Santa Monica Daily Press, December 26, 2008

ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE SCOOP

COMMENTARY

LUXURY HOTEL REOPENS ITS DOORS PAGE 3 REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS FOR A NEW YEAR PAGE 5

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

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Volume 7 Issue 348

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Since 2001: A news odyssey

THE IS THE PARTY OVER? ISSUE

Common Ground steps up fundraising

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

she rescued them from her parents’ garage sale pile more than 20 years ago. Like Fitzpatrick, she keeps them in the family so she can use them again, recalling her mother’s story about craving the biscuits when she was pregnant with McBride’s older brother while living in England.

“They remind me of exotic gift boxes,” McBride said.

Growing up, McBride remembers the tins around the house, filled with teas, office supplies and crackers. Now, after the death of her mom from multiple sclerosis in 2006, they’re also filled with bittersweet thoughts each Christmas.

“I have the original three tins and a half-

LINCOLN BLVD A tough new year could await the only HIV/AIDS health services provider on the Westside.

Santa Monica-based Common Ground, a nonprofit organization that provides free HIV testing and prevention programs, was recently notified that it will lose approximately $111,250 in government contracts from the county effective in January, a midyear budget reduction that is expected to impact its prevention and care services.

Common Ground was one of 51 HIV prevention partners who will see budget cuts from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Office of AIDS Programs and Policy, which has been taking its own hit in reductions in state and federal funding since 2000.

There are 94 different providers — specializing in HIV care, treatment or prevention — that receive some sort of funding from the county, which over the past eight years has experienced a slow reduction in federal funding to support HIV prevention services, according to Mario Perez, the director of the Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.

“It’s just really an amalgamation of state and federal reduction to our pool,” Perez said.

The county issues about $60 million in contracts to the social service providers every year.

The department decided to make a 9 percent reduction for all health education and risk reduction programs effective Jan. 1, covering services that involve individual, group and community-wide education. The cuts affect 51 providers that offer HIV prevention services.

“It’s one of the more painful parts of the job as someone who strongly believes in the benefit of HIV prevention,” Perez said.

In order to make up for the difference, Common Ground has stepped up its private fundraising efforts, including creating an online video called, “Can You Spare 8 Minutes?” The video features five clients who talk about life with HIV.

SEE MEMORIES PAGE 8

SEE FUNDRAISING PAGE 8

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

WORKING TOGETHER: A group participates in a confidence building exercise at Common Ground on Lincoln Boulevard Tuesday afternoon. The nonprofit that provides HIV/AIDs services will lose over $100,000 in January because of Los Angeles County budget cuts.

Post-holiday trash can yield memories, treasures

BY LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press Writer

While regifting may be frowned upon by some, re-gift-wrapping can be a delight for many.

Every holiday season, dedicated holiday recyclers find ways to reclaim wrapping paper, containers and bows, using them again and again in later years. Those who do it say they can help save the planet, while spending less and savoring memories.

“I haven’t had anyone give me funny looks when I ask for the (gift) bag back, most people are just interested in what’s inside and never worry about the bag,” said Susan Palmquist, whose Budgetsmartgirl.com offers money-saving

tips on everything from food to hair color.

What to save, stash and revive for later use depends on your comfort level. Gift wrap with few tears, folds or dangling tape can be ironed, tissue paper with no tears can be smoothed and flattened for storage, bows can be steamed and fluffed, fabric bags gently cleaned, and ribbons pressed and rewound for use good as new.

Boxes and bags from Tiffany, Saks, Nordstrom and other high-end stores are known for durability, said enthusiasts, some of whom carry on Christmas recycling traditions that began with their parents and grandparents.

Tracey McBride has used three of her mother’s decorative English biscuit tins for gifts and Santa treats under the tree after

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Calendar 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

A newspaper with issues

Salsa the night away Isabelle’s Salsa/Tango/Pole Dance Academy 1334 Lincoln Blvd., 7:15 p.m. — 10 p.m.

Beginners and experienced salsa dancers alike are welcomed to a salsa class and social hour to mingle, practice and enjoy great music. $20 covers the class and social hour. Free drinks are included. Call (310) 392-3493 or e-mail questionsforisabellesalsa@yahoo.com.

Fire and ice The Gardens of the World 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.

The Gardens of the World is proud to present Mike Coulson’s solo photography exhibit demonstrating images of intense fire and serene ice with Coulson’s own camera manipulation technique. For more information visit www.mikecoulsonphotography.com.

HOLIDAY INVENTORY CLEARANCE Need to push that leftover holiday inventory out the door?

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Get your Pokemon on El Segundo Public Library 111 West Mariposa Ave., 12:15 p.m. — 6 p.m.

The TCG City Championships tournament provides players the opportunity to succeed at an intellectual sport and test a player’s Pokemon TCG skill, strategy and creativity. The event is free and is open to all players, regardless of previous participation in any premier events.

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa St., 7:30 p.m. — 9 p.m.

“Dancing with the Stars,” ABC’s reality-competition program, is hitting the road this winter and bringing an entirely new cast of celebrities and professional dancers. Tickets start at $49.50. Visit dancingwiththestarsontour.com, ABC.com or www.staplescenter.com for complete tour details or call (213) 742-7300.

‘Made Me Nuclear’ Santa Monica Playhouse 1211 Fourth St., 8 p.m. — 9:15 p.m.

Directed by Chris DeCarlo, Charlie Lustman’s emotional and humorous one-man about surviving cancer is told as a popmusic operetta. Visit www.mademenuclear.com or call (866) 463-3399 for tickets and information.

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.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

3

What to do when you make it past layoffs

BY MEGAN K. SCOTT Associated Press Writer

You’re supposed to be one of the lucky ones. You survived your company’s recent round of downsizing.

Then why do you feel sad, angry and scared?

Here’s how to cope when co-workers lose their jobs.

KNOW THAT YOUR FEELINGS ARE NORMAL

Since December 2007, the number of unemployed persons in the U.S. has increased by 2.7 million. Those folks surely have had a harder time of it then their coworkers still with jobs.

But those left behind may well be experiencing a normal range of emotions, from survivor’s guilt to worry about whether you could be in the next round, say career experts.

“Why were those people let go and I wasn’t?” “Could I have prevented it in any way?”

These are some of the thoughts that may keep you up at night, says Marjorie Brody, CEO of BRODY Professional Development in Jenkintown, Pa. But keep in mind those people were not let go because of you, says Brody, an executive coach. Even if you were the one who did the laying off, weaker economic conditions beyond your control probably played a big part, she says.

Michael Barr of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology says many survivors also feel betrayed by the company, especially if the company was supposedly doing well at the last staff meeting.

“If you want information, and you think you have a good enough relationship with your supervisor, ask for it,” says Barr. “There is a good possibility that she or he was blindsided as well.”

“Things change rapidly in business, so what you are hearing could be the truth — they thought things ‘were’ going well,” he adds.

SEE LAYOFFS PAGE 8

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

NEW LOOK: The Shangri-La Hotel, on Ocean Avenue, recently added furniture and fixtures to roughly 30 guest rooms.

Shangri-La reopens after two-year remodel

BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

OCEAN AVENUE The first guests to stay in the newly remodeled Hotel Shangri-La received a surprise gift from the management upon their arrival — two half-sized bottles of Piper Heidsieck champagne.

The couple from Singapore, who stayed at the iconic art deco hotel for their honeymoon, promptly returned one of the bottles with a note attached, offering their congratulations on a successful opening and asking that the bubbly be shared among the staff.

Construction on the new and improved Shangri-La is still roughly two months from completion, but there is nevertheless a sense of joviality among the employees, excited to witness the rebirth of a hotel that they believe will finally reach its full potential.

There were seven guests who stayed overnight at the reopening on Dec. 20, walking the halls of an historic hotel that closed nearly two years ago for an extensive,

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$30-million remodeling project.

But construction is still ongoing as workers try to put on the finishing touches, installing the swimming pool and hot tub, completing the restaurant and adding furniture and fixtures to roughly 30 guest rooms.

When it’s all done, the new Shangri-La will pay homage to the old.

“I think it brings something that is old but brings it back in an exciting way,” Alison Best, the vice president of sales and services for the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. “It is one of our classics and one of our iconic properties.”

Best is hoping that the hotel will be an attraction to the international travelers — a target market that tends to stay longer than their domestic counterparts. The CVB has been promoting the opening of the Shangri-La the past several years in trade shows across the world.

“We’re excited because we get to go out and sell it now,” she said.

The seven-story building on the corner of Ocean and Arizona avenues was constructed in 1939, designed in the streamline

moderne architectural style. While the structure was intended to operate as a hotel, those plans were put on hold when World War II broke out and the U.S. Navy took over the space to house soldiers. As a result, the hotel was always without a pool or other amenities commonly found in high-end accommodations because construction was halted for the war.

The building remained as naval barracks until the early 1950s when it was transformed into an extended-stay hotel, keeping with that usage until the Adaya family purchased the Shangri-La in the 1980s, turning it into a luxury brand.

The Shangri-La has been an attraction for celebrities over the years, including Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Taylor and former President Bill Clinton. The art deco hotel has also been featured in a number of films, including “White Men Can’t Jump,” “The Net,” as well as in several episodes of “Beverly Hills 90210.”

All that remains from the original 1939 structure — aside from the walls and winSEE HOTEL PAGE 8

OpinionCommentary 4

A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PUBLISHER

The Rand Stand

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

Alex Epstein

We all deserve shelter Editor:

In essence, homelessness means that at night a person must sleep exposed on the ground. It is winter and it’s cold and raining. Right now there are [thousands of] homeless people on the Westside who must spend every night outside without protection of any kind.

Many in society revile homeless people in public view during the day. Many people forget what homelessness really is, which is life without a bed or a roof at night.

Every day is a struggle, every night is a nightmare.

On Dec. 1 two 150 bed shelters opened on the Westside, one in Culver City and the other at the West Los Angeles National Guard Armory. This year there are no pickup or drop-off points in Santa Monica. Santa Monica claims it discontinued pickup here because homeless from out of the city would come here to be picked up, thus depriving local homeless a seat on the bus.

Now Santa Monica homeless must go to Venice or West Los Angeles for pickup. Santa Monica [City Hall] claims that the pickup points here are not safe because of large crowds seeking a seat on the bus.

Another reason Santa Monica refused a first-comefirst-served pickup point here is because it wanted to give preferential treatment of its own choice. Now even the city’s “most vulnerable to die” homeless will have to go out of town to get transportation to a winter shelter bed.

Today if you are a homeless citizen of Santa Monica and working with a caseworker, you may be forced to sleep on the ground this winter because getting back here to meet morning appointments on time would be impossible due to distant pickup and drop-off points.

So let’s recap the situation here on the Westside for homeless people at night, their most vulnerable time.

This winter there are 300 emergency shelter beds for approximately 7,000 people, or 4 percent of what is needed. Each shelter is a room with 150 cots, one foot apart.

Ultimately civil society must be judged by how it treats it’s poor and most vulnerable citizens.

“Organized Overnight Shelter with Caseworker Support” is a concept that does provide safe, sanitary sleeping facilities with storage while linking every person to caseworker management.

Isn’t this more humane than just letting these people die on the streets from lack of nighttime shelter?

Contact me at rwshelters@verizon.net for more information.

Randy Walburger S.H.E.L.T.E.R. Side By Side Santa Monica

Ross Furukawa ross@smdp.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Kevin Herrera

What to resolve in the coming year

MANAGING EDITOR

GIVEN

daniela@smdp.com

THE

DEVASTATED

STATE

OF

many Americans’ finances, our New Year’s resolutions will take on greater significance this year. To “get out of debt” was often a casually stated goal to be set as midnight approached and forgotten soon after; today it is rightly recognized as a fundamental necessity of life.

Unfortunately, the New Year’s commitment to self-improvement is widely viewed with cynicism, in part because New Year’s resolutions go so notoriously unmet. After years of watching others — or themselves — excitedly commit to a new goal, only to abandon the quest by March, many come to conclude that New Year’s resolutions are an exercise in futility that should not be taken seriously.

“The silly season is upon us,” writes a columnist for the Washington Post, “when people feel compelled to remake themselves with New Year’s resolutions.”

But this attitude is false and self-destructive. Making New Year’s resolutions does not have to be futile, and to make them is not silly. Done seriously, it is an act of profound moral significance that embodies the essence of a life well-lived.

Consider what a New Year’s resolution consists of; we look at where we are in some area of life, think about where we want to be, and then set ourselves a goal to get there. We are tired of feeling chubby and lethargic, say, and want the improved appearance and greater energy level that comes with greater fitness. So we resolve to take up a fun athletic activity — like tennis or a martial art — and plan to do it three times a week.

Is this a laughable act of self-delusion?

Hardly. If it were, then how would anyone ever achieve anything in life? In fact, to make a New Year’s resolution is to recognize the undeniable reality that successful goal-pursuit is possible — the reality that everyone at one time or another has set and achieved long-range goals, and profited from doing so. Indeed, not only is it possible to achieve long-range goals, it is necessary for success in life. To make a New Year’s resolution is also to recognize the undeniable reality that secure finances, rewarding careers, and romances do not just happen automatically

— that to get what we want in our lives, we must consciously choose and achieve the right goals. We must be goal-directed.

Unfortunately, a goal-directed orientation is missing to a large extent in too many lives. It is all too easy to live life passively, acting without carefully deciding what one is doing with one’s life and why. How many people do you know who are in the career they fell into out of school, even if it is not very satisfying; or who have children at a certain age because that’s what is expected, even if it’s not what they really want; or who spend endless hours of “free time” in front of the TV, since that’s the most readily available form of relaxation; or who follow a life routine that they never really chose and don’t truly enjoy, but which has the force of habit?

Too often, the goal-directedness embodied

by New Year’s resolutions is the exception in lives ruled by passively accepted forces: unexamined routine, short-range desires, or alleged duties. It is the passive approach to happiness that makes so many resolutions peter out, lost in the shuffle of life or abandoned due to lost motivation. More broadly than its impact on New Year’s resolutions, the passive approach to happiness is the reason that so many go through life without ever getting, or even knowing, what they really want.

It is a sad irony that those who write off New Year’s resolutions because so many fail reinforces the passive approach to life that causes so many resolutions, and so many other dreams, to fail.

This New Year’s, resolve to think about how to make your life better, not just once a year, but every day. Resolve to set goals, not just in one or two aspects of life, but in every important aspect and in your life as a whole.

Resolve to pursue the goals that will make you successful and happy, not as the exception in a life of passivity, but as the rule that becomes second-nature.

If you do this, you will be resolving to do the most important thing of all: to take your happiness seriously.

editor@smdp.com

Daniel Archuleta

STAFF WRITER Melody Hanatani melodyh@smdp.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

Morgan Genser news@smdp.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Bauer, David Pisarra, Meredith Carroll, Kenny Mack, Jack Neworth, Lloyd Garver, Taylor Van Arsdale, Dane Robert Swanson, Ryan Hyatt, Steve Breen, Elizabeth Brown, Merv Hecht, Ron Scott Smith Mike Heayn, Brian Hepp Mariel Howsepian, Cynthia Citron, Amanda Cushman, Steve Parker and Phyllis Chavez

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ALEX EPSTEIN is an analyst at the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights.

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The Santa Monica Daily Press is published six days a week, Monday through Saturday.

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OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Santa Monica Daily Press staff. Guest editorials from residents are encouraged, as are letters to the editor. Letters will be published on a space-available basis. It is our intention to publish all letters we receive, except those that are libelous or are unsigned. Preference will be given to those that are e-mailed to editor@smdp.com. All letters must include the author’s name and telephone number for purposes of verification. Letters also may be mailed to our offices located at 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica, 90401, or faxed to (310) 576-9913. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content.

OpinionCommentary Visit us online at smdp.com

5

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

Laughing Matters Jack Neworth

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Resolutions I can follow

In the news The year 2008 has seen its fair share of interesting occurrences. There was a hotly contested election, the City Council took on the FAA over Santa Monica Airport, trees continued to grab headlines, and murders rocked the community.

So this week’s Q-Line question asks: What was the biggest Santa Monica story of 2008?

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

reminds me, I’ve got to return my neighbor’s tractor in the next five days).

Around 2000 B.C., scholars are quite certain that Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on March 23, although they had no written calendar. (Frankly, how these scholars can be so sure is a little suspect, unless of course they found dated receipts from a party store for hats and noisemakers.)

Another thing scholars claim is that the Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for 11 days. Talk about a long hangover. Of course I don’t imagine the Babylonians had 36 football bowl games to watch and parking lot barbecues to prepare. Whenever I think of Babylonia, I’m stuck with the image of Steve Martin and his King Tut dance, which reveals I smoked too much marijuana in those days. (If you’re a Steve Martin fan, I recommend his autobiography, “Born Standing Up.” It’s a fascinating historical look at the times during which he had his meteoric rise.)

Back to New Year’s resolutions, here in the U.S. statistically the most popular include promises to join a gym, lose weight or quit smoking, or some combination of the three. January is the busiest month for new memberships in many gyms but by mid-February a good percentage are back to fast food and watching TV from the couch.

That is, until the next New Year’s when the process repeats itself.

I have some New Year’s resolutions I’d like to share with you (especially as I still have 120 words left in this column). I’ve listed my resolutions in order of ease to accomplish.

■ Be more charitable to Obama than I was to Bush. (Remember, I said easiest first.)

■ Don’t ever inflict another New Year’s resolutions on unsuspecting readers.

■ Organize my sock drawer.

■ First, create a sock drawer.

■ Exercise more, or eat less, one or the other.

■ Improve my posture and stand taller, or at least hang around with short people.

■ Finish the great American novel, or failing that, something to read in the bathroom.

■ Save more money. (First, make more money to save.)

■ Forgive my editor for occasionally mangling my jokes. (I wonder if this one will actually make it to print?)

When JACK isn’t worried about Y3K, he can be reached at JackNeworth@yahoo.com.

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— 2009. Is it me, or wasn’t it just yesterday that New Year’s 2000 gave us the whole Y2K panic?

While New Year’s is celebrated worldwide, different cultures have different rituals, including religious ceremonies, costume parties and parades, all designed to bring good luck and fortune. Here, we just watch Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest from “American Idol (whom I believe is Dick’s illegitimate love child).”

Poor Dick. Remarkably, he didn’t age for 50 years until he had a stroke and now, like Dorian Gray, frankly Dick is hard to watch.

Many people feel that way about Seacrest, but for entirely different reasons.

In Ecuador “Ano Viejo” is celebrated by making a fake person or dummy. The scarecrow is dressed and stuffed with old newspapers and firecrackers and placed outside the home. At midnight each family lights the dummy on fire and watches as it goes up in smoke, while the firecrackers going off add to the festivities. The old year is forgotten and the new year begins. For our dummy I was thinking of either Bush or Cheney.

In Denmark old dishes are thrown at the homes of friends. Many broken dishes are a symbol of many friends. Even assuming that makes sense, somehow “Zorba the Dane” doesn’t sound quite right.

People in Japan spend weeks planning for their New Year celebrations. They buy special food and make decorations for their front doors out of pine branches, bamboo, and ropes that are believed to bring health and long life. Fan ropes are also hung over the doors and roofs with seaweed or ferns to bring them happiness and good luck (sounds festive, but makes me wonder who cleans up).

Japanese children receive “otoshidamas,” small gifts with money inside. (The Japanese love money. Unless of course they’re like the U.S. these days and there is no money.) The Japanese also send New Year cards to friends and hold “forgetting-year” parties to say good-bye to the old year. (This is one year I’d definitely like to forget.)

The Japanese also have forgiveness parties so they can make a clean start of the New Year. I wouldn’t mind attending a forgiveness party, but I’d prefer it to be after Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are tried for war crimes.

The idea of New Year’s resolutions dates back 4,000 years to the early Babylonians whose most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment (which

CLOVERFIELD

IN SIX DAYS IT’LL BE NEW YEAR’S

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A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

CRIME WATCH

Please join

B Y

Police Activities League (PAL) for ...

Southern California Half Marathon

Saturday January 10, 2009 Bus will be leaving from PAL @ 5:45 a.m.

Teens ages 12 - 17 years Participants must train two (2) nights a week: Mondays & Thursdays - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Students Run L.A. program is to challenge students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, and improve health by providing a truly life-changing experience: Training for and completing the City of Los Angeles Marathon - 26.2 miles. *A medical examination is required for all participants in the SRLA Program.

Please call Karen or Don for additional information at (310) 458-8988.

D A I L Y

P R E S S

S T A F F

This cat busted for burglary Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

TUESDAY, DEC. 16, AT 10:05 P.M., Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2900 block of Wilshire Boulevard — PETCO — regarding a report of a theft. When the officers arrived, they made contact with the store manager who said they noticed $1,260 worth of unauthorized cash register withdrawals. The manager reviewed the security footage and discovered an employee was responsible for the withdrawals. The employee was placed under arrest and booked for grand theft, burglary and an outstanding warrant. The suspect was identified as Marvin Estuardo Catalan, 21, from Huntington Park. His bail was set at $70,000.

MONDAY, DEC. 15, AT 6:35 P.M., Officers responded to the 1500 block of 11th Street regarding a report of a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who said his laptop was stolen from his office. A witness told officers they saw a strange man lurking in the office hallway, testing to see if doors were left unlocked. Based upon the description of the suspect, officers believed him to be a transient who hung out in the area. Officers located the suspect two blocks away from the office. He denied being at the office. The witness identified the suspect and he was placed under arrest for burglary. The laptop was not recovered, police said. The suspect was identified as Wilbert Butch Hobbs, 49, a transient. His bail was set at $30,000.

TUESDAY, DEC. 16, AT 1 P.M., While on patrol in the 2000 block of Sixth Street, an officer observed a speeding vehicle.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and while speaking with the driver smelled the odor of fresh marijuana. The officer searched the vehicle and its occupants and found both the driver and passenger to be in possession of marijuana. The passenger was cited for possession and released. The driver was arrested and booked for possession of hashish and driving at an unsafe speed. He was identified as Diego Garcia Valdez, 19, of Culver City.

His bail was set at $10,000.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17, AT 2:40 P.M., Officers responded to the corner of 10th and Bay streets regarding a report of a person seen parking a stolen vehicle. When officers arrived, they detained the man and confirmed that the vehicle was stolen. Since the suspect was seen driving the car, he was arrested and booked for grand theft auto, violation of parole and an outstanding warrant.

He was identified as Anthony Ray Hamm, 49, a transient. No bail was set.

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, AT 4:19 P.M.,

YOUR AD COULD RUN HERE! CALL US TODAY AT

(310) 458-7737 Community Meeting for 16th Street Surgery and Oncology Center Project January 6, 2009 6:30 PM Main Library – Community Room 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401 You are invited to attend a community meeting to review the design for a new three-story 45,000 square foot outpatient surgery and oncology facility proposed for a 30,000 square foot site located at 1217-31 16th Street.

This meeting is a new City Planning initiative to solicit comments from the public prior to the project being heard by the Planning Commission. You will have an opportunity to provide direct feedback to the staff and the developer with regard to the project design.

For further information, please contact Laura Beck, Associate Planner at (310) 458-8341.

Police responded to the 1200 block of 10th Street regarding a report of a dispute between roommates. When officers arrived, the female roommate told officers that her male roommate ordered her to leave and pushed her out of the apartment. She was not injured but wanted her roommate arrested. Officers booked the roommate for battery and he was cited out. He was identified as Frank Alan Farnetti, Jr., 53, of Santa Monica.

FRIDAY, DEC. 19, AT 12:31 P.M., Officers responded to the 1330 block of Fourth Street regarding a report of a subject attempting to cash a fraudulent check. The bank teller told police that the suspect opened an account with the bank and tried to cash the business check for $1,615. When the teller asked the suspect where he got the check, he could not provide a reasonable answer, leading the teller to call police. The suspect was arrested for attempting to cash a fictitious check and unauthorized use of personal information. He was identified as Michael Vincent Sasso, 23, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.

FRIDAY, DEC. 19, AT 10:37 A.M., Officers responded to the 1600 block of Ocean Park Boulevard — Bob’s Market — regarding a report of a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with the store manager who said a man stole a bottle of vodka. A customer said the suspect ran into a nearby apartment building. Officers watched security footage and confirmed the robbery occurred. They went to the apartment building, located the suspect and placed him under arrest for burglary, theft with a prior and violation of probation. He was identified as Thomas Gustavo Padilla, 42, of Santa Monica. No bail was set.

SATURDAY, DEC. 20, AT 3 P.M., Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — Apple Store — regarding a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said they observed the suspect take two iPod Touch music players and walk out of the store without paying. He was detained outside the store by security and placed under arrest by police for commercial burglary. He was identified as Antonio Carrillo Miranda, 24, of Hawthorne. His bail was set at $20,000.

SUNDAY, DEC. 21, AT 8:35 P.M., Project Site: 1217-31 16th Street

ESPANOL Esto es una noticia de una reunión de la comunidad para revisar el diseño de la applicaciónes proponiendo desarrollo en Santa Monica. Si deseas más información, favor de llamar a Carmen Gutierrez en la División de Planificación al número (310) 458-8341.

Officers responded to the 200 block of the Santa Monica Pier — Newcomb Lot — regarding a report of a vehicle burglary. Officers were approached by a man who said he saw someone in his car, rummaging through his glove box. Another man was standing outside, acting as a lookout. Officers detained both suspects and placed them under arrest for burglary and conspiracy while committing a felony crime. The first suspect was identified as Isidro Diaz, Jr., 19, and Jesus Valdez, 19, both from El Monte. Bail was set at $20,000.

Editor in Chief KEVIN HERRERA compiled these reports.

National Visit us online at smdp.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

Checking a contractor is important in tough times

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON For The Associated Press

With the economy on shaky ground, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to carefully screen the contractors they hire for home improvement projects.

Consumer protection experts say that when work slows down, some contractors may bid on jobs outside their area of expertise; let their licenses and insurance lapse; or fall behind on payments to their suppliers.

Contractors operating on narrow profit margins might find themselves in danger of shutting down.

To protect yourself, ask about the company’s financial stability, said Shari PurvesReiter, outreach manager for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry. The last thing a homeowner wants is to hire a contractor on the brink of bankruptcy.

Just ask Steve Ludlum. The contractor he hired to build a pool at his Tucson, Ariz., home went bankrupt midway through the job.

“He talked a good game,” Ludlum recalled. “We had a lot of personal references. We thought we did our homework.”

When the company went under in October 2007, Ludlum was left with an unfinished pool and a yard full of trenches.

Fortunately for him, he and the contractor had agreed on a payment schedule in which Ludlum paid after tasks were completed, so he had money available to finish the job.

Still, the pool cost more than his original budget of about $45,000 and he did much of the work himself.

“It’s no horror story,” the 33-year-old said. “We did a lot of swimming last summer.”

While it’s impossible to gauge a company’s financial situation with certainty, there are red flags, the experts said.

“Do some fact-checking on the front end,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Indianapolis-based Angie’s List, which offers online consumer reviews of contractors and other services.

And once you’ve selected a company to do the work, request a written contract with lots of specifics, added Kip Morse, a regional governor for Better Business Bureaus. If the scope of the project changes, be sure to add new information to the contract, said Morse, who also is president of Central Ohio Better Business Bureau.

Morse, Hicks and Purves-Reiter offered these suggestions for choosing and hiring

contractors: ■ Ask for a list of their suppliers. Call those companies and check whether the contractor has been paying bills.

Contractors who are behind on their accounts or no longer have a line of credit with the company might be in financial trouble.

■ Consult with any subcontractors who will be working on the project. Ask them whether the contractor pays them promptly.

Unpaid subcontractors are another sign of money problems.

■ Check the company’s rating with Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, or a consumer rating service such as Angie’s List, www.angieslist.com. These organizations may offer the opportunity to run a credit report on the company or may use other financial considerations when evaluating the company. They also may review court filings, including any lawsuits or liens against the company.

■ Interview previous clients. Ask whether the company performed work on time and to their satisfaction. Find out whether supplies were being delivered as promised, or subcontractors were changed.

Ask whether the contractor tried to add charges to the final bill.

■ Verify whether the company is licensed and insured. Call the contractor’s insurance company and check whether coverage is up to date. Check with whatever local agency regulates contractors and see whether the company has a valid license, and that it is for the type of work they’ve offered to do. For example, a general contractor may not be licensed to do plumbing or electrical work.

■ Get it in writing. Once you’ve selected a contractor, draft a document that details the job and its price. Insist that the contractor include a start and end date.

■ Make sure you understand the entire contract. Do not sign it if you don’t, as contracts can be written to favor one party over another.

■ Set a payment schedule. Negotiate a down payment; down payments are typically 10 percent to 15 percent of the total job.

Tie future payments to completed work, not time on the job. Withhold at least 10 percent of the total until you are satisfied with the job.

■ Pay suppliers directly for materials.

This prevents contractors from using your money to pay for other jobs. If you’re unable to do that, ask for detailed receipts and verify them with the companies before reimbursing the contractor.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 11 Year Recipient of The Best Western Excellence Award Special Holiday Rates Available

7

Local 8

A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

Nonprofit looks to community FROM FUNDRAISING PAGE 1 “We just really want the community … to take the time and watch the video and understand that HIV impacts everyone in our community,” said Sharon Chamberlain, the executive director of Common Ground. “We have clients north of Montana and we have clients that live on the beach.

“HIV doesn’t discriminate based on socio-economic levels.”

The organization has received donations from a number of individuals that have not given in the past several years, Chamberlain said.

“We’re hoping people that have resources and the ability to give can give a gift that is significant to them and that is going to make a difference for us and for other local nonprofits,” Chamberlain said.

Common Ground relies on about 60 percent of its funding from government contracts with about 25-30 percent from foundation funding.

Many social service providers are currently bracing for potential budget cuts, hearing various proposals from the state and locally about mid-year reductions.

None of those reductions are expected to come from City Hall.

“We’re expecting that in the current year, the funding will remain stable and we’re pleased about that,” Julie Rusk, the human services manager, said.

City Hall issues about $7.6 million from its Community Development Grant Program to roughly 27 nonprofit agencies that support 50 different programs, ranging from health to homeless services.

One of the providers that rely on City Hall funding and has been affected by state budget cuts is the Venice Family Clinic, which offers health services to low-income clients who lack private health insurance.

The clinic, which has already seen a 10 percent reduction from the state for its primary care fund, could also lose about $60,000 in Los Angeles city funding.

“The greatest difficulty will be based on what further cuts may come in the next round of state budgeting,” Liz Forer, the executive director of the clinic, said. melodyh@smdp.com

Recycling holiday memories FROM MEMORIES PAGE 1

Iconic hotel attracted celebrity following FROM HOTEL PAGE 3

WELCOME BACK: The newly-remodeled Shangri-La Hotel, a

dows — is the original glass brick entryway. The goal of the remodel was to restore the hotel back to its original form, including installing a replica of the original terrazzo floors and bringing back the old elevator floor indicators in which an arrow — not a digital screen — would show the location of the car.

The new hotel will also include elements missing in the first — a pool, restaurant and rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

“This is the first time the hotel is reaching its potential,” General Manager Troy Pade said.

The Shangri-La will also increase the number of guestrooms from 54 to 71. The price to stay in the rooms will also go up, from $170-$550 a night to $395-$5,000 for the new presidential suite. The hotel is offering an introductory rate for rooms at $295 a night.

The hotel will also feature a number of environmentally sustainable elements, from dual-flush toilets to green cleaning products.

For Dino Nanni, one of the longest-serving employees at the Shangri-La, the remodeling is a long-time coming.

The assistant general manager, who arrived in 1980 before the Adaya family purchased the Shangri-La, said the hotel was supposed to be renovated in 1994, but the Northridge Earthquake derailed plans.

“I’ve been waiting since 1994 to see the hotel refurbished and re-emerge as the gem that it is,” Nanni said.

landmark on Ocean Avenue constructed in 1939, was once used as a barracks. Roughly $30 million was spent on the remodel.

melodyh@smdp.com

Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com

Layoffs may be a sign of things to come FROM LAYOFFS PAGE 3

dozen more. They look charming set under a tree and evoke the memory of my mother,” McBride said.

Recycling gift wrap and other holiday trappings has value beyond sentiment. The Clean Air Council estimates that added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, paper, bows and ribbons create an additional 1 million tons of waste per week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — much of it going to landfills.

Some of that can be avoided.

Leslie Carlson of Portland, Ore., said she has gift wrap on hand that’s older than her marriage — about 10 years. She hasn’t bought a ribbon in five years or more.

“We always warn the receiver that the present is not actually from Nordstrom, even though we do think you’ll like it,” she said.

Dorothy Molstad of Stillwater, Minn., said recycling fabric bags is so popular in her extended family that each household has its own patterns for easy retrieval and return.

“You can make it to fit any gift you need, and clean up after gift opening is easy,” she said.

If you have no intention of chasing down gift boxes or bags after turning them over to friends, family or colleagues, you can cover store logos with inexpensive decals or seasonal fabric as a way to encourage receivers to pass them on rather than throw them out.

Veteran holiday recyclers suggest saving a variety of box sizes that can nest inside each other to avoid flattening them during storage. Or you can fill up your favorites to protect ribbons and bows from getting crushed.

Even throwaways that may not look worthy of saving likely can be used again.

Long ribbon is the best, for example, because it can be wrapped around most gifts, but shorter bits can be repurposed for school science projects, arts and crafts, doll hair makeovers or a decorative touch on greeting cards, candleholders or around the bottlenecks of gifted wine and spirits.

“For as long as I can remember my parents neatly folded the wrapping paper, saved ribbons and boxes, and it used to drive me crazy,” said Kara DiCamillo of Newport, R.I. “I think they still use a box from a company that went out of business 20 years ago.”

SHOW YOUR BOSS YOU ARE NOT EXPENDABLE

Barr cautions against complaining to colleagues. It generally results in downward productivity and morale spiral, he says.

“If you just want someone to listen, find a supportive friend or family member,” he says.

ASK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE WITH THE COMPANY

Survivors do feel a heightened anxiety because of an increased workload, change in duties and the possibility that they could be let go, say career experts.

There’s nothing wrong with asking questions, says Barr: Am I on the list? How would I know? Would I get severance?

Is the information in that newspaper article correct?

“If your company is doing town hall meetings, attend, and bring questions with you,” says Barr.

But be prepared that people may not have the answers, says Facella.

If communication is not being handled well, ask yourself, what are your options? says Barr. Most likely, you want to continue performing well, even if you want to leave the organization.

WORK ON MANAGING ‘GHOST WORK’

Ask your supervisor to give you detailed job descriptions of laid-off co-workers whose responsibilities you are now expected to shoulder, says Paul Facella, author of “Everything I Know about Business I Learned at McDonald’s.”

Then set up a meeting with him or her to review the new tasks, he says. He says this will help you prioritize and your boss will be aware of and accountable for an excess workload.

If you are taking on new job duties, be sure to ask if you will get training, says Barr. Sometimes the ones who are let go are the only ones who know how to do a task.

Don’t kill yourself, says Facella. Commit to working regular — not extra long hours, he says. You are no good to the company if your workload starts to take a toll on your mental and physical health.

Do work that matters, says Stuart Sidle, director of Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Program at University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. Writing reports that no one reads is a warning sign that you may be in the next round, he says.

“To reduce this risk of irrelevancy, become an expert on organizational tasks that are crucial that most people are too lazy or disinterested to learn,” says Sidle.

Facella suggests coming up with three to five specific areas where former employees’ tasks were inefficient or redundant and presenting a plan to streamline the processes. He also advises submitting a report of cost-cutting proposals.

Try to maintain a positive attitude, say career experts.

Take on new tasks cheerfully and work to be a top performer.

START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB — NOW

Layoffs are a warning sign that more may be coming, says Sidle.

Make sure you are networking. Relationships outside of the office are sometimes more critical than the actual work, says Brody. Most people find opportunities through connections as opposed to resumes on career sites, says Facella.

If you wish you had been laid off — you wanted the early retirement — talk to someone in human resources, says Barr, but emphasize that you are committed to the organization.

He suggests thinking about what you would be doing if you were retired and seeing if you can start doing some of those things now. He says people often romanticize retirement.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Make sure you are exercising and eating right, says Sidle.

Exercise can be an antidepressant and stress reliever.

Lean on your support system, says Barr. Focus on things outside of work that you like to do.

Seek help if your anxiety manifests into physical symptoms, such as a change in sleeping and eating patterns, says Barr.

Visit us online at smdp.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

NEWDVDRELEASES

BY RANDY WILLIAMS

Victoria

9

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‘Casablanca’ Ultimate Collector’s Edition One of cinema’s all-time classics, this beloved wartime romance starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman won three Academy Awards including Best Picture (1944). Bogie is the cynical American Rick Blaine who is asked to help a Resistance leader, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), escape from the Nazis. The risk is not made any easier by the re-appearance in his life of an ex-lover who broke his heart and has since become Laszlo’s wife (Ingrid Bergman). The film also features Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre under Michael Curtiz’ Oscarwinning direction. Befitting such a brilliant picture, “Casablanca” is elegantly presented in a micro-detailed laser-cut Moroccan design. The three-disc box set offers a 48-page photo book, 10 one-sheet reproduction cards, archival correspondence, and an exclusive passport holder and luggage tag. Additional features include commentaries by Roger Ebert and historian Rudy Behlmer, introduction by Lauren Bacall, additional scenes and outtakes, “Bacall on Bogart” and “You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca” segments, a production research gallery, “Carrotblanca” cartoon, the premiere episode from the 1955 TV series, scoring session outtakes, and a bonus disc, “Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul” documentary.

An Ultimate Collector’s Edition of Casablanca arrives in a Blu-ray Hi-Def format as well. (Warner Bros)

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‘The Wire’ The Complete Series Created by David Simon (“Homicide: Life on the Street”), a former Baltimore Sun crime reporter, this urban drama that follows the corruption of City Hall out to the decimated streets of Baltimore has been hailed as one of television’s best series ever. A richly textured slice of modern America, “The Wire” is here in all its dark glory. What you get are a mix of assorted layers that provide a compelling depth and complexity not only with each episode but practically in each scene. This is largely due to the fact that a wide array of detectives, drug dealers, lawyers, longshoremen and politicians have motives that are very diverse, complicated, conflicting and truly surprising. Of the many fine touches of this program one of the more intriguing is that several of the minor characters are played by real-life police officers, politicians and former criminals.

The 23-disc set includes all 60 episodes from all five seasons. There is an unusual bonus in that there are three prequels that explore life before “The Wire.” Also presented are cast and crew commentaries and a never-before-seen gag reel. (HBO)

‘Saturday Night Live’ The Complete Fourth Season One of the treasures of American television, this was the year (1978-79) that finds the show running at the height of its influence. Among the many highlights are Bill Murray’s lounge singer Nick Rivers, John Belushi’s Liz Taylor impression as well as his “but nooooooo!” commentaries, Gilda Radner does her drugged-out rock star Candy Stripe, Dan Akroyd’s Jimmy Carter and Fred Garvin personas along with The Nerds and the Olympia Diner ("Chee-burger, chee-burger, chee-burger; no fries, cheeps; no Coke, Pepsi") sketches, as well as the Widettes (a family of people with huge posteriors).

This was Belushi and Aykroyd’s final season with the Not Ready For Prime Time Players (though Murray, Radner, and Jane Curtain would return for a fifth season). (Universal)

‘Operation Valkyrie: The Stauffenberg Plot to Kill Hitler’ This documentary film, a definitive examination based on eyewitness accounts, comes at a time of the theatrical release of a Tom Cruise drama based on the same topic. Produced in collaboration with the German resistance organization, the double disc set includes rare color footage, detailed recreations, and exclusive interviews with leading historians. Over two hours of bonus features include newly re-mastered color home movies by Hitler’s mistress, Eva Braun, a look at other attempts on the German dictator’s life and footage from the Nazi show trials. (Koch Vision) RANDY WILLIAMS can be reached at writtenbyrw@yahoo.com

620 Arizona, SM

“Your Local Santa Monica Attorney” Civil Litigation Consumer and Business Disputes

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A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

BOOKREVIEW

BY DANE ROBERT SWANSON

‘Life Is Mostly Edges: A Memoir’ Calvin Miller • Thomas Nelson

SURF CONDITIONS

WATER TEMP: 57°

SWELL FORECAST ( 10-12 FT ) Friday the 26th NW wind and ground swell should increase to around head high for most west facing breaks, possibly 1-3 feet overhead at standouts.

LONG RANGE SYNOPSIS WEEKEND

DOESN'T LOOK ANY BETTER SIZE WISE, BUT CONDITIONS SHOULD IMPROVE. CONDITIONS.

TIDE FORECAST

FOR

TODAY

IN

SANTA MONICA

MOST

ALL BREAKS ARE LOOKING AT JUST KNEE TO WAIST HIGH

Leo Tolstoy has said, “A writer is dear and necessary for us only in the measure in which he reveals to us the inner working of his soul.”

Author Calvin Miller has spent most of his adult life telling and retelling stories.

This autobiography of one of the great writers in the Christian marketplace is long overdue.

The title comes from his view that the life we live is lived out mostly on a small section of the world. He sees life as mostly edges. “It is small—like a postage stamp. So small that it all but disappears against the busy day it devours.”

The book is laid out in three parts. Part one is “The Early Years, 1936-1955.” Part two covers the years 1956-1991 and is entitled “Staying Human While Being a Pastor:” The years 1991-2007 are covered in the last part “The Professor Who Liked Teaching But Loved Learning.”

Miller allows us into his life. “When the umbilical cord is clipped and we cry our first hellos, the sun is not the center of our universe. We are.”

He even admits to having a drunk for a father. “I never met anyone who spoke well of David Frank Miller …. He was a rogue — never wealthy enough to afford his habits.” He also notes “Frank Miller was the prodigal father.”

His mother, on the other hand, was saintly. “Mama fought vigorously to hold our family together in the hard times.”

It starts in the front room of the house their father never finished building. “The house was never painted. But it was shingled.” It concludes in 2007 when Miller is sitting looking back. “I want to see and live for the world that’s on the way, but I don’t want to hurry those worlds or jam the one against another. I want my crossing to be easy. I just want to lie down to nap on planet Earth and wake up in heaven.”

In between he wants a full life.

He tells the story in a humorous way.

There is the time of his first kiss back in 1953. As he tells it, he and his two friends were at an amusement park that had a Tilt-A-Whirl. They saw three girls that had on their Ponca City band uniforms. The boys’ hormones were racing. They figured if they could just get a girl in the Tilt –AWhirl with them they could score. “We were proof Tilt-A-Whirl phobias can be conquered by real men with the bravo they furnished. So we offered our courage

to the three beautiful girls from Ponca city.”

Calvin got the clarinetist. “The centrifugal force of the contraption threw us into heaving body contact. Our torsos were welded into oneness. Our faces came naturally together, then our mouth … she had the smoothest tongue. Likely a smoothness begat from licking clarinet reeds since fifth grade. Don’t ask me how I knew that.”

But as he tells it he was called to be a preacher. The only thing was that he couldn’t stand up in front of a class and give a speech. Then he remembered what a friend of his had told him. “He said when he had become frightened in front of an audience, he just imagined everyone in the audience sitting out there in their underwear.”

Miller went on to be a pastor and after that a seminary professor, and in these later days, he paints pictures which he offers for sale on his web site.

Read autobiographies. Great men and women have gone before and left behind their stories. By reading their stories we can enrich our lives. That is one good reason to be a reader.

Contact me at smdp_review@yahoo.com and tell me how I am doing.

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Movie TimesHoroscope Visit us online at smdp.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

MOVIE TIMES Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Ave. (323) 466-FILM Call theater for information.

AMC Loews Broadway 4 1441 Third Street Promenade (310) 458-1506 Milk (R) 2hrs 08min 10:40 a.m., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Quantum of Solace (PG-13) 1hr 46min 5:40, 8:15, 10:45 Bedtime Stories (PG) 1hr 35min 10:15 a.m., 12:35, 3:05, 5:35, 8:05, 10:35 Bolt (PG) 1hr 36min 10:30 a.m., 12:55, 3:15

11:00am, 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30

1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:55

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13) 2hrs 48min 11:15am, 2:50, 6:30, 10:10

Slumdog Millionaire (R) 2hr 1min 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:00

The Tale of Despereaux (G) 11:25am, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40

NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT COLORADO CREATIVE STUDIO PROJECT DATE:

December 26, 2008

Mann's Criterion Theatre 1313 Third St. (310) 395-1599

TO:

State Clearinghouse, Responsible Organizations and Interested Parties

Bolt in Disney Digital 3D (PG) 1hr 36min 11:40, 2:10, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40

Seven Pounds (PG-13) 1hr 58min 11:00am, 2:00, 5:00, 7:50, 10:40

LEAD AGENCY:

The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13) 1hr 50min 11:50am, 2:35, 5:15, 7:55, 10:30

Gran Torino (R) 11:20am, 2:10, 4:50, 7:40, 9:00, 10:20

Yes Man (PG-13) 1hr 44min 1:35am, 2:10, 4:50, 7:25, 10:00 Frost/Nixon (R) 2hrs 02min 10:45am, 1:50, 4:40, 7:45, 10:40

Laemmle’s Monica Fourplex 1332 Second St. (310) 394-9741

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13) 2hrs 48min 12:00, 3:35, 7:15, 10:45

Doubt (PG-13) 1hr 44min 12:00, 2:40, 5:10, 7:45, 10:15

AMC 7 Santa Monica 1310 Third St. (310) 289-4262

Last Chance Harvey (PG-13) 1hr 39min 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00

Bedtime Stories (PG) 1hr 35min

The Reader (R) 2hrs 02min

Twilight (PG-13) 2hrs 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 Four Christmases (PG-13) 1hr 22min Digital Projection 1:20, 6:40

3

Marley & Me (PG) 2 hrs 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, 11:45

3

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

★★★★ Read between the lines and get to the bottom of someone’s dissatisfaction.

Sometimes you don’t have the control you might want or need. Creativity flourishes, especially when you are with a key friend.

Tonight: Aim for what you want.

★★★★ You might be fed up and tired.

Investigate what is going on around you. You understand much less than you think you do.

Stay open. A profound change is in the offing, be it at home or within yourself. Tonight: Relax — you need to.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

★★★★★ A partner might have a difficult time letting go. Understand how extremely insecure he or she might be. Look at the big picture, and you’ll come out on top of your game. Know that nearly anything is possible. Tonight: Relax.

★★★★★ Be more playful. Enjoy yourself. How you deal with someone could change radically.

Someone might be making plans through you.

How you jump in and establish your personal boundaries defines the relationship. Tonight: Hang out.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★★ Others still dominate, and for all practical purposes, you would be a wise Twin to let them run the show. That will free you up for a whole bundle of other possibilities. Think positively and creatively. Tonight: Make time for a very special person.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ★★★★ You smile, and others discover that smiling is contagious. Don’t nix a good thing; rather, enjoy it completely and fully. Before making any big commitments, study your costflow sheets. Tonight: Catch up on thank-yous.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) ★★★★ Your ability to handle many different issues emerges once more. You might wonder why you are doing what you are doing. Slow down and consider your options more carefully. You could be surprised by what comes up.

Tonight: The operative word is “yes.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

★★★★ Be mellow and enjoy what is happening with a child or loved one. Do remember that you might have some errands or a project to complete, whether you want to or not. There is no time like the present. Tonight: Easy does it.

★★★★ How you deal with someone and the choices you make have a lot to do with the quality of the friendship that surrounds you. You might wonder what would be best for you. Think, and think deeply at that. Tonight: A night for you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★★ Though you might move slowly, you are in great shape. Listen to what is going on around you. Suddenly you feel renewed and vibrant.

Distinctive thoughts earmark interactions with a child or new friend. Be ready to revise your thinking. Tonight: The fun times are here.

★★★★★ Zero in on what you want and be willing to change your direction or try something different. Responsibilities might weigh on you.

Delegate, grow and understand your priorities, which involves taking better care of yourself.

Tonight: In the whirlwind of the moment.

Happy birthday

★★★★ Though you are slow to start, you are a veritable terror once you get going. You might need to change your pace or do something very differently. Once you recognize the proper course, you are A-OK. Tonight: As you wish.

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

This year you will experiment with different approaches. Sometimes you will do nothing and watch what goes on. Often this behavior will unlock a triggered situation without you doing anything. Other times you will maintain a very strong appearance and be a force to be reckoned with. As a result of diversifying, you’ll learn how to empower yourself in tough situations. If you are single, you might not want to hook up with anyone until you really get to know this person. More often than not, these people don’t reflect the person they present. CAPRICORN can trigger you, as you have similar issues.

Trustee

Agencies,

City of Santa Monica, City Planning Division 1685 Main Street, Room 212, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Contact: Bruce Leach, Special Projects Administrator Phone: (310) 458-8341

3 3

Aesthetics Air Quality Construction Effects Geology and Soils

3 3 3 3

Transportation/Circulation Greenhouse Gases Neighborhood Effects Noise

PROJECT APPLICANT:

Jack Walter Colorado Creative Studios, LLC 5446 Cleon Avenue North Hollywood, CA 91601

PROJECT LOCATION:

The project site is located at 2834 Colorado Avenue at the southeast corner of the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Stewart Street, in the City of Santa Monica, California.

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

Virgo, the fun times are here

Agencies,

SCH#: The City of Santa Monica intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Colorado Creative Studio Project. In accordance with Section 15082 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the City of Santa Monica has prepared this Notice of Preparation to provide Responsible Agencies and other interested parties with information describing the proposal and its potential environmental effects. The following environmental factors, identified in the initial study, that would potentially be affected by the project include:

Marley & Me (PG) 2hrs Digital Projection 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30

Valkyrie (PG-13) 2hrs 10:40am, 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:00, 12:30am

11

Regional access to the site is provided from the Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) via the California Incline and from the Santa Monica Freeway via the interchanges at Cloverfield Boulevard.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project site is composed of one parcel (APN 4268-002001) located on the north side of Stewart Street and the east side of Colorado Avenue.

The project site is occupied by two rows of one- and two-story warehouse buildings built primarily between 1948 and 1969, with some smaller buildings and additions built through 1983. The buildings contain approximately 38,000 square feet of light industrial uses, including auto repair shops, general contracting, welding, and machine shops. A parking area is located between the rows of buildings.

The proposed development would result in demolition of the existing buildings onsite and the construction of a five-story creative studio building. The proposed 151,600 square foot (sf) building would include approximately 76,090 sf of creative media production space and approximately 75,500 sf of ancillary administrative office space. The proposed project also includes the development of a new public street extending Pennsylvania Avenue across the southern portion of the project site. Also included in the proposed project is an approximately 3,000 sf detached childcare center with 13,500 sf of open space for an outdoor play area.

The day care facility would be designed to accommodate up to 50 toddlers and infants and would be open to the public. The facility would not be restricted to the employees of the creative studio portion of the project, and would have driveway access from Stewart Street with a surface parking area providing ten spaces including some drop-of and pickup spaces.

The proposed studio building is designed to be occupied by a single multi-media entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes movies, music, television and video content. However, upon completion of the project, the proposed facilities could be utilized by other uses permitted pursuant to the LMSD zoning and Special Office District land use designation of the General Plan.

The proposed project would include the development of a two and one-half level subterranean parking garage providing 579 parking spaces, including 12 American Disability Act (ADA) compliant spaces, 268 standard spaces and 299 compact spaces as well as bicycle lockers. The proposed new extension of Pennsylvania Avenue would provide an approximately 50-foot wide street comprised of two traffic lanes (one in each direction), with ten foot wide sidewalks on both sides and a parking lane on the north side. The street would be constructed at grade over a section of the subterranean parking garage across the southern portion of the site, and would be dedicated to the City as a public right-of-way and classified as a Local Street, similar to the segment west of Stewart Street. Completion of the street segment would continue across two adjacent properties to the east, which are slated for redevelopment in the foreseeable future, providing a through connection from Stewart Street to Stanford Street.

REVIEW PERIOD: As specified by the State CEQA Guidelines, the Notice of Preparation will be circulated for a 30-day review period. The City of Santa Monica welcomes agency and public input during this period regarding the scope and content of environmental information related to your agency’s responsibility that must be included in the Draft EIR. Comments may be submitted, in writing, by 5:30 p.m. on January 26, 2009 and addressed to: Bruce Leach, Special Projects Administrator City Planning Division 1685 Main Street, Room 212 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Telephone: (310) 458-8341 E-mail: bruce.leach@smgov.net ESPAÑOL: Este es una noticia para la preparación de un reporte sobre los posibles efectos ambientales en referencia a la construcción propuesta de un edifico de oficina de cinco pisos, lo cual puede ser de interés a usted. Para más información, llame a Carmen Gutiérrez al número (310) 458-8341

Comics & Stuff 12

A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

Girls and Sports

Sudoku

By Justin Borus and Andrew Feinstein

Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from ★ (easiest) to ★★★★★ (hardest).

The Meaning of Lila

By John Forgetta & L.A. Rose

King Features Syndicate

GETTING STARTED There are many strategies to solving Sudoku. One way to begin is to examine each 3x3 grid and figure out which numbers are missing. Then, based on the other numbers in the row and column of each blank cell, find which of the missing numbers will work. Eliminating numbers will eventually lead you to the answer.

The Other Coast

By Adrian Raeside

SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE

Garfield

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Call us today at (310) 458-7737

Dog eat Doug

By Jim Davis

By Brian Anderson

Comics & Stuff Visit us online at smdp.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

13

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY

MYSTERY PHOTO

Rachel Dardashti news@smdp.com The first person who can correctly identify where this image was captured gets a pat on the back from the Santa Monica Daily Press. Send answers to editor@smdp.com.

Strange Brew

By John Deering

Speed Bump

By Dave Coverly

CHUCK

SHEPARD

■ London's Daily Mail reported (after an investigation under Britain's freedom of information act) that more than half of the local government councils responding admitted that they were using anti-terror laws and surveillance equipment to monitor such mundane activities as whether residents put their garbage out at the proper times for pickup. Said one prominent critic, "We are no longer living in what most would recognize as a free society."

■ Professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, told an annual meeting of radiologists in Chicago in December that they had discovered an alarming new teenage trend of self-mutilation: girls deliberately inserting objects into their arms, hands, feet, ankles and necks (including needles, staples, wood, stone, glass and a crayon).

According to the Chicago Tribune, the hospital reported extracting 52 such objects from 10 girls in a three-year period and regarded the practice as an extension of the more common self-cutting. Other studies have shown that at least 13 percent of high school students have deliberately injured themselves at least once.

■ When News of the Weird last mentioned Andy Park, of Melksham, England, in 2002, he was in his eighth straight year of celebrating Christmas every single day of his life, with not only seasonal decorations and cards mailed to himself but a full holiday meal including turkey and champagne.

However, as he told the Daily Mail in November, "The credit crunch is getting to me big time," and he has been forced to cut back a bit on the presents he gives himself.

Nonetheless, every morning since July 14, 1994, Park continues to arise and open his presents.

TODAY IN HISTORY Jack Johnson became the first African-American boxer to win the world heavyweight championship as he defeated Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation's railroads.

Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division.

1908 1917

1941

1944 WORD UP!

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a b s c o n d \ab-SKOND\, intransitive verb : To depart secretly; to steal away and hide oneself -- used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid arrest or prosecution.

14

A newspaper with issues

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

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.

Obituaries SISTER MARY Teresina Bretz, SNJM Bretz, Sister Mary Teresina (Mary Elizabeth) -- a native of Chicago, Illinois died in Los Gatos California, on December 17, 2008, at 101 years of age and as a vowed Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for 81 years.

For over 53 years Sister Teresina was an elementary school educator ministering in many schools in both Northern and Southern California, including St. Monica (Santa Monica), St. Stephen (Monterey Park), St. Gerard Majella (Los Angeles), St. Elizabeth (Altadena), St. Andrew (Pasadena), Sacred Heart (Oakland), St. Mary (Oakland) and St. Anne (Santa Monica). From 1967 – 1983 she was involved in the special reading program at St. Elizabeth in Altadena.

Since 1989 Sister Teresina was a vital member of the Los Gatos Convent community. Her beauty, wisdom, laughter and love of life drew many to her. She cherished her beloved family, her friends and community. Sister Teresina loved to do oil painting and her artwork now graces many homes.

Sister Teresina is survived by nieces, as well as three other generations of relatives who lovingly called her “Aunt Marie”. She is remembered fondly by her beloved Sisters and Associates of the Holy Names.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, December 27, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the Convent of the Holy Names, 200 Prospect Avenue, Los Gatos. Burial will take place on Monday, December 29, 2008 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward, at 10:30 a.m.

Donations in Sister's memory may be made to the Ministry Fund, Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031. Arrangements by Darling-Fischer Chapel of the Hills, Los Gatos, CA.

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

Customer service/sales position/on site coordinator at lawfirm in Santa Monica.

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

PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME Driver. Must have own car, need to be familiar with L.A. have Ca. driver’s license, English speaking. Can earn up to $100/ a day.

Submit resume to bsberkowitz@aol.com PART-TIME SALES position. Our attorney service is looking for referrals to law firms. Referrals result in ongoing commissions. Submit resume to bsberkowitz@aol.com

FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION! Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & More. 1000+ Homes Must Be Sold! Free Brochure: 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 6 9 - 0 7 8 2 . www.USHomeAuction.com REDC. (Cal-SCAN)

Newly Lowered Rates

Instruction

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

Ask about move-in special 1 month FREE.

Santa Monica $1995 2 Bdrms, 1Bath , NO pets, stove, refrigerator, parking 1935 Cloverfield Blvd., #15 Open daily for viewing 9am-7pm. Additional info in unit manager in unit #19 Santa Monica/ West LA $1395.00 to $2150.00 1Bdrm, 2Bdrms 2 Bdrms W/ Lofts NO pets. See manager at 1935 Cloverfield blvd. #15 for list of vacancies SINGLE 12746 Pacific Ave. unit 2 Lower stove, fridge, dishwasher, wall ac, carpet, blinds, laundry, pation, intercom entry, restricted parking, no pets. $1000.

(310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com

Help Wanted AWESOME TRAVEL JOB!!! 18 and over.

Free to travel USA with coed business group representing major Hip-Hop Rock&Roll, Fashion and Sport publications! Transportation furnished. Must Start ASAP 1-888-802-8747.

(Cal-SCAN) (Cal-SCAN) DRIVER - CDL Training: $0 down, financing by Central Refrigerated. Company Drivers earn average of $40k/year.

Owner Operators average $60k/Year.

1-800-587-0029 x4779. www.CentralDrivingJobs.net (Cal-SCAN) DRIVER - West Coast Regional NEW HIRING AREA. Newest equipment on the road. Competitive Pay. Run the Western 11 States On Site - Full Service Maintenance Shop. Reasonable Home Time.

Western Express - 22 yrs. old. Good MVR, EOE, CDL-A, 1 yr. OTR. Call Edna Today! 1-866-863-4112. (Cal-SCAN) DRIVER- $5K SIGN-ON Bonus for Experienced Teams with HazMat. Dry Van & Temp Control available. O/Os welcome.

Call Covenant 1-866-684-2519 EOE. (Cal-SCAN) DRIVERS-ASAP! SIGN-ON Bonus. 35-41 cpm. Earn over $1000 weekly. Excellent Benefits. Need CDL-A & 3 months recent OTR. 1-877-258-8782. www.MeltonTruck.com (Cal-SCAN) NATIONAL CARRIERS needs O/Os & Lease Purchase Candidates for its Regional Operations in Southeast California. Generous Home Time/ Outstanding Pay Package. CDL-A Required.

1 - 8 8 8 - 7 0 7 - 7 7 2 9 www.NationalCarriers.com (Cal-SCAN)

Adoption PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families nationwide. Living Expenses Paid. Call 24/7 Abby's One True Gift Adoptions.

1-866-459-3369. (Cal-SCAN)

GUITAR LESSONS with Lou Allen. Classical or plectrum. Your home or mine. Call 310-828-2151.

For Rent MAR VISTA, 11621 Braddock Dr. unit 16 2bdrm. 1.5 bath, $1350, townhouse style, stove, carpt, w/d hookup, patio, gated parking, carpet, intercom entry, no pets.$500 off move-in (310)967-4471 www.jkwproperties.com WLA, LARGE 3+2. OCEAN VIEW, top of hill, prv drvwy, 3 patios/backyard, gated, no pets. Redeco $2550/mo 310-390-4610.

1248 11TH st. unit I, 3bdrm/1 1/2bath, stove, carpet, blinds, laundry, parking, no pets.on site manager $2550/mo $500 off move in (310)393-6322 www.jkwproperties.com 615 1/2 MIDVALE lower Bachelor, no kitchen, sink, fridge,hot plate,, ceiling fan, carpet, street parking, no pets $895/mo (310)578-7512 wwwjkwproperties.com BRAND NEW one bedroom/ 1 bath for rent in SM ,hardwood floors, stove, refrig,.brand new appliances call Shaun $1700 (310)849-3500

WLA $1750/MO. Large bright 2 bdrm upper, on Barrington near National. Very spacious. Large closets, crown moldings, new carpet appliances Closed garage Well maintained, charming, older building in popular WLA area.near Whole Foods. FREE MONTH WITH ONE YEAR LEASE (310)828-4481 or (310)993-0414 after 6pm.

L.A. GROVE area 431 1/2 Genesse 2+1 stove, fridge, blinds, hardwood & tilefloors, seperate tub on-site laundry garage parking no pets $1875/mo $500 off move-in (310) 578-7512 jkwproperties.com

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

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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.

For Rent

WORLD GUITAR SHOW, Buy, Sell, Trade, Marin Civic/San Rafael, January 10-11, Orange County Fair, January 17-18, Saturdays 10-5, Sundays 10-4. www.TXShows.com Clip this ad!

(Cal-SCAN)

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For Rent

Business Opps

PART-TIME SALES POSITION-Retail hardware/lumber store in Santa Monica.

Contact Erik (310)395-0956.

(310)

Auction

100% RECESSION PROOF! Do You Earn $800 in a Day? Your Own Local Vending Route Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995.

MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405. (Cal-SCAN) OWN YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS...Not a franchise or mlm! New, improved method in high demand! Only $98 down. 1-800-927-9594 24 hrs. www.DrytechSystems.com/LesSaffil (Cal-SCAN)

GIVE OF YOURSELF American Cancer Society Discovery Shop needs volunteer sales help. You can contribute by spending 4 hours per week Thurs., Fri., or Sat.assisting in our up-scale resale shop in Santa Monica. Conact Terry or Shaunnah at (310) 458-4490.

Some restrictions may apply.

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Employment

Announcements

Employment

YOUR AD COULD RUN TOMORROW!*

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

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

Starting at $1,800/MO Beautiful Montana Gardens

(310) 245-9436

HOWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP (310) 869-7901 1234 11th Street # 8 1bdrm/1bath $1795 835 Pacific #6 Single $1275 All Utilities Included 1334 Euclid St, #8 1bdrm/1bath $1395 We are offering aggressive move-in specials PLEASE Visit our website for complete listings at: www.howardmanagement.com rentals@howardmanagement.com L.A. GROVE area 428 N Orange Grove unit 103 1+1 stove, fridge, blinds, hardwood floors, on-site laundry no pets $1250/mo $300 off move-in (310) 578-7512 jkwproperties.com LARGE SM SINGLE CAR GARAGE or storage easy access, electircity $200/mo OBO (310)729-5367 Mar Vista $2300.00 2Bdrms, 2 Baths W / Loft Stove, Refrig, Dshwshr, Wshr/Dryr, Gated Parking, NO PETS 4077 Inglewood Blvd, # 4, 5, Call for Appt.

(310)780-3354 MAR VISTA 12450 Culver Blvd. Unit 206 & 208 1bdrm/1bath, gated parking, intercom entry, stove, fridge, utilities included, laundry, parking, no pets. $1195/mo $400 off move-in on site manager (888)414-7778 www.jkwproperties.com MAR VISTA 12610 CASWELL ave.unit 7, 1bdrm/1ba $1175/mo.upper, stove, fridge, carpet, blinds, parking,laundry, no pets.$200 off move-in (310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com SANTA MONICA $1750/mo. 19th Street near SM Blvd., spacious 2bd/1bath, upper. Large private patio, new carpets, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, laundry, parking, small building call for Info (310)828-4481.

Santa Monica/ West LA $1395.00 to $2150.00 1Bdrm, 2 Bdrms 2 Bdrms W/ Lofts See manager at 2535 Kansas Ave #101 for list of vacancies

Real Estate

SM $1350/ front, bright, airy, all hardwood floors, utilites paid (310)395-5212 WLA 1457 WESTGATE UNIT 13 1+1 stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, carpet, blinds, hardwood floors, laundry, fireplace kitchen w/ceramic tile garage parking intercom no pets, $1350 (310)578-7512 jkwproperties.com WLA, UNOBSTRUCTED OCEAN VIEW. 2+2, hilltop upper front. Priv drvwy, large sundeck, cat ok. Newly redeco, $2150.00. 310-390-4610.

Houses For Rent STOP RENTING! Own A Home. 100% Financing. Zero Down. No Closing Costs.

Federally Insured. 1st Time Buyer OK. Call 866-903-8051. Green Planet Mtg. DOC LIC#4130948. (Cal-SCAN) WLA 2577 Armacost Ave, 2bdrm/ 1 bath stove dishwasher microwave carpet central AC/heat 2 car garage front & backyard pet ok with deposit $2695 (310)578-7512 www.jkwproperties.com

Hire Locals.

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Find them in the Santa Monica Daily Press classifieds.

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1020 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica

Houses for Sale FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION! Las Vegas -Auction: Jan 31st. 300+ Homes Must Be Sold! Free Brochure 8 0 0 - 6 1 3 - 0 2 6 3 . www.USHomeAuction.com REDC. (Cal-SCAN)

Land for Sale COLORADO FORECLOSURE- 40 ACRES $29,900. Outstanding Views. Access to BLM Canyon Rec Land. Financing. Call 1-866-696-5263 x4843. (Cal-SCAN)

Real Estate Loans MORTGAGE ALERT!! Loan Modifications, FHA Programs May save your home. Get the facts now. Free 24-hour recorded information. 1-800-715-6117 x17.

(Cal-SCAN)

Run your personals here!

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Storage Space FIRST MONTH FREE SM garage for storage secure and lock 1934 18th st. $225 month (310)490-9326 GARAGE FOR rent for storage/car totally private and lockable Oak and 24th $195/mo (310)395-5212

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CONDITIONS: REGULAR RATE: $5.50 a day. Ads over 15 words add 20¢ per word per day. Ad must run a minimum of twelve consecutive days. PREMIUMS: First two words caps no charge. Bold words, italics, centered lines, etc. cost extra.

Please call for rates. TYPOS: Check your ad the first day of publication. Sorry, we do not issue credit after an ad has run more than once.

DEADLINES: 3:00 p.m. prior the day of publication except for Monday’s paper when the deadline is Friday at 2:30 p.m. PAYMENT: All private party ads must be pre-paid. We accept checks, credit cards, and of course cash. CORRESPONDENCE: To place your ad call our offices 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, (310) 458-7737; send a check or money order with ad copy to The Santa Monica Daily Press, P.O. Box 1380, Santa Monica, CA 90406 or stop in at our office located at 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica. OTHER RATES: For information about the professional services directory or classified display ads, please call our office at (310) 458-7737.

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

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

Visit us online at smdp.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

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

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Autos Wanted

Services

DONATE YOUR CAR: Children's Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child's Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible.

Call 1-800-252-0615. (Cal-SCAN) DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, 1-888-468-5964. (Cal-SCAN)

STILL L SMOKING?

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

Services TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SINGER Will sing at all parties, churches, women’s clubs, and all occasions.Jolson, Sinatra, Tony Bennett, popular songs, and will have a sing along.

Lots of fun. Holiday Parties! Call Gabe 310-392-6501

Lou Ferrigno Jr Certified Private Fitness Trainer

*Lose weight, shed bodyfat *Exclusively private facility *Individualized routines!

(310) 913-2232 FERRIGKNOW@gmail.com

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

15

Classifieds

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

Life is short — Why make it shorter

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

Business Services A BEST-KEPT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECRET! A 25-word ad costs $550, is placed in 240 community newspapers and reaches over 6 million Californians.

Call for more information (916) 288-6010; (916) 288-6019 www.Cal-SCAN.com (Cal-SCAN) ADVERTISE EFFECTIVELY! Reach over 3 million Californians in 140 community newspapers. Cost $1,550 for a 3.75"x2" display ad. Super value! Call (916) 288-6010; (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com (Cal-SCAN) LOOKING FOR a cost efficient way to get out a NEWS RELEASE? The California Press Release Service is the only service with 500 current daily, weekly and college newspaper contacts in California.

Questions call (916) 288-6010. www.CaliforniaPressReleaseService.co m (Cal-SCAN)

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

Very Professional, Sonja (310) 397-0433.

A/C CONSTRUCTION General Construction Commercial & Residential

Remodel & Add ons Honest. Reliable.

FREE ESTIMATES — Sabbath Observed—

310.278.5380 Lic# 804884 Fully Insured

The Handy Hatts Painting and Decorating Co.

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

FULL SERVICE HANDYMAN FROM A TO Z Call Brian @ (310) 927-5120 (310) 915-7907 LIC# 888736 “HOME SWEET HOME”

Martin’s Professional Services

Support a greener L.A. Locals can ride their bike to work.

Find them in the Santa Monica Daily Press classifieds.

Call today to learn about our local hiring packages.

310-458-7737

Quality European Workman All Manors of Home Repairs From painting to electrical

(310) 289-3222 HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00pm

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

16

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008

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