The Economy and the Weather both Hot as Hell

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Southland once again will bake under sizzling
temperatures today, with the region's heat wave showing no clear sign of
dissipating.
The National Weather Service forecast highs today in the low 100s in the
San Fernando, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and Pomona valleys and the mountains
of Los Angeles County, other than the Santa Monica range.
Because the humidity level -- now at the 20-30 percent level -- is
expected to make the heat particularly uncomfortable in the mountains, an
excessive heat warning will be in effect for mountain areas until at least 8
tonight.
"The combination of temperature and humidity will create dangerously
hot conditions, with heat index values climbing to 100 degrees or more" in
mountain regions, according to an NWS advisory.
The heat index is a measure of discomfort based on humidity and heat,
which could peak at 105 in mountain areas today, forecasters said.
The Antelope Valley is expected to experience highs of 108 today. On
Tuesday, the mercury climbed to 107 in Lancaster, setting a record for a July
21, besting the one set in 2006, when the temperature in the city reached 106.
How much longer the heat wave will last was not certain this morning as
meteorologists struggled to forecast the departure of a strong upper-level high-
pressure system that has been parked over the West for several days.
One computer model indicates that it will push eastward starting Monday
or Tuesday, but another one shows the system staying put, said meteorologist
Jamie Meyer in a telephone interview from the NWS office in Oxnard.
In any event, we will not see "a whole lot of change anytime soon,"
she said.
The NWS forecast highs today of 74 in Avalon; 75 at Newport Beach; 76 at
LAX; 85 in Long Beach; 88 in Anaheim; 89 in downtown L.A.; 90 on Mount
Wilson; 93 in San Gabriel; 94 in Burbank; 96 in Pasadena; 102 in Woodland
Hills; 104 in Newhall; and 106 in Palmdale and Lancaster.

THIS IS FROM A CITY NEWS SERVICE ARTICLE

Not Just a Game, Sports are BIG Business

Many Southern Californians are literally going out to the ball game.

A new study reports that sporting events contributed five Billion dollars to the Southern California economy in 2007.

Up from one point six Billion in 2005.

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the L-A Sports Council studied data from 55 local sports organizations—excluding high school sports and “one time only” events.

The President of the Los Angeles Sports Council- David Simon says there are many reasons for why sports are a booming business.

Simon says it’s because of increased tickets prices, tickets sales and more people being interested in sports.

Simon also says attendance just doesn’t apply to professional teams- it also affects minor league and college events.

About 25 Million southlanders attended a sporting event last year.

That number is down by close to four Million from 2005 data.

The Dodgers had the highest attendance of all Southern California sports franchises with three point eight Million attendees.

Also the study reports local sports organizations provide more than 14-thousand jobs.

Los Angles County generated 79 percent of all southland sporting events revenue.

Summer Heat needs to Cool Off

Southern California Edison is asking consumers to conserve energy.

As summer heat hits the Southland, many people are using their air conditioners too much for too long.

And, Edison says an blackout is possible.

Southern California Edison is recommending people to set their thermostats above 78 degrees.

Also to use fans over the a-c, turning off unused appliances, closing drapes, and shutting off lights when leaving a room.

Edison is also launching a Summer Discount Program.

The program allows Edison to automatically turn off people’s air conditioners during a power emergency.

In exchange- users of the program would receive 200-hundred dollars off their utility bills.
So far about 292-thousand customers have agreed to do the program.