tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1 2008-05-15T09:21:26Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.395 2008-05-15T09:08:07Z 2008-05-15T09:21:26Z

The FAA has filed for a preliminary injunction to prevent the City from enforcing its ordinance banning Class C & D aircraft from the airport while the matter is in litigation A hearing on the preliminary injunction is set for...

Peggy Clifford The FAA has filed for a preliminary injunction to prevent the City from enforcing its ordinance banning Class C & D aircraft from the airport while the matter is in litigation A hearing on the preliminary injunction is set for this morning, Thursday, May 15, at 10 AM. The FAA’s application for the preliminary injunction and the City’s response will be heard in federal district court by Judge George Wu in Courtroom 10, on the Spring Street level of the U.S. Courthouse located at 312 N. Spring Street, L.A. 90012 (across the street from City Hall). The hearing is open to the public. There is underground parking nearby (one entrance is on Los Angeles St.) More information about the FAA filings and the City's response is posted on the City website at http://www.smgov.net/news/hotopics/index.htm tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.393 2008-05-15T09:02:01Z 2008-05-15T09:06:51Z

A California Appeals Court ruled yesterday in favor of the City of Santa Monica, saying the plaintiffs – Treesavers and Jerry Rubin – had failed to observe the statute of limitations in filing their claim that the City violated CEQA...

Peggy Clifford A California Appeals Court ruled yesterday in favor of the City of Santa Monica, saying the plaintiffs – Treesavers and Jerry Rubin – had failed to observe the statute of limitations in filing their claim that the City violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) regulations. The narrow technical ruling focused exclusively on whether Treesavers had failed to file its complaint within the prescribed 180-day time frame. It did not absolve the City of wrongdoing in referring to trees as "facilities" in its Environmental Impact Report, in order to avoid having to meet more rigorous environmental standards. Nor were the merits of the City’s plan to remove a large number of ficus trees from Second and Fourth Streets in downtown Santa Monica at issue. On learning of the court’s ruling, environmental and community activists with Treesavers vowed to “increase their political and diplomatic efforts” to save the threatened ficus trees. The opponents of the City’s plan, who now number over 10,000, are demanding that the Santa Monica City Council and City Manager Lamont Ewell work with Treesavers and the community on “a business and environmentally -friendly win-win solution.” Of the 154 mature ficus trees on the two streets, the City plans to destroy 23 trees it claims are unsafe, and to relocate seven other healthy trees – down from the number of trees originally planned for relocation. The Treesavers oppose the relocation of any healthy trees “for design and aesthetic purposes,” and want an “independent certified arborist, mutually agreeable to the City and Treesavers…(to) evaluate the other 23 trees as to the degree of their structural damage.” Treesavers’ leaders said yesterday that “regardless of the Court’s decision, Santa Monica has an obligation to respect the will of the community, which has been shown through over 10,000 petition signatures, community group and business endorsements, and overwhelming resident and visitor support, that the tree aspect of the City’s broader $8.2 million street improvement plan should not move forward as planned.” For further information about Treesavers, call (310) 399-1000. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.394 2008-05-15T09:02:01Z 2008-05-15T09:06:39Z

A California Appeals Court ruled yesterday in favor of the City of Santa Monica, saying the plaintiffs – Treesavers and Jerry Rubin – had failed to observe the statute of limitations in filing their claim that the City violated CEQA...

Peggy Clifford A California Appeals Court ruled yesterday in favor of the City of Santa Monica, saying the plaintiffs – Treesavers and Jerry Rubin – had failed to observe the statute of limitations in filing their claim that the City violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) regulations. The narrow technical ruling focused exclusively on whether Treesavers had failed to file its complaint within the prescribed 180-day time frame. It did not absolve the City of wrongdoing in referring to trees as "facilities" in its Environmental Impact Report, in order to avoid having to meet more rigorous environmental standards. Nor were the merits of the City’s plan to remove a large number of ficus trees from Second and Fourth Streets in downtown Santa Monica at issue. On learning of the court’s ruling, environmental and community activists with Treesavers vowed to “increase their political and diplomatic efforts” to save the threatened ficus trees. The opponents of the City’s plan, who now number over 10,000, are demanding that the Santa Monica City Council and City Manager Lamont Ewell work with Treesavers and the community on “a business and environmentally -friendly win-win solution.” Of the 154 mature ficus trees on the two streets, the City plans to destroy 23 trees it claims are unsafe, and to relocate seven other healthy trees – down from the number of trees originally planned for relocation. The Treesavers oppose the relocation of any healthy trees “for design and aesthetic purposes,” and want an “independent certified arborist, mutually agreeable to the City and Treesavers…(to) evaluate the other 23 trees as to the degree of their structural damage.” Treesavers’ leaders said yesterday that “regardless of the Court’s decision, Santa Monica has an obligation to respect the will of the community, which has been shown through over 10,000 petition signatures, community group and business endorsements, and overwhelming resident and visitor support, that the tree aspect of the City’s broader $8.2 million street improvement plan should not move forward as planned.” For further information about Treesavers, call (310) 399-1000. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.392 2008-05-14T02:00:37Z 2008-05-14T02:04:12Z

By David Fresco Fourth Grade, John Muir School The Santa Cruz mission was established by Father Fermin Lasuen on August 28, 1791. The mission is located 75 miles south of San Francisco. It was named for the sacred cross of...

Peggy Clifford By David Fresco Fourth Grade, John Muir School The Santa Cruz mission was established by Father Fermin Lasuen on August 28, 1791. The mission is located 75 miles south of San Francisco. It was named for the sacred cross of Christianity. Unfortunately, the Santa Cruz mission was not designed to be prepared for disaster. The church was destroyed by a series of violent earthquakes, and the rest of the mission was flooded twice. All of the grounds have been rebuilt, except for the church. Some sources say one half, some say a one third size replica stands today. Mission life was terrible for the Ohlone, and Yokut California Indian tribes. The Missionaries would crack them with metal tipped whips if they disobeyed the Catholic religion - and that’s not the worst of it! They also made the Native Americans suffer, get sick, and die. If they tried to leave, the Missionaries would come with horses and bring them back, against their will. Most Indians were completely brought in to the religion, when they were just curious. Another act of cruelty was having a bell that would tell them when to work, eat, pray, and sleep. All these terrible things happened in all 21 missions. Similar to other missions, Mission Santa Cruz grew wheat, corn, and had vineyards. They would also raise cattle, sheep, and horses. Normally, it was not used for only mission support, but for local Indians, for trade, and visitors to the mission. Mostly, the mission prospered from its crops, but a series of unfortunate events caused their farming to discontinue. Although, during their prosperous times, they produced 1200 bushels of grain, 600 bushels of corn, and 60 bushels of beans. I, personally, have no opinions on this, but if it wasn’t already too late, I would wish them luck. As you may have guessed, the missionaries didn’t bring the Indians to the missions just so they could have a hard time caring for them, feeding them, and teaching them the Catholic Religion. The Indians had their part of labor too. As they should have, they divided their chores into fitting jobs. Men took the usual outside work, which consisted of: caring for the livestock, caring for the plants, defending their mission, and stuff like that. Women took more house fitting jobs, such as weaving cloth for making clothes, and boiling fat to make soap and candles. Children didn’t take much role in labor, only helping out after their religious instruction. Obviously, there was a lot of work to be done at the mission. Extra Facts The Santa Cruz Mission is also known as the “Hard Luck” mission, because many unfortunate things happened there, such as the floods. They were because the mission was settled near the San Lorenzo River, where there was fertile soil, but there was no way of predicting any floods. Another misfortune, was a town named Braniceforte nearby. It was a town that was formed by convicted criminals, who brought vices to the Indians, and taught them to steal. The men of Braniceforte also convinced men at the nearby Presidio (which was sort of like an army base that protected the missions) to steal from the Mission. So when the Missionaries ran away, from fear of attack by pirates, they told the men at the Presidio to hold all their valuables, which instead of keeping them safe, the Presidio men stole. (And said that the pirate attacked them, instead.) Braniceforte men also robbed the mission while everyone was at a party at Mission Santa Clara. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.391 2008-05-11T10:07:25Z 2008-05-11T10:22:29Z

Wherever Grace Heintz is now, she must be raging, Grace was a very old, very small, very courageous lady who literally wrote the book on Santa Monica trees. George Hastings wrote two editions of “Trees of Santa Monica” -- in...

Peggy Clifford Wherever Grace Heintz is now, she must be raging, Grace was a very old, very small, very courageous lady who literally wrote the book on Santa Monica trees. George Hastings wrote two editions of “Trees of Santa Monica” -- in 1944 and 1956. Grace followed Hastings’ editions with two of her own – in 1976 and 1989. Together, the four books comprise a running inventory of our trees – every tree on every street, including “lost” trees. In addition, they contain rigorous illustrated descriptions of each species. Not content to simply write about the trees, Grace was compelled to defend them. Whenever crews turned up to remove a tree, Grace turned up, to ask what they were doing and why. It was something to see: this tiny old lady bracing a group of men in hard hats wielding chainsaws. Sometimes, she prevailed and saved the tree or trees. Sometimes. she couldn’t, but she persisted, She talked to the City officials who ordered the trees’ removal for what almost always seemed to be purely arbitrary or expedient reasons, Though her health declined, Grace fought on – until the Lincoln Park massacre. The removal of eleven eucalyptus trees was among the many changes the City planned to make in the park. Residents objected immediately and vehemently to the removal of the trees. When the City planners ignored them, they went to Barbara Moran, then the Rec and Parks Director. She agreed with them and assured them that the trees would not be cut down. On her recommendation, the Rec and Parks Commission ordered the staff not to cut the trees down. Subsequently, a City notice was sent to all residents in the area that described all the work that was to be done in the park. Tree removal was not mentioned. Grace and all the other residents who had fought to save the tress were triumphant. They had won a significant victory and saved some cherished old trees. But, in fact, the first thing the City crew did when it arrived in the park was to cut the trees down. By the time Grace got to the park, the eleven trees had been destroyed. Grace said that one of them, a rare species of eucalyptus, had a replacement value of $450,000. The City’s treachery and gall, its arrogance and the destruction of the trees broke Grace’s heart and her spirit. After Grace died, the City placed a plaque in Palisades Park, honoring Her, as if to prove it was as hypocritical and crass as it was treacherous. Though the City continued to boast about its devotion to the “urban forest,” it continued to decimate it. Dozens of trees were uprooted from the Main Street parking lots and left to molder in crates for months. Healthy trees on Pico were replaced by twigs on pipes. Several years ago, the City tagged a magnificent old tree on Michigan for removal as its roots had broken the sidewalk, but neighbors protested, presented alternatives, and saved the tree. Soon after that, then- Environmental Programs and Public Works Director Craig Perkins declared that Yale between Wilshire and Montana was “one of the worst streets in the city.” In fact, it was, and is one of the loveliest streets in the city, but only because the residents foiled the City’s plans to remove 31 trees. Still restless, the City cut down 17 eucalyptus trees, over the objections of residents. Curiously, as the City escalated its assault on trees, it bagged the “urban forest” moniker in favor of the “community forest. “ Which brings us to the current tree wars, and the City’s increasingly arrogant behavior. When residents learned that the City planned to remove 54 (the number changes almost daily) ficus trees from Second and Fourth Streets in downtown Santa Monica as part of what it called an “improvement” project, they tried to reason with the City. When the City refused, the newly formed Treesavers , who soon numbered over 5,000, went to court and secured a temporary restraining order, blocking the removal of the trees. Now, nearly eight months later, the restraining order is still in effect, the City still refuses to give an inch, much less respect residents’ wishes. In the midst of this rising turmoil, the City chose to announce plans to remove 300 carob trees…on Earth Day, right before a Treesavers’ rally. It was an incredibly stupid move, an act of extraordinary hubris and a slap in the community’s face. Residents protested. The City scheduled a community meeting on the carob question, after which it announced that it would “reassess” its plans for the carobs. But, in fact, as any number of residents have suggested and as the events of the last eight months have demonstrated, Santa Monica is in urgent need of an entirely new tree policy. Evidence accumulates that City Hall sees Santa Monica as a kind of stage set, on which everything is subject to change, “adjustment,” elimination or, as the City inevitably sees it, “improvement.” Thus, trees – no matter what their age, species, location or value, intrinsic or extrinsic, to residents – are mere set pieces in the City Hall’s latest grand design. The thing is, residents love this iconic beach town as it has naturally evolved since its founding in 1875, and its trees are as much a part of the townscape as its historic houses and buildings, and the beach, The City’s so-called Community Forest Management Plan sees it differently. Among other things, it aims to create a “perfect” community forest, meaning only the “right” species in the “right” proportions, each to the other. Many of the existing trees are quite beautiful, but they are “wrong” and so they must go, and be replaced by “right” trees. Some existing trees are ”right,” but there are too many of them, and so some of them must go, too. In other words, the City plans, over time, to kill a great many thriving trees and replace them with twigs on pipes in order to make a politically correct community forest, as defined by the City’s chief logger Walt Wariner and his cohort of “experts,” who, in our opinion, are all as mad as snakes. Ironically, most alleged tree “experts” regularly destroy trees. The U.S. Forest Service’s decades of mismanagement has led to the run of unprecedented and devastating wildfires that are now plaguing the west. And tree trimmers butcher almost as many trees as they prune. City Hall has a number of loony projects in the works, but the notion of creating a politically correct community forest is surely the looniest. And the men with the chainsaws remain busy. We got a call Friday from a woman reporting that the City had just cut down a large healthy ficus tree in the 3100 block of Colorado Avenue. No discussion, no warning. Just BUZZZZZZZ,.. and another tree bit the dust. This is no way to run a city, especially am allegedly green city, And that’s why Grace Heintz is raging, and why we should demand that the City stop “managing” our trees, and they are our trees, and start preserving them – scrupulously. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.390 2008-05-11T00:22:39Z 2008-05-11T00:41:31Z

But some things don’t. This is what remains. By Clara Sturak Dry mouth from Pioneer sourdough rolls spread with Laura Scudders’ peanut butter from the gigantic jar that’d been turned upside-down so the oil would go to the bottom....

Peggy Clifford But some things don’t. This is what remains. By Clara Sturak Dry mouth from Pioneer sourdough rolls spread with Laura Scudders’ peanut butter from the gigantic jar that’d been turned upside-down so the oil would go to the bottom. Stale coffee to wash it down. Yetive, as she calls her umpteenth special order, cranky, affronted – never mind that she’s called some more than once. “Look at me, after all these years, a telephone operator.” Yetive, who lived longer after her double radical mastectomy than she had before it was done. The sweet Southern lilt of Karen’s voice each Monday, as I call to say I’m running a few minutes late. Never once cracking, “Tell me something I don’t know.” Always, “Take your time. Don’t you worry. We’ll be fine.” Cold creeping up through the soles of my shoes into my toes, feet and legs, as the tower of books to be wrapped for Christmas and Hanukkah got taller and taller. The “kids,” teenagers who grew up around me as we wrapped and wrapped and wrapped, one season bleeding into the next. Rainwater seeping in, complicating matters. Tori snapping at customers who don’t know their books. Doug mending any possible rifts. (Unnecessary apologies from Tori forthcoming.) Catching rides with Eileen and Lance, Ed and Cathy, and Ron (!) – all of us Venice neighbors – up Walgrove to the store, ten minutes max. Dutton’s babes in backpacks, leaving fingers free for ringing up sales -- handed from person to person, shift to shift, to keep backs healthy and babies happily distracted. Working mothers, no shit. Emily, Barbara, Janet, Marcella, Sandy. Empresses of the Estrogen Den (tm, Nancy Rudolph). The essential intuition needed to really get into kids’ minds, and their books. (Not to mention to pacify and please the grandmothers of those countless gifted babies of Brentwood!) Happy Jeff. He of the intricate and eminently watchable flirtation-sales dance. Crabby Jeff. He of shoplifters, time wasters, and general disappointment in you, me, the woman in blue who didn’t buy the complete 1,001 Nights. “We don’t have it.” Cheeky motto of Jim Yen. The shimmery heat of July 4th in the Valley, matched by Penny’s warmth, and relieved by a splash in the pool -- Miriam, Joan and Teevee sitting by, matriarchs watching to be sure their children play fair and don’t get cramps. (Only, these Marco-Polo playing kids are in their 20s, 30s, 40s…) A long-ago Christmas wish: “Karen says it’s festive in the North store.” Good men. Good men allowed not only to exist, but to flourish. Thank God for that. Sean, Andy, Tony, Mark, Stacy, Josh, Herman, Matt, and so many others. Of course, my own good man – one Mr. Christopher Chandler. The day that man and I married, a Saturday, the shifts were broken up so that all staff could attend – one half the ceremony, the other the reception. The first and final pages of our guest book filled with the good wishes of my co-workers, my friends. *** Stuck like a song in my head, some eternal truths, some comforts to curl up in: Ed’s incessant, unstoppable, devotion to the work. (Action is eloquence, as Shakespeare said.) Nancy Ru’s hilarious and occasionally angry wit, her sidelong glances, her closely-kept generosity. Nancy Fred’s effervescent ability to make her sister blush – evidently, easily done. Jennifer’s grace, bravery and sneaky humor. Scott’s genius mind. (Oh, too access just a tiny part of it!) Eileen’s seeming unflappability, and her good heart. And Sam’s good outfits. I mean, really good. Tim’s kind and kooky self. Deborah’s beautiful smile, beautiful voice, and that tattoo…so many hopeful suitors, er, regular customers coming by. Cheryl’s ferocious diligence. (More action as eloquence, you see…) Cathy’s true compulsion and ability to see both sides – I’ll try, Cathy! Doug’s famous “movie star good looks,” his gentle manner, And his open-armed inclusivity, welcoming all who cross his path. Miriam’s swell stories of old Hollywood. That sweet half-smile speaking volumes. Joan, cigarette in hand or mouth, telling it like it is. Loyalty. Oh loyalty. Plenty of that around here. Amelia’s style, so much of it for one person, worn so well. All Hats and Heels, Bookstore Diva. Jay, hidden somehow in plain sight – the man behind the curtain, pulling the levers, keeping things chugging along. Incredible patience, that Jay. Billy, the strong silent type, and Tony, too. Cursed or blessed to work outside, away from the fray. Diane, flower in hair, notes in book: Duttons’ literary Tinkerbell, lighting up the evening sky. Lise. Will I ever understand life the way Lise does? Balance seems to be the key…and good humor…and leaving no later than 4:30. Yes. The college kids who’ve popped in over the years – on their way from one ivory tower to the next (or perhaps off to south-east Asia or Central America) – and popped back again, filling the rooms with youthful energy and wide-eyed beauty during summer breaks or the Christmas rush. Our Allison, an actress. And Christine, performance artist extraordinaire. Paige, a filmmaker; Justine, magazine mogul. Writers by the handful – Erica, Alyssa, Gary, Eileen, Tori, Kristin, Scott – to name a few. Musicians, of course, and teachers, and scientists and philosophes. Artists, all. Scott, poet laureate of Dutton’s, “the big guy,” versifier of the ridiculous and the sublime, pusher of books and authors, singer of songs, lender of movies, reminder of concert dates, opening nights, radio recordings. Teller of tales. My friends, once colleagues. So many not even in these lines. Not enough said of those who are. The parts more than the sum; a surfeit of brains, heart, talent, skill. A pretty hot shot bunch, when you think about it. Pretty fucking incredible bunch. *** 1986. A 21-year-old, face smashed, foot crunched and spirit hit hard hobbled in – still on crutches – to a newish version of an old bookstore, and was offered a job. Can you start today? asked Doug Dutton, kind soul. Sure, I said, unsure of the whole proposition. Still not so good on my feet. Sitting on the slate floor straightening up the bottom of the alphabet. Scooting a few feet down to do the next shelf. Almost 20 years later, that same girl, not feeling so girlish anymore, invites herself back to the safe haven, this time to heal bigger, scarier wounds. Can you start today? Ed asks. Yes, I can, says she. Says me. An open heart is too precious a metaphor for this place, I know. But there it is. Open to ideas, open to people from all corners of the neighborhood, the city, the world, open to all opinions, open to those who love to read and like to work. Open to thinking, to conversing, to singing, to complaining, to bending and lifting, to yelling, to laughing, to hopscotching West, East, North, South. Open to Brentwood matrons, Hollywood agents, teachers’ discounts, preschool classes, high schoolers, movie stars, thinkers, escapists, poets, babies, dogs and pretty much everyone else. Open from 9 am-9 pm, Monday through Friday, 9 to 6 on Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. Open. Closed, yeah, okay. But open. A thank you note to Dutton’s, with love from Clara, 4/08. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.389 2008-05-10T10:46:42Z 2008-05-10T10:59:33Z

By Ava Tramer Beaches Mostly sunny and gradually warming up Highs: 60-76; Lows: 53-63 Inland Partly cloudy and warm Highs: 72-91; Lows: 51-61 Deserts Sunny and hot Highs: 86-101; Lows: 61-76 And Santa Monica… Think of Santa Monica this week...

Peggy Clifford By Ava Tramer Beaches Mostly sunny and gradually warming up Highs: 60-76; Lows: 53-63 Inland Partly cloudy and warm Highs: 72-91; Lows: 51-61 Deserts Sunny and hot Highs: 86-101; Lows: 61-76 And Santa Monica… Think of Santa Monica this week as a loaf of bread. You have finished mixing all the ingredients together, letting the dough rise, kneading and shaping the loaves, and preheating the oven. You finally place the dough in the hot oven. As you sit in the kitchen, reading a magazine, good smells start to waft from the oven. You can’t wait for the bread to be ready! You go peek in the oven, trying to gauge the bread’s progress. It has barely risen. Why is it taking so long? You go read another article in your magazine, your mouth watering, wishing you could bite into a perfectly golden-brown, soft, and delicious piece of bread. You tiptoe up to the oven, and peek in again. What?!? It’s still not golden brown? This seems to be taking forever, but it’s only been fifteen minutes! You force yourself to wait another fifteen minutes, and then you check the bread again. It’s finally beginning to get a little golden brown, but it’s not done yet. In another fifteen minutes, you go to check it, and lo and behold, it’s perfectly ready!! You are very excited, and finally you sink your teeth into that long-awaited slice of thick, warm bread. So pretend the weather is like this loaf of bread. It seems like the springtime weather should be perfect – golden-brown, if you will. So why is it taking so long for us to have beautiful sunny days? Towards the end of the week, the weather will finally grow clear, sunny, and warm, and you will be able to enjoy it like that longed-for slice of freshly baked bread. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.388 2008-05-10T03:25:11Z 2008-05-10T03:28:33Z

As noted in LAObserved, David Abel’s Planning Report (www.planningreport.com/tpr), which covers planning and development in this area, asked his online readers to vote on which of the following in-progress mega-projects will confer the greatest benefit on L.A.? Results LA Live...

Peggy Clifford As noted in LAObserved, David Abel’s Planning Report (www.planningreport.com/tpr), which covers planning and development in this area, asked his online readers to vote on which of the following in-progress mega-projects will confer the greatest benefit on L.A.? Results LA Live 33% Grand Avenue Project 26% Universal City Mixed-Use Development 10% Build-out of Playa Vista 6% None; mega-developments don't pay off 25%. Why, then, are there so many mega-developments in the works in L.A. and Santa Monica? tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.387 2008-05-08T05:07:57Z 2008-05-08T05:11:51Z

Last Friday, detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department were told by a 12-year-old girl, accompanied by her parents, that she had been molested by a teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica. During the course of the detectives’...

Peggy Clifford Last Friday, detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department were told by a 12-year-old girl, accompanied by her parents, that she had been molested by a teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica. During the course of the detectives’ initial investigation, they came to believe that there were probably additional victims, and began interviewing other students. Working with representatives from the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, detectives identified the teacher who allegedly abused the students, as Thomas Arthur Beltran, 60, a male Hispanic, who is married and lives in Los Angeles. Detectives arrested Beltran on Saturday in the 6100 block of Centinela Avenue in Culver City. Subsequently, he was booked and charged with14 felony counts of child molestation. Bail was originally set at $1.1 million, and later increased to $3.# million. Beltran could be sentenced to life in prison. According to a story in Surf Santa Monica,, Beltran worked in the District for 30 years and at Lincoln for 20 years. The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Beltran “was under suspicion for alleged molestation” in 2006. “but there wasn't enough evidence to file charges, officials say. " ‘There was a lack of evidence at the time to file charges,’ said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office. ‘But based on new allegations, new victims and more evidence, sufficient evidence was developed to include the previous alleged victim’ in this case… “Santa Monica police also said today that at least one of the alleged molestations had been caught on videotape. "’At this point the investigators are interviewing additional people that have made themselves known either to us or to the district attorney's office, said Lt. Darrell Lowe of the Santa Monica Police Department… “Deputy Dist. Atty. Robin Sax Katzenstein said in court Tuesday that she had videotape of Beltran molesting at least one student in his class, said Shiara M. Davila, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office. A police investigation that began Friday led to the discovery of the videotape, Lowe said. He would not elaborate on its source, but said that it was not from a school surveillance camera or made by law enforcement officials… “On Monday, police said others had come forward with complaints… “According to court documents, the alleged abuse took place as far back as Dec. 1, 2004, and as recently as April 30. .. "’The investigation may disclose that this has been a pattern for an unknown number of years,’ Lowe said. ‘That's why we're trying to encourage former students, former parents, etc., to come forward and provide any information to us so we can get a proper timeframe on Mr. Beltran's activities… “About 200 parents gathered in the school auditorium Monday night to discuss Beltran's arrest with school officials and police. Principal Tristan Komlos told parents that the school would institute an open-door policy when students were alone with teachers. ?District officials declined to say whether Beltran had been accused of improper behavior or disciplined in the past.”. This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department Detectives at (310) 458-8451 (M – F, 8 AM – 5 PM) or the Communications Center at (310) 458-8491 (during non-business hours). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the SMPD Detectives Tip Line at (310) 458-8449 or the WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.386 2008-05-06T05:48:30Z 2008-05-06T05:52:46Z

As we reported last week, four members of the City Council – Richard Bloom, Ken Genser, Mayor Herb Katz and Pam O’Connor – greeted Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City co-chair Diana Gordon churlishly when she appeared before them...

Peggy Clifford As we reported last week, four members of the City Council – Richard Bloom, Ken Genser, Mayor Herb Katz and Pam O’Connor – greeted Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City co-chair Diana Gordon churlishly when she appeared before them to ask that the City’s analysis of the Coalition’s ballot measure to limit commercial development be balanced. This week, Surf Santa Monica columnist Frank Gruber, who, as we know, reads minds, explained their churlishness: “…the attitude four council members expressed toward the sponsors of the RIFT initiative (who in effect want to take away the council's decision-making power over land use planning by outflanking the process to update the land use and circulation elements (LUCE) of the general plan), it appears that the council is going to defend zealously its role in that area.” But, as ever, Gruber, like the Council, has a piquant view of democracy. Supporters of the measure, and all the other residents who voted for the members of the Council gave them only the power to represent them on the municipal stage. But, since 1980, over the continuing objections of residents, the Council has approved nine million square feet of commercial development, which has caused most of the problems that dog resudents today. Last year, residents asked the City to declare a moratorium on new commercial projects until the new land use revision is complete. The state allows such moratoriums, but the City refused. It also turned down residents’ requests that it stop issuing development agreements. The SMCC measure was not designed to “ to take away the council's decision-making power over land use planning,” but to stop it from assuming powers it was not granted by the people. Indeed, like the residents’ initiative in 1973 that blocked a Council decision to demolish the Santa Monica Pier and a 1989 initiative that forbid the construction of more hotels on the beach, this latest initiative is a perfect demonstration of democracy at work If the people’s representatives do not represent the people, surely the people have not only the right but the responsibility to take the question to the ballot box. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.385 2008-05-03T23:09:31Z 2008-05-03T23:12:24Z

On Tuesday evening the City Council sent the 2617 Third Street project back to the drawing board with instructions to make the proposal compatible with the surrounding buildings in the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District. By doing so, it was...

Peggy Clifford On Tuesday evening the City Council sent the 2617 Third Street project back to the drawing board with instructions to make the proposal compatible with the surrounding buildings in the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District. By doing so, it was acknowledging that the present design is not compatible and does not comply with the District Guidelines. Rather than denying the applicant's appeal outright, certain council members sought to appease both the applicant and his architect on the one hand and the residents and their supporters on the other and avoided the responsibility of making a definitive decision on the project. The architect will have to redraw his plans and the project will essentially return to square one, the Landmarks Commission, where it was first heard last June. This remanding of the project to the Landmarks Commission was the result of a suggestion made to Mayor Katz by the project architect, Michael Folonis, who is doubtless doing his best to prevent the denial of the project. One has to ask whether it is fair of the council to ask residents to attend even one more Landmarks hearing on a project that has already been through so many hearings. The citizens of Santa Monica have a right to expect the City Council to uphold the City's own ordinances and guidelines rather than obliging residents to assume that burden. Since the mayor and his fellow council member Pam O'Connor are so clearly intent on supporting the project and/or villifying the citizens who oppose it, one also has to question their motivation. It would be good to see a Santa Monica free of special interests and unspoken agendas. In November four of the current councilmembers (Mayor Katz, Richard Bloom, Bobby Shriver and Ken Genser) will be facing the end of their current terms in office. With the RIFT initiative also likely to be on the ballot, local politics is going to be lively this fall. Residents across the city want to see their elected officials acting in the best interests of citizens. There is considerable unhappiness, manifested in the collection of around 10,000 signatures by RIFT campaign organisers, among the City Council's constituents. Is the Historic District currently a victim of special interests in the city? To the beleaguered residents it certainly feels that way. Karen Blechman tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.384 2008-05-03T23:03:35Z 2008-05-03T23:07:58Z

By Ava Tramer Beaches Partly cloudy Highs: 63-69; Lows: 51-53 Inland Partly cloudy Highs: 76-80; Lows: 50-52 Deserts Mostly sunny Highs: 85-90; Lows: 62-65 And Santa Monica... The week ahead can best be described as blah. The temperature will be...

Peggy Clifford By Ava Tramer Beaches Partly cloudy Highs: 63-69; Lows: 51-53 Inland Partly cloudy Highs: 76-80; Lows: 50-52 Deserts Mostly sunny Highs: 85-90; Lows: 62-65 And Santa Monica... The week ahead can best be described as blah. The temperature will be just fine, nothing special, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s. There will be some sunshiney moments, but, on the whole, expect mostly gray days with plenty of clouds. There will be no dramatic fluctuations in temperature or sudden rain storms, and every day will end up feeling pretty similar to the next. So don't let the blah weather define you this week: it's up to you to add spice and light to your own lives! tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.383 2008-05-03T10:32:20Z 2008-05-03T10:38:30Z

An exhibition of new paintings by Kenny Harris opens tomorrow, Sunday, May 4, at Terrence Rogers Fine Arts. Light is paramount in the paintings of Harris. It plays off every surface. He has a penchant for sparse interiors, in which...

Peggy Clifford An exhibition of new paintings by Kenny Harris opens tomorrow, Sunday, May 4, at Terrence Rogers Fine Arts. Light is paramount in the paintings of Harris. It plays off every surface. He has a penchant for sparse interiors, in which light from unseen sources reflects off ample foregrounds of hardwood floors. Through his mastery of traditional technique, classical perspective and refined palette, he creates remarkably contemporary paintings. . Harris is a prodigious painter, and his sense of place figures prominently in all of his paintings. His urban scapes, with tall palms cresting high in the sky, are undeniably southern California. He documents streets, homes, and people of this neighborhood. For the past seven years, Venice Beach has figured prominently in his paintings. An avid beach volleyball player, he returns often to the beach to capture the feel, the atmospherics, of this particular stretch of Santa Monica Bay at different times of day. His travels have led him to South and Central America, where he’s as likely to take tango lessons as he is to hike the Inca Trail. He painted the nightclubs of Buenos Aires, the tropical forests of Machu Picchu and Mayan ruins of Copán. Using such dramatic landscape setting allows him to focus both on detail and panoramic vista, in the tradition of the great American landscape painters. In all of his paintings, the viewer is treated to an intimate form of knowing not only what a place looks like, but how it feels to be in that place. He did the poster for the 2008 Venice Art Walk. Harris went to college in Colorado Springs, and has studied at the Art Students League in New York, and at ateliers in Italy and France. He is a resident of Venice. Harris is scheduled to talk about his work at 2 p.m. At the conclusion of his talk, there will be a recption. Harris’s works will be on view through June 7. The gallery is located at 1231 Fifth Street in Santa Monica. It’s It is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5, and by appointment. Phone 310 394 4999. www.TROGART.com COMING SOON: Several years before he died, Terrence Rogers wrote a remarkable essay, “City of Vapor.” It was, among other things, an antidote to Mike Davis’s “City of Quartz.” But, more than anything, it was Terry’s thoroughly fresh, original and compelling portrait of Los Angeles. We talked with him about expanding the essay into a book, and he meant to do it, but he died before he got around to it. Thanks to the gallery, we now have a copy of the essay, which is as timely today, and as brilliant, as it was when he wrote it, and we plan on running it soon. tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.382 2008-05-03T08:49:37Z 2008-05-03T08:52:00Z

Adelaide Drive, on the rim of Santa Monica Canyon, is the site of some of Santa Monica's most significant historic houses. The homes were constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century. Two are Santa Monica Landmarks and one...

Peggy Clifford Adelaide Drive, on the rim of Santa Monica Canyon, is the site of some of Santa Monica's most significant historic houses. The homes were constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century. Two are Santa Monica Landmarks and one is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. the Santa Monica Conservancy will give visitors a rare close up look at the houses, and their gardens. Tour goers will be shown the interior of the second Roy Jones house, built by the son of Santa Monica's co-founder John P. Jones, the Henry Weaver house, built by a wealthy hotel magnate, and the Bishop Conaty House, which was the home of notorious Hollywood starlet Mary Miles Minter for several decades. Docents will provide information on the open houses as well as discussing the Milbank house and the Gillis house, two other important houses. A walking tour booklet will enable visitors to explore all the houses on the street. Street parking in the area is very limited. A chartered Big Blue Bus will provide free shuttle service to Adelaide from Roosevelt School, stopping at the red curb at Montana and Lincoln, northeast corner. Tour-goers may use the staff parking lot at the school or street parking. By now, the tour may be sold out. Tickets are $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers. To inquire about tickets, go to www.smconservancy.org, tag:www.santamonicadispatch.com,2008://1.381 2008-05-03T07:13:45Z 2008-05-03T07:23:47Z

City Hall will present “an overview of the Community Forest Renewal Program” and discuss its Carob Tree “Assessment and Replacement Project” at a meeting on Wednesday, May 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, East Wing, 1855...

Peggy Clifford City Hall will present “an overview of the Community Forest Renewal Program” and discuss its Carob Tree “Assessment and Replacement Project” at a meeting on Wednesday, May 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, East Wing, 1855 Main Street A panel of City staff and “experts” in urban forestry will discuss ”best management practices” and take questions on the City’s plans to remove 300 Carob trees and prune another 350. Featured panelists will include Glenn Flamik, state urban forestry coordinator, California Department of Forestry, Gail Church, immediate past president, California ReLeaf, Jim Clark, PhD., HortScience, George Gonzalez, chief forester, City of Los Angeles, Dan Hardgrove, past president, California Urban Forests Council, Gordon Mann, urban forest services director, Sacramento Tree Foundation, Jeanette Schachtner, Deputy City Attorney, City of Santa Monica, Walt Warriner, community forester, City of Santa Monica As part of the FY 07/08 Community Forest Renewal Program, staff conducted a study of mature carob trees throughout the city in order to determine their health, viability and any risk posed by their alleged “ declining condition.’ 300 trees were found to have “a substantial risk level.” Parking in the Civic Center Parking lot and structure is free for this meeting.