High rankings for orthopedic and cancer specialties

By Patrick McGilvray

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) — The UC Davis Medical Center is considered among America's 50 best hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report. The recognition will be published online on July 15, 2010 as well as in the August print edition.

With more than 5,000 hospitals in contention, the University of California at Davis' specialties of orthopedics and cancer were ranked 35th and 50th respectively.

“We are delighted with this recognition from U.S. News,” commented Ann Rice, the CEO of the UC Davis Medical Center. “It is one of several indicators we use to monitor our ongoing efforts to provide excellent patient care and improve health outcomes for our community, the region and beyond.”

Congresswoman Urges Relief for Thousands Impacted by Recession

By Marie Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) today voted in favor of H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010. Her vote on this legislation could help provide critical financial relief for those hurt by the recent prolonged economic crises.

“I am pleased that the House of Representatives was able to pass this long over-due extension of unemployment benefits, and provide families in Sacramento and across the nation with the financial assistance they need to get through these difficult economic times,” said Matsui.

By Patrick McGilvray

Entrepreneurial production team from Sacramento created film for $55,000 and is partnering with pioneering online video rental service

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – "The Bill Collector" by executive producer Bruce Blumen starring Jason Bortz as John Black is a disturbing thriller set amidst our debt-ridden modern American society. It's an edgy and violent thriller about a debt collector run amok and, thankfully, the gore factor is not a central part of the movie, unlike movies that might cost one hundred to one thousand times the budget of this locally-produced film.

Yes, that's right. One thousand times what it cost to make this movie would be $60,000,000. I have no doubt a director could have spent that amount of money on turning Blumen's screenplay into a film, but this version was memorable, jarring and made for just $55,000.

The producers hope to recoup that and make a profit in the next year because of a partnership with Google's YouTube Rentals fledgling online video-on-demand rental service. Hollywood Beware!

By Patrick McGilvray

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) — Former governors Howard Dean and Sarah Palin will appear October 15, 2010 at the Sacramento Convention Center for the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce's Perspectives 2010.

“We are pleased once again to bring dynamic speakers whose current contribution to our nation’s political dialogue will captivate the Perspectives audience,” commented Matt Mahood, president & CEO of the Sac Metro Chamber.

Other speakers on the lineup will be announced soon.