Today, on the 50th anniversary of the California State University system, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a former California State University trustee and University of California regent issued the following statement: "Fifty years ago today, the State of California made a decision that would alter the course of a nation. By establishing the California State University system to work in conjunction with the University of California and California's community colleges, our state's forward thinking policymakers declared that California would be a state where higher education was the birthright of every qualified resident. "Since then, CSU has awarded nearly 2.5 million degrees, about 90,000 annually. Because leaders in ... more

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service has announced the allocation of a second round of authority to Indian tribal governments to issue Tribal Economic Development Bonds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The IRS awarded 76 tribal governments a combined $1.005 billion of bond issuance authority, also known as volume cap. The bonds can be used to finance virtually all types of public works projects. The ARRA provided for a total of $2 billion issuance of economic development bonds by Indian tribal governments. The IRS received 86 applications requesting a total of over $3 billion of volume cap under the second round. Allocations were prorated to maintain ... more

BURBANK, Calif. -- Burbank received statewide recognition with two marketing awards at the 16th annual California Festivals and Events Association (CalFest) Celebration Awards held Thursday, February 11 in San Jose, California. Downtown Burbank Partnership received 1st Place for "Best Logo" for Taste of Downtown Burbank, the outdoor culinary fundraiser for the Burbank Community YMCA held every fall on San Fernando Boulevard, and Magnolia Park Partnership received 1st Place for "Best T-Shirt Design" for Be-Boppin' in the Park, the four-block street festival and retro car show that occurs every August on Magnolia Boulevard. The CalFest Awards program recognizes the top innovative ideas and promotional materials for festivals and events in... more

ANGEL FIRE, NM -- Paranormal film makers can breathe a sigh of relief. Even as the reins of the Laughlin, NV International UFO Convention (IUFOC) -- sans film festival -- are being handed from Bob Brown to Open Minds Productions in Phoenix, AZ, a new annual independent paranormal film festival will debut in September at the 2010 Paranormal Symposium in Angel Fire, NM. Noted film producer, writer, and director Paul Davids has agreed to chair the new festival, coordinating with Symposium parent organization Alliance Studying Paranormal Experiences (ASPE). Davids, who served in 2008 and 2009 as Chairman of the EBE Awards Film Festival at the IUFOC, is well known for controversial films which often include paranormal themes, including the 1... more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Two of The Florida State University's most accomplished scientists recently joined forces on a collaborative research project that has yielded groundbreaking results involving an unusual family of crystalline minerals. Their findings could lay the groundwork for future researchers seeking to develop a new generation of computer chips and other information-storage devices that can hold vast amounts of data and be strongly encrypted for security purposes. Working with a team of researchers from various disciplines, Naresh S. Dalal and Sir Harold W. "Harry" Kroto, both world-renowned chemists and educators, took a close look at a family of crystals known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. Employing both laborator... more

Los Angeles ... The owners of the Century Plaza Hotel, Next Century Associates, along with the Los Angeles Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has announced plans for a revised development project that would preserve the famed hotel. Next Century Associates originally proposed a project that called for the demolition of the historic hotel and redevelopment of the property with a mixed use project comprising hotel, residential, office, retail, public plazas, and open space. In 2009, the National Trust listed the hotel as one of America's 11-Most Endangered Historic Places. At the urging of Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, the Los Angeles Conservancy, the National Trust, and Next Centur... more

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has released updated casting information for the legendary Bolshoi Ballet's visit February 24 ... 28. The company's complete performances of its spectacular production of Don Quixote will now star Natalia Osipova ("whose Kitri is one of the Bolshoi's most amazing assets," The Times, London), Maria Alexandrova ("a flamboyant Kitri...with a jump that doesn't so much soar as explode like a firecracker," The New York Times), Ivan Vassiliev ("He does the impossible...the art form's technical limits have been redefined," The Observer) and Mikhail Lobukhin ("Lobukhin was a revelation...His partnering was sensational," Ballet.com). Svetlana Zakharova and Alexander Volchkov are unable to appear as originally ... more

Many artists have their own music rooms — places to relax and maybe entertain a few friends. Jo Dee Messina has two: one at home and another that she takes on the road. Since breaking into the spotlight as winner of the 1999 CMA Horizon Award, Messina has consistently gone the extra mile in reaching out to her fans, even releasing her mobile phone number and inviting the public to give her a call. So it made sense for her to book a series of intimate shows in smaller venues, where she performs with a trimmed-down version of her band, takes requests and otherwise welcomes the audience from a stage set modeled after her music room at home. But why not take the idea a step further and add more value to the experience for both t... more

Ever wonder what color M&M matches your personality? There's one way to find out: Visit the company's Web site, www.M-Ms.com, click on "Become an M" and follow the steps. Or do what Kyle Busch, Enrique Iglesias, Magic Johnson, KISS and others have done: Become a "shell-ebrity." Alas, fame is a prerequisite for that route toward self-awareness. In particular, one's features need to be recognizable when caricatured on an individual M&M and displayed in print ads. Any number of Country artists would meet these standards easily, but two of the most easily identifiable, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, a.k.a. Arista Nashville recording artist Brooks & Dunn, were the first to make the cut. The shell-ebrity campaign grows from a playfully mys... more

Official selection: 2009 Cannes Film Festival ... Un Certain Regard Toronto International Film Festival - WINNER! Best First Feature - Palm Spring Film Festival Aaron, a respectable butcher in Jerusalem's ultra-orthodox Jewish community, is married to Rivka and is a dedicated father of four children. One day, he hires Ezri, a handsome twenty-two year old student, as an apprentice and soon develops feelings for him. As the relationship grows, Aaron starts to neglect his family and community life, swept away by his love--and lust--for Ezri. But a foreboding guilt, inner torment and intense condemnation from the community catch up with him, leading him to make a radical decision. Variety says, "Recalling Amos Gitai's "Kadosh" and David... more

HOPE's Report Reveals Absence of Latina Executives in California's Top Corporations. Los Angeles, CA ... At the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) 1st Annual Visionary Leaders Luncheon on Friday, the organization announced key findings from it's report, "Missing: Latinas in Executive Leadership in California's Corporations," conducted throughout 2009. The report found that of the 400 largest public companies in California, Latina executives lead none. HOPE's report also encourages California's Education System and state-based Corporations to address the current deficit of Latinas in executive positions in California. The report, commissioned by Sempra Energy, was initiated to understand the presence of Latinas in Califor... more

Delivers Opening Remarks at Conference on the CDFI Industry and the Disabilities Market at Federal Reserve Board. Washington, DC - U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Director Donna J. Gambrell delivered remarks tonight at the opening reception for the "Opportunities for Community Development Finance in the Disabilities Market Conference," held at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, DC. Part of an interactive "Disabilities Market Lab" intended to bring key decision makers together to discuss opportunities for the community development finance field to expand its focus on projects that serve the disabilities market, the event was co-sponsored by: the Disability Opportu... more

The anticipated first video from FEAR FACTORY's forthcoming album Mechanize premieres today at Roxwel.com. "Fear Campaign" was directed by the team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci for Boston-based, Emmy nominated Killswitch Productions. The clip was filmed in Los Angeles with additional photographic elements and all post production completed in Boston. The direct link to view "Fear Campaign" is http://www.roxwel.com/player/fearfactoryfearcampaign.html. In a recent interview with Revolver Magazine McFarland and Pecci revealed details about the video's themes and creation. "Burton (C. Bell, vocalist) is an extremely creative person and he had some very specific visuals in mind," says Pecci. "He said that he wanted to bombard the audi... more

Miami, Florida -- Over 100 footballs will be used in the upcoming Super Bowl game, and to protect against possible counterfeiting every one of them will be "tagged" with a specially-prepared synthetic DNA ink that leaves an invisible-to-the-naked-eye security mark. The sideline pylons and even the coin used for the coin toss will be marked, too. For the 12th consecutive year, the National Football League will use the world's largest sports memorabilia authentication company, PSA/DNA Authentication Services of Santa Ana, California (www.psadna.com), to certify all footballs used in the Super Bowl. A PSA/DNA representative will mark each ball with a synthetic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strand that can be seen only when illuminated by a... more

WASHINGTON ... The nominations period for the Citizen Service Above Self Honors closes on Friday, February 12, 2010. Nominations must be received by then to be considered for 2010. The Citizen Service Above Self Honors recognizes and honors ordinary Americans who have become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness. Citizens may nominate a citizen hero by completing the online form, www.CitizenServiceAboveSelfHonors.org. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, consisting exclusively of America's fewer than 100 living Medal of Honor recipients, encourages individuals to nominate any citizen who has clearly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for others whether through a single act of extraordinary he... more

$10,000 in scholarships available. Irving, Texas - The Electronic Security Association (ESA) is accepting applications for the 2010 Youth Scholarship Program which will award $10,000 in scholarships to two children of active duty police officers and firefighters. The first place winner will receive $7,500 to put toward their college education and the second place winner will receive $2,500. Eligible students have until March 31 to submit their applications. Since the ESA Youth Scholarship Program was created in 1996, the association and its affiliated Chartered Chapters have awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students whose parents are police and fire officials. "The men and women that serve this country each and every... more

"Indiantown, Florida Native Gearing Up For "True" Hometown Race." JUPITER, Florida - Before Patrick Sheltra heads to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway this week to participate in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, the Indiantown, Florida native stopped by Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway Monday to participate in the track's "Media Day." The 23-year old rising star will participate in an open ARCA Racing Series (ARS) test at the 11-turn, 2.034-mile design and FIA Grade II certified road course next Monday, two days following the "Super Bowl" event for ARCA at Daytona. Sheltra spoke with local media, county officials, city officials, National Football League (NFL) stars and fans who attended the event despite ... more

Bilingual Ads Encourage Participation in the Upcoming Census. Los Angeles, CA ... The Leadership Conference Education Fund (The Education Fund) has launched a series of public service announcements in Los Angeles buses to encourage residents in hard-to-count communities to fully participate in the upcoming 2010 census. The bilingual English-Spanish PSAs are intended to inform Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus riders about the benefits of participating in the decennial headcount. The Education Fund and its coalition partners are placing ads in transit systems across the country as part of a national civil rights education campaign to promote a fair and accurate census. Between February ... more

This weekend, beginning Saturday, February 6, L.A. Theatre Works will air Relativity by Cassandra Medley, starring Deidrie Henry, Judyann Elder, James Pickens Jr. , Jason Ritter, Terrell Tilford, and Lorraine Toussaint. The broadcast can be heard locally in Southern California on Saturday from 10 pm to midnight on KPCC 89.3 FM, and can also be streamed on demand at latw.org. Enter the brave new world of genetic mapping and profiling, and the controversy that arises when it is applied to issues of race. Kalima, a brilliant young African-American biogeneticist, finds her cutting edge research bringing her into ideological conflict with her mother, Claire, who runs a foundation dedicated to "melanin science." Claire fervently believes ... more

An Atheist public policy group is seeking hourly naming rights to the stadium the Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010 CE Super Bowl will be played in. The stadium has had seven names since it was built in 1987, including three names in the last twelve months. Most recently, the name was Land Shark Stadium for only eight months. The current naming rights winner, Sun Life Financial, will pay approximately $4 million per year in exchange for the stadium being known as Sun Life Stadium. American Atheists, Inc., applauds this effective development in what many see as America's national unifying religion--professional sports--and is offering to participate by paying to have the stadium named "American Atheists Stadium" for one hour--from noon until 1 p.m. on... more

SAG Awards. to be Simulcast Saturday, Jan. 23 on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, 6 p.m. MT. LOS ANGELES ... Veteran TV, film, stage actor and four-time Actor. nominee John Slattery, who stars as Roger Sterling on AMC'S hit drama "Mad Men," will open the red carpet at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. on Saturday, Jan. 23 with a Champagne Taittinger toast, executive producer and director Jeff Margolis announced today. The SAG Awards. ceremony will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. An encore presentation will air on TNT at 11 p.m. (ET/PT). For satellite ... more

NEW DELHI, India - The visit of India's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, to the Dominican Republic this week could be a significant moment in the widening of a huge market for the Caribbean nation and for the region, asserted the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx). Minister Tharoor is "one of the brightest younger stars in the Indian political firmament, and his name has been prominently mentioned as a candidate to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations," said a CMEx director, Lelei LeLaulu, who believes "his unheralded four-day visit could expand trade and other exchanges between the Dominican Republic and India." LeLaulu, who will be a featured speaker at the large SATTE Travel Mart in New Delhi nex... more

Some of the items were concealed in coffee bags. LOS ANGELES — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport discovered 65 live bonsai plants and 7 bulbs, some concealed in coffee bags inside the luggage of a passenger who arrived from Vietnam. On January 16, a passenger arriving from Vietnam to the Tom Bradley terminal was referred to Agriculture Secondary for inspection. CBP agriculture specialists gave the passenger the opportunity to verbally amend the declaration but the passenger insisted on not having fruits, vegetables or plants with the baggage. During the x-ray scan, CBP officials discovered several anomalies in the passenger's suitcases and upon... more

Precautions to Follow for Those At-Risk for Erosion Damage. YORBA LINDA, CA ... January 20, 2010... Southern California is synonymous with natural disasters such as earthquakes and massive fires, and meteorologists predict that 2010 will be another year of heavy rains and record landslides. Although we are still relatively early in this year's rainy season, local rains have already eroded the base of slopes, removing support of the hills' foundation and causing weight increase of rock and soil mass through water absorption. California hillsides have been stripped of the vegetation which would, under normal circumstances, serve to mitigate erosion risks during the rainy seasons. Erosion risk can range from nuisance level problems... more

NASHVILLE - During an event held last night at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer presented CMA Digital Media Director Chris Felder with a guitar signed by artists who participated in the 2009 CMA Music Festival. The presentation honored CMA for its technological leadership in the industry through its relationship with Microsoft Corp. by developing new Web-based applications for CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival. "Microsoft is pleased to work with the County Music Association to create innovative ways of bringing the worlds of music and technology together," said Ballmer. "We believe that technology is a powerful enabler for music education, and we look forward to on... more

MILITARY SHOULD SCRAP "JESUS CODE" RIFLE SIGHTS: "PROPAGANDA COUP FOR TALIBAN, OSAMA" SAY ATHEISTS. An Atheist public policy group said Monday that rifle sights marked with a secret "Jesus Bible Code" may provide Islamic extremists with a powerful propaganda tool and egregiously and dangerously violate the separation of church and state. According to a report on ABC News, a Michigan-based company, Trijicon, has a $600 million contract to provide U.S. forces with 800,000 of the rifle sights which are being used in Afghanistan and Iraq. The sights are marked with citations from the Bible, including one that declares that Jesus is "the light of the world." Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that he fears Islamic ... more

INDIANTOWN, Florida - Back from the trenches and isolation of Dryden, Texas ARCA Racing Series (ARS) veteran driver Patrick Sheltra without hesitation enjoyed and is reflecting on his two month excursion to the city of seclusion partaking his favorite off-season activity, hunting. Surrounded by his family including his mother (Grace Sheltra) and father (Rick Sheltra) and fianc.e Lauren Murrell, the 23-year old Sheltra tackled the woods like a pro. Finding his fair share of bucks ... Sheltra also found the time to bring in and entertain special guests, Racing Electronics ARCA representative Corey LaCosta while in-between Christmas and New Year's, the Sheltra clan welcomed Florida native Ray Sasser to their ranch. Both were winners o... more

Washington, DC ... Congressman Mike Castle (R-Delaware) will address the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's 2010 Annual Conference. His remarks will be delivered at a session scheduled for 9:00-10:00 am on January 27 at the Marriott Hotel Washington in Washington, DC, where CHEA's Annual Conference will be held. A former two-term Governor of Delaware, Congressman Castle is currently serving a record ninth term as Delaware's lone member in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the Education and Labor Committee and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. He also serves on the House Committee on Financial Services Congressman Castle is a strong advocate for U.S. ed... more

POMONA, CA - Fans of Eric Clapton will vie for the desirable autographed Fender guitar, a "Blackie" replica at the auction during the Legend's Dinner, Feb. 13th at the Avalon Room, Fairplex in Pomona. Sale of Clapton's exquisite "Blackie" replica Fender guitar, nicknamed by Clapton for the finish of his beloved and world-famous "composite" Stratocaster, will benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating American motorsports and culture. We're also pleased to present several additional auction items including a John Force roof hatch signed by the entire JF Crew, a page of original art from Pete Millar's drag racing comic book, and an official 50th Kragen O'Reilly NH... more

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 252,968 DVDs with counterfeit trademarks. The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the shipment was estimated to be over $7.1 million and the domestic value was $204,904. On Jan 7, CBP officials from Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport complex seized a shipment which arrived on a sea container from South Korea. The shipment consisted of movies and music DVDs destined to an importer in the Los Angeles County. When CBP officials inspected the shipment, they discovered counterfeit "DVD", "Dolby", and "DTS" trademark designs on the packaging. The shipment was seized for illegal importation of merchandise bearing counterfeit trademarks. CBP has a multi-layered enf... more

Former Peace Corps volunteers are urged to join discussion to connect and engage. Washington, D.C. - The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), a membership-based alumni organization that serves all returned Peace Corps Volunteers and former staff, as well as Peace Corps family, friends, and supporters, announced today it has created a designated section on its Web site called, Haiti Disaster Response, to leverage the expertise and knowledge of former Peace Corps Volunteers to help support recovery efforts in Haiti. In total, over 500 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Haiti since 1982. NPCA encourages all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV's) who served in Haiti, as well as other former volunteers, to visit NPCA's Web site ... more

Los Angeles - For less than the cost of a demo, songwriters can attend this event, write a song for Griggs based on his concept/theme (which he will tell you on opening day at the meet and greet). If he and the industry panel of judges choose the song as the BEST, Griggs will record the song and it will be released on the nationally syndicated Conman Radio Show starring Chris Conn. Runner- up will also be chosen and may also be cut by Andy, studio time permitting. Rules: >> This Song challenge is open to ALL songwriters. Professional songwriters, Staff writers, performing songwriters and Amateurs are welcome. >> The song will be written in its entirety during event. The theme/concept will NOT be revealed until the meet and gre... more

Los Angeles — Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. announced last weeek a $25,000 contribution, to the American Red Cross to help aid relief efforts in Haiti, where a devastating earthquake killed more than 100,000 people and left the country in shambles. This is the first donation with more contributions planned as the need continues. "Farmers is proud to support the American Red Cross," said Bob Woudstra, Chief Executive Officer of Farmers Insurance Group Inc. "The American Red Cross rushes immediately to where the need is greatest and we greatly admire and respect the world-wide work this fine organization does for so many people." In addition to the $25,000 dollar immediate donation, Farmers will also hold a countrywid... more

Revered Musician and Composer to Perform Private Concert In Celebration of That Lucky Old Sun Limited Edition Prints, Book & Album Set. SAN FRANCISCO ... The San Francisco Art Exchange (SFAE) has announced the release of a limited edition, fine art box set from famed artist Sir Peter Blake in collaboration with legendary singer and composer Brian Wilson. Blake is the English pop artist best known for his design of the sleeve for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Inspired by music for Wilson's recent album, That Lucky Old Sun, Blake produced a series of collages to accompany the song collection. A cloth-bound book, hand signed by both Blake and Wilson, completes the unique box set, of which only 1,000 copies ... more

The Chapman Charitable Trusts announced a major gift benefiting The University of Tulsa College of Law during an event held Tuesday at the law school. The gift has established the Dean John Rogers Endowed Chair for the College of Law and will fund a major renovation of John Rogers Hall that will allow future facility upgrades. "The Chapman Charitable Trusts have been a bedrock of support and a continual source of opportunity to TU for more than 50 years," said TU President Steadman Upham. "They have provided essential funding for our programs, facilities and for an expanding family of faculty and scholarship endowments." The Dean John Rogers Endowed Chair for the College of Law honors the legacy of John Rogers Sr., a... more

CMEx wants Caribbean tourism to help Haiti recover. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), which promotes sustainable tourism development among media practitioners and industry tourism stakeholders, believes that this week's deadly earthquake in Port-au-Prince is an opportunity for Caribbean countries to find innovative ways to help the survivors put their lives back together. "The richer countries and international organizations are best equipped to deal with the urgent need for cash, medicines and earth-moving machinery," but CMEx director Lelei LeLaulu urged the "family of Caribbean nations to use their strengths to help Haiti re-build a stronger nation driven by a dynamic and resilie... more

Coronado, CA ... California American Water appointed Edward Simon II to Vice President of Operations. Ed brings more than 20 years of customer service, operations support and operations experience to the position. "Ed brings experience that will greatly strengthen our operations in California," said California American Water President Ron MacLean. "He brings a skill set and a proven track record of running a very tight ship. We are very lucky to have someone of his caliber joining our team." At his new post, Simon will oversee all operations within California American Water's service districts. His responsibilities will include managing operations at all of the company's well, tank, and treatment facilities as well as most of its fi... more

For the second straight year, a student from The University of Tulsa College of Law has won one of two nationally competitive Shannon Bybee Scholarship Awards from the International Association of Gaming Advisors. Ross Crutchfield, a third-year law student from Hulbert, Okla., submitted the paper entitled "Folding a Losing Hand ... Why Congress Should Replace the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act with a Regulatory Scheme," to the national writing contest. The IAGA recognizes two Shannon Bybee Scholarship Award winners each year for the best research papers written during the academic year by students of accredited law schools as part of their class work. The award includes a $2,500 cash prize. This year's other recipient was... more

An Atheist public policy group tonight charged that politically influential televangelist Pat Robertson made insensitive, inaccurate and "downright foolish" remarks when he stated that Haiti was "cursed" because it made a "pact" with Satan. Robertson, a patriarch of the religious right and host of the "700 Club" television program, added that the impoverished nation has been "cursed by one thing after another' following a "pact with the devil." A devastating 7.0 earthquake has just ravaged the island country, and early estimate say that perhaps as many as 100,000 people have been killed." "Once again Pat Robertson has chosen to exploit natural events, including this latest tragedy, and 'blame the victims' so he can stump for hi... more

Call on Secretary Geithner to Penalize Bank of America and other Banks that Fail to Comply with Federal Loan Modification Guidelines. ANTIOCH, CA -- Last night, a delegation of clergy and community leaders from PICO National Network, together with National People's Action and SEIU, met with senior executives from Bank of America in Antioch, California to demand that they act more swiftly and aggressively to keep families in their homes, end predatory lending, and invest in our communities. Over 50 witnesses from organizations representing tens of millions of people around the country stood around the negotiating table to witness the session, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Nationa... more

Informal Review Applications for Homeowners Available January 4, 2010 through March 31, 2010. San Francisco, CA ... Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting has announced a new process what will allow homeowners to request a review of the market value of their property. Beginning January 4, 2010 the Office of the Assessor-Recorder will accept applications for the 2010-2011 tax year through March 31, 2010. Homeowners will be notified of the results of their informal review in the annual Notice of Assessed Value which will be mailed at the end of July 2010. "Last year we had a record number of informal review applications," Ting said. "In response to this huge demand, we are accepting applications through March 31, 2010 so that the homeowners w... more

Administration recognizes key importance of nation's manufacturing base. Washington, DC -- The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) today praised the Obama Administration's new "Framework for Revitalizing American Manufacturing." The document comes at a crisis moment for the nation's industrial sector, which has lost more than 5 million jobs and 51,000 factories over the past decade. "We are extremely heartened to see the Administration not only recognize the importance of domestic manufacturing to the overall economy but to also go on record and acknowledge that certain government policies can help to revitalize the sector," said Scott Paul, Executive Director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM). "As obvious as ... more

Workers United/SEIU announces victory for laundry workers as Cintas settles class action suit alleging violations of Los Angeles living wage law for record-breaking $6.5 million. More than 500 Southern California Cintas laundry workers to get millions in long overdue back wages as class action lawsuit over violations of Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance comes to a close. LOS ANGELES — Workers United/SEIU announced today that industrial launderer Cintas has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that it violated the City of Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance. The union, which represents 70 percent of laundry workers in California, believes the settlement is the largest monetary amount ever paid for al... more

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. to market 8.7 million square feet of prime office space. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of General Services (DGS) has awarded a contract to CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) to sell 17 state office buildings to investors. In June, Governor Schwarzenegger directed the sale of the properties located in Los Angeles, Oakland Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Rosa in order to raise more than $660 million to offset cuts in the state budget. "The Governor was clear that we must re-think how we manage the state's real estate. The awarding of this contract is a significant step forward in DGS' effort to carry out that mission," said Acting DGS Director Ron Diedrich. "We ... more

Pasadena, CA - The Pasadena POPS are proud to debut a spectacular Holiday POPS concert that is sure to become a new family tradition. The celebration will feature music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Polar Express, Home Alone and cherished Christmas melodies Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Nutcracker (featuring ballet dancers), Carol of the Bells, Santa Baby and much more. The evening will conclude with heartwarming Sing-Alongs. Kid's tickets are just $10 and Santa Claus comes to town! Guest Artists: Tony-nominated and critically acclaimed vocalist, Valarie Pettiford LA Children's Chorus, one of the nation's leading children's choirs Donald Brinegar Singers, noted for their warm choral tone and highly musical interpretations of a wi... more

Patrice Munsel, whose career has spanned the Metropolitan Opera, musical theater, Las Vegas, and network television, will be presented with Opera Index's Distinguished Achievement Award on Sunday, January 10, 2010 beginning at 6 p.m. at its annual Winter Gala held in the Grand Salon of the Jumeirah Essex House, the luxury hotel on Central Park South. Opera Index is a non-profit organization that since 1984 has boosted the careers of more than 250 young singers through its annual vocal competition, each year it recognizes the opera legends of our time with its Distinguished Achievement Award. Last year's recipient was Julius Rudel. This year's award will be presented to Ms. Munsel by WQXR's Midge Woosey. The Opera Index Win... more

About 20,000 workers at South Africa's second biggest retailer, Pick 'n Pay, went on strike Dec. 11 to protest against alleged racism at the South African grocery chain. An estimated 3,000 workers, clad in red t-shirts and carrying placards with slogans, such as "Pick 'n Pay are Masters of Slave Trade" and "Wage Gap is Racism," gathered at the group's head office in Johannesburg to deliver their demands. The workers, who are members of the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers, are linked to the powerful labor federation, COSATU. They are demanding that the company address the wage gap between black and white workers and abolish the fast-track promotions for white "casual" staff over experienced black employees. "We... more

Long Beach, CA ... On Thursday, December 10, 2009, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) will march and rally for good, middle-class jobs outside a Verizon call center 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Long Beach, 200 W Ocean Blvd. The event was called after recent announcements by both Verizon and AT&T to move more than 300 Los Angeles area jobs to other states ... jobs that support California families and small businesses as well as government services through employee payroll taxes. CWA is expecting 150-200 demonstrators to attend the rally come rain or shine. CWA, along with key state legislators, have called on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to investigate the moves after both of the telecommunicatio... more

Transfer Tax Review Board Rules in Favor of Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting.s Determination. San Francisco, CA ... Today, the Transfer Tax Review Board ruled 3-0 in favor of the Assessor-Recorder Office.s December 4, 2008 determination of transfer tax owed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese (RCA) of San Francisco. The Assessor-Recorder.s Office estimates that approximately $14.4 million in transfer taxes is owed making this the second largest transfer tax event in our City.s history. "Today.s decision reaffirmed our office.s determination of transfer taxes owed. We have worked hard to ensure every taxpayer is being assessed transfer taxes in a fair and consistent manner." Ting said. The Transfer Tax Review Board held its fourth an... more

PASADENA, CA ... The Pasadena POPS are proud to debut a spectacular Holiday POPS concert that is sure to become a new family tradition. The celebration will feature music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Polar Express, Home Alone and cherished Christmas melodies Jingle Bells, Silent Night and Nutcracker. The evening will conclude with heartwarming Sing-Alongs, bringing the audience the sparkling musical gems known and loved in this most wonderful time of the year. Guest artists: Tony Nominated and critically acclaimed vocalist, Valarie Pettiford, one of the nation's leading children's choirs, the LA Children's Chorus and the Donald Brinegar Singers, noted for their warm choral tone and highly musical interpretations of a wide range o... more