Wednesday, November 29, 2017

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11.29.17 Volume 17 Issue 15

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BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE

MATTHEW HALL

AP Technology Writer

Daily Press Editor

Federal prosecutors are investigating allegations that Uber deployed an espionage team to plunder trade secrets from its rivals.

The revelation triggered a delay in a highprofile trial over whether the beleaguered ride-hailing service stole self-driving car technology from a Google spinoff.

The probe under way at the U.S. Justice Department centers on a 37-page letter that described allegations made by Richard Jacobs, Uber’s former manager of global intelligence. Jacobs had the letter sent in May to an Uber lawyer. The letter contended that Jacobs had been wrongfully demoted and then fired for trying to stop the company’s alleged misconduct.

The investigation hadn’t been publicly known until Tuesday, when it surfaced in a

The union recently elected to represent healthcare workers at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica will hold a strike vote this Thursday despite ongoing contract negotiations with hospital management.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West issued a statement Tuesday saying the strike vote would be held in conjunction with an informational picket on Nov. 30 from 6 a.m.

– 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Workers voted to join the union in February of this year.

“The vote will continue Friday, Dec. 1 in the hospital cafeteria and results should be announced that evening,” said the announcement. “The vote revolves around hospital executives’ failure to bargain in good faith and provide information about patient and worker safety citations.”

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Uber facing federal Hospital workers probe on allegations to hold strike of espionage vote Thursday

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WHAT’S UP WESTSIDE ..................PAGE 2 PLANETARIUM SHOWS ..................PAGE 3 CURIOUS CITY ................................PAGE 5 POLICE/FIRE LOGS ........................PAGE 8 MYSTERY PHOTO ............................PAGE 9

Santa Monica Daily Press

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City signals coming crackdown on restaurant surcharges KATE CAGLE Daily Press Staff Writer

More than 800 Santa Monica restaurants received a letter this week from the City Attorney’s office warning the growing trend of surcharges on customer receipts may violate state and local laws on pricing transparency.

The letter is a warning shot to restaurant owners before the City begins cracking down on the charges through undercover inspections.

“Our plan is to make sure everybody is on notice so there’s no confusion and folks know what’s already in the law,” said the head of the Consumer Protection Division in the City Attorney’s Office, Adam Radinsky, in an interview with the Daily Press. “We plan to do future inspections and investigations in local businesses to make sure folks are complying.”

In order to be legal, Radinsky says the charges must be disclosed before customers order and restaurants cannot imply the charge is a government fee or tax. California consumer protection laws impose steep fines

for false advertising, failing to charge the posted price or other violations.

“If the first time you see (the charge) is on your receipt when you pay, that’s too late,” Radinsky said. “You’ve already been charged. Businesses have to disclose this to consumers before they make this decision.”

Radinsky said his office has received multiple complaints from diners about the fees but did not name any specific restaurants he believes are violation of the law. It is not clear how many local restaurants add on an extra charge for employee healthcare or other costs. Employers must also tell their staff how the money will be allocated.

The letter comes as restaurants adjust to Santa Monica’s new $10.50 an hour minimum wage. In addition to the higher wages (which will increase every year until hitting $15 an hour in 2020), restaurant workers now accumulate paid sick leave. The new law stipulates that healthcare-related surcharges SEE SURCHARGES PAGE 7

DEBATE WINNERS

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The Santa Monica College Speech & Debate Team won several awards recently. See Page 10 for more information.

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Westside OUT AND ABOUT IN SANTA MONICA

Wednesday, November 29 GED/HiSET Prep Class at Main Get prepared to take the Science subject test of the GED or HiSET. Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 7 – 9 p.m.

DIY Crafty Cards and Gift Tags Amy Muscoplat teaches participants how to make vibrant and attractive holiday cards and gift tags for the upcoming season. Supplies provided.

Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Just for Seniors: ‘Appy Hour’ Device Workshop Bring your smartphone or tablet and get small group help to get you started with using your device. Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave, 4 – 5 p.m.

Thursday, November 30 College Application Drop-In Services Get free one-on-one assistance with college applications and essays. To submit your application, bring your transcript (unofficial is fine) and Social Security, DACA or Green Card number. Computers provided, or bring your laptop.

Presented in collaboration with the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club’s College Bound Program and Magellan Counseling. Grade 12.

Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 4 – 6 p.m.

L.E.A.R.N.: Learn, Excel, Achieve and Read Now One-on-one access to volunteers available to help students with homework assignments and reading comprehension. Bilingual volunteers available. Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd, 3:30 – 7 p.m.

Current Events Discussion Group Join organizers for a lively discussion of the latest news with your friends and neighbors. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Friday, December 1 Daybreak Designs Holiday Sale The women of the Daybreak shelter are selling handmade crafts this weekend at the Cloverfield Services Center, 1751 Cloverfield Blvd. Items include jewelry, cards, knit/crochet items, pictures and paintings.

Money raised will support and empower women at the shelter as they seek permanent housing. The sale will be held Friday from 11 a.m.

– 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Parking is available on site or at nearby meters.

Schroter’s Valley on the Moon and the Seven Sisters The feature shows are at 8 p.m. and are preceded by “The Night Sky Show” at 7 p.m. Take a look through various telescopes at a nearly-full Moon, the area around its bright crater Aristarchus, and the winding canyon known as “Schroter’s Valley.” Then turn your gaze to the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, one of the prettiest open clusters in the sky, and a harbinger of approaching winter. If clouds interfere, we’ll view high-resolution images in the planetarium.

Second floor of Drescher Hall (1900 Pico Blvd.). $11 ($9 seniors and children) for the evening’s scheduled “double bill,” or $6 ($5 seniors age 60+ and children age 12 and under) for a single Night Sky or feature show or telescope-viewing session. For information, please call (310) 4343005 or see www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or www.smc.edu/planetarium. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.

For help submitting an event, contact us at

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Local WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS 11th Street

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The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage and Eva Price present Small Mouth Sounds by Drama Desk Award winner Bess Wohl (Pretty Filthy), and directed by Tony Award nominee Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) for three weeks only, January 11 through 28.

In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with awkward and insightful humor, Small Mouth Sounds is a unique and compassionate new play that asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.

The cast includes Connor Barret (Jan), Ben Beckley (Ned), Edward Chin-Lyn (Rodney), Orville Mendoza (Teacher), Brenna Palughi (Alicia), Socorro Santiago (Joan), and Cherene Snow (Judy).

The original design team of Small Mouth Sounds returns for the national tour and includes Obie-winner Laura Jellinek (Scenic Design), Tilly Grimes (Costume Design), Mike Inwood (Lighting Design), Lortel- nominee Stowe Nelson (Sound Design), Andrew Schneider (Projection Design), and Noah Mease (Prop Design). Chavkin and the designers will restage the production, originally performed in traverse, for a proscenium setting.

The play is unique in that most of the action happens in silence. The audience learns almost everything through nonverbal communications from the actors.

The inspiration for the play came from Wohl’s own personal experience at a silent meditation retreat. Surrounded by people who were looking for a way for their lives to be changed or healed, Wohl decided that this was fertile subject matter for a play.

Tickets are on sale at www.thebroadstage.org or by calling (310) 434-3200.

Small Mouth Sounds at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., January 11 – 28, 2018. Tickets start at $45. (Prices subject to change)

The Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium is pleased to present three special feature shows in December, including a telescope viewing session and the popular seasonal favorite “A Winter’s Solstice.” The feature shows – as well as our popular Night Sky Show – will be held on Friday evenings.

The December shows are: Special Observing Event: “Schröter’s Valley on the Moon and the Seven Sisters” on December 1. This feature show is an opportunity to take a look through various telescopes at a nearly-full Moon, the area around its bright crater Aristarchus, the winding canyon known as “Schröter’s Valley,” and the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, named for the Seven Sisters of Greek lore, one of the prettiest open clusters in the sky, and a harbinger of approaching winter.

“A Winter’s Solstice” on December 8 and December 15. Come explore the history of ancient observances of the Winter Solstice, and take a look at a re-creation of the remarkable planetary conjunction in 2 BCE – a leading candidate for a scientific explanation of the Star of Bethlehem.

The feature shows are at 8 p.m. and are preceded by “The Night Sky Show” at 7 p.m., offering the latest news in astronomy and space exploration, a family-friendly “tour” of the constellations, and the chance to ask astronomy-related questions.

The John Drescher Planetarium, which features a Digistar projection system, is located near the elevators on the second floor of Drescher Hall (1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica). Tickets are available at the door and cost $11 ($9 seniors and children) for the evening’s scheduled “double bill,” or $6 ($5 seniors age 60+ and children age 12 and under) for a single show or telescope-viewing session.

Please call (310) 434-3005 or see www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or www.smc.edu/planetarium for information. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.

— SUBMITTED BY DAVIDSON & CHOY PUBLICITY

— SUBMITTED BY GRACE SMITH, SMC PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

The Broad Stage presents Small Mouth Sounds

UBER FROM PAGE 1

court hearing that was supposed to set the stage for a trial pitting Uber against Waymo, a self-driving car pioneer that started within Google eight years ago.

The hearing instead quickly turned into a forum raising more questions about Uber’s ethics and corporate culture. Over the past year, Uber has been rocked by revelations of rampant sexual harassment inside the company, technological trickery designed to thwart regulators and a yearlong cover-up of a hacking attack that stole the personal information of 57 million passengers and 600,000 drivers.

Jacobs, whose lawyer wrote the letter at the center of the courtroom drama, testified Tuesday that Uber had set up a unit called Marketplace Analytics to steal trade secrets from its rivals overseas. He didn’t specify which competitors Uber had targeted. His allegations had been kept under wraps until the Justice Department passed them along to U.S. District Judge William Alsup last week.

In an unusual move, Alsup had recommended in May that the Justice Department open a criminal investigation into Uber, based on the evidence he had heard in the Waymo case.

To protect itself against potential trouble, Uber frequently communicated on a service called Wickr that automatically erases messages, according to Jacobs. The company also relied on a surreptitious computer system to eliminate all digital trails, and dispatched its security team to train self-driving car engineers in Pittsburgh how to conceal their electronic tracks, Jacobs testified.

Uber’s espionage team also hired contractors who employed former CIA agents to help with its surveillance, according to Jacobs.

Pressed under questioning, Jacobs acknowledged that the letter also alleged that Uber had stolen trade secrets from Waymo, as well as other intellectual property in the U.S. But Jacobs said that his lawyer was mistaken in making that allegation. He insisted he didn’t know anything about Uber’s espionage team trying to steal anything in the U.S., suggesting he missed the purported mistake because he spent only about 20 minutes reviewing it while he was on vacation with his wife.

Uber paid Jacobs $4.5 million as part of a confidential settlement after his firing, Jacobs said while being grilled by Waymo lawyer Charles Verhoeven. Part of that settle-

ment includes Uber stock, a $1 million consulting fee and a provision requiring him not to say anything that would harm Uber.

“It is possible that he has been bought off

by Uber,” Alsup said of Jacobs at one point during Tuesday’s drama.

Alsup described the allegations in the letter as “scandalous” and lashed out at Uber’s legal team for not informing him about them before he was notified by the Justice Department. “I can’t trust anything you say because it has been proven wrong so many times,”Alsup told Uber attorney Arturo Gonzalez. The judge also called Uber’s espionage team “a plumber’s unit doing bad deeds.”

Gonzalez repeatedly tried to persuade Alsup that the allegations in Jacobs’ letter had nothing to do with Waymo’s case against Uber. The lawyer also argued that the company used secretive communications channels for employee safety reasons. But the judge wasn’t swayed.

“There is a 50-50 chance that this is going to turn out very bad for Uber,” Alsup said.

“And there is a 50-50 chance that this will turn out to be a dry hole.”

In a statement defending itself, Uber pointed to Jacobs’ testimony that he wasn’t aware of the company stealing any of Waymo’s trade secrets. “None of the testimony (Tuesday) changes the merits of the case,” Uber said.

In its statement, Waymo called the latest allegations against Uber “significant and troubling.”

Alsup postponed the scheduled Dec. 4 start of the Waymo-Uber trial to give Waymo more time to gather evidence. He didn’t immediately set a new trial date.

Waymo is alleging that Uber has been building its own fleet of self-driving cars by using trade secrets taken by former Waymo engineer Anthony Levandowski. Uber paid $680 million last year for a self-driving vehicle startup founded by Levandowski after he left Waymo in January 2016.

The latest bombshell to drop on Uber came as the company is trying to complete a $10 billion sale of its privately held stock.

Softbank, the Japanese firm leading the proposed investment, is proposing to buy the shares at a 30 percent discount from Uber’s previous valuation of roughly $68 billion, according to multiple media reports citing people familiar with the terms. The markdown stems, in part, from the turmoil that has stained Uber’s reputation and opened opportunities for rivals such as Lyft to lure away alienated passengers looking for alternative rides.

December Shows At Drescher Planetarium

CITY OF SANTA MONICA NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Santa Monica invites Contractors to complete and submit sealed bids for the: Access Path Replacement at Palisades Park and Virginia Avenue Park SP2467 Bids shall be delivered to the City of Santa Monica, Office of the City Clerk, Room 102, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California, 90401, not later than 2:30 p.m. on December 21, 2017 to be publicly opened and read aloud after 3:00 p.m. on said date.

Bidding Documents may be obtained by logging onto the City’s bidding website at: http://www.smgov.net/planetbids/. The Contractor is required to have a Class A license at the time of bid submission. Contractors wishing to be considered must submit Bids containing all information required pursuant to the City’s Request for Bids.

CITY OF SANTA MONICA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Santa Monica invites Statement of Qualifications for: Progressive Design-Build Services for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) Project No. SP2456 The City of Santa Monica (City) is inviting Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) from interested firms or joint-venture entities to provide Progressive Design-Build Services for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP). The City will employ a two-step procurement process for selecting the firm or entity that will serve as the Design-Builder for this Project.

Project includes design and construction of new advanced water treatment plant, two new stormwater storage tanks and modification of existing treatment facility.

RFQ questions to be submitted to Selim Eren via email at: selim.eren@smgov.net prior to December 14, 2017, 1:00PM. Proposers shall provide only seven (7) paper copies and one (1) electronic version of their Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to 1437 4th Street, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401, not later than 1:00 p.m. on JANUARY 17, 2018.

RFQ Documents may be obtained by logging onto the City’s bidding website at: http://www.smgov.net/planetbids/.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

COMMUNITY BRIEFS LOS ANGELES

Lawsuit seeks to block California desert water project Environmental activists are suing to block a plan to pump water from under the Mojave Desert and sell it to Southern California cities and counties.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles, takes aim at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which is permitting the private Cadiz company to build a 43-mile (69-kilometer) pipeline to carry water from its private desert wells to the Colorado River Aqueduct. The Trump administration earlier this year reversed Obama administration guidelines that would have made it harder to build the pipeline.

The suit says the project would suck too much water out of the fragile underground aquifers, drying up streams crucial to wildlife and leaving dry lakebeds that would create dust pollution.

Cadiz and the BLM didn’t immediately provide comment on the suit.

— ASSOCIATED PRESS

DANA POINT

Bird enthusiasts flock to see rare Nazca Booby in California Bird enthusiasts flocked to Southern California to get a glimpse of a rare species normally seen on the Galapagos Islands.

The Orange County Register reports the Nazca Booby was spotted Monday in Dana Point.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says the bird breeds primarily on the Galapagos and Malpelo archipelagos, but on occasion can be found offshore from South America and Central America.

The bird was spotted in Newport Beach two weeks ago, then again over the weekend.

Enthusiast Robin Lowe speculates warm weather brought the bird to the area. She says it also could have had something to do with the squid in local waters. The booby likes to feast on squid.

— ASSOCIATED PRESS

SANTA BARBARA

Natural oil shale fire smolders at beach near Santa Barbara Authorities say smoke wafting from a hillside above a beach west of Santa Barbara is from a naturally occurring fire.

The fire was reported Monday morning at Arroyo Burro Beach Park.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department says the smoldering fire is due to friction causing spontaneous combustion of oil shale embedded in sedimentary rock.

Winds also provide a constant influx of oxygen.

The smoking area is about 3 feet by 4 feet located about 10 feet above the beach.

Crews have removed nearby vegetation that might ignite.

Officials recommend staying away from the immediate area because low levels of hydrogen sulfide have been detected within 50 feet of the cliff face.

— ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES

Hollywood designer Gary Goddard on leave amid accusations Hollywood designer Gary Goddard is taking leave from his company amid accusations of sexual misconduct.

Goddard Group chief operating officer Barry Kemper announced in a press release late Monday night that Goddard would take “a leave of absence” from the company.

Kemper says Goddard’s absence will “allow the company and its employees to continue their projects undistracted by recent allegations made against him.” He says the move is “in the best interest of the company, its employees and clients.”

Goddard has denied accusations from actor Anthony Edwards and another actor, who say Goddard molested them when they were children.

Goddard has designed several theme park attractions based on Hollywood films. He has worked as a Broadway producer and directed 1987’s “Masters Of The Universe,” a live action film based on the He-Man cartoon.

— ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Santa Monica Daily Press publishes Monday - Saturday with a circulation of 10,000 on weekdays and 11,000 on the weekend. The Daily Press is adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Los Angeles and covers news relevant to the City of Santa Monica. The Daily Press is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association, the National Newspaper Association and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. The paper you’re reading this on is composed of 100% post consumer content and the ink used to print these words is soy based.

We are proud recipients of multiple honors for outstanding news coverage from the California Newspaper Publishers Association as well as a Santa Monica Sustainable Quality Award.

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SANTA MONICA RENT CONTROL BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Thursday, December 7, 2017 A public hearing on the following topic will be conducted at the regular Santa Monica Rent Control Board meeting on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the MLK Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401: 1) The Board will consider draft regulations that, if adopted, could limit the extent to which some owners may impose property-tax-based bond-related surcharges to controlled rents.

All interested persons are invited to present their views. Copies of the staff report will be available prior to the hearing from the Board’s office in Room 202 of Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main Street, and on the Board’s website at: www.smgov.net/rentcontrol.

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OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Santa Monica Daily Press staff. Guest editorials from residents are encouraged, as are letters to the editor. Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@smdp.com. Receipt of a letter does not guarantee publication and all content is published at the discretion of the paper. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content. All submissions must include the author’s name, address and phone number for the purposes of verification.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

5

Curious City Charles Andrews

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Lemony, Le Money DON LEMON

I’ve been pretty much a hermit for the last couple of months, and will probably emerge slowly. I will, I promise, get back into the swing of things. There are still lots of dragons to slay right here, right Bill?

We lost Bauer a year ago this month, to cancer, and it left a hole in so much of Santa Monica, from his weekly “My Write” column in this paper and the effect it had on local politics, to his work with the homeless, our Police Athletic League (PAL), and many other civic organizations.

In this holiday season of generosity let’s honor Bill Bauer and his dedication to journal-

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DIPPING MY TOE

Back in the murky local waters, I continue to pluck bon mots from the depositions of our City Council members concerning the lawsuit to bring district voting to our council and school board elections, in order to rectify alleged discrimination.

Pam O’Connor’s, slated for some seven hours last Aug. 11, instead lasted barely 15 minutes, before she refused, through her very expensive attorney (guess who’s paying that bill?) to answer any more questions.

Things screeched to a halt when counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. Parris, asked this question: P: Have you ever been concerned about the city hiring somebody because they might send a different message than you wanted sent to the various neighborhoods?

He was clearly about to venture into the controversial hiring/firing of Elizabeth Riel in 2015 as the City’s Communications and Public Affairs Officer. Let’s just say her firing seemed to have something to do with O’Connor. Riel successfully sued us, the City, and with fees it cost us almost a cool million.

The settlement did not allow for any further legal action.

“Our” attorney, Ms. Henry, informed Parris that her client would answer only questions she felt were directly related to the suit, and nothing about the Riel controversy.

Parris asked for the legal basis for that refusal and Henry said they would seek a “protective order” if he insisted. Parris responded — P: Counsel, I will proceed in any way I think is essential to representing our clients.

H: … if you don’t have any questions based on the substance of your complaint, then we will be leaving this deposition.

P: ... just because I’m asking questions about one area doesn’t mean I don’t have other questions to ask.

After some more lawyer back-and-forth — H: All right, Pam. Let’s go off the record.

We are leaving.

P: And why are you leaving? And you do not go off the record until I tell you to.

Counsel, why are you leaving?

H: We’ll be seeking a protective order.

P: And I’m just asking you the basis. Is there an Evidence Code you’re relying on?

(Here’s my favorite part) — O’Connor: Bye, guys.

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CNN evening news show host. I’m a big fan. He’s whip smart but laid back, classy, movie star good looks, too hip, a great interviewer, able to wrangle a messy cast of conflicting contributors, and when they won’t stop talking over each other he finds a way to calmly conclude without ever raising his voice or changing his tone. He calls BS when he hears it, on both sides of the aisle.

Calm. He’s the zen master of TV news.

Best of all, he has a singular sense of humor, not for making jokes but for detecting the absurdity of some of the situations he’s in the center of, and smiling knowingly or even bursting into laughter when, for him, it goes over the top. In those moments he doesn’t need to add a word.

He is naturally particularly attuned to racial implications, and it is a pure joy to see him join a guest of color in so getting what is going down and laughing, not cursing, at the irony. The inside joke that does not offend an outsider. And reflects so much of our society, of our history.

He has made some very personal observations, brief editorials that show you the soul of the man. Risky. He also makes other remarks you don’t often hear on pudit shows, and I paused Monday night when he opened by saying he enjoyed a week off for Thanksgiving but that taking a break made it clear how off the rails things are, how crazy it is to be doing what he’s doing, in this particular era of attacks on the facts. (Trump singled out CNN that morning.)

And so too my time off last week made me reluctant to jump back into the local morass. I was disappointed, for one example, to find that two City Council members, Sue Himmelrich and Kevin McKeown, want to spend staff ’s time and our money (that play money, again) investigating campaign contributions wrongdoing by the Huntley Hotel that has already been investigated and punished to the tune of $300,000. Someone on the opposite side of overdevelopment gets caught (set up?) and they want to put up a billboard and klieg lights, but we’re still waiting while the crickets chirp over so many other, more serious violations on the other side that have gone unprosecuted, uninvestigated, uncensured, unacknowledged. The Council’s consistent dedication to serving special interests and not the people who live in Santa Monica is impressive, but hardly laudable.

It sure reminds me of equating what Al Franked did with the horror of Roy Moore. It is just surreal, that a man accused by so many of such despicable acts against children, is being promoted for the United States Senate.

But then, look at our Groper-in-Chief.

ism again this year by contributing to the PAL scholarship fund set up in his name, for a local student to follow that path. Any local businesses or philanthropists and/or supporters of the First Amendment care to step forward?

To donate — go to the PAL page (smpal.org), hit the “Donate Here” button, then the yellow “donate” button, and be sure to write in “for the Bill Bauer Journalism Scholarship” under “add special instructions to the seller.”

Keep journalism alive! Invest in our youth! Bill would want that!

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

VOTE FROM PAGE 1

Workers began protesting staffing levels in October as the union negotiated its first contract with hospital owner Providence Health & Services.

“While the hospital respects its employees’ right to join unions and to participate in union activities, we are disappointed the union has chosen to focus on an informational picket, rather than on the bargaining table,” said Providence spokeswoman Patricia Aidem. “Providence Saint John’s Health Center is committed to a thoughtful and fair negotiation process with SEIUUHW, and is working to develop an agreement that addresses the needs of our employees, our patients and community. We all share the same goal of making sure we continue to provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients.”

Aidem said Providence was unaware of the strike vote but had been informed of an informational picket.

“First contract negotiations typically take more than a year; this bargain has been underway for less than half that time. Both teams have shared information, offered

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meaningful compromises and reached tentative agreements on individual contract articles, which is the heart of the bargaining process,” she said. “From the hospital’s perspective, negotiations have been productive to date and it is premature to call a strike, which, in effect, is an abandonment of the process. Providence Saint John’s looks forward to getting back to focusing on bargaining in good faith toward a first contract that ensures continued excellent patient care, provides security for caregivers and their families, and is sustainable for the health center.”

The SEIU statement said the strike was over safe staffing levels.

“Understaffing at the hospital is welldocumented and yet executives are acting like it’s not a threat to patient care,” said Linda Phongsvej, a Registered Respiratory Therapist at St. John’s Health Center. “This is a serious issue – the community deserves to receive quality care every time they enter the hospital.”

According to SEIU, the strike would cover 450 workers including nursing assistants, licensed vocational nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacy technicians. No date has been set if the workers do vote to strike. editor@smdp.com

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SURCHARGES FROM PAGE 1

must be distributed to employees in segregated accounts or as wages.

“While I can’t speak directly about any individual instance that the City Attorney’s letter might be referring to, I will say that any new law will naturally be followed by a period of adjustment,” said Hunter Hall, founder of the Santa Monica Restaurant Coalition in a text to the Daily Press. Hall was involved in drafting the new rules. “The great thing about Santa Monica is that the City is committed to ensuring that businesses – especially restaurants – have the guidance and resources they need to do right by their customers and staff through fair and transparent implementation of the new wage and leave policies.

Some restaurant owners say they adopted the surcharge to increase transparency with their customers. The Rustic Canyon Group, which owns several popular restaurants in Santa Monica including its namesake and Milo and Olive, adds a three percent charge to all checks. The surcharge is printed on the menu along with a description that the money is spent to “offer fully covered healthcare to our employees.” The charge has been

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on the menus since 2014, when co-owner Josh Loeb told this newspaper it allowed the restaurant to distribute the benefit more equitably among staff members.

Santa Monica is not the only jurisdiction where surcharges have become a growing trend. In San Diego, multiple restaurants are facing lawsuits over the issue, according to a recent report by the San Diego Tribune. The lawsuits allege the charges violate state and local laws, including false advertising and unfair competition. The law firm Hyde and Swigart expects to file 20 lawsuits by the end of the year over restaurant surcharges, according to the report. The District Attorney there has also cracked down.

Radinsky acknowledged restaurant owners have legitimate concerns about increasing costs as the price of labor goes up steadily over the next three years. In order to avoid increased scrutiny, Radinsky said restaurants could always raise their prices the old-fashioned way – by increasing the cost of each item on the menu.

“Any kind of a surcharge that is out of the ordinary like this has to be clear and conspicuous and calling attention to itself,” Radinsky said.

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SURF FORECASTS WEDNESDAY – FAIR – SURF: 2-3 ft Knee to chest high Easing WNW swell mix, while long period SSW swell builds in.

THURSDAY – POOR TO FAIR – SURF: 2-3 ft Knee to waist high Minor SSW swell laps in. Steep new NW swell builds.

WATER TEMP: 62.6°

DAILY POLICE LOG

The Santa Monica Police Department Responded To 363 Calls For Service On Nov. 27.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF THOSE CALLS CHOSEN BY THE SANTA MONICA DAILY PRESS STAFF. Indecent exposure 1500 block Lincoln 2:04 a.m.

Fight 1500 block 2nd 2:51 a.m.

Petty theft 2200 block Wilshire 4:26 a.m.

Death notification 1500 block 16th 7:25 a.m.

Encampment 1600 block Ocean 7:27 a.m.

Traffic collision 1400 block Marine 8:27 a.m.

Silent robbery 1400 block Wilshire 8:34 a.m.

Burglary 2300 block Hill 8:53 a.m.

Stalking 2600 block Centinela 8:57 a.m.

Fraud 2800 block 28th 9:10 a.m.

Death 100 block Ocean Park 9:36 a.m.

Stolen vehicle 3100 block 5th 9:59 a.m.

Identity theft 1900 block 17th 10:04 a.m.

Battery 1400 block 6th 10:07 a.m.

Injured person 6th / Broadway 10:16 a.m.

Burglary 2300 block Oak 10:17 a.m.

Hit and run 2300 block Oak 10:32 a.m.

Petty theft 2400 block Ocean Front Walk 10:42 a.m.

Vehicle blocking 1200 block Princeton 10:47 a.m.

Auto burglary 1300 block 4th 10:48 a.m.

Vehicle blocking 600 block Pier 10:49 a.m.

Harassing phone calls 2300 block Ocean Park 11:15 a.m.

Fight 6th / Santa Monica 12:14 p.m.

Fight 500 block Santa Monica 12:14 p.m.

Burglary 1400 block 26th 12:38 p.m.

Identity theft 2600 block Main 12:47 p.m.

Hit and run Lincoln / Olympic 12:57 p.m.

Hit and run 2300 block 6th 1:04 p.m.

Auto burglary 200 block Bicknell 1:39 p.m.

Vandalism 1500 block Ocean 1:43 p.m.

Petty theft 2100 block Lincoln 2:01 p.m.

Vehicle with excessive tickets 1100 block California 2:03 p.m.

Petty theft 1900 block Euclid 2:06 p.m.

Traffic hazard Walgrove / Airport 2:06 p.m.

Identity theft 2700 block 3rd 2:11 p.m.

Attempt burglary 900 block 16th 2:18 p.m.

Death 3100 block Pearl 2:42 p.m.

Assault w/deadly 16th / Santa Monica 2:45 p.m.

Drunk driving 19th / Santa Monica 2:53 p.m.

Traffic collision 1700 block Ocean Park 3:17 p.m.

Fight 6th / Grant 3:33 p.m.

Grand theft 1400 block Santa Monica 3:47 p.m.

Traffic collision 24th / Ocean Park 4:02 p.m.

Auto burglary 1500 block 2nd 4:15 p.m.

Out order traffic lights 28th / Ocean Park 4:20 p.m.

Battery 1400 block 3rd Street Prom 4:36 p.m.

Traffic collision 300 block Arizona 4:57 p.m.

Battery 1400 block Wilshire 5:00 p.m.

Theft suspect in custody 700 block Broadway 5:22 p.m.

Burglary 1100 block Harvard 5:33 p.m.

Petty theft 300 block Colorado 6:06 p.m.

Burglary /walk 1100 block Franklin 6:17 p.m.

Petty theft 2400 block 4th 6:22 p.m.

Threats 400 block Euclid 7:18 p.m.

Bike theft 6th / Santa Monica 7:24 p.m.

Traffic collision 6th / Colorado 8:04 p.m.

Petty theft 700 block Broadway 8:18 p.m.

Auto burglary 1500 block 5th 8:37 p.m.

Auto burglary 1400 block 4th 9:06 p.m.

Vandalism 2900 block Main 9:36 p.m.

Theft suspect in custody 200 block Broadway 9:47 p.m.

Traffic collision 4th / Colorado 10:30 p.m.

Auto burglary 1300 block 4th 10:33 p.m.

DAILY FIRE LOG

The Santa Monica Fire Department Responded To 42 Calls For Service On Nov. 27.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF THOSE CALLS CHOSEN BY THE SANTA MONICA DAILY PRESS STAFF. EMS 2000 block Arizona 12:46 a.m.

EMS 1000 block 6th 1:00 a.m.

Odor natural gas 1500 block 14th 1:47 a.m.

EMS 3000 block 16th 2:01 a.m.

EMS 2800 block Pico 4:16 a.m.

EMS 1300 block 20th 4:18 a.m.

EMS 2600 block Pico 5:20 a.m.

EMS 2200 block Pico 6:07 a.m.

Automatic alarm 800 block Broadway 6:38 a.m.

EMS 2600 block 26th 7:41 a.m.

EMS 1900 block 20th 8:17 a.m.

EMS 1800 block Navy 8:59 a.m.

EMS 1900 block Pico 9:00 a.m.

EMS 1800 block 10th 9:08 a.m.

Elevator rescue 1300 block 2nd 9:33 a.m.

Odor natural gas 2100 block Ocean Park 9:54 a.m.

Fire out investigation 2000 block Ocean Front Walk 10:16 a.m.

EMS 1300 block 15th 11:17 a.m.

EMS 1300 block 12th 11:32 a.m.

EMS 800 block 2nd 12:01 p.m.

Automatic alarm 1500 block 5th 1:10 p.m.

EMS 500 block Colorado 1:21 p.m.

EMS 3100 block Pearl 2:41 p.m.

EMS 16th / Santa Monica 2:46 p.m.

Carbon monoxide alarm 2700 block Pico 3:30 p.m.

Traffic collision with injury 24th / Ocean Park 4:02 p.m.

EMS 2200 block 27th 4:20 p.m.

EMS 4th / Marine 4:43 p.m.

EMS 1000 block Lincoln 5:24 p.m.

Elevator rescue 1100 block 7th 5:29 p.m.

Automatic alarm 1000 block 12th 5:42 p.m.

EMS 23rd / Dewey 6:15 p.m.

EMS 1700 block Olympic 6:20 p.m.

Elevator rescue 1300 block 2nd 7:19 p.m.

EMS 1300 block 15th 7:54 p.m.

EMS 600 block Raymond 8:40 p.m.

Carbon monoxide alarm 2500 block Pearl 9:10 p.m.

Miscellaneous outside fire Lincoln / Michigan 11:21 p.m.

Trash/dumpster fire 1400 block Lincoln 11:53 p.m.

Odor investigation 2200 block Virginia 11:59 p.m.

Puzzles & Stuff WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

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DAILY LOTTERY

WELL NEWS

BY SCOTT LAFEE

Draw Date: 11/25

Draw Date: 11/26

Get Me That, Stat!

8 13 27 53 54 Power#: 4 Jackpot: 163M

11 14 17 30 39

■ The National Center for Family & Marriage says 13 percent of American adults lived alone in 2015, up 1 percent since 1990. The share of people under age 45 and over age 65 hasn’t changed much, but the middle years — 45 to 65 — have a lot, which has some demographers worried since loneliness is linked to a host of physical, mental and social ills.

Draw Date: 11/27

MIDDAY: Draw Date: 11/24

16 36 54 61 64 Mega#: 22 Jackpot: 132M Draw Date: 11/25

13 17 21 25 46 Mega#: 19 Jackpot: 35M

720

Draw Date: 11/26

EVENING: 1 2 4 Draw Date: 11/26

1st: 01 Gold Rush 2nd: 07 Eureka 3rd: 11 Money Bags RACE TIME: 1:47.22

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning number information, mistakes can occur. In the event of any discrepancies, California State laws and California Lottery regulations will prevail. Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at California Lottery retailers. Visit the California State Lottery web site at http://www.calottery.com

WORD UP! benevolence 1. desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness: to be filled with benevolence toward one’s fellow creatures.

2. an act of kindness; a charitable gift.

3. English History. a forced contribution to the sovereign.

SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S CROSSWORD

Sudoku Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block.

Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle.

SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S SUDOKU

MYSTERY PHOTO

Matthew Hall matt@smdp.com

Number Cruncher ■ A McDonald’s hash brown patty (56 grams) contains 150 calories, 81 from fat. It has 9 grams of total fat or 14 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

■ It also contains 310 milligrams of sodium (13 percent); 15 grams of total carbohydrates (5 percent); and 1 g of protein.

The first person who can correctly identify where this image was captured wins a prize from the Santa Monica Daily Press. Send answers to editor@smdp.com.

9

Comics & Stuff WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

10

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Citywide

SMC Speech And Debate Team Wins Awards At Two Fall Tournaments Santa Monica College (SMC) has announced that the SMC Speech and Debate Team continues its winning streak, bringing home new honors from two tournaments in October and November.

On October 14, eleven SMC debaters competed in the first annual Crossman Invitational at El Camino College, at which 99 students from 20 community colleges and four-year institutions competed.

Four SMC students advanced to the elimination rounds, with three receiving Bronze awards, and one making it all the way to the Gold award. Baylynne Brunetti, Shaindi Schwebel and Edward Lee received Bronze in Debate. Andrew Mishkin won his Bronze round, then advanced to the final round, taking Gold, the top award.

And on November 11, at the Robert Barbera Collegiate Forensics Invitational Tournament at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), 10 SMC students competed in Speech events, earning a total of 10 awards. 233 students from 24 community and four-year colleges from California and other southwestern states participated at this event.

Andrew Mishkin took 2nd place in both Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking and Andrea Conte took 1st place in After Dinner Speaking, with Baylynne Brunetti taking 2nd place. Finalists in Impromptu Speaking included Ben Kolodny (Team Captain), Edward Lee, and Shaindi Schwebel. Kyle Lee won 3rd place in both Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking, and Nick Graves was a finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking.

The team’s participation at both events was funded by the SMC Associated Students.

The last tournament of the Fall— the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association (PSCFA) Fall Champs—takes place December 1 - 3 at Moorpark College, which will help determine the squad of SMC speakers and debaters who will be invited to the national Phi Rho Pi National Speech and Debate Tournament in April.

Multiple award-winner Andrew Mishkin said, “Even though we all compete against each other at tournaments, there’s a communal sense of pride whenever someone from SMC brings home an award. The Speech and Debate team has given me a newfound confidence, but also a new circle of friends.”

“The SMC debate team has been a great experience, especially preparing for law school,” said Kyle Lee. “Competing at tournaments has helped me hone my communications skills, useful in many different aspects of life.”

And Baylynne Brunetti believes that the teamwork skills she is gaining are important to her future: “As a team we constantly push each other to become better at what we do.

I’m now prepared to carry this experience with me to law school and eventually to the courtroom.”

SMC Communication Professor Nate Brown coaches the team along with SMC Communication professors Luis Andrade and Brianna Broady.

“The SMC Debate Team has an outstanding record of achievement,” says Brown.

“2017-18 has gotten off to a great start and may become a record breaking year of great communication, powerful argumentation, and bonding friendships.”

– SUBMITTED BY GRACE SMITH, SMC PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Heathcliff

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 29)

By PETER GALLAGHER

Strange Brew

By JOHN DEERING

Happiness is not the goal. To change something, help someone, make a lasting impression on the world and set up a future you can be proud of — that’s the goal. Happiness will, however, be a byproduct of your efforts — as will sweat and toil. The more you can tolerate, the richer you’ll be (financially and otherwise). Leo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 40, 11, 19 and 32.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Your goal really is to find the solutions that are best for everyone, and that’s what you’ll do — just as soon as people understand that your aim is true. Trust and rapport are built slowly.

Put the other person first.

You’ll have your reasons for doing more today.

You’re not trying to impress anyone. This is about finding out what your limits really are.

So go on and push yourself into uncomfortable (but not painful) territory.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

You’ve been compromising quite a lot lately, mostly effectively, causing satisfaction throughout the group. This is excellent for your social life, but it’s time to do something just for you, exactly the way you like it.

You’ll switch the channel in your mind from the doubt and worry network to the action channel. Better results will come from overworking than from overthinking.

Agnes

By TONY COCHRAN

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) GEMINI (May 21-June 21) The feeling that you’d like to escape will likely come when circumstances seem either too boring or too exciting. So go. If you can’t remove yourself physically, a book or movie will do the trick.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) There will be no lone geniuses today. Any greatness that happens will be a group effort.

It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good group to bring out your best today.

You think you’re arguing about the truth, but if you’re like most people, you aren’t. Most arguments are to serve or eradicate a feeling. The truth will outlast the argument. The truth is inarguable.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Oscar Wilde once put it like this: “The world was my oyster, but I used the wrong fork!”

Ignore social formalities at your own peril. If you don’t know then read, ask or observe until you pick up on what you’re supposed to do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You want to be seen in a certain way. Making that happen will be grueling, tedious, expensive and thankless work. So think about whether the result is really worth going all in, because that’s what it will take.

Dogs of C-Kennel

By MICK & MASON MASTROIANNI & JOHNNY HART

When people want what you have, it’s both flattering and frustrating. They often act as if you got there by luck. Outsiders just don’t realize the effort that went behind all this. It will be your job to enlighten.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You don’t have to like what you’re asked to do to approach the request with good cheer. Your attitude will be what helps you rise to a new level of respect and prominence.

Think it over; write about it; talk about it with a trusted friend. Self-reflection will help you uncover your motivation for upholding bad habits and help you find a healthier way to meet your needs.

Zack Hill Venus Transition Imminent We want to be close to one another, but how close? The average distance kept between people in a public social setting varies by culture. The emotional distance varies with personal preference. With the change of Venus imminent, we may fumble the transition, overstepping, bumping into one another, fleeing. Don’t worry; it will resolve.

DO YOU HAVE COMMUNITY NEWS? Submit news releases to editor@smdp.com or by fax at (310) 576-9913 office (310)

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By JOHN DEERING & JOHN NEWCOMBE

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