Exercise May Guard Against Irregular Heartbeat in Older Women

Study found it lowered risk even if they were obese

by via DOJ HHS

High-Risk Melanomas Often on Head or Neck, Study Finds

Rate of cell growth may be a key to diagnosis and treatment, an expert says

by via DOJ HHS

Many Women Who Have Mastectomy Don't Get Breast Reconstruction: Study

Most were satisfied with their decision, researchers noted

by via DOJ HHS

Botox Tested on Stomach Cancer in Mice

Preliminary research suggests the wrinkle treatment might silence critical nerves that support tumors

by via DOJ HHS

U.S. Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Iraq

U.S. aircraft continue their attacks on ISIL terrorists in support of Iraqi security force operations.

Minnesota Doctor Becomes Air Guard Brigadier General

For the family of Air Force Brig. Gen. David D. Hamlar Jr., promotion ceremonies have been a normal event throughout his career. However, his most recent ceremony is different because of the special significance pinning the star on his shoulder means to the Minnesota National Guard.

Ozone-Depleting Compound Persists, NASA Research Shows

NASA research shows Earth's atmosphere contains an unexpectedly large amount of an ozone-depleting compound from an unknown source decades after the compound was banned worldwide.

by via NASA Breaking News

TORRANCE CITY COUNCILMEMBER HEIDI ASHCRAFT ENDORSES BEN ALLEN FOR STATE SENATE

Cites Allen's Educational Record as Chief Reason for Backing

Santa Monica, CA -- Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District Board Member Ben Allen receives the endorsement of Torrance City Councilmember Heidi Ashcraft. "Like me, Ben Allen has served on a local school board. He has dealt with budget shortfalls while protecting critical education and extracurricular programs from financial cuts. Ben not only values having a high quality public education system, but he knows what it takes to build and maintain one. I wholeheartedly endorse Ben Allen for the State Senate," said Councilmember Heidi Ashcraft. Heidi Ashcraft was appointed to the Torrance City Council in 2013 to fill an unexpected vacancy and was elected to the seat as the top vote-getter in June 2014. She previously served on the Torrance Unified School District Board for three terms from 1995 to 2007. She and her husband, Dan, have been residents of Torrance for 36 years.    With her backing, Ashcraft joins a growing number of elected officials in the South Bay who are supporting Allen including Assemblymember Steven Bradford, former Assemblymember George Nakano, Manhattan Beach City Mayor Amy Howorth, former Manhattan Beach Mayor Portia Cohen, Manhattan Beach City Councilmember Mark Burton, Hermosa Beach City Councilmember Nanette Barragan, Redondo Beach City Councilmember Bill Brand, and former Redondo Beach School District Board Member Todd Loewenstein.     Ben Allen placed first among a crowded field in the open primary for the 26th State Senate District, held on June 3, 2014.             The 26th State Senate District consists of the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, El Segundo, Avalon, Lomita, Torrance, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills; the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Westwood Village, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Little Holmby, Sunset Hills, Beverly Grove, Mar Vista, Mid City West, Miracle Mile, Larchmont Village, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Fairfax, Carthay, Fremont Place, Hancock Park, and Windsor Square; and the unincorporated Los Angeles County communities of Marina Del Rey, San Clemente Island, Santa Catalina Island, Franklin, Centinela, and Ocean View.

City of West Hollywood Convenes Task Force on Shared Economy Businesses

 

Innovative Business Models for Ride Sharing and

Short-Term Rentals Spark New Policy Questions

 

Task Force Meetings Will Take Place

Monthly From August to November

 

 

WEST HOLLYWOOD, August 20, 2014 – The City of West Hollywood has convened a Shared Economy Task Force to assist in the review of policies and impacts regarding shared economy businesses operating in the City of West Hollywood. The formation of the Task Force is the result of direction by the West Hollywood City Council in February 2014.

The shared economy is an emerging market in many towns and cities across the country in which people rent rooms, cars, products, or services directly from one another. New technological advances in broadband internet connectivity and smart phone applications are changing the ways in which consumers source goods and services. Entities such as VRBO, Airbnb, Lyft, andUber are a growing presence in the City of West Hollywood. These types of entities serve multiple purposes in any community. They may in some cases serve as extra sources of revenue for individual households, while also providing efficient and affordable services to those that use them. However, short-term vacation rentals are currently prohibited in the City of West Hollywood.

Shared economy businesses have implications for local government including quality of life impacts, business impacts, and general consumer safety. There is an emerging debate about whether shared economy activities may violate existing municipal regulatory schemes and zoning codes. Around the country policies and regulations are being enacted to both support the growth of sharing economy businesses and to protect consumers.

The aim of the City of West Hollywood's Shared Economy Task Force is to formalize a review process of current approaches to emerging shared economy businesses in the City of West Hollywood. The City Manager, at the direction of City Council, has formed a Task Force comprised of the following people:

• Lindsey Horvath — City's Transportation Commission
• Roy Huebner — City's Planning Commission
• Bill Hynes — Visit West Hollywood
• Rob Lo — City's Business License Commission
• Genevieve Morrill — West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

There will be a total of five public Task Force meetings. The introductory meeting took place on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, to acquaint members of the Task Force and review meeting processes and protocols. Four meetings are scheduled to take place in the future, on a monthly basis:

·         Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 5 p.m.;

·         Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 5 p.m.;

·         Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 5 p.m.; and

·         November's meeting time to be determined.

Each meeting will take place in the Community Meeting Room at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

For more information about the City of West Hollywood's Shared Economy Task Force, visit www.weho.org/sharedeconomy.

For additional information, please contact Laura Minnich, Economic Development Analyst, at (323) 848-6402 or at lminnich@weho.org. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call (323) 848-6496.

U.S. Soldiers in Estonia Compete in Recon Challenge

The Estonian Defense League hosted the second annual Admiral Pitka Recon Challenge, which included competitors from the United States.