COMMUNITY NEWS

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 211 Sacramento is in dire need of people who can help schedule tax appointments for the upcoming tax season. To read more and to learn how to volunteer, click here.

Thursday, October 30, 2008 - Top Editor Sharpens Focus on Latino News Coverage

Rick Rodriguez, former executive editor of the Sacramento Bee and the first Latino president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, is joining the faculty of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Click here for the complete story.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - Daylight Savings Change

As a reminder, daylight savings time was moved to the first Sunday of November.

This year (2008) daylight savings time will be on November 2nd. Clocks will roll back one hour.  This change began in March 2007 after the passing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which was passed by Congress and then signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005. 

With the coming of the winter months and daylight savings, the days will become shorter and your employees may soon have a workday that begins and ends in the dark. This is a good time to review employee safety upon entering and exiting the building.  Some items to consider, include: 

• Maintain good lighting (adjust external lighting controls to turn lights on/off during appropriate times)
• Keep parking lot and surrounding areas free from debris
• If possible, increase security patrols or install security cameras

Remind employees about safe techniques for entering and exiting the office building such as:

• Walking confidently and quickly
• Walking in groups
• Making eye contact with people
• Being alert for unusual noise or movement
• Avoiding dark, unpopulated areas
• Having car keys ready
• Checking around, under and in your car prior to entering

For employees who work late:

• Let someone know you are working late
• Keep doors locked
• Turn on lights both internally and externally
• Keep a phone close
• Let someone know when you leave

For more information, contact 800.399.5331 or visit www.employers.org.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - Cal Expo & State Fair Seek New Applicants for its Cultural Advisory Council 2009

In keeping with its mission to showcase the wonderful diversity found in the State of California, the California Exposition & State Fair today announced it is once again accepting applications for its Cultural Advisory Council. The Council is an established body of multi-ethnic advisors who make recommendations about entertainment and programming for the annual State Fair, as well as year-round activities and other related issues at Cal Expo. 

The group currently consists of 21 individuals representing numerous cultures and ethnic communities in the State. The State Fair is seeking new members to expand the group and replace the members that will term out in December 2008. Ideal candidates are leaders from interested cultural communities that can serve as advisors to the Cal Expo Board of Directors on a range of cultural issues. 

Background on the Cultural Advisory Council
The Cultural Advisory Council was established in 2002 by the Cal Expo Board of Directors to enhance the outreach efforts of the State Fair to cultural communities throughout the State. The Council currently advises the Board on matters pertaining to cultural programming for community education, exhibits, entertainment, and other activities. The Council also supports Board’s objective to showcase a broad range of multicultural activities each day during the annual State Fair. The role of the next generation of Council members will be to further advance the Cal Expo’s mission to accurately represent the cultural and ethnic diversity of the State through comprehensive and inclusive programming from a variety of cultures found in California.

How to Apply
Interested individuals can apply by visiting the Cal Expo website at www.calexpo.com and downloading the application form online, or by visiting the official State Fair website at www.bigfun.org. All applicants must complete and submit an application form by Monday, December 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Members of traditional, established and emerging cultural communities are encouraged to apply. Upon selection by the Cal Expo Board, members will serve one two (2) year term, beginning in February 2009.  Upon completion of the first term, members will have the option to be reappointed by the Board for additional terms of three (3) years.  For more information, please contact Tina Novoa at (916) 263-3069 or by email at .

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - SHCC partners with VSP to offer free eye exams and glasses to children of low income families

Click here to learn about the program.

If you are interested in a free eye exam for a pair of glasses, email us at .

Monday, October 20, 2008 - Be prepared for the switch to digital TV

The digital transition takes place February 17, 2009. Come learn more about the digital TV transition and sign-up for your coupon at this event.

Click here for more information

Friday, September 5, 2008 - We are currently accepting applications for the 6th Annual Flex Your Power Awards, held this November

Saving energy has never been more important. Energy efficiency has a major impact in reducing global warming gases and is an immediate and cost effective way of meeting the State¹s recently mandated goals in reducing greenhouse gases. Polls show that the public favors companies and institutions whose services and products make a positive impact in the fight against global warming.

Award winners will be highlighted at the event and on the Flex Your Power website as well as showcased in a special advertising campaign. You can find more comprehensive information about the application process on our website at www.flexyourpower.org/awards.

Friday, September 5, 2008 - California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Announces Hispanic Business Broadband Initiative

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) in collaboration with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) has taken on the mission to close the digital divide among minority businesses and underserved communities in California. "If California's Hispanic business community is to remain competitive in today's global economy, we need to make sure that they are making full use of current technology that is available to them," stated Joel Ayala, CHCC President & CEO.

The CHCC will conduct statewide roundtables, multiple survey instruments, and organizational collaboration to study broadband technology usage of Hispanic businesses and identify barriers that prevent the effective use of business tools via the internet.

Following initial assessment, the CHCC will incorporate the technical and cultural expertise of those best suited to develop an appropriate plan of action to address the deficiencies found in the Hispanic business community. This plan will be based on the results of the CHCC's first sampling of Hispanic business owners, through an online survey. The survey will be sent to Hispanic business owners throughout the state via email and will be made available through the CHCC's website. Hispanic business owners who wish to participate are encouraged to log onto www.cahcc.com/survey.html.

About California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) is the fastest growing regional business organization in California. Since 1978, the CHCC has worked together with over 60 Hispanic chambers of commerce to encourage business, industry, commerce, and culture. The CHCC represents the interests of over 600,000 Hispanic businesses and promotes the economic development of Hispanic businesses and communities in California. For more information, visit their website.

About California Emerging Technology Fund
The mission of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is to close the Digital Divide and ensure that California is a global leader in the use of broadband technology (high-speed access to the internet). The California Public Utilities Commission directed the establishment of CETF in approving the mergers of SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI in 2005. AT&T and Verizon are contributing a total of $60 million in seed capital to advance broadband deployment and adoption. CETF is a nonprofit public-benefit corporation. For more information, visit their website.