School Officials Apologize by MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

School Officials Apologize by MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer INSIDE SCOOP COMMENTARY WEEKEND EDITION ANOTHER DAY AT THE ACADEMY PAGE 3 LEWINSKY IS BACK PAGE 4 Visit us online at smdp.com APRIL 19-20, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 136 Santa Monica Daily Press LAKERS GET READY SEE PAGE 17 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE OTHER SHOE DROPS ISSUE ENVIRONMENT School officials apologize BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer CITY HALL Her voice at times shaking yet sure, Superintendent Dianne Talarico on Thursday publicly apologized to parents and students who have been hurt by the policies and practices in the special educa- tion department, taking full responsibility for the district’s current predicament. The words of regret came two weeks after the release of an independent assessment on the finances and policies that fuel what has become a controversial special education department within the Santa Monica- A LITTLE TRIM Malibu Unified School District, plagued over Historic tree needs some work the past year by accusations of so-called secret deals and a culture of hostility. STORY BY DAILY PRESS STAFF PAGE 11 The superintendent returned to the Board of Education on Thursday night Brandon Wise [email protected] with a draft response to the audit, con- LANDMARK NEEDS MAINTENANCE: With its branches stretching out over the Fairmont Miramar Hotel driveway, the landmarked Moreton taining within it a series of preliminary Bay fig tree is the second largest found in California. Hotel management plans to do some much-needed pruning in May. action steps that includes using settlement agreements only as a last resort. But before she presented her recom- mendations, Talarico prefaced the presen- Another conviction reached in murder case tation with a formal apology, hoping the meeting would serve as the first step toward a healing process for the commu- BY LINDA DEUTSCH death penalty. nity and the school district. Associated Press Writer Thursday’s verdict came after the jury “I want to acknowledge that we are not heard a second round of closing arguments perfect, I want to acknowledge that prob- LOS ANGELES A 75-year-old woman was it requested in an effort to decide the last lems do exist in our school district,” convicted Thursday of murdering a home- three counts against Rutterschmidt. Talarico said. “What is most apparent and less man to collect life insurance, but the Deputy District Attorney Truc Do told what has become abundantly clear is we jury said it was deadlocked on another mur- jurors that Rutterschmidt was far from being must look forward and that we pledge to der charge and a conspiracy count. Golay’s pawn. enter a healing phase in our community.” The judge ordered more deliberations in She was “fully capable of heading this The district’s top official also stressed an effort to conclude a trial that has spun a GOLAY RUTTERSCHMIDT scheme on her own,”Do said.“...Golay is not that changes will need the cooperation from bizarre tale of a murder-for-profit scheme the mastermind of this scheme. They are 50- both school officials and the community. carried out by two elderly women. and 10-2 on conspiracy to murder him for 50 partners.” “To the community, I ask for your help Olga Rutterschmidt was convicted of the financial gain. Rutterschmidt’s attorney Michael Sklar because … we cannot do this critical work first-degree murder of Kenneth McDavid, Superior Court Judge David Wesley argued that prosecutors had not proven that alone,” Talarico said. “We believe that by 50, a day after she was found guilty of con- ordered jurors to return Monday to try to Rutterschmidt had the specific intent to throwing the first pebble into a healing spiring to murder him for financial gain. Her decide the remaining counts. Those deliber- murder anyone. pond, we will observe a ripple effect 77-year-old co-defendant, Helen Golay, was ations will have to start from scratch because “What we know is that by Ms. throughout the community.” convicted Wednesday of murdering the judge replaced a juror who told the court Rutterschmidt’s actions, she entered a con- Her statement was followed by a cho- McDavid and Paul Vados, 73, and counts of he had preplanned travel and could not spiracy to commit insurance fraud,” he said. rus of apologies by members of the school conspiracy in both killings. serve any longer. “On what do the people rely to say it went later in the evening, expressing regret, Without saying which way it was leaning, The verdicts so far carry life prison terms further than that? They rely on Helen some calling it one of the most challeng- the jury said it was deadlocked 11-1 on the without possibility of parole for both charge that Rutterschmidt murdered Vados women. Prosecutors chose not to seek the SEE GOLAY PAGE 7 SEE APOLOGY PAGE 14 FABULOUS DINNER SPECIALS BEST ON THE WESTSIDE SERVED 4PM – 10PM SINCE 1972 GABY SCHKUD COMPLETE DINNERS $10.95 MUSIC LESSONS (310)586-0308 1433 Wilshire Boulevard, INSTRUMENTAL & VOICE at 15th Street (310) 453-1928 The name you can depend on! 1901 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica www.816Pacific.com 310-394-1131 OPEN 24 HOURS www.santamonicamusic.com Eddie Says... Calendar “Better To Be Safe 2 WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 19-20, 2008 A newspaper with issues Than Sorry!” Edward Avedis Collection spring JEWELRY REPAIR CHECK LIST K Have jewelry cleaned & checked FREE* K Have watch battery checked FREE K Jewelry and watch repair estimates FREE K Have gemstone settings checked K Have bracelet clasps checked K Have watch battery changed K Have pearls restrung K New watch band K Have insurance appraisal updated Stopping the show K Have watch serviced Santa Monica High School, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Samohi’s theatre arts department presents the third annual edition of K Update and redesign old jewelry "Showstoppers.” This time it's "The Bad Girls of Broadway" (and a few Bad Boys). For tickets, call (310) 458-5939. Rolling for the environment Third Street Promenade, 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Shop where they know your name Clear Channel and AM 570 Sports are sponsoring a hybrid auto show to help spread the go green gospel. There will be scads of vehicles on display and a gaggle of factory 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica reps to tout their virtues. 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 www.readersjewelers.com Santa Monica on two feet 1436 Second St., 10 a.m. *Limit three pieces. The Santa Monica Conservancy leads a two-hour tour that explores more than 130 years of Santa Monica history from its wild west frontier beginnings to the metropolis of today. Starting from the 1875 Rapp Saloon, the route includes many landmarks and concludes at the 2003 NRDC building. For information, call (310) 496-3146. Come try it on 2627 Pico Blvd., 11 a.m. “The Hundred Dresses “ is a stage adaptation of the 1944 book, a timeless story about the “in” crowd, the painful consequences of teasing, and what is known today as “fashion bullying.” Bring the kids to this special theatrical experience. Reach out and touch someone 1341 Lake St., Venice, 2 p.m. — 6 p.m. Planet Social Sports games and matches are followed by team gatherings at local bars, which include discounted food and drinks, along with social activities. Men and women must be 21 to play. Check the Web site for specific times and locations www.planetso- cialsports.com. Sunday, April 20, 2008 Rocking the planet Santa Monica Pier, Noon Finally, a green event that rocks. The Green Apple Festival features a slate of notable rockers including Taj Mahal, Ziggy Marley and Juliette and the Licks. There will be information booths and loads of vendors. Admission is free. Getting together at The Gathering 132 Brooks Ave., Venice, 7 p.m. NATURAL GAS TAXI SERVICE TO LAX *$28.00 Creative, conscious, cutting edge, provocative, these are just some of the words used FLAT TO LAX to describe The Gathering. Born out of a yearning for an oasis for heartfelt expression FROM SM to converge, thrive, and multiply, Stephen Fiske, has brought together an incredible RESIDENCES amount of talent for these upcoming events such as musical acts, poetry, spoken EURO TAXI *$35.00 word, art, film and mixed media. For information, call (310) 396-8205. OF SANTA MONICA HOTELS AND BUSINESSES *MUST ASK The other Jerry's kids FOR CNG (310) 828-4200 VEHICLES 1348 14th St., 7 p.m. Cubensis brings the sights and sounds of a live Grateful Dead concert to 14 Below DO YOUR PART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, every Sunday. Cubensis is known for whipping its faithful crowd into a swirling psy- RIDE IN OUR 2006 MERCURY MARQUIS CNG CARS chedelic mass for three hours straight. • USING NATURAL GAS CAN HELP EASE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, Get it while its fresh ACID RAIN, SMOG, SOLID WASTE AND WATER POLLUTION WWW.EUROTAXISM.COM • NATURAL GAS IS VERY SAFE Downtown Mar Vista, 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. • THE DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY FUELS THE ECONOMY Head out to lovely Mar Vista for the weekly Farmers’ Market. Located at the corner of • NATURAL GAS TECHNOLOGIES CONTRIBUTE TO FOREIGN TRADE OFFERINGS Grandview and Venice boulevards, the market includes fresh fruits and vegetables as EURO TAXI FEATURES well as some prepared foods. • OUR FARES AVERAGE 20% LESS THAN MOST OTHER LOCAL TAXI CO. 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. • CLEAN CARS - VANS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR LARGER PARTIES • ALL OF OUR DRIVERS SPEAK CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH • 24/7 DISPATCH • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED DON ALEXANDER, OWNER/GM Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 19-20, 2008 3 Samohi sweeps Inglewood Vikings improve to 4-0 in league play BY JON HABER Special to the Daily Press DOWNTOWN The Santa Monica High School Vikings baseball team completed a two-game sweep Thursday against the Inglewood Sentinels (7-6, 1-3).
Recommended publications
  • SM-Daily-Press.Pdf
    REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS INSIDE SCOOP REAL ESTATE 101 THE REAL DEAL PACIFIC WHEEL GOES ON THE BLOCK PAGE 3 THERE IS NO GAIN WITHOUT RISK PAGE 8 Visit us online at smdp.com WEDNESDAY,APRIL 16, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 133 Santa Monica Daily Press BULL MARKET SEE PAGE 9 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE BUSINESS AS USUAL ISSUE ACTIVISM Residents not sold on project BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer OCEAN PARK Nearly a year after the birthplace of Dogtown was saved from demolition, the owner of a building that housed the old Zephyr surf shop returned to the Ocean Park neighborhood, this time with a new set of plans. Juli Doar, whose family owns an 86-year-old commer- cial structure on the corner of Main and Bay streets, pre- sented plans last week to develop a three-story apartment REACHING OUT complex behind the original home of Zephyr and Jeff Ho Productions, where the Z-Boys skateboard team was Samohi students spread the word about Darfur credited with revolutionizing the recreational activity into the form seen today. STORY BY MELODY HANATANI PAGE 11 The building caused a stir among Dogtown loyalists and Ocean Park residents after Doar filed a demolition permit in fall 2006 to build an environmentally-friendly Alexis Hawkins [email protected] apartment complex. The demo permit was subsequently SPEAKING OUT: Leah Sotelo (left) and Hannah Squier (right) inform Samohi students about the situation in Darfur on Tuesday. withdrawn after Doar learned about the impact that Zephyr and its skateboard team had on the world of skateboarding.
    [Show full text]
  • Ocean Park Cottage Lives on Home with a View of the Sea Retains Landmark Designation by MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
    INSIDE SCOOP EDITORIAL STATE MAKING HOUSING AFFORDABLE PAGE 3 FINDING A WAY TO LIMIT GROWTH PAGE 4 CARLIN RETURNS PAGE 6 Visit us online at smdp.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 93 Santa Monica Daily Press SAMO BOULEVARD UP CLOSE SEE PAGE 10 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE SLICE OF LIFE ISSUE Ocean Park cottage lives on Home with a view of the sea retains landmark designation BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer CITY HALL The historic landmark status of the only remain- ing beach-facing cottage in Santa Monica was reaffirmed on Tuesday by the City Council, which after facing the risk of a lawsuit regarding the proceedings of the original hearing last summer, decided to reopen the case. The council voted nearly unanimously to uphold the landmark designation of the old yellow cottage at 2219 Ocean Ave., the lone vote in opposition coming from Councilmember Pam O’Connor, who said she felt the house would be better suited as a Structure of Merit, which are deemed less significant than landmarks and reviewed only when a demolition is proposed. The property owner, the University of Illinois Foundation, was challenging the landmark status of the more than 100-year-old cottage, a designation set by the Landmarks Commission in August 2006. The small yellow and somewhat dilapidated cottage was constructed in the early 1900s and is one of the oldest buildings on the ocean-facing block, sandwiched between multi-family developments designed in varying architec- tural styles, evocative of the evolutionary development of Santa Monica.
    [Show full text]
  • Old-Fashioned School Mediating
    INSIDE SCOOP COMMENTARY PARENTING SPEARS’ PREGNANCY RAISES ISSUES PAGE 3 CHRISTMAS REALITIES PAGE 4 YOUNG AND VIOLENT TEENS PAGE 7 Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2007 Volume 7 Issue 37 Santa Monica Daily Press A FEAST FOR THE EYES SEE PAGE 9 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE MERRY CHRISTMAS ISSUE HOLIDAY SEASON DECKING THE HALLS Local homes get all dressed up PHOTO ESSAY BY BRANDON WISE PAGE 8 Brandon Wise [email protected] Old-fashioned school mediating BY MELODY HANATANI It was the first dispute that the eighth- Middle School, an extra-curricular activity schools, training and working with more Daily Press Staff Writer grader had resolved as a peer mediator at where students, not teachers, resolve the than 60 students between the two locations. John Adams Middle School, an awkward variety of conflicts that can arise among The program aims to eliminate the JAMS Rodney Johnson sat back in his seat, first experience considering the altercation adolescents during a volatile developmental instances of fighting between students, listening as the two junior high school stu- involved two of his good friends. time, from relationship and friendship teaching at a young age that discourse is a dents sitting before him bickered about a “I’m at work right now,” he responded at break-ups to even something as seemingly better way to resolve conflict rather than fight that had occurred earlier, a tiff sparked the time. “I’m a professional.” minor as looking at another student in the resorting to physical violence. Students are by name calling.
    [Show full text]
  • IIFT GK Special.Pmd
    MBA Education & Careers GK Prep for IIFT, SNAPTEST, & TISS Contents ❖ Top 5 countries for FDI Inflow in April-July’10 ❖ Sectors Attracting Highest FDI Equity Inflow ❖ Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ❖ Top Ten Global M&A Deals in Jan-Jul’10 ❖ Indian Premier League ❖ Commonwealth Games ❖ Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award ❖ List of Indian Gold Medal Winners at the CWG ❖ List of Airports – World & India ❖ Railways / Roadways / Waterways ❖ List of Booker Prize winners ❖ Recipients of Bharat Ratna ❖ Treaties ❖ Trade Blocs ❖ Buddhist Councils ❖ Comic Strips & their Creators ❖ Geography (Solar System, Earth Data, and Geographical Superlatives) ❖ Olympic Games / Hockey World Cup / Football World Cup ❖ Fold & Tribal Dances ❖ Countries and their Parliaments ❖ Official Books and Publications of Various Countries ❖ Commissioned Ranks of the Three Services Good Luck! T.I.M.E. 1 MBA Education & Careers Prep Talk IIFTIIFT GKGK SpecialSpecial Top 5 countries for FDI inflow in Apr-July’10 Amount of FDI Inflow Percentage to Rank Country (in crore) (in U.S.$ million) total FDI inflow 1 Mauritius 222,446.74 49,751.49 42.22 2 Singapore 49,562.30 11,164.20 9.47 3 U.S. 39,902.19 8,864.37 7.52 4 UK 27,099.33 6,123.47 5.20 5 Netherlands 22,216.68 4,942.23 4.19 Sectors Attracting Highest FDI Equity Inflow Amount in crore (U.S.$ in million) Cumulative Inflow Percentage to total Rank Sector (Apr’00 - Jul’10) inflow 1 Services Sector 110,178 (24,680) 21 (financial & non-financial) 2 Computer Software & Hardware 45,729 (10, 286) 9 3 Telecommunications 45,398 (9,964) 8 (cellular and basic telephony) 4 Housing & Real Estate 39,271 (8,769) 7 5 Construction 36,876 (8,311) 7 (including roads) 2 T.I.M.E.
    [Show full text]
  • Baby’ Grows up with Merger by MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
    INSIDE SCOOP OPINION NATIONAL SWIM TEAMS UNITE PAGE 3 WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO LOVE PAGE 4 CHARGES FILED IN 9/11 ATTACK PAGE 7 Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 79 Santa Monica Daily Press MAKING A PLEA SEE PAGE 1 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE BIG PAY DAY ISSUE Teachers to get a pay raise BY MELODY HANATANI $2,000 per employee. Officials at both ends are calling the agreement a “win- Daily Press Staff Writer The union’s Board of Directors ratified the terms of the win” situation, granting a fair salary raise for teachers and contract last week while the district’s Board of Education keeping up with the compensation level of other local school SMMUSD HDQTRS In a public school district where the high expressed its general support for the collective bargaining districts, helping with not only retention of existing educa- cost of living can burn a hole in the pocket, teaching gigs agreement during a meeting last Thursday, signaling a formal tors in the district, but also recruitment. could become more financially attractive as a pay raise is ratification of the contract at the board’s Feb. 21 meeting. “When you talk to the vast majority of teachers, you’re soon expected to be on the books for certificated educators. Last year, the board approved a 5 percent teacher salary really impressed by their dedication and also by their skills,” The negotiating teams for both the Santa Monica-Malibu raise that initially became entangled in a larger issue of School Board Vice President Jose Escarce said.
    [Show full text]
  • New Waters New Waters
    INSIDE SCOOP LOCAL WEEKEND EDITION PUTTING LOCAL GANGS ON BLAST PAGE 3 WALKING FOR WATER PAGE 16 Visit us online at smdp.com MARCH 22-23, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 112 Santa Monica Daily Press EATING LIKE A CAVEMAN SEE PAGE 7 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE KEEPING IT HOOD ISSUE Representing the hoods BY MELODY HANATANI interest in bringing to light the issues of Many in neighborhood groups cred- Daily Press Staff Writer her neighborhood to city officials, it the strength of the unified voice for working to alleviate street parking woes winning battles, staving off unwanted WILMONT Jeanne Dodson turned one through becoming an active member projects like a proposed mixed-use corner, and then another, up and and later chairman of the Wilshire development on the edge of Sunset down the street, frustration slowly Montana Neighborhood Coalition. Park, or bringing more affordable hous- creeping in with every missed spot. A voice of the community, a collec- ing in the Pico Neighborhood, whose It was late at night and hardly the last tive shout to City Hall is perhaps the association helped form Community thing that the Santa Monica resident unifying attribution of the organized Corporation of Santa Monica. wanted to do — find a parking space in neighborhood groups in Santa Monica, Diane Moss, who has owned proper- an impacted Wilshire Boulevard- each representing the unique concerns ty in Sunset Park since 2002, joined the Montana Avenue neighborhood, where of their residents and ensuring they Friends of Sunset Park (FOSP) last year it appeared as though every single pos- have a presence when it comes to the because of concerns over pollution and Brandon Wise [email protected] sible spot was already occupied.
    [Show full text]
  • One Day of Time for Lohan by MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer Serve 10 Days of Community Service
    INSIDE SCOOP OPINION CRIME WATCH EXCHANGE RATE PAGE 3 REPUBLICANS ARE TWO-FACED PAGE 4 THIS SENIOR’S GOT ALL HIS TEETH PAGE 6 Visit us online at smdp.com FRIDAY,AUGUST 24, 2007 Volume 6 Issue 242 Santa Monica Daily Press SNIPPETS OF SUNSET PARK SEE PAGE 10 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ISSUE One day of time for Lohan BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer serve 10 days of community service. drugs,” the actress said in a statement. The famous Hollywood party girl will now be able to Lohan was charged for two counts each of driving BEVERLY HILLS Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan escaped avoid a trial. She was scheduled to be arraigned today in under the influence, driving with a blood alcohol level of with just a one-day prison sentence on Thursday after court before accepting the plea bargain on Thursday. over .08 percent, being under the influence of cocaine being busted for drunken driving and cocaine possession Lohan did not appear in court and was instead repre- and one count of reckless driving. on two separate occasions, including a July 24 incident in sented by her attorney, Blair Berk, before Superior Court Deputy District attorney Danette Meyers said in a Santa Monica that featured a drunken car chase. Judge H. Chester Horn. The star of “Mean Girls” and statement on Thursday that Lohan was not being charged After being charged with seven misdemeanor counts “Herbie: Fully Loaded” has reportedly checked herself for cocaine possession after tests results showed she was Thursday morning by the Los Angeles County District into a Utah rehab center.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Monica Resident Testifies in Murder Trial
    REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS INSIDE SCOOP REAL ESTATE 101 THE REAL DEAL DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES GO DARK PAGE 3 HOME FINANCING IS FEELING THE PINCH PAGE 7 Visit us online at smdp.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 115 Santa Monica Daily Press A-ROD TOO? SEE PAGE 14 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE LIGHTS ARE SHINING ISSUE School district Santa Monica resident quizzes parents on homework testifies in murder trial BY MELODY HANATANI neighbor’s murder case when it recon- Daily Press Staff Writer vened on Tuesday morning. Golay, who BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer owned three apartment buildings in DOWNTOWN L.A. Meilisa Thompson the Ocean Park neighborhood, and co- SMMUSD HDQTRS The value of homework can be was fed up with the eyesore cluster of defendant Olga Rutterschmidt, 75, are viewed in multiple ways, serving as both a supplement to trash bins outside of her Ocean Park accused of murdering two homeless the classroom and a preview of the workload expected in home, blocking the entrance to the men in a life insurance scam. college. alleyway and attracting less than desir- GOLAY RUTTERSCHMIDT Prosecutors believe the two elderly It can also at times be a preview of sleep deprivation able activity. women concocted a scheme in which experienced in college. So when the Santa Monican one day April 2005 were displayed in a they befriended Kenneth McDavid and Angeli Agatep is the mother of a junior at Malibu High found a can of red paint sitting near the Downtown Los Angeles courtroom, a Paul Vados when they were still home- School, a student who spends roughly three to four hours garbage cans, the flashy hue splashed piece of evidence in a criminal case that less, fixing them up in rent-free apart- a day on homework for four advanced placement courses.
    [Show full text]
  • Math 2.0 Kids Use Latest Technology to Help One Another Excel
    INSIDE SCOOP STATE NATIONAL CIF PLAYOFF RECAP PAGE 3 MCDONALD’S GOES FENG SHUI PAGE 6 ECO-FRIENDLY POOCHES PAGE 13 Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 91 Santa Monica Daily Press WHERE’S WHOOPI? SEE PAGE 15 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE SUPPORTING LOCAL SPORTS ISSUE Math 2.0 Kids use latest technology to help one another excel BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL There’s a video on YouTube that has generated nearly 1,000 views since it was posted last August. It isn’t the latest impressive basketball dunk or footage of pirates versus ninjas, but rather an instruc- tion on adding fractions using different denominators. The lesson on lowest common denominators is led by “Billy Billy,” a pseudonym for eighth-grade Lincoln Middle School student Aleya Spielman, whose voice in the video guides her fellow classmates how to solve a par- ticular type of problem. “Hi, my name is Billy Billy and today we’re going to learn about adding fractions with differ- ent denominators by using the LCD, or the least common denom- inator,” Spielman’s voice can be heard over the lesson. PROGRESS? Brandon Wise [email protected] The “Mathcast,” John Merritt, an employee of Santa Monica Volvo for 12 years, watches the demolition of a home at 1325 Euclid St. on Monday created thanks to afternoon. "Its amazing what can happen in a week" Merrit said of the demolition. The house sat vacant for two years before it Lincoln match teacher was torn down to make way for an apartment complex.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Monica Daily Press TOUGH TIMES SEE PAGE 6 Since 2001: a News Odyssey the MONEY TRAIL ISSUE
    REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS INSIDE SCOOP COMMENTARY THE REAL DEAL BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL PAGE 3 HOME DEPOT CAN HANDLE IT PAGE 5 Visit us online at smdp.com WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 20, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 240 Santa Monica Daily Press TOUGH TIMES SEE PAGE 6 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE MONEY TRAIL ISSUE Financing of RIFT struggle BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer CITY HALL When it comes to political cam- paigns, identifying the supporters could just be about following the money trail. Such has been a major topic of discussion since the Save Our City committee formed last month in opposition to a proposal that seeks to limit commercial growth in the city, the supporters of the fall ballot measure questioning their new challengers on their source of its financing. The Residents’ Initiative to Fight Traffic, recently renamed Proposition T, would restrict commercial growth in the city to 75,000 square feet a year, allowing City Hall to borrow extra space from up to four years in advance. The Coalition for a Livable City authored the measure. Brandon Wise [email protected] The opposition campaign, which is head- GOOD LIFE: The first Human Development Index determined that congressional district 30, which includes Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly ed by environmentalist and Planning Hills and Malibu, has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the nation. The report was released by the American Human Development Project. Commissioner Terry O’Day and Judy Abdo, a rent control advocate and employee of the school district, filed their first campaign dis- closure statement in late July, the group at Improving the human condition times accused by the pro-RIFT contingent of attempting to hide the trail of money, a claim Save Our City has denied.
    [Show full text]