California state Controller John Chiang, whose office oversees the state’s dwindling cash flow, suffered a mild heart attack the day after Christmas, a spokesman says.

Mr. Chiang, 46, was visiting family in Fort Worth, Texas, when he began having chest pains and was hospitalized.

He was released from the hospital in Texas on Thursday and returned to his Southern California home on Friday, the spokesman says.

'Energy Star' label outdated, says group

The federal government has granted its popular blue “Energy Star” seal of approval to a vast array of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs -- including a number of inferior models with unnecessarily high mercury levels and mediocre lifespans, says the Environmental Working Group.

"Energy Star labels can be found on the most efficient, safest bulbs available, as well as on some of the worst, misleading the consumer and giving manufacturers zero incentive to make a greener bulb," says EWG Senior Analyst Sean Gray. "The Obama administration needs to reinvigorate the Energy Star program to drive innovation in safety and efficiency of home and business lighting."

The Energy Star program is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Long-time men’s clothing retailer to close

Harry Truman, the Kansas City haberdasher in his double-breasted suits, was president when the first Bonney & Gordon clothing store opened in Sacramento.

Sixty-one years later, the small but well-known retailer is closing.

In a letter to customers, the owners of the high-end clothier blame the recession, pointing to the Central Valley housing collapse as the final blow.

Mandarin's popularity prompts more plantings

Mandarin orange plantings in the Central Valley’s citrus belt continue to increase to meet growing consumer demand. According to the U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2005 there were 24,038 acres planted to mandarins in California, with 11,834 of those non-bearing. In other words, three years ago nearly half of all mandarins were newly planted.

In 2008, 31,392 acres were planted to mandarins; 5,707 non-bearing. According to the U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2005 there were 24,038 acres planted to mandarins in California, with 11,834 of those non-bearing. In other words, three years ago nearly half of all mandarins were newly planted. In 2008, 31,392 acres were planted to mandarins; 5,707 non-bearing.

The fruit has a lot of appeal to people who like their sweet flavor and easy-peeling attributes.

Plant researchers continue to work on developing new varieties of mandarins — not to replace Clementines or Satsumas, but to enhance them.

UC Riverside scientists have recently released to tree nurseries varieties called Gold Nugget and Yosemite Gold. They continue working on producing even better varieties of the fruit.