Santa Monica Daily Press

MID-CITY — The No on Prop. W campaign put up a billboard Thursday that changes the famous Santa Monica Pier sign to read: “Santa Monica: For Sale by City Council.”

Most people give scant thought to those working behind the scenes on movies, commercials or television shows. And probably even fewer spend time pondering who ensured the subtitles in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” read true.

If you’ve ever stopped by the Santa Monica Visitors Center on Main Street, you may have been helped by mainstay Thelma Parks. For the last 19 years, Parks has been pointing people in the right direction, advising tourists on which Santa Monica attractions to visit and providing answers to misguided locals.

SM COURTHOUSE — After being found guilty on Friday of 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence for his role in the 2003 Farmers’ Market crash, George Russell Weller will next face a civil trial, scheduled to begin early next year.

VENICE — A federal lawsuit filed on Oct. 16 against the city of Los Angeles claims that the city’s most recent amendment to an ordinance that restricts activity on the Venice Beach boardwalk is unconstitutional, claiming it violates both the 1st and 14th Amendments.

CITYWIDE — It’s time to fall back.

LOS ANGELES — Groups of Southern California taxpayers have bonded together to file suit against the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, claiming it illegally used thousands of dollars in bond money to pay lawyers’ fees rather than protect coastal watersheds.

SM COURTHOUSE — O.J. Simpson’s name and likeness have popped up in court again. This time, his “right of publicity” was on the line.

Santa Monica police responded to a residence in the 600 block of Raymond Avenue regarding a burglary.

Officers responded to 631 Wilshire Boulevard — a Sprint store — regarding a subject who had thrown and broken items that were on display inside the store.

Officers responded to the 500 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a subject fighting with firefighters who were attempting to treat him for injuries he had sustained while riding a bus.

Officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1300 block of 14th Street regarding a burglary.

Officers responded to ZJ Boarding House at 2619 Main Street regarding a shoplifter. The suspect was followed by store employees.

Officers on routine patrol observed a subject in the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue, in the park area, in violation of a municipal code prohibiting people from being in the park after midnight.

Officers responded to a residence in the 1800 block of 16th Street regarding an assault and battery.

Santa Monica Police officers responded to 1431 Third Street Promenade — Gotham Hall — regarding a fight.

VENICE — Members of the Pacific Jewish Center are ready to walk the line, and their support is growing.

VENICE BEACH — Representatives of the Pacific Jewish Center on Ocean Front Walk and the California Coastal Commission have worked out a deal to install an eruv — a symbolic area that extends the homes of Orthodox Jews — along the beach, stretching from Santa Monica to Marina del Rey.

DOWNTOWN � It�s not the Hollywood ending most people envision, where helping those in need in Africa usually centers around the latest celebrity adoption of a baby there.

SM COLLEGE — You may not know what he looks like, but you’ve likely heard his voice in the morning.

SM BEACH — The surf’s up, but surfers may not be.

HOLLYWOOD — Even if you’ve seen a stage production of “The Lion King” during its current two-year run at the Pantages Theater, you may not have known that everyone’s favorite lion cub who would be king emerged from the wild that is Santa Monica.

DOWNTOWN — With only two shopping days left before the big day, many people are heading to downtown-area retail stores to get those last-minute gifts, and they’re paying a price — not necessarily from their wallets, but in their cars.

CITYWIDE — With the cold winter air finally arriving in Santa Monica this holiday season, many will choose to stay inside and get cozy.