Archive for December 31st, 2012

Grand Central Market due for a grand upgrade in 2013
http://www.scpr.org/archive | | December 31 2012, 6:28 PMAfter 95 years in business, Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles is about to get a facelift aimed at transforming it into a more attractive tourist spot.

Fiscal Cliff could undermine prop 30's gains
Local | | December 31 2012, 4:54 PMA plunge over the 'fiscal cliff' could hurt California's effort to harness billions in Prop. 30 tax revenue to protect school funding and balance the state budget.
2012 in SoCal: A year in review (SLIDESHOW)
Local | | December 31 2012, 4:45 PMA reflection upon the year with an aggregation of 2012's tweets, pictures, and links of the most important and impactful stories.

OC man dies of flu-related illness
Health | | December 31 2012, 4:24 PMThe first influenza-related death in Orange County is prompting health officials to urge all to get flu shots as soon as possible.

Police seek help in finding stolen religious items
Crime & Justice | | December 31 2012, 3:36 PMParishioners discovered the theft and desecration of the church's altar as they arrived on Dec. 23. No new leads in the case have materialized, police said.

Rose Parade Grand Marshal Jane Goodall on conservation
Environment & Science | | December 31 2012, 3:19 PMPrimate expert Jane Goodall is the grand marshal for Tuesday’s 124th Tournament of Roses Parade. She spoke with KPCC about her focus on global conservation.

Volunteers describe Rose Parade for blind spectators
Local | | December 31 2012, 3:00 PM"Pretty" isn't enough - Rose Parade interpreters for the visually impaired use lots of metaphor and detail to convey the essence of floats and marching units.

Congress will miss deadline; US set to fall off 'fiscal cliff'
US & World | | December 31 2012, 1:24 PMHouse Republicans notified lawmakers that the chamber will vote Monday evening on other bills. They say that will be their only votes of the day.

Good riddance-'Fiscal cliff' tops 'words to be banished' list
Arts & Entertainment | | December 31 2012, 1:00 PMMichigan's Lake Superior State University collects words or phrases that should be outlawed for "misuse, overuse and general uselessness." Read some other nominees.

The inexact science of choosing a Rose Parade grand marshal
Local | | December 31 2012, 8:55 AMThe Tournament of Roses Parade grand marshal selection has a lot to do with the organization's president in any given year - so it is highly subjective.

Cheap bubbly or sparkling wine for the New Year's Eve toast?
Arts & Entertainment | | December 31 2012, 6:26 AMHere are a few things to look for if you're trying to distinguish the age of your bottle of bubbly or the method by which it was made.

Sec. of State Hilary Clinton's Condition 'Extremely Common'
US & World | | December 31 2012, 6:22 AMBlood clots such as the one that has put the former first lady in a hospital can be dangerous, but can also be treated with anti-coagulants or surgery.

Year ends as it began: The US headed towards 'fiscal cliff'
US & World | | December 31 2012, 6:17 AMTalks continue on a deal to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax increases. But with just hours to go before they kick in, an agreement remained elusive.

After coach's fatal shooting, an anti-gang rally in Pasadena
Local | | December 31 2012, 6:00 AMThe rally comes days after a somber memorial for Victor McClinton, a youth sports coach killed at his home on Christmas Day. No arrests have been made in the case.

Many Rose Bowl neighbors oppose hosting an NFL team
Local | | December 31 2012, 6:00 AMFor many neighbors of the venerable stadium, UCLA games and the annual bowl contest are fine. Adding pro games is another matter.

Rose Parade float encourages life-saving organ donations (Photos)
Local | | December 31 2012, 6:00 AMThe Donate Life organization marks its 10th year of sponsoring a float that honors organ donors and their recipients.

SoCal activists distribute aid at the Turkey-Syria border
Local | | December 31 2012, 6:00 AMSyrian-American activists from the Los Angeles area have traveled to distribute aid at the Turkish-Syrian border. The latest local mission returns in early January.
Busy year for House Ethics Committee
Represent! | | December 31 2012, 5:22 PMThree California members of Congress spent much of 2012 under the microscope of House Ethics Committee. One was fined, while two were cleared.

Your best investment for 2012? It might have been...Apple!
The Breakdown | | December 31 2012, 5:14 PMThe markets closed out the year in positive territory. The S&P did better than the Dow — and Apple beat them both, by a very wide margin.

Three tips from cabbies on how to catch a ride tonight
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 5:11 PMJust about every cab in the city is expected to be out tonight, but that surely won't be enough to accommodate all the revlers in town.

Delayed docs on genetically modified salmon released by FDA
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 5:06 PMA delayed document in the approval process of the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption was quietly published on the FDA website.

Disney finishes 2012 as LA region's most valuable company
The Breakdown | | December 31 2012, 3:37 PMThe Mighty Mouse beats out the next closest challengers by a wide margin, but not without plenty of ups and downs for the Walt Disney Co.

Pop culture: Champagne's 5 most sparkling moments
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 1:23 PMFrom Kermit to Casablanca, here are five pop culture benchmarks in honor of the bubbly tempest. Welcome to New Year's Eve, the champagne of holidays.

LA candidates ask supporters to ring in new year with cash
Represent! | | December 31 2012, 11:33 AMMidnight is the deadline for this cycle of fundraising. Candidates are making their final push for donations in advance of the March 5 primary.

PHOTOS: Top 10 California business stories of 2012
The Breakdown | | December 31 2012, 11:21 AMIt's been a lively year in money. From Hollywood to high tech, with a jobs crisis and a real estate crisis mixed in, the Golden State was always in the economic news.

Obama: 'Fiscal cliff' deal 'in sight' as negotiations continue
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 10:58 AMObama regretted that the talks won't produce a "grand bargain" on tax-and-spending issues, but said that "with this Congress, it couldn't happen at that time."

Att'd. murder charge for man in burning of LA homeless woman
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 10:33 AMThe victim remains hospitalized in critical, but stable condition. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of up to life in prison.

CA Sen Boxer cautiously optimistic about avoiding cliff
Represent! | | December 31 2012, 10:24 AMCalifornia Senator Boxer hopes Congress can steer clear of the fiscal cliff before the first day of 2013. The deadline is at midnight.

Cold storm brings rain, frost, snow to Southern California
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 8:53 AMCold, unstable air brought hail, rain and some snow Sunday, causing hazardous driving conditions and bringing delight to residents who played with the white stuff.

Maven's Morning Coffee: financial abuse in Assessor's Office
Represent! | | December 31 2012, 7:50 AMToday is Monday, Dec. 31 and headlines include a look at the abuses in the Assessor's Office, a rundown on the controller's race, and the mayor's weekend in Mexico.

Expo Line draws partiers downtown for growing social scene
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 7:10 AMThe Expo Line between Culver City and downtown L.A. has opened the Westside to light rail travel and fueled downtown businesses.

San Bernardino County teen finds $800, gives cash to police
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 7:10 AMThe teen told police he briefly considered keeping the money, but thought it might belong to a family in need. The owner has not been found.

Los Angeles Times owner leaves bankruptcy after 4 years
The Latest | | December 31 2012, 6:42 AMTribune was founded in 1847. It publishes the Los Angeles Times and owns television station KTLA. The future of these media outlets remains unclear.
The Loh Life
1000 Points of Light
| December 31 2012, 10:44 AMSandra Tsing Loh...As we sit on the cusp of a new year—“Lucky 2013!” as I like to call it—I’m going for some fresh perceptions and attitudes.I am so happy that I’ve just turned 50, which I consider a kind of cosmic oil change, my odometer cleansed with zeroes.
AirTalk®

Army Corps Of Engineers clearcuts San Fernando Valley Wildlife Area
| December 31 2012, 2:43 PMSan Fernando Valley nature lovers and environmental groups say the Army Corps Of Engineers recently cleared too much vegetation from the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area.

What if superheroes could be held legally responsible for their actions?
| December 31 2012, 11:07 AMAuthors James Daily and Ryan Davidson closely explore the legal reality of super fiction in their new book, “The Law of Superheroes.”

Neil Armstrong’s famous phrase called into question
| December 31 2012, 11:06 AMIt might have been one small step for man, but Neil Armstrong’s historic quote is causing a giant stir over forty years after the fact. That’s because in a recent documentary for the BBC, Armstrong’s brother reveals that the phrase, which the astronaut always claimed was improvised, was actually prepared days in advance.

Fiscal cliff watch
| December 31 2012, 11:00 AMHow can the federal government dream of tackling the big problems facing the US when lawmakers can’t seem capable of basic compromise, even with the financial well-being of taxpayers hanging in the balance?

Tribune out of bankruptcy; what’s next for the L.A. Times?
| December 31 2012, 10:59 AMWill dismantling the behemoth Tribune company and returning hometown ownership to its struggling dailies improve their outlook?

My New Year's resolutions for the high & mighty
| December 31 2012, 10:59 AMIf you could recommend resolutions for just about anyone or anything to make 2013 a golden year, what would be top of the list?

Chinese elderly can sue their children for lack of visits
| December 31 2012, 10:58 AMWhat would you do if you were required by law to visit your parents?
Take Two®

New Music Tuesday: Tunes to soothe your New Year hangover
Arts & Entertainment | | December 31 2012, 4:15 PMOur regular music critics Drew Tewksbury, Steve Hochman and Josh Kun join Alex Cohen and A Martinez for a special hour of music to help you get over your New Year’s Eve hangover.

Driverless car development making aggressive progress
| December 31 2012, 9:38 AMIf your New Year's Eve plans involve going out on the town, maybe having a drink — or two, or three — Lets hope you've got a designated driver on board to shuttle you around.

Hollywood Monday: 2012's record $10.8 billion box office
| December 31 2012, 9:28 AMRebecca Keegan of the Los Angeles Times joins Take Two to discuss the latest in film industry news.

Charles Phoenix on the history of the Rose Parade
Local | | December 31 2012, 9:14 AMPasadena is gearing up to play host to the 124th Rose Parade. For more on the history of the parade and tips for viewing, we turn to retro daddy extraordinaire Charles Phoenix.

Many Rose Bowl neighbors oppose hosting an NFL team
| December 31 2012, 9:08 AMFor many neighbors of the venerable stadium, UCLA games and the annual bowl contest are fine. Adding pro games is another matter.

Junior's Deli closing after 53 years due to rent dispute
| December 31 2012, 8:57 AMFinding a real Ruben sandwich next year in L.A. is about to get a little harder. Junior's Deli, a Westside institution, is closing its doors today.For 53 years it's been serving coronary inducing Jewish deli food to everyone from Hollywood stars to retirees.

Health insurance companies plan to increase rates in 2013
| December 31 2012, 8:56 AMHang onto your pocket books for this next story: Your health insurer may be planning double-digit rate increases in 2013.With more is the California Report's Mina Kim.

Will Congress reach a deal on the fiscal cliff by midnight?
| December 31 2012, 8:54 AMIt's the last day of 2012 and when the ball drops at midnight we could be headed off that dreaded fiscal cliff that we've all been hearing about incessantly.

Neighborhood Watch groups go online to stop crime
| December 31 2012, 8:54 AMWhen there's crime where you live, your local neighborhood watch may already be on the streets, watching for suspicious activity and reporting them to authorities. But that's old school.

South Asian community in CA reacts to assault of 23-year-old woman in New Delhi
| December 31 2012, 8:52 AMNow we take a look at how an event thousands of miles away is reverberating in Southern California. Yesterday in New Delhi, a vigil was held for the 23-year-old student who died of internal injuries sustained from a brutal gang rape.

The biggest TV trends in 2012
| December 31 2012, 6:00 AM2012 had its share of hit shows from "Homeland" to "Honey Boo-Boo."