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Color Photo: The sorry state of …

NEW REPORT ON RESTAURANT RECYCLING

A nationwide survey of 500 restaurant owners and operators by the National Restaurant Association during March and April found that two-thirds have recycling programs as part of their sustainability initiatives. According to the survey, 65 percent of restaurateurs have a recycling program in place, and 13 percent participate in composting programs. Nearly three out of four restaurant operators use products made from recycled materials; the most common of these items were bags, paper …

Singer Taylor Dayne pleads no contest to reckless driving in Beverly Hills

Pop singer Taylor Dayne has pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge in connection with her March 6 arrest.

Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Richard Stone on Monday ordered the 46-year-old entertainer to serve two years probation and complete an anti-drunk driving program, district attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.

Dayne was not present in court and …

Explosive reaction to news rack movie ad

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- A newspaper promotion for Tom Cruise'scoming "Mission: Impossible III" got off to an explosive start when acounty arson squad blew up a news rack, thinking it contained a bomb.

The Los Angeles Times rack was fitted with a device designed toplay the "Mission: …

No College Bonds This Year // Political Fights Stall Investment Program

The popular tax-free Illinois College Bonds program will not beoffered this year because of political wrangling in the stateLegislature.

The $200 million bond issue was scheduled for October, but itremains in limbo because the state's overall bond funding bill wasstalled in the Legislature's spring session amid battles over prisonand mental health funding.

The earliest shot at renewing the funding will be Nov. 1, whenthe legislature reconvenes. It delays the next bond sale at leastuntil next spring.

College Bonds have been one of the state's most popularinvestment vehicles for working families since 1988. For an entryprice as low as $1,500, Illinois …

Cross in elderly LA woman's yard stirs controversy

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A nearly 25-foot cross in the front yard of an elderly woman's home is stirring controversy in a Los Angeles neighborhood.

Neighbors complain the cross is an eyesore that is attracting unwanted attention to their San Fernando Valley cul-de-sac and hurting their property values.

The cross has drops of blood-red paint in the area where Jesus' hands and feet would have been nailed. It also features a crown of thorns and a sign that says, "Jesus I trust in you."

"When you turn down our cul-de-sac, it looks like there is a church on our …

Maradona: He could play, but can he coach?

Doubts about Argentina will be stronger than ever at this year's World Cup, mainly because of Diego Maradona, the coach who has struggled in almost every match to get quality play from some of the best footballers in the world.

Most still wonder if Maradona can coach, and after taking over in November 2008, the evidence is that he can't.

But never underestimate the poor Buenos Aires street kid, originally known as "El Peluza" _ literally "lint" _ who eventually came to be known as "El Pibe de Oro" _ The Golden Boy. He's survived drug addiction, gone out with beautiful women, hosted a popular TV show and, in 1986, brought …