Bike Path to Connect Long Beach to Los Angeles

The Los Angeles City Council asked city engineers to explore a proposal that would close an 8.5-mile gap in a bike path that runs inside the Los Angeles River channel, connecting Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles. The bike path would be built right on the river bed, completing a 31-mile bike route from Griffith Park to Long Beach, and then working its way through downtown Los Angeles. To learn more: www.planetizen.com/node/70043?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06302014 Article courtesy of Smart Growth Online Newsletter

MIT finger device reads to the blind in real time

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing an audio reading device to be worn on the index finger of people whose vision is impaired, giving them affordable and immediate access to printed words. http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2014/07/mit_finger_device_reads_to_the_blind_in_real_time ARticle courtesy of The Boston Herald by The Associated Press

Archer Daniels Midland buying Wild Flavors

ACQUISITIONS Sweet deal for natural flavors Archer Daniels Midland already makes sweeteners, fibers, emulsifiers and an array of other ingredients used in packaged foods and drinks. Now it's getting in the business of natural flavors. The agribusiness giant said Monday it will acquire the privately held Swiss company Wild Flavors in an all-cash deal that will total $3.13 billion, counting debt. Founded in 1931, Wild Flavors makes natural flavors and "flavor systems" that help give products their distinct tastes. http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Archer-Daniels-Midland-buying-Wild-Flavors-5605426.php Article courtesy of SF Gate by Chronicle News Services

State moves to improve safety in transporting oil by rail

A year after rail tanker cars carrying crude oil in Canada exploded and killed 47 people, California is stepping up efforts to prevent a similar disaster on tracks crisscrossing the state.. In recent weeks, the state began pumping more money into a new rail safety program, the Legislature approved new fees on oil being carried by train, and the state's Fish and Wildlife Department started planning how to better protect inland waterways from oil spills. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-oil-train-safety-20140708-story.html# Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Marc Lifsher

Trove of ancient marine fossils surprises Bay Area dam builders

Crews had no clue when work started on a Bay Area dam in 2011 that they would stumble onto a trove of marine fossils many millions of years old. Hundreds of specimens have been found at the Calaveras Dam site nearMilpitas,Calif. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/# Article Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times/Science Now

Senate approves 'kill switches' for cellphones sold in California

The state Senate on Thursday passed a measure that would require cellphones sold in California to be equipped with "kill switches" that can render them inoperable if stolen. http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-kill-switch-20140509-story.html# Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Patrick Mcgreevy and Melanie Mason

Fish die-off in Marina del Rey blamed on oxygen depletion

State wildlife officials investigating the die-off of thousands of anchovies in Marina del Rey over the weekend have concluded that the fish probably died because they sought refuge in the harbor, became trapped and used up all of the oxygen in the water. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-dead-fish-marina-del-rey-20140520-story.html# Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Tony Barboza