California 'Babysitter Bill' Outrage

The California Babysitter's Bill (AB 889) has sparked a firestorm of outrage and protest across the Golden State.

Shocked California parents may face paying babysitters minimum wage, overtime and workers compensation benefits while they maintain timecards, issue paychecks and deal with payroll taxes.

Babysitter legislation now pending in the California Senate applies to all babysitters, nannies, housekeepers and caregivers in California over age 18.

Under the controversial measure, babysitters must be given a break every two hours plus a meal break.

Parents would have to hire two babysitters so one can watch the child while the other is on break.  The second babysitter would have to repeatedly show up every two hours for 15 minutes at minimum wage.

Parents across California, especially single parents, are outraged.  Many are barely able to financially scrape by as it is.

Left-wing lawmakers at the state capitol apparently do not care.

Failure to abide with the new California Babysitter Law could land parents in court to face legal action and the wrath of The Nanny State.

The only exceptions included in Assembly Bill 889 are for family members who babysit.

The California Babysitter Bill has already passed the California Assembly and is moving through the Senate --- with zero Republican support.

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) authored the California Babysitter Bill, which will soon land on the desk of Governor Jerry Brown to be signed into state law.

What many say is intended to enrich the institutionalized care industry may cause parents to hire babysitter monkeys if the California Babysitter Bill becomes law.

Monkey Babysitters for California

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Oscar De La Hoya Fighting Self

Oscar De La Hoya is in the fight of his life.  This time, he is fighting against himself.

The celebrity boxing champion is fighting back against the drugs, alcohol, adultery and suicidal thoughts that had hit "The Golden Boy" with a TKO.

After Malibu rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous and three straight months of sobriety, Oscar De La Hoya is back in the game of life and ready to win.

"Rock bottom was recently," said the sports legend.  "I don't have the courage to take my own life but I was thinking about it."

Before his mother died of breast cancer, Oscar De La Hoya promised his mom he would win an Olympic gold medal, and he kept that promise.

"There were drugs.  My drug of choice was cocaine and alcohol," declared De La Hoya.  "I depended more on the alcohol than the cocaine.  It took me to a place where I felt safe.

 It took me to a place where I felt as if nobody can say anything to me.  It took me to a place where I just can reach out and grab my mom."

The boxing champ publicly admitted cheating on his wife but clarified, "I don't consider myself a sex addict."

Oscar De La Hoya, 38, was born in East Los Angeles, California. 

A Latino superstar and Mexican-American hero to millions, De La Hoya won his gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games immediately after graduation from Garfield High School in L.A. County.

The native Californian generated more than $1 billion through the sport of boxing --- more money than any boxer in history --- and he is the first Latino businessman to own a national boxing promotional firm.

With his own children cheering him on, Oscar De La Hoya continues his recovery from substance abuse, saying "It's the biggest fight of my life."

Oscar De La Hoya Fights Back

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Daryl Hannah Arrested at White House

Daryl Hannah was arrested in front of the White House after refusing police orders at an environmental protest against a Canada-Texas oil pipeline.

A Malibu resident, activist and actress, Daryl Hannah was handcuffed and arrested after blatantly defying three orders by cops to leave the protest.

"Sometimes it's necessary to sacrifice your freedom for a greater freedom, and we want to be free from the horrible death and destruction that fossil fuels cause, and have a clean energy future," Daryl Hannah defiantly declared.

The proposed $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline would transport oil sands petroleum from Canada down to gulf coast refineries in Texas.

Since the Tar Sands Action protest began on August 20th, hundreds of protesters have been arrested outside the White House, including Daryl Hannah and Superman star Margot Kidder.

After the devoted vegan was arrested in front of the White House and taken into police custody, the California environmentalist was released from custody after paying a $100 fine.

Daryl Hannah was arrested five years ago at a Los Angeles protest, where the actress chained herself to a tree before being thrown into jail.

Daryl Hannah Arrested at White House

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Adam Levine Bashes MTV

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine bashed former music network MTV and its Video Music Awards show, which airs tonight from Los Angeles.

In a Twitter rant, Los Angeles native Adam Levine, 32, publicly vocalized the sentiment shared by millions of former MTV fans and followers:

"The VMA's. One day a year when MTV pretends to still care about music. I'm drawing a line in the sand. F**k you, VMA's," Levine tweeted.

Adam Levine's rock band, Maroon 5, has previously won Best New Artist at the VMAs in 2004 for their hit song "This Love."

MTV reacted by laughing off Levine's criticism, but the L.A. rock star didn't think it was funny.

Levine shot back: "I may be a pop singer but, every once in a while, the angsty teenager in me just blurts out some raw honesty. It's a reflex."

MTV, formerly known as "Music Television", was an immensely popular music video channel launched from New York in 1981.

The former purpose of MTV was to play music videos hosted by air personalities formerly known as VJs.

Today, 30 years later, it's not exactly clear what MTV's purpose is, but it's definitely not all about the music anymore.

The MTV Video Music Awards show is a holdover from MTV's glory days before YouTube and VEVO captured its music video audience market share.

Was the Maroon 5 lead singer wrong? Out of Line? Absolutely not. He simply said what so many have been thinking during recent years. Levine is just keepin' it real.

Middle aged video fans like me, who were the first MTV supporters in the '80s, said "buh-bye" to MTV a few years back with a yawn.

For a REAL music television fix, watch Adam Levine do a little "Jagger" with Christina Aguilera, below.  Awesome, dude.

A D A M   L E V I N E

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"Hollywood Dream" The Ready Set

"Hollywood Dream" is a 2011 pop song by the pop music artist known as The Ready Set from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A song about infatuation with a Hollywood celebrity, "Hollywood Dream" lyrically portrays the longing in the heart of a young Midwest guy for a rich and famous "Queen of Rodeo Drive", who doesn't know he's alive.

Singer-songwriter Jordan Witzigreuter, 21, vocalizes the emotions of one who wonders if the celebutante of his dreams would leave behind her life of Beverly Hills glamor for a small town life with him.

The answer, of course, is almost always NO, but that's why the song title is "Hollywood DREAM", and dreams are cool --- just like this song, which I totally dig.

More puppy-love than full-blown-stalker, the innocent vibe of "Hollywood Dream" by The Ready Set makes it one of the most upbeat California songs of 2011.

The Ready Set  Hollywood Dream

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Lita Ford Cheats Death

Rock music megastar Lita Ford, The Queen Of Metal, has risen from the dead.

The rumor that rock singer and Runaways guitarist Lita Ford died in a skiing accident has gone viral, but the news is bogus, dudes.

The REAL news is that the Hollywood rock chick is rockin' like she's never rocked before, and her explosive and controversial new album is about to be released.

Lita Ford dead? Sure, her old life is dead. Fresh from a split from a rocky marriage, Lita has jumped back on stage, back into the recording studio, and she's headed back to L.A.

Rock's longtime femme fatale will turn 53 on September 19th, but lovely Lita is currently on tour and burning up the stage alongside rockers like Tesla and Whitesnake.

The success of last year's hit movie, The Runaways, reignited Lita Ford's passion to "prove to the fans that girls can play guitar." This time around, the volume and the energy will be at maximum levels, according to music industry insiders.

Since the '70s, when she exploded to rock stardom from Hollywood, California with Joan Jett and The Runaways, then with Ozzy Osbourne in the '80s, Lita Ford has only gotten better with time.

The Great Lita Ford Comeback is underway, so she's come back from the dead in more ways than one.

She promised a "real comeback album" later in 2011, and 40 million Lita Ford fans are excited. They're also relieved that the rock goddess did not die in a skiing accident, of course.

"A lot of people have told me that they want a real Lita album, and I know what they mean," said Lita Ford. "They are going to get it!"

L  I  T  A    F  O  R  D

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CA Legislature Spending Revealed

The California Senate and California Assembly have released their spending records after a media firestorm and a litigation slap from the press.

Major California newspapers filed legal action to force disclosure of office budget and spending records, which the Legislature had said were not for the public to see.

Over the last few weeks, California newspapers, talk radio programs and blogs, including Californiality, voiced opposition to the Legislature's fiscal secrecy in spending the hard-earned tax dollars of working Californians.

Until now, spending disclosure was always delayed until the last day of November, detailing the preceding year's spending of taxpayers' money.

A new precedent has now been set.

The Assembly has released last year's spending, plus the first eight months of the current legislative session, while the Senate has released records for its last session.

The California Senate reported total spending of $101.2 million for the legislative year ending November 30, 2010, which includes:

• $37,000,000 - Offices
• $25,600,000 - Committees and research
• $4,600,000 - Caucus and floor leadership
• $384,000 - Travel
• $390,000 - Vehicle expenses
• $100,000 - Food
• $33,100,000 - 'Overhead'

The California Assembly reported total spending of $86.2 million, which includes:

• $47,300,000 - Staff salaries
• $29,500,000 - Employee benefits
• $2,800,000 - Office rent, maintenance and utilities
• $550,370 - Office supplies
• $175,203 - Postage
• $1,200,000 - 'Miscellaneous'

"This is cooking the books at its worst, and it's an insult to the public of California." declared Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada/Flintridge). 

Portantino is proposing legislation to force the Assembly and Senate to comply with the same public records standards imposed on local governments.

Assembly Bill 1129 would repeal the Legislative Open Records Act and require the Legislature to abide by the California Public Records Act, which eases access to records.

"Assembly leaders have hidden documents and expenditures from the public long enough," said Portantino. "No more gimmicks, no more tricks and no more incomplete and misleading financial documents can be circulated or tolerated."

The records now offered by the Legislature are drawing the scrutiny of many others who say the documents are vague and must be more detailed in their descriptions of how public money is spent.

A task force is reportedly being created, led by Rules Committee Chairwoman Nancy Skinner, to make recommendations by the beginning of next year's session.

According to legal experts, the California Legislature's current release of spending records by both houses has set a precedent that the public has a right to view more current records of the spending of taxpayer funds.

Click to view the budget and spending summaries (pdf) from the California Assembly and California Senate.

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Songwriter Jerry Leiber Dies

Jerry Leiber, the legendary pop music lyricist and half of the prolific songwriting duo Leiber & Stoller has died at 78.

The death of Jerry Leiber is affecting songwriters in Hollywood, New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco and Paris, who remember Leiber as "a music industry giant of titanic proportions."

Jerome "Jerry" Leiber met music composer Mike Stoller in Los Angeles, California, when Leiber attended Fairfax High School and Stoller studied at Los Angeles City College. 

Leiber & Stoller formed an award-winning songwriting and hit record producing partnership that endured for six successful decades.

Jerry Leiber and his partner formed Spark Records in 1953, which Atlantic Records later acquired.  The lucrative business deal made Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller the first independent record producers in the history of music.

"Jerry was an idea machine," said Mike Stoller about his longtime songwriting partner.  "He would paint pictures with words."

Many of the words sung by Elvis Presley first existed in the intricate and complicated mind of Jerry Leiber.

Leiber & Stoller's biggest #1 songs are some of history's most recognizable megahits:

Hound Dog | Kansas City | Young Blood | Searchin' | Yakety Yak | There Goes My Baby | Love Me | Loving You | Don't | Jailhouse Rock | King Creole | Hound Dog | Treat Me Nice | Charlie Brown | Stand By Me | On Broadway | Poison Ivy | Tell Him | Love Potion #9 | Is That All There Is? | I Keep Forgettin'

Jerry Leiber was honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the ASCAP Founder's Award, the National Academy of Songwriters, the Los Angeles Music Center, the Hollywood Rockwalk, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and American Idol.

Heralded as trailblazing heroes, Jerry Leiber and his songwriting partner pioneered the "Rock & Roll crossover", the "R&B crossover" and the "Soul crossover", resulting in wide popularity with simultaneous music audiences.

Among all the successful songwriters to ever work in Los Angeles, Jerry Leiber was an influential lyricist whose words changed history... and hearts.

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California Auctions $16 Million Ferrari

A Ferrari Testa Rossa was auctioned in California for more than $16 million, making the red Ferrari 1957 sports car the most expensive auto ever sold at an automobile auction.

The race car is a Ferrari prototype and the first Testa Rossa ever built, with a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V-12 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission.

Spectators at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California erupted in a roar as a staggering price was reached in the final bid but, shortly afterward, an anonymous buyer offered a record-breaking $16.4 million for the classic Ferrari automobile.

Auctioneers Gooding & Company were as surprised as everyone else at the shocking $16,390,000 winning bid for the classic 1957 Ferrari.

The red Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is a former Concours d'Elegance first-place winner, and the vehicle will now be added to the anonymous buyer's extensive investment portfolio.

California has a world record-setting love for its cars, indeed.

$16 Million 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa

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California Doctors Support Circumcision Bill

California doctors are solidly supporting a bill to stop lawmakers from restricting male circumcision in the state.

Assembly Bill 768 is endorsed and supported by the California Medical Association, an organization of 35,200 physicians across the Golden State.

OCTOBER 2011 UPDATE:  Jerry Brown Signs California Male Circumcision Bill into Law.

The male circumcision legislation would block any local statute, ordinance or administrative measure from limiting a physician's ability to perform circumcisions in California.

AB 768 follows a heated legal battle in San Francisco over a proposed circumcision ban that was nearly placed on the November ballot for voters to decide instead of physicians.

The controversial circumcision ban would have turned doctors into criminals for performing circumcisions on patients under 18 in most cases.

Religious leaders and physicians fought the proposal, arguing that a circumcision ban would restrict freedom of religion, regulate a medical procedure illegally and supersede parental choice.

Last July, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Loretta Giorgi ruled that the measure was against state law and struck the circumcision ban from the ballot.

California doctors concurred with the judge's ruling, saying it protects physicians and patients from harmful medical regulations.

"You cannot have a referendum on the practice of medicine," said Dr. Charles Wibbelsman of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who added that a ban on circumcision "would be taking the practice of medicine out of the profession and into the hands of a layperson."

Matthew Hess of MGMbill.org, an organization that supported the circumcision ban, is thinking about an appeal to the ruling.

The California Medical Association supported AB 768 with a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee requesting its approval, which stated that "the CMA has long endorsed the concept of newborn circumcision as an effective public health measure."

The CMA stands opposed to any government or third party interference that causes a physician to compromise medical judgment regarding what information or treatment is in the best interest of patients.

AB 768 was introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), who explains the legislation in the video below.

Once passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown, California Assembly Bill 768 would be immediately effective statewide.

California AB 768 Male Circumcision

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"Doors Unlocked and Open" Death Cab for Cutie

"Doors Unlocked and Open" is a 2011 song about California by the alternative rock band Death Cab For Cutie from the album Codes and Keys.

Commonly assumed to be entitled "California", Death Cab For Cutie's "Doors Unlocked and Open" provides a musical drive through the Golden State to a retro New Wave beat...

... comfortably isolated by safety glass and air conditioning.

The song's "dotted lines", "seas of concrete", "streaking colors blurred into one" and "mile markers counting down" seem to lyrically describe an adventurous observation of California's high-speed car culture.

Covering the realms of the sun-blinded sky, dehydrated earth and undersea motion, the lyrics to "Doors Unlocked and Open" subconsciously open listeners' "wild eyes" to a spectrum within the glint, gleam and glare of California's gilded crowns.

One of the most subliminally captivating California songs of all time, "Doors Unlocked and Open" by Death Cab For Cutie will still be playing at top volume decades from now.

Death Cab For Cutie Doors Unlocked and Open

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"The Tea Party Can Go Straight To Hell"

California Congresswoman Maxine Waters attacked the Tea Party, saying "The Tea Party can go straight to hell," at an employment forum in Inglewood.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) lambasted Republicans in Congress as she addressed the unemployed crowd during the Los Angeles area event.

Over 1,000 people attended the Kitchen Table Summit, an event which gave unemployed Southern Californians an opportunity to address elected officials about their struggles in finding jobs.

"I'm not afraid of anybody," the congresswoman told the crowd. "This is a tough game. You can't be intimidated. You can't be frightened. And as far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party can go straight to hell."

Congresswoman Laura Richardson and Congresswoman Karen Bass were also in attendance during the "hell" speech by Rep. Maxine Waters, who has been outspoken lately about the state of African-American unemployment.

According to the Employment Development Department, employers added 4,500 new jobs last month in California.

Before a different audience, Maxine Waters, 73, criticized President Obama for ignoring the very black community that elected him, saying "We're supportive of the president, but we're getting tired, y'all, getting tired."

For now, the Tea Party can go straight to hell, according to at least one member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.

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Funeral Club: Gothic California

Funeral Club is an avante garde gothic music band founded by husband and wife, Joseph and Jenny Andreotti in Bakersfield, California.

The dark, brooding cinematic sound of Funeral Club's music has been described as '60s 'spaghetti western' meets David Lynch meets '70s punk.

To say it is unusual is an understatement. 

Jenny Andreotti, Joseph Andreotti, Raymond Richards and Bri Ana Drennon are Funeral Club.

Enigmatically clandestine, Funeral Club is a group of musicians who are quickly becoming the darlings of L.A.'s underground goth music scene.

If Edgar Allen Poe and Elvira had a baby in California, it would be Funeral Club --- a softly whispering baby with a Children of the Corn expression in its piercing eyes.

Some of the band's songs would have been perfect for the Rosemary's Baby movie soundtrack.

Narcotic and chillingly scorpionic, indeed.

Funeral Club's new album for 2011, In The Fire, is sure to enflame the dark corners of the subconscious mind.

An antidote to sunnier California bands like the Beach Boys, the gothic sounds of Funeral Club are deliciously gloomy.

This is music custom made for full moons, howling winds and foggy nights.

F U N E R A L   C L U B

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Zombie Engagement Photo Shocker

A zombie attacked a couple during their outdoor engagement photoshoot by a Los Angeles photographer.

Fiance' Benjamin and his fiancee' Juliana were being photographed during a romantic picnic when a flesh-eating zombie interrupted the celebration of their approaching wedding date.

Professional photographer Amanda Rynda of Los Angeles, California kept snapping photos as the zombie attacked the couple and was then counter-attacked by the pair.

The engagement and wedding are still in the couple's future, thanks to their sharp instincts --- and acting skills.

The whole zombie attack was faked for an extremely unusual gothic horror-themed engagement photo portfolio.

How's that for a little California creativity?  Scary but cool.

The bizarre "zombie" engagement photos (below) were shot by Amanda Rynda Photography.

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Burger King Retires to California

The Burger King, longtime mascot for the Burger King restaurant chain, has announced his retirement to California.

Many ask, however, if the fast food monarch is the victim of age discrimination.  Was The Burger King fired for being too old?

Born in 1955, "The King" has worked throughout his life, tirelessly pitching hamburgers in countless advertisements for the international fast food giant.

Now, at age 56, the beefy bearded monarch is suddenly a has-been, stripped of his royal crown.

The aging Burger King celebrity even went the plastic surgery route in 2003, when he was 48.  The result was TOO plastic, though, even by Hollywood standards.

The King's permanently frozen Botoxed smile creeped people out.  Little did he know that the Camelot days of his burger kingdom were approaching a sunset.

Even the recent marketing attempts, which portrayed The King as a hip swinger, failed to satisfy the almighty corporation's bottom line.

Perhaps the ultimate irony is that The Burger King is now being replaced in TV ads with an actual hamburger, the California Whopper.

Such legendary royalty being replaced by a mere piece of meat is a travesty.  Where is the justice?

How will the former Burger King mascot now supplement his La La Land retirement?  Bee Gees look-alike contests?

Californiality met with the meaty megastar to get The King's personal take on the outrageous scandal.

A man of few words, The Burger King flashed a plastic smile.  With a closer look, however, a plastic tear could be seen forming in his eye, which spoke volumes.

He just kept staring, searching for words.  It was like a scene from The Valley of the Dolls.  Incredibly sad.

Even after five decades of superstardom, the celebrity 'fast track' can slow to a crawl.  Witnessing it can be heartbreaking.

After giving The King a moment, it was apparent that his emotions had rendered him completely speechless.

With a simple nod, it was agreed that it is better to just remember the good times.

Grab a tissue and watch the video (below) from 1978, before The King went crazy with the plastic surgery.  Not a bad looking guy, really.

Best of luck to The Burger King on his California retirement.  May he finally have it his way.

THE BURGER KING

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Attorney General Seizes California Law Firms

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has shut down law firms alleged to have defrauded thousands of California homeowners facing foreclosure out of millions.

Attorney General Harris stated that the law firms falsely promised homeowners that foreclosure proceedings would stop and their monthly payments would be reduced by paying up-front for legal "services".

The law firms' assets have been frozen by the State of California and their law offices have been seized, as shock spreads throughout California's legal community.

As California's top law enforcement officer, Kamala Harris has unequivocally declared war on legal fraud as the California Department of Justice puts the entire state on notice.

The attorney general's office is suing Southern California lawyers Mitchell Stein, Paul W. Petersen, Christopher Van Son and Philip Kramer for false advertising and violations of the business and professions code.

"It will bring justice to a number of homeowners of California who were targeted by predators," declared Attorney General Kamala Harris.

The California Bar Association has taken over the law firms' operations because Harris alleges that the attorneys joined together to file 'mass joinder' lawsuits, combing them into a singular legal filing.

Via direct mail and telemarketing, the law firms solicited homeowners in California who had trouble paying their mortgages. Their marketing campaign suggested that a legal settlement was imminent and that the homeowners would share in a settlement if they became plaintiffs.

2,500 California homeowners were talked into to paying up to $10,000 each to be included as a "plaintiff."

California state law makes it illegal to require an up-front payment for loan modification services.

No disciplinary charges have yet been filed against the attorneys by the California Bar Association, which will investigate the circumstances of each case to determine if they should be referred to other lawyers.

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Jodie Foster Saves SETI

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) has been resurrected by financial donations from Academy Award-winning actor Jodie Foster and thousands of SETI fans.

The Mountain View, California scientific nonprofit organization had shut down its Allen Telescope Array due to cutbacks in government spending.

Jodie Foster, star of the blockbuster film "Contact", and Apollo 8 crew member Bill Anders spearheaded the wave of contributions that have now given SETI a second life.

Billionaire Paul Allen of Microsoft had previously donated $30 million toward SETI's radio telescopes in Northern California, which scan the skies 24/7 for signals from aliens and extraterrestrial UFOs.

SETI's initial 2011 goal was getting the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) back online quickly to resume searching the stars. The ATA is a field of linked radio telescopes that enable astronomical study, including the search for evidence of alien civilizations.

Now, with the donations from SETI supporters like Jodie Foster, the scientific organization's work will continue in 2011 and 2012.

The SETI Institute is a California nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach through the Institute's three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center, and the Center for Education and Public Outreach.

Founded in the 1980s, the SETI Institute employs 153 scientists, educators and support staff, whose mission is to explore and explain the origin, nature of life in the universe.

Join with Jodie Foster in helping California's SETI Institute with a tax-deductable donation.

JODIE FOSTER CONTACT

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Bill Clinton Goes Hippie Vegan

Bill Clinton, in his new role as Vegan-in-Chief, is sounding more like a California nature hippie than an Arkansas Bubba these days.

The former president, 65, is going public with the benefits of his vegetarian diet, saying his vegan regimen is reversing the damage caused by cardiovascular disease. 

"I think we're beginning to turn it around," said Clinton, who has ditched meat and dairy for fruits, nuts and flakes.

Bill Clinton, who remains popular in the "Granola State" of California, is the current PETA Person of the Year, due to his vegetarianism saving the lives of an estimated 200 animals a year.

Veganism, according to Clinton, promotes health and vitality.  "All my blood tests are good and my vital signs are good and I feel good," exclaimed the 42nd president.

Clinton is one of the most famous Baby Boomers on earth, so his conscious choice to live a vegan lifestyle is getting the attention of senior citizens across the nation.

Look for a lot of television interviews with Bill Clinton about Veganism soon, but don't expect to see him in Birkenstock sandals and psychedelic hippie robes with flowers in his hair --- not yet, anyway.

Vegan Bill Clinton

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Geena Davis Senate Confirmation

The California State Senate has confirmed the appointment of Democrat Geena Davis to the California Commission on the Status of Women.

A career in politics has officially begun for the Academy Award-winning actor known for her work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

Last year, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Geena Davis to the nonpartisan state agency following her years of work with various women's groups.

Davis' Senate confirmation is now official.

The California Commission on the Status of Women is the state government agency that promotes equality and justice for women and girls.

Davis, 55,  portrayed a U.S. president on the television series "Commander In Chief".  The actor-turned-politician is excited about making a difference for women with her new government position.

"I am delighted," said Davis.  "This appointment affords an important opportunity to improve the lives and well being of girls and women throughout California."

Geena Davis is the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media, an influential organization with the purpose of reducing gender stereotyping in film and TV, as well as increasing the number of female characters in productions.

The California Commission on the Status of Women promotes equality and justice for women by advocating for them with the governor, the legislature and policymakers.

In her new state government position, Geena Davis will be educating the public about women's economic and educational equality, access to health care and violence against women.

Geena Davis: Women's Champion

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Banned Japan Tsunami Video

The Great Japanese Tsunami of 2011 was horrifying to watch on TV helplessly from California, but there is other tsunami video footage that television networks did not (and will not) show you.

"Some tsunami disaster footage is just too nightmare-inducing to show, so we've been given top-down orders on what not to show viewers," a Los Angeles television network executive told Californiality under anonymity.

"We can't air any footage that has people wailing, screaming, dying or running for their lives with a death-look on their faces.  It's all about the money, and sponsors won't pay for anything graphic," the TV executive stated.

This blog provides one such video (below) which puts you RIGHT THERE in the midst of survivors who are extremely fortunate to be alive.  Chilling?  You bet.

Why show such horror, fear and unspeakable destruction?

California is no stranger to tsunamis.  In fact, Crescent City, California was wiped out by a devastating tsunami from Alaska in the 1960s.  Perhaps that is why the city has not grown as much others in our state have.

Again, in 2011, California experienced death from a tsunami.  This time it was from Japan instead of Alaska.  Still, most coastal Californians are complacent on the subject.

"It can't happen here."

Yes, it can.  Be prepared --- if not for your sake, then for the sake of the children and senior citizens who might not be able to run uphill as fast as you can.

With 1,000 miles of coastline, California is wide open for Pacific tsunamis at any moment.  Infamously, our entire state is Earthquake Country, and The Big One is coming, friends.  Tsunamis follow.

Watch the following video, which is NOT FOR CHILDREN.  Men are screaming, women are wailing, and neighbors are running for their lives --- and some don't make it.

Watch as their entire city is leveled before your eyes and know that this is possible in our own Golden State.  We need more tsunami awareness and an early warning system in California.

It doesn't matter if you don't understand Japanese.  We all understand horror in any language.  Nobody should endure such a helpless state.  It is truly heartbreaking.

Banned Japan Tsunami Video

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California Early Tsunami Warning System

Tsunamis may not catch California by surprise in the near future as the development of a new California early tsunami warning system takes a giant leap forward.

High-frequency technology in California detected the Great Japanese Tsunami of 2011, the first time in history a tsunami has ever been actually observed on radar.

University of California at Davis oceanographer and Professor John Largier of the Bodega Marine Laboratory is co-author of a new scientific paper describing the work, which many believe will soon lead to early warnings before tsunamis strike the California Coast.

Co-authors of the paper with Professor Largier are:

• Belinda Lipa and Donald Barrick - Codar Marine Sensors, California
• Sei-Ichi Saitoh - Hokkaido University, Japan
• Yoichi Ishikawa and Toshiyuki Awaji - Kyoto University, Japan
• Newell Garfield - San Francisco State University, California

The scientific work was assisted by the California Coastal Conservancy, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation.

To track the tsunami offshore, Californian and Japanese researchers used data from coastal radar sites in Sonoma County and Humboldt County along with two sites in Hokkaido, Japan.

Such a tsunami detection system could give a 15-minute warning for a tsunami approaching Northern California and a 60-minute warning for Southern California.

The paper by Professor John Largier and his colleagues appears in the scientific journal, Remote Sensing.

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"Save Me, San Francisco" Train

"Save Me, San Francisco" is a 2011 song by the triple Grammy-winning rock band Train from San Francisco, California.

Train's musical tribute to their hometown, "Save Me, San Francisco" is the title track from their internationally successful album, Save Me, San Francisco.

There is certainly no doubt regarding where the California rock band is from and what city they are singing about.  Train is totally not from L.A., you understand.

The blues-rock roots sound of "Save Me, San Francisco" highlights the feel-good crowd-pleasing appeal that first propelled Train to success 16 years ago.

It's great to hear Patrick Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood getting back to basics.  (This song should have been the first single released from the album.)

With lyrical nods to Marin, the Fillmore, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and, of course, the City By The Bay, "Save Me, San Francisco" tells of being everywhere and everything for everyone but just wanting to be back home.

With one of the most homesick and heartfelt songs about California, Train has created a Bay Area classic with "Save Me, San Francisco".

Train  Save Me, San Francisco

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"California Dreamin" Mamas & Papas

"California Dreamin" is more than just a 1965 song by The Mamas The Papas, and it's much deeper than a mere dream about being in the state of California.

California dreaming is an intense personal longing for more.

If the old expression is true, that "California is a state of mind", then California dreaming is an action of the soul; an aching in the heart; a desperation for more than what one's current lifestyle, environment or status can offer.

When The Mamas & The Papas recorded the song "California Dreamin" in the mid-1960s, there is no way that they could have foreseen the impact their song would have on mass human psychology.

"California Dreamin" propelled the movement of millions of people across the earth toward the Golden State --- and the song still has the same effect today.

The 19th century Gold Rush, Hollywood, the post-WW2 housing boom, the surfing craze, the Hippie movement, Valley Girl, Baywatch and the Silicon Valley tech boom have each caused waves of immigrants to run toward the west coast, but the impact of "California Dreamin" surpasses all.

In many ways, the song seems to connect all of the other California booms together.

"California Dreamin" is a strangely subliminal, deeply emotional song, and it carries a message that is personally internalized.  It induces both lament and hope while representing a basic cry of humanity --- a primal desire for a return to Eden.

The song portrays a soul that feels dead yet yearns to live again; a dull gray existence dying for vibrant color; a cold life begging to be revealed by warm sunshine; a forfeited dream screaming for success; melancholy and depression lusting for freedom from despair.

Technicolor images of carefree, sunny Southern California in the media (especially in winter) are very enticing before a discontented audience.  Hearing a song which speaks of their own private dream of a better life is the last straw for many people.  California can become an obsession. 

While the world has long dreamed the American Dream, great numbers of seeking souls have dreamed The California Dream.

To people around the world who feel stuck in a life of tedious drudgery, California represents Paradise; a life of ease amid swaying palm trees and spectacular sunsets; a luxurious co-existence with The Beautiful People.

For those desiring a life free from discrimination, poverty and abuse, California dreaming is a way of keeping hope alive; a glamorous escape from the cruelty of life's brutal realities.  It is the modern world's earthly ideal.

California is famous for impossible dreams made real, casual lifestyles with few restrictions, and unrestrained creative freedom.  Golden State trends sweep America and the rest of the world, and California's music does as well.

California Dreamin' has been recorded by many musical acts since it was composed by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips, then sung by John, Michelle, Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot in the turbulent 1960s.

The timeless quality of the lyrics, the tear-jerking appeal of the flute instrumental solo, and the cathartic feeling of the song have together made "California Dreamin" one of the most popular musical compositions in human history.

Many consider California Dreamin' to be the unofficial anthem of the land of California, as the song symbolizes the hopes of all who dream of thriving in the Golden State.

"California Dreamin" is, unquestionably, the most powerful of all songs about California.

Since Michelle Phillips is the only living songwriter of California Dreamin', and the sole remaining member of The Mamas and The Papas today, we can thank Mama Michelle for giving us an anthem --- and a California Dream --- for all people of every generation to share.

The Mamas & The Papas California Dreamin'

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