Santa Monica Daily Press, March 06, 2009

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Volume 8 Issue 104

Santa Monica Daily Press FREE TO ROLL SEE PAGE 3

Talk of the town

THE BAD OCTOPUS ISSUE

District officials consider furloughs BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

SMMUSD HDQTRS The growing trend of furloughing employees could be in the school district’s future. Facing the possibility of more than $4 million in cuts next year to various vital programs, including health services, elementary music, intervention counseling and Santa Monica High School’s House System, the Board of Education has requested the staff to explore the cost savings of unpaid leave. It’s a proposal being floated by different agencies across the country in the current economic climate, following the lead of

TAKING A STAND

Maya Myers mayamyers.com Rev. Janet McKeithen, of the Church in Ocean Park and member of the Hill Street Voices for Change, co-organized Thursday’s 'Walk for Solidarity.' Those in attendance hope that the State Supreme Court overturns the recently approved Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages.

Little octopus, major expense

Samohi begins season under microscope BY DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor

SAMOHI For a team that went undefeated in league play last season, the Vikings would seemingly be a lock to repeat as Ocean League champs. But, inside the numbers, the Santa Monica High School baseball team amassed the impressive 10-0 record in league play under serious duress. The Vikings may have beat every rival Ocean League team twice, but many of those ball games were decided by two runs or fewer. A total of four games were close going down to the wire with the final regular season game against Culver City tied 0-0 at the end of seven innings

before being decided in the 10th. “We’re going to be a lot like last year,” Head Coach Rob Duron said. “We’re hoping our pitching and defense can carry us.” Luckily for the Vikings, defense and pitching are stout for a team that opens its preseason today at home against nearby University High School. While the team is light on home run hitters, Duron said he wouldn’t be sure what to expect from his offense until the team plays a few games. “We’ll be OK,” Duron said. “We have guys who can put the ball into play.” Duron will look to outfielder/third baseman Logan Whitchurch to help lead the offense with three-year varsity outfielder

Five generations of family jewelers

Vince Lawrence providing speed on the base paths. Together with Ricky Gomez, who moved from shortstop to second base this off-season, those three will be relied upon to generate offense and manufacture runs. Thankfully for the Vikings, the team is anchored by Tyler Skaggs, a standout lefthanded starting pitcher who is being heavily sought after by pro scouts. The lanky hurler has committed to Cal State Fullerton. Unfortunately for Samohi, Skaggs can’t start every game. Duron is using the first couple of preseason contests to figure out

SM PIER Big disasters can sometimes come in small packages. The Heal the Bay Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is facing up to $20,000 in damages as a result of a mischievous octopus that flooded the building with 200 gallons of sea water last week. The water the octopus released through the circulation pipe in her tank cascaded out into the offices and experiment section. Most of the displays were spared.

SEE SAMOHI PAGE 9

SEE FLOOD PAGE 7

Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339

In today’s real estate climate ... Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm

331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com

SEE DISTRICT PAGE 7

Experience counts! garylimjap@earthlink.net

BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Special to the Daily Press

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