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Examines the implications of the sell-off in technology stocks in Wall Street to high-tech industries in the Silicon Valley of California. Economists' prediction of the next Silicon Valley recession to be coming courtesy of Wall Street; Importance of stocks amid the flood of Internet-related initial public offerings; Concern about the region's economy if sell-off continues.

The article reports that several state attorneys general in the U.S. including those from New York and California have urged the Food and Drug Administration to enact tighter regulations on electronic cigarettes. The state officials want bans on both television advertisements for the devices and fruit- and candy-flavored variations of them. Leading producers of electronic cigarettes include Lorillard Inc. and NJoy Inc.

The article discusses a trend among affluent people in the U.S. to rent luxury housing rather than buy it. Various reasons are cited including a desire to retain liquidity or invest in financial markets. New York City has seen a sharp increase in rental properties priced at $15,000 per month and above. Rents for luxury rental properties in California are said to be rising by up to 10% annually.

The article focuses on the dissolution of a proposed 2007 merger between the New York law firm of Dewey Ballantine LLP and the California law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. A discussion of the factors which led to the dissolution including concerns over money, corporate power and prestige, is presented.

Reports on the federal investigation of Milberg Weiss, a U.S. class-action law firm, and one of its litigators, William S. Lerach. Immunity granted to two former partners, including Alan Schulman whose secret testimony was heard by a grand jury in Los Angeles; Background on the four-year investigation of whether the New York-based firm made illegal payments to plaintiffs in securities class-action lawsuits; Indication that former partners David Bershad and Melvyn Weiss could face indictment for conspiracy; Why the investigation is significant and controversial; The role of retired lawyer Seymour Lazar in the investigation.

Reports that strong gains in corporate profits, household income and homes sales are increasing tax revenues for states nationwide, helping to close budget gaps and boost spending. Statistics on state-tax revenues for July-March 2005; Comments on the increase from Nicholas Jenny, a senior policy analyst with the Rockefeller Institute; Comparison of current figures with revenue numbers following the tech bubble burst in 2000; Discussion of health care costs for states nationwide; Review of how tax revenues have been used to increase spending on education and public transportation in states such as Florida, New York, and California.

The article offers news briefs related to real property in the U.S. in 2015 including the sale of a New York City-based penthouse for $70 million, the listing of billionaire Thomas Peterffy's estate in Connecticut for $65 million, and the trade of a California estate for $39.9 million.

The article discusses the renovations of several three-story hotels as of June 2014, including the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec, the Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa in Montauk, New York, and the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California.

The article discusses the real estate expenses associated with small homes, condominiums, and apartments in San Francisco, California and New York City including mortgages, selling prices, and loans with a focus on the prices per square foot.

An evaluation is presented of retail stores and chain stores based on 19th century general stores including Love Adorned in New York City and Amagensett, New York, the Broome Street General store in Los Angeles, California and the Mohawk General Store in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. INSET: The Mom-and-Pop Brigade.

The article presents a pair of blog posts from the publication's WSJ.com Web site, one on the cost of renovating the Novotel New York Times Square Hotel in New York City's Times Square, and the other about office-building construction projects by developer Hines in San DIego, California.

The article compares the results of statehouse budget fights in California and New York wherein California Governor Jerry Brown ended budget negotiations with state Republicans, while New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a 132 billion U.S. dollar spending package.

The author analyzes why Republican candidates lost against Democrats in the elections in New York and California on November 2010.

The article reports that the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Calpers) may fire BlackRock Inc. as a real-estate investment adviser. On BlackRock's advice, Calpers committed $500 million to a housing development in the Manhattan section of New York City that appears on the verge of default. That investment may now be worthless.

The article describes several houses for sale. Information is presented on the features of the kitchen of a traditional home located in Sonoma, California being sold for 4.49 million U.S. dollars. It describes a loft in SoHo, New York City which is being offered for 4.4 million U.S. dollars. It relates that a three-bedroom townhome in London, England is being sold for 2.65 million British pounds.

The article reports that the Los Angeles Unified School District in California and New York City are set to borrow about 4 billion U.S. dollars in bond offerings of 1.9 billion dollars and 1.83 billion dollars, respectively. It notes that the offering of New York City includes its debut sale of 800 million dollars in Build America Bonds (BABs). The plan of Los Angeles schools to raise 1.9 billion dollars via general-obligation bonds is mentioned. Also cited is a 900 million-U.S. dollar tax-exempt bonds that is included in the offering of New York City.

The article reports that some state and municipal governments in the U.S., which are struggling with declining revenue, rely on taxpayers to raise money. A cigarette fee of 20 cents a pack that will take effect in October 2009 has been approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in California. The New York state has been accused by five retailing groups alleging that a new tobacco-registration fee was unconstitutional. The decision of California to revise its tax code to clarify the definition of what it means to do business in the state is cited.

A calendar of events for the wine industry in 2009, including the opening of the wine bar at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Music in the Vineyards annual chamber music festival in California, and a festival of wine, art, and music to be launched by the winemakers of the Leelenau Peninsula, is presented.

This section offers news briefs related to private properties as of August 14, 2009. Bond expert Bill Gross purchased a bayfront house in Newport Beach, California through a 23 million U.S. dollars worth of trust. James Nicholson's house in Hamptons, New York was sold for 25.9 million U.S. dollars. A beachfront house worth 12 million U.S. dollars in Malibu, California was bought by producer Marc Platt.

The author reflects on the lessons from the bankruptcy of New York City in 1975 for addressing the financial problem of California. He presents an overview of the city government's financial problem during the early 1970s. He discusses the factors which require California to reform is tax system. He also calls on the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama not to bail California out of financial problems so as not to repeat New York City's plight.

The article reports that the vacancy rate for U.S. apartments hit a 22-year high in the second quarter of 2009. The markets that suffered a fast decline in rents as they shed white-collar jobs include New York and San Francisco, California. It is noted that vacancy levels across the country rose to 7.5 percent in the April-to-June period, reflecting an increase from 6.1 percent a year earlier.

The author discusses his views on the effects of progressive governance on the economy of three leading U.S. states, New Jersey, California and New York. He says that these states have been models of progressive policies that are supposed to create wealth and a large government role in health care. However, the opposite happened, job losses increased, as well as deficits and debt, wage destagnation, out-migration and stock changes, among others.

The article discusses the efforts of several states across the U.S. on enacting laws which aim to give sexual abuse cases redress in civil courts. The law enacted in California in 2002 provides victims one year to sue their abuser or the employer regardless when the incident took place, a measure being followed by other states such as New York. It is noted that the statutes of limitations, for criminal or civil actions, address situations wherein evidence is incomplete, documents have been lost, and testimonials described faded memories.

A calendar of events for the wine industry is presented including the opening of the Biodynamic Discovery Trail by Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen, California, on April 22, 2009, annual Earth Day Food & Wine Festival in Santa Margarita, California on April 18, 2009 and happy-hour class to be hosted by Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit in New York on April 27, 2009.

The article reports on an investigation being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into Setton International Foods Inc. of Commack, New York, where inspectors found cockroaches and rodent droppings in March 2009. The probe was in connection with a nationwide salmonella scare over pistachio nuts. It notes that Setton shares key staff and packages food with a California plant that earlier recalled two million pounds of nuts over fears of possible salmonella contamination.

A review is offered for several restaurants in the U.S. serving Korean cuisine, including the Annisa fine-dining restaurant located in New York, Chinois restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, and French Laundry located in Yountville, California.

This section offers information on prime real estates that are up for sale. A house in Santa Barbara, California where the reality show "Momma's Boys," was filmed is for sale at $21.8 million which is 45% below its original listing. A beach estate in Nantucket owned by Goldman Sachs president Jon Winkelried is for sale at $38.5 million. Two houses were sold below their original listed price, one in East Hampton, New York from $37.5 million to $26.5 million and another in Southampton from $45 million to $27 million.

The article presents the top five high end communities to build homes including Bordeaux, a city in France famous fort its wineries where a renovated four bedroom home can cost € 1 million. Kenoza Lake in New York is a community in western Sullivan county and Geyserville 75 miles north of San Francisco in California. In Japan, Shizuoka offers a view of Mount Fuji with its cold climate and orange plantation.

The article reports on the increase in the number of people with net worth of U.S. $10 million to $20 million as estimated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). James Poterba, economics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology says that it would be valuable if data from the IRS and Federal Reserve Board (Fed) were read together. California had the most number of residents with net worth of $1.5 million followed by Florida and New York.

The article reports on the decision of American Express (AmEx) Co. to discontinue a line of credit cards that were aimed at attracting young and affluent customers in New York, in Los Angeles, California, and in Chicago, Illinois starting on November 1, 2008. In addition, AmEx will discontinue three other niche cards aimed at engaged couples, newlyweds and avid golf fans. AmEx spokeswoman Desiree Fish explains that the company did not see enough demand for it to continue to offer them.

The article reports that the state legislatures of California and New York have written bills to require restaurants to include calorie information on their menu items. Advocates of anti-obesity drive in the U.S. claimed that other states could follow suit should these menu bills be passed. Discussion on the proposed bills, arguments for and against them are given.

The article reports that members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in Los Angeles, California and New York voted to approve a labor contract with major studios. It cites that with the contract of the writers all but settled, attention turns to the Screen Actors Guild, whose labor contract expires on June 30, 2008. It notes that several film and television writers walked off the job on November 5, 2007 after contract negotiations between WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down.

The article focuses on the statement issued by New York Democratic Senator and presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton that investing expert Warren Buffet is her favorite billionaire. According to a survey cited by Clinton, 17% of Buffet's income went for taxes, secretaries and middle managers paid of 25% and 30%. It cites that the investing expert has offered his support to both Clinton and Democratic Senator Barack Obama. It states that Clinton has held two fund-raisers with Buffet, one in San Francisco, California and another in New York.

The article reports on the plan of New York Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to return $850,000 in campaign contributions raised by businessman and fund-raiser Norman Hsu. Her move was prompted by the inquiry of "The Wall Street Journal" about donations from Hsu and the Paw family that lives in a small house under the flight path from San Francisco International Airport in California. It notes that a warrant of arrest has been issued for Hsu for failing to appear before a court under the charge of grand theft.

The article compares the dress codes in Los Angeles, California and New York. New Yorkers, especially men, prefer formal dress. Women in Los Angeles feel comfortable wearing trendy and revealing clothes. New Yorkers usually associate formal suit to socio-economic standing. This culture is less dominant in Los Angeles, where executives do not restrict their dress codes to formal business suits.

The article explains the reasons for the budget surpluses posted by many states in the U.S., such as New York and California, in 2005.

Reports that states and local communities have begun initiatives to expand health coverage to medically uninsured people, especially for low-income employees of small businesses. View of author that state and local communities are frustrated by the U.S. government's lack of response to the issue; Efforts in the states of Maine, California and New York to provide some form of coverage for residents whose employers do not offer health insurance; Statistics related to the increase of health-care spending in the U.S., indicating the issue of medically-uninsured people will become an issue in the 2004 U.S. presidential elections; Discussion of the plans put forth by Democratic presidential candidates; Political and economic aspects of the state and local programs aimed at offering coverage to uninsured people.

Focuses on the development of old factory buildings into apartment buildings with loft apartments in smaller cities in the U.S. Popularity of loft apartments in New York and San Francisco; Increase in the number of conversions of federally registered historic properties as smaller cities focus on revitalizing their downtowns; Federal program which grants housing developers tax credits when redeveloping a historically registered property; Conversion of the RCA Nipper Building by Dranoff Properties in Camden, New Jersey.

Reports that large tobacco companies such as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. (RJR) and Altria Group's Philip Morris USA have decided to end their promotion and marketing efforts inside bars and clubs. Laws enacted in cities such as New York and Los Angeles which ban smoking in restaurants and bars; Use of bar promotions by cigarette companies to market their brands to young adults; Efforts of RJR to build brand loyalty through trips to the Marlboro Ranch in Montana and other theme events; Way that smaller competitors are taking the opportunity to market their cigarette brands in bars.

Discusses the market for military toys in the U.S., in light of the Iraq war. Protest of Amy Hamilton-Thibert against the placing of war toys in Easter baskets at a Kmart Corp. branch in Manhattan, N.Y.; Protests against war toys in Grass Valley, California; Way that Walgreen Co. pulled the Easter baskets from its shelves, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc. kept the toys in stock; Popularity of G.I. Joe military vehicle toys.

Reports on the antiwar movement in the United States as U.S. forces prepare to invade Iraq. Opinion that protesters are planning to disrupt businesses and financial markets; Impact of their civil disobedience in London, England, San Francisco, California and other places in the U.S.; Places where antiwar activists are expected to organize; Strategy of the antiwar groups to keep the interest of protesters focused and unified; Effort of police and business to control an assault by activists; Indication that protestors want control of Times Square in New York City.

Compares the Walt Disney Concert Hall being constructed in Los Angeles, California to the World Trade Center in New York City that was destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

Presents several restaurants and inns in the United States that offer dinner for thanksgiving celebrations. Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, California; Jekyll Island Club in Jekyll Island, Georgia; Melrose in New York City.

Reports on the divergent moves of New York and California on grid operator price capitalization for wholesale electricity. Reason behind the divergent moves by grid officials; Details on the price capitalization reduction in California.

Presents news briefs regarding occupations in the United States as of February 23, 1999. Formation of the Unite for Dignity project, which will combine two labor unions in Florida that handle the needs of nursing-home workers; How spiritual healers, practicing the art of Reiki, do not need a license in the state of New York; Possibility that bicycle messengers in San Francisco, California, may form a union.

Explains how Silicon Valley in California and Wall Street in New York are helping to capitalize and build out the foundation of the world economy. Differences of people working in Silicon Valley from people working in Wall Street; What sticking someone for a 16th or a teenie means; What sticking someone in your C round means.

Highlights the exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art in New York City and J. Paul Getty Museum at Los Angeles, California, exploring the connection between photography and fame. Information on MoMA's exhibition; Pre-photographic portraits; Portraits of celebrities.

Reports that GlobalCenter Incorporated, an Internet service provider and data-distribution company from Sunnyvale, California will merge with the Frontier Corporation, a local and long-distance carrier in Rochester, New York. Value of the merger.