California

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    L.A. NOW

  • State attorney general investigating whether African American churches were defrauded in computer scam

    Carlos Lozano
    20 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm
    California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown announced today that he is investigating whether four individuals defrauded more than 30 African American churches in Southern California by forcing them to pay thousands of dollars for substandard computer kiosks, which the churches were promised wouldn’t cost anything.According to Brown, the kiosks were pitched as high-tech devices that could serve as electronic message boards, print retail coupons from local businesses and generate advertising revenue.“The promise was that the churches involved would be able to attract more customers,” said the Rev.

  • Mexican teen pleads guilty to killing U.S. Border Patrol agent

    Steve Clow
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pm
    A Mexican teenager pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a U.S. Border Patrol agent last summer while attempting to rob him of government property in a remote area east of San Diego, according to a plea agreement announced today. The suspect, 17-year-old Christian Daniel Castro-Alvarez, and an unspecified number of co-conspirators, lured Agent Robert W. Rosas Jr. out of his vehicle while he was on routine patrol near the border community of Campo, according to the agreement. Rosas was shot multiple times by Castro-Alvarez and one or more co-conspirators. Federal authorities provided few details…

  • Michael Jackson's doctor bought powerful anesthetic a month before singer's death, court records say

    Amanda Covarrubias
    20 Nov 2009 | 11:45 am
    Michael Jackson’s personal physician purchased five bottles of the powerful anesthetic that killed the singer from a Las Vegas pharmacy the month before his death, according to court documents unsealed today. Dr. Conrad Murray acknowledged giving Jackson the drug propofol in a police interview two days after Jackson’s June 25 death, and according to a police affidavit made public by a Las Vegas judge, Los Angeles police and federal drug agents subsequently worked to connect the doctor to drug bottles found in the pop icon’s rented Holmby Hills mansion. During a July raid on the…

  • Man falls to death from downtown L.A. apartment

    Seema Mehta
    20 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am
    Police are investigating the death this morning of an elderly man who fell from his 10th-story apartment in the Alexandria Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Officers called to the 500 block of South Spring Street about 5:30 a.m. initially investigated the death as a suicide, said Officer April Harding, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. A recent string of suicides in the area, the city’s Old Bank District, has confounded residents. But coroner’s officials say the death appears to be accidental, and that a section of the fire escape outside the man’s apartment apparently…

  • Police seeking suspects in three murders in Long Beach and Pico Rivera [Updated]

    Seema Mehta
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am
    Police are asking for the public’s help today in solving three separate murders in south Los Angeles County. One person was killed and two wounded about 11:30 p.m. Thursday in a shooting outside a liquor store in the 3600 block of Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, according to city police spokeswoman Jackie Bezart. The  murder is believed to be gang-related, and the victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of his family. [Updated at 11:28 p.m.: The victim was identified as 19-year-old Frank Castro Jr. of Long Beach. A man approached him and the two other victims on foot…
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    SFGate: Bay Area News Stories

  • Occupation of Wheeler Hall nears an end

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:54 pm
    Police arrested about 40 protesters inside UC Berkeley's Wheeler Hall tonight, ending an 11-hour occupation of the building on the third day of raucous protests and strikes over labor disputes and the UC Regents vote Thursday to increase student fees by 32...

  • Rainy day is nice, but no drought-ender

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:34 pm
    Rain fell, as forecast, over the Bay Area on Friday. But anyone expecting a drought-ending deluge, or even a nice, slow lawn-soaking, was undoubtedly disappointed. In San Francisco, it amounted to a brief burst of heavy rain that sent people scurrying for...

  • Knock on the door - Oakland teen shot to death

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:24 pm
    When someone knocked on the door of his East Oakland home, 16-year-old Phillip Wright thought nothing of going to see who it was. Before he could even open the security-gated front door, however, someone fired several shots through it at 5:10 p.m. Thursday,...

  • Jury rejects suit against SF officers

    20 Nov 2009 | 5:03 pm
    A federal jury took only 20 minutes to reject claims by a graduate of UCSF Medical School who filed a $1 million civil rights suit accusing San Francisco police of roughing him up in 2006, city officials said today. Edward Yamoah, 35, who is now a resident...

  • Bureaucracy grinch steals Oakland decorations

    20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Somewhere in the bureaucratic haze of Oakland city government, in a spacious office with views of Frank Ogawa Plaza, there is a holiday grinch who has actually succeeded in swiping a slice of Christmas spirit from city residents. Now I already know what you'...
 
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    Bottoms Up

  • A bit on Sarah Valor of Oakland’s Commis restaurant

    jyadegaran
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm
    For my story on female sommeliers this week, I gleaned much from Sarah Valor, the maitre’d, sommelier and front-of-the-house manager at Oakland’s Commis. Unfortunately, my notes didn’t make it into the story, so I’m devoting this blog post to that interview. Commis recently received its first Michelin star – they were in during the restaurant’s first week of business, I’m told – and after talking with Valor, 28, it’s easy to see how quickly Commis has garnered the reputation it has. They opened in June. A little on Valor: She started her…

  • A Good Start For First Bay Area Holiday Festival

    jbrookston
    18 Nov 2009 | 12:25 pm
    Last Sunday, Beverages & more hosted the first holiday beer fest in the Bay Area. Dubbed the BevMo Holiday Beerfest, it was organized by local beer festival promoter Jeff Moses, who also does the Monterey Beer Festival, among others. It was held at the Herbst Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. It was a good space and they wisely used only a portion of the hall so it wasn’t too large inside. I’ve long thought San Francisco needs a holiday beer festival, Pacific Coast Brewing’s holiday tasting notwithstanding. Winter and Christmas beers are some of my favorite…

  • Wine syrup and leftover wine

    jyadegaran
    17 Nov 2009 | 12:19 pm
    So I made a yummy chicken dish the other night using a few ounces of an Italian wine syrup. You can find them at most specialty grocery stores (mine, Vino Cotto, in full disclosure, was sent to me by the manufacturer, Montillo Italian Foods). It’s just cooked sweet wine, and more than 2 pounds of grapes go into one 8 ounce bottle.  It has no alcoholic content and has a richer fruitier (think plummy-raisin) flavor than maple syrup. I sprinkled salt and pepper on my chicken then sauteed it in olive oil and drizzled the syrup on it towards the end, letting it thicken and bubble before…

  • Bistro Barrel Aged Fest Serves Over 70 Beers

    jbrookston
    14 Nov 2009 | 10:17 pm
    Today in Hayward, California, the Bistro held their 4th annual Barrel Aged Beer Fest, serving a record number of beers for any festival they’ve thrown, with over 70 beers. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for drinking extreme beers and there were some wonderful examples there. While I wasn’t able to try them all, here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order: Bear Republic Blackberry Grizz: Slightly sour nose but the tart blackberries really come through wonderfully to pair with rich malt. Lagunitas Crusin’ with Ruben & the Bretts on Cherries:…

  • Holiday Beer Fest Line-Up Announced

    jbrookston
    14 Nov 2009 | 10:04 am
    The press releases asks ” Where can you taste over 125+ of the Greatest Holiday, Seasonal & Special Craft Beers-Ciders from 100+ of the best Breweries in the World at one time, in one place?” The first BevMo! Holiday Beer Fest will be held at Fort Mason’s Herbst Pavilion in downtown San Francisco on Sunday November 15th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will feature 50+ Holiday, Seasonal & Special, “soon-to-be-released beers. Tickets are $35 in advance, and can be purchased online, or $45 at the door the day of the event. Attendees will experience Rare European…
 
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    california - Google News

  • California Students Protest Tuition Hikes - Voice of America

    20 Nov 2009 | 8:25 pm
    New York TimesCalifornia Students Protest Tuition HikesVoice of AmericaPhoto: AP Students protesting tuition hikes occupied a building on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, on Friday, while protests continued Fears for the Future of the University of CaliforniaNew York TimesCalif. college student fees on the riseWashington PostAnger and anxiety over fee hike at University of CaliforniaChristian Science MonitorAFP -San Jose Mercury News -Examiner.comall 619 news articles »

  • California unemployment rate hits 12.5 percent - abc7news.com

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:42 pm
    SDNN: San Diego News NetworkCalifornia unemployment rate hits 12.5 percentabc7news.comSAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There is a dark new snapshot of California's jobs picture. The state's unemployment rate has hit another new high. California unemployment rate reaches 12.5%Los Angeles TimesJobless Rate Up in 29 States, Hitting Records in 4 of ThemNew York TimesCalifornia unemployment rate hits 12.5 percentThe Associated PressKXJZ News -Fox40 -LBPOST.comall 860 news articles »

  • California Establishes TV Energy Standards - IGN

    20 Nov 2009 | 4:52 pm
    ABC NewsCalifornia Establishes TV Energy StandardsIGNNovember 20, 2009 - Yesterday, the California Energy Commission unanimously voted to begin imposing energy efficiency standards for How will California's new TV energy standards affect you?Christian Science MonitorTV energy standard fight goes nationalSan Francisco ChronicleEnergy Panel Sets Tough Standards for California TVsSmart Grid NewsEnvironment News Service -United Press International -Greentech Mediaall 1,276 news articles »

  • California launches probe into scam targeting churches - Los Angeles Times

    20 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm
    Bakersfield NowCalifornia launches probe into scam targeting churchesLos Angeles TimesJerry Brown said Friday that he is investigating an alleged scam that forced more than 30 African American churches in Southern California to pay thousands Calif. launches probe into scam targeting churchesThe Associated PressCalifornia attorney general investigates scam targeting black churches89.3 KPCCComputer scam hits African-American churchesabc7.comTurnTo23.com -Press-Enterpriseall 356 news articles »

  • Ward, grossly underestimated, will beat Kessler with California toughness - Examiner.com

    20 Nov 2009 | 3:50 pm
    BBC SportWard, grossly underestimated, will beat Kessler with California toughnessExaminer.comSo I'm flabbergasted that everyone outside of California thinks Kessler is stronger than Ward, is a harder puncher, and probably is Ward's equal as a boxer. Mikkel Kessler-Andre Ward PreviewMVN.comJudging shift should save Ward-Kessler title fightUSA TodayAndre Ward plans to power through Mikkel KesslerLos Angeles TimesContra Costa Times -AFP -San Jose Mercury Newsall 252 news articles »
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    California

  • UC Berkeley protest ends with 41 arrests

    <p class="bylinejb">By Sandra Gonzales<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:sgonzales@mercurynews.com'>sgonzales@mercurynews.com</a>
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:40 pm
    The dramatic display ended Friday evening with dozens of arrests, climaxing a week of civil unrest mirrored at other campuses around the state, including Davis and Santa Cruz, where hundreds marched for the third day Friday to decry one of the biggest fee hikes in UC history.   UCSC: Building occupied | Davis: 52 arrests   Twitter updates from Berkeley protest   Slide show of Berkeley protest | Video

  • Push to add to stimulus draws debate

    <p class="bylinejb">By Jackie Calmes and Michael Cooper <br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">New York Times
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:16 pm
    Economy still weak, but consensus is that it could have been far worse

  • Trichet: time to withdraw some support measures

    <br> <p class="Byline Affiliation">Associated Press
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pm
    Trichet says economy needs to stand on its own feet

  • Google's book settlement gets preliminary approval

    <p class="bylineaffiliation">Bloomberg News <br /></p>
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:08 am
    The Open Book Alliance, which includes online retailer Amazon and Microsoft, has opposed the settlement. Hearing for final approval is Feb. 18.

  • Jeanne-Claude, artist, dies at 74

    <br> <p class="Byline Affiliation">Associated Press
    19 Nov 2009 | 10:13 pm
    Jeanne-Claude — whose collaboration with her husband, Christo, in creating massive environmental works of art, such as the 24-mile-long "Running Fence" in California in the 1970s, attracted worldwide attention for decades — has died.
 
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    L.A. Times - California | Local News

  • New York man arrested in 1982 Koreatown killing

    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    LAPD cold-case detectives use DNA evidence to tie the suspect to the stabbing of a 63-year-old woman, who also was sexually assaulted. More than 27 years after Hazel Hughes was found stabbed to death in her Koreatown apartment, Los Angeles Police Department cold-case detectives have arrested a New York man in the slaying, police said.

  • South L.A. murderer's death sentence upheld

    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    A judge denies a sentence reduction for Kai Harris, 32, who was convicted of the 2004 killings of two people during a drug dispute at Nickerson Gardens housing project. A judge denied a request Friday to reduce the death sentence for a man convicted of murdering two and attempting to murder two others in a South Los Angeles housing project.

  • California launches probe into alleged scam targeting churches

    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown says dozens of African American churches were defrauded of thousands of dollars over lease agreements for computerized advertising kiosks that were supposed to be free. State Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown said Friday that he is investigating an alleged scam that forced more than 30 African American churches in Southern California to pay thousands of dollars for substandard computer equipment that was supposed to be free.

  • An underground renaissance in Inglewood

    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    A gallery tour shows a thriving art community hidden in a gritty, industrial area. I was tired of staring at that blank space on my hallway wall. For years, I'd been searching for just the right artistic statement for the spot at the bottom of my stairs -- something to brighten my mood when I stumbled down bleary-eyed in the morning, and calm me as I headed upstairs to bed at night.

  • Mexican teen admits killing U.S. Border Patrol agent

    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    The 17-year-old pleads guilty to fatally shooting Agent Robert W. Rosas Jr., who was lured out of his vehicle in July while patrolling a remote area east of San Diego. A Mexican teenager pleaded guilty Friday to fatally shooting a U.S. Border Patrol agent last summer while attempting to rob him of government property in a remote area east of San Diego.
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    The Homicide Report

  • Santa Fe Springs: Leonard Soliz Jr., 35

    Anthony Pesce
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:10 pm
    Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 15, in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs, authorities said. Soliz and Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, were both shot in the head...

  • Santa Fe Springs: Celeste Jimenez, 31

    Anthony Pesce
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:08 pm
    Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 15, in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs, authorities said. Jimenez and Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, were both shot in the head...

  • Harvard Park: Mulindwa Traylor, 24

    Anthony Pesce
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:06 pm
    Mulindwa Traylor, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the 1500 block of West 55th Street in Harvard Park, authorities said. Los Angeles Police Det. Carlos Velasquez said Traylor was a documented member of the...

  • Florence: Jermaine Tillman, 30

    Anthony Pesce
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm
    Jermaine Tillman, a 30-year-old black man, died after he was taken off life support Thursday, Nov. 12, five days after he was shot while walking out of a market at 701 East Manchester Avenue in Florence, authorities said. Los Angeles...

  • Jefferson Park: Young Lee, 62

    Anthony Pesce
    16 Nov 2009 | 4:58 pm
    Young Lee, a 62-year-old Asian man, was beaten to death Monday, Nov. 9, in the 3300 block of Jefferson Boulevard in Jefferson Park, authorities said. Los Angeles Police Det. Robert Lait said Lee, an employee of a liquor store on...
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    Outposts

  • Saltwater fish count for Southern California, Nov. 20

    Kelly Burgess
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:13 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 11 4 Sand Bass 2 Sheephead 4 Whitefish 14 Rockfish 3 Sculpin 18 Red Snapper Seaforth 2 37 5 Calico Bass 3 Whitefish 47 Rockfish 4 Bonito 1 Sculpin 12 Red Snapper Dana Wharf 3 30 16 Calico Bass 18 Sand Bass 24 Sheephead 6 Rockfish 2 Bonito Davey's Locker 1 8 1 Calico Bass 7 Sheephead 2 Whitefish 5 Rockfish 1 Perch Newport Landing 1 10 5 Sand Bass 10 Sheephead 9 Whitefish 10…

  • Buck's amazing rack may be a new Nebraska record

    Kelly Burgess
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:25 pm
    A Texas man may find himself in the Nebraska state record books after shooting a 38-point whitetail buck. Lexington, Texas, resident Wes O'Brien was hunting with a friend on private land in Richardson County, Neb., on Saturday when he spotted and shot the deer from about 100 yards. O'Brien told the Lincoln Journal Star that his trophy has received a preliminary score of 281. The rack's official score won't be determined for 60 days, the "drying period" during which the antlers will shrink a little. Should O'Brien's buck be scored the new state record,…

  • Girl, 14, dies after skiing accident at Breckenridge in Colorado

    Pete Thomas
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:20 pm
    A 14-year-old girl died late this morning after an accident on the slopes at Breckenridge in Colorado. Vail Resorts, which operates Breckenridge, confirmed the news but did not release the name of the girl. The accident occurred on an intermediate trail called Spruce. The girl reportedly was wearing a helmet and might have struck a tree. She was administered to by emergency personnel and transported to Breckenridge Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Breckenridge has issued a media release stating: "Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge Ski Patrol and the Vail Resorts family…

  • Nationwide campground and RV resort survey gives 31 'A' grades

    Kelly Burgess
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm
    Thirty-one campgrounds and recreational vehicle resorts have earned all-around "A" grades in the second annual consumer satisfaction survey of independent parks. But only one -- Meadowcliff RV Resort -- is in California. Nearly 17,000 camping and RV enthusiasts participated in the online survey, which evaluated guest experiences at 1,840 independent campgrounds and RV resorts affiliated with the National Assn. of RV Parks and Campgrounds. The survey was for privately run locations only -- national and state parks were not included. "Sixteen of the nation's 31 top parks in…

  • Storm arrives in Lake Tahoe area as resorts plan weekend openings

    Pete Thomas
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:50 pm
    The Lake Tahoe area is already feeling the effects of the season's first significant winter storm, and resorts in the region are expected to receive about a foot of fresh powder through tonight.At Heavenly ski area, which overlooks the sprawling lake, today's planned opening is postponed until Saturday because of strong winds that arrived in advance of the storm. Light snow began to fall during the lunch hour. I checked the Heavenly website and plucked its "Snowmakers" video (above), which provides an entertaining glimpse of the crews in action, and some new powder as seen…
 
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    Local News

  • Silicon Valley jobless rate rises to 11.9 percent

    <p class="bylinejb">By Pete Carey<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:pcarey@mercurynews.com'>pcarey@mercurynews.com</a>
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm
    Valley's jobless rate persists at just under 12 percent; statewide, more than 2.3 million people looking for work

  • San Jose mayor calls for temporary redevelopment freeze

    <p class="bylinejb">By John Woolfolk<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:jwoolfolk@mercurynews.com'>jwoolfolk@mercurynews.com</a>
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:57 pm
    With a $75 million state money grab threatening a host of projects, Mayor Chuck Reed calls for freezing all but contractually obligated payments until early next year.

  • Federal jury deadlocks on most of espionage case against two Silicon Valley engineers

    <p class="bylinejb">By Howard Mintz<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:hmintz@mercurynews.com'>hmintz@mercurynews.com</a>
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:34 pm
    Mistrial declared on central charges against two engineers accused to stealing trade secrets with backing from China as jury clears them of some charges

  • A chat with Bob Goedjen, adviser to Silicon Valley startups

    <p class="bylinejb">By Patrick May<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:pmay@mercurynews.com'>pmay@mercurynews.com</a>
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pm
    Seasoned Silicon Valley pro helps startups asa volunteer counselor

  • Long-anticipated turn-key park opens its gates to San Jose neighborhood

    <p class="bylinejb">By Mayra Flores De Marcotte<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation">Willow Glen Resident
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:19 pm
    New play structures dot donated land
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    Mercury News Photo

  • China Quake

    LiPo Ching
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    Tech companies and NGOs help school children recover from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. [See post to watch Flash video]

  • Resisting Arrest

    Gary Reyes
    9 Nov 2009 | 8:48 pm
    A look at California Penal Code 148 and its use by the San Jose Police Department. [See post to watch Flash video]

  • Recession ‘09

    Staff
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:55 pm
    The 2009 recession by the Mercury News staff.

  • Prison Overcrowding

    Patrick Tehan
    27 Sep 2009 | 7:52 pm
    The California Institution for Men in Chino is at almost 200% capacity. [See post to watch Flash video]

  • Los Lupenos

    Josie Lepe
    22 Sep 2009 | 4:25 am
    Los Lupenos in San Jose celebrates their 40th anniversary.
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    Legislative Analyst's Office

  • Vote SAFE: Secure and Fair Elections Act (version 4)

    23 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    This statutory initiative makes various changes to state voting practices. It specifically: requires identification for voting at polling place, allows more time to submit ballots of active duty military personnel, and waives fees for identifications used to vote.

  • California Taxpayer Protection Act of 2010 (version 4)

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    This measure makes changes to the application process for public benefits. Specifically, persons applying for public benefits would be required to execute an affidavit under penalty of perjury declaring themselves a U.S. citizen or qualified alien who was lawfully present in the country.

  • The Public Employee Paycheck Protection Act

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    The proposed initiative requires a public employee union to obtain annual, written authorization to use any dues or fees for political contributions. This requirement would apply for both members and nonmembers the union represents in collective bargaining.

  • California’s Fiscal Outlook: Proposition 98 Briefing

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Presented on 11/18/09

  • California's Fiscal Outlook: The 2010-11 Budget

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Our forecast of California’s General Fund revenues and expenditures shows that the state must address a General Fund budget problem of $20.7 billion between now and the time the Legislature enacts a 2010–11 state budget plan. The budget problem consists of a $6.3 billion projected deficit for 2009–10 and a $14.4 billion gap between projected revenues and spending in 2010–11. Addressing this large shortfall will require painful choices—on top of the difficult choices the Legislature made earlier this year.
 
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    Press Releases

  • Gov. Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Santa Cruz County Due to Severe Weather

    20 Nov 2009 | 2:16 pm
    Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Cruz County due to severe weather that occurred in October causing mudslides and flooding in and around the previously burned areas.   The text of the proclamation is below:   A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY                 WHEREAS from October 12, 2009, through October 14, 2009, Santa Cruz County experienced high winds and significant rainfall in areas that had burned during the summer wildfires; and  …

  • Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments

    20 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am
    Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments:   Walter Allen, 59, of Covina, has been appointed to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. He has served as the Governor's appointee to the California Council on Criminal Justice since 2006. Allen has served Covina as mayor since March 2009, on the city council since 2004 and previously served as mayor from 2003 to 2004. He has been a deputy commissioner for the Board of Parole Hearings since 2007. Allen was the assistant secretary for the Office of Correctional Safety for the Department of…

  • Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on California Unemployment Rate

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am
    Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement after the California Employment Development Department distributed its most recent unemployment data:   “While I welcome the news that 25,000 jobs were added last month, there are still far too many unemployed Californians who need jobs and can’t find them. That’s why I have made job creation a top priority of my Administration this year. I appointed one of my top advisors to move my green job initiatives forward, drive economic development and grow our green economy. I am committed to doing…

  • Governor Schwarzenegger Highlights Importance of Assembly Passing Race to the Top Legislation As Quickly As Possible

    19 Nov 2009 | 5:03 pm
    California’s Application for Share of $4.35 Billion in Federal Education Funding Due January 19; Legislation Required to Ensure California is Highly Competitive   At Sixth Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger highlighted the importance of the California Assembly passing Race to the Top legislation as quickly as possible. Race to the Top is the $4.35 billion education funding competition designed by President Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to promote bi-partisan education reform measures in states across the nation. In the first…

  • Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds $60 Million Grant to College-Ready Promise Partnership

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant to Charter Organizations to Help Increase Teacher Effectiveness and Student College-Readiness   Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $60 million grant to support The College-Ready Promise – a coalition of five California public charter networks – in its efforts to increase effective teaching so more students graduate college-ready:    “California’s charter schools have always been laboratories of innovation and I look forward…
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    L.A. Times - Opinion Blog

  • Thank thee, bishops

    Michael McGough
    20 Nov 2009 | 1:23 pm
    America's Roman Catholic bishops aren't completely obsessed by abortion and gay marriage. My former colleague Ann Rodgers, one of the best religion reporters around, reports in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that bishops have been battling over whether to approve a retro English translation of the Mass with more traditional (and, critics charge, more stilted) language. The new/old language won out at the recent bishops' conference. So now when the priest says "The Lord be with you," the congregation will reply "And with your spirit," not "and also with…

  • A little bit more choice in a reformed healthcare system

    Jon Healey
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm
    Good news today from the backstage maneuverings on the Senate Democrats' healthcare reform bill. As The New Republic reported, Democratic leaders have agreed to give more flexibility to millions of Americans who get their health insurance today through their workplace. First, a little background. My favorite healthcare reform proposal was the Healthy Americans Act by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Robert Bennett (R-Utah). In addition to being a genuinely bipartisan approach to the issue, it was smart about bringing market forces to bear on the industry. But it also was the most radical…

  • They took all the newsmen and put them in the Newseum

    Michael McGough
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:15 pm
    I met Tim Russert only once, before a "Meet the Press" debate between two Senate candidates from my home state of Pennsylvania. Russert was engaging, impressively au courant with Keystone State politics and, well, a nice guy. I also admired his work, and I was sad when he died before his time. (You never hear about someone dying at his time.) Still, I cringed at the excessiveness of his obsequies. Journalism has a long, and appealingly human, tradition of providing a little nicer send-off to colleagues than someone in another business might receive. That's why…

  • Paying for healthcare reform with a 'botax'

    Jon Healey
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:07 pm
    We've seen taxes on death, luxury and sin, and now the Senate is poised to impose one on vanity. To help cover the cost of health insurance subsidies for the working class, the bill cobbled together by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) would create a 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery. "Elective" is the important word here; the new levy wouldn't apply to reconstructive surgery for people who'd been disfigured. The idea, which some Senate Democrats have been kicking around for months, has already been tried out in New Jersey, where it reportedly brought…

  • Is a $26,000 UC education still a deal?

    Paul Thornton
    18 Nov 2009 | 5:51 pm
    That's $26,000 for a single year at a University of California campus, not the four usually needed to graduate. The UC Board of Regents voted today to increase basic education fees for undergraduates by 32% to more than $10,000 for the 20010-11 academic year. Throw in the roughly $16,000 per year required for room, board and books, and the UC system fees approach $30,000 per year -- and feel a lot like the cost of an Ivy League education with few of the perks. (None of this is to say, mind you, that the regents won't be forced to raise fees again in 2010, with the state facing a…
 
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    SFGate: Niner Insider

  • Note to readers: Singletary profile coming Sunday

    20 Nov 2009 | 12:12 pm
    From The Sporting Green Niners fans, A short interruption here from Kevin's Niner Insider to let you know about a special 49ers article coming in Sunday's Chronicle. It's an extensively reported profile of Mike Singletary by The Sporting Green's Gwen Knapp. Here's a short excerpt: On...

  • Does a 4-3 make sense?

    20 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am
    Early in the season, when the 49ers were rolling up wins, they played teams with injury problems. Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis were all missing key players when they encountered San Francisco. Now the 49ers are facing teams returning to health, including the Packers this Sunday in Green Bay. ...

  • Passing of a passing era

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:58 pm
    You wonder if Isaac Bruce wonders about his decision to return for a 16th season. Now he's being de-emphasized after being slowed by an ankle injury. Bruce's expected retirement at the end of this season is the end of an era. Bruce, Kurt Warner , Torry Holt are the last remnants of the...

  • Morgan and the magic man

    17 Nov 2009 | 1:58 pm
    Hey, should we get back to talking football? The 49ers were back at work Tuesday in full pads for an immense task in Green Bay on Sunday, a place the 49ers haven't won since 1990. That's when Don Majkowski was the quarterback. Actually I remember after that 24-20 loss to the team of the...

  • Prejudice shouldn't stand

    15 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm
    Scott Ostler , my esteemed colleague on the newspaper side, awarded the NFL the Knucklehead of the Week for their menu of fines that included one for a drooping sock, ($5,000) and another for wearing a college cap on the sidelines, $25,000. Ostler compared that to $5,000 for roughing the...
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    SFGate: SFGate: San Francisco Giants : The Splash

  • A few Friday night notes

    20 Nov 2009 | 7:10 pm
    -- The Giants have moved four prospects onto their 40-man roster, which protects them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. You can click on their names to see their milb.com pages. They are outfielder Darren Ford , starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas , first baseman Brett Pill and outfielder Francisco...

  • Sabean: Bay and Holliday unlikely

    19 Nov 2009 | 2:43 pm
    Tim Lincecum's live press conference just ended. Afterward, we talked to GM Brian Sabean, who said he has not contacted agents for the two big hitters on the free-agent market, Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, and does not expect to either. I'll have the direct quotes later, but Sabean essentially...

  • UPDATE: Lincecum wins 2009 Cy Young Award, with comments from his conference call and statement on the pot arrest

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pm
    Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum has won the 2009 National League Cy Young Award in a historic and close vote of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Lincecum becomes the first pitcher since the writers created the award in 1956 to win it in each of his first two full seasons in the majors and...

  • Bochy gets Manager of the Year votes

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:15 pm
    Don't know if you caught this, but eight of the 32 writers who cast ballot for National League Manager of the Year included Bruce Bochy on their ballots. He got five second-place votes and three third-place votes and finished fourth overall, behind winner Jim Tracy of Colorado, Tony La Russa of St....

  • Judge refuses to sign Lincecum pot plea deal without seeing him in court

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    One day soon, this space will be filled with news on Giants signings and trades. I promise. For now, more Tim Lincecum marijuana news. Clark County District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman has ordered Lincecum to appear in a Vancouver, Wash., court on Dec. 22 for an arraignment on charges related to...
 
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    The Fabulous Forum

  • UCLA's Nikola Dragovic arrested, suspended by Bruins

    Austin Knoblauch
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:50 pm
    UCLA basketball forward Nikola Dragovic was suspended for tonight’s game against Cal State Bakersfield after his arrest in relation to an incident last month at a concert in Hollywood. Dragovic was informed this morning that the Los Angeles district attorney...

  • Ralph Lawler, Mike Smith suspended for tonight's Clippers telecast

    Diane Pucin
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:32 pm
    Veteran play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Mike Smith (above, left and right) were suspended for tonight's Clippers telecast on Fox Sports Prime Ticket for comments made during Wednesday's telecast, according to sources with knowledge of the decision but not...

  • U.S. skier Resi Stiegler out for season after training crash

    Chris Dufresne
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm
    Olympic hopeful Resi Stiegler was declared out for the season Friday after surgery was required on her left leg, which was fractured in a training-run crash Thursday at Colorado's Copper Mountain, the U.S. ski team announced. The injury occurred when...

  • Ducks' Scott Niedermayer talks about the fight over his hockey stick

    Debbie Goffa
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:22 pm
    It is a wonderful fan-friendly gesture in the NHL. The "three stars" of the game are announced to the crowd and those stars often skate over and hand their hockey sticks over the glass to lucky fans. That is what...

  • Lakers' Andrew Bynum injured ... but not too seriously

    Mike Bresnahan
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm
    Just when the Lakers thought they had a healthy starting frontcourt ... Center Andrew Bynum rolled his right ankle while playing defense against Brad Miller in Thursday's victory over the Chicago Bulls. Bynum was called for a foul on the...
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    Garden Bliss

  • Baking persimmons

    15 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am
    My aunt Eileen just gave me four plastic grocery bags of Hachiya persimmons that a friend shared with her. A bumper crop year, I gather. She doesn't bake, but gladly accepts such offerings because she knows she can deliver the goods to me or other suckers, I mean bakers, and that her gesture might just result in finished treats showing up back at her house. Slick trick, auntie.I love baking, but four bags?! Holy Hachiya! I shared one bag with my boyfriend's mom, who isn't a persimmon person but who's surrounded by a revolving group of kin, one of whom might happily take them off her…

  • Rest in peace, Emily... "Emmy"... "Em"

    12 Oct 2009 | 11:27 am
    You were my constant companion in the garden for the last decade. I could always count on you to jump on my back whenever I bent over to pull a weed... you kneeded my soft flesh with your sharp claws while I "relaxed" in the hammock... you slept in my birdbath and flower pots and window boxes... you tormented the dogs... and you made me laugh. You will be missed.

  • Mother Earth News tomato survey

    17 Sep 2009 | 2:01 pm
    C'mon, Sacratomatans, this upcoming article needs your input!Take the survey.

  • The New Digs

    17 Jun 2009 | 9:54 pm
    Lordy.Haven't had time to think about putting my horticultural stamp on this place yet... been too busy taking care of the basics-- like (temporary) window coverings, a washer/dryer, dish rack (buh bye, dishwasher), new IKEA bedroom furniture for the teen, cable TV/internet/phone and... God, I'm exhausted. And broke.Did I mention being without internet for seven long days? Barbaric.Love my new (old) neighborhood, love my funny little house, and love my new life. Stay tuned for gardening adventures and misadventures, backyard barbecues, and summer evenings spent swaying in my backyard hammock.

  • Want to learn more about California native plants?

    18 May 2009 | 10:49 am
    “Please join Demo-Garden volunteers Brigette and Alicia this summer”And California history? Then carve out some time in your busy, busy schedule to volunteer at the SacValley CNPS Native Plant Demonstration Garden at Sacramento City Cemetery. If you're not already familiar with the demo garden, see one of my past blog posts here.Here's a recent update from SacValley CNPS chair, Sabrina Okamura-Johnson:Notes from the Demo-Garden: Spring at the Chapter’s native plant demo-garden has been glorious this year. The garden has been ablaze with the brilliant yellows of our Sunset fremontias,…
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    About.com California Travel: What's Hot Now

  • Tien Hou Temple

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 am
    See a picture of the Tien Hou Temple in San Francisco Chinatown and read about visiting it

  • Los Angeles Icons - Pictures - Hollywood Sign

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 am
    Los Angeles Icons Photo Gallery: disney concert hall walt disney concert hall griffith observatory hollywood sign

  • Chinatown Mural

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 am
    See a picture of the Chinatown Mural in San Francisco and read about it

  • Ed Ricketts Statue

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 am
    See a picture of Ed Ricketts Statue at Monterey's Cannery Row and read about it

  • Clarion Music Center

    gocalifornia.guide@about.com
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 am
    See a picture of the Clarion Music Center in San Francisco Chinatown, read about visiting it and find out why there are lions there
 
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    Power Plug » Residential

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • Coolerado Air Conditioner Tests 80% More Efficient than Standard Units

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:23 pm
    Image: Coolerado Recent innovations in air conditioning technology could save customers over 50 percent on their cooling bills. Air conditioner manufacturer Coolerado recently won the Western Cooling Challenge, sponsored by UC Davis, with a unit designed specially for the hot, arid environments of the western U.S. While most air conditioners are actually designed for muggy climates of the East Coast, the Coolerado H-80 system uses a form of indirect evaporative cooling which humidifies outside air and then de-humidifies it through a series of plastic plates. The innovation could prove to be a…

  • Top 5 Misconceptions About Home Energy Retrofits

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:19 pm
    Home energy retrofits are becoming increasingly common, but as the market spreads, so do misconceptions about how to best generate savings. While some marketers have attempted to advertise “silver bullet” strategies, in reality, says Matt Golden of Sustainable Spaces, no one solution is right for every house every time. One of the best ways to figure out which retrofits work for your home is to have a professional energy audit, and in the meantime, watch out for these five misconceptions about home energy efficiency. Myths: 1.   You should install solar PV as a first step: Solar systems…
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    Power Plug » Commercial

  • 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…

  • CPUC Approves $350 Million for Utility Demand Response Programs

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:28 pm
    On hot summer days, utilities may have to resort to using older, dirtier backup plants, demand response programs help avoid this. (Photo: Flickr) Last Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to give the state’s three largest utilities approval to spend a total of nearly $350 million on energy saving demand-response measures. Edison International’s electric utility will spend around $188.8 million on demand response programs over the next three years, Pacific Gas and Electric around $109 million, and Sempra Energy’s electric utility around $51.6…

  • Coolerado Air Conditioner Tests 80% More Efficient than Standard Units

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:23 pm
    Image: Coolerado Recent innovations in air conditioning technology could save customers over 50 percent on their cooling bills. Air conditioner manufacturer Coolerado recently won the Western Cooling Challenge, sponsored by UC Davis, with a unit designed specially for the hot, arid environments of the western U.S. While most air conditioners are actually designed for muggy climates of the East Coast, the Coolerado H-80 system uses a form of indirect evaporative cooling which humidifies outside air and then de-humidifies it through a series of plastic plates. The innovation could prove to be a…

  • Chipotle Restaurant Goes LEED-Platinum

    Megan Toth
    20 Aug 2009 | 5:22 pm
    Photo: Flickr Would you like some clean energy with that burrito? Newly opened in the town of Gurnee, Illinois, a Chipotle Mexican Grill recently became the first restaurant in America to achieve LEED-Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) highest rating. Now in addition to serving up savory food, the restaurant can also offer a helping of sustainability with green features that include: A 6 kilowatt wind turbine, expected to produce about 10% of the restaurant’s energy A 2,500 gallon underground water cistern for harvesting rainwater LED lighting…
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    Power Plug » Institutional

  • 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…

  • CPUC Approves $350 Million for Utility Demand Response Programs

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:28 pm
    On hot summer days, utilities may have to resort to using older, dirtier backup plants, demand response programs help avoid this. (Photo: Flickr) Last Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to give the state’s three largest utilities approval to spend a total of nearly $350 million on energy saving demand-response measures. Edison International’s electric utility will spend around $188.8 million on demand response programs over the next three years, Pacific Gas and Electric around $109 million, and Sempra Energy’s electric utility around $51.6…

  • Sempra Energy Holds $1 Million Environmental Contest for Non-Profits

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:26 pm
    Non-profits will be awarded prizes for environmental stewardship in CA including natural resource conservation (Photo: Flickr) The Sempra Energy Foundation is ready to give away $1 million to environmentally-focused non-profit organizations this fall, with their new Environmental Champions Awards program. Applicants must explain what they would do to ‘green’ Southern California if they were given prize money, and each winner will receive between $25,000 and $100,000. The program was created as part of an effort to recognize the environmental efforts of Southern California…
 
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    The Daily Mirror

  • Artist’s Notebook: Gustavo Dudamel

    Larry Harnisch
    21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
      Gustavo Dudamel, by Marion Eisenmann, Nov. 12, 2009. Marion Eisenmann and I have been looking at Los Angeles landmarks as a modern version of Nuestro Pueblo, but we realized that the debut of Gustavo Dudamel as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is also part of local history.  Marion was fortunate in being able to attend a rehearsal and she sends her impressions of Dudamel. She says: His personality, playfulness and passion speak in this study. 

  • Found on EBay – Thomas Bros. Map

    Larry Harnisch
    20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm
      This 1940s vintage Thomas Bros. map of Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. These maps and street guides – which show the city before freeways – are entertaining and can be useful references for anyone researching the history of Los Angeles. I rely on them often at the Daily Mirror HQ in tracking down streets that have vanished over the years. Bidding on this map starts at $4.99.

  • Matt Weinstock, Nov. 20, 1959

    Larry Harnisch
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
      About Football     This is Big Game Week and I might as well get into the act, too.  I suppose it's true -- once a sports writer, you never get over it entirely.    SC and UCLA are being criticized for the way they play football.  Also the Rams, who can't win for losing.  Everyone's disgusted with them.    The Trojans have a great defense, the hecklers say, but their offense falters.  Oh sure they're No. 2 in the nation, but that's because of the wonderful McKeevers.  The heck its…

  • Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 20, 1959

    Larry Harnisch
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Drama in Housewife's Life Is Fraught With     I've come to the labored conclusion that housewives lead more interesting lives than career girls.    This, I've done without benefit of polls or surveys.  In fact, I've even ignored those subtle inferences in the Kinsey report.    It's strictly my own, personal conclusion.  I reached it myself.    I'm probably dead wrong, but, the way I see it, it's better to come up with a wrong conclusion than to just sit around and come up with no…

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

    Larry Harnisch
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    Nov. 20, 1957: “Chuck Heston did as much painting as acting in ‘The Big Country,’ so his canvases will be used to publicize it.”
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    Greenspace

  • Green jobs: women and minorities left out?

    Tiffany Hsu
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:56 pm
    Green jobs don’t have to leave out women and minorities, according to a case study released by the Applied Research Center today. The report, by senior research associate Yvonne Yen Liu, profiled the work of the community organization Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education and the Los Angeles chapter of the Apollo Alliance in helping to pass a green retrofit ordinance for municipal buildings.The Applied Research Center, a racial justice think tank based in New York, said in “Greening Los Angeles” that women and minorities are often left out of the green economy. Of the…

  • California regulators outlaw power-hungry TVs

    Marc Lifsher
    18 Nov 2009 | 1:34 pm
    The California Energy Commission, after two years of study, voted unanimously to ban the sale of large-format televisions that use too much electricity. It approved standards that would set maximum power consumption for TVs of up to 58 inches beginning Jan. 1, 2011. Those standards would be tightened two years later to require a 50% reduction in the number of watts. Buyers of new TVs would save approximately $30 a year over the 10-year life of a set, the commission estimates, and statewide savings over a decade would be $8.1 billion. Additionally, the state would be relieved of the need…

  • Green jobs grants for California

    Tiffany Hsu
    18 Nov 2009 | 1:14 pm
    The U.S. Department of Labor doled out nearly $5.5 million in grants for green-jobs training today, with more than a dozen awards scattered throughout California. The funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will support job-training and labor-market information programs to help workers find jobs in green industries and related occupations, said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. The Recovery Act has $500 million planned for green-jobs training grants. Today’s grants, to be administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, were given…

  • Global warming: California pushes ahead

    Margot Roosevelt
    18 Nov 2009 | 12:28 pm
    While Congress dithers over federal climate change legislation, and nations squabble over a global treaty, the nation's most populous state is doggedly pushing ahead with its own regulations to control the greenhouse gas emissions that are heating up the Earth's atmosphere. In a milestone for the state's landmark plan to slash emissions by 15% over the next 11 years from today's levels, the Air Resources Board announced today that more than 97% of the state's 605 largest factories, cement plants, refineries and power plants have reported how much carbon dioxide and other…

  • Nuclear power: less effective than energy efficiency and renewable energy?

    Tiffany Hsu
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:01 am
    If the U.S. wants to help stop global warming, nuclear power is not the way to go, according to a new report released today. The Environment California Research & Policy Center concluded that launching a nuclear power industry nearly from the ground up is too slow and expensive a process. Energy efficiency standards and renewable energy options are better solutions, researchers said. Currently, no new nuclear reactors are under construction in the country, and no U.S. power company has ordered a nuclear plant since 1978. All orders for nuclear facilities after fall 1973…
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    L.A. Land

  • L.A. Land is moving to Money & Company

    LATimes
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:19 pm
    LA Land has moved to a bigger, brighter, newer home. You can now find it in our Money & Company blog. You will still be able to find all the real estate news, foreclosures, and Hot Property pieces, but now in our uber-business blog.  Before you click the link, make sure to bookmark the new url: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/real_estate/File photo by Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times

  • Tree of the Week: The picturesque Aleppo pine

    Nancy Rivera
    14 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am
    Aleppo pine -- Pinus halepensis Tough and rugged as a movie outlaw, the Aleppo pine's asymmetrical shape, leaning habit, sparse foliage, haphazard branching pattern, and grayish branches and needles contribute to a picturesque image. But it isn't a pretty pine tree. Native to coastal areas around the Mediterranean basin, the tree historically was more abundant on the west side (Spain, Morocco, Algeria) than around the Middle East, even though its name derives from the Syrian city of Aleppo. It thrives on thin soil and steep slopes, and prefers deserts and seacoasts, where it develops…

  • Report: Entry-level home buyers make up biggest share of market ever

    Alex Lazo
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:27 pm
    First-time buyers made up a bigger share of the housing market in 2009 than any other year on record, according to a study released this afternoon. The number of first-time home buyers rose to 47% of all home sales from 41% of transactions in last year’s study, and was the highest on record dating back to 1981, according to the Washington-based National Assn. of Realtors. Home sales have been fueled in recent months by cheap foreclosure properties. Both investors and first-time buyers have jumped into the market to snap up these heavily discounted digs. For first-time buyers, one major…

  • This weekend: A flurry of condo and townhome auctions

    Alex Lazo
    13 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm
    Still sorting out your weekend plans? Maybe it’s time to snap up that discounted downtown loft. Beverly Hills-based auction company Kennedy Wilson is closing out 55 units in the Market Lofts building with a session Saturday. The auction is part of a trend playing out across the region as fancy edifices put up during the boom years are now sitting vacant. From The Times’ May 18 story on the subject: Across Southern California, projects conceived during the housing boom, but completed after the bust, are sitting largely vacant. Developers are desperate to unload these units, but they face…

  • Real estate roundup: Californians in foreclosure limbo

    Alex Lazo
    13 Nov 2009 | 11:07 am
    A rising number of Californians are finding themselves in financial limbo, having defaulted on their mortgages but still living in their homes, a new report has found. The report by Foreclosureradar.com (registration required) found that while the number of properties scheduled for foreclosure sale increased last month, lenders continue to postpone the sales rather than foreclose. After three months of declines, the number of houses taken back by banks in October rose by 22.2% from September and 20.95% from October 2008. Despite that jump, the number of foreclosures remains 42.6% below a peak…
 
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    Courtinfo: California Courts

  • Adoption and Permanency Month

    15 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Video (3:31): for the 11th year in a row, the California courts celebrate November as Court Adoption and Permanency Month to coincide with National Adoption Month.

  • The Supreme Court in Action

    5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Watch the California Channel for the state Supreme Court's oral arguments heard in the special session held at Berkeley School of Law on Nov. 3, 2009. See News Release

  • Innovations in the Courts

    16 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    Innovations in the California Courts highlights court programs that enhance the integrity, accountability and responsiveness of the judicial branch.

  • Elkins Family Law Task Force

    1 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    Draft recommendations from the task force are open for public comment through Dec 4, 2009 and address 21 topics, including live testimony at hearings, family law forms and procedures, enhancing safety, and rules of court. Watch video (3:59)

  • More news...

    2 Nov 2007 | 12:00 am
 
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    L.A. Times - Daily Travel Deal Blog

  • Yosemite: Curry Village ice rink opens today

    Susan Derby
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:57 pm
    Whether you’re on the ice to pirouette, or to practice skating in a straight line without causing any harm, you can’t have less than an awe-inspiring time at an outdoor rink in Yosemite. The national park’s ice-skating venue, which sits below Glacier Point’s cliffs, is naturally blessed with good views of popular landmarks like Tenaya [...]

  • SeaWorld Aquatica’s 2010 expansion to include 4 new water slides

    Brady MacDonald
    20 Nov 2009 | 11:33 am
    The recently opened SeaWorld Aquatica water park in Orlando, Fla. will add four first-of-a-kind water slides in 2010, including a pair of inner-tube rides that go uphill with the help of a hydro-magnetic launch. The twin Tornado Walls are V-shaped slides that start with a magnetic launch that shoots a six-person inflatable raft up the face [...]

  • Thanksgiving travel predicted to be up this year at LAX, down at ONT

    Susan Derby
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am
    Here we go. Today begins the 10-day stretch known in some circles as the “Thanksgiving holiday travel period,” so brace yourselves for lines, lines, lines. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passenger volumes between today and Nov. 29 are predicted to be 1.1% higher than they were in 2008. Airport officials expect to see 1.49 million [...]

  • Before Winter Olympics, travel to Vancouver via 25%-off Amtrak

    Susan Derby
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am
    If you’re heading to Vancouver, B.C. for the 2010 Olympic Games, you’ve probably (hopefully) got your travel plans in place. But if you’d prefer a quieter visit, get there well before Feb. 12, which is when the Games begin and crowds descend. Amtrak’s Cascades service provides an especially enjoyable means for pre-Olympics travelers to reach this “freewheeling [...]

  • Ride-makers roll out new thrills for 2010 at Las Vegas expo

    Brady MacDonald
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:34 pm
    Roller-coaster and thrill-ride manufacturers from around the world descended on Las Vegas this week for the annual amusement park convention, offering a sneak peek at what we can expect to see in 2010 and beyond. In my conversations with show exhibitors, I came away with one overarching message as I toured the massive International Assn. of [...]
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    California State Library Blog

  • Reforming California Juvenile Corrections: The Santa Clara Example

    CSL Info
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm
    Santa Clara County’s new juvenile rehabilitation program was the focus of a recent panel discussion sponsored in part by the State Library’s California Research Bureau (CRB).  Based on the Missouri Model, this enhanced rehab program for high-risk, high-need youth offenders was successfully implemented at the county’s juvenile ranch facilities.  Check the California Research Bureau Projects webpage for summaries and PowerPoint presentations from the event.

  • Outcomes of Library Ballot Measures in California

    CSL Info
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:31 am
    Voters in the November election approved library ballot measures in the cities of San Mateo and South Pasadena, but failed to muster enough votes to pass measures in Pacific Grove or Ventura County.  Details of the November 3, 2009 election are posted on the State Library’s Library Development Services (LDS) publications page.  

  • CRB Seminar on the New Face of Youth Homelessness

    CSL Info
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:10 pm
    Voices from the Street: Homeless Youth Speak Out on State Policy, a video on the new face of youth homelessness, will be screened at the State Capitol on December 1.  Hosted by the State Library’s CRB (California Research Bureau) and the California Council on Youth Relations, the program includes a discussion on the economic crisis’ impact on California's homeless youth with panelists Nell Bernstein, author of Voices from the Street: A Survey of Homeless Youth by Their Peers; Rob Gitin, Director of At the Crossroads outreach program; and youth researchers. The…

  • Stacey Aldrich Appointed State Librarian of California

    CSL Info
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:49 pm
    The State Library is pleased to announce that Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Stacey Aldrich as State Librarian of California on Friday, November 13.  "Stacey is truly an expert in her field and California is lucky to have her as the state librarian," said the Governor.  Visit the Governor's Press Room for full text of the announcement.

  • WESTPAS Announces Disaster Preparedness Workshops for Spring 2010

    CSL Info
    16 Nov 2009 | 11:13 am
    WESTPAS (Western States & Territories Preservation Assistance Service) announces two spring workshops on scenario planning and collaboration among libraries and archives to improve disaster preparedness.  The workshops will be held on February 3 (Berkeley) and April 13 (Sacramento).  For details and registration information, visit the WESTPAS Schedule of Workshops website.  Two workshops will be held in Southern California in fall of 2010.
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    Caltrans News

  • 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...

  • STIMULUS FUNDS NEW BUSES IN TRINITY COUNTY

    29 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    First two buses purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act rural transit funding in State of California. Trinity County – After receiving a $250,000 rural transit grant funded by President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the Trinity County Department of Transportation today accepted delivery of two brand new 21-passenger buses. The buses are the first in the state to be purchased with Recovery Act rural transit funding...

  • NEW "MOVE OVER" LAW WILL INCREASE SAFETY FOR CALTRANS HIGHWAY WORKERS

    19 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    Sacramento – Caltrans wants the public to know about a new law signed by the governor that requires motorists to move over or slow down when they see a Caltrans vehicle flashing warning lights. ...

  • CALTRANS AWARDS $8.7 MILLION FOR STATEWIDE PLANNING GRANTS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

    23 Sep 2009 | 12:00 am
    Sacramento – Today, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the release of more than $8.7 million allocated for transportation planning grants with 68 agencies, including local governments, planning groups, community-based organizations, and tribal governments. California provided $5.4 million of the funding from its State Highway Account. The remaining $3.3 million came from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration...
 
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    Daily Dish

  • Wine Spectator reveals Top 100 Wines of 2009, but... are all wine rating systems flawed?

    Elina Shatkin
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:16 pm
    Now that Wine Spectator has finished dragging out the reveal of its Top 100 Wines of 2009 -- a 2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon was ranked No. 1 -- over a yawn-inducing three days, we have to ask: Are wine ratings an accurate and useful guide for consumers? Or are they merely a series of wildly subjective impressions based more on context and expectation than the actual qualities of the wines? That's the question Leonard Mlodinow explores in a recent Wall Street Journal story, "A Hint of Hype, A Taste of Illusion." Given the high price of wine and the enormous number of…

  • Kiss My Bundt needs to sell 5,000 mini bundts to stay in business

    Jessica Gelt
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:15 pm
    The charming 3rd Street bakery Kiss My Bundt, which we have featured a few times in this blog (since its bundts and cupcakes are so tasty) is in a bit of trouble. Due to the recession and the rising cost of ingredients such as milk, butter, sugar and Belgian chocolate, the little bakery is struggling to stay afloat. Last week, investor Erin Hill sent out an e-mail saying in part: Chrysta [Wilson], the owner of the bakery, has been fighting valiantly since things got tough in January, but hasn't been able to build the business fast enough. So it has come down to the next few weeks, in…

  • Small Bites: Steak with Spike Lee, celebs cook up comfort for Thanksgiving

    Elina Shatkin
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:12 pm
    Meat/meet with Spike Lee: Have a hankering to discuss the recondite narrative mechanisms of "Girl 6" or the New York Knicks' defense? Filmmaker Spike Lee will join Andrew Siciliano and Mychal Thompson of 710 AM ESPN for a luncheon that combines steaks and sports. Morton's The Steakhouse. 735 S. Figueroa St., L.A. 11 a.m. Tuesday. $50 (includes tax and gratuity); cash bar. Celebs donate recipes for suicide prevention: Actors Glenn Close, Marcia Gay Harden and Joe Pantoliano, comedian Joan Rivers, singer-songwriter James Taylor, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Melissa…

  • Crumbs debuts 'Twilight'-themed cupcake

    Elina Shatkin
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:45 pm
    If you're more likely to suck the sugar out of Pixy Stix than the blood out of a human's neck, but you're willing to out yourself as a fan of "Twilight," "the love that dare not speak its shame," Crumbs has the cupcakes for you. From now through the end of November, all Crumbs Bake Shops are offering a "Twilight"-themed cupcake ($3.75). It's a chocolate cake (what, not blood red velvet?) with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting adorned with bat-shaped sprinkles and a pair of fangs. Maybe you can bring one with you to "Twilight:…

  • VIDEO: Presenting the ham daiquiri (you read that right)

    Rene Lynch
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:01 pm
    Perhaps you've heard of the candied bacon martini? Well, make way for the ham daiquiri. --Rene LynchOn Twitter @renelynch
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    Power Plug » Blog Post

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • CPUC Approves $350 Million for Utility Demand Response Programs

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:28 pm
    On hot summer days, utilities may have to resort to using older, dirtier backup plants, demand response programs help avoid this. (Photo: Flickr) Last Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to give the state’s three largest utilities approval to spend a total of nearly $350 million on energy saving demand-response measures. Edison International’s electric utility will spend around $188.8 million on demand response programs over the next three years, Pacific Gas and Electric around $109 million, and Sempra Energy’s electric utility around $51.6…

  • Sempra Energy Holds $1 Million Environmental Contest for Non-Profits

    Megan Toth
    25 Aug 2009 | 3:26 pm
    Non-profits will be awarded prizes for environmental stewardship in CA including natural resource conservation (Photo: Flickr) The Sempra Energy Foundation is ready to give away $1 million to environmentally-focused non-profit organizations this fall, with their new Environmental Champions Awards program. Applicants must explain what they would do to ‘green’ Southern California if they were given prize money, and each winner will receive between $25,000 and $100,000. The program was created as part of an effort to recognize the environmental efforts of Southern California…
 
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    About.com California Travel

  • What Should We Do First?

    19 Nov 2009 | 5:27 pm
    We always seem to have more ideas than we have time to implement. So tell us: Which of these things do you want us to do the most? I want to know about interesting places off the beaten track I want detailed information about popular tourist attractions I want more lists of best things to do I want to see more pictures I want to see more maps See What Others Want What Should We Do First? originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 01:27:28.Permalink | Comment | Email this

  • What Do You Need to Know About Lodging?

    17 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm
    We've created lists of recommended lodging, tips for getting the best place to stay for the least money and reviewed a lot of hotels in the past few years. What kind of lodging information do you want the most? Vacation rentals Hostels Tent cabins, yurts and the like Unusual places to stay Hotel finder wizard to help me find the place that's best for me Hotel reviews I don't need any more hotel information than you already provide See What Others Want What Do You Need to Know About Lodging? originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at…

  • What Do You Want to Know More About?

    15 Nov 2009 | 5:22 pm
    It's time to start planning for next year here at California for Visitors, and this is one of the few places to get travel information where you have a chance to say what you want most. What do you want to know more about? California state parks and other interesting parks Scenic drives Travel deals by city or area Monthly events for my interests Festivals and other events coming up soon See What Others Want What Do You Want to Know More About? originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 01:22:56.Permalink | Comment | Email this

  • New Hotel Find: Hotel Solamar, San Diego

    12 Nov 2009 | 5:35 pm
    Among comparable hotels in the same area, Hotel Solamar offers gives good value for money. We especially like their pool and bar area. They're also extremely pet friendly, accepting pets of any kind and size, with no extra fees. They also have rooms that are pet-free, if you prefer. Read our review of Hotel Solamar. More: Places to Stay in Downtown San Diego | San Diego Gaslamp DistrictNew Hotel Find: Hotel Solamar, San Diego originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 01:35:18.Permalink | Comment | Email this

  • New Hotel Find: Hotel Parisi, La Jolla

    10 Nov 2009 | 5:27 pm
    We always love a stay in La Jolla, and now we have even more reasons to want to go back after staying at the lovely Hotel Parisi. The unique style and attention to detail at Hotel Parisi are impressive, even to this travel writer who's spent a lot of time in hotel rooms in the last decade. They offer an unique spa service, too. And besides all that, it location is unbeatable. You could easily check in here and not need your automobile again until you're ready to go home. That is, unless you want to go to a performance at the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse. Read our review of Hotel…
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    California Energy Blog

  • The Darker Side of SmartMeters

    20 Nov 2009 | 9:56 am
    As if PG&E didn't have enough problems with SmartMeters...David Baker's article in today's San Francicso Chronicle reveals yet another nasty feature to the new technology: they allow PG&E to shut off power to a home remotely. No sending out a technician, just flip a switch.So, in these "brother, can you spare a dime" days, it's a lot easier to cut off someone's electricity for non-payment. Apparently that fact is not lost on PG&E because the number of low-income homes that were cut off grew by more than 27% in the twelve month period ending in August.The obvious question is, "If…

  • Ignoring the Real Problems, State Will Now Regulate TV's

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am
    By now you've probably herd that the TV regulations passed on 5-0 vote. Starting in 2011, some marginally onerous rules kick in governing how much power your TV can draw, then in 2013, the regs go from being marginally onerous to really onerous.Currently about 75 of the California TV market would meet the 2011 standards, but that percentage plummets for the 2013 standards.On the one hand, it is good news that 58-inch TV's and larger are exempt, but on the other hand, you are clearly overcompensating for some definicancy in your life if you own a 58-inch TV.The Consumer Electronics…

  • Going In Different Directions

    18 Nov 2009 | 8:54 am
    If you read the print edition of the Wall Street Journal, there is an interesting juxtaposition of articles that says a lot about energy in this country today.On page B4 is an article by Rebecca Smith about the new trend among traditional power companies (AES, Duke, Progess Energy) to JV with, or seek financing from, China. In AES's case, the company recently sold a 15% stake in the company to the Chinese sovereign wealth fund. Smith notes that, in 2011 and 2012, energy companies have $100 billion in debt coming due that needs to be refinanced and banks may or may not be lending on that…

  • PG&E's SmartMeter Woes Spreading North

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:51 am
    First it was Bakersfield, now it's the Bay Area. Consumers are not happy with the new PG&E SmartMeters.The San Jose Mercury News reports receiving 30 complaints from consumers after its story about the unrest in Bakersfield. The Merc also notes that TURN is collecting complaints which means the advocacy group is actively engaged on the issue.Trial lawyers are creeping out of their coffins and sharpening their fangs... this issue is not going away.More on the Bay Area developments in the Merc:Complaints Grow About PG&E SmartMeters [San Jose Mercury News]

  • Opposition to Ivanpah Comes Out of Its Shell

    16 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am
    Last week we posted about the deal Brightsource (and its contractor Bechtel) cut with the unions to build the massive Ivanpah solar installation in San Bernardino County. At the time it seemed like all of the political prerequisites were in place (alternative energy, union jobs in a high unemployment areas, tax revenue, etc..) and that it would be smooth sailing for the project.Not so fast says San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzvelt who is seeking to trump all of the aforementioned political assets with a turtle. Tortoise, actually-- lots of them. Desert tortoises.In the latest…
 
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    The Unofficial Stanford Blog

  • Free Dumpster Water: Source Discovered!

    20 Nov 2009 | 11:30 am
    According to a representative from Student Housing: "The emergency water and food ration bars in the dumpster are Student Housing emergency supplies that have in fact expired. I did consult with Julie Muir our fantastic Recycling Program Manager at Peninsula Sanitary Service, and the University’s Surplus Property program to see if there was some way we could donate the supplies. However, we determined that because they are expired we could not risk human consumption, and the person-power it would take to open the individual containers to use the water for other purposes made that…

  • Free water in the dumpster between Bob and Theta Delt

    20 Nov 2009 | 12:14 am
    According to an anonymous source, word on the street is that at this very moment "there's an entire enormous dumpster full of packaged water that was thrown out earlier this week between bob and theta Delt...The water seems to be past it's expiration date (whatever that means for water)...At the very least it may be worth salvaging some" My gut environmentalist's first question is of course, "WHY WOULD YOU EVER BUY BOTTLED WATER??" My second, more reasonable question is, "Wait, water can expire?" Obviously to attempt to solve the mystery of this supposed 'expiration' I jump to my BFF,…

  • Stanford in the NYTimes: Heisman, Handlebars, and Hard Times

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:45 pm
    The New York Times has been giving a whole slew of attention to Stanford recently--and for those who have given up reading newspapers in favor of problem sets and papers, here's a recap: The Times profiled Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, who has been instrumental all season (and particularly helpful in obliterating highly-ranked Pac-10 foes Oregon and USC), as he becomes a likely contender for the Heisman trophy. The Times' editorial observer writes about the diversity of bicyclists and their equally varied transportation devices on Stanford's campus. As mentioned earlier on TUSB,…

  • BEAT CAL - International Style

    19 Nov 2009 | 7:58 am
    Following in the great footsteps of overseas trips before us... including this awesome trick that apparently got students in trouble with the Italian police several years ago: ...A couple of Overseas Programs decided to celebrate Big Game week with a little international flavour: Florence: Ponte Vecchio Oxford: Radcliffe Camera Stanford House Australia: GO CARD! Props to Alexis Arnold, Shruti Tibrewala and Joyce Truong for the pictures!

  • The Best Big Game Competition In Existence

    19 Nov 2009 | 2:28 am
    Big Game week at Stanford (and Cal) features plenty of Cardinal-Golden Bear showdowns, even outside of the football game itself. There is the Big Game Blood Drive (who can donate more), the Big Drive (canned food collecting), and there is the most unique--and by far the most interesting--Stanford-Cal competition of all: The Big Wheel, a 5v5 unicycle basketball game. That's right--during halftime of the Stanford women's basketball game today (11/19 vs. Pepperdine), rival unheralded unicycle basketball players will face off to determine who gets to hold the bragging rights as the better…
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    A California Winery Blog

  • Urban Wine Trail Trolley Tour

    joanie
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm
    Santa Barbara’s downtown wine trail, consisting of 11 wineries within the city limits, and the Unity Shoppe have teamed up to give holiday revelers a safe and fun adventure in their own backyard. On December 5th at 6:00pm guests can tour the Urban Wine Trail by trolley.  Each winery will pour limited release wines from Santa [...]

  • Friday August 13, 2009 Lafond Vineyards Picking and Stomping Late Harvest Riesling

    Pierre
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:09 pm
    The final pick – the Late Harvest Botrytized Riesling. Winemaker, Bruce McGuire, noticed after our October rain, that the botrytis cinerea, or ‘noble rot’ was growing on some of our Riesling. We made the decision to set aside a 2 acre block and see what we could get. The fungus, fortunately, under ideal conditions, continued [...]

  • California Travel – Happy Canyon

    joanie
    12 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm
    Santa Barbara County’s newest AVA, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, has long been a source of high quality fruit for us here at Santa Barbara Winery.  Check out this fun article (‘Near Santa Barbara, California’s New Wine Country’) on our newest wine country destination. From California Travel Girl website I know why it’s called Happy Canyon. It’s because this [...]

  • Thanksgiving Wines

    joanie
    10 Nov 2009 | 2:25 pm
    Thanksgiving has always been one of my absolute favorite holidays.  The entire month of November is spent in anticipation of this amazing meal that brings friends and family together from all across the world, just to sit around the dinner table together for this special night.  This drawing factor of Thanksgiving is one of the [...]

  • November SB Winery Wine Club Pick Up Party

    joanie
    30 Oct 2009 | 11:04 am
    Please join us for the 2009 November Santa Barbara Winery Wine Club Pick Up Party. This will be our third Pick Up Party after the success we have been having with these events since our first in May. Stop by the winery between 11:00am-2:00pm on Saturday November 14th, pick up your wine, sample the current [...]
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    foodies: a southern california food blog

  • Goliath Burgers at Fred’s Old Fashioned Burgers – El Cajon, CA

    mary
    8 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am
    There’s a show on the Travel Channel called Man v. Food that my boyfriend and I really love. The host, Adam, goes around the country trying to beat various crazy food challenges, eating ridiculous amounts of food. Somehow this inspired my boyfriend and he wanted to do something similar. He heard about the goliath burger from someone at work and when we were in the neighborhood we stopped by to check this place out. Fred’s Old Fashioned Burgers is in an old Taco Bell joint. And you can tell, since it’s the same building and same facade. On the inside it’s got the same…

  • Free chips from Togo’s

    mary
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:55 am
    Going to Togo’s for a sandwich? Kelli send me this coupon via email. It’s good for free chips at Togo’s and expires on 11/17/09. Yay!

  • Foodie Dinner at Suite and Tender / San Diego, CA

    mary
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am
    Last week I was invited to be a part of an online food community dinner held at the Suite and Tender restaurant downtown in the Se hotel. I took my friend Liz with me to enjoy the treats of the night, having no idea what was in store for us that evening. We enjoyed a spectacular night filled with drinks and foods and got to meet a few other local San Diego food bloggers and writers. The evening started with cocktails and appetizers in their downstairs lounge (which has an incredibly large door that is almost a revolving door that you enter through). The lounge itself was modern and chic, with…

  • free birthday food – other locations

    mary
    29 Oct 2009 | 3:00 pm
    One of the last free items I got was this lovely cup of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery: It’s a “Like It” creation – I got French Vanilla ice cream with a brownie mix it. It was pretty good. I’m not too big on Cold Stone Creamery myself. I prefer Baskin Robbins because they have my all-time favorite ice cream there (Chocolate and Peanut Butter). So, my birthday is over and done with now. Here’s what I didn’t use, simply because I ran out of time or couldn’t easily get to one of their locations: Arby’s – Free shake with purchase of…

  • Dinner at Suite and Tender

    mary
    29 Oct 2009 | 8:57 am
    I attended a wonderful dinner at Suite and Tender last night with some other local food bloggers and was treated to a stellar night of food and treats. I will be posting an extended blog about it soon + photos – let’s just say it was amazing!
 
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    Mayor of Concord

  • Esteban Nuñez Trial Postponed Again

    DustyHawes64
    8 Nov 2009 | 8:16 pm
    Esteban Nuñez the 19-year-old son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez is out on $1M bail while the courts run around in circles trying to get this case to go to trial. It didn’t take long after the arrest for Esteban’s MySpace profile to get deleted but we got some great screen shots before that happened. SAN DIEGO COURTS — The trial date for three young men accused in the fatal stabbing of a college student on the San Diego State University campus last year has been postponed again despite the objections of one of the defendants. After a full day of hearing motions in the…

  • Great Videos From Concord with the Old Cowell Smokestack

    DustyHawes64
    30 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm
    I was catching up on my YouTubes and found some great videos from the demolition of the Cowell Smokestack. I saw some other pictures on Claycord back during the project but I was unaware we had videos also, so I wanted to share. It was a piece of Concord that many used as a landmark. Now it’s gone but we have some great videos of it being torn down. Please excuse the language on the first vid. Cell Phone Thief’s Mother Claims Ignorance Wells Fargo Game Of The Week – Vote Concord Share Stories on Facebook & Win Prizes Where to Get Car Repairs in Concord Neighbors Around…

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger Says F**k You to State Assembly

    DustyHawes64
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:17 am
    Wow. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped a nasty, acrostic message in a letter he sent to California lawmakers. (via TechCrunch and SF Chronicle) This is a real-life, genuine letter from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the State Assembly, announcing his intention to veto a harmless bill that would’ve financed the Port of San Francisco. As you can see, it spells out “Fuck You.” And why, exactly, would this completely uncontroversial bill that passed both houses without much fanfare elicit such an odd response from the governor? Because it was…

  • Wells Fargo Game Of The Week – Vote Concord

    DustyHawes64
    27 Oct 2009 | 12:44 pm
    A friend on Facebook posted this and I was unaware we had a game up for the Wells Fargo Game of the Week. If you haven’t done so already, head over to KTVU and vote for Ygnacio Valley vs. Clayton Valley. We are currently ahead but that can change fast. Lets get up to 5000 votes and get the schools some extra cash courtesy of Wells Fargo. Over 50% of people polled support Eberhart and Whitmarsh Great Videos From Concord with the Old Cowell Smokestack Share Stories on Facebook & Win Prizes Where to Get Car Repairs in Concord Neighbors Around Newhall Park Issue Homeless Complaint…

  • Dana Estates News

    DustyHawes64
    17 Oct 2009 | 8:50 am
    I didn’t know that every neighborhood in Concord had their own newsletter. Well, maybe not every neighborhood does, but Dana Estates is special then. Oct. 28th there will be a General Meeting for the residence and a guest speaker Edi Birsan (He’s a local blog reader and suppporter) will be talking about the history of radiological activities at the Concord Naval Weapons Station and if we have anything to worry about. If you live in Dana Estates, they are looking for some help in the form of a new webmaster for DANAESTATES.ORG. As you can see from the current site, it could use a…
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    California Travels

  • San Mateo Beaches

    Margaret and Tom
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am
    The beach looked nice but not the way down. The challenge we set for ourselves today was to investigate some of the coastal accesses south of Half Moon Bay on the San Mateo coast.  We normally head for our favorite spots like Franklin Point or Pigeon Point but there are many other places, some of which are private and some are unofficial. (Click on the photos for larger versions) We checked the weather before we set off and it looked like it was going to be a great day.  When we set off all seemed to be clear and no sign of fog.  Imagine our surprise when we heard on the radio that there…

  • Brannan Island Canoe Tour

    Margaret and Tom
    8 Nov 2009 | 2:05 pm
    The Intrepid explorers No time to go out for breakfast this morning but we made do with coffee, tea and oatmeal from a packet.  The canoe tour starts at 9 but the instructions said to get there a good 15 minutes before the start.  At 8.30 we walked from the cottage, past Russell’s wood shop and along the path to the levee.  In less than five minutes we were at the boat ramp.  Then we waited, and waited and waited.  A couple of fishermen arrived but they knew nothing about any canoe tour.  We consulted the instructions, map and leaflet again and both agreed we were in the right…

  • Old Sacramento

    Margaret and Tom
    3 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm
    Drawbridge across the Sacramento River In Freeport After breakfast at Alma’s River Cafe, we drove to Sacramento.  The fog had lifted slightly.  At least we could see to the other side of the river.  It looks like the sun will win through and we will have a nice day. We took Highway 160 all the way into Sacramento and the road ran alongside the river for most of the journey.  It was a very scenic drive along the levee with water on one side and pear orchards and vineyards on the other.  At one point we passed a large heard of goats and they were all pressed up against the fence. At…

  • Alma’s River Cafe, Walnut Grove

    Margaret and Tom
    29 Oct 2009 | 7:18 pm
    Alma's River Cafe on a foggy Sacramento Delta morning After a wonderful night’s sleep, Tom was up at 6 to walk round Locke to take some early morning photos.  When he returned he mentioned he saw lots of bats flying back to their day time roosts in the attics of houses.  Unfortunately he didn’t manage to get any photos of them. One of the questions we had asked Deborah yesterday was where we could get breakfast  I had looked online and had found nothing.  She told us of Alma’s in Walnut Grove, which is only a mile away.  So that’s where we headed to at 8 am. …

  • Locke, California

    Margaret and Tom
    27 Oct 2009 | 6:26 am
    I have been planning this weekend for some time but at the last moment I thought it was not going to happen.  It is Tom’s birthday next week and, as Downtown Locke, California a surprise, I booked two nights in Locke at a vacation rental.  It is described as - ’A Delta Gem – Unique Loft – Historic Chinese Locke’.  Check out the website.  Doesn’t it sound idyllic? Also on the agenda was a meal at Giusti’s, Saturday in Sacramento and a canoe tour on Sunday.  Tom knew we were going somehwere in the Delta but did not know exactly where. Locke is a…
 
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    California Photo Scout

  • How to photograph Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

    myphotoscout
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:55 am
    Kings Canyon Roaring River Falls Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) presents easy access to some of the wildest and most spectacular terrain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Gushing waterfalls, lush meadows and a road clinging to the side of a rock face make this a one of a kind drive. Enjoy the grand vistas directly from the road, visit waterfalls via short 2-minute trails, go hiking at the end of the road or take a quick hike along Zumwalt Meadows. Some picnic grounds nearby the road are excellent places to rest, fill up and spend a moment to relax. Whatever you do, take your time…

  • How to photograph Redwood Mountain Grove

    myphotoscout
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am
    Redwood Mountain Grove Trail Photograph the largest Sequoia grove in the world. Only a few people visit the largest grove of giant sequoias in the world, despite its location in Kings Canyon, one of California’s most visited National Parks. The park service does not promote its location as it does nearby Grant Grove. The entrance is easy to miss and the unpaved dirt trail leading down the steep canyon road does not look inviting. No wonder most people drive past this grove, not even acknowledging its existence. This is bear country. The warning signs at the grove parking lot and the…

  • How to photograph Buck Rock Lookout

    myphotoscout
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:55 am
    Buck Rock Fire Lookout Discover a secret place in between two of the most visited National Parks in California. In my capacity as Photo Scout, I get to take many detours. Not many are as rewarding as Buck Rock Fire Lookout. Sitting on top of an unbelievably steep granite spire, Buck Rock is as vertiginous as it is beautiful. Only a very limited number of people will make it to this beautiful place, despite its location in Sequoia National Forest, right between Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks. With so little traffic and such high scenic value, Buck Rock Lookout was a pure delight to photograph.

  • Fall in Yosemite Valley

    myphotoscout
    27 Oct 2009 | 9:39 pm
    Aspen reflecting in the Merced River After a hot overcrowded summer, Yosemite Valley is showing off its colors for those of us who shun the main season and adjust travel plans by beauty rather than convenience. Painters have an infinite variety of color at their disposal; photographers have time at theirs. Golden glowing trees reflecting in the calm waters of the Merced River, color contrast and fallen leaves in the foreground bring vibrancy to your photographs that you can only get during the fall. The summer crowds have left and nature will start its recovering process. Fall through spring…

  • Carson Pass, Carson Canyon and Monitor Pass

    myphotoscout
    22 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am
    Three Aspen Discover better ways to cross the Sierra Nevada and take great shots along the way. Passes through the Sierra Nevada are, for most people, just transportation arteries, connecting their respective destinations. The same isn’t true for Tioga Pass, which happens to run through Yosemite National Park. It is as if some need the national park service to tell them where beauty awaits them. Marked pullouts are always more crowded than unmarked pullouts. Foreign visitors, unfamiliar with turnouts, pull out and wonder what they may discover. Many people have the herd mentality…
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    California Newswire

  • Engel and Volkers Lake Placid Real Estate Launches Premier Vacation Rental Website Aimed at Inbound Travel

    National News Desk
    20 Nov 2009 | 11:44 am
    LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Engel & Volkers Lake Placid Real Estate, a leading full service real estate property shop in Lake Placid for the last 30 years today announced the launch of a new vacation rental website www.lakeplacidvacationhomes.com. A world renowned four seasons resort destination in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is known for hosting two Olympics and is a haven for outdoor and recreational enthusiasts. Offering something for everyone, the region is a destination to over 2 million overnight visitors per year. In an effort to enhance the vacation…

  • Consumer Federation of California Gives Pedro Nava 100 Percent Rating

    Cindy Holden
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am
    SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbra), Chair of the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee, announced yesterday that he received a perfect 100 percent score from the Consumer Federation of California (CFC) for his voting record on consumer issues. “Year in, year out, Assemblymember Nava stands up against the interests of big business and their corporate lobbyists on behalf of the consumer,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. “In 2009, on every issue that affected our pocketbooks, our…

  • Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Facing Years in Prison as City Attorney Wastes Millions

    National News Desk
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am
    LOS ANGELES, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Craig X Rubin faces years in prison and another trial at the taxpayers expense, as cannabis is something most Californians think should be legal. Recent polls show that 74 percent of residents in California favor taxing and regulating the herb, as opposed to prosecuting offenders. Most Americans know Craig from his stint on Showtime’s “Weeds,” or one of the many films he’s been in, from Super High Me to Totally Baked; but they might soon know him by his prisoner number, as he is facing five years in prison in just a few…

  • Minnesota Town’s 20 Years of Entrepreneurship Inspires the World – Anniversary of the First Enterprise Facilitation Project in Lincoln County

    National News Desk
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:35 am
    LAKE BENTON, Minn. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Sirolli Institute (www.sirolli.com) is proud to announce Lake Benton was the first American community to adopt the Sirolli Institute’s internationally acclaimed Enterprise Facilitation(R) concept which has captured the imagination of more than 40,000 small businesses worldwide. Through “Enterprise Facilitation,” civic leaders learn how to capture local intelligence. The program trains a full-time, local advisor – the Enterprise Facilitator – to introduce the fundamentals of good management to aspiring…

  • Long Term Care Insurance Expert Tells Air Travelers, ‘3 in 4 Need More Than Regular Health Care’

    National News Desk
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:16 am
    KIRKLAND, Wash. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Long term care insurance may not seem like headline news or talk-show fare, but Denise Gott pursues the topic with passion and flair. “I’m on a mission to wake up America,” she says. Her message is now appearing on CNN newscasts in the nation’s airports and broadcasts on Delta Air Line flights. Gott is Chairman of the Board of LTC Financial Partners LLC (LTCFP) – www.ltcfp.com – one of the nation’s largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies. “We all know health care is an…
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    The Mighty Sparrow

  • Planet Green’s Planet 100

    Patrick
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:23 pm
    Are you sooooooooo pressed for time during the work week that you only have 100 seconds per day to devote to the current environmental news? I can’t possibly imagine this because I spend my work week only on the environment, but you may be yearning for a extremely condensed package of nature news. (For now I will try and ignore the fact that that appetite should be easily fulfilled by the, ahem, MIGHTY SPARROW, and assume that you only have exactly 100 seconds.) Well yearn no longer. Planet Green and Treehugger, both part of the Discover family, have recently introduced the Planet 100:…

  • Video: The Office’s Recycling Program

    Patrick
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:44 am
    Since this week is NBC’s green week, The Office debuted their recycling program…

  • Book Review: The Golden Spruce

    Patrick
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:09 pm
    Lately, I’ve been on this bizzare kick: All of a sudden I’m completely enthralled by the rise and fall of the outdoor-obsessed alpha male. Never before have I been even remotely interested in the triumph and tragedy of the man’s man and now it seems I can’t get enough of it. I’ve been reading books and articles about people like Randy Morgenson, the ranger who disappeared in Kings Canyon in 1996 (book review coming shortly), and Chris McCandless, the iconic figure of Into The Wild, but no matter how many books I read or how many biography shows I watch, I come no…

  • Project Headlands: How It Will Affect Your Travels To the Marin Headlands

    Patrick
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:11 pm
    The areas of the Marin Headlands that will be under construction in 2010/11. Courtesy of Project Headlands. Slated to start in 2010, and to continue through to 2011, The Marin Headlands and Fort Baker Transportation Infrastructure and Management Plan proposes to make “improvements to 11 miles of historic roads in the Marin Headlands and Fort Baker”. The proposed project, which is outlined very impressively in a new website (this is becoming a trend), is set to improve the majority of the roads in the most heavily visited portion of the Marin Headlands, with most of those roads…

  • New Website Proves The National Park Foundation is Cool…and Sleek

    Patrick
    18 Nov 2009 | 6:02 pm
    Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. If you are a dinosaur-o-phile, or just a regular person who likes beautiful things, this is the perfect place for you. I’m not saying the National Park Foundation was never cool; just that when you think of the National Park Foundation the first thing that springs to mind isn’t cool. Actually it probably isn’t the 200th word that comes to mind. They don’t fulfill any of the requirements to be considered cool (the best litmus test being pop culture relevance), but they easily fulfill one of the ones to be considered…
 
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    Californiality - Positive California Blog

  • 101 Freeway Epiphany

    Mark Lorier of California
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm
    California is famous for its freeway system and, when traffic is light, it's a quick and convenient way to travel.  If you've ever been stuck in rush hour traffic on the 101 Freeway, you know how slow and torturous the experience can be. Today I sat with a raging humanity in the world's longest parking lot, which stretches from Los Angeles to Canada --- US 101.  It was an asphalt hell.  There we

  • California International Relations

    Mark Lorier of California
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm
    What use would California, a state, have for international relations?  With a gross domestic product approaching $2-trillion, a population nearing 40-million residents, and with our head of state holding global summits and talks around the world, California is well into the international relations and foreign affairs arena. It is widely known that the California economy is among the world's

  • California Travel For Californians

    Mark Lorier of California
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am
    California vacations are totally fun for tourists, but what about Californians?  Are we doomed to a life of slaving for taxes and bills?  No way!  Isn't it time to break free from our robotic routines and rediscover our Golden State?  We sure pay enough for it, so we might as well enjoy it. California residents can be tourists too!  More Californians are rediscovering what our beautiful state

  • California Inspires Artist at LAX

    Mark Lorier of California
    16 Nov 2009 | 8:42 am
    California has inspired many artists to create.  The natural beauty, unique designs, cool architecture, and the creative vibe of our Golden State can deeply affect visiting artists.  I met such an artist at LAX today, before dawn, whose world was rocked by her California experience. Lauren is a talented artist who lives in Michigan.  She specializes in elaborate beadwork, complicated embroidery

  • Ronald Reagan: Classy Californiality

    Mark Lorier of California
    13 Nov 2009 | 10:42 am
    The first time I ever saw Ronald Reagan was when he was running for Governor of California in 1966.  As a kid who had just moved to Los Angeles, I thought Reagan looked like a dashing king of a magical land.  He was so California --- rugged, handsome, dignified, optimistic, confident, classy and so totally inspiring! I remember people saying that Ronald Reagan was a movie star, a TV star and a
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