California State

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  • 2 people are shot at Hollywood restaurant

    L.A. NOW
    Jill Jones
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:56 am
    A man and a woman were shot Friday night at a Hollywood restaurant, authorities said. The shooting took place at the Pink Pepper, a Thai restaurant in the 1600 block of North La Brea Avenue, about 10:15 p.m., said Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The victims have been taken to a hospital but their conditions were unknown, she said. There is no information yet about the shooter, Eisenman said. No other details were immediately available. ALSO: Lily the Chihuahua dies after being hit with golf club TSA mistakes insulin pump for gun, causing LAX security scare…

  • Redevelopment rescue bill likely dead

    San Francisco Bay Area News — — SFGate
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    The funeral is officially four days away, but Redevelopment has already been put to rest in California. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, essentially said as much this week, telling reporters...

  • State Supreme Court spurns Republican request to keep old maps

    California
    <p class="bylinejb">By Steven Harmon and Lisa Vorderbrueggen<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Staff writers<br /></p>
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Senate districts drawn by a citizens' panel must be used this year, even if the Republican Party's referendum to overturn the panel's maps gets enough signatures to reach the November ballot.

  • Adult education on L.A. Unified's chopping block

    L.A. Times - California | Local News
    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    With financial woes in Sacramento and new freedom on spending earmarked funds, the district proposes a budget that has no money to help adults get high school diplomas, learn English or acquire career skills.Adult education teacher Planaria Price is used to the ups and downs of budget planning in the giant Los Angeles Unified School District.

  • State Supreme Court spurns Republican request to keep old maps

    Local News
    <p class="bylinejb">By Steven Harmon and Lisa Vorderbrueggen<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Staff writers<br /></p>
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Senate districts drawn by a citizens' panel must be used this year, even if the Republican Party's referendum to overturn the panel's maps gets enough signatures to reach the November ballot.
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    L.A. NOW

  • 2 people are shot at Hollywood restaurant

    Jill Jones
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:56 am
    A man and a woman were shot Friday night at a Hollywood restaurant, authorities said. The shooting took place at the Pink Pepper, a Thai restaurant in the 1600 block of North La Brea Avenue, about 10:15 p.m., said Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The victims have been taken to a hospital but their conditions were unknown, she said. There is no information yet about the shooter, Eisenman said. No other details were immediately available. ALSO: Lily the Chihuahua dies after being hit with golf club TSA mistakes insulin pump for gun, causing LAX security scare…

  • Female student sexually assaulted at UCLA

    Jill Jones
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:53 am
    A female UCLA student was sexually assaulted early Friday in a part of campus once colloquially known as "the rape trail." UCLA police are looking for the suspect, who was described as white, 6 feet tall, 150 pounds and about 21 years old, with short brown hair and blue eyes, according to a crime alert issued by the campus police department. The attack occurred about 2:20 a.m. at the top of the Saxon steps, which connect the Saxon Suites dormitories with Gayley Avenue. A man called out to the female student climbing the steps, according to a statement from UCLA. After a brief…

  • Los Angeles regional weather forecast

    yyAMCopy
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Extended Forecast » More forecasts: Long Beach | Pasadena | San Diego | Santa Monica | Van Nuys

  • 2 key aides leave Beutner's campaign for L.A. mayor

    Rich Connell
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:51 pm
    Two high-level political consultants have left the campaign of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner just days after he gave a major policy speech attacking City Hall. Sean Clegg said he and Ace Smith, both from San Francisco-based SCN Strategies, resigned Friday over “strategic differences.” Beutner said the parting was mutual. Beutner spent 15 months as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s “jobs czar,” ran the Department of Water and Power on an interim basis and tried to make the city more business-friendly.  On the campaign trail, however, he has grown increasingly harsh in…

  • Junipero Serra High teacher accused of sex with student

    Steve Marble
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    A Catholic high school teacher in San Juan Capistrano has been charged with engaging in unlawful sex with a 14-year-old girl he met on campus, authorities said Friday. Ricardo Aldana, 37, who at the time of the alleged incident was a Spanish teacher and boys' soccer coach at Junipero Serra Catholic High School, befriended the victim when she was 13, the Orange County district attorney’s office said. In June, after the girl turned 14, Aldana massaged her shoulders while they were alone in his classroom, according to prosecutors. They allegedly exchanged frequent text messages and spoke…
 
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    San Francisco Bay Area News — — SFGate

  • Redevelopment rescue bill likely dead

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    The funeral is officially four days away, but Redevelopment has already been put to rest in California. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, essentially said as much this week, telling reporters...

  • Man, 25, dies in SF stabbing near Daly City border

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A man was stabbed to death Thursday night in San Francisco near the Daly City border, police said. Officers responding to a fight near the intersection of Regent Street and San Jose Avenue about 9 p.m. found a...

  • San Jose State student arrested in dorm gropings

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A San Jose State University student who broke into four female students' dorm rooms and groped them early Friday has been arrested, campus officials said. Michael Escobar, 21, is being held at Santa Clara County Jail on...

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    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Friday, Jan. 27, draw, past sets Mega Millions Jackpot: $12 million 3 5 30 36 48 23 MEGA Tuesday, Jan. 31, jackpot: TBA Date Numbers Mega 1/24 10 22 24 36 49 33 1/20 1 9 28 38 47 8 1/17 3 15 31 36 53 27 1/13 10 27 28 37...

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    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
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    California

  • State Supreme Court spurns Republican request to keep old maps

    <p class="bylinejb">By Steven Harmon and Lisa Vorderbrueggen<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Staff writers<br /></p>
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Senate districts drawn by a citizens' panel must be used this year, even if the Republican Party's referendum to overturn the panel's maps gets enough signatures to reach the November ballot.

  • California passes landmark rules to curb auto emissions

    <p class="NormalParagraphStyle">By Paul Rogers<br><a href='mailto:progers@mercurynews.com'>progers@mercurynews.com</a>
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:24 am
    Air Resources Board rules will require 15 percent of new vehicles sold statewide by 2025 to be electric, plug-in-hybrid or hydrogen-fuel-cell and are expected to dramatically cut tailpipe pollution from gasoline engines

  • California passes landmark rules to curb auto emissions

    <p class="NormalParagraphStyle">By Paul Rogers<br><a href='mailto:progers@mercurynews.com'>progers@mercurynews.com</a>
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:07 am
    Air Resources Board rules will require 15 percent of new vehicles sold statewide by 2025 to be electric, plug-in-hybrid or hydrogen-fuel-cell and are expected to dramatically cut tailpipe pollution from gasoline engines

  • Actress' claim to be gay by choice riles activists

    <p class="NormalParagraphStyle">By Lisa Leff<br>Associated Press
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:37 pm
    Magazine interview with lesbian actress sets off backlash

  • California man's gumball (already chewed) called world's largest

    By Nick Green, Daily Breeze
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:21 pm
    Palos Verdes Estates resident Barry Chappell understands that the almost universal reaction of those who initially see his, um, achievement - a 175-pound chewed gum ball - is a loud "Ewwwww!
 
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    L.A. Times - California | Local News

  • Adult education on L.A. Unified's chopping block

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    With financial woes in Sacramento and new freedom on spending earmarked funds, the district proposes a budget that has no money to help adults get high school diplomas, learn English or acquire career skills.Adult education teacher Planaria Price is used to the ups and downs of budget planning in the giant Los Angeles Unified School District.

  • California orders hike in number of super clean cars

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    The state's air board issues new rules to automakers as part of its effort to cut greenhouse gases.California, long a national leader in cutting auto pollution, pushed the envelope further Friday as state regulators approved rules to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars and put significantly more pollution-free vehicles on the road in coming years.

  • California high court backs panel's new state Senate districts

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    Even if a GOP-backed proposal to scrap the new plan qualifies for the November ballot, the map produced by a citizens commission is 'clearly the most appropriate' for the election, the court says.The California Supreme Court decided unanimously Friday that candidates for state Senate this year should run in new districts drawn by a citizens commission, a plan that may give Democrats a two-thirds majority in the upper house.

  • San Fernando's acting chief personally asked for ticket's dismissal

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    Lt. Jeff Eley, who has been put on leave, sought dismissal of a running-a-stop-sign citation that one of his officers had issued to a local congressional aide, records show.San Fernando's acting police chief personally asked a court to dismiss a running-a-stop-sign citation that one of his officers had issued to a local congressional aide, court records show.

  • Mourners bid passionate farewell to Etta James

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    Hundreds of fans swap memories as her songs play in the background during a public viewing at an Inglewood mortuary.The setting sun cast a golden glow Friday over hundreds of mourners who came to pay their respects to singer Etta James at the Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary.
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    Local News

  • State Supreme Court spurns Republican request to keep old maps

    <p class="bylinejb">By Steven Harmon and Lisa Vorderbrueggen<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Staff writers<br /></p>
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Senate districts drawn by a citizens' panel must be used this year, even if the Republican Party's referendum to overturn the panel's maps gets enough signatures to reach the November ballot.

  • High school basketball players wear pink sneakers to honor teammate's mother, promote breast cancer awareness

    <p class="bylinejb">By Joe Rodriguez<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Mercury News Columnist
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:39 am
    After losing every game last year, Independence High in East San Jose is undefeated in pink shoes; Nobody yells “sissies!” when they take the floor and opposing players actually think the shoes are cool.

  • Mercury News interview: Alain Pinel, Intero Real Estate

    <p class="bylinejb">By Pete Carey<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:pcarey@mercurynews.com'>pcarey@mercurynews.com</a><br /></p><p class="bylinecopyright">
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:11 am
    New Intero manager says downtown San Jose market is emerging from long 'hibernation.'

  • Driver dead after crashing into San Jose power pole

    <p class="bylinejb">By Mike Rosenberg<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:mrosenberg@mercurynews.com'>mrosenberg@mercurynews.com</a><br /></p><p class="bylinecopyright">
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:52 am
    San JoseMan killed after vehicle slams into power poleA young man drove his vehicle into a power pole in southeast San Jose on Friday and was dead within 15 minutes, police said.

  • San Mateo hotel to become Draper University

    <p class="bylinejb">By Aaron Kinney<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:akinney@bayareanewsgroup.com'>akinney@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:28 am
    Menlo Park venture capitalist Tim Draper is moving forward with plans to convert the long-vacant Third Avenue landmark into a boarding school for entrepreneurs that will draw students from around the globe.
 
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    Legislative Analyst's Office

  • Statement of Economic Interests Electronic Filing Pilot Program

    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    As part of legislation authorizing seven local governments to participate in a pilot program regarding electronic filing of Statements of Economic Interests forms, the Legislature requested our office to evaluate the pilot program. This report presents our findings.

  • Comparing Funding for Charter Schools and Their School District Peers

    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The 1992 legislation that authorized charter schools in California created a funding model intended to provide charter schools with the same per-pupil operational funding as received by other schools in the same school district. The state subsequently modified this policy in 1998, enacting legislation specifying that “charter school operational funding shall be equal to the total funding that would be available to a similar school district serving a similar pupil population.” This policy remains in place. In this report, we assess whether operational funding received by charter schools…

  • Corporate Political Accountability Act

    22 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    This measure restricts corporations with stockholders from making political contributions (for candidates, ballot measures, issue advocacy, and other political activities) unless the stockholders authorize the contributions.

  • Government Spending Limit Act of 2012-Amendment #1S

    19 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    This measure makes changes to the state’s constitutional spending limit and legislative vote requirements for certain tax increases.

  • The Citizen Legislature Act

    17 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    This measure amends the Constitution to limit when the Legislature may hold sessions. Specifically, the Legislature would be limited each year to holding regular sessions in (1) a 30-day period beginning on the first Monday in January and (2) a 60-day period beginning on the first Monday in May.
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    L.A. Times - Opinion Blog

  • Phyllis Diller's second act [Mimi Pond cartoon]

    Alexandra LeTellier
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:19 pm
    (Click on the cartoon to see it at full size.) ALSO: Hollywood forever [Mimi Pond cartoon] The Richard Simmons vortex [Mimi Pond cartoon] Acts of random transit in L.A. [Mimi Pond cartoon] Cartoon by Mimi Pond / For The Times

  • The dogs on the trail of the severed head

    Karin Klein
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pm
    As Times writer Gale Holland reported in her column Friday, the woman walking the dogs that found the severed head in the Hollywood Hills has unfortunately been subjected to various sorts of harassment. So let me add to it here. I'm sure that Lauren Kornberg has been through an undeservedly tough time, a traumatic time, just as Holland reports. But Kornberg, a professional dog-walker who was caring for nine dogs at the time, also is quoted as talking about the squirrels and other wildlife that at least one of the nine dogs with them usually…

  • Romney wins the pandering prize for his debate comments on Israel

    Michael McGough
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:37 pm
    Not surprisingly, there was a good deal of pandering at Thursday’s Republican presidential debate. With the exception of Ron Paul,  the candidates took a hard line on easing relations with Cuba, a sop to Florida's die-hard anti-Castro Cubans. But the worst panderer was Mitt Romney on the subject of the Middle East. "I believe the best way to have peace in the Middle East is not for us to vacillate and to appease, but is to say we stand with our friend Israel,” he said. “We are committed to a Jewish state in Israel; we will not have an inch of difference between ourselves…

  • President Obama, winner of Florida debate?

    Alexandra LeTellier
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:06 pm
    You can say one thing about the Republican candidates for president: They’ve been debating each other for so long that they can now swap stinging personal attacks without getting visibly angry. Mitt Romney was on the offensive in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday evening. He needed only a little prompting to accuse Newt Gingrich of shilling for Freddie Mac, one of the government-backed mortgage firms that conservatives loathe, and of being soft on illegal immigration. “Our problem is not 11 million grandmothers,” Romney said, responding to Gingrich’s reluctance to deport foreign-born…

  • How Cynthia Nixon's "gay by choice" might play in court

    Karin Klein
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:46 pm
    When actress Cynthia Nixon described herself as "gay by choice" in a New York Times magazine interview, she not only set off a storm of reexaminations of the evidence on whether homosexuality is a matter of nature or nurture, but threw a verbal monkey wrench into the legal question of gay rights. As Times science writer Karen Kaplan summarized, "The scientific consensus seems to be that there is indeed a biological basis for homosexuality -- though it's not necessarily 100% determined by either genes or by environmental factors." Science is painting a complex portrait…
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    SFGate: Chronicle experts blog about the SF 49ers : Niner Insider

  • Broncos hire Del Rio to replace new Raiders coach

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    John Fox and Jack Del Rio are together again. The Broncos announced Friday that they had agreed to terms with Del Rio to become the club's new defensive coordinator. Del Rio was Fox's first defensive coordinator in Carolina in 2002 before leaving after one year to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars,...

  • Presented By:

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  • 7-year-old 49ers fan commiserates with receiver

    28 Jan 2012 | 1:00 am
    On Sunday night, as some 49ers fans fired off death threats to Kyle Williams on Twitter, 7-year-old Owen Shure of Los Angeles began his own correspondence to San Francisco's wide receiver. Instead of anger, though, Owen's words were filled with empathy. "Dear Mr. Williams," the first-grader...

  • Ken Williams feels bad for, and proud of, son Kyle

    28 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    White Sox general manager Ken Williams is still feeling his son's pain. Kyle Williams of the 49ers muffed one punt and fumbled another in last Sunday's NFC Championship Game as the Giants earned a berth in the Super Bowl. His fumble in overtime set up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal in...

  • What should the 49ers pay Alex Smith

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:09 pm
    What will it take to get Alex Smith signed? Rumors of a three-year deal worth between $8 million to $11 million are out there. Based on the latest contracts for quarterbacks, those figures could go higher, even when figuring a home town discount. "Love what's going on, love this team and...
 
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    Sports by Haddock

  • USC basketball: Dewayne Dedmon out for season with knee injury

    Gary Klein
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:38 pm
    This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details. Dewayne Dedmon, USC's 7-foot NBA prospect, suffered a torn medial collateral ligament during the Trojans' loss to Colorado Thursday and will be sidelined the rest of the season, Coach Kevin O'Neill said. Dedmon said Thursday night that he did not think the injury was serious, but an MRI exam on Friday confirmed the tear. "I feel bad for the kid and I feel bad for the rest of the kids," said O'Neill, whose team is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. Dedmon is the…

  • Anze Kopitar is dating Kim Kardashian? OK, Maybe not

    Houston Mitchell
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pm
    The Fame Makers with the Los Angeles Kings from Anze Kopitar Once again proving that hockey players have the best sense of humor of any pro athletes, several Kings have teamed up to appear in a hilarious video at funnyordie.com. In the video, the Funny or Die Fame Makers visit the Kings to help them become more visible and bigger celebrities. The video features Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Matt Greene and Drew Doughty. Kopitar particularly stands out, especially when he tries to get a date with Kim Kardashian. Richards shows off his unique rap skills, and one of the Kings (we won't ruin it…

  • Oakland Raiders hire Dennis Allen as coach

    Melissa Rohlin
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:49 pm
    The Oakland Raiders announced Friday that they have hired former Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach. Allen will receive a four-year contract with the Raiders, who finished the season with a mediocre 8-8 record. Allen will replace the fired Hue Jackson and will formally be introduced as the team's coach on Monday. General Manager Reggie McKenzie finalized the details of the deal with Allen on Thursday. The Raiders haven't had a winning record in nine consecutive seasons. Allen will be the team's seventh head coach since 2003. ALSO: Michelle Kwan discusses…

  • Michelle Kwan discusses her career, Part II

    Houston Mitchell
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:36 pm
    Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune recently conducted a lengthy interview with former figure skating star Michelle Kwan. Below is an except of the interview, Part 2 of which you can read here. Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you as a skater? Michell Kwan: It was probably the world championships in Germany (2004) when I was warming up before the long program, and a guy came on the ice in a tutu.  He could have picked a lot of skaters to get on the ice and do that with, and he picked me, which seemed kind of cool at first. I remember people yelling and I was like,…

  • Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay rips Peyton Manning

    Melissa Rohlin
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:21 am
    In an interview earlier this week, Peyton Manning revealed his displeasure with the team's recent front office changes and the Colts' 2-14 season. "It's not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least," Manning told indystar.com. "Everybody's walking around on eggshells. I don't recognize our building right now. There's such complete and total change." Manning's comments prompted a response from Colts owner Jim Irsay after he introduced new head coach Chuck Pagano at a press conference Thursday. Irsay called Manning a…
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    About.com California Travel: What's Hot Now

  • Hearst Castle Night Tour

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    Hearst Castle Night Tour review and information

  • Newport Gondola

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    A romantic gondola ride in Newport Beach's hidden canals

  • Main Beach Laguna

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    Laguna Main Beach picture Gallery. Pictures of Main Beach in Laguna Beach, California

  • Washington Outline Map

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    Washington state outline map: national atlas of the united states atlas of the united states outline map map collection

  • La Jolla Hotels

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    Discover the best hotels in La Jolla, California, find out how much they cost, compare prices and read reviews
 
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    Money & Company

  • Online car-selling scam nets $4 million, prosecutors say

    Tiffany Hsu
    31 Dec 2011 | 12:00 pm
    For more than three years, six foreign nationals ran an Internet vehicle-selling scam that bilked customers out of more than $4 million without delivering a single car, motor home or boat, according to a federal indictment out of Los Angeles this week.  The indictment charges six people from Germany, Russia, Romania and Latvia with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and money laundering. Starting in 2007 through 2010, the group put vehicles up for sale on auto-trading websites such as EBay Motors, Edmunds.com and Craigslist and collected at least $4 million from customers,…

  • Retail Roundup: L.L. Bean's duck boots, McDonald's mobile, Lowe's

    Shan Li
    31 Dec 2011 | 8:00 am
    -- Maine retailer L.L. Bean says the duck boot is back in style, at least among fashion-conscious, trend-hungry college students around the country. This year, the nearly century-old outdoor apparel company sold about 400,000 pairs of the hunting boots -- which have hardy rubber soles -- up from 150,00 just four years ago, the Associated Press reported. The boot is benefiting from a vintage fashion sense prevalent among college students, the AP said, and also new styles that updated the classic boot with bright pops of color (such as pink) for the spring. This would be the same sartorial…

  • Kimberly-Clark to launch 'designer' toilet paper roll covers

    Shan Li
    30 Dec 2011 | 4:52 pm
    Apparently, even toilet paper rolls can be fashionably dressed. That's the rather whimsical tack taken by consumer products giant Kimberly-Clark Corp., which is launching a "spring line" of colorful covers to hold extra rolls and add pizazz to the bathroom. The company tapped interior designer Jonathan Adler to be the creative brain behind the "collection" -- and the three designs bear his signature stamp of graphic prints combined with bold color (and fancy descriptions such as "chevron pink," "clover green" and "barjello blue"). The…

  • CDR Financial Products founder pleads guilty in municipal bond case

    Stuart Pfeifer
    30 Dec 2011 | 3:39 pm
    A Beverly Hills financial firm and its founder pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges that they defrauded government agencies by steering investment contracts to firms that paid them kickbacks. David Rubin, 50, and his company, CDR Financial Products Inc., were accused of running sham auctions for government agencies looking to invest money raised through municipal bond offerings. The contracts were awarded to favored firms that secretly paid kickbacks to CDR, not always the firm offering the highest returns, the government alleged. Rubin, who sobbed at Friday’s plea hearing in New…

  • Energy Department predicted the 2011 boom in U.S. fuel exports

    Ronald D. White
    30 Dec 2011 | 2:26 pm
    The 2011 Argus Americas Crude Summit, held in Houston last January, was named "Life After Macondo" and focused on the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. But American consumers might have been far more interested in a presentation that ventured far from that script. Joanne Shore, team leader and lead operations research analyst at the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration, and colleague John Hackworth essentially explained why Americans were about to pay more for gasoline in 2011 than they ever…
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    CalPERS Press Releases

  • CalPERS Board Re-Elects Rob Feckner President; George Diehr Vice President

    23 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    Pension fund earns 1.1 percent return for 2011 calendar year; The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration today unanimously re-elected Rob Feckner as Board president and George Diehr as vice president for 2012 during the pension fund's annual winter offsite Board meeting. Terms for the president and vice president are one calendar year. Feckner is serving his eighth term as president and Diehr is serving his fifth term as vice president.

  • CalPERS Responds to LAO Analysis of Pension Reform Initiatives

    30 Dec 2011 | 2:00 am
    The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) today issued the following response to the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) analysis of Government Employee Pension Reform Act initiatives:

  • CalPERS Purchases Interest in Power Transmission Line

    15 Dec 2011 | 2:00 am
    The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) announced today that it has agreed to acquire a stake in a 65-mile submarine electric power transmission line that runs from Sayreville, New Jersey, to Hicksville, Long Island, New York.

  • CalPERS Earns $695 Million Profit As First GI Partners Fund Closes

    13 Dec 2011 | 2:00 am
    The California Public Employees' Retirement System's (CalPERS) has earned a profit of approximately $695 million from its investment in GI Partners Fund I, a 10-year-old fund that closed after selling its last asset.

  • CalPERS Selects PCA As Real Estate Consultant

    12 Dec 2011 | 2:00 am
    The Board of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) today chose Pension Consulting Alliance (PCA) Inc. to continue as its principal real estate consultant.
 
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    Travel - latimes.com

  • Your Scene: Golden opportunity in Japan

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    A feature highlighting photos from Times readers.Bryan Chenault was in Japan in December working for the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament. On his day off, he took the bullet train to visit Kyoto. Of all the sights he saw in the ancient city, he found the Rokuon-ji Temple the most breathtaking.

  • L.A. Times Travel Show: Exhibitors preparing for Saturday opening

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    Exhibitors were working hard Friday to get their booths ready for the L.A. Times Travel Show, which opens to consumers Saturday.

  • LA Times Travel Show: Making your pictures sing

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:37 am
    At the Los Angeles Times Travel Show Saturday and Sunday, LA Times photographers will share their expertise with you and help you create vivid photographic memories. Kathy M.Y. Pyon will focus on our everyday technology--camera phones and point-and-shoots--in a session called "Great Photos From the Littlest Gadgets." Here are some of her pictures and the ideas behind them. The Travel Show is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the LA Convention Center; tickets cost $10.

  • Rick Steves shares favorite hidden travel destinations in Europe

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    Rick Steves will appear this weekend at the Los Angeles Times Travel Show to talk about -- what else? -- Europe. Steves wrote his first "Europe Through the Back Door" guidebook in 1980 and has churned out about 40 books since then.

  • San Diego: Pass offers half-off museum admissions during February

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    A Valentine's Day idea for those who love to save a buck: museum-hopping. In San Diego, tickets to more than 40 museums will be half-price for the month of February.
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    California State Library Blog

  • PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

    CSL Info
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:07 pm
    You are invited to a free seminar on the Public Policy Institute of California’s Statewide Survey. The January Statewide Survey examines Californians’ opinions of Governor Brown’s 2012 budget proposal, attitudes towards raising taxes and cutting programs, and approval ratings of state and federal elected officials. It also looks at residents’ opinions on presidential candidates.The briefing will take place on Friday, January 27, 2012, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the CSAC Conference Center, 1020 11th Street, 2nd floor, in Sacramento. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m.

  • Studies in the News - January 25, 2012

    CSL Info
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:06 pm
    The California Research Bureau of the California State Library released a new issue of "Studies in the News" athttp://www.library.ca.gov/sitn/crb/docs/20120125.pdf For back issues and ways to obtain publications mentioned, go tohttp://www.library.ca.gov/sitn/crb/

  • UCCS Seminar: The Economic Impact of Immigration in the U.S.

    CSL Info
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:32 pm
    You are invited to a free seminar on the economic impact of immigration in the United States. UC Davis Professor of Economics Giovanni Peri will present facts and data on immigration in the United States in the last 10 years. In addition, he will discuss a fact-based and labor-market centered approach to immigration.This briefing will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the UC Center of Sacramento at 1130 K Street, Room LL3. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the UC Center. To RSVP to this free event, please visit the UC Center event page at…

  • Documentary Film Screening: "Miss Representation"

    CSL Info
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:12 pm
    You are invited to a screening of the documentary film “Miss Representation,” with special guest Director Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The event is sponsored by The Legislative Women’s Caucus and the California Commission on the Status of Women. The screening will take place on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 6pm, with a VIP reception at 5 pm at the Crest Theater on 1013 K Street, Sacramento. Please RSVP to bryn.sullivan@sen.ca.gov, bobbie.sardo@sen.ca.gov or by calling California Research Bureau reception desk at (916) 653-6602.For additional information regarding CRB services,…

  • PPIC Seminar: Untangling the State-Local Fiscal Relationship

    CSL Info
    19 Jan 2012 | 6:02 pm
    You are invited to a seminar on “Untangling the State-Local Fiscal Relationship”. California’s budget crisis has spurred a reconsideration of the roles of government. This event will explore key issues in the state-local relationship today—from the state’s role in providing services to the tools counties need to succeed in their new responsibilities.Confirmed speakers:Darrell Steinberg, president pro tem, California State Senate Connie Conway, minority leader, California State Assembly Lee Baca, sheriff, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Mark…
 
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    Daily Dish

  • Our favorite recipes for National Chocolate Cake Day

    Jenn Harris
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:38 pm
    Today is National Chocolate Cake Day -- as if we needed an excuse to indulge. To celebrate, we're sharing some of our favorite recipes for rich, satisfying chocolate cake: Nancy Silverton's bittersweet chocolate cake with hot fudge sauce and cioccolati perugini Classic flourless chocolate cake Mint chocolate cake Royal Sonesta double chocolate cake Old-fashioned milk chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting Two-toned honey chocolate marble cake Enjoy! And whatever you do, don't forget the milk! ALSO: Test Kitchen video tip: Storing spices Good Food Awards winner: Dandelion…

  • Today's Eat Beat: Lemon tart

    Noelle Carter
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    What do you do when life hands you lemons? Make a lemon tart, of course! In today's Eat Beat, Food editor Russ Parsons demonstrates how to make Lazy Mary's lemon tart. You can find the recipe here. Catch our televised recipe demonstrations on KTLA-TV Channel 5 every Wednesday and Friday toward the end of the 1 p.m. news hour; you can also watch the videos on Food's homepage. ALSO: Go behind the scenes at the Test Kitchen 134 recipes for your favorite restaurant dishes Browse hundreds of recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen -- Noelle CarterTwitter.com/noellecarter Video: KTLA

  • Test Kitchen video tip: Storing spices

    Noelle Carter
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    Nothing can kill a good recipe faster than a lack of spice. Even kitchen staples such as dried herbs and spices have an expiration date and can lose their potency over time. Properly stored, spices can last a year or two at most, with whole spices generally lasting longer than ground. Store your spices in a cool, dry place, away from moisture, and keep them tightly sealed. Whenever I open a new spice jar, I date the back so I can keep tabs on how long it's been open. Once a year, I'll rummage through the collection and check on them. Spices that still have some potency should have…

  • Green Truck to visit the LAPD festival of skid row artists

    Jenn Harris
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:40 pm
    Food truck fare is known for being tastebud-friendly, but not necessarily healthful. The Green Truck and Gardein team is trying to accomplish both. In January, Green Truck, a food truck dedicated to organic, sustainable cooking, and Gardein, makers of meatless protein products, got together to launch the "Cheat on Meat" campaign. The Green Truck and Gardein food carts travel to various L.A. communities to sell and distribute samples of their wholesome products. "Part of Gardein’s mission is to make healthy vegan, nutritious food available to the people who need it most --…

  • Test Kitchen tips: Taming a chile pepper's heat

    Noelle Carter
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
      At first glance, chile peppers -- like a brightly-colored little habañero -- might come across as unassuming, or even cute. But they can pack a shocking punch if not used carefully in the kitchen. Generally speaking, the smaller the chile, the more intense the heat. Be cautious when working with chiles; the oil from a chile can burn if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. If possible, wear gloves or place your hands in food-grade plastic bags before handling. After working with the chiles, be sure to wash your knives, cutting board and anything else thoroughly with hot soapy…
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    About.com California Travel

  • Poll Results: Most Romantic Places

    26 Jan 2012 | 7:44 pm
    We asked and you told us. Click View Results below to find out what our readers think are California's most romantic places - or cast your vote if you didn't do that before. ...Read Full Post

  • California's Most Romantic Places

    24 Jan 2012 | 7:29 pm
    Earlier this month, we asked what you think California's most romantic places are. 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. Get started now: Read about them and start planning....Read Full Post

  • Mark Your Calendar

    22 Jan 2012 | 7:54 pm
    California's most popular and fun events can require some advance planning to get into. Go to your calendar right now and make a note of these activities which require a lot of advance planning:...Read Full Post

  • California in February

    19 Jan 2012 | 7:15 pm
    There's that romantic holiday in February, but there's more, too. see what's happening in California in February. More: California in Winter | Romantic Weekend Getaways

  • Reader Favorites: 2011 Poll Recap

    17 Jan 2012 | 7:05 pm
    Starting back in the spring, we posed a new question every month, asking your opinion about California's best places to go. Here's a roundup of the results: Best Place for a Family Vacation: Disneyland, Yosemite, San Francisco Best Things to Do in San Francisco: Fisherman's Wharf, 49-Mile Drive Best Los Angeles Beaches: Venice Beach, El Matador, Malibu Lagoon Best Things to Do in Los Angeles: Universal Studios, Farmers Market and The Grove. Best California Aquarium: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach California's Best Parade: Rose Parade
 
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    The Unofficial Stanford Blog

  • Life After Luck: The Lowdown

    Kabir
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    As you may or may not have heard, Andrew Luck, our hero and savior of the Stanford football program, is off to the NFL. While he could have stayed one more year, he’s done with his degree and I wish him the best in his future endeavors. Besides, I don’t exactly envy the guy. Though he’s [...]

  • The End of IHUM

    Dan Ashton
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:10 pm
    Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for…the death of IHUM. In its report published today, the Study of Undergraduate Education at Stanford (SUES) has proposed drastic changes to the education of a Stanford undergraduate: the creation of SLE-like dorms with different themes a drastic change to the breadth requirements “Helix courses” (find out more [...]

  • Sh*t Silicon Valley Says

    Megan
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:48 am
    I’m surprised that this “Sh*t People Say” thing isn’t played out yet. Anyway, this may not be as spot on as Sh*t College Freshmen Say, but I’m fairly certain that I wouldn’t understand 90% of it if I hadn’t come to Stanford. [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the [...]

  • “Occupy: Something Borrowed or Something New?”

    Megan
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:39 am
    As part of Stanford’s 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, two incredibly renowned professors will be holding a discussion tomorrow comparing and contrasting the Occupy movement and the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968. Stanford’s own Clayborne Carson will be accompanied by Harvard professor Charles Ogletree at the Black Community Services Center at 7:30pm. A civil [...]

  • #spoiled

    Sasha
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm
    Being a Stanford student automatically gives you so many opportunities and opens so many doors.  We can talk for ages about the incredible classes available, the amazing people we have met, the brilliant people that come speak here, and the numerous job opportunities available.  But today, I am going to ignore all that.  I’m going [...]
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    Winery & Vineyard Blog

  • Chicago

    Pierre
    22 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    Michelle and David Lafond (siblings) have just returned from a meeting with our National Representative, Winesellers. They made a presentation to all the Winesellers representatives who come from different parts of the country. They happened to arrive just before the first, or one of the first, snowstorms of the year and were enchanted, not only [...]

  • Santa Barbara Winery Wine Club Pick-up (wine) Party Saturday, January 21

    Pierre
    22 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm
    These events have become very popular. We had over 250 who responded that they wished to attend. It is an opportunity to sample some of our newer releases as well as some excellent cheese selected by Suzanne. It was a very windy day coming after a somewhat inadequate rainstorm. We are hoping for more rain [...]

  • January in the Vineyard

    Pierre
    11 Jan 2012 | 3:06 pm
    Nothing much happens in December and January. The vines are dormant and it is still a little too early to begin pruning. Workers, however, are going through the field and tying the canes from new vines, or replacement vines, to the wire before pruning begins. We use a machine that cuts the cane about 12 [...]

  • A Very Large Bottle

    Pierre
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:16 pm
    This is the largest bottle we have. 18 liters, the equivalent of two cases, and approximately 80 pounds. Not a convenient easy to pour bottle – we still have not determined the best way of doing that. I think it is only the second time that we have filled a bottle this large. The wine [...]

  • A Small Wedding

    Pierre
    3 Jan 2012 | 3:42 pm
    This was a very small wedding on Saturday, New Years Eve, a tradition in the family and a sure-fire anniversary reminder. The day was gorgeous with temperatures reaching the low 80s. The only thing missing are green vines but in a way it is also symbolic of a new beginning. Click images to enlarge:
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    foodies: a southern california food blog

  • bgr the burger joint / point loma – san diego, ca

    mary
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    BGR Burger Joint is a new burger place that just opened up in town a few weeks ago. It’s an east coast chain that’s making it’s debut on the west coast with their first location here in San Diego. I was invited to come in the restaurant and try out some of their burgers and get a feel for their restaurant. One of the partners was there to greet us and talk to us about the restaurant. After a warm greeting and asking about some of their specialties, Jake and I made our decisions on what to order. We got some burgers, a sampling of their side dishes, some shakes and drinks. I…

  • chuao chocolates, valentine’s day, and you (+ a giveaway)

    mary
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    So there’s this thing coming up next month. Valentine’s Day. Sure you’ve heard of it. I’m not gonna lie and be like, “Oh, I don’t care about it because it’s so commercialized. Why do you need just one to tell someone you love them? Shouldn’t you be telling them on a regular basis?” Yeah, those are all true, but I still kinda want feel the special fuzzies on that day. And by special fuzzies, I just mean I want a little something, a cute card, a cookie, a flower. I’m pretty easy to please, I think. I’d be pleased to get…

  • super easy peasy no knead bread

    mary
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    This is probably the easiest bread I’ve ever made. And I’ve never made bread before! I’m talking crusty, crunchy, yeasty, beautiful and delicious bread. Made from scratch, right in your own kitchen. Nothing fancy about it. No kneading, no starters, nothing. You just need to plan in advance, mix a few things together, and wait. Patience is a virtue, my friends, and your patience will be greatly rewarded. I have been a kick for making quick breads lately, but I decided it was high time to try and make some plain old yeasty-type bread. And I started out easy with this no-knead…

  • stacked now offers pre-ordering / mission valley – san diego, ca

    mary
    20 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    I was recently invited to try out Stacked’s new pre-ordering system. I took it for a spin to try it out. The last time Jake, T and I went, we took forever with the ordering system. It is pretty cool to use an iPad to order, but when you have a few people with you it can take awhile to get the orders in and going. By using the pre-ordering system, all we had to do was punch in a confirmation code and wait for the food to start rolling in. Jake, T and I ordered on my laptop at home earlier in the day before we went to run our errands and then came into the restaurant. It was actually…

  • french macarons at big joy family bakery / clairemont – san diego, ca

    mary
    18 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    I used to frequent Big Joy Family Bakery back in the day but hadn’t been there in quite some time. To be honest, I kind of forgot about it. Until I saw these beautiful, brightly colored french macarons on CC’s (one of many posts!) and CAB’s blogs, reminding me all about this place! Course, it took me awhile to finally make it over here. But so glad I did! I love, love, love the colors on these beautiful little airy cookies. Let’s see if I can remember the flavors (from the top, on the red one, clockwise): Red Velvet, Pistachio, Chocolate, Mocha, Green Tea, Sea Salt…
 
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    California Employment Law Report

  • 2012 Wage and Reimbursement Rates For California Employers

    Anthony Zaller
    12 Jan 2012 | 6:59 pm
      2012 Requirement Source   California Minimum Wage     $8.00 per hour (unchanged from previous years)   California’s Industrial Welfare Commission   San Francisco Minimum Wage     $10.24 per hour   City of San Francisco Computer Professional Exempt Salary Rate       $38.89 or annual salary of not less than $81,026.25 for full-time employment, and paid not less than $6,752.19 per month     Division of Labor Statistics and Research   Hourly Physicians Exempt Hourly Rate     $70.86 per hour  …

  • Template To Comply With Wage Theft Protection Act of 2011 Notice Requirement To All Hires Beginning in 2012 Published By Labor Commissioner

    Anthony Zaller
    29 Dec 2011 | 6:53 pm
    Today the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (“DLSE”) published a template that employers can use in order to comply with the new notice requirements set forth in Labor Code section 2810.5. A Word version can be downloaded here and a PDF version can be downloaded here. All California employers are required to provide a notice to all employees hired beginning on January 1, 2012 that complies with the requirements of section 2810.5. The new law required the Labor Commissioner to publish a template for employers to use in order to comply with the new law. For more information…

  • Can Employees Agree To Waive Berman Hearings In Arbitration Agreements?

    Anthony Zaller
    22 Dec 2011 | 2:26 pm
    I’ve recently written a series of posts regarding the Berman hearing process available for employees to resolve wage disputes before the Labor Commissioner. See previous posts: Overview Of Berman Hearings Before The Labor Commissioner and How To Prepare For a Berman Hearing. But can an employer have an employee sign an arbitration agreement in which the employee agrees to waive any rights to a Berman hearing, and all claims against the employer must proceed directly to arbitration? A good question, to which there is not currently an answer. The issue is currently…

  • All California Employers Have New Employee Notice Requirements Beginning January 1, 2012

    Anthony Zaller
    20 Dec 2011 | 5:23 pm
    The new law affecting every employer in California is the Wage Theft Protection Act of 2011. It takes effect on January 1, 2012 and adds additional notice and record keeping requirements that employers must comply with. The new law added Labor Code section 2810.5, which requires private employers to provide all new employees with a written notice that contains certain information. The new law requires private employers to provide all newly-hired, non-overtime-exempt employees with a disclosure containing the following information: (a) The job rate or rates of pay and whether it pays by the…

  • How To Prepare For a Berman Hearing

    Anthony Zaller
    16 Dec 2011 | 2:10 pm
    My last post provided an overview of the Berman hearing process when an employee begins a claim for unpaid wages with the Labor Commissioner. If the parties do not settle the claim at the settlement hearing, then the matter will be set for a Berman hearing pursuant to Labor Code 98(a). The Berman hearing was designed to provide both parties a quick and easy way to resolve wage disputes. I like to think of it as very similar to a small claims proceeding. However, unlike small claims court which can only hear cases were the amount in dispute is $7,500 or less, the Labor Commissioner can hear…
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    The California Wage and Hour Law Blog

  • Bridgeford v. Pacific Health: Class Cert Denial Does Not Establish Collateral Estoppel Against Absent Class Members

    Steven G. Pearl
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:46 pm
    In Smith v. Bayer Corp., 564 U.S. ---, 131 S.Ct. 2368, 2011 WL 768649 (6/16/11) (blogged herethe Supreme Court of the United States held that a District Court's denial of a Rule 23 class certification motion does not prevent separate plaintiffs from seeking certification in a separate state court action.   In Bridgeford v. Pacific Health Corporation (1/18/12) --- Cal.App.4th ----, 2012 WL 130615, the California Court of Appeal held that denial of class certification in one action does not prevent absent class members from filing a second class action making the same…

  • Zelasko-Barrett v. Brayton-Purcell: Supreme Court Grants Review and Holds Pending Kirby v. Immoos

    Steven G. Pearl
    20 Jan 2012 | 2:53 pm
    In Zelasko-Barrett v. Brayton-Purcell, LLP (8/17/11) 198 Cal.App.4th 582, the Court of Appeal held that a law school graduate who was not licensed to practice law but who worked for a law firm and performed tasks customarily performed by junior attorneys was exempt as a learned professional. My post on Zelasko-Barrett is here. I thought the Supreme Court would grant and hold pending its decision in Harris v. Superior Court (12/29/11) --- Cal.4th ----, 2011 WL 6823963, which most people thought would shed light on the white collar exemptions. (As it turned out, Harris shed little light on…

  • Raniere v. Citigroup: District Court Holds Collective Action Waiver Unenforceable as Preventing Employees From Vindicating Substantive Statutory Rights under the FLSA

    Steven G. Pearl
    19 Jan 2012 | 5:06 pm
    Thank you to Andrew Frisch for his Overtime Law Blog. Mr. Frisch does a truly excellent job of covering FLSA developments, and I recommend his blog highly. Mr. Frisch has written a detailed article on an interesting District Court case, Raniere v. Citigroup Inc. (S.D.N.Y. 11/22/11). I will not review the case in detail but will only note a few important points. In Raniere, three individuals brought a putative nationwide FLSA collective action for unpaid overtime, alleging that the defendants classified its home mortgage consultants as exempt employees and failed to pay them overtime…

  • Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC:

    Steven G. Pearl
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:46 pm
    I am mediating more cases that fall outside of the wage and hour realm, and wanted widen the blog's focus to include more traditional employment law.   In Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, --- S.Ct. ----, 2012 WL 75047 (1/11/12), the Supreme Court considered whether a minister may sue her church for wrongful termination based on acts of discrimination. In a unanimous opinion written by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court held that the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment bar such actions. Cheryl Perich worked as a teacher for…

  • CompuCredit Corp. v. Greenwood: New SCOTUS Arbitration Decision May Shed Light on Future of Employment Class Action Waivers

    Steven G. Pearl
    18 Jan 2012 | 2:41 pm
    In CompuCredit Corp. v. Greenwood, --- S.Ct. ----, 2012 WL 43514 (1/10/12) the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) considered whether the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), 15 U.S.C. § 1679 et seq., precludes enforcement of an arbitration agreement in a lawsuit alleging violations of that Act. The plaintiffs filed a putative class action under the CROA, the defendant moved to compel arbitration, the trial court (N.D.Cal., Judge Claudia Wilken) denied the motion, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed.  In an opinion written by Justice Scalia, the…
 
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    California Photo Scout

  • How to photograph from Corona Heights Park

    myphotoscout
    8 Jan 2012 | 10:31 am
    Corona Heights Park is the only place in San Francisco that offers a true 360 degree unobstructed vista. The former quarry does not show up in most guidebooks. Corona Heights is thus, mostly a local hang out spot and a dog’s playground. The rocks are easy to climb, yet steep enough for superb unobstructed views. Randall Museum is located on the grounds of the park. It too has breathtaking views. Corona Heights is the ideal place for scenic photography. Its views are less familiar than those of nearby Twin Peaks, yet often more spectacular. How to get there Corona Heights Map The park…

  • Taking great pictures on top of the Golden Gate Bridge

    myphotoscout
    11 Oct 2011 | 10:30 pm
    Golden Gate South Tower Take brilliant pictures of San Francisco from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge that spans the waters where the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean meet, symbolizes the Gold Rush and wealth of the Golden State of California. San Francisco’s most recognizable landmark is also its biggest tourist attraction. Featured in every travel publication, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed attraction in California. Although it is hardly possible to photograph this icon in a novel way, the hike across the bridge promises some distinct…

  • How to photograph Fort Mason

    myphotoscout
    20 Sep 2011 | 8:59 pm
    Fort Mason roofs and Palace of Fine Arts Located on a small hilltop overlooking the entrance to San Francisco Bay, Fort Mason was the obvious choice for defensive fortifications. In the age of high tech weaponry, Fort Mason still makes a formidable base for high tech shooters of a different kind, photographers. Throughout the years, the fort was home to Spanish and American troops and earthquake refugees and served as a port of embarkation for World War II. Fort Mason is divided into the upper Fort, where attractive white wooden buildings house the Golden Gate National Park Headquarters and a…

  • How to photograph Alcatraz

    myphotoscout
    6 Sep 2011 | 10:33 pm
    Alcatraz Cellhouse Broadway Alcatraz, the infamous penitentiary, is visible from the hills and beaches of San Francisco. It is San Francisco’s second most famous tourist destination, after the Golden Gate Bridge. Deceptively beautiful from a distance, the sheer cliffs, icy cold water, and treacherous currents made escapes from “The Rock” a futile attempt. Authorities sent only the hardest criminals to this maximum-security facility. Among its famous residents were former Chicago mobster Al “Scarface” Capone, murderer George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and snitch Theodore…

  • San Juan Bautista

    myphotoscout
    11 Aug 2011 | 12:22 am
    The attractive Mission San Juan Bautista and the equally named charming small town surrounding it are easy to miss if you don’t already know its location. San Francisco Bay Area residents therefore consider the town one of their insider secrets, a place to relax, to shop, and to eat. Art stores, antiquities shops, and restaurants line the narrow streets, each competing for your dollars. Unusual characters and harmless but grim looking bikers mingle at the saloon, just next door to the ice cream parlor filled with the excited noise of children begging their parents for sweet treats. San Juan…
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    California Newswire

  • News Story Idea Starters for Journalists, for the Week Ending Jan. 27, 2012, from Send2Press Newswire

    National News Desk
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 28, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — For professional journalists, publishers and news editors seeking original news content, Send2Press – for the week ending January 27, 2012 – issued press releases on behalf of Blue Hill Troupe, ClanGistics, EnviroIngenuity, Equation Technologies, The Summer Show, and many others. NOTABLE NEWS ITEMS FOR WEEK ENDING FRIDAY JANUARY 27, 2012: * Michelle Thomson Promoted to Regional Director West Coast Associa Services LAKE FOREST, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Professional Community Management of California, Inc.

  • Calif. Governor Brown to Deliver ‘Call to Action’ in Los Angeles

    Valerie Gotten
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:03 pm
    LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. asks Los Angeles business leaders to stand with him on two major priorities for 2012: passing his balanced budget plan and persuading the legislature to enact his 12-point pension reform proposal. He delivered the call to action during a speech at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce 2012 Inaugural Dinner in Los Angeles. “The numbers just don’t add up,” said Governor Brown of the public pension system. “Benefits, contributions and the age of retirement don’t reflect today’s realities, putting…

  • Calif. Senator Padilla to Speak at University of Southern California Latino Leaders Fireside Chat Series

    Valerie Gotten
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:06 pm
    VAN NUYS, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee to be keynote speaker at the University of Southern California (USC) this Friday, January 27 at 12 noon in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Rosen Family Theatre, Room 227. “I’m looking forward to talking about my experiences in California politics with the students and faculty of USC. What we do here in California influences our nation and the world. When I was a student at MIT, I took advantage of these types of speaker programs because they…

  • San Francisco Mayor Lee Celebrates Central Market Milestone

    Valerie Gotten
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:11 pm
    SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that businesses are beginning to take advantage of the City’s Central Market/Tenderloin Payroll Expense Tax Exclusion. Zendesk and Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers are the first of what is anticipated to be many companies choosing to locate in the Central Market and Tenderloin neighborhoods and take advantage of the six-year payroll expense tax exclusion for new jobs created. Creating 56 new jobs in the Central Market area last year, both companies have now been issued conditional letters of…

  • PCM and Associa announced the promotion of Michelle Thomson to Regional Director of West Coast Associa Services

    Valerie Gotten
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pm
    LAKE FOREST, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Professional Community Management of California, Inc. (PCM) and Associa announced the promotion of Michelle Thomson to Regional Director of West Coast Associa Services. In her new role, Thomson will promote Associa Services, which are added-value programs that improve communications and technology, while offering discounted shopping and concierge services to residents in Associa and PCM managed communities. "Michelle successfully launched Associa Services for PCM, which brings so many benefits to our clients through Associa's national…
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    Californiality - #1 California Blog

  • New California Emissions Laws

    California Bloggers
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:03 pm
    California has passed new auto emission standards to reduce smog, cut greenhouse gas emissions and put 1.4 million new zero-emission cars on California freeways to stop "global warming."The California Air Resources Board has mandated that 1-in-7 new vehicles sold in 2025 be zero-emission, such as battery, electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered cars.In what amounts to a set of new California laws, there are mandates for 75 percent less smog-forming pollutants and 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The new state regulations also will force oil companies to install hydrogen…

  • Republican Debate CNN Arizona

    California Bloggers
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:12 am
    The CNN Republican Debate takes place on Wednesday night, February 22nd at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona at 8pm ET on CNN.The Arizona Republican Presidential Debate will feature the top four remaining GOP presidential candidates, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.Sponsored by CNN and the Republican Party of Arizona, the Mesa, AZ GOP debate features the top four candidates competing for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.Best of luck to each of the four GOP presidential candidates debating on January 22nd in Arizona - Ron Paul, Mitt Romney,Newt Gingrich…

  • 'Welcome Back Kotter' Epstein Dies

    California Bloggers
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:10 pm
    Actor Robert Hegyes aka "Epstein" from the 1970s TV show "Welcome Back, Kotter" has died at age 60 of a heart attack.Born in 1951, Robert Hegyes was the cousin of rock star Jon Bon Jovi best known for portraying Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein on the successful television series that made co-star John Travolta a superstar.Robert Hegyes earned his B.A. degree in Speech/Theater and Secondary Education before starring on Broadway and auditioning for TV producers as a young actor.Hegyes was eventually cast by producer James Komack as Juan Epstein on the award-winning ABC comedy,…

  • Nancy Pelosi Knows Something

    California Bloggers
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:56 pm
    California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi teased everyone with something she "knows" regarding Newt Gingrich, causing the GOP presidential candidate to call the San Francisco Democrat's bluff.Does House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi genuinely know some evil secret about Republican Newt Gingrich that will stop him from becoming President of the United States?The Bay Area liberal used television airtime to say that she knows, doesn't know, then does know "something" about the conservative presidential candidate.Newt Gingrich publicly stated that, if the former Democratic Speaker does in fact know…

  • Part-Time California Legislature 2012

    California Bloggers
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm
    A part-time California Legislature with an 81 percent pay cut and a ban on lobbying could soon become a reality -- and there's already weeping and gnashing of teeth around Sacramento.Introduced by Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), a ballot initiative is developing to make the California Legislature part-time, permanently.Here's the big picture regarding proposed part-time lawmakers:Annual salary slashed from $95,000 to $18,000.  Staff and travel eliminated.  Legislative sessions reduced to 90 days per year.  2-year state budgets.  State government jobs and…
 
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    High-SpeedTrainTalk

  • Governor Brown turns the world upside down riding high-speed rail into our town

    Martin Engel
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:28 pm
    Here are two articles by Adam Summers of the Reason Foundation that lays bare the unreality of this project and the cognitive dissonance of the Governor who is so determined to spend money he doesn't have.Well, let's amend that last statement.  The Governor does have, or has been promised, around $3.5 billion from the Federal Railroad Administration. Giving the Governor the benefit of the doubt, we can assume that he knows, just like we all do, that the likelihood of more dollars after this is zero.  It would take a miracle election this November to re-open the HSR money pipeline…

  • If you call within the next ten minutes, High-Speed Rail will cost you only $19.95. Shipping and handling extra.

    Martin Engel
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:58 pm
    If you haven't had your fix of anger today, this should help. Four years ago, before the '08 elections, the cost forecast for the 800 mile high-speed rail system in California was $33 billion. That's what the voters voted for.Soon thereafter, it went up to $44 billion.  Today, its between $98.1 and $117.6 billion. If you had to choose, I'd go with the higher number, just to be safe. But, you don't have to choose, since both numbers are grossly incorrect and way too low. The newest price, calculated with many costs that the rail authority has chosen to ignore for the time being,…

  • The New York TImes Debate: Does California Need High-Speed Rail?

    Martin Engel
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:35 pm
    Here is a super discussion, or "debate" in the New York Times, hot off the press.  It involves Elizabeth Alexis, Prof. Richard White, Prof. Rick Geddes, Bill Davidow, Shannoon Tracey and Emily Rusch.You can find their remarks below. However, there's one of the six which I won't post and that's from Emily Rusch of CALPIRG.  That organization remains totally tone deaf to our pleadings and the array of critical documentation that has become nationally recognized.  Despite considerable effort to engage in meaningful dialogue with Emily, I proved to be unsuccessful. Here she…

  • In California, High-Speed Rail comes down to the Whim and Will of Governor Jerry Brown

    Martin Engel
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:26 pm
    Here's an article from the reliably sensible Christian Science Monitor. It's very good and has been making the rounds yesterday and today among all the active HSR objectors, or "naysayers" and "deniers," as Governor Brown likes to call us.The Governor Jerry Brown Memorial High-Speed Rail. How does that sound to you, Governor? No longer live within the looming shadow of your father's accomplishments for California.  Here's your chance to become a real boy and no longer a wooden puppet with a long nose. Once this train gets rolling at over 200 mph, won't Linda Ronstadt be proud of you!We…

  • The project walks among us, the High-Speed Rail Zombie that won't die

    Martin Engel
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:07 pm
    What would it take for Governor Jerry Brown to turn on his heel and walk away from the high-speed rail project?  As Kathy Grimes points out so eloquently, the California HSR project is like the "Walking Dead." It won't die. So far, no agency, critical of the HSR project has come to this twilight zone project with a wooden stake to drive through the high-speed rail Zombie's evil heart. There have been many reports, each of which should have been a "silver bullet." These reports keep on coming, but the project keeps on walking, even with its shredded bandages trailing behind it.That…
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    Travelin' Local

  • This Weekend’s Orange County Calendar

    Sandy Schroeder
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:40 am
    What’s up for this weekend in the OC?  You’ll find it all right here,  plus upcoming February events.   Welcome to Travelin’ Local’s Orange County round up of  Music, Arts, Sports, Children’s Programs, Community Events and more. West Coast Premiere: Elemono Pea, South Coast Repertory,  Jan. 27 – Feb. 26  Playwright, Molly Smith Metzler, and Director, Marc Masterson, give you this keenly observed comedy about class, family and the choices that shape who we are. This runaway  hit is fast, furious and funny. Unfolding in real time, just after Labor Day  Martha’s…

  • Joaquin Phoenix’s Movie “I’m Still Here” is a Hoax

    D. J. Schwartz
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:24 pm
    Gee, as if that’s a real shocker. And frankly, if anybody really cares, well that’s their problem. For anyone not familiar with the latest antics of these two Dynamic Duo morons, producer Casey Affleck and actor Joaquin Phoenix——-Affleck “pretended” to film Phoenix pretending that he “lost his mind”. Phoenix decried that he’s “giving up acting;”’ he grew a shaggy beard and his hair was unkempt; he didn’t bathe, only wore sunglasses and announced to the world that he was “going to be a rapper.”  And squeezed into a virtual non-stop portrayal of…

  • “Walking Meet Up Groups” in Orange County & Southern California

    Sandy Schroeder
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:27 am
    Everywhere you look walking meet-up groups are at work, shedding weight and dumping stress, from Huntington to Irvine, Laguna to La Habra To get started, go to Walking Meet Up Groups  and punch in your zip code. You will find walking groups all around the globe.  I punched in my zip and got the Huntington Beach Pier Walkers.  Here’s their invitation: “Let’s walk the pier at least once a week…come join the fun with walking friends to share and support our interests, i.e. our exercises, health issues, all while, during or after we walk the pier. This group is primarily created…

  • Tom Cruise has taken over Beverly Hills – Literally!

    D. J. Schwartz
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:54 pm
    A New Top Ten List for Tom Cruise Movies. Hands down, his take-down of the City of Beverly Hills has now taken the Number One Spot: 10. Tom’s bartending scene from “Cocktail”: Tom played an ex-soldier that tries to get a marketing job, but when he realizes he needs a college degree, he finds work as a bartender, an alternative career in which he successfully executes one of the most famous bartending scenes in the history of film. Not only did Tom Cruise flip bottles and entertain bar-goers in the movie “Cocktail” with flair, but his role as Brian Flanagan also earned him a…

  • 25 Fun & Free Things to Do in San Diego

    D. J. Schwartz
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:04 pm
    Having fun in San Diego doesn’t require a lot of money; in fact, many things to see and do here are absolutely free. With 70 miles of beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather year-round, and a variety of magnificent settings countywide, San Diego offers a fun and inexpensive getaway during all seasons of the year. Free Activities for Kids and Adults in San Diego Head to San Diego’s many beaches, all free to the public, to swim, body surf or hang-ten. Play in the sand, collect seashells or just bask in the sun. Visit La Jolla Cove and see the magnificent sunset on the ocean. La Jolla…
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