Lingering Eyesores Create Problems by CHIARA CANZI List of Priorities
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INSIDE SCOOP LOCAL WEEKEND EDITION MAKING FUNNY AT OLYMPIC HIGH PAGE 3 LEGALLY HELPFUL PAGE 7 Visit us online at smdp.com MARCH 1-2, 2008 Volume 7 Issue 95 Santa Monica Daily Press TALKING UP THE TREES SEE PAGE 6 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE COVERING THE CITY ISSUE Lingering eyesores create problems BY CHIARA CANZI list of priorities. The department receive com- Special to the Daily Press plaints of a disparate nature and vacant properties seem to be getting a lot of interest. CITYWIDE The pungent stench of urine prickles “The complaints vary from overgrown vegeta- the nostrils as one inches closer to the metallic tion, trash, vagrancy, homeless people living there,” fence that isolates a one-story bungalow on Cochran said. California Avenue. Empty beer bottles and soda On average, the department receives one com- cans decorate the obviously unkept front lawn plaint a month, and it is Cochran’s job to make sure while the porch sits empty, dirty and home to old owners of the vacant properties clean them up. newspapers and half-eaten sandwiches. “After we receive a complaint we go out to the par- The home, located at 1329 California Ave., has ticular location to assess the situation and see the become an eyesore in the community and the source alleged complaint,” she said. of many complaints from residents who want it It is usually easy to see “because we find shop- cleaned up. It is just one on a long list of lots that are ping carts and baskets and bags, beer cans, and evi- waiting for the Planning Commission’s approval for dence of people sitting and eating right there.” redevelopment, or are in a legal limbo going from “You either see that or you see people living one owner to the next. there,” she added. Either way, properties like it have become a Cochran works closely with the Santa Monica problem. Police Department and the Homeless Liaison Alexis Hawkins [email protected] Code Complaint Officer Jacqueline Cochran Program team. Neighborhood resource officers ATTRACTING TROUBLE: Vacant homes, like this one located at 1112 Pico Blvd., works closely with residents to solve disputes of any are often magnets for vagrancy. Owners blame the city for some of the problems. kind and vacant properties have now topped her SEE VACANT PAGE 12 Samohi boy’s soccer reaches finals BY JON HABER team focused on keeping the ball on CROSSROADS BASKETBALL IN FINALS Special to the Daily Press the Jaguars’ side of the field. Kovacs also has the confidence his defense can The Crossroads Delphic DOWNTOWN For the first time in keep Jurupa Valley senior forward League champion girls’ bas- the team’s 36-year history, the Christopher Romero in check. ketball team (19-7) took on Santa Monica High School Ocean Romero leads the Jaguars with 10 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth League champion boys’ soccer goals and eight assists this season. (22-4) Friday night for the team (25-0-1, 9-0) has made it to “Our shutdown defender all year Division V A CIF-SS champi- the CIF-SS Division IV champi- has been [senior] Chris De La onship at the Walter Pyramid onship game. Rosa. We always tend to put him on in Long Beach. The score was Samohi brings its undefeated the [opponent’s] best player,” not available at press release. record to the pitch against Jurupa Kovacs said. “If it turns out he DAILY PRESS Valley of Mira Loma (24-2-4, 6-2-2) needs help, well send over some Saturday at Warren High School in other players.” Downey. It’s the first matchup ever On the offensive side of the ball, that works just fine for the Vikings. between the two teams. the Vikings will look to senior for- “We play well on those fields. Our Vikings head coach Frank Gatell wards Alessandro Canale, Artur passing is crisp, movement with the believes his defense, which hasn’t Jozkowicz and Charlie Paris and sen- ball is a little more concise,” he said. allowed a goal throughout the play- ior midfielder Luis Zavala to set the Samohi has cruised thus far in the offs, will be the key to success. pace on Samohi’s side of the field. playoffs, outscoring opponents by a “The defense has been playing “We need those guys to give us the combined 16-0. The Vikings defeated very aggressive to the ball,” the 11- tempo and pace of game we’re looking Channel Islands 3-0 last Tuesday to year coach said. “We win by sacrific- for,” Gatell said. earn a trip to the finals. ing our bodies and not letting the ball Gatell’s players know what they “It’s still surreal,” Paris said. “We’ve get by. The little things make the big need to do to be champs. worked the whole season to get to this difference.” “We need to do a good job of point. The championship is within The team’s defense is anchored by pressing the issue, making sure were our reach. It’s a great situation to be in senior defender Nick Ferro and senior pressuring the defense and holding and we want to capitalize on this one goalkeeper Alex Kovacs. onto the ball,” Paris said. “We have to because it’s the big one.” HOT SHOT Morgan Genser [email protected] “Our defense has been strong, and create and finish with all of our The championship match will Santa Monica College's Abbie Zaretsky returns the ball dur- we’ve made some good improvements opportunities.” begin at 10 a.m. ing her singles match against Kacie Guggia of Alan Hancock thanks to the coaches,” Kovacs said. The game will take place on syn- College at Reed Park on Thursday. SMC won the match, 9-0. The goalie will look to keep the thetic turf. 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Calendar “Better To Be Safe 2 WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 1-2, 2008 A newspaper with issues Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Daily Than Sorry!” (310) 829-9597 (corner of 20th & Santa Monica Blvd.) winter JEWELRY REPAIR CHECK LIST 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. 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 Sister City Luncheon K Have watch serviced 1250 Capri Dr., Pacific Palisades, 11 a.m. The Santa Monica Sister City Association is hosting the 2008 Installation Luncheon K Update and redesign old jewelry & International Sister Cities’ Youth Soccer Benefit. The program includes a silent auction, entertainment and the new Board Installation. For more information, call (310) 454-6591. Monthly Movie Musical: ‘Once’ 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 3 p.m. — 5 p.m. Shop where they know your name Free screening of the recent hit Irish independent film. Seating is first come, first 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica served in the MLK Jr. Auditorium. 310.451.1349 The Big One 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 2601 Main St., 2 p.m. — 4 p.m. www.readersjewelers.com David K. Lynch, author of “Field Guide to the San Andreas Fault,” will visit the Ocean Park Branch Library to answer questions about the San Andreas fault and *Limit three pieces. the possibility of California falling into the ocean. For more information, visit www.smpl.org. SoCal casas 310-393-7947 1201 S. Figueroa St., L.A., 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. 201 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 120 The L.A. Convention Center will be home to more than two dozen educational "how- Santa Monica, CA 90401 to" seminars, presented in English and Spanish, designed to help home buyers navi- gate today's real estate market; nearly 250 exhibit booths featuring industry experts offering information about programs pertaining to home ownership and the home-buying process; free "green" giveaways; free attendee T-shirts and bags; a children's play area; first 200 attendees to present an entrance coupon on each day will receive a free movie ticket (one ticket per person). 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.planetsocialsports.com. Sunday, March 2, 2008 Improve eclectically 1323-A Third St. Promenade, Noon — 3 p.m. Westside Eclectic’s Level 1 Improv class is an introduction to the art of improv com- edy. The intro covers core improv ideals, concepts and vocabulary such as hyper- listening, give and take, yes-anding, efficient communication and emotional response. The WE teaching staff creates a warm and open learning environment that facilitates establishing the foundation of a seasoned improviser. For more information, e-mail [email protected]. Men will lunge 100 S. Barrington Pl., L.A., 3:30 p.m. GABY SELLS Broadway Gymnastic School plays host this year to the 17th Annual Peter Vidmar Men's Gymnastics Invitational featuring gymnasts from "Across the USA" and GABY & ASSOCIATES "Around the World" and including a Special Olympics Session.