Slideshow: SpaceX Dragon blasts off from Cape Canaveral.
See the incredible launch
Source: www.examiner.com
California: sunshine and star-spotting in Surf City - Daily Telegraph
The beach is the centre of life here – a wide, deep stretch of blond sand, edged with a cycle path, pounded by surf and bathed in that wonderful breezy, heart-lifting California light. It's swept and groomed every night – and by day bronzed lifeguards stare out, square-jawed, from their huts on stilts. All life is here, especially on the busy beaches around the pier: cyclists, volleyballers, joggers, surfers and, of course, dogs. The beach is backed by the palm-tree-lined Pacific Highway, and each time the lights change at the crossing for Dog Beach – the stretch reserved for canine beachcombing – a posse of poodles, Labradors and pugs on leads storms noisily across. It's not unusual to see dogs skimming the waves on surfboards – and I have to say they managed it rather better than we did.
If you think you have cracked Cornish surf, the waves at Huntington Beach are something else. "The conditions are a little testing today," said our cool-dude instructor, who arrived for our lesson on the crest of a wave.
"Really, these waves are not easy," he repeated kindly some half an hour later as I emerged from yet another cold wash fast-spin and called it a day. Even my husband and sons – who rather fancied themselves on a surfboard – kept rolling in like upturned beetles.
We did better at paddle boarding – a cross between surfing and punting – but only because we were on the canal-like backwaters of nearby Huntington Harbour. And we had a lot of fun riding across the beach and along the water's edge on a Segway, which is rather like travelling on a pogo stick with wheels. But best of all was our bike ride down the beachside cycle path to Newport Beach, picking our favourite millionaire bolt-holes as we went, breeze in our hair, the sun sparkling on the water.
The cycle paths are one of the great joys of this stretch of southern California – as we found when we moved up the coast to Santa Monica, our base in Los Angeles. LA is really a series of villages, and Santa Monica is one of the most attractive and approachable. Its wide, peaceful roads, lined with pretty houses and soaring palms, lead down to cliff-top gardens and, below them, more of that dazzling golden sand. It all feels very safe – in fact, the greatest threat is being mown down by a zealous jogger. Borrowing bikes from our hotel, the stylish and civilised Oceana, we pedalled past the trapeze school and carousels on Santa Monica pier, past the prophets and bodybuilders, to Venice Beach, where stalls were selling all sorts of hippie gear, from feather headdresses to tarot cards and peace-slogan T-shirts.
There was rather smarter shopping round the corner from our hotel, in chic Montana Avenue, where we breakfasted at the quirky Marmalade Café with an eclectic crowd of locals. It didn't include any of the neighbourhood celebrities – such as Marcia Cross (Bree from Desperate Housewives), but we saw enough stardom for a lifetime on our two-hour open-top minibus tour of the movie stars' homes in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel Air. "The secret of celebrity-spotting is to look for black Range Rovers," said our driver, who showed all the zeal of a safari guide tracking lion. "We had a sighting of Orlando Bloom a couple of days ago," he announced proudly. "He gave us a wave and a smile."
We were shown the spot where Hugh Grant was arrested with Divine Brown, saw the Osbournes' house (later, so our driver said, bought by Christina Aguilera) and cruised down Rodeo Drive. We drove high among the canyons and pines of the Hollywood hills for a bird's-eye view of the city and the famous Hollywood sign (rebuilt with celebrity donations after termites ate the wooden original) and lurked in the road outside the Beckhams' home and, rather morbidly, the house where Michael Jackson died.
The most exciting moment was seeing someone exercising in Johnny Depp's garage – but it was "probably just his carpenter", according to our omniscient guide. By the end, I felt bloated with celebrity – as though I'd read 50 copies of Hello magazine back to back – but it was a great way to see the most glamorous bits of the city.
Other trips from LA, for my sons at least, included a visit to the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park. This, along with surfing and "not too many museums", had been part of the family holiday contract, and the park more than lived up to their expectations. "It just dwarfs the UK parks," was their verdict, "really good rides without all the hype."
My husband and I retreated to the blissfully cool hilltop campus of the Getty Center nearby, and wandered through the gardens and galleries, glimpsing just a fraction of the collections of American and European art and photography.
Next, we eased our way north up the coast to the lovely old mission town of Santa Barbara, where the highlights were kayaking among sea lions in the harbour and riding at Rancho Oso, in the foothills and river valleys of Los Padres National Forest. Inland California proved every bit as beautiful as the coast, as we rode among flowery meadows and groves of oak, silver willows and cottonwood trees.
From there on, I have to draw a misty veil over the rest of the trip. Our final highlight was to have been a drive along the dramatic Big Sur coast towards San Francisco, but just north of San Simeon the blue skies faded and we were plunged into thick, chilly California coastal fog. At points we could just make out a grey rocky shoreline, and the odd driftwood skeleton. But for most of its length, one of the world's most spectacular drives was more like an eerie scene from a Hitchcock film.
Getting there
The flights were the most expensive part of the trip. We bought ours (Virgin Atlantic) as a fly-drive package through Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; trailfinders.com), which had the cheapest direct flights at the time we travelled. Currently it has fly-drive options from £599 per person for a family or group of four, including flights to Los Angeles, returning from San Francisco, and 10 days’ car hire. Valid for travel in September 2012; book by March 27. Petrol, of course, is much cheaper in the US than in the UK.
Hotels on the California coast are not cheap in midsummer, but the Joie de Vivre group (jdvhotels.com), which has some great, stylish properties across California and beyond, has regular reductions of 25 per cent on selected properties on its website. We stayed at the Shorebreak in Huntington Beach (double rooms from about £142 a night) and, in San Francisco, at the Japanese-style Kabuki Hotel (double rooms from about £106).
In Santa Monica we stayed at the Oceana (hoteloceanasantamonica.com), a delightful, stylish and friendly boutique hotel just across the Pacific Highway from the beach; from about £248 a night for a courtyard-view room with two double beds (which can sleep a family of four), including bike hire; breakfast extra. Check the website for late offers.
Our Santa Barbara base was a two-bedroom cottage at the Cheshire Cat Inn b & b (cheshirecat.com). This was a bit frillier than the other hotels, but was within walking distance of shops and museums and had free parking. From about £182 a night for a two-bedroom cottage, including breakfast in the lovely garden.
Activities
Huntington Beach: surf lesson and bike hire (toesonthenose.com/advhyatt.html); Segway tour (hbsegwaytours.com); paddle-boarding lessons (mckinnonsurfboards.com).
Santa Monica:bike hire from perrys cafe.com; tour of movie stars’ homes (starline tours.com); Getty Center (getty.edu); Six Flags Magic Mountain (sixflags.com).
Santa Barbara: Rancho Oso horseback trail (rancho-oso.com); Santa Barbara kayak tours (sbadventureco.com).
More information
surfcityusa.com (for Huntington Beach); santamonica.com; visitcalifornia.co.uk.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
California voters support reduced drug possession penalties, survey says - Los Angeles Times
Backers of a measure that would reduce possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine from a felony to a misdemeanor released a survey Wednesday that indicated 70% of likely voters statewide support the change.
The survey, conducted by California Tulchin Research, found voters are more concerned with the state budget deficit than crime, and that a majority believe state jails and prisons are overcrowded and a new solution is necessary.
The report said that 87% of Californians surveyed support allowing drug offenders to avoid jail time if they complete a drug treatment program.
The telephone survey of 800 Californians was conducted in the first week of this month and was paid for by a coalition of groups supporting SB 1506, including the American Civil Liberties Union of California and the Drug Policy Alliance. The bill was introduced by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
``Voters across the state, both Republicans and Democrats, recognize that long prison sentences are doing little to deter or limit drug abuse in our communities,'' Leno said.
Those surveyed were asked if they would oppose or support the proposal to ``reduce the punishment for possessing a small amount of illegal drugs for personal use from a felony to a misdemeanor. Forty-three percent said they have ``strong support'' for the change and 27% said they ``somewhat support'' it.
The survey also found that 60% of voters think the state is headed in the wrong direction while 27% think California is headed in the right direction.
ALSO:
California continues courtroom push to cut costs
Assemblyman Hernandez pleads not guilty to drunk driving
Governor, legislators could face pay cut like other state workers
--Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento
Photo: Possession of a small amount of heroin for personal use would be a misdemeanor under legislation introduced in Sacramento. PHOTOGRAPHER: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
California On Track To Be Next State For Autonomous Car Trials - MotorAuthority
The bill, which establishes guidelines for the use of autonomous cars on public roads, passed in a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 37-0.
It now heads to the California State Assembly, which is expected to pass the bill as well in the next couple of weeks.
Speaking with the Los Angeles Times, California State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) said the primary motivation for autonomous cars was the fact that they would save lives and prevent injuries, though he stated that they would also reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
“Human error is the cause of almost every accident on the road today. If autonomous technology can reduce the number of accidents, then we also reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on California’s roads,” Padilla said. “For me, this is a matter of safety.”
Other states are looking at passing similar bills, with Arizona, Florida, Hawaii and Oklahoma all considering allowing autonomous cars to drive on public roads.
Currently, Nevada is the only state in the U.S. that has allowed autonomous cars to be registered and driven on public roads alongside other drivers. Only this month search engine giant Google was awarded the nation’s first license for autonomous cars from Nevada’s DMV.
The special license, which is expected to be provided to several other firms including automakers, allows a vehicle to be driven autonomously though stipulates that at least two occupants must be present when it’s in self-driving mode.
Source: www.motorauthority.com
California Science Center Names New Wing for Space Shuttle Endeavour - Space News
When NASA's space shuttle Endeavour lands at the California Science Center in Los Angeles this fall, it will be displayed in a temporary exhibit, and later a new museum facility named for an entrepreneur, explorer and philanthropist.
The California Science Center (CSC) announced last week that it was naming its space shuttle display pavilion and planned Air and Space Center after the late Samuel Oschin. The exhibit's dedication was made in appreciation for a "transformational gift" from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation, which was founded in 1981 to support a variety of causes related to astronomy, the arts, medicine, advocacy, and education.
"We're tremendously grateful to receive this extraordinary gift," Jeffrey Rudolph, president of the California Science Center, said in a statement. "Combined with the generous support already provided by foundations, individuals, and corporations throughout our community, we are now close to the halfway point in achieving our $200 million [Team Endeavour] campaign goal."
Launch pad for creativity
With Endeavour standing vertically as its centerpiece, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will invite guests to investigate scientific and engineering principles related to atmospheric flight and the exploration of the universe. [Gallery: Shuttle Endeavour Construction Photos]
"Integrating hands-on exhibits to encourage active learning and a unique collection of aircraft and spacecraft, this new facility will be a launch pad for creativity and innovation," Rudolph said. "It'll inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists and strengthen the science center's ability to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning."
While the air and space center is developed over the next five years, the youngest of NASA's winged orbiters will be exhibited in the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, which will open this fall. A NASA Boeing 747 jumbo jetliner is scheduled to ferry Endeavour to Los Angeles in September. Soon after, the shuttle will be transported over land to the science center.
Dedicated dreamer
"Today pays tribute first and foremost to my husband, and his passion for discovery, philanthropy, and the pursuit of knowledge," Lynda Oschin said. "This is Sam's vision and represents truly everything my husband dreamed, loved and believed in."
Samuel Oschin dedicated himself to improving the quality of life in the Los Angeles community. His success in a range of enterprises, from manufacturing to real estate, enabled his adventures to Africa, the North Pole, the Amazon and a 100-mile trek retracing Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came to the CSC to thank the Oschin Family Foundation for their support.
"On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, I express heartfelt thanks," Villaraigosa remarked. "Their generous donation ensures that space shuttle Endeavour has a world-class facility in which to reside, a place that will inspire youth to dream of future space exploration, stimulating science and math education for generations, and stimulating tourism to Los Angeles along with it."
Visit shuttles.collectspace.com for continuing coverage of the delivery and display of NASA's retired space shuttles.
Follow collectSPACE on Facebook and Twitter @collectSPACE and editor Robert Pearlman @robertpearlman. Copyright 2012 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
Source: www.space.com
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