INSIDE SCOOP STATE PARENTING GOING WHERE EAGLES DARE PAGE 3 BIG CHILL TAKES ITS TOLL PAGE 10 HOME ALONE ...AND SAFE PAGE 12 Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 Volume 6 Issue 61 Santa Monica Daily Press WIZARD OF IDI HAD HIS DOUBTS SEE PAGE 17 Since 2001: A news odyssey THE BLUE TUESDAY ISSUE Council digging Davies BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer CITY HALL After laying dormant for more than a decade, the old Marion Davies estate is about to see some life. The City Council tonight is expected to approve a construction contract with Pankow Special Projects for the complete renovation and adaptive reuse of the estate, transforming the relic of the “Gold Coast” era into a premier public beach club com- plete with volleyball courts, a kiddie pool, snack bar and lounge. “This is the Big Kahuna contract,” said Craig Perkins, City Hall’s director of Fabian Lewkowicz [email protected] Environmental and Public Works AGAINST THE GRAIN: A family plays at Will Rogers State Beach on Monday, three days after a sewage spill prompted officials to close the beach. Management. “This is the big action and, basically, we don’t have to come back to the council before we start construction, except Beach reopens in wake of sewage spill perhaps for a few minor changes that may be made.” By Daily Press Staff Santa Monica beaches, forcing health offi- marks for water quality in the past from The contract with Pankow is valued at cials to post signs warning swimmers to stay environmental watchdog Heal the Bay, just over $28 million, the majority of which WILL ROGERS BEACH Swimmers can wade out of the water a half-mile on both sides of which rated the beach as one of the 10 — $21 million — will be paid for by a grant back into the water today with county health the spill. “bummers” in the state. Much of that had to from The Annenberg Foundation. To reflect officials reopening a one-mile stretch of the Officials said about 10,000 gallons of raw do with the fact that a storm drain is located that gift, the beach club will be named the Santa Monica Bay following a sewage spill sewage linked into the creek following the in close proximity to the beach. Annenberg Community Beach Club at 415 last Friday. rupture of a sewer pipe. Information on Los Angeles County PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). The intersec- “The beaches are open,” said Eric Swimmers who come in contact with beach conditions is available by calling tion at PCH leading into the club will be Edwards, acting chief of environmental fecal bacteria have a higher probability of the Department of Public Health hotline named Marion Davies Way, according to a health for the county. “Bacteria levels were contracting illnesses such as stomach flu, ear at (800) 525-5662 or online at found to be well below state standards.” infections, upper respiratory infections and www.lapublichealth.org/eh. SEE 415 PCH PAGE 6 A spill in the Santa Monica Canyon skin rashes. Creek affected portions of Will Rogers and Will Rogers State Beach has received poor [email protected] Where everyone knows more than your name BY MELODY HANATANI Monica resident Robert Moskowitz and his residents are usually involved in the Daily Press Staff Writer life partner, Rayni Joan, who in the past cou- design, development and ongoing opera- ple of years have bought into a growing tion of the project. PICO BOULEVARD Imagine a community national trend of collaborative living called The intent is to allow neighbors to form in which neighbors know more about each “cohousing.” bonds by actively participating in the other than their first name; where its resi- The concept of cohousing incorporates maintenance and use of common facilities Rendering courtesy of City of Santa Monica dents are more than casual acquaintances, the benefits of individual home ownership like the garden, kitchen and pool. IT’S A DRAW: A new poolhouse will compli- but friends whom they could trust. with the idea that residents should not live ment existing structures at the refurbished Such a utopia has been a dream for Santa in isolation. In cohousing communities, SEE COHOUSING PAGE 7 Marion Davies Estate at 415 PCH. GABY SCHKUD IZZY’S DELI Band & Orchestra Instruments (310) 586-0308 SERVES SUPER ’07 DINNER SPECIALS RENT-TO-OWN FROM 4PM-10PM (310) 453-1928 The name you can depend on! 15TH AND WILSHIRE IN SANTA MONICA 1901 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica 310-394-1131 OPEN 24 HOURS www.santamonicamusic.com Calendar happy new year! 2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 A newspaper with issues TO CELEBRATE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY WE ARE OFFERING... A FREE Safety Inspection on your German Car (mention this ad) 0% Also, ask about service & maintanence specials SHOW HER HOW YOU REALLY FEEL FINANCING 310/828-6004 FOR 12 MONTHS GERMAN AUTO TECHNIK AG COME AND VIEW OUR ENGAGEMENT SELECTION *SEE STORE FOR DETAILS 1654 19TH ST shop where they know your name Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com Eddie Guerboian PUBLIC DUMP IN SANTA MONICA Southern California Transfer Company MICHIGAN Humanbeings Live at the Knitting Factory 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 8:30 p.m. 24TH DELAWARE AVE. CLOVERFIELD Tickets are $15. For more information, visit www.knittingfactory.com. FRANK 10 WEST Story Time for Twos 2601 Main St., 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Story series for 2-year-olds at the Ocean Park Branch of the Santa Monica Public 310-828-6444 Library. Registration is required. 1908 Frank St. in Santa Monica Free Seminar for New Owners of Santa Monica Rental Property 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. Learn the basics of Santa Monica rent control laws. Opportunities to ask questions. To be held at the Main Library Branch. Attention Westside Enrichment Community Adult Classes 11800 Texas Ave., times vary Contractors and Construction Sites: For details, visit www.westsideenrichment.com or call (310) 312-8727. We are a close and convenient Santa Monica permitted and authorized mixed C&D transfer station. Fitness Class (Mambo Mania) Approved C&D Recycler * Roll off service available 1711 Stewart St., 7 a.m. — 8 a.m. For more information, call (310) 515-4840. The Anatomy of Dance 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., call for times SEATING IS LIMITED Call (310) 829.9556 or visit www.TAGTheArtistsGallery.com for more information. MAKE YOUR VALENTINES RESERVATION TODAY Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre 1211 Fourth St., 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at (310) 394-9779, ext. 2 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com. and enjoy one of the following specials; Joan Collins and Linda Evans in “LEGENDS!” Shrimp & Scallops, Artichoke Risotto, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., 8 p.m. — 10:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Wadsworth Theatre box office or online by visiting Lamb Chops, Vealosso Bucco, and More ... www.WadsworthTheatre.com. And you must try Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007 Bistro’s Famous Chocolatte Soufflé CELLAR WITH FULL OVER 200 WINES BAR Preparing for Mt. Whitney Clinic 402 Santa Monica Blvd., 7 p.m. — 8 p.m. The raffle to get permits secured for the Mt. Whitney Trail begins and ends in February. Come to this class and learn all the details of the permit process and how 310-453-5442 to best prepare for your trip. Training and nutrition tips will also be discussed. Fitness Class (Mambo Mania) www.bistroofsantamonica.com 1711 Stewart St., 7 a.m. — 8 a.m. SINCE 1986 2301 Santa Monica Blvd For more information, call (310) 515-4840. The Anatomy of Dance 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., call for times Call (310) 829.9556 or visit www.TAGTheArtistsGallery.com for more information. Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre 1211 Fourth St., 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at (310) 394-9779, ext. 2 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com. 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. CORRECTION In a Community Profile article about Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Axe (“Success sto- ries read like an open book,” Jan, 22), there were several inaccuracies. Axe’s downtown LA office is located on Los Angeles Street, not Spring Street. One third of Esperanza Elementary School’s student body attending a Reading to Kids session was a one-month record, not a typical occurrence. A picture of the Aero Theatre marquee on Montana Avenue (page 13) incorrectly identified the theatre as the Axe Theatre. Inside Scoop Visit us online at smdp.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 3 Catalina researcher to go where eagles dare By The Associated Press AVALON The bald eagle nesting season is approaching at Santa Catalina Island and wildlife biologist Peter Sharpe is ready to midwife eaglets. Operating on a meager budget, Sharpe and the Institute for Wildlife Studies are protecting eagle eggs and hatchlings for a second consecutive year. Government funds from a lawsuit settlement have been cut off and donations keep the program going. “We’re scraping by,” Sharpe said. “We’re doing our own fundraising and just cut way, way back.” The lawsuit settlement stemmed from DDT pesticide ocean dumping off the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The DDT contam- ination works up the food chain to seafood-loving bald eagles, thinning and weakening their eggs. All his dogs aren’t barking Fabian Lewkowicz [email protected] The Montrose Settlements Restoration 'Johnny the Dog Watcher' babysits a pack of ‘street legal dogs' at the Main Street Farmers’ Market on Sunday.