California

• 
  L.A. NOW

• With cuts looming, some L.A. City Council members use off-budget funds to boost their salary accounts

  Maeve Reston

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:04 am

  Members of the Los Angeles City Council will renew their efforts to address the city's budget problems Tuesday as they consider a three-year plan to deal with the deficit. But as they've debated how to whittle down the city's costs, we've noticed that some have been moving money into their office's salary accounts. This year's budget set aside $21.4 million for salaries in the 15 council offices and allocated $7.9 million for salaries in the mayor's office, according to a recent budget memo from the city's top financial analyst. In our story today, we…

• New plan for Garfield High School auditorium

  Carla Rivera

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:00 am

  The fate of the fire-damaged auditorium at Garfield High School may be decided Tuesday as the Los Angeles Board of Education considers a plan to pay for the rebuilding of the historic structure. The auditorium was gutted in a May 2007 arson fire. A 17-year-old Garfield student was convicted of setting the blaze, sentenced to juvenile camp and ordered to pay restitution. The fire caused an estimated $30 million in damage to the East Los Angeles landmark. Since then, the Los Angeles Unified School District has been mired in a dispute with insurers over the scope of reconstruction. The two sides…

• Evacuations ordered for hillside neighbhorhoods in L.A. County

  Robert Lopez

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:38 pm

  Los Angeles County authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders Monday night for more than 500 residences in mudslide-prone areas in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton.The residences must be evacuated by 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Sheriff's deputies were notifying residents Monday night in affected neighborhoods.A complete list of all addresses to be evacuated can be found on the Web page of the County Department of Public Works.Evacuation centers will be set up at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave., Montrose, and…

• Credit rating agencies voice concern about L.A.'s budget crisis

  Maeve Reston

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:08 pm

  Representatives from two credit rating agencies expressed concern Monday about Los Angeles' precarious financial position and the City Council’s indecision on budget cuts last week. In a memo to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Council members, City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana said Fitch Ratings told one of his aides they were monitoring a number of factors that could lead them to downgrade the city’s credit rating. They included the erosion of the city’s reserves, the city’s structural deficit and the failure of city officials to reduce the size of the city’s…

• Seal Beach mom charged in death of 22-month-old daughter

  Robert Lopez

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:52 pm

  A Seal Beach mother of four was charged Monday in the death of her 22-month-old daughter and for allegedly fracturing the skull of the dead child's male twin,  authorities said.Linda Wilborn, 31, was charged with one felony count of assault on a child with force likely to produce great bodily injury resulting in death and three felony counts of child abuse, the Orange County district attorney's office said. She was arrested Monday by the Seal Beach Police Department and was being held in lieu of $1-million bail.Wilborn allegedly ruptured the heart of the child who died, the…

• 
  SFGate: Bay Area News Stories

• State job bias remedies called separate, unequal

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Californians who complain of job discrimination are steered down two separate paths, a new study says - one for workers who can afford to hire lawyers, and another, less-rewarding road for those who can't. That less-lucrative alternative - used...

• State error leads to security breach

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  A state health department mailed letters to nearly 50,000 Californians this month - inadvertently listing their Social Security numbers alongside their names and addresses on the envelopes. The security breach involved a Feb. 1 mailing by the California...

• Recycling push puts Berkeley's budget in dumps

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Berkeley's $144 million budget is in the trash can - literally. In a $10 million deficit announced last week, the single biggest factor - $4 million - was a decline in its refuse revenues. The city says, in part, that it's a victim of its own success....

• Homeless man offers reward for missing cat

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Daniel Harlan, a slight man with a wispy beard going gray, is just another face in the crowd in San Francisco. He is homeless, a street panhandler. Most people wouldn't give him a second glance except for his constant companion, a pug-nosed Himalayan cat...

• Whitman putting her money where her campaign is

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman talks a lot about how politicians need a "new attitude" when it comes to excessive spending - but apparently not when it comes to the former eBay exec's own campaign spending. According to campaign records,...

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  California News

• ACLU accuses Calif. instructor of religion lessons

  9 Feb 2010 | 5:38 am

  An instructor at a public community college in Fresno has been presenting his religious views on homosexuality, abortion and global warming as fact to students in an introductory health science class, the American Civil Liberties Union alleged Monday.

• Michael Jackson's Doctor Charged in Pop Star's Death

  9 Feb 2010 | 1:15 am

  Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray Michael Jackson's personal physician has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop singer's death.

• Obama Administration Blasts Anthem Blue Cross Rate Hikes

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:39 pm

  The Obama administration is asking why Anthem Blue Cross is raising its health insurance rates by nearly 40 percent for some California customers while making handsome profits -- and is pointing to the rate hike as evidence of why health care reform needs to pass.

• Social Security numbers of Medi-Cal beneficiaries end up on envelopes

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:12 pm

  The Social Security numbers of thousands of Medi-Cal recipients was inadvertently on the envelopes of a recent mailing, says the California Department of Health Care Services .

• Idaho, Others Prepare For Calif. Egg Exodus

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:53 am

  Idaho is among states watching to see if a new California animal cruelty law drives flocks of big egg farms there to fly the coop.

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  Bottoms Up

• Collaboration Beer Dinner Thursday

  jbrookston

  8 Feb 2010 | 1:26 pm

  This Thursday, the Homebrew Chef, Sean Paxton, will host another of his legendary beer dinners at Mercedes in San Francisco. It’s an eight-course dinner. The cost is $98, and that includes all food, beer and gratuity. There’s limited seating, so snap up your tickets now. This should be a good one. It will feature the collaboration beers of Belgium’s De Proef Brouwerij and our own Firestone Walker Brewing. Tickets can be purchased online. See you there. Collaboration: A Beer Dinner Thursday, February 11th, 6:30 pm Aspall Cuvee Chevallier Double Fermented Cyder First Course…

• Bistro Double IPA Winners

  jbrookston

  7 Feb 2010 | 2:21 pm

  Pizza Port’s Welcome Back Wipeout IPA was chosen best in show at the 10th annual Double IPA Festival yesterday at the Bistro in Hayward, California. That’s the second year in a row that a Pizza Port beer has won. The full winner list is below. 1st Place: Welcome Back Wipeout IPA, Pizza Port Brewing 2nd Place: HopSauce, Rubicon Brewing 3rd Place: II Max Imperial IPA, Triple Rock Brewing People’s Choice Award: Russian River Pliny the Younger Below is a video of Vic and Cynthia announcing the winners.

• Beer Revolution Opens In Oakland

  jbrookston

  5 Feb 2010 | 7:40 am

  Oakland’s newest beer store is set to open today. Beer Revolution, located at 464 3rd Street in Oakland, just off Broadway. Co-owners Rebecca and Fraggle plan to open the doors at Noon. Stop by and check it out. Better yet, pick up a few bottles to let them know you support better beer stores.

• SF Beer Week Begins Friday

  jbrookston

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:18 pm

  On Friday, the 2nd annual SF Beer Week will begin, and with two days to go, we’ve just surpassed 200 events, roughly fifty more than we had last year. More importantly, all the events look spectacular and there’s a wide range different types of them taking place throughout the ten days of SF Beer Week. Check out the Schedule to find out what you’ll be doing next week.

• Rioja, Long Island join Wine Place & Origin protection movement

  jyadegaran

  3 Feb 2010 | 4:49 pm

  What does wine and real estate have in common? Location, location, location. The next time you’re at a dinner party and someone serves you Champagne, ask them what part of France it’s from. Nine times out of 1o, they’re pouring you a sparkling wine from California, a Prosecco from Italy, or a cava from Spain. Those are all great sparkling wines, but they’re not from Champagne. Get it? The Office of Champagne was a founding member of the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin. It was signed on July 26, 2005 in Napa Valley and its aim is simple: To educate…

• 
  California

• Mexico arrests two reputed leaders of Tijuana gang

  <br> <p class="Byline Affiliation">Associated Press

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:05 pm

  TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities Monday arrested two suspected leaders of a brutal drug trafficking gang that terrorized the border city of Tijuana for several years, a U.

• Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charge

  <p class="bylinejb">By Jack Leonard, Harriet Ryan and Victoria Kim <br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Los Angeles Times <br /></p>

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:19 pm

  Michael Jackson's doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop singer's death.

• Study: Women over 40 nearly twice as likely to have autistic children

  <p class="bylinejb">By Thomas H. Maugh II <br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Los Angeles Times <br /></p>

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:19 pm

  LOS ANGELES — Women who give birth after age 40 are nearly twice as likely to have a child with autism as those under 25, but it is unlikely that delayed parenthood plays a big role in the current autism epidemic, California researchers reported Monday.

• Study: Women over 40 nearly twice as likely to have autistic children

  <p class="bylinejb">By Thomas H. Maugh II <br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Los Angeles Times <br /></p>

  8 Feb 2010 | 6:59 pm

  LOS ANGELES — Women who give birth after age 40 are nearly twice as likely to have a child with autism as those under 25, but it is unlikely that delayed parenthood plays a big role in the current autism epidemic, California researchers reported Monday.

• ACLU accuses Fresno City College health instructor of religion lessons

  <br> <p class="Byline Affiliation">Associated Press

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:52 pm

  SAN FRANCISCO — An instructor at a public community college in Fresno has been improperly presenting his religious views on homosexuality, abortion and global warming as fact to students in an introductory health science class, the American Civil Liberties Union alleged today ACLU staff

• 
  L.A. Times - California | Local News

• L.A. County's handling of mudslide warnings is questioned

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Officials defend their decision not to evacuate before mud damaged dozens of homes early Saturday. But their actions stand in stark contrast to the frequent warnings issued during last month's storms. George Allen said the calls came regularly last month, telling him and other La Cañada Flintridge residents to evacuate as rain soaked the wildfire-scorched hillside above their homes.

• Villaraigosa sets sights on City Council's pet projects funds

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  To plug a shortfall, he's seeking to borrow $40 million from accounts that are used for neighborhood initiatives. But some of the funds can't easily be touched, council aides say. Members of the Los Angeles City Council have more than a dozen accounts squirreled away that they dip into for pet projects. They have set aside money for security cameras around MacArthur Park, artistic bike racks in Hollywood and a program that sends city workers to pluck abandoned shopping carts off the streets of the San Fernando Valley, to name just a few.

• California budget crisis' teachable moment

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  The budget crunch at Cal State is getting so bad, it's forcing some young people to think about a future without a college education. But some students won't sit idly by. Maybe, one day, something good will come out of California's budget crisis.

• Jackson's physician charged with involuntary manslaughter

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Dr. Conrad Murray, a cardiologist hired to care for Jackson during the pop star's comeback attempt last year, pleads not guilty in a courtroom packed with international media and the singer's family. Los Angeles prosecutors filed a long-anticipated involuntary manslaughter charge against Michael Jackson's personal physician Monday as the coroner's office made public a report concluding that the care the singer received in the final hours of his life violated accepted medical standards.

• Sheen charged in alleged Christmas Day assault on wife in Aspen

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  His wife said that Sheen had pinned her to a bed and held a knife to her throat. He faces up to three years in prison. On Monday, a judge modified a protective order barring him from seeing her. Actor Charlie Sheen was charged Monday in a Colorado court with felony menacing, third-degree assault and criminal mischief, stemming from a Christmas Day incident in Aspen, Colo., in which he allegedly held a knife to his wife's throat.

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  The Homicide Report

• Please visit the Homicide Report at its new location

  Anthony Pesce

  25 Jan 2010 | 10:32 pm

  On Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, The Times launched a new version of the Homicide Report. You have arrived at the old blog. Readers can no longer post new comments on this site, but we encourage you to join the conversation...

• Database and interactive map coming soon

  Anthony Pesce

  12 Jan 2010 | 4:19 pm

  The Homicide Report will be going on a brief hiatus as we prepare to launch a new version next week. We will stop posting updates here while we transition to the new system, but readers can still find breaking news...

• L.A. County homicides: Jan. 4-11

  Maloy Moore

  11 Jan 2010 | 1:18 pm

  The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 22. This number does not include a few cases in which the cause of death has been deferred. Los Angeles County coroner's officials have listed the following deaths between...

• Koreatown: Bennett Bradley, 60 [Updated]

  Anthony Pesce

  5 Jan 2010 | 11:07 pm

  Bennett Bradley, a 60-year-old black man, was stabbed and died Saturday, Jan. 2, in the 100 block of South New Hampshire Avenue in Koreatown, authorities said. Bradley's body was found about 5:50 p.m. in his apartment, police said. Detectives believe...

• Palmdale: Eugene Harrington Jr., 23

  Anthony Pesce

  5 Jan 2010 | 11:04 pm

  Eugene Harrington Jr., a 23-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the 37400 block of Kimberly Lane in Palmdale, authorities said. Harrington was with his younger brother and another person about 9:10 p.m. when he got...

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  Outposts

• Saltwater fish count for Southern California, Feb. 8

  Kelly Burgess

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:48 pm

  Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:Daily Wrapup Boats Anglers Fish Audio H&M Landing 1 28 108 Rockfish 3 Sculpin Seaforth 1 11 15 Calico Bass 19 Sand Bass Dana Wharf 1 60 12 Giant Squid Newport Landing 1 17 51 Sand Bass 10 Sculpin Pierpoint Landing 1 9 2 Calico Bass 42 Sand Bass 53 Perch 1 trigger_fish Long Beach Sportfishing 1 19 28 Sand Bass LA Harbor 1 22 55 Calico Bass 7 Sand Bass 3 Sculpin play Marina Del Rey 1 24 5 Calico Bass 19 Sand Bass 42 Sculpin play

• Filming underway on biopic about surfer and shark-attack survivor Bethany Hamilton

  Kelly Burgess

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:57 pm

  Carrie Underwood had a busy weekend. After singing the national anthem at Super Bowl LXIV, she hopped on a plane bound to Oahu, Hawaii.The five-time Grammy award-winner is not there for a vacation, but to make her film-acting debut in a biopic about surfer Bethany Hamilton, who at age 13 survived an attack by a tiger shark that ripped off her left arm just below the shoulder.Tentatively titled "Soul Surfer," the movie is based on Hamilton's autobiography of the same name. In 2003, Hamilton was surfing off Kauai with a friend when she was attacked. Had the shark bitten two…

• Katie Spotz, 22, is attempting to become the youngest person to complete solo row across the Atlantic Ocean

  Kelly Burgess

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:39 am

  Katie Spotz has been rowing for 37 straight days. Not on a rowing machine in air-conditioned comfort, but across a large expanse of sea since mid-December. Spotz, 22, is attempting to row 2,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, from Senegal in West Africa to French Guiana in South America. If successful, she will become the youngest person to solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. "Most people think I am crazy and my family is not an exception," Spotz said in a pre-departure interview posted on her website. "Their main concern is my safety, but after becoming aware of the many…

• Trout plants for Southern California during the week beginning Feb. 8

  Kelly Burgess

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:00 am

  Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Feb. 8 by the Department of Fish and Game: RIVERSIDE: Lake Cahuilla, Perris Reservoir and Skinner Reservoir. SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park Lake, El Prado Regional Park Lake, Glen Helen Regional Park Lakes, Silverwood Lake and Yucaipa Regional Park Lake. ORANGE: Centennial Regional Park Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional…

• Surf City USA Marathon takes off on Super Bowl Sunday

  Kelly Burgess

  5 Feb 2010 | 2:40 pm

  More than 20,000 runners are expected to converge on Huntington Beach for the Surf City USA Marathon, half-marathon and 5K, taking place on Super Bowl Sunday. Formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, the 14th annual run is the largest oceanfront event of its kind in California. The marathon gets underway at 6:30 a.m. in a two-wave start from Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Street. The 5K -- a three-wave start -- begins at 6:50 a.m. at PCH and Main, and the half-marathon will get underway at PCH and Huntington at 7:45 a.m., with a nine-wave start. There will also be all sorts of…

• 
  Local News

• France's Areva buys Mountain View solar startup Ausra

  <p class="bylinejb">By Dana Hull <br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:dhull@mercurynews.com'>dhull@mercurynews.com</a>

  9 Feb 2010 | 3:15 am

  French government-owned Areva, a leading maker of nuclear reactors, announced Monday it is acquiring Ausra, a Mountain View concentrated solar thermal startup backed by several Silicon Valley venture capitalists.

• Google airs 'Parisian Love' ad on most-watched Super Bowl

  <p class="bylinejb">By Frank Michael Russell<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:frussell@mercurynews.com'>frussell@mercurynews.com</a>

  9 Feb 2010 | 3:14 am

  Good play calling as search giant unveils ad during Super Bowl

• Santa Clara Council set to consider final stadium ballot language

  <p class="normalparagraphstyle">By Howard Mintz<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:hmintz@mercurynews.com'>hmintz@mercurynews.com</a>

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:06 pm

  Council votes Tuesday on final version of measure to put before voters in June, but stadium backers worried the language is unclear and confusing.

• Santa Clara County DA softens boycott of judge

  <p class="bylinejb">By Tracey Kaplan<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:tkaplan@mercurynews.com'>tkaplan@mercurynews.com</a>

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:06 pm

  Despite actions, Carr says misdemeanors OK

• Roadshow: Road woes at 237-880 metering lights

  <p class="bylinejb">By Gary Richards<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:grichards@mercurynews.com'>grichards@mercurynews.com</a>

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:05 pm

  Extra metering light won't be turned on, but ramps will be converted into toll lanes.

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  State of California Portal Highlights

• Haiti Earthquake Relief

  The United States Government has mobilized resources and manpower to aid in the relief effort. Here are some ways that you can get involved. http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake

• California Storm Activity

  The latest storm system hits the state this week bringing with it cold temperatures, rain, wind, and plenty of snow. With the weather comes potential hazards ranging from mudslides in areas affected by wildfires, to flash flood watches and dangerous driving conditions. Are you prepared? Cal EMA urges all Californians to be proactive as we face this latest storm. Read more to find information and resources that will help keep you, your family, and your property protected.

• Flu Vaccine Locator

  Find flu clinics near you. Search by zip.

• What is Your CA Five?

  California Fives gives you the best of the Golden State, from roller coasters to tiramisu and much more. Created by locals, tour operators, and anyone else with five great travel stops to share, California Fives taps into everybody's personal favorites.

• Furlough Fridays - Office Closures

  State government offices will be closed three days a month. Refer to this list to see the dates. http://www.dpa.ca.gov/personnel-policies/furloughs/list-of-furlough-fridays.htm

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  Legislative Analyst's Office

• Proposition 99 Overview

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  Presented to Assembly Budget Committee, Hearing on the Every Women Counts Program

• Financial Accountability in Redistricting Act

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  This measure amends the Constitution and state laws to change the way boundaries of districts for the State Assembly, State Senate, BOE, and California’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are determined.

• Vote SAFE: Secure and Fair Elections Act (version 5)

  3 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  This statutory initiative makes various changes to state voting practices that would apply to elections held in 2012 or later.

• Revenues and the 2010-11 Budget

  2 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

• Assessing the Governor's Employment Training Initiative

  2 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Hon. Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair

• 
  Press Releases

• Gov. Schwarzenegger Directs Coordinated Recovery Effort for Southern California Mudslides

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:52 pm

  In response to a destructive mudslide and debris flow that damaged and destroyed homes in Southern California this past weekend, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger directed his departments and agencies to continue working closely with local, state and federal authorities to help those impacted recover. Yesterday, he toured the affected areas and was briefed on the coordinated cleanup effort.   "I promised the residents and local officials that the state will do all we can to respond to this staggering situation," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "My agencies have kept our…

• Gov. Schwarzenegger Tours Damage, Receives Briefing on Status of Recovery Efforts Following Southern California Mud and Debris Slide

  7 Feb 2010 | 12:46 pm

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today visited La Cañada Flintridge in Los Angeles County to tour damage caused by a mud and debris slide and receive a briefing on the status of recovery efforts. The mud and debris slide occurred yesterday after a large rain cell traveled through the area, which is also the site of the burn area caused by the 2009 Station Fire.    “My Administration works year-round to ensure that our state is ready for any emergency that may strike California.” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “We have the best emergency response teams from…

• Governor Schwarzenegger Discusses California National Guard Change of Command in Weekly Radio Address

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:42 pm

  English and Spanish audio links and transcripts of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekly radio address are below.   English:   The 3-minute, 2-second address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressNationalGuard020510_mus.mp3. The file is 1.21 MB.     A “clean” version of the address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressNationalGuard020510_dry.mp3. The file is 1.15MB.   Spanish:   The 3-minute, 21-second address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressNationalGuard020510_mus.mp3. The file is 1.34 MB.

• Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on El Cajon Soldier

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:38 pm

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Staff Sgt. Mark A. Stets of El Cajon:   “Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our sadness over the death of Staff Sergeant Mark Stets. Mark was a courageous soldier who willingly put himself in harm’s way while protecting our country. We are forever grateful for his service and together we honor his sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family, friends and fellow soldiers as they mourn this tremendous loss.”   Stets, 39, died February 3 in…

• Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:50 pm

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments:   James Bell, 36, of Ridgecrest, has been appointed to the Desert Empire Fair Board. He has been an electrical engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Naval Air Workforce Center since January 2010 and has owned and operated Bell Enterprises since 2004. Previously, Bell was an electrical engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense from 1997 to 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Bell is a Republican.      Stephanie Clauss, 42, of…

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  Speeches

• Governor Highlights Proposal to Provide Training, Hiring Incentives for Business Growth and Expansion

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:29 am

• Governor Highlights $10,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Proposal in His California Jobs Initiative

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:43 am

• Governor Schwarzenegger Highlights Importance of Infrastructure Investment to Create Jobs, Rebuild Economy

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:04 am

• Governor Swears in Brigadier General Mary J. Kight as Adjutant General of the CA National Guard

  2 Feb 2010 | 10:38 am

• Governor Highlights Green Tech Manufacturing Equipment Sales Tax Exemption to Create Jobs

  1 Feb 2010 | 9:31 am

• 
  L.A. Times - Opinion Blog

• The latest Obama healthcare plan

  Jon Healey

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:43 pm

  The comments on the last two posts about Sarah Palin are starting to get nasty and personal (as opposed to just nasty), so I thought I'd try and shift the discussion to something less controversial. Like, say, healthcare reform. The Times editorial board on Monday urged Democrats to add more meaningful cost controls to their healthcare reform bill before trying to punch it through Congress. President Obama, meanwhile, has called for Republicans and Democrats to meet with him for an on-camera exchange of ideas about the legislation. Hmm. Now that's going to be productive. …

• Palin hands her critics an issue

  Michael McGough

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:27 am

  Whatever you think of Sarah Palin's remarks to the Tea Party Convention -- and I thought they were an effective, if unfair, encapsulation of the conservative case against President Obama -- she shouldn't be criticized for writing crib notes on her left hand. Sure, it's embarrassing that Palin, who disparaged Obama as a charismatic guy with a TelePrompter, was caught using a low-tech prompter of her own. But Democrats who mock this foible run the risk of underscoring the complaint that liberals treat conservatives, and "ordinary Americans," with condescension. Most of us…

• Tea Party: Life imitating art in Nashville

  Michael McGough

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:41 am

  Am I the only one to notice the coincidence that the Tea Party Convention met in Nashville, which is also the title of a 1975 Robert Altman movie about (among other things) an anti-establishment presidential candidate? Hal Phillip Walker, the standard-bearer of the Replacement Party, would have felt at home last weekend in Nashville. Walker's populist platform included forbidding lawyers from serving in Congress  ("Did you ever ask a lawyer the time of day? He told you how to make a watch, didn't he?"), taking on oil companies, abolishing the Electoral College and…

• Tea Party footnotes

  Patt Morrison

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:39 am

  A couple of musings about the Tea Party convention in Tennessee: I'm puzzled by the disgruntled reaction among Tea Partiers to the fact that the convention charged money to attend -- about $550, it's been reported -- and that the convention organizer was a for-profit company. Yeah, it's expensive, all right, but isn't profit-making quintessentially American? And I've seen photos of conventioneers wearing T-shirts with the image of a bald eagle on the back, the national bird, symbol of the nation. When the Founding Fathers were drawing up the…

• While some owners wait for fixes, new Toyotas roll off the lots again

  Jon Healey

  5 Feb 2010 | 3:34 pm

  My colleague Jerry Hirsch reported today that Toyota has resumed sales of eight models pulled from its lots because of suspect gas pedals. The move comes as owners of millions of recalled vehicles are lining up to get their gas pedals fixed by Toyota dealers. I understand why Toyota would want to resume sales as soon as it could; after all, the idled vehicles included some of the company's most popular models, including Camrys, Tundras and Corollas. Still, I can't help wondering how the owners of recalled vehicles feel about seeing new-car buyers drive off with upgraded vehicles…

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  Top Stories

• Governor Highlights Proposal to Provide Training, Hiring Incentives for Business Growth and Expansion

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:23 am

  Gov. Schwarzenegger joined Senator Abel Maldonado to tour REC Solar, one of the nation's largest installers of photovoltaic solar panels, and held a press conference.

• Governor Highlights $10,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Proposal in His California Jobs Initiative

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:02 am

  Gov. Schwarzenegger held a press conference to highlight the proposal to extend and expand the $10,000 homebuyer tax credit to include the purchase of existing homes.

• Governor Speaks at L.A. Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Dinner Gala

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:57 pm

  Governor Schwarzenegger discussed his priorities for California at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Dinner Gala.

• Governor Highlights Importance of Infrastructure Investment to Create Jobs, Rebuild Economy

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:07 am

  The Governor held a press conference with Pennsylvania Governor and Building America's Future Co-Chair Edward G. Rendell and San Jose Mayor and BAF Coalition Member Chuck Reed.

• Governor Delivers Remarks at 'The Next American Economy' Conference

  2 Feb 2010 | 4:24 pm

  Gov. Schwarzenegger delivered remarks at 'The Next American Economy: Transforming Energy and Infrastructure Investment,' conference hosted by The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program and Lazard.

• 
  SFGate: Niner Insider

• How about Ken Willard

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:04 pm

  This one is for the long-time 49ers who remember running back Ken Willard. I received this note from his son, and I wanted to pass it on. For those who remembered him, Willard is retired from the insurance business back in Virginia, and get this, going to yoga four times a week to stay flexible for...

• Saints win

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:41 pm

  So much for blow out. The Saints withstood their bout of nerves in the first quarter and beat a better team through their own grit. I never imagined that after Drew Brees's performance in the title game that he would out play Peyton Manning . But congratulations to the Saints and the city of...

• Does anyone sniff a blowout?

  7 Feb 2010 | 1:19 pm

  Many took issue with my underrated choices, outside linebackers Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson , as you should. This is a blog after all. The reason I chose them was because of the new way teams now play the edge of the defense. Also after talking to one of the players from last year, it was...

• And the winner is......

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:47 pm

  The armored car just arrived. The security guards are walking the envelope up the path. They fetched it earlier from a safe at Price Waterhouse. We now are prepared to open the envelope and discover the winner of this season's most underrated 49er award. And the winner is (have to open it...

• 49ers Welcome Ray Brown

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:44 pm

  The 49ers signed tight end Tony Curtis and cornerback Keith Smith to future contracts in an effort to fill out their mini-camp and training camp rosters. The team also made the hire of former offensive lineman Ray Brown official as an assistant offensive line coach. Brown held the same...

• 
  SFGate: SFGate: San Francisco Giants : The Splash

• Lincecum update

  3 Feb 2010 | 3:42 pm

  It appears the Giants and Tim Lincecum won't be agreeing on any long-term deal and that the pitcher will have to "settle" for whatever the arbitration panel concludes. In a recent SFGate poll , most readers said they thought the Giants should give Lincecum a five-year deal, but that's probably...

• A bright, sunshine-y day for Jon Miller

  1 Feb 2010 | 12:19 pm

  Jon Miller has been honored with the Hall of Fame's Ford Frick Award for broadcasters and will have a permanent place in Cooperstown. Since Giants' fans already can't wait for the season to get going, this seems like a good time to talk about what makes Miller a Bay Area baseball treasure. (Or...

• Sandoval returns to Venezuela for one big game

  29 Jan 2010 | 1:44 pm

  Isn't air travel amazing? One night you can be dropping a ceremonial puck in San Jose. The next night you can be in Venezuela playing in your. country's biggest game of the year. Pablo Sandoval is supposed to be back at Camp Panda in Arizona, but the team gave him permission to fly to Caracas...

• Developments on Sanchez, Molina

  22 Jan 2010 | 1:54 pm

  More is known about second baseman Freddy Sanchez's surgery and Bengie Molina's one-year contract. Molina, on a conference call, said he took $4.5 million from the Giants instead of $5.5 million from the Mets because he's more familiar with the Giants. Plus, he said they have a better chance at...

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  22 Jan 2010 | 1:54 pm

• 
  The Fabulous Forum

• Ducks end Kings' record winning streak; Getzlaf injured

  Robyn Norwood

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:39 pm

  The Kings' club-record winning streak is over at nine games, ended by their local rivals. The Ducks' 4-2 victory Monday night at the Honda Center was their first over the Kings in four games this season. Corey Perry had a...

• Kings trail, 4-2, after two periods; Ducks' Getzlaf hurt

  Robyn Norwood

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:09 pm

  If the Kings are going to win a 10th consecutive game, they'll have to make yet another comeback. The Ducks took a 3-1 lead in the second period tonight before the Kings' Anze Kopitar trimmed it to one with a...

• Kings and Ducks tied after first period

  Robyn Norwood

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:10 pm

  The Kings' bid to extend their club-record nine-game winning streak isn't easy skating so far. The Kings took a 1-0 lead at 12:31 of the first on a nice goal by Oscar Moller when he back-handed a pass from Alexander...

• Jordan Zumwalt speaks about recruiting stress

  Eric Sondheimer

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:02 pm

  After not answering phone calls for the last couple of days while trying to take a breather from recruiting questions, linebacker Jordan Zumwalt from Huntington Beach Edison was more than comfortable discussing Monday his decision to sign last week with...

• Galaxy's Clint Mathis injured, David Beckham closes soccer academies

  Grahame Jones

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:43 pm

  It has not been the best of Mondays for Major League Soccer's Galaxy and a couple of its 30-something midfielders. First, the club announced that Clint Mathis, 33, will be sidelined for four to six weeks--or basically until the start...

• 
  Garden Bliss

• Edible Landscaping Workshop ALERT

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:59 am

  (Announcement from the California Center for Urban Horticulture)Edible Landscaping A "Your Sustainable Backyard" Workshop Gardens are not just for flowers anymore! Come learn about variety choice, bed preparation, planting, and harvesting- all using sustainable practices. Learn everything you need to know to get started on producing your own delicious fresh produce right in your own yard, no matter how small! Keynote speaker: Rosalind Creasy, well-known speaker and author of "Edible Landscaping: Now you can have your garden and eat it too! $45 registration fee includes morning coffee and…

• Northern CA Home & Landscape Expo

  1 Feb 2010 | 3:55 pm

  Stopped by the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo very briefly for a meeting-- more on that later-- and snapped a few phone pics of some nifty lighting and fountains that caught my eye.

• NEW BOOK! Fearless Color Gardens: The Creative Gardener's Guide to Jumping Off the Color Wheel

  9 Jan 2010 | 12:16 pm

  Brand new book by garden artist Keeyla Meadows!

• NEW BOOK! Sunset Western Garden Book of Edibles

  9 Jan 2010 | 10:58 am

  Brand spankin' new book from Sunset. Being published by Oxmoor House (I know! Freaky!). Pre-order for February 9 release date.

• Merry Christmas

  23 Dec 2009 | 10:54 am

  What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. -- Agnes M. PharoChristmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ. -- Bart Simpson

• 
  About.com California Travel: What's Hot Now

• California Coastal Highway One in Mendocino County: Gualala to Leggett

  gocalifornia.guide@about.com

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:04 am

  Guide to traveling on CA Hwy 1 through Mendocino County from Gualala to Leggett - points of interest, where to stay

• Destination Hotels Southern CA

  gocalifornia.guide@about.com

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:04 am

  Read about the best destination hotels in southern California for a weekend hideway, places where you can check in, stay put and relax without running around

• Lunch, Brunch and Foodie Destinations

  gocalifornia.guide@about.com

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:04 am

  Discover good places to go for brunch, lunch or to find food products in and around San Diego or for a vacation side trip

• Disneyland Favorites

  gocalifornia.guide@about.com

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:04 am

  Discover how other people rate Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney. See what they think about the rides and find out which ones they like best.

• Elephant Seals

  gocalifornia.guide@about.com

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:04 am

  Ano Nuevo Photo Gallery. Photos of elephant seals, adults and juveniles

• 
  Power Plug » Residential

• Governor Schwarzenegger Announces New Green Building Standards Code

  Megan Toth

  28 Jan 2010 | 5:40 pm

  (Photo: Office of the Governor) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced recently that on January 1, 2011, California will adopt the nation’s first ever mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact in new California buildings. Under CALGREEN, every new building constructed in California will be required to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials, in addition to other requirements. The regulations also call for mandatory…

• Weatherizing for Winter from Preservation Magazine

  Megan Toth

  8 Jan 2010 | 4:21 pm

  Preservation magazine presents a few timely tips for winter energy efficiency. These are especially relevant for slightly older homes. You can check out more videos with tips and DIY instructions here.

• Book Round-Up: 6 Great Reads to Help You Save Energy and Go Green

  Megan Toth

  5 Jan 2010 | 2:33 pm

  “The Carbon-Free Home” is one of many books with tips to help you maximize your energy savings. As you prepare for a new, even more energy-efficient year, read over our quick list of books that can help get you there. Check out the material below and let these handy guides help you with your upgrades all year long. “The Carbon-Free Home” by Stephen and Rebekah Hren. A well-thought out explanation of how to make your house carbon-free from people who have done it. Includes thirty-six projects and a description of project length, cost, energy saved, and skills you need.

• CEC Approves California TV Standards

  Megan Toth

  4 Dec 2009 | 3:48 pm

  In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved the nation’s first energy efficiency standards for televisions. The standards will be implemented in 2011 and will make new TVs sold in California the most energy efficient TVs in the nation. After ten years, the Commission expects the regulations to save $8.1 billion in energy costs and save enough to power 864,000 single-family homes. Pacific Gas & Electric estimates that the standards will cut CO2 emissions by 3 million tons over a decade. “The real winners of these new TV energy efficiencies…

• Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality: Getting the Best of Both

  Megan Toth

  16 Nov 2009 | 3:01 pm

  (Illustration: U.S. EPA) According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ENERGY STAR, weatherization not only helps homeowners save energy and money, but can also provide an avenue to improving indoor air quality. When combined with proper mechanical ventilation, energy efficiency improvements can control where air enters and exits the home and can help prevent mold growth by reducing condensation. Control is particularly important. In a leaky home, outdoor air can enter the house intermittently through cracks, unsealed joints, or penetrations. Dependent upon the weather there may…

• 
  Power Plug » Commercial

• Governor Schwarzenegger Announces New Green Building Standards Code

  Megan Toth

  28 Jan 2010 | 5:40 pm

  (Photo: Office of the Governor) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced recently that on January 1, 2011, California will adopt the nation’s first ever mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact in new California buildings. Under CALGREEN, every new building constructed in California will be required to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials, in addition to other requirements. The regulations also call for mandatory…

• Acterra Accepting Applications for Its 2010 Business Environmental Awards

  Megan Toth

  16 Dec 2009 | 10:28 am

  The non-profit organization Acterra is accepting applications for its 2010 Business Environmental Awards. The awards recognize San Francisco Bay Area businesses and organizations for outstanding environmental leadership. The awards are open to any private or public business entity, division or facility located in Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Santa Cruz counties. Awards are given in the following categories: Acterra Award for Sustainability; Commute and Transportation; Environmental Enterprise; Environmental and Sustainability Education; Pollution…

• CEC Approves California TV Standards

  Megan Toth

  4 Dec 2009 | 3:48 pm

  In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved the nation’s first energy efficiency standards for televisions. The standards will be implemented in 2011 and will make new TVs sold in California the most energy efficient TVs in the nation. After ten years, the Commission expects the regulations to save $8.1 billion in energy costs and save enough to power 864,000 single-family homes. Pacific Gas & Electric estimates that the standards will cut CO2 emissions by 3 million tons over a decade. “The real winners of these new TV energy efficiencies…

• Strategic Energy Innovations Receives Award for Energy Saving Progams

  Megan Toth

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:21 pm

  SEI helps empower schools, businesses and other groups to save energy and promote a healthy environment. (Photo: SEI) Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), a nonprofit organization centered in Marin, was recently awarded Marin Economic Commission’s 11th Annual Award of Excellence for Environmental Values and Resources for four of its K-12 programs. The programs, which number among a variety of services offered by SEI, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while also educating students about environmental issues. Here is a brief description of the winning programs: Awareness for…

• e-Newswire Sign-Up Contest Continues, Congratulations to First 6 Winners

  Megan Toth

  25 Aug 2009 | 3:30 pm

  Congratulations to our first six winners! Flex Your Power is holding an e-Newswire sign-up drive and contest, and we have already given away six of our ten no-cost tickets to West Coast Green. That means there are still four tickets left, so stake your claim! Sign up three friends for e-Newswire and you will receive a no-cost floor pass to the 2009 West Coast Green conference in San Francisco this October (normally $45 in advance, $50 at the door). Simply ask your friends to write “Referred by your email address” in the “How did you learn about e-Newswire?” box when they sign up, and…

• 
  Power Plug » Institutional

• Governor Schwarzenegger Announces New Green Building Standards Code

  Megan Toth

  28 Jan 2010 | 5:40 pm

  (Photo: Office of the Governor) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced recently that on January 1, 2011, California will adopt the nation’s first ever mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact in new California buildings. Under CALGREEN, every new building constructed in California will be required to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials, in addition to other requirements. The regulations also call for mandatory…

• ICLEI USA Releases Sustainability Tookit for Cities and Counties

  Megan Toth

  7 Dec 2009 | 4:36 pm

  ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability USA, recently released a comprehensive Sustainability Planning Toolkit to provide step-by-step guidance for cities, towns and counties looking to develop a sustainability plan. The toolkit is modeled after New York City’s highly successful PlaNYC guide and contains best practice examples, checklists, templates, and guidelines. “Our toolkit is a roadmap to guide any local government, big or small, through the process of creating a sustainability plan,” said Don Knapp of ICLEI USA. The guide is premised on five…

• Promoting Efficiency, Empowering Youth

  Megan Toth

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:09 pm

  Dedicated to fighting climate change and empowering youth, the Bay Area’s Rising Sun Energy Center recently released a new video about their programs to improve energy efficiency in local communities. The group provides low-to-no-cost retrofit services to Bay Area households, with a focus on under-resourced communities. To perform the retrofits, Rising Sun trains young people, as well as adults who face barriers to employment, preparing them for jobs in the green market.

• Strategic Energy Innovations Receives Award for Energy Saving Progams

  Megan Toth

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:21 pm

  SEI helps empower schools, businesses and other groups to save energy and promote a healthy environment. (Photo: SEI) Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), a nonprofit organization centered in Marin, was recently awarded Marin Economic Commission’s 11th Annual Award of Excellence for Environmental Values and Resources for four of its K-12 programs. The programs, which number among a variety of services offered by SEI, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while also educating students about environmental issues. Here is a brief description of the winning programs: Awareness for…

• e-Newswire Sign-Up Contest Continues, Congratulations to First 6 Winners

  Megan Toth

  25 Aug 2009 | 3:30 pm

  Congratulations to our first six winners! Flex Your Power is holding an e-Newswire sign-up drive and contest, and we have already given away six of our ten no-cost tickets to West Coast Green. That means there are still four tickets left, so stake your claim! Sign up three friends for e-Newswire and you will receive a no-cost floor pass to the 2009 West Coast Green conference in San Francisco this October (normally $45 in advance, $50 at the door). Simply ask your friends to write “Referred by your email address” in the “How did you learn about e-Newswire?” box when they sign up, and…

• 
  The Daily Mirror

• A Bungalow Above Broadway

  Larry Harnisch

  9 Feb 2010 | 4:00 am

  “Wonder What a Candidate for the Third Degree Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. [Briggs is referring to the Masons, in case you’re wondering].     Feb. 9, 1920: Walter P. Story has built a bungalow on top of his building at 6th Street and Broadway. “Mr. Story's friends who were yesterday treated to a preview of his new 'aerial' home pronounce it a gem of architecture and a worthy setting for Arabian Nights entertainment, such as might be born in the fancy of the Grand Caliph himself,” The Times says … And lawyers in the Mazdaznan case get into a…

• Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

  Larry Harnisch

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am

   Los Angeles Times file photoJan. 12, 1910, Louis Paulhan sets an altitude record. Los Angeles Times file photo Jan. 12, 1910: Many photos from the Aviation Meet show a balloon advertising the Los Angeles Examiner. Someone at The Times retouched this image to remove the competitor’s name.

• Matt Weinstock, Feb. 8, 1960

  Larry Harnisch

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  Economics and Justice    Eunice Carlisle happened to be in the courthouse on another matter a few days ago when Dr. R. Bernard Finch told all and she was unavoidably caught in the crush and excitement.  She also was appalled by the violent eagerness of people waiting in line to see the show.    Later she read of the tremendous cost of the long trial and a nagging idea gripped her.  Why not hold such spectacles in the Sports Arena and charge administration and use the proceeds to ease the burden on beleaguered taxpayers?   …

• Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 8, 1960

  Larry Harnisch

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pm

    Who Does He Think He Is — Grandpa?       Traditionally -- or, at least, since the advent of the comic strip -- the most maligned member of the American family unit is the mother-in-law.    It is ritual in our native humor to caricature her as a huge-busted troublemaker with a built-in sneer who is meddlesome, argumentative and overprotective of her own offspring.    To make her and her bustle the butt of such angry comedy is not only unfair, it isn't even accurate.    Take my own mother-in-law,…

• A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Larry Harnisch

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:00 pm

      Feb. 8, 1946: Hedda Hopper writes, "Twentieth is readying 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' for Rex Harrison's next."

• 
  Greenspace

• Colorado rancher hopes for wolves

  Nicholas Riccardi

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:55 pm

  Here's what we in the news business would call a man-bites-dog story. A western Colorado rancher is testing scat found on his land to determine whether wolves finally have returned to the state, and he's eager to get them back."It seemed logical to me, based on what happened in Yellowstone National Park, that keystone species like wolves might have a positive effect on biodiversity and restoring the health of aspens on this property," said Paul Vahldiek in a statement released by the Wildlands Network.Vahldiek has already spotted wolf tracks on his 300-square-mile High…

• Regional panel says no thanks to ethanol fueling stations

  Catherine Saillant

  5 Feb 2010 | 12:42 pm

  Do the environmental costs of ethanol-based fuels outweigh their potential benefits? Council members of the Southern California Assn. of Governments answered that question this week with an emphatic yes. The panel on Thursday rejected nearly $11 million in federal stimulus dollars targeted to build 55 ethanol fueling stations across the six-county Southern California region. Eileen Tutt, executive director of the California Electric Transportation Coalition, on Friday called the panel's action "unfortunate." "Ethanol is a key fuel in our move away…

• U.S. has highest cumulative wind power capacity, China has most new capacity

  Tiffany Hsu

  5 Feb 2010 | 12:12 pm

  Though the U.S. still has highest total capacity for wind power globally, China took the top spot for new installations in 2009 with 13 gigawatts, according to data released this week.Worldwide, wind power capacity grew 31%, up 37.5 gigawatts to 157.9 gigawatts in 2009, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. A third of the increase came from China, which doubled its capacity from 12.1 gigawatts to 25.1 gigawatts.“China is hard on our heels,” said Denise Bode, chief executive of the American Wind Energy Assn. in a statement. But the U.S. is still leading in total capacity, installing…

• Orange County asks for pledges to cut waste by 10%

  Tony Barboza

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:30 pm

  Could you throw away 10% less trash if you tried? Orange County is asking residents to do just that by pledging to "Save 10% in 2010" to keep waste out of its landfills. OC Waste & Recycling and the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Thursday announced a campaign called "Waste Free OC. Save Room for Tomorrow." In addition to an online pledge to reduce your contribution to the county's landfill by 10%, the new website also offers tips on how to cut back, a quiz on your recycling, composting and consumption habits and a guide to having a zero-waste Super Bowl…

• Study finds a link between plastics chemical BPA and childhood asthma

  Geoff Mohan

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:02 pm

  Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, are reporting the findings of experiments with mice that indicate exposure to bisphenol-A, or BPA, during pregnancy may increase the chances of asthma in the child. The chemical, used in plastic bottles, linings of cans and other products, has been linked to reproductive problems and increased risk of cancer, among other maladies. Researchers fed BPA to pregnant mice a week before they gave birth, in quantities that would produce a proportion equivalent to that which has been found in women. They then introduced a common…

• 
  Money & Company

• 'How much am I down?'

  Tom Petruno

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:22 pm

  The U.S. stock market is nearing “correction” territory, meaning a decline of more than 10% in key indexes from their recent highs. That would be the first pullback of that magnitude since the market’s big rebound  began last March. The 10% mark, being a nice round number, may cause investors to ponder whether to join the selling, sit tight or buy more. The average New York Stock Exchange stock, as measured by the NYSE composite index, was down 9.9% through Monday, measured from its recent closing high on Jan. 11 through Monday. The last significant drop in the NYSE composite…

• Mr. Farmer goes to Washington: Black farmers march to rally support for restitution

  P.J. Huffstutter

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:54 pm

  What does it take for a farmer to get the federal government to make good on a promise – particularly if it’s the U.S. Department of Agriculture and it involves restitution for years of racial discrimination in rural America? Patience. A lot of patience. And when that runs out, rallying for some help from Congress and the White House. The current brouhaha dates to 1999, when the USDA reached a settlement with black farmers in a discrimination case that alleged that the agency had denied federal loans, disaster assistance and other aid to certain farmers because of the color of their…

• Import surge is projected for L.A. and Long Beach ports

  Nancy Rivera

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:52 pm

  The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will receive a stronger surge in imports than expected in the first half of 2010, rising as much as 28% over previous year levels, as the long-awaited economic recovery continues to gather strength, according to a report released Monday by the National Retail Federation. Overall, imports into the nation’s major container ports is expected to rise 25% during the first six months of the year, compared with the year-earlier period. The projection shows that at least some economists are expecting steady progress at a time when others are fretting over the…

• CalPERS-backed bill introduced to classify pension placement agents as lobbyists

  Marc Lifsher

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:30 pm

  Sales intermediaries who open doors at public pension funds for outside investment managers would have to register as government lobbyists under a bill introduced by Assemblyman Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina). The proposal is supported by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, state Treasurer Bill Lockyer and state Controller John Chiang. It's aimed at reducing the huge fees paid to so-called placement agents by making it illegal for middlemen to collect a commission based on a percentage of a successful investment commitment by CalPERS and other funds to a client.

• Prime jumbo loan delinquencies still rising, report shows

  Alex Lazo

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:14 pm

  People who hold jumbo loans on pricey U.S. properties continued to struggle in January as more Americans lose their jobs and property values have plummeted, according to a report released Monday. Jumbo loans were popular -- and often necessary to afford homes in pricey areas like Southern California -- during the heady years of the boom. Jumbo loans are generally defined as being above certain conforming limits set by mortgage titans Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. (The conforming limit for single-family homes was $417,000 from 2006 to 2008 but was increased temporarily by federal lawmakers in…

• 
  Courtinfo: California Courts

• 1st Amendment Cartoon Art Contest

  26 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  Elementary, middle and high school students are invited to create cartoon art depicting first amendment freedoms. Deadline to submit entries is March 30, 2010.

• Court Closures Continue

  20 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Judicial Council voted to continue statewide court closures for the remainder of the fiscal year. See Video (5:06 mins)

• Court Case Management System

  11 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  The California Court Case Management System (CCMS) is a statewide initiative to develop and deploy a unified case management system for all 58 superior courts).

• Last Facility Transfers to State

  29 Dec 2009 | 12:00 am

  This historic transfer completes a process set in motion by landmark legislation that envisioned a single, comprehensive infrastructure program for court facilities statewide as a final step in the unification of California’s trial courts.

• More news...

  2 Nov 2007 | 12:00 am

• 
  CA Dept of Education - What's New

• Closing the Achievement Gap Workbook

  4 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces New Tool to Help Close the Achievement Gap by Improving School Culture and Climate.

• Model Continuation High Schools for 2010

  2 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  State Schools Jack O'Connell Recognizes 12 Outstanding Continuation High Schools.

• State of Education 2010

  22 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Details Accomplishments, Challenges, and Opportunities to Improve Public Schools in State of Education Address.

• Letter of Support for Child Nutrition Programs

  19 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  Three State Agencies Urge National Lawmakers to Reauthorize Federal Nutrition Programs for Low-Income Families.

• RTTT Application Signed

  15 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Joins Governor, State Board of Education President to Sign California’s Race to the Top Application.

• 
  CalPERS Press Releases

• Assemblyman Hernandez Introduces CalPERS-Backed Bill on Placement Agents

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, today introduced a bill requiring placement agents to register as lobbyists before pitching investment ideas to public pension plans in California.

• CalPERS Endorses Investors' Appeal for Shareowner 'Say on Pay'

  28 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  The California Public Employees' Retirement system (CalPERS) has signed a letter from institutional investors that urges financial companies to enact the shareowner advisory vote on executive compensation.

• CalPERS Sees Strong Investment Gains in 2009

  20 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) said today that it earned an 11.80 percent return on investments for the 2009 calendar year.

• CalPERS Releases Placement Agent Disclosures

  14 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) today released more than 600 placement agent disclosures obtained by the pension fund from its external investment managers.

• CalPERS Board Toughens Ethics Guidelines

  6 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

  The Board of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has strengthened ethics policies that guide how the nation's largest public pension fund is governed.

• 
  L.A. Times - Daily Travel Deal Blog

• Climb aboard for Kimpton Hotels’ train-travel deal

  Susan Derby

  9 Feb 2010 | 5:58 am

  Forget taking a gas-guzzling road trip and hit the rails. If you’ve got the extra time, a train can provide fun and memorable transportation for your next vacation —plus, it can save you money on accommodations, thanks to Kimpton Hotels’ “Ride the Rails” promotion. Deal: Take 15% off of a participating hotel’s “best available” rate when [...]

• Five tips for finding hotel deals in 2010

  Jane Engle

  8 Feb 2010 | 1:14 pm

  Penny-pinching travelers got a great ride in 2009 — U.S. hotel rates last year fell nearly 9% on average. But fasten your seat belts: 2010 may be rougher going. Average room rates will continue to slide this year but only by about 2% as more travelers hit the road, predicts expert Scott Berman, U.S. [...]

• Solvang hotels: The more the merrier with free-room deal

  Susan Derby

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:57 am

  February may be traditionally a month to celebrate just the two of you, but here’s a deal that encourages you to invite the whole gang along on your next getaway. And the best part is that you don’t have to go very far to experience a taste of “Little Denmark”: The fun village of Solvang [...]

• Miami: Five budget-friendly hotels, post-Super Bowl

  Susan Derby

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:02 am

  If you’re not already in Miami for the Super Bowl, then all the buzz might just get you thinking about taking a trip there soon. Beaches, balmy evenings, hopping nightlife and superb Cuban food are just a few of the city’s lures. Despite the inflated price tags surrounding Super Bowl weekend, a stay in Miami, during [...]

• San Diego: Linger longer for lower rates at updated Paradise Point Resort

  Susan Derby

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:05 am

  Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego’s Mission Bay is beginning to show off a new look. The popular resort is undergoing a $20-million renovation of its guestrooms and meeting facilities that is due to be completed by the end of February. Among the improvements you can expect are Asian-inspired touches in rooms’ furnishings, accents [...]

• 
  California State Library Blog

• Social Networking Sites for Transforming Life After 50

  CSL Info

  3 Feb 2010 | 11:20 am

  Transforming Life After 50 (TLA50) now offers four social networking sites that serve as a resource for librarians and others working with older adults, ages 50+:  ·      Ning (http://tla50resource.ning.com)·      Twitter (http://twitter.com/tla50)·   Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php/pages/Transforming-Life-After-50/139104403123?ref=ts) ·   YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/tla50)We encourage library professionals and staff…

• Webinar on 2010/2011 LSTA Competitive Grants

  CSL Info

  26 Jan 2010 | 2:47 pm

  The State Library will present an overview of the federal 2010/2011 LSTA Competitive Grant program and application process in a webinar on Wednesday, January 27, from 2 to 3 p.m.  Participation in this webinar is required for all prospective applicants.If you can’t attend the live webinar, the archived version will be available on Thursday, January 28.  To access the webinar and download forms, please visit http://www.library.ca.gov/grants/lsta/apply.html .

• Fellowship Opportunity for Public Library Staff

  CSL Info

  20 Jan 2010 | 10:33 am

  The California State Library announces a year-long fellowship providing continuing education scholarships to public library staff and professionals who seek to improve library services to and engagement with active, older adults.   Funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, the fellowship will select up to 100 qualified applicants from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to participate.  The program runs from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Deadline for submission is April 2, 2010. For more…

• 160th Anniversary: John C. Fremont Donates Books to State Library

  CSL Info

  19 Jan 2010 | 10:41 am

  On this day 160 years ago, famed explorer John C. Fremont donated approximately 100 volumes to the State Library. Unable to deliver the books to the new state capital in San Jose, Fremont asked his friend John Bidwell to make the delivery. Bidwell, known as the “prince of pioneers,” led the first overland party to California from the eastern United States in 1841. He later discovered gold on the Feather River and purchased a 22,000 acre ranch in Chico. Most of Bidwell’s papers, as well as those of his equally famous wife, Annie, now reside in the State Library. Our thanks to…

• CCLPEP Announces 2009-2010 Grant Cycle

  CSL Info

  14 Jan 2010 | 4:50 pm

  CCLPEP is pleased to announce that grant applications for this year’s California Civil Liberties Public Education Program are now available.  Eligible applicants include individuals and non-profit entities.  Five workshops for prospective applicants will be held to explain the grant program, and will include ample time for individual questions.  Workshop locations, grant applications, the Grant Application Instruction Guide and general program information are available on the CCLPEP webpage.  Grant applications are due by 4:30 on Friday, February…

• 
  Caltrans News

• CALTRANS ASKS MOTORISTS TO SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

  4 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  Department Kicks-Off Highway Safety Awareness Campaign SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has received a $3 million grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to continue its award-winning highway safety awareness campaign that is aimed at preventing collisions, injuries, and deaths involving highway workers and motorists in California highway work zones...

• CALTRANS, DISABLED RIGHTS ADVOCATES APPLAUD AGREEMENT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED

  22 Dec 2009 | 12:00 am

  Sacramento – Caltrans has reached an agreement on the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed by Californians for Disability Rights (CDR) and California Council for the Blind (CCB) to improve access to pedestrian facilities such as curbs and sidewalks for persons with disabilities...

• $125 MILLION ALLOCATED TO UPGRADE STATE HIGHWAYS AND DRIVE STATE’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

  10 Dec 2009 | 12:00 am

  Sacramento – Today, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $125 million to 36 transportation projects to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure and bolster the economy. The allocations include $37 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) and $31 million from Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. The remaining $57 million in allocations came from assorted transportation accounts funded by state and federal dollars...

• CALTRANS HONORED FOR STRATEGIC HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN

  10 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  Sacramento – The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has recognized the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), which is a plan to reduce highway fatalities by 20 percent. The SHSP proactively identifies and establishes priorities for the state’s highest transportation safety issues. To develop the SHSP, Caltrans partnered with safety stakeholders from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private groups and individual citizens...

• CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ORANGE COUNTY'S LARGEST RECOVERY ACT TRANSPORTATION PROJECT

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  Irvine – The first shovels went into the ground today on a $59.5 million project - the largest Recovery Act transportation project in Orange County - that will relieve congestion and ease a chronic traffic bottleneck along State Route 91 (SR-91), a major transportation artery connecting Orange County with the Inland Empire...

• 
  Important California DMV Alerts

• Business Partner Locator

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:31 pm

  DMV has established an electronic BPA Program that allows qualified industry partners to process vehicle related transactions from their remote locations. The participants are authorized to issue validated registration cards, full year stickers and license plates from their offices.

• All DMV Offices will be Closed Friday February 5, 12 and 19. DMV offices will also be closed Monday, February 15 for President's day.

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:31 pm

  The Department of Motor Vehicles reminds customers that all statewide offices will be closed on the first three Fridays of each month through June 2010 - in keeping with Executive Order S-13-09.

• DMV extends advance Appointment Calendar to 45 Days

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:31 pm

  Due to increased demand, the Department of Motor Vehicles announced today that field office appointments can now be made 45 days in advance, either on the department web site (www.dmv.ca.gov) or by telephone (800.777.0133).

• The Latest DMV Office and Closure Information

  11 May 2009 | 10:14 am

  General information regarding office hours, and types of services.

• 
  Daily Dish

• Artisan liquor makers navigate the market's shifting tide

  Rene Lynch

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:04 am

  When Melkon Khosrovian and his culinary-school-trained wife, Litty Mathew, founded Modern Spirits in Monrovia five years ago with the goal of making and selling their own artisan vodkas, they focused on finding just the right balance of Belgian chocolate to orange zest and celery to Malabar peppercorns. They figured well-honed palates and "beautiful, expensive bottles" would be enough to successfully enter the burgeoning artisan distilling market.They were hardly prepared for many of the day-to-day challenges, such as navigating state liquor regulations, battling with large spirits…

• Super Bowl ads fail to bring the funny; but at least we know about Denny's free Grand Slam breakfast Tuesday

  Jessica Gelt

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:17 pm

  Because I apparently had nothing better to do while watching the Super Bowl on Sunday afternoon, I busied myself by eating Fritos and guacamole -- the calorie count tempered with the occasional cherry -- and took notes on all of the food-and-drink-related commercials.By my count there were 22 total, six of which were for Budweiser and Bud Light and three of which were for Doritos. Also adding to the lineup were: Snickers, Coke, Papa John's Pizza, Dr Pepper, Carl's Jr., Denny's, Jack in the Box and Taco Bell. Conspicuously missing was Pepsi.Also conspicuously missing? A big laugh.

• Elements Kitchen boasts elements from all over

  Rene Lynch

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:45 pm

  Open for only a couple of weeks, Elements is a sophisticated restaurant with a grown-up design scheme that is tucked into the side of the historic Spanish colonial building occupied by the Pasadena Playhouse. The restaurant is the joint effort of executive chef Onil Chibás and chef de cuisine Alberto Morales, who also run Pasadena's Elements Catering and Elements Café. With Elements Kitchen, they have stepped squarely into the world of fine dining. And they've done it with creativity and verve. Read more here: Photo: Beefsteak tomato tartare at Elements restaurant in Pasadena.

• Super Bowl ads set a record (and make us hungry)

  Rene Lynch

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:52 am

  Let's see if we got this straight: McDonald's will help you dunk like LeBron, Snickers will keep you from playing football like you're Betty White, dogs will do anything to get their paws on Doritos, and having a house made out of Bud Light cans would be really cool. Think Sunday night's Super Bowl seemed like it had a lot of ads? You're right. Commercials took up nearly 48 minutes of the game — the most for any Super Bowl. Read the rest of the story, and watch ad highlights, here. Photo credit: (AP photo / Doritos)

• Less than 10 days 'til V-Day: Sugarbird Sweets (and teas and more) for your sweet

  Betty Hallock

  6 Feb 2010 | 8:02 am

    Sugarbird Sweets has expanded from its original lineup of marshmallows and now sells hand-blended teas and dainty scones. You may have seen my friend and proprietor Kei Okumura's Sugarbird stand at the South Pasadena and Larchmont farmers markets. Among her most popular teas, named after friends' children, are Fiona, a blend of organic rooibos with red raspberries, vanilla seeds, honey, rose hips and hibiscus flowers, and Zoe, a blend of organic green tea, mint, vanilla seeds and cacao nibs, inspired by chocolate mint ice cream. Mini scones have chocolate chips or mixed…

• 
  Power Plug » Blog Post

• Governor Schwarzenegger Announces New Green Building Standards Code

  Megan Toth

  28 Jan 2010 | 5:40 pm

  (Photo: Office of the Governor) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced recently that on January 1, 2011, California will adopt the nation’s first ever mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact in new California buildings. Under CALGREEN, every new building constructed in California will be required to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials, in addition to other requirements. The regulations also call for mandatory…

• Weatherizing for Winter from Preservation Magazine

  Megan Toth

  8 Jan 2010 | 4:21 pm

  Preservation magazine presents a few timely tips for winter energy efficiency. These are especially relevant for slightly older homes. You can check out more videos with tips and DIY instructions here.

• Book Round-Up: 6 Great Reads to Help You Save Energy and Go Green

  Megan Toth

  5 Jan 2010 | 2:33 pm

  “The Carbon-Free Home” is one of many books with tips to help you maximize your energy savings. As you prepare for a new, even more energy-efficient year, read over our quick list of books that can help get you there. Check out the material below and let these handy guides help you with your upgrades all year long. “The Carbon-Free Home” by Stephen and Rebekah Hren. A well-thought out explanation of how to make your house carbon-free from people who have done it. Includes thirty-six projects and a description of project length, cost, energy saved, and skills you need.

• Acterra Accepting Applications for Its 2010 Business Environmental Awards

  Megan Toth

  16 Dec 2009 | 10:28 am

  The non-profit organization Acterra is accepting applications for its 2010 Business Environmental Awards. The awards recognize San Francisco Bay Area businesses and organizations for outstanding environmental leadership. The awards are open to any private or public business entity, division or facility located in Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Santa Cruz counties. Awards are given in the following categories: Acterra Award for Sustainability; Commute and Transportation; Environmental Enterprise; Environmental and Sustainability Education; Pollution…

• ICLEI USA Releases Sustainability Tookit for Cities and Counties

  Megan Toth

  7 Dec 2009 | 4:36 pm

  ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability USA, recently released a comprehensive Sustainability Planning Toolkit to provide step-by-step guidance for cities, towns and counties looking to develop a sustainability plan. The toolkit is modeled after New York City’s highly successful PlaNYC guide and contains best practice examples, checklists, templates, and guidelines. “Our toolkit is a roadmap to guide any local government, big or small, through the process of creating a sustainability plan,” said Don Knapp of ICLEI USA. The guide is premised on five…

• 
  California Seismic Safety Commission

• Office Closure Dates

  Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order S-13-09, our office will be closed on July 10, 17, and 24. From August 2009 through June 2010, we will be closed on the first, second, and third Friday of each month.

• California Seismic Safety Commission Meetings

  Revised Agenda for October 15th meeting has been posted.

• California Seismic Safety Commission Publication Updates

  Public documents regarding earthquake safety, damage, mitigation, laws

• Commercial Property Owner's Guide to Earthquake 2006

  Release of the 2006 Commercial Property Owner's Guide to Earthquake Safety effective October 1, 2006 - The 1998 Commercial Property Owner's Guide to Earthquake Safety is superceded by the 2006 version, available for download at California Seismic Safety Commission

• Protecting Your Family From Earthquakes

  The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety. This informative booklet published by USGS is now available in a Spanish/English version. 

• 
  About.com California Travel

• Chinese New Year in San Francisco

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:07 pm

  San Francisco will celebrate Chinese New Year 2010 with the largest Chinese New Year Parade outside of Asia. It happens on February 27. To get an idea of what the parade looks like, you can view our pictures of the Chinese New Year Parade. Chinese New Year in San Francisco originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 00:07:59.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• Destination Hideways in California

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:57 pm

  Sometimes you just want to get away, settle in a nice spot and not worry about things for a couple of days. Other times, you find a place that's so nice you don't want to leave. For cozy romantic getaways or Valentine's Day trysts, we've discovered the best places for "nesting" in Southern California or Northern California. Most have spas and restaurants on premises or nearby, all have beautiful views and comfortable rooms. Some have pools and other amenities. Don't blame us if you don't want to come home at the end of your stay. Share this on Facebook | How to Connect with California…

• Romantic California Hotels

  2 Feb 2010 | 5:44 pm

  If you're looking for a romantic place to stay, we'll make it easy for you. Just click on over to the collections of romantic hotels in Los Angeles and San Francisco. We are also taking nominations for most romantic hotels in San Diego. To tell us what you think, just click "Comment" below and fire away. Romantic California Hotels originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 01:44:12.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• California's Most Romantic Places

  31 Jan 2010 | 5:29 pm

  With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought I'd go out on a limb and tell you the places I think are the most romantic in California. Get started now: Read about them and start planning. If you have a favorite that's not on the list, click the "comment" link below and tell us about it. California's Most Romantic Places originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 01:29:59.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• What Do You Need to Know About California State Parks?

  28 Jan 2010 | 5:02 pm

  When we asked last year what you wanted to know more about, 27% of those who responded chose California state parks. We've also noticed that a lot of people search online for the phrase "california state parks." The California State Park system has a lot of nice places to go, but there many more in California that are run by other organizations. For example, Hearst Castle is a state park, Los Angeles' Griffith Park is run by the city of Los Angeles, prime tidepooling spot Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a San Mateo County park, Yosemite belongs to the National Park Service, the Pacific Crest…

• 
  The Unofficial Stanford Blog

• The Hitchhiker's Guide . . . to Special Fees!

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:55 am

  A public service announcement for all you student group leaders applying, considering applying, or dreading applying for Special Fees . . . run like hell! Haha, just kidding! Special Fees may seem like a complicated, mind-numbing process, but it's really easy and fun, if you use . . . the Hitchhiker's Guide! Just clean off your computer screen, practice your political smile, and remember: always know where your towel is. Some notes: Budgets are due February 19. Appropriations Committee hearings are February 13, 20, and 21 (21 is for joint Special Fees Groups only.) There are 6875 undergrads,…

• TUSGraph: Do Grades Matter?

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:40 pm

  Lab classes have made me realize that the more effort I put in to a class, the less I care about the grade. This obviously has some pros and cons. For one, it's not that I won't be hugely disappointed putting a lot of time in to a class and not getting the grade I was expecting, but I think at some point we all have to realize that we gave it our best shot, and putting in even more time wouldn't have helped very much. Also, I've found that when it comes to 'easy' classes at Stanford, what drives me to do well is the fear of embarrassment over a subpar grade. I guess this goes against the…

• Study...like a Champion

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:25 pm

  Ever wondered when performance apparel would hit the library? It has. A new company, "Study Like A Champion," has begun producing sweatshirts, t-shirts and sweatbands designed to amp up your study experience. SLAC aims to be the "Nike of study apparel," worn by the best students in the country (and, of course, all the wanna-be's). Photos are available at studylikeachampion.com. How much the hoodie will actually boost your grade isn't clear. But it sure as hell will do its best. The sweatshirt features a red "DO NOT DISTURB" planted across the back of the hood. It unzips for heat control and…

• Stanford like you've never seen it before.

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:02 pm

  Check out these awe-inspiring photos taken by HDR-photography guru Trey Ratcliff and a group of talented Stanford photographers. I can't believe I've been rushing through the quad each week without stopping to appreciate how gorgeous our campus truly is. EDIT: Some of the photos were taken by Ralph Nguyen, who has graciously contributed his artistic vision to TUSB with galleries for Snowchella and the WBC protests. Dude, your stuff is amazing.

• Dance Marathon LIVE FEED

  6 Feb 2010 | 5:26 pm

  The Stanford Dance Marathon is now LIVE online. For the first time ever, your parents will gasp in confusion when they realize that grinding is a perfectly acceptable way to save the world. The first dance marathons originated in the 1920s as endurance competitions. Participants shuffled and jived until they could shuffle and jive no more, with a winner crowned at the end. Since then, they've evolved into charitable traditions, with colleges nationwide hosting dance marathons in order to raise money for noble causes. Stanford Dance Marathon, organized by a local chapter of FACE AIDS (link),…

• 
  lafondwinery.com

• To Demystify or Not?

  joanie

  5 Feb 2010 | 3:19 pm

   It’s what he calls “this profoundly modern, compellingly individualist approach,” which stands in utter contrast to tradition. And what better time to trash tradition than today, when everything we’ve known for so long seems to be coming undone? Steve Heimoff's Wine Blog is on the top 5 of my most visited websites.  One of his most [...]

• New Label Art

  joanie

  4 Feb 2010 | 5:18 pm

    We are excited here at the winery to promote quality and value under the new label design, which will be the new image of Santa Barbara's oldest winery, locally owned and operated for almost 50  years.  Stay tuned... [...]

• The Road to Recovery

  joanie

  4 Feb 2010 | 5:08 pm

  Wine industry insiders forecast a slow road to recovery in 2010, but focusing on value will prove to be beneficial for wineries and set them up for long term success. The worst of the drop in U.S. consumer spending appears over, said Brian Lechner, a client director with The Nielsen Company, which tracks American spending and [...]

• Lafond Vineyard Photos February 2, 2010

  Pierre

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:46 am

  We have had some rain and the ground cover has thrived and it is time to cut it back. There are also signs of very early budding, but only in the warmest areas. The ground cover will continue to grow but with the prospects of budding, maintaining a low cover crop helps reduce the threat [...]

• Confusion in the Marketplace

  Pierre

  27 Jan 2010 | 8:47 pm

  As we anticipated Foster Beer is putting  out a wine label ' Santa Barbara Wine Company' which is totally confusing, not only to the consumer, but people in the industry as well. In the short time since the company's announcement many store and restaurant owners have been in contact with us all in agreement that this is pure [...]

• 
  foodies: a southern california food blog

• ooo, cupcakes (groupon deal!)

  mary

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:50 am

  I love when Groupon has tasty treats as their daily coupon offering. Today (or rather, this weekend’s) offering is cupcakes from Haute Pink Cakes. Half a dozen cupcakes for $8 (regularly $18). I love trying new bakeries, so this is an awesome deal. You can be sure I will post a review in the future! Want in on the deal? Just visit Groupon to get the coupon – the coupon will be up through Sunday! Here’s a couple of shots from their Cake Gallery:

• Restaurant Week Preview: Island Prime / San Diego, CA

  mary

  13 Jan 2010 | 7:07 pm

  Last week I was invited by McFarlane Productions to visit 1 of 7 San Diego area restaurants for a sneak peek at an upcoming menu made especially for San Diego Restaurant Week. San Diego Restaurant Week is in it’s sixth year and is held twice during the year to highlight and showcase the city as a premier dining destination. Over 180 restaurants will be participating in San Diego Restaurant Week, offering 3 course meals at a fixed price (either $20, $30, or $40). It’s a great way to explore our city’s many dining options for less! My choice of the restaurants offered up to me…

• Uncle Biff’s Killer Cookies

  mary

  6 Jan 2010 | 8:45 am

  I had been down in the Hillcrest area trying to visit “Taste: Artisan Cheese Shop”, but on this particular visit it was sadly closed again (it took me awhile to finally get down there for some awesome cheese!). To make the trip down south not totally useless, I stopped by Uncle Biff’s Killer Cookies for a cookie tasting. I tried two kinds of cookies. One was the “Double Peanut Butter”. It was soft, moist and definitely peanut-buttery! The cookie had a good texture and flavor to it. I don’t remember the name of this one, but it’s got chocolate chips…

• Starlite Dining & Cocktails / San Diego, CA

  mary

  28 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am

  The Starlite is a place I’ve been wanting to visit for awhile. I originally thought about going here for my birthday dinner, but my boyfriend’s son would be with us that night, so that plan was out. I went a couple of weeks later with my friend, Heather, for a little birthday redux. The Starlite offers a locally grown, hand crafted menu. The menu changes daily depending on what foods they are able to get locally. Looking at the sample menu and with what we got that day, there do seem to be a few staples on the menu. The Starlite is a great place to try different meals with locally…

• baby shower cake

  mary

  25 Nov 2009 | 9:04 am

  Here’s a couple of photos from the baby shower cake I made this past weekend for my good friend’s baby shower. The theme was baby feet and polka dots, so I made it fit as well as I could. The baby blocks and feet are made from chocolate molds!

• 
  California Employment Law Report

• No Break In Worker Suits

  Anthony Zaller

  3 Feb 2010 | 5:16 pm

  I was quoted in this month's California Lawyer magazine regarding the steady persistence of wage and hour lawsuits here in California - even during these difficult economic times.  The article, No Break In Worker Suits, can be read here. 

• Recruiters for temporary staffing company must be paid overtime

  Anthony Zaller

  3 Feb 2010 | 7:33 am

  The case Pellegrino v. Robert Half International, Inc. (RHI) was brought by recruiters alleging that RHI failed to comply with Labor Code provisions pertaining to overtime compensation, commissions, meal periods, itemized wage statements, and unfair competition (under Business and Professions Code section 17200).  As defenses, RHI argued that Plaintiffs’ claims were barred because they all entered into agreements that shortened their statute of limitations down from four years to six months. RHI also argued that the Plaintiffs were exempt from wage and hour laws because the…

• You are a linchpin

  Anthony Zaller

  24 Jan 2010 | 9:19 pm

  Despite your teachers, friends, boss, colleagues and family members telling you otherwise, you are a linchpin. You are a genius that can succeed in the new economy. Seth Godin’s new book, Linchpin, sets out to challenge you to unlearn what school and society has rewarded in the past, and to let us all know that we are linchpins (if we make the choice to be).  I just finished reading an advance copy of Linchpin, and have to recommend the book to anyone who either manages people at work or for anyone who has to work for a living. I have read many of Seth’s other books which…

• Top 100 Employment Law Blog

  Anthony Zaller

  12 Jan 2010 | 7:51 am

  Yes, the California Employment Law Report was recognized as a top 100 employment law blog in 2009.  The Delaware Employment Law Blog published its top 100 employment law blogs, and the California Employment Law Report is honored to be recognized in such a distinguished list.    If you routinely deal with employment law issues across the country, the list of the 100 (plus 10) blogs is a great resource, and you should check the list out here and add a few of the blogs to your RSS reader. Now all is needed is more time to publish posts to keep this standing in…

• Arbitration Agreement Upheld Despite Employee's Argument It Was Not Mutual And Adhesive

  Anthony Zaller

  21 Oct 2009 | 8:47 am

  In Roman v. Superior Court, the Court of Appeals upheld an arbitration agreement where the employee challenged the agreement by arguing that the agreement was unenforceable because it only obligated the employee to arbitrate his claims. The court disagreed with plaintiff’s argument and explained that the mere inclusion of the words “I understand” or “I agree” does not destroy the mutuality of an arbitration agreement. Roman v. Superior Court, 172 Cal.App.4th 1462, 1473 (2009). The arbitration agreement at issue in the case provided: I hereby agree to submit to…

• 
  Gruvr.com: California Concerts

• Friday Feb 26th: MOONSHINE REUNION at BruceBlues Lebbeke

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:39 am

  at BruceBlues Lebbeke on 2010-02-26

• Sunday Feb 28th: Simon Phillips at Hip Shot Japan Koriyama

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:36 am

  at Hip Shot Japan Koriyama on 2010-02-28

• Sunday Mar 7th: OBSCURA US headlining dates confirmed at San Francisco - Slims USA

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:33 am

  at San Francisco - Slims USA on 2010-03-07

• Sunday Mar 7th: Adrian cox at Hayling Island, Jim Mcintosh’s Jazz Aholics Hayling Island

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:29 am

  at Hayling Island, Jim Mcintosh’s Jazz Aholics Hayling Island on 2010-03-07

• Tuesday Mar 9th: Living Colour at Table Mountain Casino - Experience Hendrix Friant

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:26 am

  at Table Mountain Casino - Experience Hendrix 8184 Table Mountain Rd Friant 93626 on 2010-03-09

• 
  California Travels

• Pescadero State Beach Part 2

  Margaret and Tom

  1 Feb 2010 | 6:40 am

  Pescadero State Beach We walked up the creek for about 100 yards and then came across a trail which headed north.  Maybe we could walk this way to get back to the car.  There was an information board about Steelhead Trout which I found very interesting and further along another sign which said  ’Pescadero Marsh Preserve ‘.  A little further on we came on some water.  I wasn’t sure whether it was a small creek or the the south edge of the pond opposite  where we were parked.  We sat on a wooden fence and contemplated where to go from here.  From where we sat, we…

• Pescadero State Beach, Part 1

  Margaret and Tom

  29 Jan 2010 | 6:17 am

  Mail Boxes heading towards San Gregorio Back in November last year we set out to investigate the beaches and coastal access points on the San Mateo Coast. We didn’t have time to check out Pescadero State Beach so today that is our mission. (Click on the photos for larger versions) At 7.30 we set off from home, driving first along Interstate 280 and Highway 84 to Alice’s Restaurant on Skyline Blvd (see previous post). The weather forecast said it was going to be a nice day but we were driving through low fog up to 280. As we joined the freeway, the fog was gone. Ahead the Santa…

• Alice’s Restaurant, Skyline Blvd

  Margaret and Tom

  26 Jan 2010 | 6:18 am

  Alice's Restaurant at the Corner of Hwy 84 & Skyline We have often passed Alice’s Restaurant but never ventured inside. Normally we see it on our way home from the coast, when the car park is packed with motor bikes. This time we decided to have breakfast there and as it doesn’t open until 8, we set out a bit later. After an exhilarating drive up 84 to Skyline Blvd, we arrived at Alice’s. There were a few motorbikes already in the car park but cars outnumbered the bikes. It is a wooden building and probably has not been altered much since it was built. There are…

• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

  Margaret and Tom

  22 Jan 2010 | 6:43 am

  Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge We were on our way to Lake Shasta to spend Christmas with the Husband/Tischer family.  Every two years we get together and each time it has been at a different spot.  Along the way we took our first detour to have breakfast at Babs Delta Diner in Suisun.  To think,  this is the second time in ten days! Our second stop was north of Williams on I5 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.  Once again, our thanks to Tom Stienstra, who featured this wildlife complex in the San Francisco Chronicle a month ago. It was a beautiful day, but with a chilly…

• Return to Locke

  Margaret and Tom

  18 Jan 2010 | 6:22 am

  Sign outside Babs Delta Diner. Our favorite breakfast place. Rob, my son, was visiting from the UK. As he had never been to Locke we decided to take him for a day visit. The weather was not kind to us at all, in fact it rained for most of the time. We also had a task to do. Cathleen made a comment on our Delta Eco Tour asking about an abandoned building on Ryer Island. We have never noticed any such building on the island but decided to see if we could find it. (Click the images for larger versions) Our first stop as ever was for breakfast. As Babs Delta Diner in Suisun City is the best…

• 
  California Wage and Hour Law for Employees

• Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument on Martinez v. Combs!

  Steven G. Pearl

  3 Feb 2010 | 4:12 pm

  Martinez v. Combs has been on the Supreme Court's desk for more than five years! The Court just announced that it will hear oral argument on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., in San Francisco. See the Court's docket here. The Court states the issues presented as follows: Petition for review after the Court of Appeal affirmed in part and reversed in part the judgment in a civil action. The court ordered briefing deferred pending decision in Reynolds v. Bement, S115823, which includes the following issue: Can the officers and directors of a corporate employer personally be held civilly…

• Court of Appeal Upholds Order Decertifying Store Manager Class

  Steven G. Pearl

  2 Feb 2010 | 10:10 am

  In Keller v. Tuesday Morning, Inc. (November 4, 2009, Second District) 179 Cal.App.4th 1389, the Court of Appeal held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting motion to decertify a class of retail store managers "where multiple witness declarations asserted in detail that tasks performed by each class member were dissimilar, and so individualized issues of liability and damages would predominate over issues common to the class." The opinion includes a detailed discussion of the evidence presented on the motion to decertify, including declarations, deposition testimony,…

• Employer Cannot Terminate Employee Who Makes Good Faith But Mistaken Claim for Overtime

  Steven G. Pearl

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:01 am

  In Barbosa v. IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (November 30, 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 1116, the Court of Appeal held that the public policy in favor of an employer’s duty to pay overtime wages protects an employee from termination for making a good faith but mistaken claim to overtime.Manuel Barbosa was a shift leader who was paid by the hour. Two of the employees whom he supervised approached him and stated that they had not been paid for two hours of overtime work. Mr. Barbosa complained to management, who paid him and the other employees for the two hours of overtime. Upon investigation, the…

• Cal. Supreme Court Upholds Bonus Forfeiture Agreement

  Steven G. Pearl

  27 Jan 2010 | 1:26 pm

  In Schachter v. Citigroup, Inc. (November 2, 2009) 47 Cal.4th 610, the California Supreme Court upheld an employer's bonus compensation plan against allegations that it worked a forfeiture of wages in violation of California law. The Court described the plan and the issues presented as follows:Citigroup offered a voluntary employee incentive compensation plan that provides employees with shares of restricted company stock at a reduced price in lieu of a portion of that employee's annual cash compensation. Employees agree that, should they resign or be terminated for cause before their…

• Ninth Circuit Refuses to Enforce Class Arbitration Waiver

  Steven G. Pearl

  27 Jan 2010 | 12:26 pm

  In Laster v. AT&T Mobility LLC (9th Cir. October 27, 2009), the Ninth Circuit followed Shroyer v. New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc., 498 F.3d 976 (9th Cir. 2007) and affirmed a District Court decision that a class arbitration waiver was unconscionable and unenforceable in a class action against a telephone company based on allegations that the company’s offer of a "free" phone was fraudulent because the company charged the customer sales tax on the phone. The "new wrinkle" in this case -- a very creative contract clause providing a "premium" payment of $7,500 to any customer…

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  California Photo Scout

• Hole in the Wall to Mid Hills scenic detour – Mojave Desert

  myphotoscout

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:22 pm

  Cholla Tree, Mojave National Preserve One of the least visited parks in California, the Mojave National Preserve offers great value for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. The desert landscape is especially interesting for purists who love to explore shapes, light and color free from distractions. Desert landscapes look barren only at first glance. Upon closer inspection, they reveal an immense beauty. Drive through this landscape with open eyes and you will want to pull over constantly to jump out of your car. How to get there Mojave Map (click to enlarge) Take Essex Road from I-40…

• How to photograph Aguereberry Point

  myphotoscout

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:35 am

  View from Aguereberry Point Aguereberry Point is located high above Death Valley in the Panamint Mountains. It is the western cousin of Dante’s view, which is located in the Black Mountains on the opposite side of Death Valley. Agueberry Point thus is the best place to photograph the valley in the late afternoon with the sun in your back. Despite its unrivaled views of Death Valley to the east, Aguereberry Point does not see much tourist traffic. On a visit in early January 2010, we were completely alone and could enjoy the peacefulness this remote location offers. The only sound came from…

• How to photograph Ballarat Ghost Town

  myphotoscout

  26 Jan 2010 | 8:15 am

  Ballarat through the window of Charles Manson's family car Located at the foot of the beautiful Panamint Mountains, Ballarat Ghost Town consists of the remains of a former supply station for the nearby mines. As the gold rush ended, Ballarat quickly declined. Residents left everything behind in pursuit of new dreams. The old fossils in the wonderful setting of Panamint Valley create uniquely photogenic ruins that many people miss in their rush from or to Death Valley National Park. Ballarat is a small gem that nicely completes a portfolio of Death Valley, don’t miss it! How to get there…

• How to photograph Pasadena

  myphotoscout

  21 Jan 2010 | 11:11 am

  Roses at Wrigley Mansion Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is a suburb of Los Angeles with its own distinct flair that is in stark contrast to Los Angeles. The affluent community of large mansions, an old yet hip downtown and great outdoors attracts wealthy residents and visitors. The City of Roses is home to the Parade of Roses and the football game in the famous Rose Bowl arena. Residents take their rose gardens serious, keeping the rose theme alive and the city a vibrant colorful jewel. Pasadena is a pleasant community to retreat from a hectic day of photography in Los Angeles…

• How to photograph the Huntington Library and Gardens

  myphotoscout

  18 Jan 2010 | 9:02 pm

  Tree at the Huntington The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (short: The Huntington) is the former estate of railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington (1850-1927), who left this magnificent 150 acre pleasure garden as his legacy. With an astounding amount of themed gardens, fantastic collections and the Mediterranean / Californian architecture of the library buildings, you will find many compelling motifs and room for unique compositions, despite the crowds exceeding one half million visitors each year. How to get there The street address of the Huntington Library is: 1151…

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  California Newswire

• ‘The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential’ Receives The Gold Mom’s Choice Award

  National News Desk

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:59 am

  MESA, Ariz. /Neotrope News Network/ — Authors Renee and Mike Mosiman have received the Gold Mom’s Choice Award(R) for their book “The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential” (ISBN: 978-0-9816426-5-9). The Mom’s Choice Awards (MCA) is an awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services. Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The…

• New Upgraded EASEUS Data Recovery Software 5.0.1 Available For Windows 7 Users Now

  National News Desk

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:01 am

  NEW YORK, N.Y. /Neotrope News Network/ — EASEUS Software, the innovative and dedicated data recovery software provider, today officially released the new version of its data recovery software – EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard 5.0.1 – with new added-on features: Windows server 2008/Windows 7 support, enhanced performance of hard drive scan and data recovery. Built upon the already popular data recovery software version 4.3.6, the newly upgraded version of EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard 5.0.1 provides a more widely featured “one-stop data recovery solution” under Windows…

• Dana Clothing Provides Consumers with Socially-Responsible Buying Power

  National News Desk

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:59 pm

  SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Neotrope News Network/ — There are so many consumer choices on the market. That’s why Dana Clothing is making it easier for people to make socially-responsible decisions about what they buy. For each t-shirt a consumer buys, one t-shirt will be donated to a child in need. It’s a win-win situation. Currently, the all organic cotton t-shirts are made in Africa at a women-empowered shop. Women are paid fair wages and provided with good working conditions. In turn, cotton t-shirts are being gifted to “Shoes that Fit” (www.shoesthatfit.org), a…

• LRM Industries Introduces EverDock – A Simple, Green Dock Building Solution

  National News Desk

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:28 pm

  ROCKLEDGE, Fla. /Neotrope News Network/ — LRM Industries International, Inc. headquartered in Rockledge, Florida, announces the introduction of EverDock™ modular dock panels, the first product in family of innovative and environmentally friendly thermoplastic marine dock solutions. LRM will show EverDock™ panels for first time from February 11th through the 15th at The Miami International Boat Show 2010. The 2 ft. long by 4 ft. wide EverDock™ panels replace treated wood or synthetic lumber board decking used today with a tough, durable panel, which has integrated…

• LRM Industries Introduces EverDock – A Simple, Green Dock Building Solution

  National News Desk

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:28 pm

  ROCKLEDGE, Fla. /Neotrope News Network/ — LRM Industries International, Inc. headquartered in Rockledge, Florida, announces the introduction of EverDock™ modular dock panels, the first product in family of innovative and environmentally friendly thermoplastic marine dock solutions. LRM will show EverDock™ panels for first time from February 11th through the 15th at The Miami International Boat Show 2010. The 2 ft. long by 4 ft. wide EverDock™ panels replace treated wood or synthetic lumber board decking used today with a tough, durable panel, which has integrated…

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  The Mighty Sparrow

• A Mighty Photo- February 8

  Patrick

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:32 am

  The main prison hall on Alcatraz Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, CA. The main prison hall on Alcatraz Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, CA.

• Everything You Need To Know About Redwood National Park

  Patrick

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pm

  The trees in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which is part of Redwood National Park, which is one of the best national parks in the country. It’s easy to become overwhelmed during a visit to Redwood National Park, what with all of the big trees and prehistoric landscapes and wildlife and even bigger trees and big elk and….you get the point. Seeing that the Park has so much to offer, you can imagine how hard it is to fit everything the park has to offer in a 3 day trip, or even a 5 day excursion. Well, that’s why we’re here. Whether you are just driving through the…

• A Mighty Photo- February 5

  Patrick

  5 Feb 2010 | 11:09 am

  The lure demonstration tank at the International Sportsman's Expo in San Mateo, CA. I'm not quite sure why, but I think this picture is hilarious. The lure demonstration tank at the International Sportsman’s Expo in San Mateo, CA. I’m not quite sure why, but I think this picture is hilarious. Maybe, it’s the fish’s nonchalant nature.

• A Mighty Photo- February 4

  Patrick

  4 Feb 2010 | 11:59 am

  Redwood trees in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This grove is along the way back from Berry Creek Falls. Redwood trees in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This grove is along the way back from Berry Creek Falls.

• Wildflower Watchers: Springs Looks To Be Perfect in Death Valley National Park

  Patrick

  3 Feb 2010 | 3:21 pm

  Sand verbena wildflowers bloom in many desert environments, including Death Valley. These flowers were spotted in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in March 2009. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times Death Valley is usually known for one thing and one thing only: hotness. But, there’s much more there. There’s diverse surroundings: Furnace Creek, The Racetrack, Snow-capped mountains, sand dunes and ghost towns. All in over 3 million acres of protected wilderness. The most precious treasure of Death Valley National Park, however, is its array of…

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  Californiality | Best California Blog

• Californians Redraw District Lines

  Californiality.com

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:32 am

  For the first time ever, the responsibility to redraw district lines is the hands of the People of California.  The California Citizens Redistricting Commission needs immediate help in their effort to redraw district lines --- with the help of California citizens.In 2008, we California voters passed Proposition 11, creating California's first-ever citizens' redistricting commission.  The 14-member commission will redraw the state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization districts.  The legislative lines drawn by the commission will determine political representation in…

• Is California A Family?

  Californiality.com

  7 Feb 2010 | 3:47 am

  California is extremely diverse in so many ways that it might seem difficult to see a clearly singular entity.  Is there really such a thing as a united California?The snow-capped mountains are opposed to the beaches, the giant cities contrast the massive farmlands, and the borders with Mexico and Oregon appear to be different planets altogether.America's highest and lowest elevations are a short drive apart, both in a Southern California desert.  Political passions clash, spiritual ideologies explode, and social agendas scream in a land as unique as its inhabitants.How can so many…

• California Democrat Runs For Governor

  Californiality.com

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:49 pm

  Dr. Joe Symmon, a Conservative Democrat, will publicly declare his candidacy for governor of California tomorrow morning --- on Ronald Reagan's birthday.The Southern California businessman, theologian and missionary to Kenya will introduce himself to voters and members of the press at a luncheon his campaign is holding on Saturday in Mission Viejo.I have been informed that Symmon, a conservative member of the Democratic Party, is beginning his gubernatorial campaign with a theme of "California Is A Family". He is being billed as "an unconventional candidate for an unconventional state". …

• Meg Whitman's First TV Ad

  Californiality.com

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:23 pm

  Republican California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has aired many well-produced radio commercial spots during her campaign.  Now "eMeg" is hitting the television airwaves with her debut TV political ad.I have supplied the script (below the video) of this debut "Meg Whitman for California Governor" television spot.  It is not controversial like the current (and extremely viral) Carly Fiorina for Senator "Demon Sheep" TV ad.Enjoy this Californiality.com Premiere!WHITMAN: "I will say the number one thing I think that faces California right now is actually a crisis of confidence.

• 6.0 California Coast Earthquake

  Californiality.com

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:26 pm

  A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake has just struck offshore Northern California this hour. The quake struck at a depth of seven miles (11.2 km) at a distance of 35 miles (56 km) west-northwest of Petrolia, California, the USGS said.There are no reports of damaged structures or injuries yet, according to a police spokesman in Eureka, the biggest town near Petrolia in the Humboldt County region.A magnitude 6.5 quake struck off the coast of Eureka last month, in the same region where three major earthquake faults join together. The population is rather sparce in this section of Northern…

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  California College News

• UC Davis Students Develop iPhone App for the Students

  California College News Team

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:00 am

  Seniors Fei Li and Sunny Dhillon took a class in the fall quarter of 2009 which was taught by guest lecturer Serban Porumbescu of Tapulous and professor of computer science at UC Davis. This class gave them the knowledge needed to develop an iPhone application designed for the students of UC Davis called UCD Mobile, which puts UC Davis into the palm of any student’s hand. UC Davis Students Unveil New Campus Based iPhone App The creation of the UCD Mobile app for the iPhone is the type of tool that you should expect to see coming out for more California colleges in the near future as…

• Summer Session Canceled at City College of San Francisco

  Nick

  5 Feb 2010 | 12:29 pm

  Budget cuts across the UC, CSU, and community college systems of California are causing numerous problems for the schools as they struggle to offer enough classes for students to graduate. There have already been a variety of classes being offered less often than expected, and when they are offered they might be full, which forces college students to wait until the next term. This scenario is even worse for students of City College of San Francisco, because the school decided to cancel their very popular summer session. The summer session at City College of San Francisco is typically a great…

• Top High School Offensive Lineman Could be Headed to USC

  California College News Team

  4 Feb 2010 | 1:33 pm

  USC football has had a rough month with former head coach Pete Carroll leaving to go become the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. However things seem to be turning around as USC secured former Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin, who has previous experience working with the organization from 2001-2006. National signing day was also a huge success yesterday for USC as Seantrel Henderson, the nation’s top high school offensive lineman, announced his commitment to go to the Trojans by wearing a hat and team jersey. Residents of Southern California, and students at the college are very…

• California Community Colleges Top Focus at State Legislators Hearing

  California College News Team

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:53 am

  A California state legislator hearing was held in Sacramento yesterday regarding the California Master Plan for Higher Education. The overall focus of the hearing was to brain storm ideas on how more students can get into college and graduate faster. One idea that came up last month in the state, was to allow California community colleges the ability to offer bachelors degrees for certain subjects. Ultimately the master plan is intended to help ensure that any California student who wants to attend college and earn their degree, has the access to make this happen. Unfortunately there have…

• Students Seeking California Degrees Struggle with 2010-2011 Fee Increases

  California College News Team

  2 Feb 2010 | 8:44 am

  There are thousands of students in California at a CSU or UC college working to earn their degree, but the new fall 2010-2011 tuition increases might be too much for some to handle. It is extremely important for recent graduates of high school in the state, to move onto college and earn a California degree. However the undergraduate fees have made it increasingly difficult for students to enroll in college, or complete their degree. The budget issues across the UC and CSU systems, have resulted in classes being offered less frequently which makes it tough for a student to graduate on time. If…