Lazy Sunday California Tweets

Sunday afternoons in California always feel like a vacation.  Today is an exceptionally gorgeous, golden day.

I thought I would check Google's LIVE stream of California tweets and see what I could find about California on such a perfect Sunday.

Here were some folks California tweetin' --- on such a winter's day:

• Wearing short pants in California winter. Awesome.
• California is almost a cliche in how beautiful it is
• I wanna be in California  ='(
• The sun is back in California!! Woohoo. Charging photo battery for a week of photo traveling.
• So glad I live in Southern California  on days like these :)
• I wanna go to Pebble Beach, California :O =(
• Need to get away from this town..can't wait for california!
• Leaving tomorrow on roadtrip thru US to California. Will catch some deserts & warm weather.
• Chase the sun back to the west coast, we're california bound
• Got fun waves in California last week here is a snippet of some action.
• Gorgeous day in orange county! Nice to be in California again :)
• I just planted my cowboy booted feet into the earth's rocky crust; Looked up at the California blue sky & noticed why I love life.
• No unfortunatly but i will next year maybe .california ohh yeess!
• Wife and daughter are on their way to Southern California. I really wish I was going with them.
• I love Southern California and I've spent a lot of time out there. It's a great place. I hear a lot of great things about Anaheim
• We would so love to see you here in Beautiful Northern California. You wont be disappointed. We'll give you the first rate tour!
• Yeah.. But i love California way betta than New York
• Every day's a dream in california, every night the stars come out to play, wish i could always feel this way..
• Even though it's all burning off and turning into another glorious California day, I'm cooped up inside today doing applications!
• Q:If you could go on vacation for the next month with an unlimited budget, where would you go?   A:California. :D
• California had the best desert of all time.
• Watching a documentary on cannabis dispensaries in California. Why wasn't I born there?
• Glad to see California  convinced the sun to come back while I was gone.
• Coming to California for 3 weeks ahh yay! :)
• Cherry blossoms in bloom in pac heights. Love california!

Gee, California must be a cool place!

Funny how many newspapers are still selling the "end of California" stories, and they wonder why their circulation is way down.  A little out of touch with public sentiment, maybe?

These tweets were gathered in only ten minutes!  Obviously, there are plenty of California fans left in the world, and I'm definitely one of them.

There's nothing better than beautiful California on a lazy Sunday afternoon under blue skies.  Totally.

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California Claims Moon Rights

California has named the Apollo 11 moon landing site a state historical resource, so the 1969 lunar landing base is now included on the state's register.

Is this the beginning of a 21st century Moon Rush?

The California State Historical Resources Commission aims to protect more than 100 items left by astronauts on the Moon which have 'historical value' to the state of California.

"It has a significance that goes way further than whether it came from a quarter million miles away or not," state historic preservation officer Milford Wayne Donaldson said.  "They are all parts of the event."

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin jettisoned scientific equipment, tools, empty containers and waste products to lighten the load of the Eagle lunar module for take-off in 1969.

The moon itself is not included in the designation, because under international law no country or state can make a claim to the moon, but we know that California's cultural influence will sweep the moon eventually.

We might as well get 'first dibs' on claiming Pluto too --- it was a California scientist who killed it as a planet, after all.

I guess we should expect to see the California state flag planted on the lunar surface, right?  With so many people in our Golden State, that bear needs a little more space to roam.

Looks like Schwarzenegger is forgetting about sending California prisoners to Mexico now.

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California Business History

California business has a long and colorful history, and no one knows the history of Golden State business better than Kip Altman of San Francisco.

Long before Google, Yahoo, Apple and eBay became world-famous California corporations, there was a string of profitable, well-known companies from San Diego and Los Angeles to the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

Business historian Kip Altman knows just about everything about each company's history --- it is his obsession.

Altman is the owner of California Business History.com, a large and organized historical collection on California business.  His comprehensive website is "a labor of love and passion", and it features a massive multimedia collection along with links to many great California industry museums. 

I asked Mr. Altman if there were any California business history museums.  He replied, "Not any which represent the entire history of business in California."  I was honestly surprised, considering that the California economy is consistently in the top-10 among world economies.

Altman added, "In the realm of 'history' --- in all of its themes, topics and subjects --- the history of business, in California, the U.S. and the world, seems very under-served."  He also noted that it is rarely included in history-related websites, and that public access to books on the history of business is limited.

"This is a great disservice, in my opinion, to the public and a real void in efforts to build 'heritage tourism' in California, anywhere in the U.S. or anywhere in the world", Altman emphatically stated.

When I asked if any college or university in California offers an undergraduate or graduate course on California business history, Altman lamented that he has not yet heard of any.

Kip Altman, an author of business books, is the founder of the Business Journalism program at Boston University's School of Communication.  He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MLS from St. John's University of New York, and a Liberal Arts degree from Georgetown University.

Subsequent years of working on Wall Street aroused Altman's curiosity about the history of business. That curiosity has turned into a mission.

"Business history fascinates me because it is the 'history' of customers, from whom everything else in business follows --- entrepreneurship, management themes, business and economic growth", says Altman.

"Organizing public access to information --- about business history, or history in general --- is my passion because it rarely exists outside of a library, and because it can be, and should be, a real time-saving resource for anyone who wants to know".

Kip Altman researches and categorizes business history from his base in San Francisco.  His website, California Business History.com, is a tremendous source of information and media on the entire history of business in California.

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48,000 New California Jobs

California is getting a little more love from the feds.  The US Department of Transportation has approved a $171 million loan for construction of the Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco, which is expected to create up to 48,000 jobs in California.

"This project will create thousands of jobs at a time when the state unemployment rate is 12.4 percent and more than two million Californians are out of work," California US Senator Dianne Feinstein said. "Creating jobs by funding projects like the Transbay Transit Center must be our top priority right now, and this $171 million loan will provide a significant economic boost."

Senator Feinstein played a key role in legislation appropriating $10.5 billion for high-speed rail, and she supported Proposition 1A, the $10 billion bond measure that funded the California High-Speed Rail Authority plan.

Senator Feinstein continues, "This downtown rail station will bring us one step closer to a high-speed rail system for California, which has been a long-term priority for me. In addition to creating jobs, high-speed rail will spur commerce while reducing greenhouse gases and reliance on foreign oil. So the Transbay Transit Center is exactly the kind of public works project California needs."

The loan is issued through the DOT’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program.  Construction of the Transbay Transit Center building will be completed over the next four years. The program also finances ramps to the Bay Bridge, a bus storage facility and design of an underground transit facility.

The new Transbay Transit Center will serve 45 million passengers per year and contain nine transportation systems, including California high-speed rail. Of the projected 48,000 new jobs, 8,000 are expected to be created immediately.

This great news is right on time.  It's fantastic when people work together toward mutual success.  That is, after all, what California is supposed to be all about.

Now let's start hiring some Californians!

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Prince Frederic Declares Candidacy

Prince Frederic von Anhalt is running for Governor of California as an independent candidate, and the martinis are shaking all over Beverly Hills. 

This blog has just received a royal email from Prince Frederic, and I had the pleasure of checking out his very cool website. 

So Olde Worlde European, and so elegant, complete with classical music to serenade visitors through pages which are fascinating.

The other California governor candidates had better grab a tailor and a jeweler immediately.  It's going to be hard to outshine THE PRINCE.

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Noah's New California Ark

California has just endured six days of torrential rain.  On the 7th day, we all rested.  Now, evidently, more storms are about to hit the Golden State?  That's it.

We need an ARK!

I rushed to a local In-N-Out Burger for public opinion.  Who should be on the new California Ark?  What species should be stashed away in pairs?  What should be preserved for a post-flood New California?

Though (slightly) different from the original Ark's cargo, here's what might go on board Noah's New California Ark --- according to average Double-Double burger-chomping Californians:

• Two Hollywood celebrities, like maybe Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.  They're obviously good-looking and fertile.
  
• Octomom and a doctor.  Talk about replenishing the earth fast!
• Two extraterrestrials.  They've been in Southern California for so long, why leave them out?
• Two gays and two lesbians.  They might have to switch off a few times --- but only to "continue the race", mind you.
• Two sets of financial books.  Why mess with tradition?
• Two battling political candidates.  We'll need something familiar and warm.
  
• Two environmentalists.  They can tell us when it's getting warm.
• Two governors.  One for now, and the other for the recall.
• Two Rodeo Drive boutiques.  Beverly Hills won't give-in on this one.
• Two hippies.  We'll still need those peace & love vibrations, man!
• Two protesters.  It just wouldn't be California otherwise.
• Two adult "actors".  (No further comment --- this blog is Rated G.)
• Two search engines.  Which two would merge together, we wonder?
• Two movies.  Casablanca and Gone With The Wind.
  
• Two of each endangered species.  We'll need our water supply back to grow agriculture.
• Two fast food drive-thrus.  My polling subjects are insisting --- as they chew --- that In-N-Out Burger be one of the two, naturally.
  

Why not just jump aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach?  It's bigger than an Ark, and most of what these folks suggested is already on that ship anyway.  On second thought, why not summon all of the world's cruise ships to California right now?

California... riding out the Great Flood of 2010 on a Love Boat cruise for 40 fun-filled days and 40 glamorous nights...

Schwarzenegger!  Are you reading this?  Find Captain Steubing.

Declare an official State of Luxury immediately.

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California Homes Selling Fast

California is coming out of its worst housing slump in decades.  The statewide inventory of unsold, previously owned homes shrank to a 5-year low as 2009 came to a (much-welcomed) end in the Golden State.

According to the California Association of Realtors, the supply of unsold single-family homes dropped to only 3.8 months!  It was 5.6 months a year ago and a horrifying 16.6 months in January 2008, when inventories were totally maxed-out.

California's home inventory levels are now at their lowest level since 2005!  Sales are getting fast and furious with multiple offers in some cities.  Do we need to start building some new homes around here, or what?

California's statewide housing market has been stabilizing since early 2009. The median price of an existing, single-family home rose 8.4-percent from a year ago to $306,820.  This is the second consecutive year-over-year increase, and it's also the tenth straight month-over-month bounce.

"Right now, we need more listings," said Lianne Pinkston, a Coldwell Banker broker in the San Jose area. "I have an all-cash investor, and they've wanted to buy a duplex or fourplex, and they've been making all-cash offers for over the asking price, and they're still not getting anything."

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California Girl Sailing World Alone

A 16-year-old California girl is risking it all to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.  No, not Joan of Arc, but close.

Abby Sunderland of Thousand Oaks fearlessly sailed into the Pacific Ocean on Saturday after waiting for violent storms in California to pass.

The Conejo Valley teen was sent off with tears and cheers by family and friends from the shores of Marina del Rey until her 40-foot boat, Wild Eyes, disappeared in a mist of prayers under a shocking blue Southern California sky.

Abby plans to sail the globe for up to six months. She will be totally alone but able to communicate by way of a satellite phone and the Internet.

The current record holder is Mike Perham, 17, of the U.K.  The young Brit beat Abby's then-17-year-old brother, Zac, in 2009.

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California Coast Celebrates

Californians are invited to a year-long party throughout 2010 to celebrate a "monumental" milestone in the history of our world famous California Coast.

The California Coastal National Monument features 20,000 miniature islands, reefs, and pinnacles from San Diego to Crescent City. The scenic wonders and vital habitat are protected under the National Landscape Conservation System.

The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior administers the program --- with a great tan, of course!

The California Coastal National Monument stretches along the entire 1,000 mile coastline of our gorgeous state of California.  The Presidential Proclamation signed in January of 2000 continues to ensure the protection of all rocks, reefs and islets from the coast of California to a distance of 12 nautical miles along the whole California coastline.

The California Coastal National Monument is ten years old, and the Bureau of Land Management is celebrating the 10th anniversary with a year of statewide festivities. Events are planned at CCNM Gateway Communities up and down the California coast, and everyone is invited to join the extremely cool celebrations!

Waves crash into rocks, spraying refreshing mist your way. Sea lions call out to you amid the singing seagulls above. The rocks and tiny islands beckon you to photograph and explore!  The California Coastal National Monument is where the land and sea interact with you.

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UCSB Professor Astronomy Winner

Tommaso Treu, associate professor of physics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, was just awarded the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize for 2010.  The American Astronomical Society, the biggest organization of pro astronomers in North America, bestowed the prestigious honor on Treu, which includes a large cash award.

Chalk one more up for innovative Californians!

Treu was awarded the Pierce Prize "for his insightful work into the physical understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, groups and clusters, including the coupled evolution of the luminous, dark matter and black hole components" according to the AAS.

"I feel surprised and honored!", Treu excitedly stated.  The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy is awarded each year for major accomplishment in observational astronomical research.  It is given only to a North American astronomer under 36 years of age.

"This prize recognizes the outstanding discoveries Tommaso has already made early in his career, and the impact they have had in the field of astronomy," said Michael Witherell, vice chancellor for research at the University of California at Santa Barbara. "He joins a very select group of astronomers who have won this prize over its history."

Dr. Treu received his Ph.D in physics in Italy. He has earned many distinctions including awards from the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Packard Foundation and the UCSB Harold J. Plous Award.

The UC Santa Barbara physics professor has been involved with the Keck Observatory, the Hubble Telescope, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the Spitzer Telescope. He serves on the Science Frontier Panel promoted by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science.

Way to go, and congratulations, Tommasu Treu.

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Zsa Zsa's Prince: CA Governor?

Zsa Zsa Gabor's 9th husband, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt of Munich, the Duke of Saxony, wants to run for California governor.

The former German socialite plans to announce his intention to run for California governor on Monday morning.  Prinz von Anhalt's campaign slogan is:

"Return the Good Life to California"  

His Royal Governor-ness would impose a Sin Tax to generate revenue on the legalization of marijuana.  As governor/prince, he would also add a 10-cent tax on drinks sold at restaurants and would add a dollar to every liquor bottle and cigarette pack in California.

The "Prince of Beverly Hills" wants to open the border with Mexico and lift the longtime ban on Cuban cigars... just as soon as we all vote him onto the California throne.

All other California governor candidates should just drop out of the California governor's race right now.  He always get what he wants anyway because, well, he's THE PRINCE.

When Princess Zsa Zsa is the First Lady of California, it's sure to be a cop-slappin' good time for everyone, Dahlink.  She is free to focus on future duties as California's Grand Matriarch... now that Anna Nicole is no longer muscling-in on her action.

Fabulous Frederic is Francesca Hilton's stepfather.  Hilton Hotels has been headquartered in Beverly Hills since 1969 until they moved to Virginia last August.  Now that the in-laws are out of the way, well, Beverly Hills just isn't enough for the preening prince.  He wants ALL of California!

Will Kahleefohnia stay Kahleefohnia after all?

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Taco Bell Founder Missed

Glen W. Bell Jr., founder of Taco Bell and legendary Californian, has died at 86 in Rancho Santa Fe.  I am personally sad to lose such an inspiring, entrepreneurial California giant. 

Thank God Taco Bell is still around because it is my lifelong fast food addiction.  Mr. Bell sure had a great idea!

The ultimate "munchie" is the bean and cheese burrito; easy beans, extra sauce, sour cream and olives.  Major yum.  My friend Denise would approve as well.  She and I are both experienced Taco Bell connoisseurs from way back, so don't mess with us.

Mr. Bell grew up in Lynwood in Los Angeles County, and was a Marine in World War II.  He capitalized on Southern California’s car culture by launching Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. He sold the first franchise in 1964, and the famous Mexican food chain took off from there --- straight into the Big Time.  The rest is drive-thru history.

Talk about a total California success story!

In the late 1970s, he sold hundreds of Taco Bell restaurants to PepsiCo for $125 million in stock. After the sale, Mr. Bell moved to Rancho Santa Fe, in the heart of Southern California.

Taco Bell is now owned by Yum! Brands and serves 37 million customers per week.  Mr. Bell maintained a friendly relationship with the new owners, taste-testing menu ideas --- and California's native Taco Bell is tastier than ever today.

In 2008, Nation’s Restaurant Review gave Mr. Bell the Pioneer Award, very prestigious in the food industry.  He certainly deserves it.

Mr. Bell is survived by Martha, his wife of 54 years; a daughter, Kathleen of Rancho Santa Fe; two sons, Gary of Oregon; and Rex of Texas; three sisters, Delores of Utah, Dorothy of Arizona, and Maureen of Oregon; and four grandkids.

Glen Bell's funeral will be a private family affair.  Instead of sending flowers, Californians can "thank a member of the armed forces in any way".

Viva California, Mr. Bell.  Thank you for creating a million jobs.  You're a class-act who is now enjoying an eternal Golden State.

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Nicole Johnson: Miss California USA 2010

Nicole Johnson represents the Golden State as Miss California USA 2010 and she is a cool chick from the Lake Sherwood enclave of the Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks area.

Nicole and I share the same neighborhood, and I've seen her around town many times.  She's friendly, popular, and very hip.  Oh yeah, and she's supermodel gorgeous too.  An outstanding young woman from an absolutely stellar community.

Regardless of how folks around here felt about the controversial previous Miss California, our Conejo Valley went nuts with local pride when Nicole won the 2010 crown.  A Ventura County brunette as Miss California?  It was about time!

Nicole represents California very well as an honors graduate from the University of Southern California.  Californiality joins all of California in wishing Nicole Johnson the best as she makes the most of her 2010 victory.

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Best of California Digital Government

California's government IT professionals were especially challenged during last year's tough economy. 

Shrinking budgets, layoffs, furloughs and hiring freezes pushed IT staffs to the breaking point, but some really excelled.

California government IT's best were honored in the last month for their creativity and innovation during one of the most challenging years in California history.

Here are the Center for Digital Government Best of California 2009 Award Winners:

Leadership in Management of Information Technology

• Doug Albrecht, Director of Information Management, Port of Long Beach

Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through Technology

• Jerry Sanders, Mayor, City of San Diego, California

Excellence in Project Delivery

• The Genetic Disease Screening Program, SIS - Screening Information System Development Team, California Department of Public Health

Excellence in Rapid Project Delivery

• Records Retention Center IT HUB Relocation Project Team, City of Los Angeles World Airports Office of IT Project Management

Excellence in IT Operations, Support and Service

• Information Management Services Division, California Department of Personnel Administration

Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through Security Technology

• E-Hub Statewide Procurement and Implementation Team

Best Application Serving Organization Business Objectives

• OneSD, City of San Diego

Best Application Serving Organization Business Objectives

• Online Assistance System for Insurer Submittals (OASIS), California Dept. of Insurance 

Best Application Serving the Public

• Graffiti Abatement Referral System (GARS), County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works

Best Application Serving the Public

• Screening Information System - SIS: Prenatal Screening Expansion, CA Dept. Public Health

Best Application Serving Multiple Jurisdictions

• "AVOID the 21" Portal - CA Office of Traffic Safety/Livermore Police for Alameda County; Livermore Police Department

Best Application Serving Multiple Jurisdictions

• Local Evaluation Online (LEO): Evaluating HIV Prevention, California Department of Public Health

Most Innovative Use of Technology

• iPhone Government Services Locator, California Office of the Chief Information Officer

The Green IT Award

• DASH - Data Automation Software and Hardware System, CA Franchise Tax Board

The Green IT Award

• Los Angeles County Solar Map

Geospatial Innovation Award

• Field Automation for Sanitation Trucks (FAST), City of Los Angeles Public Works/Sanitation

Best California State Government Web Site

• California Department of Food and Agriculture Web Site

Best California Local Government Web Site

• San Diego County Web Site
  

Congratulations to all of these tech geniuses.  Such accomplishments during a tight budgetary year like 2009?  My hat is definitely off to these great California innovators.

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Tom Campbell Drops CA Gov Bid

Congressman Tom Campbell?  Been there, done that.  California Governor Tom Campbell?  No way, he's just dropped out.  US Senator Tom Campbell?  Possibly.  He's run twice before, so maybe the 'third time's a charm'.

Campbell has now stated that he's going for Barbara Boxer's US Senate job.  What's more, he's going up against fellow Republican contenders Carly Fiorina and Chuck DeVore.  Things are getting exciting in Carlyfornia!

"I've strongly considered where I could serve and where I could do the most good," Campbell says. "Today I'm announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to represent California to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer."

Could Tom Campbell's entry into the Senate race boost the conservative DeVore by splitting the moderate Republican vote with Carly Fiorina?  Would Barbara Boxer do better against a conservative in Democratifornia?

Carly's camp is punching back:

"Today Tom Campbell kicked off yet another campaign for yet another office in his never ending quest to get elected again - but using his electoral history as a guide, his kick off tour is more likely to be a farewell tour. Tom's unending quest for statewide office has nothing to do with serving the people of California, rather it's about satisfying Tom Campbell's quixotic personal ambition and the false premise that he will be acceptable to Republican primary voters. California Republicans won't vote for a proponent of higher taxes and more government; they're smarter than Tom Campbell gives them credit for.

We view Tom's candidacy as an opportunity for Carly to further distinguish herself as a political outsider and fiscal conservative who will always be on the side of the taxpayers - not just for the primary election, but also for the general election. Tom Campbell and Barbara Boxer share many of the same views, not the least of which is their mutual support for increased taxes and government expansion. Running against Tom in the primary provides our campaign an ideal sparring partner for the main event."

DeVore's camp chimed in:

"The more the merrier. Chuck and Tom don't agree on much. But Chuck's known Tom throughout his entire public life and he respects Tom as a substantive individual although they don't agree on much. The real import of the Campbell entry is the failure of the Fiorina campaign to convince supporters of her inevitability and be sure that Tom Campbell would not be entering this race if Carly Fiorina had not lost the confidence of many of her backers and supporters."

Anyway, the Senate race is getting more crowded as the California gubernatorial scene has only two main Republican contenders now --- Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner --- two wealthy tech titans trying to out-spend each other.

What about Dianne Feinstein?  I thought she was tired of constantly flying from California to Washington DC.  Doesn't she want to be local again?  I think things are a little TOO QUIET in Feinsteinland.  (What's up, Dianne?)

Good luck, Tom Campbell.

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California Upgrades Quake Alerts

California is upgrading hundreds of seismic monitors, installing new devices that seismologists say will improve the state's system for detecting and warning of major earthquakes.  It's about time!

The changes will allow first responders, scientists and the public to be notified of an earthquake faster than is possible now. A little extra warning time could allow emergency officials to shut off gas and water lines, raise fire station doors, stop subway operations and possibly even warn the public of shaking to come.

Shock waves from a quake move quickly through the ground, but electronic signals are far faster, allowing a warning to outrun a temblor. The new monitoring would be particularly helpful for earthquakes that originate outside urban areas and radiate into major cities.

"The earthquakes that will affect San Francisco don't necessarily start in San Francisco, and the same is true for Los Angeles," said Richard M. Allen, the associate director of UC Berkeley's Seismological Laboratory. "They could start way to the north or to the south and rupture toward the city."

In Southern California, 90% of the region's seismic monitors already are being upgraded, and seismologists recently began a pilot program for delivering early warnings to emergency responders and utilities.

California's roughly 400 strong-motion sensors are largely clustered in the north and south, leaving large gaps in seismic monitoring in the middle of the state.

California scientists have been working for several years to develop sophisticated algorithms to analyze the data coming from the motion sensors, to determine whether the shaking is caused by a large truck, a thunderclap or a real earthquake.

Upgrades to the quake monitors, conducted by Caltech, are being paid for with about $2 million in federal stimulus money and some private funds.

Implementing a full-fledged early-warning system statewide would cost California $80 million to $100 million. That would include adding 100 more monitoring sites to the 400 already in place.

The geological survey recently launched the testing phase of a multiyear study of earthquake early warning systems. The California Integrated Seismic Network ShakeAlert System will notify emergency responders, utilities and transportation agencies when quakes are detected.

I'm sure glad I live in California, where earthquake detection technology gets better and better!

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California Nurses Helping Haiti

Hundreds of registered nurses from the California Nurses Association have volunteered to rush to Haiti and provide support to the countless injured in the island nation's massive earthquake.  California's nurses are the BEST!

"We sent out a call late last night, locally and nationally, asking for volunteers," said Chuck Idelson, spokesman for CNA at its Oakland, California headquarters. "We literally had nurses walking in the doors here this morning, offering to volunteer. The response has been tremendous."

The California Nurses Association has had a lot of experience helping with such disasters in the past, having sent nursing aid to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 tsunami.

"We have a database with thousands of nurses who have declared their willingness to volunteer in such situations," Idelson said. "We've been in touch with nursing organizations in Haiti. The conditions there are deplorable, and the logistics of getting help there are the big question right now.

"It's not easy getting planes into Haiti right now," Idelson said. "I understand the Los Angeles Fire Department is going, but is having trouble getting in. Ships may be going there, but even once there, many of the roads may be impassible, and even under normal conditions, medical and emergency resources in Haiti are extremely limited, so we may need to take everything, equipment and supplies, with us."

Thank you, California nurses, for stepping up to help earthquake survivors.  All Californians should be proud!

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Haiti Earthquake: California Aid

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that California’s specially-trained Urban Search and Rescue Team, California Task Force 2, has been dispatched to aid Haiti's earthquake victims and California stands ready to provide additional help.

"I have directed my Emergency Management Agency to continue to work closely with our federal agency partners to ensure California stands ready to immediately offer any additional assistance needed to help Haiti recover from this devastating earthquake.  Maria and I send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti as they continue to respond to this tragedy, and on behalf of all Californians, we send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims", said Schwarzenegger.

Thank you, Arnold and Maria.  As a Californian, I totally agree.

California's Task Force 2 is a specially-trained and equipped 70-person urban search and rescue task force consisting of Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters and paramedics rescue specialists, emergency room doctors, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, canine search dogs and handlers, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists, and logistics specialists.

The rescue team responds with 55,000 pounds of prepackaged search and rescue tools and medical equipment to conduct 24/7 search and rescue operations at domestic and international disasters. 

Thank God for such brave and willing Californians!

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United States of California

California is starting to come together as one, and it's a beautiful thing.  Southern California, North Coast, Central Valley, High Desert, Bay Area, Gold Coast, Wine Country, Inland Empire, Silicon Valley, the cities, the suburbs and the boonies are merging into a much stronger society.

Every part of this massive Land of Gold brings its own experiences, failures, successes, innovative ideas and hard-earned wisdom to a new California conversation.  We have been through some heavy changes recently, and we have learned many lessons which we are sharing with each other.

Sir Winston Churchill, who would've made a fantastic Californian, wrote:

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal.  It is the courage to continue that counts."

Continue we shall, and as a United California.  Regardless of outside influences and agendas, California will go on.  After the maddening smoke of the world's turmoil clears, our land and our people will remain.

Our beautiful hills and valleys, beaches and deserts, forests and farms continue in their God-given majesty.  Californians will always adapt to change with focused optimism and a novel approach.  We have the courage to continue.

To be a "Californian" is to respond to challenges and adversities with a brave and willing spirit, a revolutionary method, and an optimistic confidence.  California life has taught us to expect the unexpected, and to change our world if necessary.  In a society of constant changes, we have become professional Changelings.

Some have said that to conquer the Universe, one must first conquer Earth.  To conquer Earth, one must first conquer America.  To conquer America, one must first conquer California.  To conquer California, one must first conquer the Self.

Who claims to have conquered the Self?

California's two coasts still ebb and flow.  To the West, the ocean's tide rolls in and out.  To the East, the human tide sweeps back and forth across the desert.  In between are 40-million unique individuals called Californians.

If California is "a state of mind", then there are 40-million states in California.

Long live the United States of California.

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Best California Luxury Hotels

California's luxury hotels are some of the world's most prestigious business and vacation experiences.  AAA's annual list of Five Diamond rated hotels has come out for 2010, and California's most luxurious are listed right here for you.

California continues to lead North America with the most Five Diamond lodgings... Twenty!

Five Diamond Award® winners are a select group of luxurious hotels.  For 2010, just 0.28 percent of the 58,000 AAA Approved lodgings that received the prestigious designation.

Here are the 20 best Five Diamond California luxury hotels for 2010, alphabetically:

• Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungelows, Beverly Hills
• Chateau du Sureau, Oakhurst near Yosemite
• Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore at Santa Barbara
• Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
• Four Seasons Resort, Aviara, North San Diego
• Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village
• Grand Del Mar, San Diego
• Island Hotel, Newport Beach
• Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla
• Montage, Laguna Beach
• Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai
• Peninsula, Beverly Hills
• Raffles L'Ermitage, Beverly Hills
• Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast
• Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
• Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
• Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
• Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
• Simpson House Inn, Santa Barbara
• St. Regis, Monarch Beach, Dana Point
  

California luxury hotels eligible to receive the Five Diamond Rating for the first time must undergo multiple evaluations and a final decision by a panel of experts. Five Diamond properties in danger of losing their rating undergo several evaluations and a final panel decision.

My personal opinion?  I have been a guest at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, and the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.  I happily endorse all three of these superior California luxury hotels.  Addictive perfection.

Find the time to check out each one of 2010's best luxury lodgings while you're seeing California in style!

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New California Dimension 2010

"A New California".  Sounds like a catchy political slogan and, as a matter of fact, it is.  Is there really such a possibility as a new California?  To understand California's innate qualities and abilities, one must examine the deepest essence of the Golden State.

California has her own individual traits.

She is highly-creative and resourceful, with a strong capacity for constant variety and change.  Her need to share both wisdom and influence are insatiable.  She must circulate socially without limitations, traditions and restrictions.  California is a natural expert at adaptability.

Relentless cultural, linguistic and philosophical encounters are like oxygen to her.  She thrives as the eternal student who learns from every experience, sensation and feeling.

California's pathway to resolution mimics the very orbit of the planet Venus, through a 5-directional process.

Many have experienced difficulty in comprehending California's thinking and behavior.  It's really not hard to anticipate the next direction she will head off in --- once her ritualized, ingrained thought process pattern is properly marked.

California was locked into a 2009 cycle of inactivity, self-examination and stressful inertia.  It was like pushing the gas pedal with the brakes on.  Now that the brakes are coming off in 2010, she will soon be barreling down the highway.  The accelerating fuel is the collective will of her People.

The door to California's future is opening wide into the next dimension.

California exemplifies the Comeback, the Transformation and the Impact.  In so many ways, the world is about to cross over a threshold with her... for better or for worse.  Afterward, consummation.

A new California will emerge, indeed, and the experience will be nothing short of dramatic and jaw-dropping.

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