Ban Urges Countries to Press on Political Deal at Climate Summit
Recent News
SAN FRANCISCO/PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic travel, expanded yesterday to the tenth destination in its growing network - South Florida. The new service connects the Golden State to Florida's Gold Coast, with twice-daily nonstop flights from ...
Washington, D.C. In an effort to keep terrorist detainees off U.S. soil and out of U.S. courts, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) signed a discharge petition to bring H.R. 2294, the "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act," to the House floor for a vote. Bono Mack issued the following statement:
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Washington, D.C. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House Democratic Steering Committee has approved recommendations for committee appointments for two new Members, Congressman John Garamendi of California and Congressman Bill Owens of New York, who were both sworn in earlier this month.
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WASHINGTON, DC Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley have helped remove the same amount of air pollution as removing 153,000 cars from California highways, announced Congressman Cardoza.
That estimate is based on early projections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture´s Natural Resources Co...
SACRAMENTO, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California State Auditor introduced WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov as the official source for all information and questions pertaining to the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission). California voters authorized the creation of the Commission w...
PASADENA, Calif. The Pasadena Master Chorale (PMC) gave its debut performance only last May but, from the beginning, reaching out to introduce students to the incomparable joy of choral music has been a key part of the choir´s mission. During that first concert, the Washington Middle School G...
PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) welcomes Brian Farris as its Corporate Director of Logistics.
Founded in 1998, PODS currently provides service to a population of more than 238 million consumers, and moving and storage services in 48 U.S. states, Canada and Australia. To date, the company has completed more than 200,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded one million deliveries and has nearly 138,000 PODS containers in service.
California Democratic Party Executive Board passes a resolution calling for end to war in Afghanistan, sends ΄clear΄ message to President Obama to not escalate conflict.
SAN DIEGO The California Democratic Party Executive Board has approved an extraordinary resolution to be forwarded to Pre...
Peace Officer Research Association of California backs council candidate.
NORTH HOLLWOOD California´s largest law enforcement organization, the Peace Officer Research Association of California (PORAC), announced Friday that it has endorsed Los Angeles City Council Candidate Paul Krekor...
Businesses in Specific Zip Code Areas Notified of Upcoming Visits.
The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) has sent letters to 14,924 retail businesses in 14 different zip codes notifying them of upcoming visits by BOE specialists. The affected zip codes receiving letters this month a...
Judges recognize Messina Hof as best winery in Texas; wines win People's Choice awards at San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition.
BRYAN, TX - Messina Hof Winery & Resort, the fastest-growing award winning winery in Texas, left the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition with o...
NORTH HOLLWOOD Pete Sanchez, former City Council candidate and leader of the Valley Village community, endorsed Paul Krekorian this week, another neighborhood advocate to endorse Krekorian. With Sanchez, and former candidates Tamar Galatzan and Mary Benson. Krekorian now has the support of the top...
Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced the expansion of its available online educational products to include the virtual replication of Small Business Fairs and Seminars for Nonprofit Organizations.
These online products are a co...
LA Labor 411: Union Directory to help public make ethical consumer choices when purchasing goods and services.
Los Angeles Today the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO released the second edition of its popular, LA Labor 411, a directory of union goods and services, that this ye...
Doten Becomes the Only Young Democrat Elected to California's Delegation to the DNC.
San Diego - In a three-day election that ended on Sunday, November 15, 2009, the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party elected two Democrats to California's Democratic National Committee (DNC) dele...
SACRAMENTO Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and ensure an adequate supply of water for California in the years ahead.
Simitian´s Senate Bill 1 (in the Seventh Extrao...
Oakland The Senate and Assembly select committees on Improving State Government convened last week to hear testimony on ballot box budgeting and initiative process reforms. The joint hearing was the second of five highlighting key areas in which the state government needs reform. The committees&a...
BURLINGTON, VT Democracy for America, our nation's largest progressive political action community, endorsed Henry Vandermeir for DNC Delegate.
As president of the California Democratic Council, Vandermeir has focused on bringing training and organizing resources to more than 400 clubs and count...
Enjoy a free night of wonderful music at Dannys Venice Beach Bistro and Bar on Wednesday on November 18th at 7:30 pm till 10:30 pm. (23 Windward Ave.) Find out more about the Boys & Girls Club of Venice and take advantage of a special Happy Hour extended till 8:00 pm for this event only. Taste one of their famous Mojitos, a delicious dinner and some delicious treats. Be dazzled by NY blues singer Kathy Leonardo, and eclectic jazz guitarist Vinnie Caggiano, while also getting the chance to mix with LA locals. Admission is FREE!
A gripping, enigmatic play that portrays the relationship between an agoraphobic mother and her precocious son who claims to have witnessed a horrific murcer.
To Speaker Pelosi΄s dismay, proponents now work to add Congress to Proposition 11 coverage.
As census outreach workers begin their efforts to ensure that everyone is counted and the California State Auditor finalizes the regulations and applications for the First Citizens Redistricting Commissio...
SACRAMENTO Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), a vigorous supporter of legislation to save the Delta and ensure water sustainability for all Californians, congratulated Governor Schwarzenegger for signing the Legislature´s historic, comprehensive water bill package that outlines California...
Bridge players play to raise funding to help support local Pasadena shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children....
Palm Springs, CA -- In an effort to keep dangerous terrorists out of California, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today launched today an online petition calling on President Obama to keep Guantanamo Bay detainees from being transferred to the State of California.
"We as Californians need to ...
SAN FRANCISCO While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) called Friday´s signing of several water bills "historic," several San Francisco leaders and environmentalists object to the water deal and believe that it is more of a 19th Century solution to a current day problem.
"Thi...
The report, Dangerous by Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (and Making Great Neighborhoods), compiles a variety of statistics on America´s major metropolitan areas and states. An update of the 2004 Mean Streets report, Dangerous by Design was released by Transportat...
At 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the historic passage of a health care bill revamping the health care system and bringing about the reforms promised by President Obama during the November 2008 election.
The vote was 220 to 215 with one Republican, Representative C...
Talented musicians representing 32 different high schools and colleges throughout Southern California will perform music that was inspired by the composers' native lands. Works include Tchaikovsky's The Little Russian and Copland's Rodeo.
As the House begins to debate the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the following debunks the false claims that Republicans will be expected to make during floor consideration and debate of the bill:
1. GOP CLAIM: The Affordable Health Care for America Act will lead to a governmen...
The ideas that House Republican have put forward as a bill substitute will let insurance companies continue to deny you coverage if you are sick; will do little to make insurance more affordable; and will put insurers ahead of consumers by undermining existing consumer protections. The plan would re...
WASHINGTON Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today released the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the Republican substitute amendment to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act:
"CBO has confirmed that the...
CBO Estimates Republican Legislation Would Leave 52 Million Americans Uninsured.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Fifty-two million people would continue to go uninsured if the House Republican health care legislation was enacted, the Congressional Budget Office said tonight. Overall, CBO estimates tha...
SACRAMENTO Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) recently was recognized as a California Regional Technology Leader for 2009 by TechAmerica. The award is given to legislators who strongly support high-tech in California. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma made the following statement of the award.
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Lawmaker says "health care reform should improve the quality of care while making the system more affordable and accessible."
Washington, DC After extensive conversations with her constituents, including her "Medicine Cabinet," Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) today indicated her int...
Schwarzenegger Administration May Not Be Convinced.
Sacramento, CA — US Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.) is asking that the state´s government fully restore its funding program for California´s domestic violence shelters. In a July line-item veto, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminat...
WASHINGTON - Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) praised House passage of Unemployment Insurance Benefits for an additional 20 weeks for workers in California. The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, passed by a bipartisan 403 to 12 vote.
"Congress must protect those who have not yet found ...
LOS ANGELES Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach and other local officials to warn homeowners about misleading and official-looking letters asking for fees to file their property tax reduction requests and to highlight a new law, Assembly Bill 992 ...
HOPE Program would reduce recidivism through closely-monitored probations paired with strict consequences for violators.
WASHINGTON, DC Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) introduced legislation that will create a new program to fight drug use and crime. The Honest Opportunity ...
Washington, D.C. Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in support of H. Res. 895, honoring the lives of the brave soldiers and civilians who died or were wounded in the tragic attack yesterday at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. The House will vote on the legislation later today. B...
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths now about the recently introduced Affordable Health Care for America Act. Below is a response to many of the myths repeated today at the U.S. Capitol.
MYTH: The Affordable Health Care for America Act will lead to a "government ta...
Top Headlines
Nov. 20--Responding to growing concerns about the use of force by San Jose police, a City Council committee Thursday turned to officials outside the department to examine the issue.
Nov. 19--SACRAMENTO -- California's budget deficit will balloon to $20.7 billion over the next 18 months, a report from the state's budget analyst predicted Wednesday, all but promising another year of partisan gridlock as lawmakers labor to fill the gap with more spending cuts and efforts to raise taxes.
El arbitraje permite solucionar los conflictos entre paises de una manera mas expedita, economica y justa que los juicios.
Likely delaying passage of a new medical marijuana ordinance, two Los Angeles City Council committees on Monday rejected the city attorney's call for an outright ban on over-the-counter cannabis sales.
Nov. 13--hmintz@mercurynews.com
Nov. 12--The East Bay Municipal Utility District is readying a new law that will require homeowners in nine East Bay cities who sell or upgrade to inspect their sewer lines and if they find problems to repair or replace them.
The yellow '32 Ford rolled clunkety-clunk down the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, among 66 vintage cars to commemorate Route 66 and a new "End of the Trail" sign.
Disabled veterans are eligible for free legal representation while pursuing benefits claims under a new legal project announced today by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the nation's largest free- services law firm.
Nov. 11--With willow trees, migrating geese and local politicians as his backdrop, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday visited San Jose to sign a new water conservation law that aims to reduce urban use 20 percent statewide by 2020.
Nov. 11--SACRAMENTO -- For California's limping finances, there was some good news Tuesday: Monthly tax revenues exceeded projections for only the sixth time in more than two years.
Nov. 11--Republican Mattie Fein formally announced Tuesday that she is running against South Bay Rep. Jane Harman in next year's election.
Republican Mattie Fein formally announced Tuesday that she is running against South Bay Rep. Jane Harman in next year's election.
Nov. 10--Over the weekend, I had dinner with a friend, and the talk turned to layoffs at San Jose City Hall.
The city of Los Angeles shelled out $137 million over the past two years for legal costs - nearly double the previous two-year period and enough to hire nearly 1,300 police officers and cover most of the public works budget, according to a report released Monday.
Nov. 6--OAKLAND -- Oakland's budget is in trouble again.
Nov. 5--SACRAMENTO -- Monumental plans to overhaul California's water system -- decades in the dreaming and months in the works -- finally emerged from an exhausted Legislature early Wednesday, defying regional squabbles to become the signature accomplishment in a year mostly lamented for budget cuts.
Nov. 5--Arguing public interest outweighs privacy concerns, San Jose officials Wednesday ordered release of 911 emergency dispatch recordings and police reports on a May incident in which officers fatally shot a mentally ill man while responding to reports he had attacked a family member.
Nov. 4--Last spring, San Jose employees cried foul when Mayor Chuck Reed finally outlined what they needed to do to help balance the budget by June 30 with minimal layoffs: zero raises across the board.
The Small Business Development Center is offering a free workshop, State Labor Law and Payroll Tax, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carson Community Center, 801 E. Carson St. Call 310-973- 3177 to register.
Nov. 3--Responding to Mercury News articles raising concerns about the use of force by San Jose police officers, Police Chief Rob Davis announced new layers of internal review to guard against officers' misusing their fists, batons, Tasers and guns to subdue suspects.
Nov. 2--By Howard Mintz
Nov. 1--An incremental acceptance of medical marijuana has spurred a cottage industry of business ventures -- from iPhone applications to lobbyists -- whose expansion shows no sign of slowing despite the recession.
Oct. 28--SACRAMENTO -- Marijuana legalization advocates and law enforcement officials duked it out in a three-hour legislative hearing Wednesday on whether making the drug legal under state law would be good public policy.
Oct. 29--Whether San Jose needs more rules governing bicyclists riding with dogs on trails became the focal point of a Wednesday night community meeting called after the bizarre death of a woman caught in a dog leash on a popular San Jose trail.
Oct. 29--By Tracy Seipel
Oct. 28--SACRAMENTO -- Tell us, governor, how you really feel.
Entertainment
Two of the more eagerly awaited movies of the year open today: "The Blind Side," inspired by the real-life story of Memphis couple Sean and Leigh Anne Touhy and their adopted son, current NFL right tackle Michael Oher; and "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," which has generated a lot of local interest (judging from my phone calls and e-mail messages), thanks in part to the endorsements of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
This is stay-in-school week at the movies: "The Blind Side," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" and "An Education" all counsel young people to hit the books, not the streets or the sheets.
Nov. 20--The smartest and most intriguing movie I've seen lately won't be playing at a theater near you.
"Planet 51" is a trite compendium of everything that's wrong with non-Pixar computer-animated feature films.
Sarah Palin isn't the only gun-toting, conservative Christian sports mom back in the news.
During the golden age of jazz in the '50s, Jack Reardon was one of the top tunesmiths around, the author of the standard, "The Good Life," which was a favorite of such esteemed vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Bobby Darin.
Chris Young was absent from last week's Country Music Association Awards.
Bluegrass, though it is scarcely older than rock and roll, has been bound by tradition - more than most music genres - for most of its history.
Nov. 20--Curious George is still beloved after 70 years.
Nov. 19--BRANSON, Mo. -- Rylie Hagston has a big imagination.
Nov. 20--A Marx Brothers revival has long been overdue.
Nov. 20--During the Christmas season in 1961, a grade-school girl walked into a record store on 86th Street in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"The author presents her protagonist's circumstances as unrelenting," says a teacher with the unlikely name of Blu Rain in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," which expands into Memphis and other cities today after breaking per-theater box- office records the past two weeks in limited release.
What does a romantic idol do these days?
Nov. 20--BANGOR, Maine -- The documentary film about the Bangor International Airport troop greeters already has won plenty of prizes and awards, but an Oscar may not be one of them.
Nov. 20--The last paragraph of Hinder's biography, listed on the band's Web site, talks about how life gets boring on the stretches of highway between tour stops.
Nov. 20--"An Education" is a brilliant coming-of-age movie that sets itself apart from similar movies for a simple reason: It has something to say about growing up, and it says it so well.
Ever wonder just how big a nerd you are?
Rated R. At Kendall Square Cinema.
NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- BET.com will launch its first and much anticipated web series, BUPPIES, on Tuesday November 24th.
Winfrey: 25 years of 'Oprah' feels right
Nov. 20--The supergroup wasn't so super ...
Nov. 20--A silent film comedian whose mug graced a postage stamp in the 1990s appears larger-than-life this weekend on the big screen on Mount Pony.
Nov. 20--As Geoffrey Fletcher himself describes it, he had been trying to get into the feature-film world "for years and years and years."
Nov. 20--There are several ways to define what it means to be an "independent" musician.
In Oren Moverman's downbeat drama "The Messenger," Woody Harrelson has more tics than an East Hampton deer.