Palo Alto California Lodging

Voting Question: Does anyone know where to get information on tenant protection or rights in Southern California?

We have had continued "inconveniences" since we've moved to this apartment complex. We have experienced termites almost immediately upon move-in which resulted in 2 heat treatments where we packed up everything we did not want to be exposed to the heat (per the list that was provided, it was practically everything minus our large furniture). Having management act on our concerns took about 3 1/2 mo and a debate/argument. The third time requiring a heat treatment, we refused as it was too much to do w/ me being in physical pain and a toddler. They tried to sway us, but my husband continued to refuse. Finally, they sent a guy out anyway who did a spot foam treatment where we didn't have to leave. With the other treatments, management never supplied alternate lodging nor did they offer and when we did inquire once we were basically told that we were on our own. This has been between December to May (4 1/2 mo into our new lease at this time). In addition to the termites, we also have many spiders residing with us that also required a visit from the exterminator...and let me just say, that it didn't work. We also have a broken central air unit. We have gone to the office several times over this issue, again, having to debate the point re: it not working properly. Disgusted and upset, I called the on-site manager's boss. That lit fire under her. The vendor came out three times in one week, and found that the air duct (that's made of cardboard) collapsed. We deal with the manager's lies, her "forgetfulness", her excuses, and her attitude. To get anything done, you actually have to argue. Our water, trash, and sewer is paid along with the rent...it takes her a month or more to submit the payment to the service carrier resulting in past due/higher bills. Now, where our apartment sits, the walkway connected to our unit is crumbling on the underside and has already started to concave due to some leaking pipe. The railing attached to it leans outward. It's not stable as if anyone walking by from adult to child causes our living room to shake. Our water is consistently brown and/or shut off without notification. They cannot explain the brown water. To date, we have not been offered a new unit, but at this point we don't know about that. We would not want to move from one unit with issues to another unit with a lot more issues and be in a worse situation. We know what the lease says re: early termination, but is there protection or some legal rights that we have? Oh, mind you, the termites are back. They're in the bedroom ceiling now, by the light fixture. There are new droppings and a swarmer apparently shed its wings in there... apparently to have established that new home (we know well about the swarmers and wings. we, so it seems, moved into their home about 7 mo ago. lol, but nothing's really funny here). We're in san bernardino county if that helps someone point us in the right legal direction. Thank you.

Resolved Question: Where is romantic and nice to spend christmas holidays in California?

Hey So Im looking for some help and ideas. Me and my boyfriend are gona head away this christmas 2010 and we live in San Francisco and have 4-5 days so we dont really want anywhere longer than a 5 hour drive. And I know yosemite and tahoe are pretty obvious but Im actually looking for some specifics hotels, lodges, spas etc somewhere that ye have stayed or know of that would be romantic and different and just a VERY bit christmasy!!!Anything ye can come up with is so appreciated. thanks. Janey

Resolved Question: What is your favorite restaurant at Disney World (Orlando)?

I just ate at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm not usually one for buffets but this place was great. California Grill was good too.

Resolved Question: What are some good mountain locations in Southern California?

I live in San Diego, and want to surprise my husband with a weekend away for our anniversery in August. I know he loves cabins, fishings, hiking, things like that. I do not want to drive further than 3 hours away from SD. Alot of the little towns I have found have lodging for a hundred a night. I know that is cheap but I am curious if the good people on yahoo answers would know of any good places to go. Thanks!

Resolved Question: I'll be staying in Cambria, California and need advice on family-friendly accommodations.?

In the past, we've stayed at the Cambria Pines Lodge because of the heated pool and the free breakfast, but the rooms seem shabbier every time, and the prices keep going higher. (Two adults, three kids = a suite.) Are there any good alternatives? I'd even consider staying in San Simeon, if that would help.

Resolved Question: This is breaking news what do you think Federal Agencies Nixing Conventions Over State's Immigration Law?

Two federal agencies have joined the "boycott Arizona" trend and nixed conferences there out of concern over the state's immigration law, a Democratic Arizona congresswoman said, calling the development "very troubling." Any cancellations by the Department of Education and the U.S. Border Patrol may have been more out of a desire to steer clear of controversy than outright protest of the law. But Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who has written to dozens of cities and groups in a campaign to persuade them to end their boycotts, said it was disturbing to learn that the federal government would withdraw from the state over the issue. "It is very troubling when the federal government becomes involved in a boycott against our state," Giffords said in a written statement. "Although I personally disagree with the immigration law, it came about because of growing frustration over the federal government's unwillingness to secure the border. The federal government's participation in this boycott only adds to that frustration." The Department of Education issued a statement to Fox News confirming that a program administrator, though not the Education Department itself, canceled a 2010 convention "at the request of one of our trilateral partners." According to Giffords, the department's North American Mobility program convention set for October at a Tucson resort was nixed after the Mexican government said it would not send any representatives to the meeting. The department then moved the event to Minnesota. Related Links California Lawmakers Push for First-in-the-Nation State Boycott of Arizona Los Angeles City Council Makes Exemption to Arizona Boycott for Lucrative Traffic Camera Contract GOP Lawmakers Warn of Administration Plan to Grant Amnesty to Illegal Immigrants Labor Dept. Offers Assistance to Illegal Immigrants Facing Wage DisparitiesFurther, her office said the Border Patrol "verbally" canceled a conference set for May at a resort in Prescott after an official asked that it be moved out of concern over the immigration law debate. The Border Patrol -- which has more than 4,000 agents in Arizona, representing nearly a quarter of its force -- had booked 40 rooms for the event before canceling, though there was no contract signed for the event, according to Giffords' office. Giffords' office said the cancellations were confirmed by the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association. The congresswoman is among a number of Arizona officials who argue that the boycotts imposed by cities across the country do nothing to change the law and only punish workers and businesses there. The boycotts would hit the hospitality industry, which is made up in large part of Hispanic workers, particularly hard. Colleagues in Arizona slammed the federal government over the cancellations on Thursday. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., called the news "very disappointing." Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks said the apparent cancellations show the administration is using "federal agencies as political tools" to "harm our state's economy for having the audacity to protect our citizens." "These boycotts completely disprove the Obama administration's disingenuous claims that they are in any way interested in strengthening border security," he said in a written statement to FoxNews.com. In the letter she has been sending to cities and groups that have imposed boycotts, Giffords wrote that the punitive measures have "unfairly targeted" her state's businesses. The Obama administration is planning to file suit against the Arizona law, citing its sustained concern about the move to subject some residents to routine checks on their immigration status. So far, a couple of cities have written Giffords back defending their actions against her state. El Paso Mayor John Cook wrote in a letter to the congresswoman June 10 that his city was not "condoning" illegal immigration by passing a resolution that prohibits city officials from attending conferences in Arizona. He said his city's measure, though not a full-fledged boycott, emphasizes the importance of passing a comprehensive immigration overhaul and "expresses our concerns with the possibility of law enforcement racially profiling people." Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell also wrote this month that its ban on employee travel to the state -- and a reconsideration of city contracts there -- was imposed out of concern for racial profiling. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/24/arizona-dem-accuses-federal-agencies-nixing-conventions-immigration-law/

Resolved Question: Is the purpose of the federal government’s neglect of protecting the border with Mexico is so that illegals?

Is purpose of the federal government’s neglect of protecting the border with Mexico is so that illegals can pass through it, virtually at will, in order to create a nearly open border ?This accomplishes the globalists’ objectives of weakening sovereignty and nationalism, developing economic strife, and fomenting discord between taxpaying citizens and illegal immigrants, which are necessary elements to implement the North American Union. Further, it sets the stage for amnesty and the federal government’s immigration bill that would establish a national ID card for all workers, the inroad to REAL ID. Arizona’s new immigration law (SB1070) is controversial, but not for the reasons that mainstream media presents. It’s controversy lies in the database collection on people, as opposed to racism- this illusion is used to create drama. California has threatened to boycott Arizona businesses, primarily travel- related services, including food and lodging. California stands to benefit by drawing tourism away from Arizona, and into California. It is also a way for California to deflect attention away from its own immigration problems by demonizing Arizona. In response to Los Angeles City Council’s vote to boycott Arizona, an Arizona utility regulator suggested “re-negotiation” of electrical power agreements with the City of Angels; while this is probably just another act in the theatre of distraction, Angelinos are already facing a 28% rate hike in power bills as a result of political maneuvers and/ or incompetence. However, Arizona’s new immigration law may not be the picture of freedom and sovereignty that has been painted. Due to some language in the law, it is possible that any state agency or state subdivision may hand over any data on any person for any public benefit, service or license . This could set up a national database for free flowing information to the Department of Homeland Security. In effect, it paves the way to REAL ID, but without the official card; the disturbing issue behind REAL ID is the massive amounts of data that can be collected and tied together, in the possession of the federal government. http://www.prisonplanet.com/agenda-21-alert-immigration-theatre.html

Resolved Question: Is this another of the "people just coming here to work for their family" examples?

And why would they let him go? excerpt... Perhaps the most grotesque and gruesome crime is the rape and murder of a nun by yet another migrant worker from South America. It is amazing that this story received so little attention when imaginary crimes against illegal immigrants are portrayed on television shows in order to gain sympathy for these criminals (i.e. a T.V. show airing an episode where a Minutemen volunteer hurts an illegal immigrant). Thirty three year old Maximiliano Esparza raped and sodomized two nuns and used their rosary beads to control them during the attack. The Sisters were beaten, raped, sodomized, and finally, Esparza used her own rosary beads to strangle Sister Helen Lynn Chaska to death. Esparza had needed lodging and checked into the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission in Oregon. This Spanish speaking migrant had spent his evening getting drunk at a local strip club and encountered the nuns as they were walking and saying prayers. Of note, Esparza had a history of criminal behavior and had served a three year sentence in a California prison. He had been deported one time, and shockingly, U.S. Border Patrol let him go after detaining him a few months prior to the rape/murder. It doesn't get more vile and disgusting than this. http://www.drdsk.com/articles.html#ImportingViolence

Voting Question: This is going to be our first military move! Help?

My husband is graduating Tech School for the Air Force June 4th. In about 3 weeks :) he has a sponsor who is No help to us at all! He got orders in March to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield California. We called to put our name on the waiting list a few weeks ago and I just checked online and his name isn't on the list! We tries calling about lodging last week but noone picks up the phone! Were soo lost! We need our car moved there asap (were fro Hawaii) so it has to be shipped like next week in order for it to get there around the time we do. Transit usually takes 2 weeks. We feel soo lost! He even went to the people there at his school for help about moving and how things are paid for but he said they're no help at all. Where do we stay if there's no housing available when we get there? Does the military pay for a place for us to stay? If we paid to ship our car now will they reimburse our money? and does my husband get time off to look for a house if base housing isn't available? Please help! We have a 2 year old too and Im really worried things aren't gonna fall into place like they say it is. Thanks everyone :)

Resolved Question: Do Conservative Republicans believe in freedom or not?

1) For example, why don't they believe in a woman's right to choose what she does with her own body? 2) Why don't I have the freedom of unlimited duration of food and lodging if I can unfairly not find a job when I did my homework and have perfect qualifications, but nobody is hiring? 3) Why don't I have the freedom to marry a man OR a woman and then adopt children in any part of America, not just blue states? 4) Why can't I grow my own homegrown weed and smoke it in the privacy of my own backyard? 5) Why are my rights to unionize with my fellow workers NOT allowed in some of your Conservative US states, forcing managers to take advantage because they can lay anyone off they feel like without the democratic voice of the worker? 6) Why am I not free to live in a society that provides healthcare for ALL citizens, not just the "haves". 7) And what's the big deal if I want to visit Havana Cuba? Why does this make me a communist...with a Scarlet letter on my chest? I thought this land was your land and my land from California to the New York Islands from the Redwood Forests to the Gulfstream waters....but Conservatives think this is only their land? I don't understand. Conservatives would sing this song instead.... this property is your property, this property is my property.... yours is 2 inches with no irrigation in a trailor park mines 6 acres with 3-car garages and a golfcourse and guardhouse And in between the 2 Is a paved road which is about the only we let Government pay for other than fight wars This land was made potentially for you and potentially separately for me, and I'm winning because I have more money than you