. . . . .7
Business
30s & 40s: Managing money . . . . . .9
National
Bushs immigration proposal . . . .10
People
Paltrows choices under scrutiny . .16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2004
Volume 3, Issue 49
A newspaper with issues
FREE
Santa Monica DailyPress
INDEX
QUOTE OF
THE DAY
A 14-year-old boy has made
nearly a full recovery after a pal
accidentally slung a steel rebar
rod at his face; it penetrated 6
inches, between his nose and lip,
knocking out two teeth and
piercing his tongue (Spokane,
Wash., September). And a man
miraculously survived an acci-
dental fall from a ladder onto an
18-inch-long auger bit firmly
locked into his drill, penetrating
his right eye, nudging his brain,
and exiting above his ear
(Truckee, Calif., August).
The trouble with incest
is that you get involved
with relatives.
George S. Kaufman
NEWS OF
THE WEIRD
by Chuck Shepard
,
Features
THE UNDER $10
DINNER SPECIAL
Served from 4pm - 10pm
1433 Wilshire Blvd at 15th St
310-394-1131
www.santamonicamusic.com
(310) 453-1928
1901 SANTA MONICA BLVD.
IN SANTA MONICA
Music Lessons...
That last a liftetime
Santa Monica College
may face immediate
fiscal problems
BY JOHN WOOD
Daily Press Staff Writer
With a thin wallet and uncertain
economic outlook, Santa Monica
College is in imminent danger of
facing even worse fiscal problems,
according to a report issued Wed-
nesday by educators in Sacramento.
SMC is one of 13 community
colleges with such low cash
reserves that its been placed on a
fiscal watch list by the states
Chancellors Office, which over-
sees all 108 community colleges
in California.
At SMC, where officials cut
programs, slashed classes and laid
off employees to meet this years
$200-plus million budget, things
are especially bad. The local col-
lege, with cash reserves totaling
just 1 percent of its budget, was
accompanied only by Palo Verde
and Compton as a first priority
on the list.
Were going to be in further
communication with Santa Monica,
in respect to what their recovery
plans are. In our opinion, a prudent
reserve is 5 percent, said Frederick
E. Harris, an assistant vice chancel-
lor for the state colleges. In a worst
case scenario, the Chancellors
Office has the authority ... to
appoint a monitor that could go in
State to monitor local
college finances
Pier makeover
Del Pastrana/Daily Press
Professional make-up artist Gabriella Lopez prepares Suliana
Gonzalez for an early evening photo shoot on the Santa Monica
Pier Wednesday.
BY CAROLYN SACKARIASON
Daily Press Staff Writer
For Santa Monicas economy to
rebound, its going to have to rein-
vent itself.
Nothing remains forever.
Maybe you had a hot product and
maybe the sizzle has gone out of
it, said Jack Kyser, a chief econo-
mist for the Los Angeles County
Economic Development Corp.,
which tracks and works with 88
cities in the county.
Kyser spoke to a group of about
100 business people at the Santa
Monica Civic Auditorium on
Wednesday about the future of
Santa Monicas economy.
The economy is going to get
better but for Santa Monica, you
have some challenges, he said,
adding retail is fad driven and peo-
ple now want more of a Main
Street shopping experience. You
have to be strategic.
Santa Monica might have once
been a mecca for business, tourism
and retail. But as recent economic
trends have indicated, its losing
its edge and staying competi-
tive will determine how well Santa
Monica attracts shoppers, tourists
and new businesses.
Like any business, the city is
forced to find new ways to stay
competitive, particularly in its top
industries the leisure and hospi-
tality, retail and business sectors.
Santa Monica has held up fair-
ly well in terms of tourism, Kyser
said, adding the local industry has
been able to hold its daily room
rate to more than $200. He said
hotel occupancy rates held rela-
tively steady last year 64 per-
cent and its predicted to climb
to 75 percent this year. However,
competition for the tourism dollar
will inevitably get more fierce and
Santa Monica must find inventive
ways to market itself, Kyser said.
And while the tourism sector
has been relatively stable, retail
sales in Santa Monica have flat-
tened out. Kyser said the competi-
tion in surrounding cities can no
longer be ignored. Changes at the
Grove on Fairfax Avenue, and new
multiplexes in Century City and
elsewhere are drawing more con-
sumers because they have kept up
with what shoppers want.
The demand for mid-sized
retail stores like Robinsons May
Economist says SM
must get creative to
stay competitive
Hotels hope to spur
profits through
reorganization
BY JOHN WOOD
Daily Press Staff Writer
DOWNTOWN
In a move
designed to increase profits, the
company that owns Casa del Mar
and Shutters on the Beach, two
seaside luxury hotels in Santa
Monica, is reorganizing its top
executives.
The changes could mean a
healthier bottom line for City
Hall, which collects a 12 percent
bed tax on local hotel rooms.
This year, the city stands to earn
more than $17 million from the
tax, said Steve Stark, City Halls
finance director.
As part of the changes, Armella
Stepan, general manager at
Shutters, is expected to take over
Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press
Jack Kyser of the LAEDC
speaks at the Santa Monica
Civic Center Auditorium on
Wednesday morning.
See ECONOMY, page 5
See HOTELS, page 5
See SMC, page 6
L O
O
T T
SUPER LOTTO PLUS
9-40-32-42-28
Meganumber: 2
Jackpot: $7 million
FANTASY 5
36, 12, 21, 37, 20
DAILY 3
Afternoon picks: 9, 3, 3
Evening picks: 2, 6, 3
DAILY DERBY
1st Place: 8, Gorgeous George
2nd Place: 12, Lucky Charms
3rd Place: 2, Lucky Star
Race Time: 1:41.43 Page 2 Thursday, January 8, 2004 Santa Monica Daily Press
HOROSCOPE
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Finally you will see the results
of months of hard work. Meetings add to your
relief as you gain supporters. Be careful with a
flirtation or a child. This person could be playing
you and not be as he or she appears to be.
Tonight: You are the party.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Others look to you for help and
responsibility, a position you often love. Listen
well to what someone shares, though it might
trigger some personal thoughts. Plan on being
the one in charge for several days. Tonight: It
could be a late night.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You might be thinking of better
ways to spark anothers attention. You actually
dont need to worry about this, because with
your imagination, you naturally will. Laughter
happens through a misunderstanding that is
finally cleared up. Tonight: Hop on your com-
puter if you find that relaxing.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You have someone quite gener-
ous in your life. You might want to say thank
you in a special way. Understand what means a
lot to this person, and youll hit bingo. Lunch
out together might be perfect. Tonight: Discuss
an investment.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Others run with the ball, which
pleases you enormously. Share some of your
imaginative qualities, and you will love what
happens. Work with others, but be careful about
getting overenthusiastic just yet! Tonight:
Among your admirers.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) To some you act like youre in
control, but you know that the only type of con-
trol you can have is over yourself. Push hard at
work to complete your share of what must be
done. You do want a weekend for yourself
dont you? Tonight: Take extra work home.
JACQUELINE BIGARS STARS
The stars show the kind of day youll have: -Dynamic -Positive -Average -So-so -Difficult
Join a pal at a favorite spot, Gemini
ARIES (March 21-April 19) You finally feel on top of your
game. Your creativity starts to find solutions to
what has recently come down. Get rid of the fil-
ters in your thoughts and the should bes, and
you will succeed. You are a dynamo let loose.
Tonight: Allow the fun and games to begin.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) After recent events, you might opt to
stay close to home, and who would blame you?
In fact, if you can work from home, do so. Check
out a piece of real estate carefully before saying
yes. There could be a hidden stream or leak
there. Tonight: Finally, relax.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Now you can speak your mind
and even share some of your ideas. You are well-
received, and others seem to want to brainstorm
with you. Return calls and catch up on messages.
Dont stand on ceremony with someone impor-
tant. A message could have been lost. Tonight:
Join a pal at a favorite spot.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) You might want to express some of
what youve recently been feeling. Use good
sense with your finances, as money could be
dripping out of your hands. Ultimately, this
could cause you a problem. Take hold or find an
expert to help. Tonight: Take a hard look at
where you are spending money.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) The Moon in your sign adds an
extra twinkle in your eyes that makes others feel
like they want to be with you and say yes to
you. Use your charms appropriately, but be
aware that another could be doing the same to
you. Tonight: Let the Lion in you roar.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Slow down and let others display their
magic. How you see a situation could change
dramatically if you pull out for a while. Not
everyone has to agree with you, nor will they.
This isnt the moment to express yourself.
Tonight: Do something for yourself.
T
Th
hee D
Daaiilly
y H
Hoorroossccooppee iiss pprroou
uddlly
y ssppoon
nssoorreedd bby
y::
BUILDING A BETTER BURGER
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EDITOR
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STAFF WRITER
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