(VENTURA, CALIF.) ... Thousands of off-road fans can see all of the latest off-road innovations, shop for new toys the whole family can use, enjoy incredible demos and take advantage of great show discounts at the first Ventura County Off-Road Expo, May 8-9 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, Calif. National and local exhibitors will showcase the latest models of trucks, Jeeps, UTVs, sand rails, ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, RVs, aftermarket accessories, buggies, camping accessories, toy haulers, apparel, live entertainment, food, beverages and much more for the entire family to enjoy. "This is the first event of this kind in Ventura County and we hope the local community will come out and support the expo and participati... more

LOS ANGELES/Christian Newswire/ -- Christian documentary 1040, produced by Adventures.TV in conjunction with Arowana Films, is scheduled to premiere at the 2010 City of the Angels Film Festival (CAFF) on Friday, March 12th. The film will be screened at The Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Hollywood at 7:00 PM, followed by a Q&A with the film's cast and crew and the official "1040" After Party. 1040 explores Christianity in the new Asia through the eyes of both Christians and non-Christians alike. Renowned minister and artist Jaeson Ma tours across China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia filming the dramatic changes taking place through interviews with top Christian ministers, Asian celebrities, artists, and entr... more

SACRAMENTO, CA— Senator Gloria Romero (D ... East Los Angeles) and Senator Bob Dutton (R- Rancho Cucamonga) have introduced legislation to prevent elected officials from collecting unemployment benefits after they lose or leave their public seats. The issue recently came to light after former Rosemead City Councilman John Nunez lost his re-election in March 2009 and then filed for, and received, unemployment payments from the State of California, despite objections from Rosemead city officials. The city was billed $11,250 through September 2009. "As elected officials, we are public servants who answer a call to give, not to receive," said Senator Romero. "I am outraged to hear that an elected official would file for unemployment... more

San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced a new partnership with HelloWallet to provide independent financial guidance to the city's residents. Through this major initiative, San Francisco will become the first city in the nation to deploy this revolutionary online financial guidance and management tool. All San Francisco households will receive a direct invitation to use the service. "If there is one lesson we can draw from the ruinous foreclosure crisis, it is that we must democratize access to independent financial guidance, something most people do not have access to today," said Mayor Newsom. "HelloWallet and San Francisco share a common objective: to empower all residents to take control of their finances by prov... more

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the San Francisco Department of Public Health AIDS Office will be receiving $9.5 million in ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funding over the next five years to renovate and expand the Department's ability to provide HIV/AIDS research at the AIDS Office at 25 Van Ness. The grant for the project—titled SOAR, the San Francisco Office of AIDS Renovation—comes by way of the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health. "The San Francisco Department of Public Health's AIDS Office is an international leader in HIV prevention and surveillance research," said Mayor Newsom. "No other city in this country can boast a $46 million r... more

SACRAMENTO ... State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) reintroduced legislation that requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020. Senate Bill 722 provides a clear statutory directive for private and public utilities to reach 33 percent renewable energy use, and provides the flexibility necessary to acquire that energy in the coming decade. Last year, Simitian's Renewable Energy Portfolio bill (Senate Bill 14) was approved by both houses of the Legislature, but vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. The veto came in spite of the fact that the bill was supported by investor-owned utilities, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (the country's largest public utilit... more

WALNUT CREEK, CA ... Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) is pleased to report that the Department of Transportation announced nearly $84 million in transportation projects for California out of more than $600 million in projects nationwide. "Once again, where local and state governments are unable to afford needed transportation improvements, we see the federal government stepping up in a big way," Congressman Garamendi said. "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues to put our country on a path to recovery through smart investments in transportation, education, health services, and other sectors, creating jobs for people throughout our communities. There is much more to do to fix our economy, but let there be no ... more

Ventura, Calif. is the only city on the planet to see all three legendary Grammy Award musicians in concert: Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and jazz musician Herbie Hancock perform in concert back-to-back April 30-May 2 as part of the Ventura Music Festival.s 16th season. What a difference three days can make for a musical weekend to remember. Three of music.s true greats will grace local stages as they perform to capacity crowds as a part of the Ventura Music Festival.s 16th season entitled "Romanze." The Ventura Music Festival also will welcome Calefax Reed Quintet from Amsterdam, Escher String Quartet, silver medalist at the Cliburn Competition pianist Yeol Eum Son and Tea & Trumpets with the Festi... more

---Theatre review If the value of a "virtuous woman" is "far above rubies," how much is a beautiful, hot-tempered, diva worth to the director of theatrical troupe ... when her decision to walk out threatens to shut down the show? The amusing answer to that question is answered in Cole Porter's lavish, Tony Award winning "play within a play" musical, KISS ME KATE directed by Tom Robinson and playing at the Glendale Centre Theatre. Dink O'Neal stars as Fred Graham, the director and leading man in a 1948 Broadway-bound musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Donna Cherry plays his redheaded, movie star, ex-wife Lilli, who is leading lady Katherine ("Kate") in the production and who annoys Fred (purposely?) with he... more

PASADENA, Calif. As longtime fans of the Pasadena Showcase House of Design are well aware, a day at Showcase involves much more than touring an estate where every room and garden has been transformed not only into a masterpiece of design but a breathtaking work of art. There are also the Shops at Showcase, where this year over 30 vendors from throughout California ... and even as far away as Arizona ... will offer an array of items ranging from eyeglasses, designer clothing and accessories to aprons and olive oil. Vendors taking part in the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design include: Accessor Eyes; Bedhead Pajamas; Brighton; Designer Sterling; DJ Giles, Fashion Wrap and Accessories; D-Lux 57; Gallery of Wearable Art; Gourmet Blends;... more

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblyman Jose Solorio's (D-Anaheim) call to California's Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell to release Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) funds immediately apparently has paid off. Sources confirm that the allocated funds to California's lowest performing schools will begin to roll out this week. FILE: Assemblyman Solorio official portrait. Publications click for larger image "In a recent letter to the superintendent, I made it clear that those funds should go out now. I'm happy the matter seems to be resolved. If my cajoling the superintendent to act had anything to do with it, then I did my job. The important thing is that the schools have their funding," said Assemblyman Solorio. QEIA is a comprehens... more

SAN FRANCISCO ... Mayor Gavin Newsom was joined by President Obama's Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra to launch a national Open311 API (Application Programming Interface) that will transform 311 Customer Service Centers into tools of even greater value. Open311 will allow software developers to write web applications that do two things: 1) get service request data directly from the 311 system, and 2) submit new service requests to city departments. "We hope creative developers will build iPhone apps, Android apps, web sites and other mashups from the Open311 API," said Mayor Newsom. "I encourage cities to join this effort to save taxpayers money and empower our tech community. By opening up government we are transforming it to work... more

SACRAMENTO ... Criminals convicted of using hidden cameras to invade the privacy of unsuspecting Californians for their own sexual gratification will still not be required to register as sex offenders, after a bill to place them on the state database was defeated today by Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee. "A sexual predator can take a cell phone camera, film up the skirt of a young girl, and have it distributed to millions on the internet in the blink of an eye. Every parent in California would want to know if any adult their child comes in contact with was someone who had been convicted of this type of lewd behavior. A criminal convicted of this crime should absolutely be placed on the state sex offender database,... more

San Francisco, CA— Mayor Newsom joined Adventure Ecology founder and environmentalist David de Rothschild for the unveiling of the Plastiki, a pioneering 60ft catamaran made from approximately 12,500 reclaimed plastic bottles that provide 68% of the boat's buoyancy. The Plastiki crew is making final preparations to embark on an adventure taking them 11,000 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Sydney. The Plastiki will be drawing attention to the health of our oceans, and in particular the large amounts of plastic debris, by showcasing waste as a resource and demonstrating real world solutions through the design and construction of the Plastiki. "Plastiki will take us on a journey to see the most poignan... more

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Newsom announced that San Francisco has secured nearly $3 million in federal stimulus funds to offset the cost of residential and commercial energy and water efficiency projects. This new funding adds additional incentives to the GreenFinanceSF program, which will allow property owners to fund environmental improvements, with the financing attached to the property and paid back on the property tax bill. The program, previously slated to launch March 1, will now launch in early April, once the grant funding is in place, so applicants can take immediate advantage of all of the program's benefits. "San Francisco's green financing program will help property owners overcome the large up-front costs of major environm... more

SAN FRANCISCO ... Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) joined California educators in calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) to protect school funding. Yee, who has consistently voted against all budget cuts to education, said Democrats should be as vigilant against cuts to education as Republicans have been against raising taxes. This week, Yee again voted against a potential cut to California schools when he was one of only two Senators to vote "no" on AB 8x 5, which included up to $2.5 billion in deferrals to education. Yee is also insisting that the proposed "gas tax swap" provide a guarantee to Proposition 98 ... voter-approved minimum funding for education. Over the past two years, Yee has voted a... more

SACRAMENTO ...State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced this week the introduction of Senate Bill 1475 which strengthens the state's hands-free and anti-texting laws for motorists. The bill: . Increases the fine for a first hands-free offense to $50, and to $100 for a subsequent offenses (currently $20 and $50 respectively), . Increases the fine for texting while driving to $100 (currently $20 for a first offense and $50 for a subsequent offense), . Provides that a violation of either of the two laws will add a "point" on motorists' driving records, . Uses a portion of the increased fine revenue to provide for a public awareness program; and . Applies the hands-free/no tex... more

By Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times, February 22, 2010 http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-anthem-cash23-2010feb23,0,1654480.story Health insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross said it was raising rates on thousands of individual policyholders in California because the cost of their medical care exceeded the premiums they paid last year. At the same time, other parts of Anthem reaped a profit. A Times analysis of the company's regulatory filings shows that $525 million in Anthem's earnings in 2009 was shipped to its corporate parent WellPoint Inc. The analysis was not disputed by Anthem. Anthem Blue Cross has been so profitable that, since WellPoint acquired it in 2004, it has contributed more than $4.5 billion to the parent company's ... more

SAN FRANCISCO, CA The 2010 Mayor's Art Award will be presented by Mayor Gavin Newsom to legendary musician Carlos Santana on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at a private event in the Green Room at the War Memorial Veterans Building hosted by the San Francisco Arts Commission. "Carlos Santana is without a doubt one of San Francisco's most beloved icons," said Mayor Gavin Newsom. "When he burst onto the scene with his extraordinary new sound he solidified San Francisco's position as one of the main stages in the history of rock 'n' roll. His music transcends not only musical genres, but also cultural, geographical and political boundaries, and he has brought millions of people together through his art. He is also an artist who gives back to his ... more

WASHINGTON, DC ... Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek), California's first elected State Insurance Commissioner, is proud to announce that he is an original co-sponsor of a bill that he helped author to require the health insurance industry to follow the same anti-trust laws that almost every other industry in America is expected to follow. "When almost every other industry colludes at the expense of consumers, we call it a crime. When the health insurance industry colludes, we call it business as usual," Congressman Garamendi said. "This legislation removes one of the most damaging weapons in the insurance industry's arsenal: the ability to manipulate the market together behind closed doors. In my eight years regulating the ins... more

Sacramento — Instrumental in introducing legislation that helps create jobs in the 29th District, Senator Bob Huff (R ... Diamond Bar) this week stood up on the Senate Floor to voice his support of a measure that will allow infrastructure projects throughout California to be started now, rather than waiting for the state to sell bonds. Assembly Bill 8x 11 provides local transportation agencies with a mechanism to get state approval to fast track the construction of infrastructure projects authorized under Proposition 116 by fronting their own revenues and being reimbursed when bond funds become available. "Last year we passed a bill that would allow local transportation agencies to front the funds for projects that are part o... more

San Francisco, CA— Mayor Newsom announced that the City and County of San Francisco has developed 1,679 units of permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless within five years. The City is more than over the half way mark of 3000 units in 10 Years as called for in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness (published June 2004). "Homeless shelters may solve sleep, but housing solves homelessness," said Mayor Newsom. "With leadership from Angela Alioto, our 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness changes the City's approach from managing a problem, to solving it. I am very proud that we are now on track to exceed the 10-year goal." Mayor Newsom made the announcement at the 33rd Project Homeless Connect (PHC) located at ... more

Progressive group shows impact of Meg Whitman's state budget plans. LOS ANGELES, CA -- As part of its ongoing public accountability work, the Courage Campaign today released a TV ad -- called "Meg's California" -- showing the impact of Meg Whitman's approach to the state budget crisis. Whitman, who seems to be taking policy lessons from Arnold Schwarzenegger, wants to deepen the massive cuts to public services begun by Schwarzenegger -- cuts to services that Californians most need. Airing on cable TV stations in Los Angeles, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, the 60-second spot shows typical Californians standing in front of schools, libraries, parks, and other public sites holding "closed" signs, illustrating the likely out... more

SANTA MONICA, Calif. Although the son of J.S. Bach claimed that his father composed five Passions during his lifetime, evidence for only two ... the St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion ... is documented. Music lovers will have a chance to hear the earlier work, described as "Bach's most vivid and thrilling work" by the Gwent Bach Society, when the renowned baroque orchestra Musica Angelica presents the St. John Passion on Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena and Sunday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. "When we took the St. Matthew Passion on tour in 2007, El Universal in Mexico City described the performance as 'a Passion as God and Bach commanded,'" r... more

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. A requiem, defined as a mass for the dead, is not something most would generally expect to be a cheery undertaking. But when the 19th century composer and organist Gabriel Faur. was asked what motivated him to write his Requiem, his best known large work, Faur. replied, "My Requiem was composed for nothing...for fun, if I may be permitted to say so!" On Sunday, March 21, audiences will have an opportunity to decide for themselves whether Faur., the foremost French composer of his generation, succeeded in his goal to "escape from what is thought right and proper..." when the Hollywood Master Chorale presents Faur.'s Requiem: Remembrance and Rebirth at 7 p.m. at the Hollywood United Methodist Church in Hollywood. "The ... more

---Theatre review We.ve heard that "Love conquers all," but can it survive when the lovebirds are on opposite sides of a heated labor/management dispute? Will they fight for their relationship, or allow a disagreement over a few pennies doom their love? That.s what audiences will discover in the Candlelight Pavilion.s light-hearted, often hilarious, and sweetly romantic Valentine musical, The Pajama Game. Based on Richard Bissell.s 1954 novel, 7-1/2 Cents, The Pajama Game deals with a labor dispute over a seven-and-a-half-cent-per-hour pay raise (laughable by today.s standards), which "Old Man" Hasler (James W. Gruessing) the owner of the thriving Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory refuses to pay his workers. All the other factories have... more

PASADENA, Calif. Supporters of Elizabeth House ... the only homeless shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children in the San Gabriel Valley ... who attend this year's annual gala benefit and silent auction, "Where Love Embraces Life," on Saturday March 20 may at first wonder whether they're at Dodger Stadium or the University Club of Pasadena. "We're so pleased that Eric Smith, announcer for the Dodgers, has agreed to join us as emcee at this very special event," says Debbie Unruh, founder and executive director of Elizabeth House. "With Eric's help, we have no doubt that we can hit a 'home run' to build on 16 years of hope and raise the funds that will enable us to open a second house ... a place where our 'graduates' will fi... more

NAPOLI, ITALY - Frontiers Records is very proud to announce the signing of legendary rock band WHITESNAKE. David Coverdale and band are gearing up for their latest endeavour. WHITESNAKE has already started composing new material that promises to deliver one of the finest chapters in WHITESNAKE'S career. "We are off to a very good start, with the new songs taking positive shape. It feels good, fresh & exciting," explains Coverdale. The next release already feels like a solid, natural progression to their last opus, the successful, critically acclaimed 'Good To Be Bad' album, awarded by the influential Classic Rock magazine as "Best Album of the Year" in 2008. "As always, we want to take it to the next level," states' Coverd... more

Marin County election could be tossed out Monday; Judge may call new election after hundreds of voters denied right to vote in election decided by only 15 votes. SAN RAFAEL ... Hundreds, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Marin County voters were not allowed to vote in a Novato election last November and a court hearing next Monday (Feb. 22) could result in a Superior Court judge calling a new election, said a San Rafael attorney today. The hearing is scheduled Feb. 22 in Marin County Superior Court (Courtroom J) at 9 a.m. "We will argue that because voters were disenfranchised, the election needs to be annulled and a new one held June 8. That is what the law requires," said Dotty E. LeMieux, an attorney representing some of the dis... more

Another major women's group lines up for Hahn. Los Angeles - The National Organization for Women (NOW) has voted to endorse Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn to become the first female lieutenant governor in California history. Hahn also previously was endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC). "We looked at all the possible candidates and Janice Hahn rises above them all -- she is prepared, she is ready and she will inspire California," said Patricia Bellasalma, President of California NOW. "California NOW will do everything in its power to make sure Janice is our next lieutenant governor". "California NOW has been standing up for women and girls for over 37 years, and I plan on doing the same thing as lie... more

Das Williams continues to gain traction and build broad support in Assembly Campaign. SANTA BARBARA, CA ... Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams continues to build momentum in his campaign for the 35th Assembly District and is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the California National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC. California NOW is the state's largest women's organization. In announcing their formal support of Das Williams, CA NOW President Patty Bellasalma cited Das' history of leadership on women's issues and his lifelong commitment to campaigns and movements aimed at increasing gender equality, protecting women's reproductive health rights, helping women in need, and providing a lev... more

In a direct challenge to bank evictions of tenants across the state, Tenants Together, California's statewide organization for renters' rights, is urging renters to contest foreclosure evictions. Pointing to a new ruling from an Alameda County Superior Court judge, Tenants Together argues that most post-foreclosure eviction notices issued to tenants are invalid under California law. California law requires eviction notices (called "notices to quit") to unambiguously terminate tenancy upon expiration of a time period specified in the notice. According to Dean Preston, Executive Director of Tenants Together, "Banks across the board have failed to comply with this basic requirement of California law when terminating tenancies after f... more

Washington, D.C. ... Once again, California holds the top spot with the nation's strongest gun laws that help combat the illegal gun market, prevent the sale of guns without background checks and reduce risks to children, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. In the organization's 2009 state scorecards released today for all 50 states, California earned 79 points out of a total of 100. This past year, California further strengthened its laws by passing legislation to regulate the sale of handgun ammunition in the state. Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 962, sponsored by Assembly Member Kevin DeLeon (D-Los Angeles) last fall. It was the top priority of the California Brady Campaign Chapters and Women Against Gun Vio... more

LOS ANGELES ... Local and National Democrats have announced the launch of the California Accountability Project; an initiative backed by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) designed to ensure California's voters have all the information they need to make an informed decision on Election Day, even as Republican candidates are already pouring tens of millions of dollars into misleading advertising. "Voters deserve to have all the facts on the candidates for Governor," said Project Director Nick Velasquez. "When GOP rhetoric doesn't match reality, we will be there to set the record straight." The new project will be anchored by a research-based, open source web site containing the latest information from the campaign trail, an in... more

Says we need bold leadership in Sacramento today. Los Angeles - Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan has announced her support of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn in her bid for lieutenant governor. "Janice Hahn is a courageous fighter for the working men and women of our state, protecting the environment, education, and equal rights for all," said Buchanan. "From day one I have been impressed with Janice's strength to take on the big fights, and that is exactly the type of leadership we need up here". "Joan Buchanan has been a strong leader for California and I am honored to receive her support." Hahn said. "Joan has been working to solve the budget crisis with creative ideas that protect our states critical services, and I will... more

Broadway/L.A. announces the lineup for its 2010-2011 Season, a 7-Show package that includes WEST SIDE STORY, HAIR, ROCK OF AGES, BURN THE FLOOR and SHREK THE MUSICAL - all of which are recent Broadway hits making Southern California premieres at the Pantages Theatre. A sixth musical to be announced will play the Pantages in March. Rounding out the season is the West Coast Premiere of TRACES, featuring the acclaimed company 7 Fingers (Les 7 doigts de la main), in a fusion of musical, drama and circus that will play just around the corner from the Pantages at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre. While not part of the traditional 7-Show Package, Broadway/L.A. Season Ticket Holders will be given first opportunity to purchase the best available sea... more

PASADENA, Calif. ... Alliance Fran.aise de Pasadena is pleased to present Family Portrait: Wolf, Grandma and Other Accomplices, an exhibition of paintings by French artist Val.rie Daval from March 5 through March 31 at 34 East Union Street in Pasadena. An opening reception with the artist is scheduled for Friday, March 5 at 7:00 P.M. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public. Family Portrait: Wolf, Grandma and Other Accomplices is a series of paintings encompassing real and fictional characters, including animals that look strangely human. Alternating between miniature and life-size images, black-and-white and shades of gray and color, Daval plays with contrasts, thereby altering reality to carry... more

A 33-year-old Long Beach man who operated a number of ventures that he used to solicit money with false claims of profitable investments in real estate has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. Jon Weldon James pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon to the federal offense related to his Ponzi scheme that collected more than $33 million from his El Segundo-based venture that operated under a series of names, including J.W. James and Associates, Inc., and The Cloaking Device, Inc. Appearing before United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner, James pleaded guilty and admitted that he defrauded more than 50 individuals who invested in his real estate-related investments from late 2003 through August 2006. James offered his investme... more

LOS ANGELES, Calif. The special events scheduled to take place from April 15 to June 30 as part of the Ring Festival LA ... a celebration of Los Angeles Opera's groundbreaking new production of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle ... will range from an exhibition of playwright George Bernard Shaw's writings on Wagner and his music at the Huntington Library to a German Food Festival at Patina restaurants. But the Festival will also include two performances showcasing Wagner's works for the opera chorus when the Verdi Chorus presents "Wagner and Verdi: Opposing Roads to Greatness" on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2 at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. "We're thrilled to have been asked to take part in the Ring Festival LA,"... more

(BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.) -- Good things do not only come in small packages. Sometimes, good things come in large, white, sturdy storage containers emblazoned with the four red letters, in this case, PODS. PODS, a well-known national moving and storage company, is considered an expert in more than just the traditional sense when it comes to moving America. Bright red and white PODS containers are frequently seen at charitable organizations and disaster sites throughout the United States. Over the past year, several non-profit organizations and city agencies throughout Bakersfield have used PODS containers to raise funds and further their missions. "We take pride in our community and are happy to support agencies that make life better... more

SACRAMENTO ... Recently released collision and fatality data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirms that California's streets and highways are safer following the implementation of California's "hands-free" cell phone law. CHP certified numbers from the first six months of the law's implementation show a 20 percent reduction in fatalities and collisions in California when compared to the same six month period over the past three to five years. Data from 2009 (not yet certified) confirms the trend. "That translates to at least 700 fewer fatalities and 75,000 to 100,000 fewer collisions each year," notes the author of the hands-free legislation, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The reduction in fatalities is consis... more

Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R ... Diamond Bar) has introduced SB 1051, a measure that will authorize a school district to provide school employees with voluntary emergency medical training to provide emergency medical assistance to students with epilepsy, when they experience seizures. Some children with epilepsy are susceptible to prolonged seizures and require access to a life-saving emergency medication. Diastat Acudial, a pre-dosed preparation of diazepam gel, is the standard out-of-hospital treatment for prolonged seizures. Diastat is a FDA-approved emergency medication and is a safe and effective treatment, specifically designed to be administered by people without medical training. For several years it was common in... more

SACRAMENTO, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California State Auditor announced that nearly 31,000 Californians applied to be members of the first-ever Citizens Redistricting Commission. The application period closed on Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. "We've said all along that this was an experiment in direct democracy and, with nearly 31,000 Californians coming forward to apply, there's no doubt this experiment was a huge success," said California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle, whose office is charged with creating the Commission. "My office noticed a surge in applications after our radio ads began airing a few weeks ago, and that is why I extended the application deadline from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16, but I could not have predicted that nearly 11,000 m... more

SACRAMENTO ... The finances of the University of California will finally be examined by the state auditor as a result of an official request by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo). After several improprieties and poor decision-making by UC executives, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) unanimously (10-0) approved Yee's request. "Unfortunately, not even one month can pass without another scandal plaguing our university," said Yee, who is an alumnus of UC. "A comprehensive state audit will help further uncover the extent of the waste, fraud, and abuse within the UC, and finally hold university executives accountable." "The UC administration expects taxpayers and students to foot the bill without asking any quest... more

VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.) -- The Ventura County Contractors Association (VCCA) honors the first 3rd term president in its 64-year history with the reelection of Tommy Tatangelo of OST Trucks & Cranes. Butch Schiellack of Schiellack & Associates was appointed vice president and treasurer and Randy Gulden of Center Glass Company will serve as secretary. "The Ventura County Contractors Association represents one of the largest contractor's groups in the Tri-County area," Tatangelo said. "It is a pleasure to work with officers and directors that are committed to the overall success and growth of our organization and our local communities." 2010 board of directors include: David Atkin, David Atkin Construction Laurie Bennett, Fence F... more

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED) announced that Mission Bay has won designation as an official California Innovation Hub by the State Business Transportation and Housing Agency. San Francisco joins just five other cities and regions in the State as inaugural members of the Innovation Hub program. The greater Mission Bay "iHUB" is the only Innovation Hub in the State focused on biotech and follows a competitive application process that included applications from 24 cities and regions from across the state. "We've always known that Mission Bay is the premiere location for leading biotech research. Today, the State has recognized that Mission Bay sits at the very center ... more

SACRAMENTO—Every dollar California saves by furloughing workers at the Franchise Tax Board costs $7 in tax money that workers are not on the job to collect, according to a report released today by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes. The tax revenue loss would erode by nearly a third the $1.66 billion general fund savings the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expects from a 17-month-long, three-days-per-month furlough program. The Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes report examines the effect of furloughs on the Franchise Tax Board and the effect of budget cuts in lieu of furloughs at California's other major tax-collection agency, the Board of Equalization. Budget cuts at the Board of Equalization also... more

"Patrol is the backbone of the Department," Sergeant Shari Egan states proudly as we walk down the central corridor of the Foothill area Police Station. "There'd be no other jobs without Patrol." Of the 244 officers at Foothill, 134 are in Patrol, 72 in Investigation, and the rest in Administration. I'd spent most of that day with Sgt. Egan, either inside her office, touring the jail, or in her patrol car. Now it was time to visit "The Other Side." We pass the holding tanks and the jail on our left, glass-windowed offices and the Kit Room (where radios and weapons are stored) on our right. The ambience is serious, even somber; the surroundings are austere; voices are muted. Everyone wears dark navy. It's the portion of the station... more

SACRAMENTO—Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, introduced tax conformity legislation this week to protect homeowners embroiled in the mortgage crisis from onerous tax burdens and remove barriers to job-creating renewable energy projects. "This measure works to prevent excessive taxation of distressed Californians who are already struggling to protect their homes, their largest investment," said Wolk, who introduced Senate Bill 32 (8X) on Monday. "As many Californians face foreclosure and are forced to walk away from their homes, the last thing they should have to think about is paying taxes on debt they couldn't repay. This measure puts an end to this onerous application of tax law." ... more

SACRAMENTO ... Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing approved the first of several bills to help jumpstart California's economy and create thousands of new jobs. On a 6-0 vote, the committee approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to create nearly 1,600 construction jobs for shovel-ready projects by accelerating up to $105 million in Proposition 1C housing bond funds. "Last year, California hit an all-time low in residential construction," said Yee. "In fact, more than 70 percent of jobs associated with residential construction have been lost in just the past four years. This bill will help stimulate the economy and bring good-paying jobs for California families." Un... more

Mar. 9--SACRAMENTO -- Rejecting a key piece of last month's push to trim California's deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late Monday vetoed a bill that called for more than $2 billion in spending reductions starting this summer. more

Mar. 9--Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley officially filed papers today to become a candidate for the seat she was appointed to six months ago. more

Mar. 6--Q Over the past year, I have used my U.S. passport as my form of ID at several businesses throughout California. more

Mar. 4--Redondo Beach's budget struggles are expected to spill over into next fiscal year as the city deals with declining revenues, rising expenditures and deteriorating public buildings, City Manager Bill Workman said this week. more

Mar. 3--OAKLAND -- City Council President Jane Brunner said Tuesday night all of Oakland's elected leaders should prepare to cut their office budgets by 15 percent within two weeks. more

Mar. 3--Santa Clara County supervisors digested grim news Tuesday: a midyear review of the county's financial health that the budget director described as the worst in a quarter-century. more

Mar. 3--Teachers, students and community members from across the South Bay will rally Thursday at different school sites as part of a statewide "Day of Action" to protest funding cuts to education. more

Mar. 2--OAKLAND -- The director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs and other high-ranking federal officials were in Oakland on Monday to tour some of the city's federal stimulus projects. more

El nuevo modelo para administrar los puertos en Limon zarpara, a pesar de que todavia se disputa la clave para lanzarlo al agua: el cambio en la junta directiva del sindicato de trabajadores de Japdeva (Sintrajap).El nuevo modelo para administrar los puertos en Limon zarpara, a pesar de que todavia se disputa la clave para lanzarlo al agua: el cambio en la junta directiva del sindicato de trabajadores de Japdeva (Sintrajap). more

Feb. 26--Now, all Stanford has to play for is an NCAA tournament bid. more

Feb. 25--Animal control officials in Los Angeles are stepping up pressure on dog owners to license their dogs as the city searches for more ways to offset its huge budget deficit. more

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ Gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt, but not marry. more

Feb. 25--The Torrance Unified School District is considering whether to lay off 110 teachers and shorten the school year by five days to offset the district's $25 million budget deficit over the next two years. more

Feb. 24--tseipel@mercurynews.com more

Among the positions targeted for elimination: more

Feb. 23--Q I purchased an item of clothing in the Sears Oakridge store using a $25 gift card. more

Feb. 23--Regional and national elected officials on Monday called for swift progress in extending a light rail line closer to Los Angeles International Airport. more

Feb. 22--After six months of delay, hand-wringing and public outcry, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday is expected to approve a pared-down, five-year budget for the city's struggling redevelopment agency. more

An article Thursday about a state investigation that found no wrongdoing by two Rancho Palos Verdes elected officials incorrectly stated as fact that Councilman Doug Stern had used an e-mail address provided by Palos Verdes on the Net. more

Feb. 19--WASHINGTON -- Sometimes pleading pays. more

Feb. 18--John Nguyen learned an important lesson on Presidents Day: You can run, but you can't hide, from San Jose's park rangers. more

Feb. 18--Stanford made official Wednesday what had been expected for weeks: That Ron Turner has joined the Cardinal football staff. more

Feb. 18--In the epic battle over Darla and Joe Padgett's fence in Monte Sereno, few people have acted with any sense. more

Feb. 18--More than two years after a complaint was filed against a pair of Rancho Palos Verdes city councilmen for accepting free Internet services during their re-election campaigns, state regulators have determined no law was violated. more

Feb. 17--San Jose officials Tuesday said they want taxpayers to pony up -- again -- and bail City Hall out of red ink as a $100 million deficit threatens hundreds of jobs, from police to librarians. more

Feb. 16--Last May, when Mayor Chuck Reed asked San Jose employee unions to accept zero pay increases to reduce layoffs, workers harrumphed: If they'd only known earlier, they wouldn't have had to rush through last-minute negotiations before the budget deadline in June. more

Feb. 14--WHISTLER, British Columbia -- Attention, Olympic historians. more

Feb. 14--Some of Northern California's most needed highway improvements, previously on a fast track to completion, may be about to come to a screeching halt thanks to the state's gaping budget hole. more

Feb. 13--Ready to roll on long-anticipated waterfront improvements in San Pedro and Wilmington, port officials say they're aggressively pursuing grant and private funding to help bankroll the 10-year, $1.2 billion project. more

Feb. 13--OAKLAND -- Despite deep budget holes in their respective cities, the mayors of Oakland and San Francisco say they maintain a solid sense of optimism for 2010, citing employment and various projects boosted by the federal stimulus plan. more

Feb. 13--It's shameful for California leaders to pin the blame for the state's budget woes on poor people, whose numbers have swelled because of unemployment during the recession. more

Feb. 12--Saturday, the big-wave elite will get their shot at the big money. more

Sin complejos.Sin complejos. more

El Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) 'no cumple a cabalidad' el seguimiento de la situacion legal, psicologica y social de ninos albergados por organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG).El Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) 'no cumple a cabalidad' el seguimiento de la situacion legal, psicologica y social de ninos albergados por organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG). more

La cantante Courtney Love ha perdido la custodia legal de la hija que tuvo con el lider fallecido de Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, despues de que un tribunal concediera el cuidado temporal de la joven de 17 anos a la madre y a la hermana del artista, revelaron documentos judiciales.La cantante Courtney Love ha perdido la custodia legal de la hija que tuvo con el lider fallecido de Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, despues de que un tribunal concediera el cuidado temporal de la joven de 17 anos a la madre y a la hermana del artista, revelaron documentos judiciales. more

Mar. 11--If you can recall the last time nearly lifelong friends John Watters and Mark Bourbeau worked together on a stage production, you've got a long memory. more

Mar. 12--AUSTIN -- At the Austin Convention Center on Thursday afternoon, there was a 90-minute wait to collect your credentials for this year's South by Southwest Film Festival. more

"A Prophet" strikes home like a shiv in the ribs. more

Mar. 11--Opens today more

Mar. 11--If you've seen 27-year-old Canadian actor Jay Baruchel in one of his short-lived TV series -- "Undeclared," "The Stones," "Just Legal" -- or in films like "Fanboys" and "Tropic Thunder," then you know he's not your typical leading man. more

Mar. 11--The Rogue Performance Festival, Fresno's annual fringe festival, has its final weekend of theater, dance, music, art and comedy today and Saturday. more

TWENTY MINUTES with Martin Scorsese. more

A roundup of this week's other film newsd more

Mar. 11--EL PASO -- No one is ever going to compare El Paso to Austin, especially when it comes to music. more

Mar. 11--EL PASO -- In "Cabaret," main characters the Emcee and Sally Bowles are sort of a yin and yang of a debauched, decaying Germany where Nazism is on the rise. more

SXSW also serves as a yardstick of sorts for the music scenes scattered throughout Texas. more

Nepal, March 10 -- Everybody, regardless of whether they know a lot about music or not, knows of Michael Jackson. more

Six homegrown acts hot on the heels of Villagers JOE KEARNS more

Below are his responses: more

Mar. 11--It would seem like all the things were in place for "Alice in Wonderland" to be a lot of fun. more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mark Linkous, the singer-songwriter from central Virginia who released his music under the band name Sparklehorse, has died after shooting himself in the chest in Tennessee. more

"PORGY & BESS" -- El Paso Opera will stage a concert version of the Gershwin opera at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday in the Abraham Chavez Theatre. more

Mar. 11--Any thoughts of 3D being a movie fad were banished last weekend when the new PG Tim Burton film, "Alice in Wonderland," broke records for a late winter release. more

Mar. 11--It's the one Broadway show that could truly be called Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. more

It's a wonder that Leah Hayes hasn't popped up on our radar before now. more

ST PATRICK'S DAY SPRING CARNIVAL more

Mar. 11--The dream lives on at South by Southwest. more

Mar. 11--Fresno Filmworks' "A Night at the Oscars: 2010 Oscar Nominated Short Films" offers a look at the Academy Awards nominees in the Live Action and Animated Shorts categories, including the winners "The New Tenants" and "Logorama." more

Mar. 11--About 99% of "Remember Me" is a mediocre love story about two broken souls who find each other. more

Nepal, March 11 -- US studio giant Disney is making its first foray into south Indian cinema as part of plans to capture the country's largest movie market, the company announced Thursday. more

Mar. 11--LOS ANGELES -- Forest Whitaker's been cast in a long list of roles full of sadness from "The Crying Game" to "The Shield." more

Mar. 11--Peter Hanson, who lived in Albany for 20 years, has written three books, worked as a journalist for years and made two documentary films. more

Mar. 11--The Magnificents Band bid farewell to 2009 with a New Year's Eve Extravaganza benefitting the Hospice League of Alamance-Caswell. more

BBC presenter Adam Buxton (right) has landed his own new show after disappearing from a regular slot on an indefinite "sabbatical". more

Mar. 11--Let's Go Crazy more

I NEED SILENCE, solitude. more

Martin Scorsese pays all-star homage to classic American film noir, writes DONALD CLARKE more

IVAN KAVANAGH'S story is one of the odder ones in Irish film. more

Wouldn't you know it? more

Hollywood's 20th Century Fox says "Alvin and the Chipmunks 3D," the third flick in the "Chipmunks" film franchise, will open in 2011, Variety reported. more

Mar. 11--Old friends, new friends and a first-time partnership with Broadway in Tucson highlight UApresents 2010-11 season. more

Final Fantasy may be no more, but if Owen Pallet's new project - a concept album about a farmer called Lewis and a deity called Owen - is anything to go by, the imagination remains in full flow. more

Hollywood star Mel Gibson will have an Irish civic honour bestowed upon him next month. more

U.S. actor Eric Roberts has signed up to star in the television film "Sharktopus," produced by cult movie icon Roger Corman, Syfy said Thursday. more

Mar. 11--It was Queen Victoria who began The Band of the Irish Guards/The Royal Regiment of Scotland on April 1, 1900, to commemorate the bravery of the Irish Guards. more

Mar. 11--Boy-meets-girl movies released in recent years have fallen into two diverse categories: the raunchy "American Pie" tales or the bland "I Love You Beth Cooper" films. more

More new music HERZOG Fans of scruffy indie-pop will heart Paul Blart and the Death Of Art, the debut single from Cleveland, Ohio newbie Herzog AKA Nick Tolarg for the Transparent label myspace.com/herzogsounds THE JOY FORMIDABLE Majestic indie rock with hooks and melodies galore from a north Wales trio whose powerful new single Popinjay will stop you in your tracks. more

Three stars (Out of four) more

Mar. 11--The Dillinger Escape Plan is a thinking man's metal band. more

The long-awaited album by Villagers,Becoming a Jackal, will be released on May 14th on digital download, vinyl and CD. The 11- track album will be preceded by a single,Becoming a Jackal, on April 17th (7-inch only for Record Store Day) and April 23rd (digital download). more

Prepare for your jaw to hit the floor because one listen to A Statue That Is Perpetually Unveiledwill do that. more

Mar. 11--It was the Tuesday before "The Jungle Book" opens, and director Ashley Gentry was walking around the stage of the Capitol Arts Center, helping the young actors find their places. more

Mar. 11--Rumors of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center kingdom in Midland have been filtering back to Pittsburgh for some time, so in pursuit of my long-range impossible dream of seeing a musical in every high school in southwest Pennsylvania, I hitched up my criticmobile and set forth. more

Mar. 11--The Garde's Oscar film festival has drawn to a close, but movie fans can rejoice because another film festival is beginning this week. more

U.S. television star Betty White is to serve as guest host of an upcoming episode of "Saturday Night Live," NBC said Thursday. more