Santa Monica Daily Press, December 21, 2006

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Visit us online at smdp.com

Volume 6 Issue 33

Santa Monica Daily Press

WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN NATIONAL 12

Since 2001: A news odyssey

Here’s to their health

DAILY LOTTERY 9 32 37 42 48 Meganumber: 7 Jackpot: $50M 6 12 21 26 36 Meganumber: 10 Jackpot: $24M 23 25 27 34 36 MIDDAY: 3 8 8 EVENING: 7 2 6 1st: 09 Winning Spirit 2nd: 10 Solid Gold 3rd: 08 Gorgeous George RACE TIME: 1.40.42 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

Step Up is given leg up with grant

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

CHUCK

SHEPARD

■ Smashmouth Politics: Barbara Cubin barely won re-election to the U.S. House from Wyoming after she angrily threatened to slap her wheelchair-confined opponent over a comment about campaign finance reform after an October debate. And former Texas state House member Rick Green took a swing at the man who beat him in 2002 when both arrived at the polls to vote at the same time.

■ When oil prices rose in the summer, Steve Jordan began drilling what would be an 8,500-foot oil well under his house near Lake Charles, La., because prices were finally high enough for him to recover the $2 million he thought the operation would cost. (Crude oil, which peaked in July at about $77 a barrel, had fallen to $65 by the time Jordan gave his last reported interview, on CNN in September, and at press time was about $56 a barrel.)

■ An apparently poorly trained Kentucky election worker physically tossed a voter out of a polling station in Louisville on Election Day because he hadn’t marked all the offices on his ballot.

■ And a voter in Allentown, Pa., was arrested after he suddenly erupted in the voting booth and began pounding the machine with a paperweight.

TODAY IN HISTORY Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower went ashore for the 1620 first time at present-day Plymouth, Mass.

BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer

Alejandro Cesar Cantarero II alex@smdp.com

NOWHERE TO TURN: The long nights of winter are oftentimes accompanied by

CRIME

overwhelming sadness. But with winter solstice, brighter times lie just ahead.

SMPD nabs Pico shooting suspect

Cast into darkness

BY KEVIN HERRERA

BY MELODY HANATANI

Daily Press Staff Writer

Daily Press Staff Writer

SMPD HDQTRS. — A Santa Monica resident has been charged with several counts of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing at an unsuspecting driver in an alley near Woodlawn Cemetery earlier this

CITYWIDE — Feeling SAD? Today is the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year and the official kickoff to winter, when temperatures tend to drop and outdoor activities are rendered less attractive.

Accompanying the end of See SHOOTER, page 16 Daylight Savings in October, and

WORD UP! derogate \DER-uh-gayt\, intransitive verb: 1. To deviate from what is expected. 2. To take away; to detract; -- usually with 'from'. transitive verb: 1. To disparage or belittle; to denigrate.

INDEX Inside Scoop Not so Bright

3

Business Apparel workers get payday

18

Surf Report Water temperature: 60°

19

Horoscopes Easy does it

20

MOVIETIMES Celluloid heroes

21

Comics & Stuff Strips tease

22-23

Classifieds Find your place in the world

All encompassing

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com Kristina Gould packs up eight boxes containing Christmas gifts on Wednesday at the Santa Monica Post Office on Sixth Street. Gould was shipping her gifts by 'Express Mail' to ensure they would reach her family in Boston by Christmas.

shorter days as a result, come the changes in the moods of many people who find darker days to be somewhat depressing.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that affects the mood depending on the season. The most common type of Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects about 500,000 Americans every year, is winter depression.

Chris May notices his mood change around the winter. A native of Maine, May now works in downtown Santa Monica and makes a point of going for a walk outside each day during his lunch break with a friend in order to enjoy the sunshine.

“If we didn’t get out at least once, it would make the [work] day seem longer,” May said on Wednesday, while having lunch at the Farmers’ Market.

People do react to sunlight and darkness, without a doubt, said Dr. Karen Shore, a clinical psychologist based in Santa Monica.

“It has to do with how chemicals are simulated by the sunlight,” said Shore.

But another way to approach the disorder is to examine it emotionalSee DARK DESCENT, page 16

24-27

Izzy says,

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

1433 Wilshire Blvd at 15th St.

(310) 394-1131

GABY SCHKUD (310) 586-0308

FIFTH STREET — The city’s stock of affordable housing received a considerable uptick on Wednesday, with more than 40 units being added here as result of a series of grants being awarded to non-profit developers.

A 46-unit affordable-housing complex will be constructed at 1548 Fifth Street, thanks in part to the grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, bank officials announced.

Step Up On Second, a local mental health provider, along with affordable housing developer Community of Friends, will receive $230,000 to help complete the complex that will house homeless individuals with special needs.

“This grant helps us greatly. It is really that last piece of funding that we needed,” said Dora Leong Gallo, chief executive officer of Community of See STEP UP, page 15

Render courtesy of Pugh + Scarpa

THINGS TO COME: This artist’s rendering depicts the new affordable housing facility on Fifth Street.

We’re in Culver City too!

10862 Washington Blvd.

The name you can depend on!

Lessons • Studio rent Music • Instrument Repair

(310) 202-6874

Calendar

0%

Fabulous Earrings at a Fabulous Price!

$259

FINANCING

00*

2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

TO CELEBRATE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY WE ARE OFFERING...

A FREE Safety Inspection on your German Car

FOR 12 MONTHS

A newspaper with issues

(mention this ad)

Also, ask about service & maintanence specials

*SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

14K White gold Diamond and Blue Topaz Earrings

GERMAN AUTO TECHNIK AG

310/828-6004 1654 19TH ST

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

Eddie Guerboian

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.

Fitness Class (Mambo Mania) 1711 Stewart St., 7 a.m. — 8 a.m.

Winterlit Best Gift Ever gift drive Third Street Promenade, 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.

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...

Weekly LeTip Business Networking Group

Currently open for patients in our new Santa Monica location--Call 310-453-1983

Santa Monica Playhouse, 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

“Let your light shine so that you may illuminate the world around you.”

El Cholo Restaurant, 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre

Brentwood Country Mart — Holiday Events Brentwood Country Mart, noon — 2 p.m.

Yappy Hour @ Tails of Santa Monica ROP_K_# 99545113.ad

Tails of Santa Monica, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.

Salvation Army Youth Night

The Salvation Army, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.

DivorceCare

Vineyard Christian Fellowship Westside, 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Santa Monica High School Winter Choral Concert Santa Monica High School, 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 Santa Monica Rotary

Riviera Country Club, noon — 1:30 p.m.

Self Healing Community Class Santa Monica, 5:30 p.m. — 6:45 p.m.

Santa Monica Fitness Group for Women

Santa Monica Fitness Group For Women, 6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

Caroling at Hotel Casa del Mar

PUBLIC DUMP IN SANTA MONICA MICHIGAN

DELAWARE AVE.

FRANK

24TH

CLOVERFIELD

Southern California Transfer Company

10 WEST

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

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

Hotel Casa del Mar Lobby, 6 p.m. — 7 p.m.

For more information on any of the events listed, log on to smdp.com and click the “Events” tab for the given day’s calendar.

Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

3

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com

KID ‘n PLAY: Nanny Lillian Recinos (right) leads Noah Cosgrove, 4, out from an afternoon play session at Bright Child on Tuesday.

LOS ANGELES

A pat on the back for Chief Bratton

High rent hits the kiddies

By The Associated Press

Child center is latest casualty of rising rents

LOS ANGELES — The Police Commission granted Chief William J. Bratton the largest raise possible as it completed an annual performance appraisal that concluded his work “exceeds standards.”

The 5 percent pay raise approved Tuesday boosts Bratton’s salary by $13,991 to $293,825 annually, keeping him as one of the city’s highest paid officials.

Bratton, 59, was hired as police chief in 2002 after heading the police departments in See CHIEF RAISE, page 17

Lost when

it comes to insurance?

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN — In playtime heaven, the laughter of children will soon cease to exist.

Bright Child, a 10-year resident of the 1400 block of Fourth Street, will close its doors at the end of the month after business owners were unable to negotiate a lease agreement with property owner CIM Group Inc. of Hollywood.

CIM Group, which purchased 402 Santa

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

Monica Blvd. a few years ago from Toys “R” Us, was looking to secure a single tenant to occupy 18,000 square feet of commercial space, 9,000 of which Bright Child currently occupies on the first floor, said Bright Child Managing Partner Jamie Riesc. The second floor and its additional 9,000 square feet above Bright Child is currently unoccupied.

CIM was also planning to raise the rent based on the price per square footage, making running a small business on Fourth Street seemingly unaffordable.

CIM did not return calls seeking comment.

Bright Child, a child enrichment center, offers up its space for birthday parties, gym classes and “parent & me” sessions.

The owners are now seeking a new and more affordable location to reopen the business and are hoping to do so in West LA, perhaps to help keep their existing clientele.

The business is the latest victim to be forced out of the city due to increasingly high commercial rents that make running an operation more difficult in Santa Monica See COMMERCIAL RENTS, page 17

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 21, 2006

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

City Hall needs to take five

A December to forget

Editor:

A change in attitude from the staff and council is my priority.

I want a City Hall that puts the portfolio and resumebuilding aside. I do not want to be the centerfold of City Magazine or the eighth wonder of the politically correct world. I do not want to be taxed and taxed for basic services while City Hall runs wild pursuing Quixotic social philosophies or prime real estate for no immediate or defined purpose.

I do not want a staff that thinks “tax and raise fees” first or as a backup. The City of Santa Monica’s half billion dollar budget, by any measure, is ample for a city our size.

Last year, Santa Monica received 60 million in “tax increments” alone — money that should be used for infrastructure. On top of that, the city’s commercial success should translate to a real benefit for residents and offset costs as promised years ago by a City Hall that designed the tourist, shopping and office development.

I’ll take for real, the high level of “customer service” City Hall aspires to deliver. A few examples of non-excellent service I can see from my front porch: 1. The street trees surrounding Virginia Avenue Park were trimmed by city contract in September. Most neighbors thought the job was under done, but who would complain? At least someone showed up to trim branches that were vaulting front lawns and touching houses. Last week, Southern California Edison crews were out re-cutting the same trees. Evidently, the neighbors were right — the city work was even below So Cal Edison standards.

2. The makeover of Virginia Avenue Park is beautiful.

But despite it’s LEEDS medal, excessive stormwater runoff from the site strips the environmental boast of any real meaning, exposes the city’s inability to produce what it demands of private property owners and raises the question: Exactly where did that $13 million go? The money did not go to water fountains near the basketball courts, to fulfilling the promise of a “multi-use surface” under the Farmers’ Market, evaluating the necessity of parking spaces for non-existent electric cars or vines to cover the entire building wall on 21st Street, as conditioned by the Planning Commission.

3. 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard street improvements have been 10 years in the making. They have been on and off the city agenda numerous times.

Meanwhile, other city streets — less deserving — push to the head of the line. For example, Fourth Street had it’s second makeover and the non-residential back end of the airport along 23rd (Street) has been planted with trees.

4. From Virginia Avenue Park, I can throw a baseball and hit over 300 units of low-income housing, a $10 million homeless shelter and two houses for the mentally ill.

The Pico Neighborhood has a low-income housing project on near every block. The Cloverfield/Virginia corner alone hosts 200 units, yet the city wants to develop 100 more units in high-density buildings without public review. This, after the Planning Commission denied a permit for a 12unit condo project for adding one car to Virginia Avenue’s traffic count. Let’s have city practice that requires distribution of low-income housing and social service sites or abandon the current limousine liberal policies and halo polishing. Let’s have a city attorney’s office deliver legal service that helps evict trigger happy tenants and pursues nuisance abatement.

5. Delaware Avenue and 19th Court met all criteria to be included in the “undergrounding” program of large capacity transmission electric lines. In fact, those streets should be top priority. The city creates the priority list and So Cal Edison does the work. Neighbors brought the list to the attention of city officials three years ago. In those three years, as other areas are being improved, I have seen no list and no work on the stated streets.

Looking beyond the neighborhood, I could cite other examples of what is wrong with City Hall’s priorities.

Perhaps that is another letter.

Peter Tigler Santa Monica

ICONOCLAST BLAST

BY SETH BARNES

EDITOR’S NOTE: This column originally ran in December 2005.

Polish off your credit cards. Prepare for a relentless, high-decibel holiday music assault anytime you step into a place of retail. Get ready to elbow an elderly lady aside as you lunge like a wild mustang for the last digital camera on sale at Best Buy. The holidays are upon us!

Corporate America is responsible for the brouhaha that arrives each December. They expertly slash prices on popular items and plaster their sales message across all forms of media. And while they used to stick to smaller-ticket gifts, they’ve recently started pushing bigger, bulkier, more expensive fare. Like luxury automobiles.

Lexus has led the pack in this category.

For several years, they’ve run a recurring series of ads that you probably recognize by now.

Here’s an example: a handsome man with a silver shock of hair prances up behind his wife. Turning, she playfully flips her own silver mane (apparently, when you’re in the top tax bracket the IRS sends you a case of silver hair dye along with your 1040 form). The giggling husband covers her eyes and leads his beloved through the sprawling lower floors of their mansion. They arrive outside.

Standing in the driveway, he removes his hands to reveal a gleaming Lexus giftwrapped with a giant red bow. And, of course, the wife showers her husband with excited hugs and kisses.

I have a feeling these ads resonate especially well here in Southern California, where cars are essentially trophies on wheels.

Because of the exceptional year-round weather, motorists don’t have to worry about road salt corroding away their body paint or a snowplow skidding into them during rush hour. So getting a car for Christmas or Hanukkah is actually plausible, whereas doing so in New Hampshire, where I’m originally from, is asking to enter into a destructive wintertime demolition derby.

None of this is to mention the absurd, shortsighted and financially ridiculous proposition of purchasing a $45,000 item without consulting your one and only lifepartner. There’s that also.

Considering that only a moronic snob who knows nothing about the car buying process would buy a Lexus for somebody else without their consultation (no, I don’t care how wealthy you are, buying a car is never a “treat” — they begin depreciating and breaking down the moment you own them, you are handing your loved one a liability that will tie them down for many years to come) and considering that Lexus calls their holiday sales event “A December to Remember,” I thought it might be fun to play a short game. We’ll think about some scenarios that could arise as a result of “giving” a Lexus for the holidays. These could happen in any family.

Let’s call it “Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!?”

Enjoy!

Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!? Two days later, I got carjacked after breaking down on a freeway off-ramp. Right before I blacked out from shock, I saw that the thug who stole my car was wearing the hood ornament around his neck. Thanks again.

Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!? That was back when we were married. We had massive credit card debt, two kids in private school and you were under investigation for misappropriating funds at work. Our marriage was in shambles, but you wanted to make things better. So, one night after a few pops with your buddies, you headed to a Lexus dealership. I could not believe my eyes when I saw it sitting in the driveway, so I slapped you across the face. See you in family court!

Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!? I was only 19, Dad. I know you’d been spoiling me for a long time, but please. Were you really surprised when I crashed into the side of my dorm?

Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!? Honey, I doused myself in oil and lit myself on fire in front of the White House. I was shouting “Down with Corporate Oil Pigs.” I’m not exactly an automobile enthusiast.

Remember that Time You Bought a Freaking Lexus Without Asking Me!? It was really creative of you to copy a TV commercial. It was special and romantic. You even tied the cheesy red bow on top of the car, you dope. Now I can never show my face to the neighbors again.

Seth Barnes can be reached at barnesseth@hotmail.com

TELL SANTA MONICA

WHAT YOU THINK! WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR EMAIL TO: EDITOR@SMDP.COM OR FAX TO (310) 576-9913

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 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.

Visit us online at smdp.com

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.

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Happy Holidays

Chill out this New Year’s Join a hearty, enthusiastic, cold water-fearless group of swimmers from ages 5 to 90.

Watch their unique brand of New Year celebration at Venice Beach Breakwater at the foot of Windward Avenue. You’ll view a melting pot variety of thrill-seeking individuals from master swimmers to very amateur waders.

There will be a Penguin King and Queen chosen from the amateur fun lovers, a Prince and Princess who will qualify by winning the competitive race.

Parking is available in the lot at Venice Beach at the foot of Venice Boulevard for a $5 fee.

Due to stormy sea and sky conditions, last year’s swim was canceled by the Lifeguard Captain, the only cancellation in 46 events.

For more information, call Mary McGuirk at (310) 821-8136.

Open on Christmas Day From 7:30am to 2:30pm 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. (Corner of 20th & Santa Monica Blvd.)

(310) 829-9597 Hours: 6:30am - 10:00pm Daily

DAILY PRESS

Hypnosis

Today is the last day to place your online bid for the Winterlit playhouse — and to get your donations in for the Best Gift Ever gift drive.

To bid for the house, go to http://www.santamonicaplace.com/smbids/. All proceeds from the sale of the house will benefit the Police Activities League. For more information, contact Santa Monica Place at (310) 394-5451 or the Bayside Corporation at (310) 393-8355.

Works!

Auction bidding about to close

DP

For the second year, Mother Earth News magazine has released it’s list of the best fuel-efficient vehicles. The December/January issue features a report and buyer’s guide to 30 fuel-efficient cars for model years 2006 and 2007. The report highlights three new cars that are small but practical, fun but not funky and fuel-efficient without high price tags: The Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa and the Toyota Yaris.

The buyer’s guide compiles a variety of information on 30 vehicles, each of which has a combined fuel economy rating of at least 30 mpg. The data includes retail prices, environmental ratings, fuel costs and driving scores and reviews.

“Fuel economy is back and better than ever,” writes John Rockhold, managing editor.

“Among the new cars, there are improved perennial standouts, a growing number of hybrids and a crop of affordable, fuel-efficient small cars.”

DP

It’s a wrap party Community leaders and volunteers from the Police Activities League (PAL), Bayside District Corporation and Santa Monica Place will be wrapping more than 250 gifts that were collected during the Winterlit “Best Gift Ever” community gift drive. Gifts collected will be distributed to children who might otherwise go without presents this holiday season.

The wrap party is Friday, Dec. 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Santa Monica Place.

DP

Elks host underprivileged kids Last Friday, Dec. 19, there were 25 Elks and Santa’s Helpers gathered at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge to process Christmas stockings and wrap Christmas presents. There were 210 Christmas stockings stuffed with an apple, an orange, peanuts and candy. They also wrapped 210 Christmas presents, each for a boy or girl in a specified age group.

Various schools were issued tickets, which were given to underprivileged children.

There were a couple of Elk children or grandchildren present also. On Saturday, children were admitted by ticket only. Although the program was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there were children lined up before noon. When it started to rain, everyone was admitted.

At 2 p.m., Santa and his elves arrived. Santa gave each child a Christmas stocking and a stuffed toy. They sat on his lap and told him their Christmas list.

DP

Have guns; will travel ...

Incidents of gang violence, parking attendants being held-up in city parking structures, school lockdowns, threatening transients, low-priority marijuana use ... with a new chief of police taking the reins last week, much will be made about his priorities for the SMPD. Despite crime statistics having dropped to a 50-year low during his predecessor’s run as top cop, Chief Tim Jackman will have his hands full with resident requests.

This week’s Q-Line question asks:

What should Chief Jackman’s priorities be in addressing crime in the City of Santa Monica. Where is more focus needed?

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 limit responses to a minute or less.

John McGrail C.Ht. Clinical Hypnotherapist

(310) 235-2883 www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com

A buyer’s guide to fuel-efficient cars

P R O U D LY B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y

When you’re ready for a change

Watc cess h my smo at k perfo ion progr ing r m Sund ed liv am 8pm ay, Dec. 3 e! on th 1 e T at n “Res ew show LC’s oluti onar ies”

5

State 6

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Haditha killings hit home Marine squad leader based at Camp Pendleton bracing for trial in wake of Iraqi massacre

BY THOMAS WATKINS Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO — The leader of a squad of Marines expects to be among those charged in the killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich, 26, has been asked by his superiors to return from leave to sign papers at Camp Pendleton, a strong suggestion that charges will be served Thursday, his attorney Neal Puckett said.

“He thinks he’s going to be OK because he didn’t do anything wrong,” Puckett said.

Puckett did not know what the charges would be.

A day earlier, the attorney for Capt. Lucas McConnell, 31, said his client was told by his commanding officer that he will be charged with dereliction of duty. Attorney Kevin McDermott said he had no idea why, because McConnell was not present when

the killings occurred.

Two military officials have said a group of Marines would be charged Thursday for their alleged roles in the killings. The officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the charges ahead of their announcement.

A Marine Corps spokesman declined to comment Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 22, said his client has been ordered not to go on leave, a sign that charges may be imminent.

“It means we are on the brink,” said attorney Gary Myers.

Theresa Sharratt, the Marine’s mother, said her son had done nothing wrong.

“They were in a firefight and they responded the way they were trained,” she said Tuesday.

She and several family members were about to travel from their home in

“HE THINKS HE’S GOING TO BE OK BECAUSE HE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG.” Neal Puckett Attorney

Carbondale, Penn., to be with Sharratt.

The charges would follow a massive investigation into the actions of a Camp Pendleton-based Marine squad belonging to Kilo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in connection with the killings on Nov. 19, 2005.

Wuterich was in charge of the squad,

which killed 24 Iraqis in the aftermath of a roadside bomb blast that left one Marine dead and two injured.

The Marine Corps initially reported that 15 civilians died in a roadside explosion.

Citing survivor accounts and human rights groups, Time magazine reported in March that the killings were deliberate acts by the Marines, prompting the criminal investigation.

A parallel military investigation, which has not been made public, examined whether officers in the Marines’ chain of command tried to cover up the events.

Wuterich insists the killings were the result of a tragic but lawful combat engagement, Puckett said.

The criminal case will focus on whether the Marines were responding to perceived threats with legitimate force, or if they went too far and acted outside their military rules of engagement.

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL

— ATTENTION —

ACCENTURE RETIREES

50 OFF %

Sushi & Rolls GREAT PRICING!

If you are a retiree or a current participant in Accenture’s 401K plan, we would like to speak with you about your benefits.

Please Call

Jerome J. Schlichter Law offices of

SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON

(800) 873-5297

2029 Century Park East, Ste. 1400 Los Angeles, Ca 90067

By Appt. Only

100 South 4th Street #900 Saint Louis, MO 63102

TAKEOUT AVAILABLE

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

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

You make the call.

We’ll print the answers.

Sound off every week on our Q-Line . See page 3 for more info. ™

Visit us online at smdp.com

State Visit us online at smdp.com

Ex-LAPD deputy cops to sex trysts with subordinate in suit deposition

BY ROBERT JABLON Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — Former Deputy Police Chief Michael Berkow acknowledged that he had sex with an underling and that the affair lasted for several years, according to a lawsuit deposition made public Tuesday.

Berkow is being sued by another ex-subordinate who claims her career suffered while other officers had affairs with the married deputy chief and got special treatment.

Berkow, who headed the Los Angeles Police Department bureau charged with rooting out officer misconduct, was asked about his relationship with a sergeant who worked in the same bureau and who was later promoted.

“Have you ever had sexual relations with her?” asked Bradley Gage, an attorney for the plaintiff.

“Yes,” Berkow replied.

The transcript of the October deposition was made public after a Superior Court judge on Tuesday rejected a motion by attorneys for Berkow and the city to seal portions of it. They argued that the material involved Berkow’s personal relationships and should not be made public for privacy reasons.

Judge William Fahey called the motion “too general and too vague” to enforce.

Berkow is being sued by Sgt. Ya-May Christle. The suit, filed in May, alleges sexual and racial harassment. It also contends that Berkow was behind efforts to conceal evidence, including computer records, being compiled by Christle for the investigation into the unsolved 1997 killing of rapper Notorious B.I.G. Christle contends that when she complained she was demoted and transferred.

Berkow has known Chief William Bratton for decades. The former Rochester, N.Y., officer and Irvine, Calif., police chief was brought to the LAPD in 2003 to reform its disciplinary system. He initiated investigations that led to dozens of officers being fired for misconduct.

Bratton has called Berkow “an outstanding police officer, hardworking, dedicated.”

Berkow became police chief in Savannah, Ga., in November. He has said he is confident the lawsuit will be dismissed.

In the deposition, Berkow acknowledged he had relations with a female sergeant in 2004, when he was Bratton’s chief of staff — but he drew a distinction.

“My on-duty assignment (was chief of staff) but my relationship with her was offduty,” he said.

Berkow also said he was “sure” that the two had sex in 2005, when he was head of the Professional Standards Bureau and she was working in the same bureau. That year, she was transferred to a higher position in another division. Berkow denied he had anything to do with the promotion, however.

Berkow also said he went on a three-day trip with that sergeant early this year.

Clint Robison, an attorney for Berkow and the city, said outside court that there is no evidence that translates into sexual harassment of Christle.

Most court rulings regarding “paramour favoritism” have found that it doesn’t equate with sexual harassment, he said.

In addition, “there’s not one allegation of direct harassment ... or quid pro quo or requests for (sexual favors),” Robison said.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

STATE BRIEFS SANTA ANA

Lawyer wants his money An attorney claims in a lawsuit that he hasn’t been paid more than $1 million he’s owed for representing the son of a former assistant sheriff in two sex-assault trials.

The suit alleges that Gregory Haidl and his father, Donald, reneged on an oral agreement made after the younger Haidl was arrested in July 2002, attorney Joseph G. Cavallo said this week.

Gregory Haidl, 20, and two of his friends were sentenced March 13, 2006, to six years in prison for the videotaped sexual assault of a seemingly unconscious 16year-old girl at Donald Haidl’s Corona del Mar home.

Donald Haidl was an Orange County assistant sheriff at the time.

According to the suit, Donald Haidl “paid just a portion of the fees, but a significant balance remains” in his bill for representing Gregory in an initial trial that ended in a hung jury.

The suit says Cavallo was not paid at all for his work during the second trial, which ended in the convictions.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

VICTORVILLE

Mourning medical heroes Friends and colleagues mourned the three members of a medical evacuation crew whose helicopter crashed in fog in Cajon Pass as it returned from delivering a patient to a hospital on Dec. 10.

High Desert Church’s 2,500-seat auditorium was nearly filled with mourners paying respects Monday to Mercy Air pilot Paul LaTour, 46, of Apple Valley, flight nurse Katrina J. Kish, 42, of Yucaipa, and paramedic Jerald W. Miller, 40, of Apple Valley.

AP

COSTA MESA

The OC needs real volunteers Orange County has only secured about half the volunteers it needs to complete its largest census of homeless individuals and families, officials said.

The survey, scheduled for a 24-hour period beginning Jan. 25, is expected to require some 1,000 volunteer counters, said Angie Baur of the information and referral agency 2-1-1.

To date, less than half the needed volunteers have signed up. Training sessions on volunteers’ role in the count and instructions on safety are under way this month and next month, Baur said.

The biennial head count of the county’s homeless population is part of a collaboration between the county’s Housing and Community Service Department and outside homeless services advocacy agencies.

AP

ANAHEIM HILLS

There goes the neighborhood The California Department of Transportation plans this week to start bulldozing seven houses, including those it bought from owners who sued the agency after their homes were damaged by a landslide last year, according to notices received by neighbors.

Agency representatives knocked on neighbors’ doors Monday to inform them of the upcoming activity, resident Joanie Rechsteiner said.

Caltrans recently settled an $11.8 million lawsuit with owners of the five homes damaged in May 2005, when the Caltransowned hillside slid after unusually heavy winter rains.

The other two properties houses were damaged in a 1998 slide.

AP

7

State 8

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Dairies located near park devoted to black settlers raises a stink

BY OLIVIA MUNOZ Associated Press Writer

ALLENSWORTH — Basque immigrant Sam Etchegaray had two seemingly perfect swaths for a pair of large dairies: 2,000 rural acres of dusty fields, where thousands of cows would be at home in the No. 1 milkproducing county in the nation.

The only problem is that the pastures were next to a state park that pays tribute to a community founded by a freed slave, raising the ire of environmentalists and blacks who objected to the pollution and stench that would come with the cows.

As the decade-old project moved a step forward Tuesday with Tulare County supervisors tentatively approving permits to house up to 12,000 cows, opponents said the decision was an insult to the history and legacy of the landmark, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, and those who live nearby.

“I guess they’re ready to put manure on top of us,” said Nettie Morrison, 72, a resident of the unincorporated community of about 120 families.

If the board makes its approval final March 20, the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, which helped mobilize Allensworth residents, will likely sue to stop the dairies, said spokeswoman Caroline Farrell.

Opposition wasn’t enough to sway supervisors in a county where big dairy drives the economy and the county seal shows a pair of bovines in front of crops and the jagged outline of the nearby Sierra Nevada.

After several hearings on the subject, the board voted unanimously in support of the

special permits Tuesday. Supervisors said they accepted the environmental impact report and did not want to further delay Etchegaray.

“Somehow the perception is there that agriculture and dairying is disrespectful to a people’s culture,” said Connie Conway, the Tulare County supervisor who represents the area. “Somehow this became us against them.”

The humble state park is a cluster of the restored and reconstructed school house, barber shop, church, library and homes of the pioneers who tried to create a black utopia in the early 1900s.

The original settlement was started in 1908 by Col. Allen Allensworth, a former slave and Army chaplain, and others set on founding a town where blacks — little more than a half century out of slavery — would not be second-class citizens.

“It is here that we are not overshadowed by the presence of beautiful white women and handsome white men, in such overwhelming numbers that we see no beauty in ourselves,” Allensworth wrote in 1912. “It is here that we can see pictures of our own upon the walls and (our) faces upon the streets.”

The colonel’s project in self-reliance all but died by the 1960s after the water supply began to dry up and an important train discontinued making stops there.

By 1973, Allensworth no longer appeared on the map but supporters and descendants of the founders worked to gain historic status.

Residents who have rallied to stop the dairies have found allies from Southern California and the San Francisco Bay area,

— ATTENTION —

UNION OIL COMPANY CHEVRON TEXACO RETIREES

If you are a retiree or a current participant in Union Oil Co. or Chevron Texaco’s 401k Plan, we would like to speak with you about your benefits.

Please Call

Jerome J. Schlichter Law offices of

SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON

(800) 873-5297

2029 Century Park East, Ste. 1400 Los Angeles, Ca 90067

By Appt. Only

100 South 4th Street #900 Saint Louis, MO 63102

but not local leaders.

“The truth is, today this is a town of mostly black and brown folks. But when we look at the planning commission and board of supervisors, we’re not represented there,” Morrison said.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and the California Legislative Black Caucus wrote letters to the governor and the Tulare County board opposing the dairies and saying Tulare officials overlooked important aspects in the dairies’ environmental impact.

The megadairy has long been the foe of San Joaquin Valley environmentalists, who claim that poor communities often pay the price of air pollution wafting from open pools of manure.

Cows are considered a prime source of the San Joaquin Valley’s air pollution, some of the worst in the country, that has led to a high asthma rates and other respiratory illnesses.

Technology has helped control some dairy emissions, said Brian Blain, a director of the Tulare County Farm Bureau who spoke out in support of the dairies.

“All of these dairies have an impact. But modern dairies are much more compatible with their neighbors today than they were in the past,” he said.

Etchegaray is considering selling some of his development rights to the state Department of Parks to create a buffer, said his lawyer, David Albers.

Under the proposal, Etchegaray would own the property and could use it for agriculture, but not for a dairy.

The dairies also need approval from the regional air district and water board, a

process that could take up to a year — and could present another battlefront for opponents.

Associated Press writer Robin Hindery Sacramento contributed to this report.

‘Life Elevated’: Utah’s job growth, low jobless rate ahead of country

By The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah continues to surpass most states in job growth, even if the unemployment rate was up a bit in November.

Employment growth increased to 4.9 percent for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30, attractive when compared with the national rate of 1.3 percent, the Department of Workforce Services said.

Utah’s job growth, however, is down 4 percentage points from June, a result that means the red-hot advances likely are unsustainable even if the economy is in good shape.

“The workers just are not there to support further ‘extreme’ employment growth,” said Mark Knold, senior economist at the department. “We’re coming down from that peak because there just aren’t enough workers to fill all the new jobs being created.”

Although job growth in Utah is down from summer, it remains near the highest level in 10 years.

Come Visit a Truly International House of Breakfast

Enjoy a Traditional Arabian Breakfast Eggs Lebanese Sausage Cheese Plate Hummus with Meat and More!

FREE

Arabian Coffee with breakfast, every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm

Mediterranean Restaurant & Catering

716 Santa Monica Blvd. SM 90401

(310) 716-SHAM 7426

CLUB TWENTY TWENTY

2ND ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE BASH!

VIP ROOM

MARTINI LOUNGE

FULL BAR

in

SUNKEN DANCE FLOOR

FREE PARKING

CATERED FOOD

DJ’S & LIVE MUSIC

CALL NOW FOR SPECIAL RATES! 2020 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica For Dinner/Table Reservations, bottle service and Tickets Call (310) 829-1933 www.clubtwentytwenty.com info@clubtwentytwenty.com

Sunday 12/31

National Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Biotech rice boils over GRAIN DRAIN: Farmers united in suit to stem experimental rice

9

Feds stem the tide; withdraw proposal to protect wildflower

BY DEBBIE HUMMEL Associated Press Writer

BY CHRISTOPHER LEONARD Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS — Lawsuits filed by hundreds of rice farmers in three states over genetically contaminated rice have been consolidated, creating a single legal action that is one of the largest of its kind.

The farmers claim their profits were hurt after an experimental form of genetically altered rice escaped from test plots run by Bayer CropScience AG. The so-called Liberty Link rice wasn’t approved for human consumption, and rice prices dropped after traces of it were discovered in U.S. grain elevators. It has since been approved for use.

The federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ruled Tuesday that all the cases should be consolidated and tried before U.S. Judge Catherine Perry in the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis.

Farmers from Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri filed the suits.

The numerous lawsuits deal with the same legal issues and merging them will streamline the litigation, according to the ruling signed by U.S. Judge Terrell Hodges.

The ruling said 12 lawsuits will be consolidated and that 21 additional similar lawsuits

COMPANIES SUCH AS MONSANTO AND BAYER CONSTANTLY TEST NEW BREEDS OF GENETICALLY ALTERED CROPS IN OPEN FIELDS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE. should be considered “tag alongs” to the litigation, meaning those lawsuits could be included in the main litigation.

Bayer CropScience, a German company with U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

St. Louis is the right venue for the rice lawsuit because its judges frequently hear cases over genetically altered crops, said Don Downing, an attorney representing 283 Missouri rice farmers in the case.

St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. is the world’s biggest developer of genetically altered seeds. The federal court in its backyard hears cases over contract disputes and other issues arising from the technology, Downing said.

“The judges are much more knowledgeable about genetically modified organisms because of Monsanto being here,” said

Your Trusted Neighborhood Jewelers of 25 Years We manufacture our own Jewelry Buy Direct & Save

Holiday Sale

20-50 off %

Platinum & White Gold Engagement Rings Dazzling White Gold Jewelry & Diamond Studs Custom Designing, Special Orders, and Jewelry Repair All done on Premises

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

Downing, who practices in St. Louis.

Chicago-based attorney Adam Levitt said the most similar case to the Bayer lawsuit is litigation filed in 2000 over the release of genetically engineered StarLink corn. The crop was only partially approved for human consumption, he said.

Levitt, who represents rice farmers in the Bayer case, said the StarLink action settled out of court for $110 million in 2003.

Companies such as Monsanto and Bayer constantly test new breeds of genetically altered crops in open fields in the United States and elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors the test plots to make sure the crops don’t escape into mainstream supplies.

The Agriculture Department retroactively approved Liberty Link rice last month.

Bayer said in a written statement that it welcomed the decision.

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday withdrew its proposal to list as threatened a wildflower that grows only in areas of Utah and Colorado where oil shale and tar sand exploration are being done.

The decision prompted environmental groups who have fought for the listing of the Graham’s penstemon to accuse the FWS and Bureau of Land Management of choosing energy development leases over a threatened species.

“This is a political decision to deny listing to something that needs to be listed due to energy development,” said Tony Frates, conservation co-chairman for the Utah Native Plant Society. “It is restricted to a very limited geologic formation ... and the potential for the oil shale development would gravely impact it’s ability to survive.”

The flower is a member of the snapdragon family and blooms in lavender flowers.

The FWS proposed the flower, also known as the Graham’s beardtongue, for listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in January. The Center for Native Ecosystems, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the native plant societies of Utah and Colorado and other organizations had petitioned for the flower’s protection.

National 10

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Utility crews plugging away to restore power following storm

BY GENE JOHNSON Associated Press Writer

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

MODERN DAY BRAZILIAN

TOTAL DEFENSE JIU JITSU Boxing and Kickboxing

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

Self-defense the fun way!!

BEGINNER AND ADVANCED WELCOME

PRIVATE LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE

1

16632 ⁄2 Marquez Ave., Pacific Palisades

Call us today! (310) 454-7105

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

— ATTENTION —

ABC (DISNEY) RETIREES

If you are a retiree or a current employee of ABC (Disney) and are currently in its 401k Plan, we would like to speak with you about your benefits.

Please Call

Jerome J. Schlichter Law offices of

SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON

(800) 873-5297

2029 Century Park East, Ste. 1400 Los Angeles, CA 90067

By Appt Only

100 South 4th Street #900 Saint Louis, MO 63102

SEATTLE — Utility crews from as far as Missouri and Wyoming labored to restore electricity to the last 180,000 homes and businesses that lost power in a windstorm last week as a new weather system bore down on the region.

The National Weather Service forecast winds rising to 15 to 25 mph by Wednesday night with gusts to 40 mph in the central Puget Sound area, not unusual for this time of year but enough to topple trees with weakened root systems and to tear off strained branches over power lines.

More than 1 million utility customers lost power as winds gusted to nearly 70 mph in Seattle during the storm that blasted Western Washington last Thursday night and early Friday.

The storm has been blamed for 13 deaths, seven from carbon monoxide poisoning, including a 73-year-old man from Kenmore who died after he placed a lit barbecue in his bedroom. The King County Medical Examiner on Tuesday said Shah Fazli died because of carbon monoxide inhalation.

Residents still without heat and light were hoping to have electricity again by Christmas. It wasn’t looking likely for Eileen Shields and others in about 200 other homes in Upper Preston, an unincorporated rural enclave in the Cascade foothills 25 miles east of Seattle. The neighborhood was a low priority for Puget Sound Energy, the state’s largest utility, which had 120,000 customers in the dark.

“They’re telling us we’re the last on the list,” Shields said Tuesday night. “No showers, no water, no power. I’ve been having to take 55-gallon drums down to the Grange (feed store) to get water for my horses. I’m on overload.”

Some banded together. When Melissa Brown lost power in West Seattle, The Seattle Times reported, she, her boyfriend and her daughter moved in with her parents, who have a generator at their Issaquah home.

Joining them was her brother from Kirkland, his wife and their baby, her grandparents and her mother’s boss, who had just had surgery.

The total: 11 people and three dogs.

“It was fun,” Brown said. “We had these huge meals and played board games at night.

This reminds us of what family time is all about talking, rather than zoning out in front of the TV. “The positive thing that came out of it is how grateful it is to have a family.”

Puget Sound Energy took out full-page newspaper advertisements that said repair crews were working as hard as they could to repair “monumental” damage to the power grid.

“In many areas, we are literally having to rebuild the system, from the substation to people’s doors,” the ads stated.

In the event of new outages, customers should expect a quick response by repair crews, some from Montana, Missouri,

Kansas, Alaska, Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon and British Columbia, Puget Sound Energy spokeswoman Dorothy Bracken said.

“We’re simply mindful that we’ve got our work cut out for us if the weather change brings new outages,” Bracken said. “We’ve got more than 2,000 people ready to respond.”

King County Executive Ron Sims issued a news release titled “Be Patient: King County crews are working to provide service.”

There was also major damage in parts of Eastern Washington. Winds exceeding 100 mph Friday sheared 60 utility polls around Quincy and caused the worst outages in at least 25 years in the Grant County Public Utility District, PUD commissioners were told Monday.

General Manager Tim Culbertson said it could take the PUD two to three months to restore the electrical system to its pre-storm condition.

On Tuesday, in the suburbs east of Seattle, crews from Wyoming and Montana labored to unsnarl downed power lines near Lake Sammamish. They had to make sure the wires were grounded, remove a transformer that may have been leaking hazardous chemicals and have it evaluated by an environmental specialist, determine whether asbestos had been used on part of the wires called a riser and then use a truck to gingerly remove and replace a broken utility pole.

Sheriff calls off climber search on Mount Hood

BY SARAH SKIDMORE Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. — The search to find two missing climbers alive on Mount Hood is over and it has now become a “recovery effort,” Sheriff Joe Wampler said Wednesday.

“We’ve done everything we can at this point,” Wampler said.

He made the remarks after personally piloting a Piper Cub over the 11,239-foot mountain for new clues. He found none.

His decision ends a dramatic nine-day search for three climbers who went missing on Mount Hood on Dec. 11.

One of three — Kelly James — was pulled out of a snow cave on Monday. For three days, the volunteers and helicopters scoured the mountain in hopes of locating signs of James’ mountaineering partners — Brian Hall and Jerry “Nikko” Cooke.

But Wampler said searchers have given up hope of finding them alive.

Even before Wampler spoke, all of the volunteers had returned to their normal lives and helicopters used in the search had returned to their bases.

MONSON EXTERMINATORS

General Pest & Rodent Control Licensed/Bonded

MANNY MONSON Licensed Operator

Organic Pest Control Available by Request

(310) 571-3102 mmonson1@verizon.net

We’re in Santa Monica!

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL

National Visit us online at smdp.com

11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Boss charged in fire BURNED: Thirtymile crew leader charged with manslaughter

By The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. — A crew boss in the deadly 2001 Thirtymile wildfire that killed four U.S. Forest Service firefighters has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and lying to investigators, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors filed the charges by information Tuesday in U.S. District Court against Ellreese N. Daniels, who was in charge of the firefighters who died July 10, 2001, in the Thirtymile Fire near Winthrop.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Hopkins said Daniels has not been arrested. He will be summoned to a Jan. 4 court appearance on four counts of involuntary manslaughter and seven counts of making a false statement during investiga-

tions into the fatal fire.

Firefighters Tom Craven, Devin Weaver, Jessica Johnson and Karen Fitzpatrick died when the fire raged out of control and swept over them as they deployed their fire shelters on a rocky slope in the Chewuch River Canyon in northcentral Washington.

Daniels, who works for the Forest Service in East Wenatchee, is represented by federal defender Tina Hunt, who did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.

Hopkins said Daniels is accused of gross negligence in the firefighters’ deaths and then making false statements to Forest Service and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators looking into the incident.

Lone schoolhouse to be powered by sun

By The Associated Press

HONOLULU — Niihau’s only school will soon be powered by the sun.

The privately owned island off the west coast of Kauai has only about 160 residents and it’s school is currently powered only by generators.

The new power system will allow the school to have a refrigerator and freezer as well as computers and printers for the first time, said Daniel Hamada, the district superintend-

ent for the state Department of Education.

County officials announced late last week that a federal grant and state and county partnership will help bring the photovoltaic power system to the island.

Pieces of the system are expected to arrive on neighboring Kauai in the next few months. The parts will then be transported by barge to Niihau and installed by the summer, said Glenn Sato, energy coordinator with the Kauai Office of Economic Development.

The total cost of the system is $207,000.

City of Santa Monica Request for Proposals (RFP) Community Sustainability Liaison The City of Santa Monica is accepting proposals from non-profit organizations, professional services firms or individuals to act as a Community Sustainability Liaison.

The Community Sustainability Liaison will facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices in the community and engage diverse stakeholders to meet the goals set forth in the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan.

The RFP package contains the key questions and informational requirements for respondents to address. For more information or to request an RFP package, please call 310-458-2227 or send your request via e-mail to Shannon.parry@smgov.net.

Proposals are due no later than January 18, 2007.

The City of Santa Monica reserves the right to reject any and all bids and waive all minor irregularities.

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 $ 4 Shipping Days til Christmas ‘

1st Mail Center in America FREE PARKING IN REAR

NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFER

ONE TIME OFFER FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY

(VIN 6201781)

SHIPPING

NEW 2006 TOUAREG V8

10% OFF UPS AND FEDEX

Pack & Ship UPS * Fed Ex * U.S. Mail All in one easy stop!

ALL OFFERS VALID W/AD. EXPIRES 12/30/06

Document Shredding $

1st Mail Center in America

75 a pound

.

FREE PARKING IN REAR

FA X / C O P I E S

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

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

$5,000 OFF

2 Months Free with 6 Month Rental

NOTARY

99

2006 PASSAT

Mailbox Rental

2118 Wilshire Blvd. SM

Lease for only

99

(310) 828-8645

PA S S P O R T P H O T O S

RUBBER STAMPS

2118 Wilshire Blvd. SM NOTARY

FA X / C O P I E S

(310) 828-8645

PA S S P O R T P H O T O S

RUBBER STAMPS

style. Right here. Right now. <0 6 > x A

832 Santa Monica Boulevard “In Santa Monica...On Santa Monica”

888.203.8027

One at this offer. VIN #6036994

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

2440 Santa Monica Blvd.

Feed your life

<07>tC

$10,000 OFF

<06>xB 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

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.

National 12

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

FAR OUT: Weather could spoil shuttle crew’s trip back home

BY MIKE SCHNEIDERR Associated Press Writerr

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Discovery began its two-day journey back to Earth after a successful stay at the international space station, but an iffy weather forecast left NASA unsure where and when the spacecraft will land.

NASA officials would like to have Discovery land Friday at Kennedy Space Center, since that would spare the agency the expense of transporting the shuttle back to its Florida home from two other possible landing sites: Edwards Air Force Base in California and White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.

At the scheduled landing time, Kennedy was expected to have low clouds and possible showers, while gusty winds were expected at Edwards. White Sands had the best weather forecast on Friday, although that traditional-

ly is NASA’s last choice. During the only landing there in 1982, dust contaminated the orbiter and the brakes were damaged.

“They’re kind of really in a difficult position of deciding where they want to go and when they want to go,” said NASA spokesman George Diller.

If the shuttle can’t land Friday, other attempts can be made on Saturday.

Discovery must be on the ground by Saturday or it will run out of the fuel that supplies its electricity.

“Saturday is the last day we can keep it up,” said shuttle flight director Tony Ceccacci.

A day after leaving the space station, Discovery’s seven astronauts on Wednesday were to inspect the shuttle’s heat shield using the spacecraft’s robotic arm attached to a 50foot boom. The inspection will look for any damage along the shuttle’s nose cap and

wings caused in space by micrometeoroids.

Engineers on the ground should know within a day after the inspection whether Discovery can be cleared for landing.

A similar inspection was conducted on the second day of Discovery’s mission. Both examinations were added as preventive measures after the Columbia disaster in 2003 killed seven astronauts. Foam from the shuttle’s external tank broke off during lift off, causing a gash in a wing that allowed fiery gases to penetrate the spacecraft during reentry into the atmosphere.

Astronauts also will release three, small experimental satellites over the next two days.

During eight days at the space station, Discovery’s astronauts made four spacewalks during which they rewired the station’s power system, installed a 2-ton addition and coaxed a stubborn solar panel to

fold up accordion-style into its box.

“It’s always a goal to try and leave some place in a better shape than it was when you came,” Discovery commander Mark Polansky said Tuesday before leaving the station. “And I think we’ve accomplished that.”r The mission also rotated out German astronaut Thomas Reiter of the European Space Agency, who is returning to Earth after six months at the station. Replacing him is U.S. astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams as the third member of the shuttle crew.

Several hours after Discovery’s seven astronauts departed Tuesday, station commander Michael Lopez-Alegria radioed to Mission Control that the space lab once again was “pretty roomy up here.”

Mission Control answered back, “And quiet.”

“Well, Suni’s still here,” said LopezAlegria, ribbing his new crew mate.

Roads closed, flights canceled as blizzard sweeps across Colorado

BY JON SARCHE Associated Press Writer

DENVER — A blizzard blasted across eastern Colorado on Wednesday, dumping more than half a foot of snow, whipping up 3-foot drifts and prompting airlines to cancel about 800 flights.

Interstate 70, the state’s main east-west highway, was closed for 150 miles from just east of Denver to the Kansas border. I-25, Colorado’s busiest north-south route, was closed from south of Denver to the New Mexico border, about 190 miles.

The State Patrol reported a rash of collisions, some involving several vehicles, but no fatalities by midday.

Dozens of schools called off classes and courthouses were shut down.

United Airlines, the busiest carrier at Denver International Airport, canceled more than 630 flights into and out of the facility.

Frontier canceled up to 190.

“This is a step that we need to take because of what Mother Nature is throwing at us,” United spokesman Jeff Kovick said.

The storm struck Denver just as the morning commute was getting under way.

“I’m going to grab my computer, talk to my boss and go back home,” said Jennifer Robinson, who drove from her home in Boulder to her sales job in downtown Denver, about 20 miles. “I’m not going to take a risk and get stuck in Denver.”

Most of eastern Colorado was under a blizzard warning, and winter storm warnings were issued for much of the rest of the state.

The National Weather Service said Denver could get up to 20 inches of snow; up to 30 inches was expected near the Palmer Divide, a high ridge about 30 miles south of Denver.

Two feet could fall in the foothills west of Denver and up to 3 feet was expected in northern Colorado.

Early reports showed at least 7 inches of snow in Bennett, about 20 miles east of Denver, and in Nederland, a mountain town 30 miles northwest of Denver.

Mail carriers, ramping up for what’s usually the busiest delivery day of the year, canceled deliveries in many areas, including

suburban Aurora and Littleton and many scattered areas around the state, said Al DeSarro, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman in Denver. The decision was made locally based on the safety of the roads, he said, adding that officials expected to have enough time after the storm cleared to catch up on holiday deliveries.

“Most people, they’re going to get that mail by Christmas,” DeSarro said.

The snow day meant the holiday break started a day early for Andrew Tsoi, 16, a junior at Heritage High School in the Denver suburb of Littleton. His final exam in chemistry was scheduled for Wednesday, but now he won’t take it until classes resume in January.

NationalInternational Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Libby turns to Cheney as witness in CIA leak

BY MATT APUZZO Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — For years, when Vice President Dick Cheney needed advice or a problem solved, he turned to his most trusted aide, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby. Now, Libby is turning to his former boss to help clear him of perjury and obstruction charges in the CIA leak case.

Defense attorneys said they planned to call the vice president as a witness at trial next month and predicted no resistance from Libby’s longtime friend and colleague.

“We’re calling the vice president,” attorney Ted Wells said in court, ending months of speculation over what would be historic testimony.

Libby is accused of lying to investigators about what he told reporters regarding former CIA operative Valerie Plame. Plame’s identity was leaked to the news media around the time that her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly criticized the Bush administration’s handling of prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Libby says he was focused on more important issues — including terrorism, Iraq and nuclear proliferation — and didn’t remember his conversations regarding Plame.

Putting Cheney on the witness stand sends a message to the jury, said Robert J. Bittman, a former deputy independent counsel who investigated President Clinton.

“Do you see how close this guy was to the vice president and all of the things he was involved in? I think Cheney helps drive this home,” Bittman said.

Prosecutors say Cheney was concerned with Wilson’s criticism and anything that concerned Cheney concerned Libby.

Cheney likely will downplay Plame’s significance and bolster Libby’s argument that conversations about the former CIA operative weren’t crucial enough to stick in his memory.

“Was I concerned? Yes,” Bittman expected Cheney to say. “Was it my primary issue? No. My primary issue was making sure a nuclear weapon was not detonated in the United States.”

The strategy is not without risk and, until Tuesday, it seemed Cheney might be called as a prosecution witness.

Fitzgerald argues it was Cheney who revealed Plame’s job to Libby, a conversation prosecutors say Libby would remember.

Fitzgerald can also press Cheney to acknowledge writing notes about Wilson’s fact-finding trip to Niger.

If Fitzgerald can show that Plame was a key issue for Cheney, it could undercut Libby’s argument that the matter simply slipped his mind.

Sitting presidents, including Clinton and Ford, have testified in criminal cases, but presidential historians and separation-ofpowers experts said they knew of no vice president who has done so.

“WE’VE COOPERATED FULLY IN THIS MATTER AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN FAIRNESS TO THE PARTIES INVOLVED.” Lea Anne McBride Spokeswoman for the Vice President

“We’ve cooperated fully in this matter and will continue to do so in fairness to the parties involved,” said Lea Anne McBride, a spokeswoman for the vice president. “As we’ve stated previously, we’re not going to comment further on a legal proceeding.”

Libby’s attorneys would not say whether they expect Cheney to testify in the courtroom or offer videotaped testimony to avoid infringing on the separation of powers.

The trial could offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Bush administration’s march to war and U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said he planned to ask potential jurors whether their feelings on the administration’s policies would interfere with their ability to serve.

Cheney and Libby got to know each other when Cheney was defense secretary under the first President Bush. Libby has been extremely loyal to Cheney and, in return, had the vice president’s unwavering trust.

By 2000, Libby was working as a top adviser to Cheney in the presidential campaign and then followed him to the White House. In the White House, he was known as “Cheney’s Cheney” for being as trusted a problem solver for the vice president as Cheney was for Bush.

U.S. envoy wants some action taken at North Korea nuclear negotiations

BY BO-MI LIM Associated Press Writer

BEIJING — The top U.S. envoy urged delegates at the North Korean nuclear talks Wednesday to start hashing out details of a disarmament deal, warning the latest round of negotiations could end with no real progress.

China’s foreign minister echoed the called, urging all sides to live up to promises made in a September 2005 agreement for North Korea to disarm in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees. The sixnation talks started Monday after Pyongyang ended a 13-month boycott during which it tested its first nuclear bomb.

“The urgent thing is to make some plans to enact the joint statement and to realize all

the commitments every party made,” Li Zhaoxing said, according to a ministry statement. “We should make concerted efforts to overcome all differences in order for the talks to move forward and reach practical results.”

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said delegates should start working on a draft agreement if they hope to make any progress.

“If we are going to get to the end of the week and have something tangible, I think we probably need to be working at something on paper in the very near future,” he told reporters shortly before Wednesday’s meeting started.

“At this point I don’t want to say I am pessimistic or optimistic,” he said. “I just don’t know where we are going to end up.”

13

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

NOW OPEN CLASSES AVAILABLE FREE CROCHET & KNITTING

2112 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica CA 90403

(310) 453-2130 FREE PARKING BEHIND BUILDING

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!

PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE PATTERN WITH ANY PURCHASE Go to www.compattoyarnsalon.com for more information

or call (310) 453-2130 HOURS: Tue-Fri 11am-7pm Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm

Closed Mondays

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

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

nt e R E FRE s h t n k c 2 Mo o L E + FRE ails t e d r Call fo OPEN 7 DAYS Calll About E Truck FREE Rentall Plan SELF STORAGE MEMBER

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

14

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

TheHyundaiChallenge.com

ADVERTISEMENT

“In Santa Monica on Santa Monica” LAcarGUY.com

1100 Santa Monica Blvd (866)309-6705

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Render courtesy of Pugh + Scarpa An artist’s rendering of the proposed 46-unit affordable housing project on Fifth Street that will be built by Step Up on Second and Community of Friends, thanks in part to a $230,000 grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

Housing project expected to add 46 affordable units STEP UP, from page 1

Friends, which has partnered with Step Up before on a similar project. “We are very excited about this project.”

Gallo said city staff is currently reviewing plans for the project, which was designed by the local architecture firm Pugh + Scarpa, and she is hoping construction will begin by the end of February or March 2007, with an opening date of June 2008.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $16 million, according to Gallo.

In all, the FHL Bank awarded $10.3 million to mostly non-profit developers in Los Angeles, Canoga Park, Lancaster, Long Beach, Pasadena, San Fernando, Sylmar and Wilmington. The money will help build a total of 1,300 units in Los Angeles County.

“Our affordable housing program helps to ensure that families and individuals of all

income levels have access to affordable housing,” said Dean Schultz, president and chief executive officer of the bank. “The AHP program creates public-private partnerships that produce affordable housing and help strengthen communities.”

The bank gives away 10 percent of its income each year to developers of affordable housing, with most of the money going towards projects that help those making less than 80 percent of the median income for their city.

In Santa Monica that includes any person making around $38,800 a year, according to figures provided by the Santa Monica Housing and Redevelopment Division. kevinh@smdp.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK? ■ Write a letter to the editor at editor@smdp.com

Discount rates

WITHOUT DISCOUNT SERVICE. It’s no accident more people trust State Farm to insure their cars. Call today.

Providing g Insurancee and d Financiall Services State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Not in NJ), Bloomington, IL

David B. Rosenberg, Agent Insurance Lic. #:0618319 1220 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401 Bus: 310-458-3400

P040034 12/04

15

Local 16

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Days and confused DARK DESCENT, from page 1

ly, she said. Less sunlight and colder temperatures mean people will stay home more frequently, especially if they’re elderly. Being stuck at home and losing contact with the outside world can lead to depression.

“We are social creatures,” Shore said. “When we have less and less contact with other human beings, many of us start to get depressed.”

Sunshine itself symbolizes hope. When people wake up in the morning and see the bright sun shining outside, they adopt a positive attitude and feel rejuvenated, said Shore.

When that sun disappears, people lose their sense of hope.

Shore sees an influx of patients starting in September after Labor Day. Many of the patients begin feeling depressed because the day after Labor Day marks the end of summer “play time” for many adults.

“I do tend to see a few more, even in December,” Shore said. “Around the holidays, it slows down, and then in January, I often see more people start calling again.”

Hannah Hierney of the Pacific Palisades occasionally sees her mood darken somewhat around the winter, but does not consider herself to be depressed. Hierney, a fan of sleeping in late, sees the shorter days as less time to be productive.

“I feel there is more I could do if it’s lighter outside,” Hierney said on Wednesday, while having lunch with her mother on the Third Street Promenade.

For those who have lived further north, the shorter days in California are viewed as a blessing. So is the weather.

When May lived in Maine, the sun would set around 3 or 4 p.m. He said the rate of depression is high in Maine, where the days are not only shorter, but it’s also colder. May recalls

Alleged shooter gets busted SHOOTER, from page 1

In Anchorage, where Rubinstein is a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist, the sun will rise around 10:30 a.m. and set around 3 p.m. during the worst parts of the winter. Anchorage is located in the south central region of Alaska.

Rubinstein said he does not see more patients come in this time of year because of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In fact, most Alaskans are used to darkness.

“The season already intensifies what’s already present,” Rubinstein said. “Most depression is based on what we experienced in life.”

month, according to police.

Gil Salazar Verastegui, 22, ■ Anyone having information was arraigned Monday at the regarding the shooting is encourAirport Courthouse in Los aged to contact the Angeles and is being held robbery/homocide unit of the without bail at the men’s SMPD at (310) 458-8451 or the Central Jail in downtown LA. watch commander’s office at (310) Verastegui’s next court 458-8427. Callers who wish to appearance will be on Jan. 8, provide anonymous information said a spokesperson for the may also call the We-Tip national Los Angeles County District hotline at (800) 78-CRIME Attorney’s office.

(27463). Callers with information Santa Monica Police that leads to an arrest and convicOfficers arrested Verastegui tion become eligible for a reward on Dec. 14, said SMPD Lt. up to $1,000, Padilla said.

Alex Padilla.

“Our detectives, through their interviews with witnesses, were able to identify the suspect and, armed with a description, our officers were able to identify him while he was walking on the street,” Padilla said.

The shooting occurred around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, in the 1900 block of 17th Street.

Officers responded to the area after receiving calls of shots fired. When officers arrived, they were unable to locate any victims, but spoke with several witnesses, Padilla said.

While conducting an investigation, officers were able to identify and make contact with the victim, who said she was driving in an alley when she noticed another car stopped ahead of her. That’s when the shooter jumped out of the car and began firing, the victim told police.

After unloading an unknown number of shots, the suspect then ran back to his car and fled, the victim said.

melodyh@smdp.com

kevinh@smdp.com

his time as a student at Bates College in Maine, when he would wake up to darkness, sit in classes all day and leave school after the sun set.

But the experience in Maine is nothing compared to that in Alaska, where residents who live in some parts of the state have not seen sunlight since last month, and will probably not see any again until May, said Noah Rubinstein.

“THE SEASON ALREADY INTENSIFIES WHAT’S ALREADY PRESENT.” Noah Rubinstein Mental Health Counselor, Anchorage, Alaska

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.

Local Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

17

Doing business downtown can be risky COMMERCIAL RENTS, from page 3

than in other parts of Los Angeles County.

In fact, Santa Monica is considered the most expensive, as well as most desirable, commercial market in West Los Angeles, according to the Grubb & Ellis Company in its 2007 real estate forecast, which was presented during the Westside Economic Summit last month at the RAND Corporation headquarters.

The asking rates for commercial rent increases by about 20 percent every year, the study found. Commercial rental rates in the city average around $4.34 per square foot.

But despite the exorbitant rates, property owners appear to have little trouble finding a tenant to fill an empty space.

The study found that the vacancy rate in Santa Monica is at a low 6.6 percent.

The commercial real estate market in Santa Monica is strong because the demand is so high,” Lynch said.

“It’s a desirable place to do business,” said Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Lynch on Wednesday.

“It’s location, location, location.”

An establishment can go out of business for reasons other than high rent, Lynch said, especially since a business’ biggest expense is usually personnel and salaries, not rent.

“The business might not be functioning as well as investors had intended ... or a change in the market,” Lynch said.

O’ MY GOODNESS

High rent is what could be driving shoe store O’ My Sole out of its space on the corner of Broadway and Second Street. When the shoe store was located on the Third Street Promenade, it raked in profits of about $200,000 a month.

That figure dropped to $50,000 a month when it moved to 131 Broadway about a year ago, according to a sales associate who preferred to remain anonymous.

Over on Fourth Street, parents who frequent Bright Child say they’re sad to see it go.

“The teachers are phenomenal,” said Dana Goodman of the Pacific Palisades. “[Bright Child] encompasses all ages. I haven’t found facilities in Santa Monica that meet that age.”

Bratton locked and loaded CHIEF RAISE, from page 3

Boston and New York City.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he concurred with the

Fabian Lewkowicz fabianl@smdp.com

DIM DAYS: A parent checks her child into Bright Child on Tuesday. A number of businesses are being forced elsewhere due to rent hikes.

Some parents don’t have an idea of where to go after Bright Child closes. Dedee Pfeiffer, of Brentwood, brings her 4-year-old son to Bright Child every Wednesday, called “Wild Wednesday.”

“My son is devastated that this class will no longer be here,” Pfeiffer said.

However, not everyone is sad to bid farewell to Bright Child. Goldi Goel, of the Pacific Palisades, has brought her

two children on occasion, but said she finds the place to be dirty and too chaotic.

“It’s not affecting me that much,” Goel said.

commission’s determination.

“I believe Bill Bratton is the finest police chief in America, and the results prove it,” Villaraigosa said.

Observers said the statements of confidence come at an important time for the chief. Bratton’s first five-year term as chief ends in October and, if he applies for a sec-

ond five-year term as expected by March, the commission would have to decide whether his performance justifies an extension.

“I am very gratified by the Police Commission’s evaluation and strong endorsement of my leadership of the LAPD,” the chief said in a statement.

melodyh@smdp.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK? ■ Write a letter to the editor at editor@smdp.com

Business 18

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Payoffs, not layoffs, for Apparel staff

BY ANDREW GLAZER Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — The mostly foreign-born workers at American Apparel’s downtown garment factory, the nation’s largest, have enjoyed benefits that would make austere executives grab their wallets: A health plan. Free English classes.

Back rubs from a masseuse and stretching breaks.

But with Tuesday’s announced sale of the T-shirt maker to a publicly traded company came news not of slashes to staff and perks, but of yet another novel benefit: A piece of the company would be offered to American Apparel’s some 5,000 employees.

Endeavor Acquisition Corp., which said it had reached a $244 million deal to acquire privately held American Apparel Inc. and trade it on the stock market, plans to reserve about 2.7 million shares of their stock for employees, according to a company press release. The company also plans to distribute $2.5 million in bonuses.

It’s an unusual step in an industry that has historically squeezed an expendable and constant supply of immigrants and offered little in return.

But American Apparel is an unusual company, founded

ON THE NET ■ http://www.americanapparel.net ■ http://www.endeavoracq.com

by the unusual Dov Charney, 38, whose mission has been to keep the single largest garment factory in the U.S. “sweatshop free.” The company has expanded to 143 stores in 11 countries.

“This is an exciting time for American Apparel,” Charney said in a statement. “Acquiring the necessary financial foundation will give us the opportunity to realize our bigger dreams.”

Under the terms of the deal, Endeavor will pay Charney 32.3 million shares of restricted Endeavor stock. Endeavor will assume $110 million in American Apparel debt.

Charney will remain in charge of the clothing chain, which is as much known for its bright colored clothes as its racy advertising campaigns and socially conscious treatment of garment workers. His persona as an advocate for workers’ rights has at times been challenged by store employees who accused him of sexual harassment. Charney has denied any wrongdoing.

BUSINESS BRIEFS Soft job market expected for LA area Los Angeles-area employers expect to hire at a slow pace during the first quarter of 2007, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

From January to March, 18 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 18 percent expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower spokesperson Shane Lamb. Another 54 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels and 10 percent are not certain of their hiring plans.

“In the Los Angeles area, employers expect more hiring activity than in the fourth quarter, when 14 percent of the companies interviewed intended to increase headcount, and 25 percent planned to decrease it,” said Lamb.

For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction, transportation/public utilities and services.

Employers in whole/retail trade plan to reduce staffing levels, while those in durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, finance/insurance/real estate and education voice mixed hiring intentions. Hiring in public administration is expected to remain unchanged.

DP

Re-evaluating careers and futures With the new year upon us, millions of people examine what is important in their lives and set about making fresh starts and amends. Sometimes these evaluations are about relationships or personal habits, but thousands of people also tend to re-evaluate their careers and futures.

For many workers, taking the plunge into owning their own business seems like an unattainable goal, but franchising has made it easier than ever to make this dream a reality. Currently, franchising spans 75 different industries provides 18 million American jobs and generates an overall economic output of $1.53 trillion, according to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the International Franchise Association.

A study by FranData recently found that all industries, with the exception of travel, are experiencing an increase in the number of franchise concepts, ranging from 4 percent in personnel services to 67 percent in retail food.

New concepts are being added with increasing frequency.

Over the past three years, almost 900 concepts began franchising.

With thousands of possible businesses to go into, how do you pick one? How do you know if the business you choose is a good investment? How do you know if the concept is the right fit for you and your market? Essentially, where do you start?

Los Angeles-based FranNet owner, Neil McMillan, works with would-be entrepreneurs to help them find the franchise that meets their needs, goals and personality.

McMillan identified some of the hot franchising trends and concepts for 2007 in Los Angeles to help local entrepreneurs in their search for the perfect business.

HOT TRENDS • Baby Boomers and Franchising: It’s growing increasingly more common for this generation to opt for the working rather than retirement route. According to HRMS.net, while 76 percent of boomers intend to keep working and earning in retirement, on average they expect to “retire” from their current jobs/careers at around 64 and launch into an entirely new job or career.

• Buying out from distressed industries: Distressed industries like automotive and airlines offer “buyout” packages and employees are able to seize the opportunity to transition it into their own business by using the funds from the buyout to finance all or a portion of their franchise.

• The “Semi-Absentee” Owner: Running a franchise as a business on the side is becoming very popular. With the use of technology like online real-time tracking of store activity, absentee owners are able to have a business that doesn’t tie them down.

• Female Business Owners: Nationwide, female entrepreneurs have found increasing fortunes. The Center for Women’s Business Research estimates that between 1997 and 2004, women-owned firms with no employees grew at 18 percent, twice the rate of all non-employer firms.

With more than 767,483 operating in America, there is something for everyone looking to go into business for themselves.

For more information, contact Neil McMillan at (805) 267-1230 or visit www.frannet.com.

DP

SportsSurf Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

19

NFL

Chargers, Bears will make presence known at Pro Bowl

BY DAVE GOLDBERG AP Football Writer

NEW YORK — The San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears lead the NFL in wins — and Pro Bowlers.

The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad Tuesday and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback — Dallas’ Tony Romo — who wasn’t a starter when the season began.

San Diego’s contingent includes recordsetting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees. The former Chargers quarterback signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the offseason and will start for the NFC. Also among the players representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year’s defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test.

“I’m very proud of our team and players,” said general manager A.J. Smith of the Chargers, who like the Bears are 12-2. “We have a special group of players. These individuals are being recognized, but this is also a positive reflection on their teammates and the overall strength and depth of the entire roster.”

Tomlinson is the biggest star of the bunch, having set the single-season records for touchdowns and scoring with two games remaining.

The game will be played in Honolulu on Feb. 10.

Chicago’s representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams.

Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense and three are on special teams — kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Hester, who has shattered records with six returns for touchdowns on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field goal.

Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on

offense.

The NFC team also includes the Barber twins — running back Tiki of the New York Giants and Ronde of Tampa Bay. The first twins to make it together, they now become the second set of brothers to make the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons — Shannon and Sterling Sharpe from 1993-95 are the others.

“With this being my final season in the NFL and the final time my brother Ronde and I will be teammates, the honor carries even more significance than in previous years,” said Tiki Barber, who described himself as “emotional and ecstatic.”

In a year of outstanding rookies, Hester is the only one to make it, although Tennessee quarterback Vince Young is an alternate.

And Romo is almost a rookie. Until this season, he hadn’t thrown a pass in three seasons with Dallas, mostly as a third-stringer.

But he is 6-2 as a starter since taking over from Drew Bledsoe at halftime of a loss to the Giants, leading the team to a playoff berth and control of the NFC East. When his potential selection to the Pro Bowl came up after his fourth start, coach Bill Parcells called it “ludicrous.”

Like Kreutz, Urlacher and the Barbers, many of the Pro Bowlers are perennials although Ray Lewis of the Ravens didn’t make it — beaten out at inside linebacker on the AFC roster by Al Wilson of Denver and Zach Thomas of Miami.

One non-perennial is Reggie Wayne of the Colts, one of the league’s best receivers for the past few years but always in the shadow of Marvin Harrison and never before a Pro Bowler.

“I really didn’t think he would make it, not that he didn’t deserve it,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said. “But it’s a tough perception to overcome — that your No. 2 receiver is better than 28 other receivers in the league.”

Harrison also made it, although he is a backup to the two Johnsons who will start at wide receiver — Chad of Cincinnati and Andre of Houston.

CYCLING

Reigning world road race titlist will suit up for Tour of California

By The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Paolo Bettini of Italy, the reigning road race world titlist and 2004 Olympic road race gold medalist, will compete in the United States for the first time next February in the Tour of California.

Bettini, 32, who rides for the Belgian squad Quick Step-Innergetic, made the announcement during his team’s recent 2007 season presentation in Belgium. His participation is expected to give the fledgling California road race its biggest marquee name.

Floyd Landis of Murrieta, who won the inaugural Tour of California last year before going on to win the Tour de France, is not expected to compete. Landis is recovering from hip surgery and is awaiting the hearing of his positive Tour de France drug test.

Bettini, an 11-year professional, is among cycling’s most popular athletes. He’s nicknamed “Il Grillo,” or “The Cricket,” for his

aggressive solo riding and sprinting styles.

Bettini said he will begin his 2007 season in Italy on Feb. 10, then travel to the United States to prepare for the Tour of California, which begins Feb. 18 in San Francisco.

The race consists of 16 teams of eight riders each that will progress approximately 650 miles through stages in 12 cities. The event will conclude Feb. 25 in Long Beach.

Despite more than a dozen World Cup titles and stage wins in the Tour de France, Tour of Italy and Tour of Spain, Bettini has competed only once in North America, placing fourth in the 2003 World Championship in Hamilton, Ontario.

Bettini won his first world title last September in Salzburg, Austria. A few days later, he nearly retired after his brother Sauro was killed in a car accident. But Bettini remained in the sport and went on to claim an emotional victory in the Tour of Lombardy toward the end of the season, a triumph he dedicated to his deceased brother.

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 60°

SWELL FORECAST ( 3-4 FT ) We're expecting a light combo of NW and SW swell. The NW will be dominant from a high riding system that was in the Gulf, and the SW from a small system that spun up near New Zealand last week. West facing breaks can expect some 14+ second period, chest high surf from 300 degrees while south facing breaks pull in some waist high stuff from 215 with 14+ second periods.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS NW FRIDAY...

TIDE FORECAST

TIDE

FORECASTS NOT AVAILABLE

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

Horoscopes 20

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Easy does it, Leo

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)

★★★ Your own insights could foil a project at the last moment. Frustration and a need to regroup come forward. Be willing to call a mistake a mistake. Assuming responsibility will allow others to work better with you. Tonight: Out late.

★★★★★ Speak your mind in the morning, but it might be wise to clam up in the p.m. Keeping your own counsel will prevent you from getting locked into a negative situation. Recognize that you have only so much energy and time. Tonight: At home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

★★★★ Surprises come from out of left field. You might not be able to stop what is occurring, but you certainly can work with it. You might need to pull back rather than get involved with reactions — yours as well as others’. Tonight: Put on some favorite holiday music.

★★★★ Before you do anything, please make sure you know what you are spending and when and where. You might want to initiate talks before a problem ensues. Communication can and will flourish. Don’t take any risks right now. Tonight: Hang out or run last-minute errands.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

★★★★ Someone you look up to could do an about-face, leaving you in shock, if nothing else. Be aware of what might be going on with this person. Discuss this issue with someone whose judgment you trust. Together you make quite a team. Tonight: Dinner for two.

★★★ Tally up costs before the problem, not afterward. Ultimately, you will be able to get past any hassles if you follow these procedures. Tap into your imagination. Your ideas flow as they rarely have before. Tonight: Finish up any errands or shopping.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

★★ Slow your pace and listen more to what others are saying, whether it is the grocer or your boss. With perspective, you might understand some of the recent uproar. Trust a friend to tell you what is going on. Tonight: Sort through invitations.

★★★★★ You are in your element. Though someone might provoke your anger, you don’t need to say anything. Could you be slightly reactive? Process things first before saying anything. The day might get older, but you get more vigorous. Tonight: Wish-upon-a-star time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

★★★★★ Your imagination and creativity unfurl. Others aren’t able to stay away from the magical Lion. Still, certain errands or other such to-dos demand your attention. Put your energy where it counts. Tonight: Easy does it.

★★ If you feel uneasy about a party, friend or spending, step back. Before you find yourself upset, disengage. Consider the most positive interpretation of what is happening. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Tonight: Spruce up the pad.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★ Personal matters might dominate more than you would like. By the afternoon, with some creativity and imagination, you can unlock from what appears as a routine. Pressure builds if you don’t have an outlet. Tonight: Very spunky, aren’t we?

★★★★★ Speak your mind, but choose your words with care. Your tone also might have something to do with a strong reaction you get. Remember what you want and expect. A meeting or gettogether provides much fun and good will. Tonight: Where people are.

a

Born Today

Happy Birthday!

Soviet leader Josef Stalin (1879)

This birthday year, consciously work on approaching life from a different perspective. The key to your success is to keep in mind that you are in the last year of an 11-year cycle. As a result, there might be some completion and other matters that need tending to. You want to begin your new 11-year cycle next year at this time with excess baggage tossed away.

If you are single, be extremely discriminating with whom you hook up. This person might not be what you believe or think.

If you are attached, frequent timeouts together will build the relationship. CAPRICORN understands you well.

British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804) Actress Jane Fonda (1937) 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 21, 2006

Imagine that The FBI has released its final surveillance documents on JOHN LENNON to a university historian who has waged a 25-year legal battle to obtain the secret files.

The 10 pages contain new details about Lennon’s ties to leftist and anti-war groups in London in the early 1970s, but nothing indicating government officials considered the former Beatle a serious threat, historian Jon Wiener told the

Los Angeles Times in Wednesday’s editions.

The FBI had unsuccessfully argued that an unnamed foreign government secretly provided the information, and releasing the documents could lead to diplomatic, political or economic retaliation against the United States.

The newly released documents include a surveillance report stating that two prominent British leftists had courted Lennon in

FBI files kept on Lennon show singer was no threat

hopes that he would finance “a left-wing bookshop and reading room in London” but that Lennon gave them no money.

Another page states that there was “no certain proof” that Lennon had provided money “for subversive purposes.”

“I doubt that Tony Blair’s government will launch a military strike on the U.S. in retaliation for the release of these documents,” Wiener told the newspaper. “Today,

‘Whiter Shade’ organist gets his due ed by according him a 40 percent share of the musical copyright,” the written judgment said. “His contribution to the overall work was on any view substantial but not, in my judgment, as substantial as that of Mr. Brooker.”

The judge said the song’s organ solo “is a distinctive and significant contribution to the overall composition and quite obviously the product of skill and labor on the part of the person who created it.”

The judge said Fisher, 60, was entitled to royalties from May 2005, when he began court proceedings.

“A Whiter Shade of Pale,” famous for its cryptic lyrics, “We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor” topped the British charts for five weeks in 1967 and was a Top 5 hit in the U.S. Rolling Stone magazine has ranked it 57th in a list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Brooker says he and Reid wrote the song before Fisher joined the band in March 1967. It was released in May. Fisher, now a computer programmer living in south London, left the band in 1969. Brooker, 61, still tours with Procol Harum.

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

we can see that the national security claims that the FBI has been making for 25 years were absurd from the beginning.”

Wiener first requested the documents in 1981, several months after he decided to write a book about Lennon following the singer’s murder. He initially obtained some documents, but the FBI withheld numerous files, saying they contained national security information and were

exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Wiener sued the government and received a number of files in 1997 as part of a settlement with the FBI. Justice Department lawyers continued to withhold the final 10 pages until a federal judge in 2004 ordered their release.

The previously released files showed that the FBI closely monitored Lennon from 1971 to 1972.

In a statement, Brooker and Reid said Fisher’s court victory created a dangerous precedent because it meant any musician who had played on any recording in the past 40 years could claim joint authorship.

“It is effectively open season on the songwriter,” they said. “It will mean that unless all musicians’ parts are written for them, no publisher or songwriter will be able to risk making a recording for fear of a possible claim of songwriting credit.”

They intend to file an appeal.

Thursday It’s a Wonderful Life 7:30

Friday White Christmas 7:30

AMC LOEWS BROADWAY 4 1441 3rd Street (310) 458-6232 Babel (R) 1:10, 4:10, 7:15, 10:20

The Departed (R) 12:30, 4:00, 7:30, 10:45

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Good German (R)

LOSE THEMSELVES

A judge awarded a 40 percent share in the copyright of “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” one of the most famous pop songs of all time, to a former organist for Procol Harum.

Lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid always claimed credit for the hit, which became part of the soundtrack for the hippy “summer of love” of 1967.

But in his ruling, the judge decided that organist Matthew Fisher was entitled to both credit and royalties.

“I have come to the view that Mr. Fisher’s interest in the work should be reflect-

21

Rap megastar EMINEM and his high school sweetheart divorced for a second time Tuesday, less than a year after they remarried.

Eminem and Kim Mathers agreed to divide property under terms of a private settlement and to share custody of their 10-yearold daughter, Hailie Jade Scott. They told a judge they understood the divorce was final.

The couple “conducted themselves with dignity and respect,” Circuit Judge Antonio P. Viviano said. “All in all, they are a very fine couple to deal with.”

AP

12:00, 1:30, 2:30, 4:15, 5:00, 7:00, 7:45, 9:45, 10:30

AMC 7 SANTA MONICA 1310 3rd Street (310) 289-4262 Apocalypto (R) 1:10, 4:20, 7:30, 10:35

Blood Diamond (R) 12:50, 4:10, 7:20, 10:30

Deja Vu (PG-13) 1:50, 5:00, 7:50, 10:40

The Holiday (PG-13) 1:40, 4:40, 7:40, 10:45

The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13) 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:20, 7:00, 8:10, 9:50, 10:50

Unaccompanied Minors (PG) 2:10, 4:50, 7:10, 9:30

LANDMARK NUWILSHIRE 1314 Wilshire Blvd (310) 281-8228

AP

Bobby (R) 1:00, 4:05, 7:10, 9:55

Shut Up & Sing (R) 1:15, 7:00

Stranger Than Fiction (PG-13) 4:15, 9:45

LAEMMLE’S MONICA FOURPLEX 1332 2nd Street (310) 394-9741 Breaking and Entering (R) 1:10, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50

The History Boys (R) 1:30, 4:15, 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) 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 10:00

Casino Royale (PG-13) 12:30, 4:00, 7:20, 10:30

Charlotte's Web (G) 11:30am, 2:00, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40

Eragon (PG) 11:00am, 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20

Eragon (PG) 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20

Happy Feet (PG) 11:10am, 1:40, 4:10, 7:00, 9:30

More information email news@smdp.com

Comics & Stuff 22

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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 21, 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

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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

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.

Miscellaneous

Employment

Employment

Help Wanted

Travel

For Rent

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.

FORMAL WAITER Santa Monica location, Tue-Fri 10a-4p, Sat.-Sun 8a-4p. $8.34/hr. Greet diners/present. Menu/suggest courses, wines. Enter meal into computer, explain diner requests to chef. Ensure order correct/serve diners form chafing dish/carve meats, fish/foul. Prepare special beverages & suggest, decorate & serve desserts. Total bill & accept pymt. Supervise busboy. HS Deg./ 6 Mos Exp. In formal rest. Good conversational skills/mulit-lingual preferred. Emplyr trains. Santa Monica location. All applicants ref: AJB Job Order # to Attn: 05124-9157 TRO2-RW, 700 N Pearl St., Ste. 510, Dallas, TX 75201, Fax 214-237-9116

OFFICE COORDINATOR Salary: $45k - $50K w/ Benefits!

College degree preferred, 5+ years experience in administrative assignments.

Work independently, highly developed organizational/problem-solving skills, multi-task in faced paced environment, excellent communication skills. Detail oriented essential.

Bookkeeping a plus!

Send resume to: candidateseek@yahoo.com or by fax 310-564-0408.

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

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

SANTA MONICA $1213/mo 1brm/1bathCharming/private, patio, mini blinds, a short walk to cafes. (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com

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

BATH ROBES availlable for Christmas presents Terry cloth, microfleece and velour . Starting at $40. (310)394-1533.

Employment CASHIER FOR busy retail business in Culver City with some weekend work. $12.50/hr.

Fax resume to (310)204-4309 CASHIER WANTED, full-time, benefits, SM. Fax resume to 310.450.6401. andPharmacy compounding tech., part-time, experience preferred. Fax resume to 310.450.6401.

College radio music (310)998-8305 xt.85

promoter

C O O P P O RT U N I T Y- N AT U R A L GROCER-GROC. Asst., other positions, too! Apply at 1525 Broadway.

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.

Customer Service/Full Time- starting up to $12.00 per hour. 22 year old telephone services company in WLA with free secure parking. Experience preferred but will train. Good language skills and reliability a must.

Call 310-281-3079 for recorded details.

IMMEDIATE POSITIONS available in the environmental service department of St. John’s Health Center. Looking for housekeeper/floor tech. PT/FT. Hospital experience preferred. Call (310) 829-8431 for interview IMMEDIATE POSITIONS open in the housekeeping department/transporters of Century City Doctors Hospital. All shifts available, PT/FT. Hospital housekeeping preferred. Call (310) 557-7194 for interview.

Salesperson needed for dental services and promotion. Aggressive commission plus $15/hour. Local sales in Venice Beach. Call Dr. King at 310-391-0699.

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

VITAMIN STORE High volume vitamin shop seeking sales person/assistant manager.

Good pay, Commission and benefits.

Experience only need apply. Fax resume to (310)396-4417 e-mail geosalem@yahoo.com or mail to p.o. box 5432 Santa Monica 90409.

Mail.

50

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

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) 3 ____________________ 2____________________ ____________________

1

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

6 ____________________ 5____________________ ____________________

4

Call.

9 ____________________ 8____________________ ____________________

7

12 ____________________ 11 ____________________ ____________________

10

15 ____________________ 14 ____________________ ____________________

/

/

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

| 20

Check #:

Call us with questions

Make checks payable: Santa Monica Daily Press

(310)

458-7737

NO CASH PLEASE Signature:

Visit us online at smdp.com

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

Prepay your ad today!

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

Auto Donations 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.

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737 DONATE YOUR car to the Original 1-800-Charity Cars! FAIR MARKET VALUE DEDUCTION if we provide your vehicle to a struggling family. Call 1-800-CHARITY (1-800-242-7489) www.800CharityCars.ORG 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

Pets CAT SITTER I will watch your cat, water your plants, and take in your mail while you are away. Call Kirsten. References available (310)729-7258

Classes

PREPAY YOUR AD TODAY!

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

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

Call Annie Kotok!

(310) 458-7737 Ext. 114

13

Requested Start Date:

For Sale

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737

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

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

(310)

458-7737

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.

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

For Rent $1695/mo Santa Monica, 2bdrm/1bath.

Upper. Parking, high ceilings, laundry-on-site, quiet. No pets. Close to Water Gardens. Available Jan. 1.

(310)500-5808 501 N. Venice. Unit 12, single, stove, fridge, carpet, blinds, utilities included, laundry, parking, no pets. $975/mo.

(310)574-6767 www.jkwproperties.com

BEAUTIFUL

MONTANA GARDENS

Room and Board 401 Montana Avenue

Your home away from home.

Daily meals, laundry, housekeeping, utilities, and cable. 1 Bdrm, 1 Bath + Full Kitchen. Seniors and all ages welcome.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

$2,500/MO

(310) 245-9436 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 MAR VISTA 11924 Courtleigh Dr. unit 9, stove, fridge, carpets, blinds utilities included, parking, no pets,$995/mo (310)737-7933 www.jkwproperties.com MAR VISTA 12450 Culver Blvd. Unit 211 1bdrm/1bath, gated parking, intercom entry, stove, fridge, utilities included, laundry, parking, no pets. $1075/mo (888)414-7778 www.jkwproperties.com 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 PALMS/BVRLYWD-ADJ.$725. Bachelor, Stove, refrigerator, utilities paid, NO PETS, 2009 Preuss Rd., #1. Los Angeles, 90034. Open daily for viewing. Additional info in unit.

SANTA MONICA $1175/mo 1 bdrm/1Bath, quiet, large unit, walk-in-closet, cozy kitchen, community courtyard, (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com

ADVERTISE! CALL US (310) 458-7737

SANTA MONICA $1500/mo 2bdrms/1bath, Carpet Floors, Garage parking, laundry on site, AVAILABLE NOW!!!, (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1050/mo bachelor/1bath, North of Montana, Hardwood Floors, quiet neighborhood, refrigerator, balcony. (310)395-RENT. www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1275/mo 2bdrms/1bath, hardwood floors, dishwasher, yard, beautiful hardwood cabinets in kitchen (310)395-RENT 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 $1400/mo 2 bdrms/1bath, hardwood floors, yard, ceramic tile floors in kitchen/bath ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $1650/mo 2 bdrms/2baths, Carpet Floors, pool, spacious, bright unit, gated entry/parking ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $2300/mo 3bdrms/2baths, Will consider pet with deposit, Carpet/Hardwood Floors, Carport parking, (310)395-RENT. www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $2395/mo 3bdrms/1.75baths. No pets, New Carpets, Parking, laundry-on-site, stove, dishwasher, fireplace (310)395-RENT www.westsiderentals.com SANTA MONICA $795/mo Studio/1bath, New Carpets, quiet neighborhood, refrigerator, stove, electric heater ( 3 1 0 ) 3 9 5 - R E N T 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 WLA: 2BDRM/1BATH. $1500/mo. Great location, new carpet, tile, clean, quiet, parking, patio. Brenda (310) 991-2694.

Apartment Wanted Fantastic 26 year old female looking for a guesthouse/ 1 bedroom/ studio with lots of light and great neighbors.

Great references. Positive Influence.

(805)455-1115.

Ideal Tenant. Filmmaker/writer female seeks West Side guest house. I am clean, quiet, responsible, and working.

Call if you have a clean place in a quiet neighborhood!

Great references.

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

Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

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

Prepay your ad today!

CALL TODAY FOR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES!

(310)

458-7737

Apartment Wanted (310)717-6086

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

323-650-7988 M-F 9-5

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US

Real Estate

PAC

WEST MORTGAGE 2212 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica

1-888-FOR-LOAN

310 392-9223 VERY AGGRESSIVE

TODAY AT RATES (310) 458-7737 TIME FOR A 30 Commercial Lease

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

Parking available. PAR Commercial (310)395-2663 SUNSET PARK 2 professional, commercial spaces, creative environment, ground floor, approx. 1050 sq. ft. Second floor, approx 850 sq ft.

(310)450-9840

YEAR FIXED?

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

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

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

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

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

Notices

Notices

$5,000 WEEKLY! Extremely Easy Work From Home! Weekly Paychecks! No Experience Necessary! Start Earning Today.

Register Now! www.GreatCashJobs.com

BERGER INC., also known as BERGER PLUMBING and located at 1548 Sixteenth St., Santa Monica, County of Los Anglees, State of California, 90404.

The Bulk Transfer will be con-summated on or after the 10th day of January, 2007 at the Law Office of William A. Francis, 1841 Flower St., Glendale, CA 91201.

All claims must be received by William A. Francis, 1841 Flower St., Glendale, CA 91201 on or before January 9, 2007 pursuant to Commercial Code Section 6106.2 So far as known to the Transferee, all business names and addresses used by the Transferor for the three years last past is as set forth above Dated: December 14, 2006 H. L. MOE CO., INC., By: Michael C. Davis, President Santa Monica Daily Press CN767226 Dec 21, 2006

and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SHIRLEY JOCELYN TORGERSON A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Tom Prentice in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PRO-BATE requests that Tom Prentice be appointed as personal repre-sentative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administra-tion of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representa-tive to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important ac-tions, however, the personal repre-sentative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on Feb. 16, 2007 at 9:15 AM in Dept. No. F located at 1725 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.

IF YOU OBJECT to the grant-ing of the petition, you should ap-pear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing.

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a per-son interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and ap-praisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

held on 02/14/07 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code Section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner TIMOTHY D. TAKATA, ESQ. 19191 S. VERMONT AVE., #530 TORRANCE, CA 90502 12/21, 12/22, 12/28/06 CNS-1063749# SANTA MONICA DAILY PRESS

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 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 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

Financial $$CASH$$ IMMEDIATE Cash for Structured Settlements, Annuities, Lawsuits, Inheritances, Mortgage Notes & Cash Flows. J.G.Wentworth#1 1-(800)794-7310 STOP FORECLOSURE guaranteed. This is not bankruptcy. We do not buy houses.

1-800-771-4453 ext.

3550. www.house911.com

$$$ 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

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

Very Professional, Sonja (310) 397-0433.

Personals

Talk to a Model

h

24HRS.

h

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

ATM/CC/Checks by phone

www.USLove.com

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US

ROB SCHULTZ BROKER LICENSED CALIFORNIA BROKER #01218743

TODAY AT

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

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US TODAY AT (310) 458-7737

PRAYER TO St. Jude May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, loved, and glorified, preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless, pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day, and by the eight day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised. Thank you St. Jude. M.C.

Notices

(310) 458-7737

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

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

Guaranteed Paychecks! PT/FT Positions Available Today! Register Online Now! www.EasyIncomeJobs.com

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

Notices

Money to Loan

NEW CONFORMING

Classifieds

Business Opps

RATES AS LOW AS 6%

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

Real Estate

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

25

NOTICE OF BULK TRANSFER To Whom It May Concern: Notice is hereby given to the Creditors of C. HERB BERGER, INC., a California Corporation, also known as BERGER PLUMBING, Transferor(s) whose business address is 1548 Sixteenth St., Santa Monica, CA 90404, County of Los Angles, State of California, that a Bulk Transfer is about to be made to H. L. MOE CO., INC., a California Corporation, Transferee, whose business address is 614 Colorado, Glendale, CA 91204, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The property to be transferred is located at 1548 Sixteenth St., Santa Monica, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

Said property is described in general as: All stock in trade, tools, equipment, certain vehicles, good will, customers and customer lists of that plumbing business known as C. HERB

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF THELMA CUMMINGS BAIN aka THELMA C. BAIN Case No. BP102013 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of THELMA CUMMINGS BAIN aka THELMA C. BAIN A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Ron Bain in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PRO-BATE requests that Ron Bain be appointed as personal representa-tive to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administra-tion of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representa-tive to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important ac-tions, however, the personal repre-sentative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on January 16, 2007 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the grant-ing of the petition, you should ap-pear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing.

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a per-son interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and ap-praisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: CHARLES L BLEK JR ESQ SBN53178 25255 CABOT RD STE 101 LAGUNA HILLS CA 92653 Santa Monica Daily Press CN766566 17724 Dec 21,22,28, 2006

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF SHIRLEY JOCELYN TORGERSON Case No. SP007012 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors,

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

Attorney for petitioner: JOSEPH E DEERING ESQ SBN52317 DEERING WALTHER & SANDS 2530 WILSHIRE BLVD THIRD FL SANTA MONICA CA 90403-4643 Santa Monica Daily Press CN767270 TORGERSON Dec 20,21,27, 2006

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: EMIKO KATO CASE NO. BP102065 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of EMIKO KATO. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KYOKO KOBAYASHI in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KYOKO KOBAYASHI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be

Vehicles for sale

$$ CASH 4 $$ $$ MERCEDES BENZ/BMWS $$

1980-1995 Running or Not Any Questions Please Call

(310) 995-5898

’03 Audi A4 Sedan Silver, V6 3.0L, leather, Moonroof, alloy, airbags (I6038A) $22,991 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’04 Chevy Malibu $9,995 Low miles, auto, a/c, p/w, cruise & more (4M603301) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’03 Mercury Sable $8,995 Auto, 6 Cyl., P/W, P/L, Tilt, Cruise (3G608497) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE! CALL US TODAY AT

(310) 458-7737

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

26

A newspaper with issues

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

Automotive Prepay your ad today!

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

(310)

Vehicles for sale

’01 Audi A6 $18,995 Immaculate! Loaded!

Best buy around!

(1N063236) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

458-7737 Vehicles for sale

’05 Accord EX Hybrid $24,900 6 Cyl., leather, low miles (5C001873) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

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

Vehicles for sale

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

Vehicles for sale

’06 Sonata GLS $14,900!

(065025) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

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

Vehicles for sale

’05 QX56 $38,850 Low miles, Navigation, DVD, tow, Running boards, Buy Wholesale (810914) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

Hyrbids

’07 Lexus RX 400h …. $47,999 Hybrid (RXH71071) Lexus Santa Monica Pre-Owned (800) 406-7782

BOLD IT! MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT

’05 Mini Cooper $21,995 Auto, Best Buy – Come See This One! (5TG95346) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’03 Honda Accord Red, 4 Cyl, 2.4L VTEC, Stock #: I524A $13,994 Infiniti of Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’02 Infiniti QX4 Sport Utility 4D V6 3.5 Liter, Automatic, Leather Stock #: P1458 $15,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’04 Santa Fe . . .$14,900 2 to Choose-Black or Silver Low miles, still has new car warranty.

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

’02 Escape 2WD $8,900 R-Brds, Leather, CD, Pristine!

Must See! Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

’02 Honda Civic EX CPE $10,989 Auto, A/C, Moonroof, Full power package (2L016796) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’05 Mazda 3 i Sedan Champagne, 4-Cyl., 2.0 L, 5 speed, air bags, alloy wheels (P1481) $14,993 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

Your ad could run here!

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

(I6069A) $23,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’01 CLK $29,000 Silver/Charcoal, AMG sport pkg., 28K Mi, 1owner (310) 650-2694

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

SELL YOUR

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

CAR FAST! ’99 Acura Integra LS $9,995 Auto, a/c, alloys, low miles Lots more!

(XS011518) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’04 Avalon XLS $18,995 Toyota Certified!

Low miles, loaded (4U383719) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’03 BMW 3 Series 325i Sedan 6-Cyl., 2.5L, Premium pckg, leather, Moonroof, alloy wheels, air bags (P1476) $19,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’03 Audi TT Convertible Silver, 6 speed manual, 4-Cyl., 1.8L HO Turbo Stock #: P1466 $22,994 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

’05 Santa Fe 3.5L $15,850 White/Grey, CD, only 16K Mi, 2.7 V6, moonroof (950456) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

2001 Ford Escort SE 4 DR Sedan, full power, 53k miles, 26/35 MPG, Auto, AC $4500.

310.396.9621 or 310.392.9229

Hyrbids

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

LY

45

FOR ON

$

Run it until it sells!*

’05 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Sedan 4-Cyl., 1.8L Turbo, A/C, CD, Air Bags, Moonroof, Alloy (I6311A) $19,992 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 577-7253

’02 Honda Accord EX Cpe $15,900 Silver, 55K Miles, Pristine (2A017045) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’00 Grand Cherokee Ltd. $12,900 Red/Tan, 4WD, Moonroof, Pristine!

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

‘06 Lexus RX 400 … $40,995 Crystal White / Ivory, 3.3L 6 CYL, hybrid, low mileage, automatic (RXH296U) Lexus Santa Monica Pre-Owned (800) 406-7782

M SA

!

AD E PL

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

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

’04 Toyota Corolla Sedan 4-Cyl., 1.8L Turbo, Alloy wheels (I6072A) $13,992 Infiniti Santa Monica (866) 507-7253

05 Hyundai Tucson LX 4 $15,989 Leather, CD, Pristine (5U051031) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’04 Nissan Sentra $10,900 CD, 42K Miles, Very Clean Will Not Last (4L915794) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

Package includes:

’07 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid! Must see!

(GS71028) Lexus Santa Monica Pre-Owned (800) 406-7782

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

■ 20 word description.

■ FREE online placement!

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

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

’00 Toyota Corolla $9,995 30K mi, auto, a/c ACTUAL CAR NOT SHOWN (YZ325514) Toyota Santa Monica (800) 579-6047

’02 Santa Fe 4 x 4 $12,400 Low Miles, Pristine Condition (2U175332) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

’05 C230 Sport Sedan $26,900 1 Owner, Silver/Gray, Leather, Moonroof, 24K Miles. Like new!

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

’06 Town & Country $15,980 White/Grey, 7 Passenger 11K Miles, Pristine (6B704117) Hyundai Santa Monica (866) 309-6705

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

’07 Lexus RX 400h …. $45,999 Hybrid (RXH71067) Lexus Santa Monica Pre-Owned (800) 406-7782

*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.

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

Visit us online at smdp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006

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

ServiceDirectory

(310) Prepay your ad today!

Services

Attorney Services

Tree Removal

Residential & Commercial Int. & Ext.

EDWARD J. SINGER

Tree Removal Tree Trimming

Stump Grinding Landscaping Lic. And Insured

15 Years Experience

CALL

(310) 359-2859

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

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

LAW OFFICES OF A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

WORKERS COMPENSATION Practicing in

AND

Lic.# 825896 310.284.8333

IMMIGRATION

Pool and Spa

Call us today

(310) 664-9000

Plumbing

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

O’keeffee Plumbing

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.

Industrial, Commercial, Residential Repipes, New and Old Constructions, Remodels Earthquake shut-off valves, Recirculating Pumps, Sump pumps, Sewage ejectors All Water and gas related works, all service and repair work

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US

Onlyy onee calll away Austin O’keeffe (310)600-5507 St. Lic 855859

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.

Services

27

Real Estate

TODAY AT (310) 458-7737

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Handyman

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

CALL US TODAY AT (310) 458-7737

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

Roofing

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

HANDYMAN

Call Tony

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

Address: City:

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

TERMITE AND DRY ROT REPAIR ROOF REPAIR AND WATER DAMAGE

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

LIC: 0002088305-0001-4

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

6 ____________________ 5____________________ ____________________

4

Call.

9 ____________________ 8____________________ ____________________

7

12 ____________________ 11 ____________________ ____________________

10

Call Annie Kotok!

(310) 458-7737 Ext. 114

15 ____________________ 14 ____________________ ____________________

13

Requested Start Date:

STILL L SMOKING? John J. McGrail, C.Ht.

meticulouspainting.com

)

3 ____________________ 2____________________ ____________________

Therapy

METICULOUS PAINTING

Call Joe: 447-8957

Phone: (

1

(310) 458-7737

Painting/Tiling

Interior & Exterior • Free Estimates

Zip:

Ad Copy (attach copy if necessary)

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE!

Life is short — Why make it shorter

& DRYWALL

State:

Classification (Pets, Yard Sale, Etc...):

CALL US TODAY AT

WESTSIDE GUYS

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

Name:

All aspects of construction from small repairs to complete remodels

REFERRALS AVAILABLE

Mail.

$

—ALL AROUND—

www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com

/

Requested End Date:

/

Payment: ❒ Visa ❒ Mastercard ❒ AMEX ❒ Check

Email.

/

Email your ad to: anniek@smdp.com

PREPAY YOUR AD TODAY!

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

| 20

Check #:

Make checks payable: Santa Monica Daily Press

Certified Hypnotherapist (310)) 235-2883

/

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

NO CASH PLEASE

Your ad could run here!

Call us today at (310) 458-7737

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

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

A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2006

12-22-06