Whitman testing waters in California - Andy Barr - Politico.com

Whitman is signaling she may join the field of candidates vying to replace Schwarzenegger in 2010. [more]

gapingvoid: "cartoons drawn on the back of business cards": california

california. 0901california.jpg. Posted by hugh macleod at January 4, 2009 9:05 AM | TrackBack. Comments. Post a comment. Name: Email Address: URL:. Remember personal info? Yes No Comments: [more]

Magnitude 5.5 - GULF OF CALIFORNIA

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, responsible for monitoring, reporting, and researching earthquakes and earthquake hazards. [more]

Will Meg Whitman do to California what she did to eBay ...

California's problems are enormous. The state, which has been hit especially hard by the subprime mortgage crisis, faces a $42 billion budget deficit. State officials are threatening to pay their bills with IOUS. ... [more]

MEG WHITMAN: Considering Run For California Governor, Quits Boards

Whitman is one of three Republicans who are considered front-runners in the 2010 California gubernatorial campaign. The others are state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Rep. Tom Campbell. ... [more]

NewsDaily: California gay marriage battle turns to court role

The legal battle over gay marriage in California turned on Monday to whether the state's top court could strike down a change in the state constitution that was approved by voters. [more]

Scores of sick pelicans plague California coast - Green OC ...

Weak, disoriented pelicans suffering from a so-far mysterious malady are turning up by the score across the California coast, from San Francisco to San Diego, bird rescue workers said Monday.... [more]

California is in Desperate Need of a Gas Tax - California Progress ...

If you haven’t heard, California has an estimated $42B budget deficit. Through the end of 2008, proposals have been made by the Governor, Democrats and Republicans to close this deficit. Without swift action, California will be ... [more]

California Budget Proposal Includes Medicaid Cuts

Aides to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday released a proposal to address the state's budget deficit in part by cutting funds for Medi-Cal and other health care programs, the Sacramento Bee reports (Yamamura, ... [more]

California needs to invest heavily in human capital / UCLA Today

I'm a newcomer to California. I've been here seven months now. But throughout my life, whether I was in Pennsylvania, Minnesota or Texas, the state of California always held a special place in the public mind. It represented promise and ... [more]

BBC News Search: california (20)

Crews battle California wildfires

Firefighters in northern California struggle to contain more than 1,000 wildfires that have been burning for more than a week.

California terror plotter jailed

A member of a radical Islamic group is sentenced to 22 years in prison for planning attacks in California.

In pictures: Ugliest dog show

A three-legged, one-eyed, cancer-afflicted dog named Gus wins the 20th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at a California fair.

'Gus' crowned world's ugliest dog

A three-legged, one-eyed, cancer-afflicted dog named Gus is crowned the World's Ugliest Dog at a fair in California.

California classrooms feel the pinch

The public education system in California is facing huge budget cuts, leaving its future uncertain, says the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani.

California ushers in same-sex weddings

The marriage of Robin Tyler and Diane Olson in California became the focal point of a very public campaign for gay rights, the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani says.

First California gay couples wed

Same-sex couples in California exchange vows following a court ruling legalising gay marriage in the state.

Jessica Alba has first daughter

Fantastic Four actress Jessica Alba has given birth to a baby girl in California, her publicist confirms.

Google accused over privacy law

Search engine giant Google is urged to comply with California law and provide a homepage privacy policy link.

US wedding for music mogul Fuller

Simon Fuller, the music impresario behind the Spice Girls, S Club 7 and Pop Idol, marries in California.

Blaze ravages Universal Studios

A large fire destroys parts of a theme park at the world-famous Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California.

Mixing US justice and showbiz

Defence lawyers in a murder trial are considering appealing to the US Supreme Court after a district attorney co-operated with the makers of a Hollywood film based on the killing.

NY to recognize same-sex marriage

New York is set to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other parts of the United States.

Joining California's new Gold Rush

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani goes to California to pan for gold, as prices rocket amid economic insecurity.

Gay wedding for Star Trek's Takei

US actor George Takei is to wed his long-term partner after California lifted its ban on same-sex marriage.

TV's Ellen to wed actress partner

TV show host Ellen DeGeneres is to marry Portia de Rossi after California lifted its ban on same-sex ceremonies.

Pioneering winemaker Mondavi dies

Robert Mondavi, who helped put Californian Cabernets and Chardonnays on the world map, dies at the age of 94.

California lifts gay marriage ban

California's top court overturns the state's ban on same-sex marriages in a ruling expected to reignite debate.

California rules on gay marriage

California's highest court is to give a long-awaited ruling on the legality of the state's ban on same-sex marriages.

CSI's Dourdan faces drugs charges

CSI actor Gary Dourdan is charged with possession of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy by police in California.

Why Drinking While Out With Children Is A Bad Decision

It should be illegal to serve alcohol to people that have minors with them while out in public. Too often, while I was working as a food server in a large restaurant, I would have customers that would come in for dinner with their children, and drink it up, not taking into consideration the example that was being shown to their little observers. Let's use for an example - a mom, a dad, a 9 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. (This is an example only). The mom has 3 glasses of wine, (6oz X 3 = 18oz) and the dad has 4 beers. (14oz X 4 = 66oz). So using the American Government Guidelines, a standard serving of alcohol is 12oz beer and 5oz wine....enough said there.

And what about setting a good example? The message being sent to the children is that drinking & driving is Okay. And most likely, they will grow up following what they learned from their parents.

Even though I have served alcohol for a living,and write for a cocktail website, I believe in zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Getting drunk, and then operating a vehicle is selfish, stupid, and inexcusable. In May of 2007, I was hit by a drunk driver - my car was totaled, my daughter, sister, friend and I all went to the hospital with injuries, my teenage daughter hurt the worst. I can proudly say I have never driven drunk in my life. There should always be a designated driver. If not, then don't drink. It is not a necessity, it is a choice and a privilege. Next time you are debating if it is a good idea to chance it, (obviously you have no regards for yourself), at least try to think of the innocent- imagine that 5 year old child that is helpless in the backseat of a car, that you may take the life of, all because of a bad decision. Plan and Think ahead. Stay alive, and keep others safe as well.

For Proof of how crucial drunk driving is , take a look at the statistics: Below is the total Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities in 2005 for all 50 states:

2005 Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities (A.R.T.F.)

Find your State: Total A.R.T.F. & Total A.R.T.F. Under 21

Alabama = 423 - 50

Alaska = 35 - 7

Arizona = 492 - 67

Arkansas = 233 - 33

California = 1719- 268

Colorado = 244 - 40

Connecticut = 120- 26

Delaware = 66 - 10

D.C. = 26 - 3

Florida = 1,471 - 198

Georgia = 545 - 73

Hawaii = 71 - 3

Idaho = 89 - 18

Illinois = 580 - 93

Indiana = 320 - 46

Iowa = 118 - 26

Kansas = 151 - 18

Kentucky = 313 - 31

Louisiana = 394 - 53

Maine = 59 - 10

Maryland = 235 - 36

Massachusetts= 171- 29

Michigan =421 - 70

Minnesota = 201 - 26

Mississippi= 371 - 57

Missouri = 515 - 91

Montana = 124 - 14

Nebraska = 91 - 17

Nevada = 159 - 19

New Hampshire= 60- 12

New Jersey = 263 - 26

New Mexico = 189 - 32

New York = 524 - 83

North Carolina=549- 67

North Dakota= 58 - 9

Ohio = 505 - 54

Oklahoma = 283 - 44

Oregon = 177 - 23

Pennsylvania =636- 80

Rhode Island= 43 - 8

South Carolina=464- 59

South Dakota= 80 - 15

Tennessee = 464 - 51

Texas = 1,569 - 282

Utah = 37 - 3

Vermont = 29 - 4

Virginia = 347 - 46

Washington = 294 - 45

West Virginia=126- 20

Wisconsin = 369 - 49

Wyoming = 65 - 8

US Total = 16,885 ( Under 21 = 2,449 )

Remember, Children are helpless to us. They are unable to drive home themselves, so they are stuck in a car, completely defenseless to the intoxicated adult that has those small lives entrusted into their irresponsible care.

When children are entered to the mix, being a role model is crucial to their development. They should come first, putting all selfishness aside. Pounding down booze, then driving your family home, (that you say you love) is highly selfish...

Make a difference in a child's life. Be their hero.

Launching Your Career Into The World: Just Start Dancing And The Band Will Find You

The following is a book excerpt from THIS TIME I DANCE! Creating the Work You Love (How One Harvard Lawyer Left It All to Have It All!) by Tama J. Kieves (www.ThisTimeIDance.com) reprinted by permission of the author.

I don’t know a better way to march our dreams into the world other than to just march our dreams into the world. You could wait for the world to invite you to the banquet and the ball. Or you could just show up in your red dress and your headdress ready to boogie. I think the red dress is in order. The universe has invited us all to thrive in our lives and no one and nothing is ever holding us back.

I know so many creative soul friends who cloister their abilities like pearls in oyster shells beneath the sea, praying, hoping, sinking, aching and waiting, waiting, waiting. They wait for their chance like some kind of leprechaun to appear in the tall grasses with an embossed invitation from the queen. You are the queen. And it’s not chance that creates our chances.

We have enough opportunities to share, showcase, and refine our talents right in the here and now. Belt out your song over the baked beans at the company picnic now, paint postcards to your friends, practice telling your stories at the Jewish nursing home where somebody’s mother sleeps in loneliness for most of the day, interview a fascinating person for your community newspaper, or design a Web site for a firecracker organization you believe in. Tiny actions taken with huge-heartedness awaken big breaks and breakthroughs. Some of the richest opportunities come in the plainest of circumstances.

Fling those precious pearls like dandelion seeds to the breeze. Let life get wind of you. Sharing your gifts invigorates and promotes them. Talents intensify with use. Meanwhile, guarding your gifts keeps them in the dark where they do not grow or glow. Waiting until “the right time” usually means waiting in your sea cave until you have achieved artistic perfection in this lifetime— which you will never do; and this can make it tricky to attract a clientиle. There is a time to go inward. But then comes the time to no longer hide your love.

Alice, a former nurse and budding photographer, says she realized one day that the National Geographic wasn't going to ship her off on safari until she logged some mileage on her own khakis and camera. So she assigned herself an expedition, shooting cactus flowers in the dawn of a California desert. She bought an airline ticket, a dozen rolls of film, and a journal with a sunrise on the cover. Later, she titled and matted and framed the prints as though they were destined for gallery walls. She labeled them with her biography and vision statement, and distributed them as Christmas presents to family, friends, and some acquaintances. Alice presented her art as art instead of as an apologetic hobby she’d stuffed in her closet and hid from the world’s awaiting embrace.

Months later, an assistant to a travel magazine editor studied a photograph she liked in the bathroom of her hairdresser’s house at a New Year's Eve party. Three months later, the editor of the magazine gave Alice an assignment and a reason to believe in a destiny filled with sunrises. “Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen? Chance favors only the prepared mind,” noted scientist Louis Pasteur.

Years ago, when I decided to start creativity coaching, I sweet-talked a few friends, even begged and bribed some, to sit with me on my seen-better-days, beige couch and let me work my seedling magic on them. I just couldn’t wait to help creative people honor their inspired dreams. Yet throughout each session, I flourished when our work together unlocked a hidden wonder. My experimentation matured into expertise and even more enthusiasm for my work. Later, these “clients” became walking advertisements for me that attracted real, non-bribed business. I started an entrepreneurial momentum by starting in an innocent moment.

So can you. Start somewhere, anywhere, and the magnetism of heartfelt action will take you to the next destination. Just hop on the train. Our world needs your inklings and original abilities, your caring hands, and customized pipeline to the infinite and sublime. There are whispers and pleas in the air calling your name. Please don’t hold yourself back any longer, waiting in isolation for your invitation. The hours that you “give away” will give you back golden soul feathers in your cap, hands-on training, a spiral notebook of contacts, fire in the belly, smoke signals in the heart, and friends in the field. You just can’t beat that rate of exchange.

So gorge yourself on experience. Experience is power. Experience is exposure. Experience leads to experience which leads to expertise and glowing auras. And, boy, when you’re talking glowing auras, there’s no telling what you’ll attract after that.

It’s easier to assume your place in the world than you think.

Opportunity always rushes to experience. And we can give ourselves experience at any moment—by giving of our gifts.