Anti-corporate protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement in Washington are gearing up for tough police action. They have defied a deadline laid down by local authorities for removing camping equipment from the city’s squares.

As RT’s Liz Wahl discovered, the activists are remaining loyal to the cause. The national park service has repeatedly posted notices informing protesters that they can no longer camp out here. That means they have to get rid of sleeping bags and any other material which allows them to live here. The deadline passed at noon on Monday.

According to the mandate, tents can stay but their doors must remain open, proving no one is living in them.The notice warns protesters that anyone violating the rule will be subject to arrest. The tents are the signature structure of the Occupy Movement, which began in October on New York City’s Wall Street.

However, Occupiers have sent out a clear message that they are not giving up the fight. They have erected a massive tent over the statue at McPherson Square in response to the anticipated eviction by park police.

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Famous cyber-activist and whistle-blower Julian Assange is ready to turn his back on all his previous incarnations and devote himself to a new career as a TV star.

The WikiLeaks founder is launching his own talk show on RT as soon as in March. He will be talking to all sorts of “iconoclasts, visionaries and power insiders” who, Assange believes, have the potential to shape “the world tomorrow.” As if all that weren’t enough, he has another, somewhat unorthodox item on his resume – The Simpsons!

Julian Assange is set to play a new and controversial neighbor of the Simpson family in the milestone 500th episode of the show, due to be aired on February 19.

The iconic whistle-blower recorded his lines for the episode remotely, at an “unknown location” while remaining under house arrest in the UK. “I was just given a number to call,” The Simpsons executive producer Al Jean told Entertainment Weekly magazine.

In the episode, the Simpsons are forced to leave their house and move into a new place, only to find themselves living next to Julian Assange. “[Assange is] sort of their new Flanders,” said Jean. “He lives next door. The similarities end there.”

Jean insists, however, that Assange’s appearance on The Simpsons has nothing to do with his current legal situation. “We wanted to make sure it was satirical, and he was willing to do that,” he explained.

Australian-born Assange is facing extradition from the UK to Sweden, where he is wanted on charges stemming from allegations of a sexual assault against two former WikiLeaks volunteers. He is due to appear before Britain’s Supreme Court on February 1 to appeal his extradition.

Palm Springs, CA – Hot Purple Energy (HPE), a Palm Springs-based company providing solar and other clean energy solutions, has become a Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) stakeholder. In addition to its investment of $5,000, HPE has committed to sponsoring CVEP’s Renewable Energy Roundtable.

“It is extremely encouraging when an exciting company like Hot Purple Energy joins the ranks of CVEP investors,” said Tom Flavin, CEO of CVEP. “Across the private sector, we’re seeing companies step up to help improve the valley as a place for business. A thriving local solar company is a natural fit, given our focus on clean tech and renewable energy as a job cluster.”

HPE’s sponsorship of CVEP’s monthly Renewable Energy Roundtable will allow the assembly of an increasingly diversified panel of industry experts. The Renewable Energy Roundtable is a gathering of community and industry leaders that assesses the region’s green and renewable energy strengths and opportunities now and in the future.

Founded in Palm Springs in 2009, HPE offers full-service energy solutions across Southern California. HPE conducts free detailed home efficiency audits to help people balance the cost of energy, lifestyle and environmental concern. They guide clients through the full project cycle of solar technology implementation, from design aesthetics and permitting to installation, rebates and monitoring. HPE also provides panel cleaning, power conditioner installation and web-based energy monitoring services.

“We believe in making a difference here in our community,” said Nate Otto, president and founder of HPE. “That means not only offering complete solutions to help customers take advantage of our region’s robust renewable energy resources, but also partnering with organizations like CVEP to more fully develop the other tremendous resources – for businesses and residents – that the valley has to offer.”

For more information about CVEP, including how to become a partner, visit www.cvep.com or call (760) 340-1575.

Sandi Weyhenmeyer, 44, of Mountaintop, passed away on Friday, January 27th, 2012. Sandi was born on February 8th, 1967, daughter of Donald and Colleen Peters.

Sandi attended Crestwood High School and later graduated from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1985. After graduating she moved back to the Mountaintop area to raise her children. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree from College Misericordia and her Master’s Degree from Marywood University, both in Social Work.

Sandi had a passionate love for music and dance, the Grateful Dead in particular. She had a great fondness for animals and enjoyed traveling across the country to visit family. Sandi had a gentle soul and an infectious laugh and smile. She never judged and had a genuinely kind heart, always willing to help a friend in need. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Preceding her in death are father Donald Peters, grandfathers William Gage and Roland Peters, and grandmothers Josephine Gage, and Evelyn Peters.

Sandi is survived by her three children, Ashley and her partner Katie, Courtney and Shawn Weyhenmeyer, mother Colleen Farber and her husband Joe, 2 grandchildren, Natalynn and Kiera, sisters Pam McGovern and her husband Jeff, and Jennifer Buchanan, 1 nephew and 2 nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 1st, at 11 am at St. Martin if the Fields Episcopal Church, 3085 Church Rd., Mountaintop. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm at McCune Funeral Home, 80 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountaintop.