FREE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2002 Volume 1, Issue 194 FREE Santa Monica Daily Press 100% organic news. Picked fresh daily. Down with the old... Promenade merchants furious at SM City Hall restaurateurs met last week with Bayside Retailers frustrated with District Corp. representatives and the city’s enforcement of Santa Monica Police Department to air their grievances regarding public safety Promenade panhandlers and maintenance on the Promenade. The Bayside District oversees the out- BY CAROLYN SACKARIASON door mall and serves as a bridge between Daily Press Staff Writer private business and the public sector. However, not one city official came to Retailers on the Third Street the meeting, which affirmed retailers’ sus- Promenade are fed up with transients picions that the current city government is sleeping in front of their stores, chasing W. Scott Berry/Special to the Daily Press not willing to do anything about the high Margot Alofsin, chair of the city’s land- tourists away and creating foul smells. number of transients in Santa Monica. marks commission, looks over the debris of But even more, they are tired of their “I don’t care how busy they are, I’m a 1920’s-era Sunset Park home on the cor- complaints falling on deaf ears in City tired of coming to these meetings without ner of Euclid and Cedar Streets last week Hall. Merchants say city officials won’t that was torn down to make way for a new, any city representation,” said Promenade larger two-story home. Ironically, the home- respond to a problem that has manifested property owner Ernie Kaplan. “Who are owner had a ‘No Historic Districts’ sign into the serious degradation of the they? We elect them. We pay them, why posted in the front lawn for a month before Promenade’s business climate. the home was demolished. About 50 retailers, property owners and See MERCHANTS, page 6 Lawsuits may be interesting but unnecessary his tune. With the jury out of earshot, he was unfolding. During jury selection, one swinging the outcome of the trial. The Jurors growing tired became miffed enough to threaten a mis- potential panelist wondered aloud why the two-part nature of liability cases almost of unsettled cases trial over a sticky issue in the jury instruc- case, a personal injury claim by a 60-year- appears too inviting to pass up — declare tions which might turn a 3-day case into a old set designer, hadn’t settled. Judge they can’t find fault, and jurors won’t BY DAVE DANFORTH 10-week one. Lefkowitz was left to hum the same tune have to sit through more proceedings to Daily Press Staff Writer Letteau’s growing irritation might have as Judge Letteau: telling potential jurors award damages. paled compared to that of some of the that a case hadn’t settled for good reason Judge Letteau felt compelled to bring the At the start of court last Wednesday, jurors. Nobody could blame them for con- without actually telling them why. issue to the surface Monday immediately Santa Monica Superior Court Judge tinuing to wonder why the case, over a It is a familiar story to jurors, who, before closing arguments were to begin. Robert Letteau tried to put his jurors at 1999 fire which broke out in the Culver many observers say, are growing increas- The issue of juror malcontent has ease. The 3-day trial should produce “kind City home of a graphic artist, hadn’t been ingly impatient that their service is spawned proposals for change, but few of an interesting case,” he said. long since settled. Indeed, the judge him- required — at $15 a day — over injury can say whether they will work or not. One Evaluating it would be “relatively easy.” self told the lawyers at one point that he and damage liability cases which they change involves the “one-day, one-trial” He reassured their obvious skepticism by didn’t think it was possible to determine believe should have been settled. system. Rather than have a potential juror assuring them the case hadn’t settled for why the fire started. More worrisome is the prospect that on the hook repeatedly for jury service by “legitimate” reasons. Down the hall, in the courtroom of jurors could hold one side or the other But by Monday, the judge had changed Judge Linda Lefkowitz, a similar scenario responsible for their indentured servitude, See LAWSUITS, page 3 Home prices in California surge 25.5 percent BY SIMON AVERY homes for sale will continue to exert upward pressure on The ten communities with State’s AP Business Writer the median price,” said Leslie Appleton-Young, CAR’s chief economist. highest median home prices LOS ANGELES — Statewide home prices soared to Sales of existing homes increased by 22.7 percent last By The Associated Press a new record in May, increasing 25.5 percent from a year month compared to the year-ago period. earlier during a flurry of buying and selling activity, The 10 cities and communities with the highest median Closed escrow sales totaled 620,300 in May at a sea- home prices in California during May 2002: according to industry figures released Tuesday. sonally adjusted annualized rate. That compares with The median price of an existing single-family, • Malibu, $995,000. 505,590 a year earlier, CAR said. • Pacific Palisades, $872,750. detached home in California hit $321,130 last month, up The sales figures represent what the total number of from $255,860 in May 2001, the California Association • Beverly Hills, $863,750. homes sold during the entire year would be if sales main- • Palos Verdes Estates, $860,000. of Realtors reported. tained the May pace. • Manhattan Beach, $849,500. It was the third consecutive month when the median The state housing market continues to draw strength • Mill Valley, $835,000. state price topped $300,000. from near record-low mortgage interest rates and from a • San Marino, $811,500. Housing experts warned that there will likely be no tight supply of affordable properties. • Orinda, $779,000. relief in pricing as the peak summer buying period begins. Thirty-year fixed mortgage interest rates averaged • Lafayette, $761,250. “While we don’t expect home sales to maintain this • Coronado, $740,000. frenetic pace, the state’s ongoing shortage of affordable See HOUSING, page 8 Source: California Association of Realtors bosco, ward & nopar R. JEFFERY W ARD attorney at law TAXES Business Litigation • Entertainment All forms • All types • All states General Litigation • Business Transactions of all Types SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA 204 Bicknell Ave. 1925 Century Park East Ste.500 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Century City, CA 90067 (310) 395-9922 310-553-0756 www.bwnlaw.com [email protected] 429 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. 710, Santa Monica 90401 Page 2 ❑ Wednesday, June 26, 2002 ❑ Santa Monica Daily Press HOROSCOPE You’re top dog tonight, Aquarius JACQUELINE BIGAR'S STARS The stars show the kind of day you'll have: ★★★★★-Dynamic ★★★★-Positive ★★★-Average ★★-So-so ★-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19) LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ★★★★ Understand what motivates a boss, and ★★★ Deal with your family, but also make time you might be able to avoid a problem. Kowtow if for an important authority figure in your life. Your need be, but understand just where you’re going. diplomatic talents are tested. You know what you Others prove to be far more responsive if they see want and where you’re heading. Carefully consid- you as a friend rather than someone challenging. er your options with a child or loved one. 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You might not be ★★★ Know what you want when discussing a 310-581-5566 exactly sure what is acceptable. Listen carefully to ballpark figure for work. Another might be too feedback that comes your way. Important news extravagant. Be willing to discuss what is work- heads in late in the day. Prepare to work late, or at able for you. Others might need some time to 16,000 sq.ft of Fabulous Buys least be on the phone. Tonight: Do what you must. think through a decision. Give it to them. Tonight: Join a pal. on Consignment and New Furniture CANCER (June 21-July 22) ★★★★★ You finally feel justified, as others confirm a similar experience or perspective. Your CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ★★★★ Your personality draws others to you. Mon.— Sat. 10am-7pm positive attitude helps others understand where You have many more options than you might be you have been coming from. Effective communi- aware of. Work with others and help them estab- cation is a must. Schedule a late meeting.