You can't be assured of getting the proper assistance and funding from the unbelievably-not-renamed-since-Katrina Federal Emergency Management Agency (they even faked their press conference while SoCal was burning). But if you live in LA or Orange County and suffered damages in the October wildfires, you have until 6 p.m. to apply for federal and state assistance. FEMA reports that 19,000 requests have been filed to date. Applications can be filed, and their status checked,......

As World Changing looks at the most pressing concerns in the aftermath of Katrina, The San Jose Mercury News (reg. required) is helping LAist by reminding us, once again, of the kindness of strangers. Locally, corporations like Disney and Occidental Petroleum had donated over $3.5 million to the cause while the Dodger Stadium Red Cross center had collected over $350,000 in individual contributions by early evening yesterday. And that's not to mention the people......