INSTANT CASH WE PAY CASH FOR ANY GOLD JEWELRY CASH N RUN • Santa Monica 1914 Lincoln Blvd. (Corner of Lincoln & Pico) 310.399.2200 Visit us online at smdp.com MONDAY,AUGUST 31, 2009 Volume 8 Issue 255 Santa Monica Daily Press LASTING LEGACY SEE PAGE 14 We have you covered THE FIRES ARE BAD ISSUE Issues surround locality of vendors BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer MAIN STREET With the launch of a citywide campaign this year to urge consumers to buy from local businesses, one merchant associa- tion is hoping the neighborhood Santa Monica Farmers’ Market also follows the same philosophy. On the list of about a dozen non-agricul- tural vendors at the Main Street Farmers’ Market, selling everything from French crepes to tamales to Louisiana hotlinks — is one par- ticipant — Groundworks — who also main- tains a business on the commercial corridor where the weekly street fair is located. Gary Gordon, the executive director of the Main Street Business Improvement Association, said that there used to be a prac- tice that if a Main Street restaurant wanted to participate in the prepared foods section of the farmers’ market, it would get in. “Over time that practice seemed to have evaporated,” he said. The situation first arose about two years ago when Euphoria Loves Rawvolution inquired about becoming involved but was initially turned away because organizers were in the middle of rewriting rules for the entire organization and drafting a new request for proposals (RFP) document that included a scoring system for applicants, Jonathan Kalan [email protected] LOCAL LINKS: Most of the non-fresh produce vendors who call the Main Street Farmers’ Market home are not based in the shopping district. SEE MARKET PAGE 11 COMMUNITYPROFILES ROBERT AMONIC Local plastic surgeon is the face of service BY EMMA TROTTER to be elected chairman. Amonic, who lives with his family in Brentwood, previ- Special to the Daily Press “He’s been involved in just about everything,” Pacheco ously served on the Saint John’s Health Center board of said, citing fundraising, blood services, disaster preparedness directors, which oversees the daily operations of the hospi- MID-CITY It’s been a lifetime of service for Santa Monica and youth services. “He’s a real asset to the community. Take tal. For more than 20 years, he has been a trustee of the hos- plastic surgeon Robert Amonic. what you expect a board member to do, go six steps ahead pital’s foundation, which raises money to cover expenses for “I have always thought it’s very important to give things and there’s Rob Amonic out there doing it.” more far-reaching projects. back to the community,”he said.“It’s just something you just Amonic said he puts in so much time and energy because The foundation’s most recent achievement is helping to do — it’s not even optional.” of his passion for the non-profit’s mission. raise the $530 million required to repair damage done by the Amonic’s latest chance to serve comes with his election to “The Red Cross is one of the most under-appreciated Northridge Earthquake in 1994. The Keck Diagnostic and the position of chairman of the board of directors of Red organizations in the U.S.,” he said. “No one acknowledges it Treatment Center was just completed. Cross of Santa Monica. until they need it.” Wearing several hats has long been a part of Amonic’s John Pacheco, branch CEO, said it was “rare” for someone Whether it’s an earthquake, a fire or a terrorist attack, who has only been on the board for a few years, like Amonic, Amonic continued, the Red Cross wants to be ready. SEE CP PAGE 12 Gary Limjap Commitment Bands TAXES (310) 586-0339 ALL FORMS, ALL TYPES, ALL STATES BACK TAXES • BOOKKEEPING • SMALL BUSINESS In today’s real estate climate ... SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA Experience counts! (310) 395-9922 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica | 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800 [email protected] Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm • 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com Santa Monica 90401 Calendar 2 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 A newspaper with issues HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAYfrom 6-8pm LIVE MUSIC DJ COCKTAILS Happy $ Monday thru THU Recession for 5 Wednesday -SAT Menu bucks 217 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 | 310-576-3030 | www.copadoro.com Anthony’s Paint and Body Shop Under old management Eddie’s Back! Doing business the right way ... like the old days • Exclusive Body Shop for Honda of Santa Monica Scrabulous! • Recommended Body Shop for Santa Monica Acura Fairview Branch Library • All insurance accepted 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 1 p.m. — 3 p.m. • Owner operated Have fun, meet new people, and challenge your mind playing bridge or Scrabble. Call (310)450-0443 for more information. Mariachi Margarita Mondays El Texate Restaurant 316 Pico Blvd., 5 p.m. — 10 p.m. Enjoy the beautiful music of Mariachi and the only fresh-squeezed Since 1945 www.anthonysbodyshop.com margaritas in Santa Monica! Shows at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. No cover charge! Call (310)399-1115 for more information! 1546 14th St. (just north of Colorado) in Santa Monica • 310-393-0217 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 Pier in pictures First United Methodist Church 1008 11th St., 9 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. FUMC presents a beautiful, free photo exhibit by church member Allan Walker to coincide with the Santa Monica Pier’s 100th anniver- sary. This exhibit of contemporary photographs will be open daily through Sept. 9. For more information, call (310)393-8258. Growing through adulthood Santa Monica Family YMCA 1332 6th St., 12 p.m. — 1 p.m. Join us to discuss the psycological issues at each stage of life and exiting ways that we can grow throughout adulthood. For more infor- mation, contact Lidia Magarian at (310) 393-2721 ext. 129 or e-mail [email protected]. Group fun at Wokcano Wokcano Santa Monica 1413 Fifth St., 8 p.m. — 2 a.m. Wokcano is pleased to host group party evenings throughout the week at our beautiful outdoor deck. Bring your friends for dinner and drinks to celebrate milestones, or simply to enjoy our warm and inviting lounge setting. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Call (310)458-3080 for more information. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 Ballroom by the bay Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club 1210 4th St., 7 p.m. — 11 p.m. Join us for free dance lessons, followed by dancing on the club’s 3000 square foot floor. Waltz, foxtrot, swing, hustle and more — no partner necessary. Admission is $10. Call (310) 487-0911 for more 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. Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 3 ‘Guiding Light’ wins one more Wildfire Daytime Emmy threatens BETH HARRIS Associated Press Writer homes LOS ANGELES “Guiding Light”earned one of its last trophies at the Daytime Emmys on Sunday night before it leaves the air after 72 years. CHRISTOPHER WEBER AND Jeff Branson, who plays Shayne Lewis on RAQUEL MARIA DILLON the CBS soap, tied for supporting actor in the Associated Press Writer first award presented on the live CW telecast. “This is so bittersweet,” Branson said LOS ANGELES Wildfire threatened 12,000 backstage. suburban homes and rained ash on cars as He tied with Vincent Irizarry of ABC’s far away as Downtown Los Angeles on “All My Children,” who got his soap start on Sunday, spreading in all directions in hot, “Guiding Light” in the early 1980s. dry conditions. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger “I have such affection for that show. I’m urged those in the fire’s path to listen to grateful to have had the opporutnity to be a authorities and get out. part of television history,”Irizarry said back- Firefighters trained their attention on the stage. “What other medium is producing blaze’s fast-moving northern front as more product that lasts 72 years? It has enter- evacuations were ordered in the Los Angeles tained not only generations, but employed suburbs. generations of people.” While thousands have fled, two people Singing, dancing, comedy and a touch of who tried to ride out the firestorm in a back- pathos set against the glitzy backdrop of a yard hot tub were critically burned. The pair historic theatre were part of the 36th annual in Big Tujunga Canyon, on the southwestern Daytime Emmys in an attempt to lure an edge of the fire, “completely underestimated eroding audience for award shows. the fire” and the hot tub provided “no pro- Sunday’s broadcast relocated to the tection whatsoever,” Sheriff’s spokesman Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Steve Whitmore said Sunday. Angeles this year, leaving its recent home at The two individuals made their way to Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Opened in firefighters and were airlifted out by a sher- 1926, the venue has hosted everyone from iff’s rescue helicopter. They received ade- Judy Garland and Jack Benny to Duke quate notification to evacuate from deputies Ellington and Stevie Wonder. but decided to stay, Whitmore said. “It’s a smaller venue, which has that real One of the two was treated and released glamorous look,” executive producer David and the other remained hospitalized in sta- McKenzie said. “We want to call attention to ble condition. A third person was burned the fact that downtown has these incredible Saturday in an evacuation area along theaters.