SMUD, Library Offer Power Use Monitors
Posted: 1/26/2012
Sacramento Region – If you have a Sacramento Public Library card, you can check out a “Kill A WattTM EZ” power monitor just like you would a book and learn which appliances in your home are using the most power and costing you the most money to operate. SMUD has donated 56 Kill A WattTMEZ monitors, two for each of the Sacramento Public Library’s 28 branches, in an effort to educate customers about energy efficiency and about SMUD programs designed to help them save money.
The monitor is simple to use. Just plug the device into an electrical outlet, and then plug the appliance into the device. Enter the cost per kilowatt-hour, and the device displays the kilowatt-hour usage and the cost of electricity to run the appliance. Customers can monitor the energy cost of any 110- or 120-volt appliance such as refrigerators, freezers, televisions and computers.
The monitor helps customers understand how individual appliances can impact their energy bills and determine if those appliances should be unplugged or plugged into a power strip that can be easily turned on when the appliance is needed. The monitor even calculates cost and forecasts costs by the week, month or year.
SMUD and the Sacramento Public Library see the program as a tremendous way to engage their customers on a grand level. “This service is one more way Sacramento Public Library can fulfill its mission to provide valuable information to the public – information that can impact their lives for the better," said Library Director Rivkah Sass. “The library is thrilled to partner with SMUD to help Sacramento residents lower their energy use,” she added.” he Sacramento Public Library system serves residents throughout Sacramento County — the same territory as SMUD — and more than 600,000 county residents have library cards.
For more information about saving money on your electric bill, visit smud.orgor call 1-888-742-SMUD. For information on borrowing a monitor, visit saclibrary.org or call 916-264-2920.
State’s Motorists Face a New Year with New Laws
Posted: 1/19/2012
SACRAMENTO REGION – As we begin a new year, California motorists should be aware of some of the new laws going into effect this past January 1, 2012. These new traffic laws were passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor earlier in 2011, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is asking the motoring public to familiarize themselves with the changes before they take effect.
“Our hope is by educating the public of these new traffic safety laws in advance, more lives will be saved in the new year,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.
The following are highlights of a few of the significant changes for the upcoming year:
- A change to California’s Child Passenger Safety Seat law will now require children to ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight, or until they reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches. This law also requires children who do not meet the age or height requirement to ride in the rear seat of a vehicle unless the vehicle has no back seats, the restraint system cannot be properly installed or the rear seats are already occupied by children under age eight. However, the law still maintains that a child may not ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger airbag if they are under one year of age, less than 20 pounds, or riding in a rear-facing child safety seat. (SB 929, Evans)
- Drivers are required to stop and submit to a sobriety checkpoint. However, peace officers will be prohibited from impounding a vehicle for 30 days out of a sobriety checkpoint if the only offense by the driver is failing to hold a valid driver license. The new law requires that the officer make a reasonable attempt to identify the registered owner in order to release the ehicle. (AB 353, Cedillo)
- Anyone who is convicted of reckless driving under Section 23103.5 of the Vehicle Code can apply for a restricted driver license prior to the completion of their one-year suspension, provided they meet specified conditions, including the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle. (AB 520, Ammiano)
- Vehicles will be prohibited from crossing double parallel solid white lines except where permitted. (AB 1105, Gordon)
- Electric Vehicles (EV) must now be plugged in for refueling when occupying an EVdesignated parking space, otherwise they may be towed. In addition, the law prohibits a person from obstructing, blocking, or otherwise barring access to an EV-designated parking space. (AB 475, Butler)
- Local governments can now regulate advertising signs on any motor vehicle parked or left standing upon a public street, except for signs painted directly upon or permanently affixed to the vehicle for permanent decoration, identification, or display that do not extend beyond the overall length, width, or height of the vehicle. (AB 1298, Blumenfield)
- A law dealing with repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenders that was passed in 2010 also goes into effect on January 1:
- Section 23579 was added to the Vehicle Code, which authorizes courts to revoke a driver’s license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUIs. Under this law enacted in 2010, a motorist may be allowed to apply for reinstatement of his or her driver’s license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after five years, if the person installs an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicle. The law allows the DMV to terminate this restricted license if the IID requirements are not met. (AB 1601,Hill)
The points above are only a synopsis of the new laws listed here and only a partial list of California’s new laws adopted for 2012. For complete information on chaptered bills enacted in 2011, please refer to the Legislative Counsel website at www.LegInfo.ca.gov.
Sacramento County Grand Jury Seeks Applicants
Posted: 1/12/2012
SACRAMENTO COUNTY–The Sacramento County Grand Jury is currently accepting applications for jurors for the 2012-2013 session. Applications are due no later than February 6, 2012. The upcoming term will run from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.
The Grand Jury is comprised of a diverse panel of 19 citizen volunteers who provide oversight of governmental activities within Sacramento County. During the session, the jury may respond to community complaints and examine county and city governments, schools, and special districts. Objectives of investigations include saving taxpayer dollars, eliminating waste and fraud, and verification of compliance with the law.
For applications or to learn more about the Sacramento County Grand Jury go to www.sacgrandjury.org. For additional information, contact Rebecca Castaneda, Grand Jury Coordinator at (916) 874-7559.
Gas Prices Start 2012 with Jump
Posted: 1/4/2012
Sacramento Region – Average retail gasoline prices in Sacramento have risen 6.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.53/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.25/g, according to gasoline price website www.SactoGasPrices.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Sacramento during the past week, prices yesterday were 27.7 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 2.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 4.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 20.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
“Average gasoline prices are moving up as we enter the New Year, a trend that has held since 2008,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “The biggest problem with that trend holding true this year is that we’re starting 2012 about 20-cents per gallon higher than 2011, breaking yet another high price record and setting up an ugly year for motorists,” DeHaan said.
Early indications show this year may see the highest ever recorded prices at the pump, with real potentials for some areas to see close to $5/gal gasoline if conflict arises in Iran over several key issues.
GasBuddy.com operates over 250 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including SactoGasPrices.com.
California DUI Deaths Drop to Record Low
Posted: 12/28/2011
SACRAMENTO – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced today that California’s DUI deaths reached their lowest level ever in 2010. This also signifies the largest single yearly drop of DUI deaths in the past 14 years. A record low of 791 persons were tragically killed in DUI crashes on California roadways last year, compared to 950 in 2009. DUI deaths in California increased yearly from 1998 to 2005, but have decreased every year since 2005.
“This marks a huge milestone in the fight against drunk driving,” said California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Director Christopher J. Murphy. “While we are elated by these figures, there were still 791 lives, futures, and dreams that will never be fully realized. We cannot back off from our ultimate goal – toward zero deaths.” The Office of Traffic Safety credits the record number of DUI checkpoints conducted in 2010 as partly responsible for the sharp reduction in DUI deaths. OTS allocated $16.8 million in federal funds to law enforcement agencies to conduct 2,553 DUI checkpoints in 2010, up from the $11.7 million allocated to 1,740 checkpoints in 2009.
According to NHTSA, checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. In addition, 88 percent of Californians surveyed report they support the use of checkpoints. Other contributing factors include countywide Avoid DUI Task Force operations that saw the California Highway Patrol (CHP) team up with police departments across the state to arrest impaired drivers, the widespread recognition of the “Report Drunk Drivers Call 911” message promoted by CALTRANS through their changeable message signs, the many action items addressing DUI developed and implemented by state departments such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and local agencies through the Strategic Highway Safety Plan, the successful programs aimed at keeping alcohol from minors implemented by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and the great work done by advocate and educational organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at U.C. Berkeley, and RADD – the entertainment industry’s voice for road safety.
“Preventing these tragedies remains our top priority,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “By combining DUI enforcement efforts of the entire law enforcement community, with the support and dedication of our traffic safety partners and the motoring public, we will continue to make strides toward reducing DUI fatalities.” The announcement comes just days before the December 16 start of California’s December DUI Crackdown and NHTSA’s nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
The increased enforcement campaign ends January 2. Statewide 2010 DUI arrest numbers have been consistent with the past five years and higher than any year between 1997-2005. “California has taken a comprehensive approach to reducing drunk driving including aggressive use of sobriety checkpoints” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “We commend California for its commitment to highway safety and efforts by its law enforcement officers to keep drunk drivers off the roads.” “The people of California are to be congratulated along with all those who actively worked to avoid these tragedies,” said Murphy. “They see that not only is drunk and drugged driving a serious crime affecting the lives of so many, it is now seen as a socially unacceptable behavior for everyone.”
Six Year-End Tips to Reduce 2011 Taxes
Posted: 12/28/2011
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded northern and central Californians that there is still time to take action to lower 2011 federal taxes.
“In order to claim certain benefits on your 2011 taxes, you need to take action no later than Dec. 31,” said IRS spokesman David Tucker. “Taking steps now could save you money when you file your taxes next year.”
Here are six steps that you can take before the year ends to save on your 2011 taxes:
Make Charitable Contributions – Donations must be made to qualified charities no later than Dec. 31 to be deductible for 2011. Taxpayers must have a canceled check, a bank or credit union statement, a credit card statement or a written statement from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec. 31 are deductible for 2011 even if the bill isn’t paid until 2012. Clothing and household items donated to charity must be in good used condition or better to be deductible.
Install Energy-Efficient Home Improvements – Homeowners still have time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits. Installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows and water heaters can provide up to $500 in tax savings. Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment. For details see Special Edition Tax Tip 2011-08.
Contribute the Maximum to Retirement Accounts – Elective deferrals to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans or similar workplace retirement programs, such as a 403(b) plan for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, a governmental 457 plan for state or local government employees, and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees, must be made by Dec. 31. However, taxpayers have until April 17, 2012, to set up a new IRA or add money to an existing IRA and still have it count for 2011. A taxpayer normally can contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA, and up to $6,000 if age 50 or over.
Consider a Portfolio Adjustment – Check investments for gains and losses and make sales by Dec. 31. Taxpayers may normally deduct capital losses up to the amount of capital gains, plus $3,000 from other income. Net capital losses that are more than $3,000 can be carried forward and deducted in future years.
Make a Qualified IRA Charitable Distribution – The qualified charitable distribution allows individuals age 70½ or over to exclude up to $100,000 from gross income that is paid directly from their individual retirement accounts to a qualified charity. The excluded amount can be used to satisfy any required minimum distributions that the individual must otherwise receive from their IRAs in 2011.
Don’t Overlook the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit – Small employers that pay at least half of employee health insurance premiums may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the premiums paid. An employer with fewer than 25 full-time employees that pays an average wage of less than $50,000 a year may qualify. For more information see the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit page on IRS.gov.
PG&E Making $148 Million in Property Tax Payments to California Counties
Posted: 12/22/2011
SACRAMENTO – More than $148 million is on its way to 49 California counties, as Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) delivers its property tax payments.
The amount, which PG&E is paying this week to the counties in which it operates, represents full, timely payment of property taxes due for the last six months of 2011, from July 1 to December 31.
“Local governments are tackling public safety, environmental protection, health care, and education needs with limited financial resources these days,” said Mark Caron, PG&E’s vice president of tax. “Our timely and substantial payments to local governments for property taxes and other fees will help communities address those vital services.”
The company’s total tax payments to counties for the last six months of 2011 increased by almost $7.5 million over the same period in 2010. The overall increase is tied to higher assessments as PG&E invests in key infrastructure projects throughout its Northern and Central California service area. PG&E’s investments have included building new power-generating stations and upgrading equipment to boost electric reliability.
Local counties are receiving the following property tax payments: Colusa, $4,385,070; El Dorado, $1,059,344; Nevada, $883,337; Placer, $3,382,563; Sacramento, $2,859,800; Sierra, $60,220; Solano, $3,702,681; Yolo, $1,495,882; and Yuba, 1,024,243.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.
Stepping Up Safety on the Parkway
Posted: 12/14/2011
Private and public partners coordinate efforts for safety and maintenance, changing parks operations to insure public safety and protection of the American River’s sensitive habitat. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner Sacramento County – With the popularity of Sacramento County’s Regional Parks remaining high, especially the American River Parkway, the County is leveraging resources, collaborating with the private/public sector, and changing parks operations to insure public safety and protection of sensitive habitat.
“The Parkway is bordered by cities, neighborhoods, businesses and state land, all of whom have a vested interest in keeping the Parkway safe and clean,” stated Supervisor Phil Serna, District 1. “To help address the illegal camping situation on the Parkway, we are collaborating with private interests dedicated to funding homeless services and partnering with the broader law enforcement community to maximize public safety.” To address security, Regional Parks is partnering with the Sacramento Police Department to increase patrol presence in the lower Parkway, where most illegal camping occurs. The joint patrol operates seven days a week and will conduct warrant sweeps throughout the year in collaboration with County Probation and other law enforcement agencies. Ranger Assistants are helping to increase presence during periods of peak bicycle and recreational traffic.
Rangers and police follow strict protocol with illegal campers: campers are “noticed” to leave within 48 hours in writing and in person. If campers do not vacate within the allotted time, they are issued a citation and their possessions are confiscated and safely stored. If outstanding warrants or probation/parole violations exist, campers are arrested and booked into the County Jail.
In addition to noticing campers, rangers may be accompanied at times by County social workers and volunteers from Sacramento Steps Forward who provide information about temporary shelter options, meals, and other social service programs. Information about pet kenneling and where their personal belongings will be stored is also provided.
To protect the environment from camping garbage and other waste, Parks has increased cleanup of the campsite areas from one to two days a week. Cleanup is done by Sacramento County Sheriff Work Release crews within and also adjacent to the Parkway. The County Department of Regional Parks is partnering with the American River Parkway Foundation to increase cleanup in targeted areas. In addition to five major cleanups in 2011, one hundred Foundation volunteers, including Rob Leonard, the County’s Interim Parks Director and Supervisor Serna, removed over three tons of debris from the Northgate Area in November.
Illegal camping can be reported to Park Rangers at 916-875-7275. To support Sacramento Steps Forward and the Winter Sanctuary Program, donations can be made on line at sacramentostepsforward.org.
Post Office to Change Service Standards
Posted: 12/8/2011
Tough changes are coming for the US Postal Service in these continued tough times. USPS photo. The U.S. Postal Service announced December 5th it will move forward with its proposal to change service standards. This action is being taken in response to on-going financial challenges caused by the dramatic and continual decline in First-Class Mail volume and the resulting revenue loss.
“The U.S. Postal Service must reduce its operating costs by $20 billion by 2015 in order to return to profitability,” said David Williams, vice president, Network Operations. “The proposed changes to service standards will allow for significant consolidation of the postal network in terms of facilities, processing equipment, vehicles and employee workforce and will generate projected net annual savings of approximately $2.1 billion.” This is part of the overall savings expected from the network optimization initiative, which is projected to save up to $3 billion by 2015.
The size of the existing Postal Service network is dictated by the current overnight transit time in existing service standards. The Postal Service is 3 day−proposing, through the rulemaking process, to move First-Class Mail to a 2 standard for contiguous U.S. destinations; however, there would be an opportunity for mailers who properly prepare and enter mail at the destinating processing facility prior to the day's critical entry time to have their mail delivered the following delivery day.
On Sep. 15, the Postal Service announced it would begin studying 252 out of 487 mail processing facilities for possible closure. At that time, the Postal Service also announced it would be considering changes to service standards in an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register. The Advance Notice filing was a formal effort to gather input from the public early in the process to ensure their views can be factored into the service change proposal.
The Postal Service will send to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) a request for an advisory opinion regarding service standard changes associated with a significant rationalization of its mail processing network. Shortly thereafter, the Postal Service will publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on the specific proposed changes.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Source: USPS.com
Donation Drive Collects Winter Coats for Regional Shelters, Nonprofits
Posted: 12/1/2011
SACRAMENTO REGION – More than 3,000 people and children in need throughout the Sacramento region can now count on new, warm coats to get through the coming winter, thanks to an all-out effort by Lyon Real Estate agents.
Working with the national nonprofit One Warm Coat, Lyon’s regional team of agents, brokers and support staff threw themselves into a month-long winter coat donation drive during October. Given their busy schedules, many in the company expected to hit the 500 mark. But when you have 17 regional offices full of dedicated, creative professionals, then stand back.
“When we added up coats collected from everyone’s efforts, from offices in the Foothills to agents based throughout the Sacramento region, it came to a whopping 3,110 coats,” said Lyon Real Estate President Pat Shea. “It was an amazing example of how a large group of people can achieve a great amount of good by working together.”
The coat donation drive started out as an idea at Lyon’s annual Fun Realtor Education Day — FRED for short. To supplement the coat drive, Lyon employees partnered with Kohl’s Department stores to obtain 50 new children’s coats for the Kids First organization in Roseville and Auburn and the Sacramento Food Bank’s Mother Baby Program. Those coats, and all the donated coats, had to be either new or lightly used to qualify for donation.
Another truck load of coats were given to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. In all, more than 17 agencies received coats collected by Lyon agents and employees that will be distributed to people in need in Sacramento, Placer, Nevada, Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
Before distributing the coats, employees at the company’s Sacramento headquarters converted their administrative offices into storage space for thousands of winter coats.
“We had mountains of them. It really brought home all the hard work our agent team did in reaching out to the community,” said Lyon Marketing Director Christi McDowell, who helped organize the coat donation drive.
This year, we are on pace to collect and distribute our 3 millionth coat — and Lyon’s 3,110 coats made a fantastic contribution to that effort,” said Sybil Hunt, community outreach director for One Warm Coat.
With real estate agents in 17 regional offices in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo counties, Lyon remains the region’s leading real estate company.
Helping Small Businesses Start, Grow and Succeed
Free Small Business Forum “Getting It Right” Coming Next Week to Sacramento Area
Posted: 12/1/2011
SACRAMENTO REGION – The Internal Revenue Service will soon team up with other federal and state tax agencies helping regional small businesses at a free tax forum to be held in Citrus Heights. Themed “Getting It Right,” the forum will provide important information for business leaders to better understand and meet their tax responsibilities. The program will also highlight significant government resources available that can help small businesses grow and succeed.
“One of the forum’s goals is to promote awareness of the programs, services, and assistance government tax agencies have to offer,” said IRS spokesman David Tucker. “If our local entrepreneurs and business leaders understand basic federal and state tax rules and how to get help when they need it, they can meet challenges that can sometimes be barriers to success.”
The Small Business Forum is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to facilitate the exchange of information between the government and the small business community in Northern California. Other state agencies participating include the California Franchise Tax Board, Board of Equalization and Employment Development Department.
All local small businesses and chambers of commerce in Northern California are invited. The event is Thursday, December 8, 2011, 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. It will be held at the U.S. SBA, 6501 Sylvan Road, Main Conference Room, Citrus Heights, CA 95610
Registration is required for this free forum. Limited seating will be assigned on a first-come first served basis, so register soon to guarantee you won’t miss out of this popular event. To register send an e-mail to SBEDSacramento@irs.gov. If interested businesses have questions or want more details about the event please call Christella Sanchez at 916-974-5117.
Help Homeless Women and Children Fill Their Holiday Stockings
Posted: 11/25/2011
SACRAMENTO Region – Christmas morning will be filled with holiday cheer for formerly homeless women and their children, thanks to Sacramento-area residents who are donating to Women’s Empowerment’s annual Holiday Stocking Drive.
The group is seeking stockings and specific fillers for infants and toddlers, children, teens and adult women. For the list of items needed, visit www.womens-empowerment.org. Residents can also make a financial donation and volunteers will then shop and fill the stockings. The average filled stocking costs $30. Items are needed by Friday, Dec. 2, at 1400 North C Street, Sacramento. For more information, contact Courtney Parmer at courtney@womens-empowerment.org or (916) 669-2307.
“In this economy, more than half of the women who walk through our doors are homeless for the first time,” said Lisa Culp, executive director. “These remarkable women have worked tirelessly to break the cycle of homelessness, and these stockings bring immeasurable holiday cheer to their hearts and their new homes.”
Women’s Empowerment is the only job-readiness program exclusively serving homeless women in the greater Sacramento region. The 2009 Nonprofit of the Year has graduated 831 homeless women and their more than 1,000 children, with 93 percent of them finding permanent housing and 74 percent finding jobs or enrolling in school, despite the current economy. This unique program combines self-esteem courses, job training, health classes and support services to help homeless women across diverse ages, races and cultures. For more information visit www.womens-empowerment.org.
Source: Kristin Thébaud Communications
Pothole Sweeps Begin
Posted: 11/25/2011
Sacramento County – The Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT) recently intensified efforts to identify and repair potholes. This project is part of continuous efforts to improve preventative maintenance acti-vities for unincorporated area roadways. Pothole sweeps are performed twice each year: in Fall to ready road surfaces for the storm season and in late Spring to repair potholes caused by inclement weather.
Work crews began inspecting streets and marking potholes with white paint in early November. To report a problem pothole not identified by crews go to www.sacdot.com.
Repairs should continue for another two to three week period. Maintenance crews and equipment will sweep through streets and repair all identified potholes.
Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions
CCC California Conservation Corps Marks 35 Years with Work Throughout the State
Posted: 11/17/2011
The California Conservation Corps has now been around for 35 years, but don’t expect to see balloons or birthday celebrations. Instead, the CCC will mark the anniversary with shovels, chain saws and chippers.
The CCC’s motto is “hard work, low pay, miserable conditions…and more.” True to form, corpsmembers will find themselves commemorating the 35 years with more work throughout the state.
The program was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 1976, during his first term. Modeled after the original 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, Gov. Brown envisioned a “combination Jesuit seminary, Israeli kibbutz and Marine Corps boot camp.”
Since 1976, more than 115,000 young men and women have participated in the CCC, earning minimum wage for natural resource work and emergency response. Despite the low pay, there are more than 800 applicants currently on the CCC’s waiting list.
Corpsmembers have devoted more than 67 million hours to conservation work throughout California, planting 21 million trees, constructing or repairing 9,779 miles of backcountry trails, improving more than 1800 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat, and auditing and retrofitting more than 25 million square feet of public buildings to reduce energy use.
CCC crews may be most visible as they respond to floods, fires, earthquakes, oil spills and pest infestations. Corpsmembers have provided more than 9.6 million emergency hours and assisted with recovery efforts following the Station Fire (2009), the Oakland Hills Fire (1991), the Loma Prieta (1989) and Northridge (1994) earthquakes and many other natural disasters.
Corpsmembers – young men and women ages 18 to 25 – work out of 27 different residential and nonresidential sites throughout California. The CCC is the oldest and largest conservation corps program in the country.
After a year in the CCC, many corpsmembers are hired by resource management agencies, others have become teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and small business owners. There are now second-generation corpsmembers, the sons and daughters of early-day corpsmembers.
In recognition of the CCC’s anniversary, corpsmembers from throughout the state submitted more than 1,000 video clips to showcase “A Day in the Life” of the CCC. The footage was shot during a two-week period in October and also includes some vintage video of the late B.T. Collins (CCC director 1979-81) as well as reflections from CCC Director David Muraki. The video is posted on the CCC’s website: www.ccc.ca.gov
Aerospace Museum Planning to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Posted: 5/18/2011
Active Duty Military Personnel and Their Families Can Explore the Museum at No Charge and Discounted Admission Offered to the General Public. Photo provided by Aerospace Museum of California. Sacramento Region – The Aerospace Museum of California (AMC) (www.aerospaceca.org) announced today a celebration of Armed Forces Day on May 21, 2011, from 9:00am to 5:00pm with a brief ceremony honoring our troops at 11:00 a.m. followed by a United States Coast Guard C-130 flyby. The AMC is a non-profit foundation dedicated to inspirational and educational programs, honoring the rich military and aviation history of the greater Sacramento region, and highlighting the impact and innovation of the Museum’s many community partners.
In honor of Armed Forces Day, the Museum will also be hosting an Open Cockpit Day where children of all ages can explore, climb into, or imagine what it would be like to soar through the skies in several of the many aircraft on the ramp. Guests will experience historic planes and displays representing over eight decades of aviation history, as well as a chance to view thrilling jets like a US Navy Blue Angels’ fighter, A-10 Thunderbolt, or a famous ‘Top Gun’ F-14 Tomcat just like the movie.
Guests at Armed Forces Day will learn about aircraft they may never have heard of before like a Voodoo, Warthog, Albatross, Boxcar, Dagger or Grasshopper. Who knew aircraft with names such as this carried the heroes that helped to secure the freedoms we enjoy today?
Activities are planned through-out the day, including an inter-active remote control aircraft display by Mather Aerospace Modelers, entertainment by Band of the Golden West from Travis Air Force Base at 11:00am, Support 4 Soldiers, where attendees can color pictures, sign cards and flags for troops overseas, and so much more.
"We want to acknowledge and honor Americans currently serving in the Armed Forces,” said Roxanne Yonn, executive director of the Aerospace Museum of California. “Offering free admission is just a small way of saying ‘thank you’ for their service and commitment. We encourage visitors to enjoy a day at the Museum, be inspired and give thanks to the men and women (both past and present) who serve and sacrifice for our great nation.”
The special no-cost admission rate applies to active duty military service members and their immediate family members. To receive free admittance visitors must present a military ID. Admission for the general public is $5.
The Museum pavilion and air park opened in February 2007, and since then over 250,000 guests have enjoyed the Museum’s unique collection of over 40 military and civilian aircraft, 15 restored engines on display, participated in numerous educational programs, and viewed the Coast Guard art collection. For additional information please visit www.aerospaceca.com.
Learn While Having Fun - Fair Exhibits and Activities are Educational
Posted: 5/19/2011
SACRAMENTO, CA. A visit to the Sacramento County Fair is surprisingly educational - both adults and schools kids can learn about science, animals, conservation, culture and more without even trying. In fact the Fair hosts nearly 10,000 children over two days on field trips from schools throughout the county.
While the carnival rides and cotton candy are great fun, Fair visitors love the interactive, people-powered entertainment and colorful educational exhibits. "We are always on the look-out for entertainment that educates," says TJ Plew, CEO. "It makes the Fair a much more valuable experience."
The line-up for the 2011 "Memories and Magic" themed Fair includes learning about farm animals with the Thank A Farmer magic shows or wild animals at the Sea Lion Encounter and the Enchanted Forest. Entertainers bring the young audience aboard in Circus Imagination and local groups demonstrate cultural dances. Science is made entertaining for all ages at the Mad Science shows and the Fun with Physics hands-on exhibit.
The Sacramento County Fair runs May 26-30, at Cal Expo. Admission is always free for kids and seniors, and is only $5 for ages 13 to 62. ValuPasses that include admission and carnival unlimited ride wristbands are available at Sacramento area Walgreens. For more information and an entertainment schedule you can visit www.SacFair.com.
Here are some of the exhibits and activities you won't want to miss!
Sea Lion Encounters. See these awe inspiring, world famous sea lions do incredible leaps into the air and see a demo of how they use the "Critter Cam" to explore depths and areas of the ocean unreachable by humans. During the shows the audience gets an exciting mixture of marine information and demonstrations of breathtaking natural behaviors.
Enchanted Forest - Discover exotic wildlife from jungle creatures to colorful birds, smiling trees and hidden benches as you take a walk through the Enchanted Forest. "Woodland Keepers" will be on hand to guide visitors and interact with animal friends and children, including live animal stories.
Thank a Farmer Magic Show - This friendly magician demonstrates the connection of every day products to farming, and points out that it is not just the food on your plate. For example a baseball is filled with wool from sheep and is covered by cowhide from Holstein milk cows.
Livestock Shows and Exhibits - A visit to the livestock barns gives you the opportunity to visit farm animals up close. The sounds of pigs squealing, cows mooing, and goats bleating give kids a real life experience and the youth raising the animals are experts who can answer questions. Watching the judging may seem confusing, but listen in as the judges explain to the young exhibitors what he or she is looking for in a prime animal. At the end of the Fair, the Junior Livestock Auction allows you to purchase the best quality, locally raised product for your table. Meat can also be donated to charity or purchased by groups.
Wheelbarrow Gardens - Dozens of gardens from vegetables to flowers have been planted by children in classrooms and are a great learning experience as they prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and anxiously wait for the sprouts to appear. They show off their work at the Sacramento County Fair where you can see how small an area you need to grow some of your own food!
Circus Imagination - Kids can join the circus using their imagination with props and costumes that are provided. The Ringmaster guides them through a fantasy adventure and before they know it, they have created their own world - something they can take home with them for many hours of backyard adventures.
Mad Science - Get ready to be mystified by molecules and amazed by atmospheric pressure in this show on the power of pressure. Witness how an ordinary object becomes a hot-air balloon. Zoom across the floor on the Mad Science hovercraft and discover how energy transforms liquid into an exciting chemical reaction. Have you ever seen toilet paper shoot 50 feet into the air?! You'll learn how the Bernoulli Principal demonstrates this amazing experiment!!
Fun with Physics - This hands-on Fair favorite entertains while it educates with Mind Boggler puzzles, electricity, magnets, simple machines and gears, tools of engineering, a construction zone and more. Adults are just as intrigued by the colorful stations as the kids.
DWR Announces Results of Final Snow Survey of 2010-2011Season
Posted: 5/4/2011
SACRAMENTO – Manual and electronic readings today show that California’s near-record snowpack is slowly melting with warming spring weather.
But snowpack water content is still 144 percent of the April 1 full season average.
Today's readings will help hydrologists forecast spring and summer snowmelt runoff into rivers and reservoirs. The melting snow supplies approximately one-third of the water used by Californians.
“All indications are that we’re moving toward summer with a good water supply for our farms and cities,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “We must be aware, however, that California can quickly turn from wet to dry, and we can’t afford to forget the lessons of conservation that we learned in the 2007-2009 drought.”
Snowpack water content is measured manually on or near the first of the month from January to May, and in real-time by electronic sensors.
Electronic readings indicate that water content in the northern mountains is 159percent of the April 1 seasonal average. Electronic readings for the central Sierra show 144 percent of the April 1 average. The number for the southern Sierra is 127 percent. The statewide number is 144 percent.
The first of April is normally wnen snowpack water content is at its peak.
California's reservoirs are fed both by rain and snowpack runoff.
A majority of the state's major reservoirs are above normal storage levels for the date. Lake Oroville in Butte County, the State Water Project's principal reservoir, is 112 percent of average for the date (93 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity) Lake Shasta north of Redding, the federal Central Valley Project's largest reservoir with a capacity of 4.5 million acre-feet, is at 108 percent of average (94 percent of capacity).
DWR estimates it will be able to deliver 80 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year.
In 2010, the SWP delivered 50 percent of a requested 4,172,126 acre-feet, up from a record-low initial projection of 5 percent due to lingering effects of the 2007-2009 drought. Deliveries were 60 percent of requests in 2007, 35 percent in 2008, and 40 percent in 2009.
The last 100 percent allocation -- difficult to achieve even in wet years due to pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish -- was in 2006.
The SWP delivers water to more than 25 million Californians and nearly one million acres of irrigated farmland.
Statewide snowpack readings from electronic sensors are available on the Internet at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ
Historic readings from snowpack sensors are posted at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/rpts1/DLYSWEQ
Electronic reservoir level readings may be found at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/getResGraphsMain.action
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning,and plans for future statewide water needs.
Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.
Victory for Small Business
Congress Passes Form 1099 Repeal
From NFIB
Posted: 4/14/2011
Small business owners can smile and relax at the defeat of the unpopular 1099 mandate. It was time to see it go. In a win for small businesses, the Senate today (April 5th) passed a bill to repeal the onerous IRS Form 1099 reporting requirement. The same bill was passed in the House earlier in March, and the measure now awaits action by President Obama, who has shown support for repeal. The National Federation of Independent Business led the repeal effort on behalf of over 350,000 member businesses.
“Small businesses have been struggling to come up with a way to account for this burdensome tax reporting mandate, and it has been the top priority of NFIB to see it repealed,” said John Kabateck, NFIB/California Executive Direc-tor. “NFIB and its members are glad to finally see this ill-conceived rule removed from the books by Congress.”
The Senate repeal bill mirrors legislation which passed in the House of Representatives on March 3 to repeal the 1099 tax reporting rule, H.R. 4. Congressman Dan Lungren was instrumental in the bill’s passage last month.
“NFIB thanks Congressman Lungren for bringing this repeal first to the House floor for a vote,” added Kabateck. “No other rule or regulation has been as widely unpopular as the 1099 mandate, and it was past time to see it go.”
The 1099 tax reporting rule was included in the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act last year. Almost immediately after it was put into law, it was criticized by lawmaker from both parties in both chambers of Congress and the White House as being an over-burdensome paperwork mandate placed on small businesses.
It would have required small businesses to file Form 1099 for every business-to-business transaction totaling over $600. The requirement, intended to capture lost tax revenue, would have placed the burdensome requirement on small businesses of not only reporting on their own income, but also the income of their vendors.
NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
Tea Party Patriots Holds Rally April 16th
Posted: 4/14/2011
Last Year's Rally
Photo Credit: David Rowen Sacramento – Join Tea Party Patriots at Cal Expo Sacramento, on April 16th, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They will be honoring our veterans and hard-working American people as they come together to celebrate our country’s heritage. They are planning a pre-concert rally with Jeremy Hoop singing the Tea Party Patriot song, Rise Up. This will be followed by a Freedom Riders entrance, a 10-cannon salute, a parachutist falling from the sky with a 30-foot American flag. Many educational and informative displays will be available for the public. There will be a number of special guests speaking on issues concerning our countries future.
Speakers will include; Brent Bozell from Media Research Center and a Fox News Contributor, Congressman Tom McClintock, Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute, Constitutional Scholar, Bill Norton, Mark Meckler, LastCo-founder Tea Party Patriots, Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Tax Payers Association, Sam Parades of the California Gun Owners Association, Hugh Hewitt, Radio Talk Show Host and Jack Armstrong, Armstrong & Getty Radio Show.
GAS STILL CLIMBING AS SUMMER APPROACHES
State Average at $4.17 Per Gallon; Up 26 Cents from Last Month, Says AAA
Posted: 4/12/2011
Northern California, April 12, 2011 – Even in the face of eroding demand for gasoline nationwide, all of the metro areas tracked by AAA Northern California have climbed past the $4 per gallon mark for regular, unleaded. California now has the second highest state average gas price among all 50 states.
According to AAA, which tracks gas prices as a service to consumers, every Northern California metro area tracked by the organization saw an increase of at least 24 cents at the pump over the past month. The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $4.17, up 26 cents since last month’s report on March 8. For perspective, that’s $1.06 higher than California’s average price on this date last year.
Northern California gas prices are now averaging $4.17, up 27 cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $4.22, which is a 26-cent increase. The national average price of $3.79 is up by 27 cents, which is 93 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $2.86.
“Investors continue to be the largest force driving the market price for oil. Instability in the Middle East and North Africa still has them concerned about the world’s supply of crude, which has helped to keep oil prices on the rise,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “Domestically, weakness in the U.S. dollar has also contributed to rising crude prices. When the dollar weakens, investors, including those holding foreign currencies, are more likely to invest in U.S. commodities, including crude, which pressures the prices upward.”
For the second week in a row, demand for gasoline has dropped across the United States. However, this has not had a huge impact on prices at the pump, given the global nature of the crude oil market. With violence continuing in Libya, as well as concern about unrest in Syria and Yemen, crude oil prices saw sustained upward momentum throughout last week because of investors’ concern over impacts to the world’s supply. Investors are currently betting that oil prices will move higher. This was reflected by a huge jump recently in the amount of money going into crude oil futures. The current rate is about ten times the amount of speculative dollars that were in crude products on exchanges in 2003. This illustrates that speculation is currently one of the primary drivers of crude oil prices.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville, where regular is $4.09. Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka’s average price of $4.34 is the highest. It’s also the highest price reported by AAA in the lower 48 states. The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Casper, Wyoming, where for the second consecutive month the average price of gas is $3.37. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $4.76 per gallon.
Why Credit Access is Critical to the Economic Recovery
By Steve Caldeira and Chad Moutray
Posted: 4/12/2011
Most Americans understand that small businesses -- not massive corporations -- generate most new U.S. jobs. And when these enterprises hurt, they likewise lose jobs in similar proportions.
As influential financial analyst Meredith Whitney observed last May, "Small businesses created 64 percent of new jobs over the past 15 years, but they have cut five million jobs since the onset of this credit crisis. Large businesses, by comparison, have shed three million jobs in the past two years."
Like Whitney, the National Small Business Association believes the situation is dire. NSBA's 2010 Year-End Economic Report found that "fully one-third (36 percent) -- which translates into more than 10 million -- of the nation's small businesses are not able to get adequate financing." Consequently, the NSBA added, "small-business owners continue to be financially stymied and unable to grow their business, thereby restricting their ability to create jobs."
The Milken Institute's Managing Economist, Kevin Klowden, on March 21 lamented "the bleakest hiring outlook since early 2008."
While the entire small-business sector gasps for credit -- the oxygen of free enterprise -- the situation is both troubling and promising for franchisees. Essentially, these are small businesses that compose much larger companies.
Consider 7-Eleven. Franchisees run some 5,000 of the company's 6,100 U.S. outlets. They, in turn, are part of a worldwide, 36,000-store network that produced $58.9 billion in sales in 2009.
Small business franchises face many of the same headaches as other small companies, but they also potentially could catalyze job creation and the economic recovery when America needs them most.
From 2001 to 2005, before the Great Recession began, franchised small businesses populated one of America's most rapidly growing sectors. Their direct economic output expanded by more than 40 percent versus only 26 percent for other businesses. In those years, the franchising industry created jobs at more than three times the rate of other non-franchised business segments. All told, more than 825,000 franchise small businesses in 300 different industrial sectors yielded $2.1 trillion (with a T) in direct and indirect economic output. Franchisees also created one of every eight non-farm, private-sector jobs in America.
This solid record shows that, with sufficient access to capital and a stable public-policy and regulatory environment, franchised small business can be a job-creating locomotive that pulls the rest of the economy forward.
But, once again, the recurring problem is a lack of coal to shovel into that mighty engine's boiler. In a recent survey, fully 55 percent of the International Franchise Association's members called themselves "moderately" or "significantly" affected by tight credit. This stunts their growth. While 2011's stronger overall economic outlook encourages franchisors and franchisees, a lingering lack of credit sinks their spirits and smothers a broader recovery.
For their part, lenders have their own cows on the tracks. Banks face sharp declines in the value of their borrowers' collateral. A much more rigid regulatory environment has bankers looking over their shoulders like never before. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate has hovered near 10 percent, limiting the income that the jobless otherwise would deposit in banks and lowering their demand for lucrative banking services. Many banks' business customers have watched sales volumes slide, forcing them to live with lower profits, if any.
The Obama Administration, to its credit, recognizes the importance of credit for small firms. Thus, Small Business Administration chief Karen Mills has worked to raise federal guarantees on SBA loans to 90 percent. She has reduced or eliminated fees on such loans and lifted the maximum amount that a business may borrow from $2 million to $5 million. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury has shown a flash of creativity with a new plan to spur state-level lending to small businesses.
To find even more solutions to these problems, the International Franchise Association, in cooperation with the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, the Consumer Bankers Association, the National Restaurant Association, and other leaders from the financial and small business communities recently convened at a Small Business Lending Summit in Washington, D.C.
Participants -- including entrepreneurs, financiers, and regulators -- discussed the establishment of a franchise registry that would streamline loan approvals and provide a pipeline of qualified borrowers, eager to be financed.
All of us - including franchisees, franchisors, lenders, policymakers, and taxpayers - have a stake in igniting the economy by giving entrepreneurs the tools to create jobs and grow. Small business franchising can contribute the missing spark.
Steve Caldeira is the president and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Chad Moutray, a former chief economist of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, serves as a senior advisor to the IFA.
|
