Search

The article discusses efforts in Indio, California to prevent vacant, foreclosed homes from falling into disrepair. A law passed by local officials holds the owners of such properties responsible for maintaining them. Police chief Brad Ramos has threatened to arrest the presidents of banks that own foreclosed homes but don't take care of them.

The article discusses oil drilling in Whittier, California. In 1993 the city obtained an oil field from Chevron Corp. Amid an economic recession and straitened public finances, city officials are investigating the possibility of opening the field once more. Mayor pro tem Greg Nordbak believes oil revenues could be a financial boon to Whittier.

The article discusses two houses that survived a wildfire in Santa Barbara, California that destroyed all others in the neighborhood. Susan Macy's house was built over 70 years ago and, for reasons unknown, has endured several conflagrations. Fred Ashtiani equipped his home with a fireproof wall and a Persian garden that is said to both comfort and protect.

The article focuses on the discovery that Philip H. Knight, the billionaire founder of Nike, the world's largest sportswear company, was attending Stanford University in a low profile manner to attend creative writing seminars. A discussion of Knight's desire to keep a low profile in society and his high value of seclusion and secrecy is presented.

This article reports on the plan of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to reduce education funds and auction off some state properties to address the budget gaps facing the state. The state budget deficit is expected to reach $15.4 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Some of the state properties that could be sold under the proposal of Schwarzenegger, include the San Quentin state prison and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It provides an overview of the budget cuts proposed by the governor to close the budget gap.

This article reports on the growing evidence gathered by doctors tracking the spread and cases of swine flu in California that the swine flu virus did not originate in Mexico as early flu cases of had no apparent origin in Mexico. There is suspicion that the virus may have originate in the border between Mexico and California. There is also another suspicion that the swine flu cases in California may have a separate origin.

This article explains that Armenian expatriates in Glendale, California are suspicious of the agreement announced by Armenia and Turkey on a framework for restoring relations. The agreement came just ahead of the annual April 24 commemoration of the 1915 killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Armenians consider the 1915 killing as genocide and expatriates in California are planning protests against Turkey. There are about 100,000 ethnic Armenians in Glendale.

This article reports on the decision of AP Moeller-Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, to dock its ships to Seattle, Washington from Los Angeles, California. The company has about 6,000 container ships. The move by the shipping company signals a new level of competition for ports in the U.S. Pacific Coast. AP Moeller-Maersk represents only eight percent of the total volume of ships that dock at Long Beach and Los Angeles Port in California.

The article focuses on South Willard, a men's boutique in Los Angeles, California. The store, opened by Ryan Conder and Danielle Kays a few years ago, is known for its collection of menswear from Belgian designers such as Raf Simons and Veronique Branquinho. One of the most unusual items in the store is a collection of ceramic pieces by California sculptor Stan Bitters.

The article reports on conflicting accounts presented by toy makers Mattel Inc. and MGA Entertainment regarding the origin of MGA's Bratz doll during a federal intellectual-property trial in Riverside, California. Mattel argued that the dolls were created while Bratz inventor and designer Carter Bryant was employed by the company. MGA disputed that they were first designed when the creator was between stints at Mattel.

The article reports on the plan of El Segundo, California-based Mattel Inc. to simplify its Barbie doll brand amid a quarterly loss posted by the company. It says that customers became confused with Mattel's attempts to address competition raised by consumer electronics. The company states that its next fantasy line called Mariposa more clearly resembles a doll.

The article reports that California Attorney General Jerry Brown has sued 20 companies, including Mattel Inc. and Toys "R" Us Inc., for lead violations in toys. The lawsuit alleges that companies knowingly exposed children to lead and failed to provide warning of the risk, which is required under the state Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The companies could pay a $2,500 fine per toy sold per day if the suit is successful.

The article reports on the identification of toy company Mattel of the Chinese factory responsible for the recalled Chinese-made toys possible for lead paint content. Mattel named the plant Lee Der Industrial Co. based in El Segundo, California nearly a week following the recall. It notes that the refusal of Mattel to reveal the identity of the factory earlier led to a guessing game for people who have a stake in the issue. It mentions that the public disclosure of Mattel may lead to layoffs for the workers of the plant.

The article reports on the confusion among shoppers, designers and even animal protection advocates over which snakeskin, anaconda or python, is preferable in accessories and which species of snake is more at risk of being endangered. In California, state law bans the sale of products made from python and Brazil does not allow the commercial harvest and export of anaconda, but neither of the species used in accessories is on any official endangered-species list.

The article reports the death of pop icon, Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, California. He was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center, suffering from cardiac arrest at his home. According to the article, his death fell on the eve of the plan for his world tour after several years of controversy which prevented him from performing. Jackson had an agreement with AEG Live, owned by billionaire Phil Anschutz, to extend the planned concert series over three years or more. However, his untimely death put a stop to rehearsals and preparations.

The article reports on the fire in Montecito, California devastating more than 100 residences. The expensive residential area is home to various celebrities including host Ophrah Winfrey and actor Rob Lowe. U.S. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency with more than 500 firemen trying to control the flames. According to the California Association of Realtors, the average price of houses sold in the Gold Coast was $935,000 in September 2008 against the statewide level of $316,480.