Salem-News.com California articles Page 55

`Return of the Zeppelin` - a Video Essay

"What's unique is that this is very much flight by feel, not flight by numbers. You know a lot of airplanes you do everything in a set time, in a set way, at a set speed, in a set place; this is very much fly by feel." - Katharine Board, Zeppelin Pilot

(SALEM, Ore.) - A long time has passed since Americans witnessed the flight of a zeppelin; an airship that uses an inner superstructure for support inside of an 'envelope'.

A rare chance exists in Oregon for enthusiasts to actually ride aboard a zeppelin, in fact it is the largest such craft in the entire world.

La Nina: Southern California Will See Winter Flip-Flop

Water restrictions and drought pricing are already in place for most of the water authority's customers.

(State College, Pa.) - AccuWeather.com reports thanks to a strong La Nina weather pattern, the West Coast is likely to see winter conditions opposite of what it endured last year.

According to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist and West Coast resident Ken Clark said, "The difference going into this winter, is going to be totally on the opposite side, last year we had a moderate El Nino going through the winter, that drastically changed this spring to a La Nina pattern."

Social Security: If It Ain`t Broke, Don`t Fix It

We may need to strengthen an already solid Social Security program but one thing we must not do is privatize it.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Privatization of the Social Security program (Program) raised its ugly head again. The annual report of the trustees of Social Security (Report) states that, because of high unemployment, the Program will pay out more this year than it collects in payroll revenues.

El Toro`s Base Wells, Putting Together the Puzzle

The Navy denies any contamination of the base water supply, despite evidence of contamination in at least two wells.

(IRVINE, Calif.) - The death knell for MCAS El Toro, California, once the premier Marine Corps air station, was sounded in 1985 when trichloroethylene (TCE) was found in three wells during a routine well inspection.

Misplacement of well screens in the shallow contaminated aquifer allowed corrosive salts into the wells and water supply system and increasing the risk of organic solvents like TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride, and benzene entering the base water supply.

Thousands Head for Seattle`s Hempfest 2010 Honoring Jack Herer

"This one's for you, Jack!" The 19th Annual Seattle Hempfest is dedicated to the late hemp guru.

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - Hippies and hempsters from high and low are coming together at the biggest hemp festival in the United States this weekend, August 21-22. The Seattle Hempfest celebrates its 19th year by remembering the late, great Jack Herer, a moniker of hemp events whose absence is greatly felt throughout the cannabis community.

For over forty years, Jack Herer, the Emperor of Hemp, shouted from the rooftops, "Hemp will save the world!" He spoke to advocates and critics alike, filling in the gaps created by propaganda and misinformation.

Memorial Tribute DVD Honors the Late, Great Jack Herer

"Emperor of Hemp" is narrated by Emmy winner Peter Coyote, with songs by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Cheap Trick, The Rascals and Maroon5

(SALEM, Ore.) - Double J Films announces the release of the “Emperor of Hemp: Memorial Tribute Edition” DVD honoring the late great cannabis crusader Jack Herer, who died April 15, 2010.

The DVD includes a remastered “Emperor of Hemp,” regarded by many as the best marijuana documentary ever made; a 20-minute bonus feature containing never-before-seen interviews with Jack Herer, and “Hemp for Victory,” the 14-minute U.S. government-made newsreel promoting hemp farming during World War II.

Surfer Chuck Patterson Up-Close to Great White Sharks at San Onofre

This is a lot closer to the shark immortalized by Jaws than most ocean-goers would ever get...especially on purpose.

(SAN ONOFRE, Calif.) - A surfer in Southern California has wowed the world with some up close and personal footage of two great white sharks, that he shot from his board.

The underwater video was shot off San Onofre, California on Monday, August 9th by Chuck Patterson of Dana Point, California. He sat on his board using a camera mounted on a 10-foot pole, while the great whites circled the area, which is near the infamous surf spot, Trestles.

El Toro`s Unwanted Legacy: Toxic Chemicals

Marines at El Toro were exposed to toxic chemicals, none were notified.

(IRVINE, Calif.) - I don’t believe in ghosts. If I ran into one or two, maybe I’d change my mind.

The stories of lights in the former Marine Corps Air Stations El Toro’s control tower when the power was cut off in July 1999 may be just someone’s wild imagination or I guess if you believe in paranormal activity, maybe the ghosts of Marines who served on the base and returned to haunt the place. No question there’s good reasons for haunting the place.

California`s Prop 8 Overturned by Federal Judge

Civil rights advocates spent the day giving each other high fives!

(Northern District of California) - A federal judge ruled Wednesday that California's Prop 8 is unconstitutional. The ruling in the federal trial challenging California's ban on marriage for same-sex couples held that it's unconstitutional to have one set of laws for some Californians and another for others.

National Ban on Lead-based Ammunition, Fishing Tackle Sought to End Wildlife Poisoning

Lead Still a Potent Killer of Millions of Wild Birds, Health Risk for Humans.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - A coalition of conservation, hunting and veterinary groups today filed a formal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency requesting a ban on the use of toxic lead in hunting ammunition and fishing tackle.