Life in California Just Keeps Getting HOTTER — radioactively so!

Dear Readers: You need a find a way to stay totally positive when you are an independent-minded taxpayer in California — with gas prices, Cap & Trade, and a moon-bat Governor.

Today, I learn that the state is an even HOTTER place to live….if you use Geiger counter readings to assess environmental quality!

Radioactive Waste Found In Dumpster Behind Westside Supermarket

Emergency crews and a hazardous materials team descended on an Albertson’s parking lot Wednesday after a radioactive material was found in a nearby trash bin.

The “low-level radioactive material” was discovered sometime before 8:30 a.m. outside the store near Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards, according to fire officials.

The store was not evacuated, but Santa Monica Fire Battalion Chief Mark Bridges told KNX 1070′s Claudia Peschiutta that customers are no longer being allowed to enter the building.

“We suspect it’s medical waste of a beta source, which means the beta source does not travel great distances, so we’re comfortable with the isolation area that we have set up,” Bridges said.

Hazmat crews scanned the store with a Geiger counter and found no evidence that any radiation leaked inside.

A county hazardous materials team was called to the scene to help dispose of the waste.

As an extra bonus, via TAMMY BRUCE, Barnes and Nobel Bookstores, the country’s largest bookseller, reported that data thieves hacked into payment devices at stores nationwide and may have stolen credit and debit card information. Specific California stores are:

• 4735 Commons Way, Calabasas 91302
• 2470 Tuscany St. Suite 101, Corona 92881
• 2015 Birch Road Suite 700, Chula Vista 91915
• 313 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera 94925
• 5604 Bay St., Emeryville 94608
• 810 West Valley Parkway, Escondido 92025
• 1315 E. Gladstone St., Glendora 91740
• 5183 Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair 91763
• 894 Marsh St. Bldg G, San Luis Obispo 93401
• 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside 92054
• 72-840 Highway 111 Suite 425, Palm Desert 92260
• 27460 West Lugonia Ave., Redlands 92374
• 1150 El Camino Real, Space 277, San Bruno 94066
• 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego 92126
• 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose 95117
• 11 West Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo 94403
• 9938 Mission Gorge Road, Santee 92071
• 40570 Winchester Road, Temecula 92591
• 4820 Telephone Road, Ventura 93003
• 1149 S. Main St., Walnut Creek 94596

Just more reasons that the Great California exodus continues! Extra bonus — housing starts are up everywhere except in California!!!

In slightly more upbeat news, San Diego scientists reported that a Beluga whale spontaneously mimiced human voices.

Researchers with the San Diego-based National Marine Mammal Foundation reported the findings in the journal Current Biology Monday, highlighting a case study they say is the first documentation of marine mammal mimicry of human speech.

“It’s very unusual,” said study author Sam Ridgway, president of the foundation, and a veteran marine mammal researcher. “This is the first time a whale, or any cetacean, has been demonstrated to imitate human speech and make speech-like sounds.”

I WONDER IF IT’S THE RADIOACTIVITY???

Just a reminder: We will be chatting with Citizens for Self Governance President and Californian, Mark Meckler, on Canto Talk tomorrow (click here for details).