DOOMSDAY PREPARATIONS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  And if you don't believe me, just ask the Guru, the all-knowing local eccentric with a pipeline to the Gods.  "Disturbing news is afoot," he said this morning with a wink, "Get a load of this."  He plopped a local newspaper on my table and pointed to a banner headline reading, "Moody's Downgrades Santa Monica."  "Yikes," I said, "I don't know what bothers me more, this headline or the Pending Apocalypse."  "They're related, my friend," he replied, "Everything is related."  And with that, he whipped out his cell phone and proceeded to carry on what sounded like a lengthy conversation with a real estate broker.  "It's time to liquidate," he said, "Sell, sell, sell ...!"