Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with CA

No wheelies right?

Mr.Me — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:40:36 -0800

California scooter filter- I've got a Motorcycle (ride on) test tomorrow at the DMV. What can I expect? Anybody out there recently taken the test and can tell me what's in store? Been riding for years w/o the endorsement. Should I be sweating this test?

I have too much garbage!

onich — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:08:36 -0800

Please recommend how I can get rid of trash in Pasadena, CA. I just moved to Pasadena, CA. Between the trash that the previous occupant left and the crap that I've cleaned (yard waste and junk) that I need to get rid of, I have an unmanageable garbage to deal with after considering the stuff that I can recycle.

Am I allowed to just leave all of this garbage in the curb and the collectors will pick it up?

Are there trash collection services that you can recommend that can pick up the garbage? How much do they normally cost.

Nothing in my pile will be other people's "treasure" because it's mostly yard waste and a few construction debris.

Thank you.

Low cost or pro bono legal aid for domestic violence / abuse victims in California?

sergeant sandwich — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:41 -0800

My friend and her ex-boyfriend got in a fight, he got violent and beat her up pretty bad. She got in the car with their baby and fled cross-country to stay with her parents. There is a hearing next month to determine custody of the child, and she doesn't want to lose the kid to what is likely going to be an abusive father. Lawyer up, right? Problem is, not a lot of money. Can you point me to any organizations in California that provide pro-bono / sliding-scale / low-cost legal aid services for abused women? So, my friend and her (now-ex) boyfriend had a child together and were living together in Fairfield, CA. In April of this year, they got in a fight over something (I don't know what), he snapped and beat the shit out of her. She took the kid and the clothes on her back and drove to her parents' house in the midwest, where she's been staying since.

There's a hearing in Fairfield at the end of July to determine the custody of the child, and she's scared that without a lawyer she's gonna lose her son and/or be forced to regularly see Mr. Violent if there's some kind of joint custody agreement.

As you can probably imagine, having to leave all your belongings and job behind on a moment's notice with toddler in tow has put her in a financial pickle, and she's having a hard time finding the $3k it will cost her to hire the cheapest lawyer she can find, and on top of that there's tickets for the flight back out to the hearing, etc. I and other friends have lent some money to help, but none of us can pony up that kind of cash on short notice.

I imagine there must be some organizations and/or social service groups which provide legal aid or representation for women who are victims of domestic violence. I've done some googling and found a few in California, but I suspect there are some knowledgeable people on AskMe who can set us on the right direction as far as finding help.

I'm not personally involved in the situation in any way, just trying to lend a hand after the fact. Any assistance anyone can provide would be appreciated in a big way.

Whale Watching in CA?

jseven — Mon, 25 May 2009 09:41:03 -0800

Whale Watching in CA, I will be traveling to Bakersfield CA in the next couple of days and spending some time there and in Santa Monica. Anyone know of somewhere I could go and take a whale watching trip while there? (within a reasonable driving distance from either location)

Extended Stay around Mountain View, CA

flyby22 — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:32:01 -0800

Looking for recommendations for Extended stay around Mountain View, CA. Due to work I will need to work out of our Mountain View office. I was looking for suggestions for decent, reasonably priced extended stay (month to month) outfits to stay at around that area while I look for rentals etc. Would be looking for a studio type place with internet/TV connection and some kitchen facility.

Fun things to do in LA via public transport

matthewr — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:40:21 -0800

What are some fun things to do in Marina del Rey at the weekend or in the evenings, that don't require a car? I'm staying here for work for two weeks, and (if all goes well) have the weekend free. I'm open to all suggestions. I'm in my 20s, from the UK, and have only been in the US once before.

So far I have thought of, in no particular order: renting a bike and cycling round the area; walking to Venice beach; and (maybe) getting the bus to the Getty. On a previous trip, I've taken a bus tour up around Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Bonus points for anything that doesn't require a $100 taxi or four hours on the bus.

Help! I screwed up my taxes

aoeu — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:56:25 -0800

I moved to California in late March. All my W2 says New York. How badly have I screwed up? How can I fix it? Last year I took a full time job with a company in California. I traveled back and forth until late March when I decided to move out full time. Blame it on the long hours, blame it on sheer stupidity, but I didn't look at my W2 until yesterday. It says NY.

As I understand it, this means my employer has withheld tax for New York and not California, so I probably have to pay California a big chunk and get a big refund from New York.

I know I'm probably in a bit of trouble, and there's probably going to be some fines involved, but what is the best way to handle this now? Is there a way to get an extension so I can have my W2s corrected? Is there a way to file in both states?

Where to live near Edwards AFB?

tillei — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:10:09 -0800

Need advice about places to live near Lancaster, CA I just got a job on Edwards AFB, and will be moving to the area. I have read a lot of negative things about the area, but this move is for employment and "don't move there" is not an option. Any constructive advice about places for a single girl with a dog to live in relative peace and safety would be greatly appreciated! Lancaster, Cal City, Rosamond, North Edwards, etc all on the table.

What is the best process for back-ordering a .CA domain?

chudmonkey — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:31:55 -0800

What is the best process for back-ordering a .CA domain? There is a .CA domain name expiring this May which I would like to secure for myself. I can say with certainty that the existing registrant will not be renewing the domain, and also don't expect anyone else to be after it either.

I know that various companies offer a back-ordering service for .CA domains, but I am seeking specific recommendations with an eye towards finding the best price. (I have other domains registered with GoDaddy, but they do not seem to offer .CA backordering.)

Were I to forgo using a back-ordering service, would I simply be able to register the domain for myself on the day it expires, or will there be some waiting/holding period before the domain becomes available to the public again?

Thanks in advance for any perspective or experience you can share!

WA v. CA Divorce Law?

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:52:23 -0800

Need help understanding key differences in CA v. WA divorce law. Yes, I'm in touch with a lawyer but in advance of that discussion I would like to be a bit smarter about understanding the ramifications of filing for divorce in CA v. WA.

Key facts: No children, 10+ year marriage, primary residence has been in WA until mid-last year when wife moved to jointly owned property in CA (me, husband remaining at jointly owned property in WA). Hoping for amicable mediated settlement but you never know.

Specifically: Are there material differences in the way the state laws view spousal support in a case like this where there are no dependents?

Thanks HiveMind!

Anything interesting on southern I5?

zito75 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:36:10 -0800

My wife, 6 month old daughter, and I are driving from Santa Cruz to San Diego, then back up through LA and Santa Barbara. I'm looking for places to stop along the way. My daughter starts getting really fussy if she's in her car seat for more than an hour. The plan is to drive down I5 to San Diego, hang out with friends, then come back up to LA and Santa Barbara via 101. I would love to find interesting places to stop along the way. Any advice on nice views, historical areas, nice parks, cool stores, easy to get to but not fast food restaurants would be appreciated (breweries are also a plus). I've made this drive before, but I've never stopped much along the way.
(this is my first question, so I hope all is kosher)

How should bamboo in containers be drip irrigated?

tarthur — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:36:29 -0800

How best can I drip irrigate containers of bamboo in Southern California? [Photos and detailed information provided] Photos of the containers are here: containers and current system
I have installed a solar irrigation system but I don't think the plants are getting enough water. This is the model: Solar Irrigation System

How much water does bamboo of this type require? I don't have a hose connection on the patio/loft area but I am considering stringing up a hose connected drip irrigation tube and getting drippers with more throughput.

Any ideas or experience? Thanks!

NetSol, .Mac or other host for .ca domains?

Marquis — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:30:59 -0800

My friends have a webhosting account with Network Solutions. NetSol seems to be saying that you cannot point a .ca domain-name to that account. Is that really true? Are .Mac accounts compatible with .ca domains? If the answer to both is no, can you recommend a webhost for .ca domains? (They have already bought the domain.) [NB: I don't want to just use a page forwarder - that is, I want www.mysite.ca/blogs/newblog etc urls to work.] Thanks!

Where should I go for surfing lessons in Newport Beach, CA?

tenaciousd — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:32:42 -0800

Where's the best place to learn how to surf near Newport Beach, CA? Are there any good surf schools in Newport? I'll have a car and could go someplace nearby (15 - 20 minutes away) if it's a better area or has better schools/lessons. Also, I snowboard. Will that make surfing easier to pickup?

Who loses first when UC budets are cut by Arnold?

|n$eCur3 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:01:07 -0800

How are the proposed UC budget cuts here(Article) and here(PDF) likely to affect campus employees and administrative staff (non academics, non students)? Somewhere between 32 and 60 million dollars will be cut from campus budgets. What excess fat is trimmed first? Historically, what kinds of employees are first to lose their jobs? How does this budget cut compare to past UC funding cuts and is there any historical data to show where the money will be trimmed?

How much of this budget cut will be absorbed easily without cutting personnel? Is there enough cushion? How does IT fare in these kinds of situations?

Help me find a dentist in the SF Bay Area.

fishfucker — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:01:22 -0800

I am looking for a dentist recommendation in the SF Bay Area, preferably Oakland. My entire family has been seeing the same dentist in Sacramento for the last 20-odd years, but I have a bit of distaste for his personality and some experiences I've had there have resulted in a deep dislike of dentists -- I always leave the office feeling like I'm some kind of asshole because I don't floss regularly, and even sometimes forget to brush. I've found an excellent solution to this problem: I don't go to the dentist. Surprisingly, this has caused my dental health to decline further.

I had a filling fall out a couple months ago, and it feels like it's getting to the point where I can no longer ignore it. One of my front teeth also needs attending to, as it was chipped after someone knocked me out at a party over 2 years ago.

Yeah, I haven't been to the dentist in about 3 years. And before that, I took an 8 year break -- which is pretty ridiculous for an otherwise fairly responsible adult, but I guess that gives you an idea of how much I dislike dentists.

Does your dentist have the type of personality that can turn a dentist-hater into a dentist-lover? Can I visit him in Oakland?

Extra points for accessibility from transit, as I don't have a car. Also, it'd be cool if they don't treat children. Not a big fan of the kids when I'm at the dentist.

Money isn't quite to the point of no object, but I'd rather have a good experience than save a few bucks. If it's important, I'm in my late twenties.

Insuring employees across state lines

rafter — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:07:45 -0800

Smallbusinessfilter: Insuring employees across state lines? (Related: Is there an online community devoted to these sorts of queries?) Posted for a friend:

I just relocated my very small Web design company from Rhode Island to Oakland, California. One of my full-time employees moved to Los Angeles, another stayed in Providence, and another's in NYC: so now the four of us are scattered across the country. I am now trying to figure out how to cover everyone's healthcare from California, as I did when three of us lived in RI; it seems like the big CA health insurance companies (Kaiser and Blue Cross) require that more than half your employees live in state.

I could put my girlfriend on the payroll or something, but that just seems silly: there's got to be some health insurance solution somewhere that will let me cover my employees in other states without cooking the books.

Which leads to my next question: does anyone know of a Web community specifically for small businesses like mine, in CA or nationwide, where I could get an answer to a question like that? And to a million other questions (like "can anyone recommend a mellow CPA who won't screw up my records?" or "do I need to fill out form X if I'm status Y?") Sort of an A List Apart but devoted to the business angle of things?

Anyone living in Vacaville CA?

JtJ — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 08:47:39 -0800

Residents of Vacaville CA 95696? Can anyone confirm (or deny) that Belder Street in Vacaville actually exists? The company I run (based in the UK) has received a business enquiry that looks a bit suspect. House number in the 400s. All maps searched return "location does not exist". Grateful for any help. (No more inside!)

Boing! Boing!

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 19:15:32 -0800

The paychecks from my employer are bouncing. I live hand to mouth. Does that qualify me for unemployment in California? If I walk away from the company, does that mean I have quit and I am ineligible? Or am I laid off and eligible for benefits? The CA website is next to useless, and the phone number is consistently "busy" with a pre-recorded message stating that due to the volume of claims and calls, we need to try and call back later. What would you do?

OSX Mail Icon

inksyndicate — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:56:18 -0800

In Apple's OS X, the icon for "Mail" depicts a postage stamp with the words "Hello from C_________." I can't read it. What does it say? It's not Cupertino or California. Or maybe Cocoa?

Motorcycle Touring in CA

gkostolny — Thu, 13 May 2004 11:00:35 -0800

I live in San Jose, CA and I recently got a new (used) SV650S motorcycle. I am looking for tips with regard to doing some touring and/or camping using the bike.

Also, if you have any tips on how to have a more pleasant time getting to Yosemite and the rest of the Sierra than riding through the flotilla of bugs that is the central valley, I'm all ears.

How big of a deal is it to have a server in colocation in a far away location?

4easypayments — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 01:09:05 -0800

I have a webserver colocated in Los Angeles, where I live. I am moving to New York in a few months and I'm wondering if I should take the server with me. I have a ridiculously great deal at my current facility. How big of a deal is it to have a server in colocation in a far away location? (The server has RAID 1 and hot-swap drives, if that helps.)

Where can I live cheap in LA?

wendell — Fri, 06 Feb 2004 08:14:46 -0800

Help for a semi-homeless Wendell. [when is there NOT more inside?] As I have referred to previously all over the Filter, while I start to rebuild my entertainingly shattered life, I'm staying with my father (an 80-year-old retiree who thinks, among other things, the internet is evil) in a barely-big-enough-for-one apartment. I am literally under doctor's orders to seek out a more hospitable place to live, but I currently have a very low and non-stable income and recent events left me with a horrendous credit record and an "eviction" on my permanent record (due to 'housemates from hell' who, among other offenses, stayed after I moved out, squatting until kicked out, while the landlord thought I had 'deep pockets'). Probably the only thing I can afford in L.A. (under $600/month, preferably close to $450) and have a chance at getting without background checking would be a "shared" place, and after my past experience, it scares me 'til I have to change pants. Any place where I can find GOOD leads? Something like craigslist, but better targeted for a middle-aged geek. Of course, a "personal referral" from a Los Angeles-area MeFi member, fan or friend of either would be great (I have almost no usable "real life" contacts), but I don't want to turn AskMeFi into "mattslist", honest. Any suggestions? (any personal referrals can go to wendellhomeATwendellwitDOTcom)