Pacific Progressive

50 Fewer Magazines - Orange Public Library Needs Donations to Prevent Extinction

Budget cuts have hit the Orange Public Library. Magazines subscriptions will be cut if the public does not step up to fund them.  Many people use the magazines in the library - kids writing reports for schools, parents waiting for their kids to check out books, senior citizens, cost conscious families.  Library magazines are really good if you want to read just one article and don't want to shell out the $6.  And, having many people read one magazine is very green - saves trees, waste and the energy used to make and transport the magazines.

The Orange Public Library has three branches - Main Library and History Center, El Modena Branch, and Taft Branch.  Cuts will be made at all three branches.  

At Main Library, these magazines may go extinct:

Mesa Consolidated Water District Board Vacancy - Apply!

Mesa Consolidated Water District, which serves Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, John Wayne Airport and some unincorporated areas, is taking applications for a new board member.  The vacancy is for the Division 2 seat, which covers the area (approximately) bordered by Harbor, Placentia, the Santa Ana River and the 405.  Water district board seats are a great way to build your political career - you get budget and planning experience and meet a lot of elected officials.

Letters of interest (there is no formal application, you apply by letter) must be received by 4 PM on Monday, August 17, 2009.  Letters should include your qualifications and reason for interest in serving on the board.  Letters should be sent to:

Shawn Dewane, President 

Board of Directors

Mesa Consolidated Water District

1965 Placentia Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

If you have questions, contact Coleen L. Monteleone, District Secretary at 949-631-1205.

Coast Community College District Message on Budget Cuts

Note: There is a correction made in this post. A typographical error stated the cost of one unit as $256. The cost of one unit at a California community college is $26 starting fall 2009. The post is now corrected to show $26.  

This message is from Jim Moreno, President of the Board of Trustees of Coast Community College District. Coast Community College District includes Coastline Community College, Golden West College and Orange Coast College.  

A Message from the Board President

After a very long wait, the state legislature and Governor have passed a budget and we are now able to deal with the current year’s fiscal issues and start planning more effectively for 2010-11.  The Coast District represents approximately three percent of the state’s community college overall funding.  Based upon the initial estimates, the Coast Community College District for this fiscal year is facing over $5 million is cuts in the general apportionment and over $6 million in categorical program cuts.  These conservative estimates are based upon anticipated property taxes and state revenues and not on actual state income taxes and revenues, which may be much lower.

Texas Textbook Tribulations - Barton and the Wallbuilders

Texas is reviewing social science curriculum to get ready for an update. Texas ideas filter out to the rest of the states thru textbooks because Texas buys so many textbooks that publishers will bend to the whims of Texas in order to get their books sold.   Six people have been appointed to review Texas social science class content.  One of those people is David Barton, President of Wallbuilders. 

 Wallbuilders mission is "Presenting America's forgotten history and heroes with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage."  The Wallbuilders also operate the ProFamily Legislative Network, which emphasizes "traditional values" for families.

Barton has a plan for how American government should be taught and understood in schools.

• There is a fixed moral law derived from God and nature.
• There is a Creator.
•  The Creator gives to man certain unalienable rights.
• Government exists primarily to protect God-given rights to every individual.
• Below God-given rights and moral law, government is directed by the consent of the governed.

Students should also be taught "American Exceptionalism"

$16 Billion in Stimulus Money Still Available for California

California received the largest piece of stimulus money - over $25 billion.  So far, only about $8 billion of that money has been spent, leaving a little over $16 billion to build the economy back up.  It is estimated that this money will create or save 396,000 jobs in California over the next two years.

What did California get and how much has been spent? 

Agency or Dept, Higher of Announced or Made Available ($ thousand) , Paid ($ thousand)

Education, $9,904,187, $4,727,929

Health & Human Services (HHS) $5,428,258, $3,048,028

Transportation (DOT), $3,716,967, $47,758

Social Security, $1,299,180, $0

Defense, $1,143,490, $0

Energy (DOE), $1,125,618, $184

Housing & Urban Development (HUD), $1,094,455, $126,918

 Labor, $693,289, $18,942

Irvine Ranch Water District Fast Facts

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD)

www.irwd.com

15600 Sand Canyon Avenue

Irvine, CA 92618-3102

949-453-5300

Irvine Ranch Water District provides both drinking water and sanitation.  IRWD also produces recycled water.  The district supplies both groundwater and imported water to users.  

Service Area

Irvine, portions of Tustin, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange, Lake Forest and some unincorporated areas of Orange County.

Meetings

Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 5:00 PM at headquarters at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA.

Board of Directors

Douglas J. Reinhart, President

Peer A. Swan, Vice President

Steven E. LaMar

Mary Aileen Matheis

John B. Withers

Facilities Operated

• Michelson Water Reclamation Plant  
• San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Duck Club and Audobon House)
• Los Alisos Water Reclamation Plant
• Irvine Lake (aka Santiago Reservoir)
• Dyer Road Wellfield
• San Joaquin Reservoir
• 12 additional recycled water reservoirs
• 34 domestic (water produced by IRWD) reservoirs

Low Cost Pet Vaccinations on Saturday, August 1

Low cost vaccinations for your dogs and cats will be available at the Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center on Saturday, August 1, from 9:30 to 11 AM.  The Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center is located at 24671 Via Iglesia, Aliso Viejo, Ca.  

Dogs can get the four-in-one vaccine (DA2PP) and Bordetella.  DA2PP is $14 and Bordetellla is $11.  Cats can get the three-in-one (FVRCP) for $14.  Rabies vaccinations are available for both cats and dogs at $ each.

Micro-chips for pets will be available for $28. Having your pet micro-chipped will help get your companion returned to you if they are lost. The chips has a tracking number which can be used to access a database with your information.  Your pet can be returned to you using this system.

If you need more information, call 949-425-2519 or visit the city website www.cityofalisoviejo.com

Lou Correa Invites You and Your Family to National Night Out

State Senator Lou Correa invites local residents for a National Night Out to learn about how communities can work together to prevent crime and drug abuse.  Local events are being coordinated by police departments and community groups.  This year, the National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 4.

The events are free and family friendly.  Law enforcement staff and community groups will be educating families about how to make their homes safer and build stronger neighborhoods. Safety brochures and materials will be available.  Free food, K9 and SWAT demonstrations, and children's activities will be featured.

"National Night Out is an opportunity for you and your family to show criminals that our neighborhoods are organized and determined to prevent crime.  Community participation is crucial to the efforts of local agencies in crime prevention, " said Senator Correa.

Events will be held in Anaheim,Fullerton,  Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. Other cities will have events, check with your city for your event.

Anaheim - 5-8 PM at Stoddard Park, 1901 S 9th St, Anaheim, CA 92802

Fullerton - 5-7:30 PM at Target, 200 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832

Garden Grove - 5-7:30 PM at Westhaven Park, 12252 West St, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Santa Ana - 4-7 PM at El Salvador Park, 1825 W Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Loretta Sanchez Makes Needs of Families of Injured Vets a Priority

Representative Loretta Sanchez is known for her support of our veterans.  Rep. Sanchez has voted to support the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act, which would provide health care, counseling, and respite care services for individuals.  Stipends for eligible caregivers of severely wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan would also be authorized. 

The Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act addresses the problems that arise when family care for injured veterans and their own health suffers as a result.  The Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act would:

•  Create a new caregiver program to help both family and non-family members who provide care for veterans who are enrolled in the VA health system.  The VA would be required to provide information about support services and benefits available to eligible caregivers.
• Counseling and mental health services would become available to both family and non-family caregivers of veterans.
• Provide respite care to caregivers.  24 hour in-home respite care would also become available.
• A monthly financial stipend would be available to primary family caregivers of severely injured veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom.
• Primary family caregivers would be eligible for health coverage.  The Civilian Health and Medical program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would be expanded to cover primary family care givers who care for severely injured or ill veterans who are unable to carry out basis day-to-day activities or are without health insurance or are not eligible for other public insurance options.
• Lodging and basic accommodations for caregivers who accompany veterans traveling to VA facilities for health care evaluations and treatments would be provided.
• The VA would be required to design and carry out a caregiver survey. The survey would be required to be carried out at least once every three years.

Rep. Sanchez said, "As ranking female member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to addressing the needs for America's servicemen and women, as well as their families.  For many veterans, successful rehabilitation and recovery is dependent on the quality of care they receive.  This bill will provide much-needed support to the brave friends and family members who sacrifice each day to care for America's veterans."

What Costs $2 Million a Year and Hardly Shows Up When Called?

Orange County Fire Authority Reserves.

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) operates a Reserve program with volunteer fire fighters.  The idea is the volunteers can serve as back up and additional personnel when needed.  The program also accepts people who are applying to be firefighters or attending firefighter training as local schools.

That's if they show up.

In May 2009, the OCFA Board decided to continue the program at a cost of almost $2 million a year. Reserve engines in  Sunset Beach, Emerald Bay, La Palma, and Villa Park were targeted for closure.

In Sunset Beach, the OCFA Reserve station is across the street from a Huntington Beach fire station and 1/2 mile from OCFA station 3.  In 2008, the Reserve engine for Sunset Beach needed to be rolled out 51 times because there was an emergency call needing an engine.  OCFA Reserves were able to show up with enough staff for the engine 2 of those 51 times.  Do you want the fire department showing up 2 out of 51 times at your house?

Orange County Says No to Planned Parenthood Breast Health Program

This is just in from Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) - Orange County has ended negotiations for a breast health program. Here is the press release - more analysis and details to follow.

From PPOSBC:

After months of good faith negotiations, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has arbitrarily refused to provide the full amount allocated to Planned Parenthood for our much-needed breast health program.

We have done everything in our power to meet all of the guidelines and restrictions imposed by the HCA. There are adequate funds to run the program but they are refusing to release them. HCA has not stated their intentions for the money that had been originally set aside for our vital health education and services. Acting under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the HCA has created a series of programmatic and fiscal barriers that have made it impossible for us to offer the services outline in our proposal. 

The suggested program would have provided increased access to diagnostic testing and follow-up care for women with a detected breast abnormality 

Killing Our Business Community - Community College Budget Cuts

Nothing kills business faster than not having enough skilled workers for jobs.  California needs people with college degrees and with advanced technical training that can go to work immediately.  California's community college system provides foundation for both of these.  Community colleges serve as cost-effective feeder schools for UC, CSU and private four year colleges.  Community colleges also train students for ever-more-technical jobs in auto repair, the medical field, computer systems and business.  Many paramedics and firefighters received part of the training at a California community college.

Under the new budget signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, community colleges lose over $680 million in funding from the amount originally improved in February 2009.  Yes, if you want to kill the business community in California, start at the roots, the community college system.

There are expectations that the federal government will backfill part of the money, reducing some of the damage. Part of this money will come from the stimulus program in the form of increased money for Pell grants.

The cuts to the system is expected to reduce enrollment by 250,000 students.  In 2008-09, 2,673,406 students attended classes in California community colleges.  It is expected that 10% of those students won't be in class next year.

Ask CNN to Take Racist Lou Dobbs Off the Air

This is a request from Southern Poverty Law Center to help them get Lou Dobbs off the air.  Southern Poverty Law Center(SPLC_ works to reduce and eliminate hate groups.  In Orange County, Congressman John Campbell is leading an effort to make Barack Obama produce his birth certificate.  Campbell is espousing the same hateful, bigoted views at Lou Dobbs.

Please help get Dobbs off the air.

Dear Friend,

Tell your friends Send a message to CNN

A lot has happened since I contacted you last week about Lou Dobbs and his latest racist conspiracy-mongering.

As you recall, we asked you to join our call to CNN to take Dobbs off the air because he refuses to stop peddling extremist propaganda in the guise of journalism.

We've had an overwhelming response, and many other organizations are also now demanding that CNN and Dobbs stop mainstreaming hate and extremism. Dobbs has dug in his heels, saying he will continue to raise questions about whether President Obama was really born in the U.S. and therefore eligible to be president. He's even suggested that Obama is an undocumented immigrant.

Texas Textbook Tribulations - The Marshall Plan

Peter Marshall, President of Peter Marshall Ministries, has been appointed to the panel reviewing the social science curriculum in Texas schools.  Texas has Texas-sized influence on textbooks used in schools simply because the state buys so many books. California and Texas are the two largest purchasers of text books. Information about what is going on can be found at Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  

Peter Marshall Ministries wants to "restore America", and sponsors tours of "America's Christian Heritage." To "restore America", Marshall wants to "recover the original Pilgrim and Puritan vision of America as a shining 'city upon a hill.".  He argues that the Pilgrims were "missionaries, intent on creating a Bible-based commonwealth that would be an example to the rest of the world".

Peter Marshall's father, Dr. Peter Marshall, was Senate Chaplain from 1947-1949. The book and movie "Christy" is written by his wife, Catherine Marshall, about her mother who did missionary work in the Smokey Mountains.

Marshall wants to move the curriculum to a religious view of America, with accomplishments of women and minorities eliminated or downplayed. Marshall wants to remove Henrietta King, Thurgood Marshall, Amelia Earhart, Anne Hutchinson and Cesar Chavez from textbooks because their impact on society is minimal.  

Health Care Reform Comparison Tool

Kaiser Family Foundation has a Side-by-Side Comparison of Major Health Care Reform Proposals  on the Health Reform section of the website.  The tool allows you to select the which of the Congressional and Presidential plans you want to compare and the topics you want to examine.  Printable comparison summaries are available.  The tool is updated frequently.

The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit private operating foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, dedicated to producing and communicating the best possible information, research, and analysis on health issues.  The Foundation is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries.