Realizing King's Dream
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INSIDE SCOOP OPINION PARENTING CHECK OUT THE INAUGURATION PAGE 3 MOVING BEYOND HYPHENS PAGE 4 QUACKERS GET A CUT PAGE 6 Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009 Volume 7 Issue 369 Santa Monica Daily Press IN HIS SIGHTS SEE PAGE 11 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE MAKING HISTORY ISSUE Cops need help Realizing finding vehicle in hit-and-run King’s BY KEVIN HERRERA Editor in Chief dream PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY Investigators with the Santa Monica Police Department BY MELODY HANATANI are asking for the public’s help in locating a Daily Press Staff Writer vehicle involved in a felony hit-and-run acci- dent that seriously injured a bike rider. WILSHIRE BLVD On the day before the inau- It was the 13th hit-and-run accident in guration of the nation’s first black president, Santa Monica so far this year, said SMPD hundreds of people gathered here to honor Investigator Chris Dawson. There were 612 the life of a man whose activism more than such accidents in 2008. 40 years ago helped make the historic elec- Police said the latest hit-and-run tion possible. occurred on Jan. 17 at about 12:30 a.m. A The celebration on Monday of Martin 33-year-old bicyclist was riding southbound Luther King Jr.’s 80th birthday focused on on 20th Street at Arizona avenue when he how the dreams of one civil rights leader was struck by an unknown vehicle. After were finally being realized through the striking the cyclist, the driver ran over the installation today of President-elect Barack bicycle and the rider’s body and then left the Obama and how his teachings still apply. scene without rendering assistance or calling “It’s more than coincidental the celebra- the police. tion of Martin occurs the day before the The victim was transported to a local inauguration,” said Darlene Evans, who hospital in critical condition. He suffered chairs the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. severe head trauma, multiple fractures to his Westside Coalition. torso and one of his legs was broken, The organization hosted its 24th annual Dawson said. tribute to the late activist at the SGI-USA World Headquarters Auditorium, featuring SEE COPS PAGE 9 musical performances by the Angel City Chorale and The Rev. William H. Knight and recognizing two long-time volunteers who recently died. Meals on Wheels The celebration was the culmination of a week’s worth of events, including the volunteers save life Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 15, which is King’s actual birthday, and a concert on Sunday featuring the Santa Monica BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Symphony Orchestra. Special to the Daily Press The finale focused on the theme of change, centering around Mahatma SUNSET PARK Meals on Wheels volunteers Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you want to saved the life of an elderly Santa Monica res- see in the world.” ident whom they found in her home bleed- According to the speakers, change was ing profusely from an open head wound. imminent. When Meals on Wheels volunteers Bob “There is a spirit in the room and the Sandler and his partner came to serve her spirit is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 24 hours lunch at noon on Jan. 5, Ruth Barkley, 82, from now,” Nat Trives, who co-founded the was perched on the corner of her floral-pat- coalition, said. terned couch, drenched in blood that was The keynote address was given by spilling out of a two-inch gash in the back of Anwarul Chowdhury, who is the former her head. They immediately called 911 and United Nations under secretary-general and the ambulance rushed Barkley to Kaiser high representative for the least developed Permanente where she received seven stitch- countries, landlocked developing countries, es. and small island developing states. Barkley doesn’t remember much of what Byron Kennerly [email protected] Chowdhury was selected as a last-minute SINGING LOUD AND PROUD: The Rev. William H. Knight sings during the 24th annual Dr. SEE MEALS PAGE 9 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the SGI Center on Monday. SEE KING PAGE 8 FABULOUS DINNER SPECIALS SERVED 4PM - 10PM GABY SCHKUD COMPLETE DINNERS $11.95 (310)586-0308 1433 Wilshire Boulevard, at 15th Street EXPERIENCE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 310-394-1131 OPEN 24 HOURS www.17thstreethome.com eddie says: Calendar 2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009 A newspaper with issues • “Flowers will wilt in weeks ...” • “Shoes wear out in a year ...” Eddie Guerboian • “Clothes go out of style ...” GOLDSMITH DESIGNER • “But ...” gold is forever Inauguration Day Watch and Party Church in Ocean Park 235 Hill St., 8 a.m. — 10 p.m. Watch President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration at the Church in Ocean Park. Enjoy a continental breakfast, followed by a career fair and job counseling between 1 p.m. 18K Floating Diamond Bracelet and 5 p.m., after which the Church in Ocean Park will host their own Inaugural Ball. Call (310) 399-1631 for more information. Toddler Story Time for Two’s Ocean Park Branch Library 2601 Main St., 10 a.m. — 11 a.m. Shop where they know your name Bring two-year-old children to Mr. Jesse’s Toddler Story Time for Two’s for stories, songs, rhymes and puppets. Registration is required. Call (310) 458-4638 for more 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) information. 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com Autism: The Musical Fairview Branch Library 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 7 p.m. — 9 p.m. Come to Fairview Branch Library for a free screening of Autism: The Musical, a docu- mentary about the transformation of five autistic children in Los Angeles as they develop and rehearse an original musical about autism. Call (31-) 450-0443 for more The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce information. Presents Birds: The Local Story Temescal Gateway Park 15601 Sunset Blvd., 7:30 p.m. — 9 p.m. Business at Sunset Mixer Join Santa Monica College biology professor Walt Sakai for a discussion about birds and his own efforts to study them. Meet at Woodland Hall. Call (310) 858-7272 ext. 115 This Wednesday Jan. 21 for more information, or e-mail [email protected]. 5:30 – 7:30 pm Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 Kiwanis Club Weekly Meeting at Santa Monica YMCA 1332 6th St., 12 p.m. — 1:30 p.m. Join the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club for its weekly luncheon with guest speakers. Call (310) 613-1249 for more information. Walk The Labyrinth First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica 1008 11th St., 1 p.m. — 2 p.m. Come to the Simkins Hall at First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica to walk the labyrinth, an ancient form of meditation where one follows an inlaid path in quiet con- templation. Call (310) 393-8258 or e-mail Mary Garbesi at mary.garbesi@santamoni- caumc.org for more information. The 12 Steps for Everybody 16730 Bollinger Dr., Pacific Palisades, 7 p.m. — 8 p.m. Come to a writing meeting open to all 12-Step programs or anyone with a habitual problem or illness. Call (310) 428-0904 or e-mail Frank Loweree at Join us for a night of good food, good music, [email protected]. “Island of the Great White Shark” Free Film Screening and good company at the American Red Cross Santa Monica Main Library, MLK Auditorium 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. of Santa Monica! Promote your company, meet Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium hosts a free screening of “Island of the Great White Shark,” an award-winning documentary about the role of great white other professionals, and learn more about sharks in the ecosystem. Filmmaker Richard Theiss will lead a question and answer disaster preparedness. Admission comes with session after the film. Montana Branch Book Club appetizers and drinks. Free parking. Montana Ave. Branch Library 1704 Montana Ave., 7 p.m. — 8 p.m. Come to discuss Joshua Henkin’s “Matrimony.” Chamber members $10 pre sale 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. Non members $20 For more information visit smchamber.com or call 310-393-9825 Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009 3 Front and center Samohi graduate a member of the president’s band BY KEVIN HERRERA ple were already there watching us at the Editor in Chief crack of dawn. “I just wanted a job last June and now I’m WASHINGTON, D.C. When it comes to here.” President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugura- Founded in 1798 by an act of Congress, tion today, Tessa Gross has one of the best “The President’s Own” United States Marine seats in the house. It only took her some 20 Band is America’s oldest professional musi- years of hard work and her enlistment in the cal organization. “The President’s Own” Marine Corps. encompasses the United States Marine Gross, 25, a graduate of Santa Monica Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and High School, is a member of “The Marine Chamber Ensembles, and performs President’s Own” United States Marine regularly at the White House. Gross and her Band, Obama’s personal musicians who per- fellow marines will be playing at all 10 of the form everything from “Hail to the Chief” to official inaugural balls. more modern tunes at more than 500 public To become a member of the band, Gross performances across the nation each year.