Obama Urges Bipartisan Stimulus Support

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to swiftly pass a massive economic stimulus bill, which could cost as much as $800 billion. In his weekly radio address Saturday, Obama said lawmakers from both parties must join together to jumpstart the ailing economy by passing the measure, which will taken up as soon as Obama is sworn into office Jan. 20, the Washington publication The Hill reported.

National News

Hurricane Protection System in New Orleans 'A System in Name Only'
To do so, two Virginia Tech geotechnical engineering students went to New Orleans and obtained about 2,000 pounds of different soil samples that have organic contents greater than nine percent.
Study Seeks Green Homes That Withstand Hurricanes
While in Bangladesh, Uddin will work with local educators and researchers to study the feasibility, reliability and livability of low cost coastal housing designed to endure hurricanes using environmentally friendly composite building techn
Expert on Barrier Islands and Climate Change Available
The National Science Foundation-funded study group is developing a strategic plan for sustaining barrier island ecosystems in the face of increases in storm frequency and intensity, as well as sea level rise associated with global climate c

Entertainment

Iowa Electronic Markets Offers Lessons in Box Office Prediction Markets
The University of Iowa's Iowa Electronic Markets has been operating a similar real-money box office market since 1995, and its coordinator thinks traders on Cantor's proposed market will have their work cut out in finding a way to make mone
Dial F for Female. Women's Touch Prevalent in Many Hitchcock Films, Says Professor
" Recent books have suggested that he was very nasty toward women- a misogynist", said Modleski, a four-time author with a background in feminist film theory.
Indian Radio Innovator Named 2009 Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year
About Radio Mirchi Entertainment Network ( India) Limited is a leading city-centric media company and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India.

Human Rights

BRAC Africa Loan Fund Launched to Combat Poverty in East Africa
The Fund attracted investment from a diverse group of investors including the Overseas Private Investment Corporation ( OPIC), Triodos Fair Share Fund, Hivos-Triodos Fund, The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries ( Norfund), T
Health for All Blue Diamond Ball Scheduled to Celebrate Obama's Inauguration
The presidency of Barack Obama is a historic opportunity for reforming the health care system in the United States and strengthening support for health worldwide.
Amnesty International Urges U.N. Security Council Not to Fail Civilians Caught in Gaza Conflict
Human Rights Organization Concerned by' Unprecedented Scale' of Civilian Casualties in Gaza; Calls for Deployment of International Monitors in Urgent Letter
Radio Address by President Bush to the Nation
On December 19th, Hamas announced an end to the ceasefire and soon unleashed a barrage of rockets and mortars that deliberately targeted innocent Israelis- an act of terror that is opposed by the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people,
Phyllis Schlafly Endorses Ken Blackwell for RNC Chairman
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3/ PRNewswire-USNewswire/- Eagle Forum President and Republican National Coalition for Life National Chairman Phyllis Schlafly today endorsed the candidacy of Ken Blackwell for chairman of the Republican National Committee.
In Urgent Letter, Amnesty International USA Appeals to Secretary Rice to End 'Lopsided U.S. Response
Human Rights Organization Insists U.S. Government " Exert Concrete Pressure" on All Parties to End Unlawful Attacks, Protect Civilians
Hmong Crisis: Thailand's PM Abhisit, Gen. Anupong Mobilize Army to Force Hmong Refugees to Laos
WASHINGTON and BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec. 31/ PRNewswire-USNewswire/- Thailand's new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and Army Chief Anupong Paochinda, in apparent preparation for the Prime Minister's upcoming trip to Laos in January, are mak
Ros-Lehtinen Calls on U.S. and Allies to Fight Isolation of Israel, Not Participate in Durban II
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31/ PRNewswire-USNewswire/- U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ( R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today commented on the release of a revised " outcome document" for the United Nations Durban Rev
The Obama Administration's Choices On Cuba
[ See recent calls upon President-elect Obama to modify or end restrictions on travel by a wide range of American organizations at http:// obamacuba.blogspot. com/2008/ 12/ us-civil-society-wants-change-in-us. html]
U.S. Muslims to Hold White House 'Vigil for Gaza'
AMT is an umbrella organization that includes: American Muslim Alliance ( AMA), American Muslims for Palestine ( AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America ( ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America

Money

Law Center Presents 'Global Financial Crisis for Dummies'
The page- in PDF form at http:// www.uiowa. edu/ifdebook/ timeline/Credit_ Crisis_ Timeline. pdf- has a meticulously detailed timeline of events leading up to the economic collapse, and it highlights news reports of every struggling investm
Two Babson College Undergraduate Teams Receive Honors At Global Innovation Competition
The Babson College/Olin College team, Bottled Solutions, won Best Overall award.
Pharmacy Pricing Expert Who Predicted 2004 Flu Vaccine Shortage Builds Thriving Consulting Business
E.M. " Mick" Kolassa, who earned his doctorate in pharmacy at the UM School of Pharmacy in 1995, owns Medical Marketing Economics, which deals with research and pricing strategies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Babson's Dean Hanno Named to International Leadership Initiative Board
The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative was co-founded and is supported by the United Nations Global Compact and the European Foundation for Management Development ( EFMD).
'New and Improved' Baldrige Criteria Now Available
Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST)
Franchising Index Weathers Recession in Third Quarter
" A 62.3 percent increase in Buffalo Wild Wings value and a 9.2 percent share gain by McDonald's, in addition to positive returns by another 23 components of the index, shielded the index from the brutal fall suffered by the broader indices
University of Maryland Dental School Receives Business Leadership Award
Give Kids A Smile stems from a partnership among the Dental School, the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, and the Maryland State Dental Association.
Columbia University's Proven Natural Language Processing Technology Licensed to NLP International
About Columbia University Science & Technology Ventures Columbia University's technology transfer office, Science & Technology Ventures ( STV), serves as a bridge between Columbia's researchers and the business community.
Grant Will Expand Modeling & Simulation Technologies
About Boeing, UAHuntsville A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions and the world's larg
Peter Preuss Joins Burnham Institute for Medical Research Board
Preuss has served on numerous boards, including The National Brain Tumor Foundation, Duke University Cancer Center, Dartmouth Medical School, The Children's Hospital and Health Center of San Diego, University of California, San Diego ( UCSD

California Local

A Romp in the Park
Glendale Centre Theatre's 2009 Season starts with Neil Simon's very funny Barefoot in the Park, performed with wit and charm in this theatre-in-the-round.
Union Launches Blog Exposing Disney's Unfaithfulness to Workers
Anaheim - UNITE HERE Local 11 has launched www.disneyisunfaithful.org, a blog created to document how Disney is being unfaithful to workers, communities and customers around the world.
Tri-Pi Theatre travels to India
CULVER CITY, CA - Triumvirate Pi Theatre artistic director Leslie K.
Spill in Santa Barbara Channel Should Cause us to Revisit Issue of Increased Offshore Drilling
Last week´s nearly 2,000 gallon spill five miles off of the coast of Carpinteria from Platform A is a grim reminder of the risks associated with offshore oil drilling and should cause us to reexamine the issue of increased petroleum exploration off of our shores. We haven´t heard much lately from the "drill here, drill now, pay less" crowd.
Beethoven, Mozart and...The Ud. Pacific Serenades Presents The World Is Our Community
What does the Ud have to do with Beethoven and Mozart? Join Pacific Serenades at its opening chamber series, The World Is Our Community, on February 7, 8 and 10 to find out. Featured soloists include Münir Beken, a former conductor of the State Conservatory Orchestra of Istanbul who moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to become Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at UCLA.
Several New Laws to Take Effect Thursday
Yee authors laws to help children, bring transparency to government, protect workers and consumers, enhance public safety, safeguard the environment, and improve health access.
Senator Yee Continues 100 % Lifetime Record with Equality California
Yee´s Commitment to Equal Rights Earns Top Rating from Civil Rights Group.
Hugh McCutcheon, head coach for USA Volleyball, to "Crank up the Entertainment" at Rose Parade
ANAHEIM, Calif.
MOVIE REVIEW: Slumdog Millionaire
Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire is the critic's darling of 2008.
Musica Angelica Opens 2009 Baroque Chamber Music Series January 10
Musica Angelica, hailed as "a Baroque gem…a triumph" by the LA Times will open its 2009 Chamber Music Series on January 10 in Pasadena and January 11 in Santa Monica, California. Guest artists include French soprano Celine Ricci and Gonzalo Ruiz, one of North America's most acclaimed historic woodwind soloists, plus cellist David Morris and Ian Pritchard on harpsichord. Musica Angelica will present cantatas and sonatas by Handel, Vivaldi, Clérambault and Couperin.
Ventura County students collect nearly 29,000 lbs. of food for FOOD Share
From superintendents to kindergarteners, eight Pleasant Valley Schools supported the drive to tackle hunger by donating 10,060 lbs. of food, while Simi Valley´s Royal High contributes 15,425 lbs and John C. Fremont Intermediate School in Oxnard brings in 3,475 lbs.
President Bush Signs Victims Protection Act to Combat Human Trafficking
On December 23, President Bush signed into law a bill that enhances measures to combat human trafficking.
THE MYTH OF EXCLUSIVITY OF MYTH (Greece, Albania, Bulgaria)
info@macedonian.com.au Australian Macedonian Advisory Council
Soup: A Flash of Foodified Summer
There's nothing like soup on a cold winter day.
Cal/EPA Releases Final Policy Recommendations for Green Chemistry Initiative
the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) released the Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI) Final Recommendations that seeks to eliminate or reduce the use of toxic substances in products and manufacturing processes -- strengthening the protection of public health and the environment.
Ventura Music Festival announces 2009 student music competition with Paquito D'Rivera
As part of its ongoing student outreach mission, the Ventura Music Festival announces its Second Student Music Competition, selecting one Ventura, Santa Barbara or Los Angeles high school student to play a number on stage with Latin-jazz legend Paquito D´Rivera, a nine-time GRAMMY Award winner.
Clazzical Notes Presents "The Women"
Looking for a free -- and unique -- evening of classical music, jazz, and discussion among the musicians in between sets? Then Clazzical Notes on Monday, January 12, is for you.
Wells Fargo deposits $10,000 to assist FOOD Share
FOOD Share, Inc., Ventura County´s regional food bank, received a donation of $10,000 from Wells Fargo in response to increasing demand for food assistance in the Ventura County.
VILLARIAGOSA RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM LOS ANGELES LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
City Councilmembers also get early backing from leading environmental organization.
Spill in Santa Barbara Channel Should Cause us to Revisit Issue of Increased Offshore Oil Drilling
Last week´s nearly 2,000 gallon spill five miles off of the coast of Carpinteria from Platform A is a grim reminder of the risks associated with offshore oil drilling and should cause us to reexamine the issue of increased petroleum exploration off of our shores. We haven´t heard much lately from the "drill here, drill now, pay less" crowd.
Firm alleges Raley's store wrongfully denied civil rights to citizen group
SUISUN – West-Sacramento-based Raley's wrongfully denied the civil rights to residents in Suisun because it doesn't even own the property it has banned petitioners from, charged a Sacramento civil rights firm here this week in a motion to dismiss the controversial case in Solano Superior Court.
Cal Poly Pomona Acquires Presstek 34DI® Digital Offset Press
On-site high quality four-color printing capability will decrease outsourcing and improve environmental footprint.
Sacramento ACLU notes "concerns" over Sacramento County's failure to comply with state laws
SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento Chapter of the ACLU said it has formally written the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors about its reluctance to implement a medical marijuana ID program required by state law and recent court decisions, and suggested further non-compliance could lead to costly lawsuits that would spend scarce tax dollars. A hearing is set for 2:45 p.m.
Ventura County Contractors Assn. helps eight local charities with $10k donation
On December 9, the Ventura County Contractors Association (VCCA) presented a total of $10,000 to eight local charitable organizations, including the Camarillo Health Care District, FOOD Share, Habitat for Humanity Ventura County, Livingston Memorial, Meals on Wheels, Ventura County Rescue Mission, Ventura County Special Olympics, and Teen Challenge.
The Jingle Bell Rockers sing at the Abbot Kinney Holiday Extravaganza
Don´t miss The Off Their Jingle Bell Rockers perform this Saturday December 13th at these selected stores at the Abbot Kinney Holiday Extravaganza. You can catch the Rockers at Tumbleweed & Dandelion (1502 Abbot Kinney).for a full hour, from 7:00 pm till 8:00 pm then at Abbot Kinney Real Estate (1422 Abbot Kinney), from 8:15 pm till 8:45 pm, then on to The Modern Dog (1611 Abbot Kinney) and other local businesses.