Transportation plan for region released

LAEDC: Cleaner air, cheaper housing, less traffic envisioned.

A transportation plan for the Greater Los Angeles Area was released Thursday, envisioning cheaper housing, less traffic and cleaner air.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. and, the Environmental Defense Fund teamed up to produce "Vision Los Angeles," a 41-page plan with 15 strategies intended to improve the region's transportation network and quality of life.

The plan's authors say transportation efficiencies are essential, given the fact that Angelenos waste about 485 million hours in their cars, costing the region an estimated $10 billion annually in lost productivity.

"With an unemployment rate of more than 12 percent, our region will see a tremendous benefit from thousands of potential jobs created by the implementation of Vision Los Angeles' strategies," LAEDC Chief Bill Allen. "The plan not only addresses our job creation needs; it will also help create a climate that attracts the best and brightest people to our communities by cleaning the air and improving mobility."

The strategies include creating a database of travel information that Angelenos could access through a smartphone application to help them make choices about how to get around the city.

The plan recommends a combination of disincentives for driving, such as peak-hour charges and more expensive parking, and cheaper and greater choices for using transit.

The study envisions a much broader network of bus rapid transit, rapid buses,

and more fixed-rail cars to close gaps in the public transit system.

The roadmap also calls for land-use changes that aim to make it feasible for people to live closer to their workplaces and travel less on the whole. The plan recommends businesses establish mortgage or rent assistance funds to help subsidize employee's housing costs and ultimately attract and retain a better workforce.

"This plan will pay dividends for both the region's environment and economy," said Kathryn Phillips, director of EDF's California Transportation and Air Initiative. "It can help transform the region's transportation system from one of the least efficient to one that supports a vibrant, world-leading economy, helps clear the air and provides abundant travel choices for all Angelenos."

The "Vision Los Angeles" plan was funded primarily by the Bank of America Foundation, the William and Flora Hewett Foundation and the Dipaola Foundation.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18294639?source=rss

Gretha Cavazzoni Bijou Phillips Karen Carreno Kasey Chambers Piper Perabo

Weekend Critic's Corner: 'Falling Skies,' 'Drop Dead Diva'

By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY

There's such a busy Sunday coming, you may not believe we're in what's supposed to be the slow summer season:

  • Booke Elliott: playsJane, an attorney who finds her overweight body is hosting  the errant soul of a deceased model.

    By Bob Mahoney, Lifetime Television

    Booke Elliott: playsJane, an attorney who finds her overweight body is hosting the errant soul of a deceased model.

By Bob Mahoney, Lifetime Television

Booke Elliott: playsJane, an attorney who finds her overweight body is hosting the errant soul of a deceased model.

?Fans of daytime TV can spend the night with The Daytime Emmy Awards (8 ET/PT, CBS), hosted by Wayne Brady.

Oprah Winfrey isn't competing, but considering the shake-ups in the soap opera world, there are sure to be plenty of high-drama moments.

?The big debut is TNT's new sci-fi series Falling Skies (9 ET/PT, review, 1D), but for lighter fare, Lifetime has the new season of Drop Dead Diva (9 ET/PT).

The show isn't off to its best start; the two cases are instantly forgettable. But Brooke Elliott is still one of TV's most charming performers, and that may be enough for the time being.

?Meanwhile, two big cable dramas depart: Game of Thrones (HBO, 9 ET/PT) and The Killing (AMC, 10 ET/PT). No one who has been watching Thrones (a small but loyal audience) is likely to stray now.

Enter your ZIP code below to see local listings.

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Taylor Swift Joanna Krupa ThalĂ­a Vogue Katy Perry

CAPTION ME: CEE-LO CHILLIN? IN THE POOL DURING A BACARDI EVENT IN VEGAS

The multi-talented Cee Lo Green was spotted getting his mack on during the Bacardi ‘Like It Live It Together’ event at Marquee Nightclub at Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Wednesday night (June 15). “The Voice” star also … Continue

Source: http://concreteloop.com/2011/06/caption-me-cee-lo-chillin-in-the-pool-during-a-barcadi-event-in-vegas

Lily Allen Nicole Richie Paige Butcher Katharine McPhee Alexis Bledel

Can Tatum and Her Father Ryan O?Neal Rebuild?

ryan-oneal-tatum-relationship.jpg

Maybe. At least, her father thinks there is hope.

Ryan O'Neal and his daughter, Tatum O'Neal's feud is nothing new. For years, the pair have spoken little to each other, falling out of touch shortly after Ryan became involved with Farah Fawcett after leaving her mother. Their relationship needs a lot of repair, which will coincidentally be explored in their new reality show, Ryan & Tatum: The O'Neals. But is there really hope to fix a 25 year feud? According to Ryan, there is at least hope. He explains:

"It's embarrassing. I don't know how that happened. I'm only learning now how to [for us] find a way back. We're working on it."

We're always skeptical of people who find it necessary to work out their problems on a reality show, but if it's what works for them, more power to them. The point is they are trying.

[Image via WENN.]

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Karen Carreno Kasey Chambers Piper Perabo Zooey Deschanel Lisa Snowdon

Video: Joe Jonas Takes Flight

Where for art thou JoBros?! Joe Jonas has flown the boy-band coop to embark on a solo music mission?and he?s taking you along for the ride. Check out this behind-the-scenes video of Joe?s trip to Chicago, where he played his first Nick and Kevin-free concert. Can JB survive without his siblings? Or is his music career was meant to be a family affair?

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Source: http://www.gossipgirl.net/blog/video-joe-jonas-takes-flight/

Olivia Wilde Jamie Chung Cinthia Moura Alice Dodd Saira Mohan

Women's Networking Session at BizBarcelona Entrepreneurs? Fair 2011

If you are entrepreneurial, into technology, have initiative and are looking to learn, come to meet and exchange experiences with likeminded women.  The NextWomen?s Spanish partner, Ellas 2.0, are organising a Networking for Women event as part of BizBarcelona, the new event for entrepreneurship and business innovation.

Details as follows:

Location: Fira de Barcelona, Hall 1, Barcelona
Date: June 16, 2011
Time: 15:00 to 16:00

Source: http://www.thenextwomen.com/2011/06/14/womens-networking-session-bizbarcelona-entrepreneurs-fair-2011

Sarah Wynter Rachel Perry Samaire Armstrong Daniella Alonso Jennifer Morrison

Kendra Wilkinson Brightens Up NBC Party

Heading to the windy city for a swanky event, Kendra Wilkinson was spotted at the NBC Universal Party in Chicago, IL on Wednesday night (June 15).

The reality TV star dazzled in a yellow, one-shoulder dress and heels as she posed on the red carpet before heading inside to mingle with other network guests in attendance.

During the party, CelebTV caught up with Wilkinson to ask her how she felt about Hugh Hefner?s recent heart-break over Crystal Harris.

Keeping her answer short and sweet, Kendra replied, ?He?s sad about this. I feel bad for him.?

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/kendra-wilkinson/kendra-wilkinson-brightens-nbc-party-515009

Bridget Moynahan Nadine Velazquez Charli Baltimore Jamie Lynn Sigler Mena Suvari

Anthony Weiner Resigns From Office

It has been a long and challenging road for Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner ever since news broke of his inappropriate conduct and relationships with other women, and today the Congressman has announced that he?ll resign from his post.

One source close to Weiner told press, ?At least the nightmare is over,? referring to the constant press circus and Weiner?s repeated dishonesty and lack of integrity.

This morning (June 16) Nancy Pelosi seemed upset at the whole ordeal, telling reporters at her weekly press conference, "If you are here to ask a question about Congressman Weiner I won't be answering. I have made the statements I am going to make."

Earlier this week, New York Democratic Representative Carolyn McCarthy shared, "Hopefully, we're hearing he might resign in a couple of days."

Weiner initially claimed he had no idea where the pictures of him in his underwear, shirtless, and other various images had come from. He also lied about how they got out. Finally Anthony admitted to having relationships with multiple women outside his marriage, though wasn?t planning on resigning.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/anthony-weiner/anthony-weiner-resigns-office-514963

Charisma Carpenter Robin Tunney Kerry Suseck Carrie Underwood Nichole Robinson

Hallmark Channel produces royals movie

Nearly two months after Prince William and Kate Middleton said, "I do," the entertainment industry's love affair with the royal couple continues. The Hallmark Channel will premiere a two-hour original television movie, William & Catherine: A Royal Romance, on Aug. 27.

In a press relase, the network gushed about the relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: "For all its pomp, circumstance, pageantry and great historical relevance, the union of William and Catherine is a fairytale tower of love that will captivate the world long into the future."

The cast is not particularly star-studded, with the most recognizable names being Alias' Victor Garber as Prince Charles and Designing Women alum Jean Smart as his wife Camilla Parker Bowles.

Jane Alexander (Queen Elizabeth), Alice St. Clair (Kate Middleton), Dan Amboyer (Prince William), Stanley Edridge (Prince Harry), Lesley Harcourt (Princess Diana) and Mark Penfold (Prince Philip) round out the rest of the cast.

See photos of: Prince William, Kate Middleton

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Amanda Peet Georgianna Robertson Christina Milian Amber Valletta