CD, Alloys Vin: YM154848 Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’03 Audi TT Convertible Silver, 6 speed manual, 4-Cyl., 1.8L HO Turbo Stock #: P1466 $23,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’00 Ford Ranger $4,995 Air Conditioning, CD, Alloys, & More!

(Vin YPA17329) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

‘05 Tundra Dbl Cab $21,788 Off Road Pkg, Beautiful, Loaded, Best Buy, (55493840) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’05 G35 Sedan Pewter, automatic, V6 3.5 Liter, Stock #: I6168A $30,991 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

Your ad could run here!

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

’03 Prius $16,995 Auto, A/C, CD, Alloys, Full Power Package (Vin 30072445) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’02 Escape 2WD $9,900 Leather, CD, and MORE Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’05 Scion XB …. $13,900 Red, Low 38K Miles!

One Owner!!

(Vin A390395) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’05 C230 Sport Sedan 1 Owner, Silver/Gray, Leather, Moonroof, 24K Miles. Like new!

(SF727053) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

LOCATION 1427 Third Street Promenade, Suite 202, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

YOUR AD COULD RUN TOMORROW!* Some restrictions may apply.

ServiceDirectory

(310) Prepay your ad today!

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.

Promote your business in the only DAILY local newspaper in town.

Vehicles for sale

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

Vehicles for sale

Services

’00 Honda Accord EX Sedan Silver/Gray, Leather (SF227052) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’04 Nissan Sentra $11,900 CD, 42K Miles, Very Clean Will Not Last (4L915794) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

05 Hyundai Tucson LX 4 $16,990 Leather, CD, Pristine (5U051031) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

10%OFF YOUR FIRST JOB! (800) 462-3711 www.thehandyguy.com

We’re proud to donate our services to Habitat for Humanity

Services

Tree Removal

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737

Tree Removal Tree Trimming

Stump Grinding Landscaping

CALL US

All aspects of construction from small repairs to complete remodels

(310) 458-7737

Call us today

Pool and Spa

(310) 664-9000

—ALL AROUND—

’02 Honda Accord EX Cpe $16,900 Silver, 55K Miles, Pristine (2A017045) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

FREE CASH GRANTS! $700-$800,000++ **2006!** NEVER REPAY! Personal/Medical Bills, School, Business, Housing. $49 billion unclaimed 2005! Live Operators! CALL NOW! 1-800-592-0366 Ext. 214

Painting/Tiling Trucks/Vans

Call Tony

’06 Sonata GLS MAKE OFFER! (065025) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

2001 Ford Escort SE 4 DR Sedan, full power, 53k miles, 26/35 MPG, Auto, AC $5000.

310.396.9621 or 310.392.9229

Making a false or fraudulent workers’ compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

WESTSIDE GUYS

Full Service Handymen CARPENTRY, ELEC., PAINT, ETC...

TERMITE AND DRY ROT REPAIR ROOF REPAIR AND WATER DAMAGE

CALL US

CALEB 25-35/HR (310) 409-3244

TODAY AT

Your ad could run here!

(310) 458-7737

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Mail. Fax. Call. Email. Running your classified ad is easy!

550 per day. Up to 15 words, 20 cents each additional word.

METICULOUS PAINTING Interior & Exterior • Free Estimates

Call Joe: 447-8957 meticulouspainting.com

LIC: 0002088305-0001-4

Fill out this form and mail to: 1427 Third Street Promenade Suite 202 Santa Monica, CA 90401

Name: Address: City:

State:

Zip:

Phone: (

)

Fax.

Classification (Pets, Yard Sale, Etc...): Ad Copy (attach copy if necessary)

1992 Dodge 350 Cargo Van White, A/C $2,995 Claude Short Auto Sales Dealer (310) 395-3712

Mail.

$

& DRYWALL ’04 Santa Fe 2 to Choose-Black or Silver Low miles, still has new car warranty.

(U786948, U648625) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

AND

Workers’ Compensation dial ext. 22 For Immigration dial ext. 40

(310) 449-5555 (310) 447-3333

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737

Employment Services

Practicing in

TODAY AT IMMIGRATION

REFERRALS AVAILABLE

$700-$800,000++ **2006!** FREE CASH GRANTS! NEVER REPAY! Personal/Medical Bills, School, New Housing, Business. AS SEEN ON T.V. Live Operators! Call Now! 1-800-681-5732 Ext. 215 ’05 Santa Fe 3.5L 2 to Choose!

2WD, CD, Moon (960986, 935352) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

HANDYMAN

WORKERS COMPENSATION

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

Handyman

(310) 359-2859 ’03 Sonata V6 White . . . $11,500 Low miles, pristine (3A744443) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

LAW OFFICES OF

EDWARD J. SINGER A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

15 Years Experience

CALL

Roofing

Attorney Services

Lic.# 825896 310.284.8333

Services

Lic. And Insured ’00 Grand Cherokee Ltd. $13,900 Red/Tan, 4WD, Moonroof, Pristine!

(VC223308) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

Texture & Drywall Wood works & Repair work Kitchen cabinet Faux finish Replace cabinet & Counter top Stucco work

Up to $300 maximum discount, applies to labor only.

LIC: #B858574

Services

Residential & Commercial Int. & Ext.

Remodeling & Home Repairs

’02 Santa Fe 4 x 4 $13,900 Low Miles, Pristine Condition (2U175332) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

27

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE! (310) 458-7737 Real Estate

3 ____________________ 2____________________ ____________________

1

6 ____________________ 5____________________ ____________________

4

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE! (310) 458-7737 HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00pm

Call.

9 ____________________ 8____________________ ____________________

7

12 ____________________ 11 ____________________ ____________________

10

Call Annie Kotok!

(310) 458-7737 Ext. 114

15 ____________________ 14 ____________________ ____________________

13

Requested Start Date:

2001 DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN Dual air, many extras VIN 543782 $7,995 Claude Short Auto Sales Dealer (310) 395-3712

Fill out this form and fax to: (310) 576-9913 ATTN: Classifieds

/

/

Requested End Date:

/

Email.

/

Email your ad to: anniek@smdp.com

Extras (Additional 20 cents/word): ❒ ALL CAPS ❒ bold ❒ italics ❒ Box (.50/day) ❒ Reverse($1/day) Payment: ❒ Visa ❒ Mastercard ❒ AMEX ❒ Check

PREPAY YOUR AD TODAY!

___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___ Exp:

| 20

Check #:

Make checks payable: Santa Monica Daily Press NO CASH PLEASE

Call us with questions (310)

458-7737

Signature:

Visit us online at smdp.com LOCATION 1427 Third Street Promenade, Suite 202, Santa Monica, CA 90405

28

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

A newspaper with issues