Warren Carnell of Las Vegas …Saw LA Times article regarding homeless.
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-homeless-venice-20140204,0,3357202.story#axzz2sSh4a9Yn

Ellie Goldman of Triangle …

Night herons and egret at the Oxford Retention Basin

(Courtesy of Ellie Goldman.)
Do you know what is going on with the Washington lagoon? I had heard that there might be some clean up renovation being considered. I watch the birds there most mornings and have some pictures.

Nancy Poertner of Triangle …
I am not surprised by Cheri Noda’s observation of our neighbors running the stop signs, at least half the cars that go racing down Oxford ‘to catch the green light’ are people I know personally who have lived in this neighborhood for years.

Ruth Seroussi and Mike Newhouse, local attorneys …
Attorney team sent some of the noteworthy new laws for this year that will affect employers. They are all important but wanted to put a couple of them in Update regarding wages and domestic workers. Complete list is available upon request.

Wage and Hour
Several new 2014 laws make significant changes in key areas, such as minimum wage. Others increase employers’ general wage and hour obligations, or impose additional requirements for specific industries, such as garment manufacturers.

Minimum Wage
Effective July 1, 2014, the minimum wage increases from $8 per hour to $9 per hour. On January 1, 2016, the minimum wage increases to $10 per hour. The minimum wage has not increased since January 1, 2008. Note that this increase impacts overtime exemptions, which require that exempt employees receive at least twice the minimum wage.

Domestic Workers
In-home personal attendants will be entitled to overtime pay after 9 hours of work in a day, or 45 hours of work in a week. The new law contains numerous exceptions, such as certain relatives (e.g., a caregiver who is a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling or child of the employer), babysitters under the age of 18 or “casual” babysitters (as defined), employees of licensed health facilities, or individuals employed through a voucher issued through a regional center. Because the new law contains many specific definitions and exclusions, those employers who utilize the services of employees who provide in-home help will need to determine whether the law applies to them. (The U.S. Department of Labor also issued new rules on personal attendants, but the rules do not take effect until January 1, 2015. California’s rules take effect on January 1, 2014.)