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Appeals court upholds state stem cell research

Photo courtesy Harvard University Gazette

By Julia Cheever, Bay City News Service

February 27, 2007

A state appeals court in San Francisco yesterday upheld the constitutionality of California's $3 billion voter-approved stem cell research program.

A three-judge Court of Appeal panel unanimously affirmed a decision in which Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Sabraw ruled last year that the structure of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine didn't violate the state constitution.

Full story, click here.

Newsom replaces Ragone with Ballard

Embattled Ragone expected to join Newsom campaign
for re-election

Embattled Newsom Press Secretary Peter Ragone has been replaced by Nathan Ballard. Ragone is expected to join the Newsom campaign for re-election.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

February 27, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced Monday the appointment of Nathan Ballard as his new director of communications.

Ballard replaces former Communications Director Peter Ragone who came under fire for using fake names to post on websites, and being less than truthful about it.

Full story, click here.

Gap, Inc. gaps out Forth & Towne line

Restructuring will cost $40 million

Screen shot courtesy Gap.com

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

February 26, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco-based Gap Inc. announced today they plan to shut down Forth & Towne, an apparel concept geared toward women over 35 years old.

The company plans to close 19 stores throughout the U.S., which would affect 550 employees. Interim president and CEO Bob Fisher said despite initial successes, the clothing brand was not making money fast enough to recoup its initial investment.

Full story, click here.

San Francisco based effects studio celebrates Oscar

Screenshot courtesy Industrial Light and Magic website

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

February 27, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Employees at Industrial Light and Magic celebrated the San Francisco-based company's 15th Academy Award yesterday after winning for the visual effects of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

The company's visual effects supervisor John Knoll and animation supervisor Hal Hickel accepted the Oscar for best achievement in visual effects.

Full story, click here.

And in other news...

- Parolee's death after swallowing drugs ruled accidental choking

FCJ Quote of the Day

U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) at a press briefing yesterday in Oakland.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

"I support the six-month withdrawal of our troops, providing for their safety and security and bringing them home, while at the same time we help regionalize the civil war and try to find some diplomatic solutions by beginning dialogue with Iran and Syria, and by helping to make sure that there's no funding for the building of permanent military bases, and by ensuring that when we bring our troops home - and the ones who are already here - that we provide for their health and their mental health, and that's what we're working on in terms of HR 508"

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, 2/26/7