Non-Profit Grants Community College Scholarships

As an undocumented resident, Simona Ramirez, 20, was ineligible to receive any financial aid from East L.A. City College in 2006. But with the assistance of Ascending Lights, a faith-based independent organization, Ramirez didn’t pay a dime, and even received a mentor and support network that motivated her to continue school, she said.

Having recently graduated and obtained citizenship, Ramirez plans to attend Cal State L.A. in the winter of 2009.

Since 1993, Ascending Lights Leadership Network (ALLN) has been the only organization in Los Angeles to provide students, like Ramirez, with the financial and spiritual resources necessary to graduate from Community College, an education that is often “more suitable” for them, president and founder Gary Krauss said.

Ascending Lights continues to combat the pervasive stereotype that Community College is “second best,” Krauss said, adding that a four-year university education can be too overwhelming.

“There is a lack of awareness that community colleges can, and do, provide a quality education for many folks. The classes are smaller, and the teachers are used to helping kids from challenging backgrounds,” Krauss asserted, the excitement rising in his voice. “As you can see, I get very passionate about community college,” he laughed.

It was this belief, and witnessing the Rodney King civil unrest, that motivated Krauss to quit his corporate job in 1992 and give back to the community. He and his wife, Marjorie, decided to live off her nursing income so Krauss could run Ascending Lights without a salary.

They sold their house and moved to Northeast Los Angeles. To keep the overhead low, Krauss said, the headquarters are still located in their home, just as it were in 1993.

Today, approximately 65 percent of program participants are Latino, according to a written statement. 32 percent are from the Boyle Heights/East L.A. area, and 21 percent are from the greater Pasadena area, ranging from ages 18 to 50 years old, all with a different background.

Yet community pastors all similarly nominate the motivated individuals, not based on high school grades, but by a desire to give back to their community.

“I thought it was funny that an organization would want to help East L.A. kids, but Ascending Lights looks for students that others normally wouldn’t,” Daniel Jimenez, a program graduate, said. “If it wasn’t for Ascending Lights, I definitely wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. Coming from a Hispanic family, where you’re guided by what your older brothers do, I’d probably be unhappy as a teacher right now, instead of in business, so I thank God that they found me.”

There are now 38 churches that have nominated students for a total of 34 graduates and 41 current students.

“All our students are associated with a church because this helps build up outreach work in the churches,” Krauss said. “Ultimately, they give back lasting solutions to some of the most vexing material and spiritual problems that plague inner-city neighborhoods.”

Rather than just supporting students financially, Ascending Lights provides weekly academic and monthly spiritual mentoring and quarterly leadership training to guide them through college, according to Krauss.

“Mentoring is a big part of what we do, the missing piece that many community colleges lack,” Krauss said. “That is what gives us the big success rate.”

“The mentor’s job is to review tests, homework, and study habits and provide tutoring if they feel it is needed, essentially behaving like a good parent would.”

Ascending Lights also covers all possible costs, not just tuition, including books, supplies, meals and transportation. This ensures that money is not a factor in completing college, Krauss said.

“They are such wonderful people who have brought so much joy into my life that I can’t even explain,” said Virginia Gomez Martinez, a program graduate currently attending Cal State L.A. “They will help you however you need and help you be someone, whatever degree you want. There was absolutely no stress on my part.”

The program’s unique, comprehensive attention, Krauss believes, is the reason many students successfully graduate or transfer to and graduate from 4-year universities. They return to their churches and continue on to be leaders in their community.

“School drastically changed my thinking,” Jimenez said. “If it wasn’t for this program, I wouldn’t be happy doing what I’m doing. It really changed my life. Even though I’m no longer technically in the program, I still feel part of the family. More than anything, I’ve gained a family.”

McCain Makes GOP History, Picks Sarah Palin for VP Spot

In a move that surprised many in both the Republican and Democratic parties, Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP’s presidential nominee, selected a relatively little-known woman for the number two spot on the Republican presidential ballot, making party history in the process.

Last Friday, McCain introduced first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the world stage, calling her a “maverick” like him. In announcing his choice, McCain called her “tough,” a reformer with a “fighting spirit and deep compassion.”

Palin, 44years-old and the mother of five, is being championed by McCain and members of the party as someone who can help him “shake up Washington.”

Palin spoke at the Republican National Convention last night, making her first appearance as a national political figure. Remarks were embargoed as of press time.

While Palin is the first woman to be nominated by Republicans for the vice presidential post, she is not the first woman ever to be nominated. That historical first is held be Geraldine Ferraro, who was nominated by Democrats for the position in 1984 on the ticket headed by presidential nominee Vice President Walter Mondale.

Palin is widely viewed as a tough-minded conservative, holding traditional Evangelical views against abortion, and a supporter of President Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq.

In her first public appearance announcing her nomination, Palin rattled off her resume, calling herself a reformer who has taken on special interests even in her own party, and a harsh critic of earmarks.

Palin, introduced her family, four of her children, daughters Bristow, Willow and Piper, and her five-month-old infant son, Trig, a special needs child. Her oldest son, Track, 18, has enlisted in the military and is scheduled to deploy to Iraq on Sept. 11, Palin said.

Many have speculated that Palin’s selection is a direct appeal to disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters, in hopes of drawing them to the McCain ticket. Others view her selection as a reaffirmation of the Republican Party’s conservative right, many who have been critical of McCain during the primaries.

Palin has come under fire, with news that her 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant and unmarried, and planning on keeping the child. Palin and her husband Todd have said they love and support their daughter, particularly her decision to raise the child. Pro-life advocates have hailed the news as further evidence of Palin’s “right view of the issue and conservative family values.”

Democratic presidential nominee Barak Obama said it is a “private family matter,” and children should not be part of the political debate.

Other issues regarding Palin’s background and stance on the issues, questioning her assertions that she is anti pork barrel spending, her support of the NRA, and her hiring of an attorney to defend against allegations of ethics violations, are beginning to come to light and may pose political problems as the media delves deeper into her record. But, for the moment and for the most part, Republican delegates at the Republican convention are hailing her selection, here is some of what they have had to say:

“She is a very gutsy woman willing to take on special interests and corruption, even when it was in her own party,” said Pete Wilson, former governor of California to KABC Talk Radio’s Doug McIntyre.

“I have a 17-year-old daughter, and they start making choices without us,” said Annette Ratliff, a delegate from Texas, said to CNN. “I appreciate the choice she is making to have the baby, but it just makes her a real person. It happens every day in America.”

“I’m happy that we have a reformer on the ticket,” said Scott Spages, a Florida delegate, said in an interview with the Sun-Sentinel. “I’m happy we have a woman who has executive experience,”

“We need somebody in touch with America, with what we all deal with as parents every day,” said Mack Butler told Gadsden Times. “A brilliant, brilliant move.”

“I am pleased and excited,” said Barbara Klein, Alabama delegate, said to the Gadsden Times. “I was not at all disappointed. I think it’s a real good choice. I think she’ll appeal to women, and in this election, that’s a real important demographic group,”

“I feel for the family. She’s a mother and she’s going to do what’s best for her child,” Max Wilson, Arizona delegate said to U.S. News and World Report.

“I’m very surprised, I was for Romney,” said Rhode Island delegate Dennis Michaud, told the Providence Journal.

We have the first female vice-presidential nominee with a good chance of becoming vice-president,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham to NPR’s Linda Wertheimer. “He[McCain] has picked the absolute best running mate.”

EGP Staff Writer Daniel Monzon contributed to this story.

Friends Raise Funds to Bury Teens Killed in Eagle Rock Crash

A week after a horrific multi-car accident in Eagle Rock claimed the lives of four young people, family and friends gathered Tuesday to raise funds for funeral services. Tony and Janice Cordova lost all three of their children, Andrew, 15, Toni, 16, and Cristyn, 19, who was also eight months pregnant. The fetus did not survive the accident on the evening of Aug. 27. Also killed was 19-year-old Jason Gomez Hernandez, a close family friend.

The 5th victim, Carlos Aberto Campos, also 19, remains in critical condition at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.

The impact of the tragedy has not been lost on the local community. Niko Mendoza and many of the Cordova children’s friends have been working this week to organize fundraisers, with Tuesday’s carwash and Eagle Rock Park barbecue just the start of more to come, friends say.

“Niko and their friends are really stepping up to the plate, so we’re really grateful,” said Steve Leon, the victims’ uncle. “I can’t put into words how I feel… I’m just devastated. It was so tragic that I’m beside myself.”

Despite their losses, friends remained positive and channeled their energy into something that could help the Cordova family. At the exit of the 134 Freeway, they held flashy neon-colored signs, trying to direct cars to the barbecue to raise money for the Cordova Children Memorial Fund.

People remember the Cordova teens as respectful, well-mannered kids.

“Cristyn was expecting, and being a mother would have been natural for her,” Leon said. “If you needed anything, she would get it for you. No questions asked.”

“Toni was a really good girl, smart, outgoing and everyone really liked her,” added Jonathan Villegas, good friend of Toni Cordova. “We heard about the accident after it happened, but we didn’t know who it was. We were so shocked to hear it was them. It was heartbreaking for all of them to go out like that.” “Andrew was a good kid, real colorful, he had all the attributes of his sisters,” Leon said. “Tony and Janice did a great job of raising them.”

Sisters Cristyn and Toni Marie and family friend Jason Gomez Hernandez were killed immediately, while the other two passengers, Carlos Alberto Campos and Andrew Cordova were rushed to Huntington Memorial Hospital, said Sergeant Wayne Guillary of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Northeast Station.

Andrew Cordova died Friday from multiple injuries. Campos, Cordova’s boyfriend and father of the unborn child, remains in critical condition.

The accident occurred in the 1800 block of W. Colorado Blvd., near Highland View Avenue, and was reported just after 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday.

“Although we believe high speeds were the primary cause in this accident, there is no evidence that the involved people or vehicles were participating in an organized street race,” LAPD said in a written statement.

The 19-year-old pregnant Cordova was driving a Nissan Maxima faster than the posted speed limit when it slammed into a tree and split in half, KCAL9 reported.

“I actually live near where the accident occurred,” said Priscilla Hammad, friend of Toni and Andrew.

“Jason [Gomez Hernandez], Andrew [Cordova] and Carlos [Campos] were ejected from the car. Only Cristyn and Toni stayed inside the car, which was completely wrapped around the tree.”

The driver of the other car involved in the accident, Rostislav Shnayder, 19, remained at the scene and was arrested by police on suspicion of murder, Guillary said.

Shnayder pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, according to a written report from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Shnayder remains in Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail. A bail review hearing is schedule for Sept. 10 and preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 2. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in state prison.

According to LAPD, there was no indication that Shnayder was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Guillary said some witnesses at the scene reported seeing a third vehicle involved but that the driver fled after the crash.

While perhaps not part of an organized street race, “there is little doubt that this was three cars engaged in a high speed drag race,” LAPD Lt. John Romero said two days after the accident.
David Duong, a worker at Unique Nails, a business directly in front of where the accident occurred, agreed, “Speeding occurs a lot. We can hear it outside the store. Last month there was an accident involving four or five cars.”

“They should do something to stop [the speeding], give tickets or something. Tracy Pham, another worker at Unique Nails, said. “It’s very dangerous. The City should do something to stop them.”
While these residents were frustrated with the speeding on Colorado Blvd., other Eagle Rock residents were even shocked to hear that the accident had occurred.

“This is such a peaceful neighborhood, we usually don’t have this happening,” said Eagle Rock resident Patsy Sipe. “The police run a really tight ship. This was a fluke. [Street racing] will happen on Figueroa, but rarely on Colorado.”

“It’s not common at all. This is a really safe neighborhood,” agreed Eagle Rock resident Charlie Barraza.

“I get off work at 2 a.m. sometimes and the flow at night is normal. It’s a quiet street and you never see people really racing.”

“This is horrible, horrific, especially so close to school beginning,” [Eagle Rock resident Patsy] Sipe said.

“It killed me inside when I heard about this. My heart goes out to the entire family, and I hope this never happens again. May they all rest in peace.”

Donations to the Cordova Children Memorial Fund can be made at any Bank of America, where the trust fund has been opened.

Search for City Manager Continues in Bell Gardens

Tuesday marked the last day of John Ornelas’ contract as Bell Gardens City Manager, it also marked the return from vacation of Assistant City Manager Philip Wagner

Another closed session meeting on Wednesday revolved around the search for a new city manager. According to Mayor Jennifer Rodriguez, who said she could not talk about what is discussed at closed meetings, this meeting was simply a continuation of last week’s meeting discussing the process for selecting someone to replace Ornelas.

On August 20, the council decided not to renew Ornelas’ contract and a short time after, Director of Finance Misty Cheng resigned.  Police Chief Keith Kilmer was named Delegate City Manager in Wagner’s absence.

Before Wednesday’s closed session meeting, Rodriguez said the council had not yet made a decision if it would transfer Kilmer’s delegate responsibilities to Wagner.

Wagner, who has only been back for three days, confirmed to EGP that he has not assumed the role of city manager and that transferring Kilmer’s responsibility to him is a decision that rests with the council.

Councilman Mario Beltrán said Wagner’s return means he is assuming his responsibilities as assistant city manager, but that he is “not getting anything [responsibilities or power] he doesn’t already have.”
Beltrán also said Wagner will have the majority of the responsibility until an interim or permanent city manager is hired.

In response to a question from EGP regarding speculation by some people about  possible bad blood between him and Wagner, over an incident last year in which Wagner recommended that Beltrán protect himself and the city and report his council badge stolen to authorities—an assertion by Beltran which was later found untrue by a jury and resulted in a his conviction for filing a false police report—Beltran denied any feelings of anger or resentment.

“Whoever said that [there is bad blood] is lying,” Beltrán said. “Wagner is a very important person on our staff, and that type of nonsense is political and only creates unnecessary stress,” said the councilman.

Griffith Park Set for Historic Monument Status

Members of a Los Angeles city commission will meet today at 2 p.m. at the Griffith Observatory as they consider an application to designate Griffith Park a historic-cultural monument. The application will be monitored closely by residents in Northeast L.A., specifically by the Friends of the Southwest Museum, a coalition that seeks to preserve the museum at its current Mt. Washington site. The Autry National Center, which owns the museum, is currently in negotiations with the city to expand its Griffith Park center. The expansion would allow the Autry Center to move the entire Southwest collection out of the northeast neighborhood.

The city’s Cultural Heritage Commission voted 3-0 on Aug 21 to consider the application presented by Griffith Van Griffith, the great grandson of the man who donated the land to the city in December 1896, Col. Griffith J. Griffith. If approved, Griffith Park would become the largest monument in the City says Rita Moreno, a staff worker at the Office of Historic Resources.

On today’s tour, the commissioners will review several of the 36 landmarks listed on the application that make the 4, 218- acre park culturally significant. Among them are the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, the Greek Theatre and the L.A, Zoo.

With the monument status, any building in the park scheduled for demolition could be halted for up to a year while the commissioners, trained in preservation and architecture, review the work permits.

City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents the area, told City News Service that although he supports a review of the application, he has questions about the consequences of making Griffith Park a monument.

Specifically, he is concerned whether the designation would interfere with work on the Toyon Landfill and public works infrastructure. A new master plan for the park is scheduled for completion in October.

LaBonge’s chief of staff, Renee Wietzer, told the commission at the Aug 21 meeting that more research needed to be done before the park is designated as a historic landmark.

“We are concerned that a designation of the entire park could delay practical improvements and or make them unnecessarily expensive by prolonging the already public process,” she said at the meeting.

The application includes a letter written by Griffith on behalf of the Trust, which urges the commission to preserve the park from further development. In the letter, Griffith said further development would turn the park into “another Disneyland.”

“We don’t believe the park needs aerial trams, hotels, restaurants and the like,” Griffith wrote.
In objection to the concerns made by LaBonge, Bernadett Soter, a member of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, said the designation would not interfere with maintenance and infrastructure work for the park. As an example, Soter said the Observatory, which is already a historic monument, completed a $93-million renovation and expansion project in 2006 that doubled its size while adding several new features such as a 200-seat theater, elevators, and access ramps. That project was not affected by the monument designation and is proof that the city will be able to maintain and improve the park as needed, she said.

“What it will do is create a small window of transparency. Any plans for the park will have to be opened to the public,” she said,

Soter also said the designation would not impede the work at the Toyon Landfill. The landfill, closed since 1985, is currently undergoing closure construction scheduled for completion at the end of the year. The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation Web site states that future use of the landfill must be restricted to “passive recreational activities.”

The monument status “would prevent a hotel, but not human recreational use,” Soter said.

The 2005 Griffith Park master plan, known as the ‘Melendrez draft’ called for multi-level parking structures and sports complexes to be constructed on the landfill. Soter said because the landfill exists in the middle of the park, any future use must be compatible with wilderness in the area.

As the commission reviews the application, the Southwest coalition continues its efforts to prevent the Autry National Center from transferring the Southwest’s collection to an expanded Griffith Park gallery.
Nicole Possert, a member of the coalition, said she expects the Autry Center will be granted all its required approvals from the city before the commission rules on the Griffith Park application.
After some diligent reviews of public records, the coalition recently learned that the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) listed the museum on its proposed projects list for Measure J, a $3.5 billion bond measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

An LACCD official said the listing does not constitute a deal with the Autry National Center. Larry Eisenberg, the executive director of the Facilities Planning and Development Department, said there have been conversations with the Autry Center about the possibility of leasing a building to serve as a satellite campus for East Los Angeles College. He said the placement of the museum on the projects list gives the district the authority to use funds from the bonds for a potential deal in the future.
If a deal is made, the Autry Center will be free of its obligation to maintain and operate the Mt. Washington site, while handing those cost to L.A. County taxpayers.

Possert said the listing shows that the Autry Center does not intend to maintain the museum in the northeast community. The building that currently houses the Southwest Museum is registered as a national historic landmark. That status would be in jeopardy should the museum be moved to Griffith Park, Possert said.

Canceled Montebello Meeting Leaves Big Issues to Another Day

Montebello’s last regularly scheduled city council meeting was canceled because of a lack of quorum, after three council members excused themselves for three separate reasons.

City staff reported that Councilwoman Kathy Salazar was sick, Councilman Robert Urteaga had planned a trip to the Democratic National Convention, and Councilwoman Rosemarie Vasquez had a family emergency.

The topics for the Aug 27 meeting had included the city budget, a proposed apartment business license tax increase, and commission appointments. These items and others on the agenda for the meeting may show up at the next meeting on Sept 10.

Speculation abounded among those in the council chambers that the three council members who missed the meeting did not want to face the public after giving their approval to an exclusive commercial waste hauling contract to Athens Disposal. Their votes had elicited strong public disapproval in the form of a petition with over 6,000 signatures in support of putting the contract to a vote by the people at the next election.

Mayor Bill Molinari, who voted against the contract and spoke out against his fellow council members’ decision, was at the council chambers last Wednesday. He and Councilwoman Mary Ann Saucedo, as well as City Administrator Richard Torres, made themselves available for questions and concerns from the public, he said.

Apartment property owners from outside the city had made a special trip to the meeting to discuss the increase in the apartment business license fee, Molinari said. Speakers who wanted to address the Athens Disposal contract during the oral communications portion of the meeting were also left hanging. The final budget, which will be presented two months after the start of this fiscal year, was also up for the council’s vote.

Molinari doesn’t feel there is necessarily anything behind the three council members’ absences, but the items scheduled on the agenda and the political climate made a difference in how they were received.

“This seemed unusual. But I have no reason to say this was anything but a series of coincidences. If it had been just a routine meeting without anything of major consequence, there would not have been anger from people in the chamber,” he said.

The notice about the cancellation, given on the day of the meeting, raised the ire of not only the audience members but also Vazquez, who says it gave people the wrong impression. She put the blame on the city administrator.

“I think [City Administrator] Richard [Torres] could have taken care of it in a different way… Richard didn’t elaborate on the fact that I had a family emergency, Kathy was sick, and Robert was out of town,” she says.

She herself did not know the meeting was canceled until the last minute when she contacted the city administrator about her own emergency, she says.

Salazar also says she was only partially aware of the possible absences among her fellow council members, in particular that of Urteaga. She started feeling sick on Tuesday night and gave her notice on Wednesday morning.

Urteaga was said to have planned his trip to the Democratic National Convention in advance. He did not respond to calls made on Tuesday before EGP press time to confirm this. Torres was also contacted but EGP did not receive a response.

Councilwoman Saucedo doesn’t think there’s anything more to the absences than mere coincidence. “Things happen in life and sometimes they happen on the same day. I know I had to miss a meeting when my husband was in the hospital,” she said.

Community News Briefs: September 4, 2008

Lincoln Heights Pedestrian, Killed During Police Pursuit

A 63-year-old pedestrian was killed yesterday when he was struck by a vehicle that crashed into a van at the end of a police pursuit in the Lincoln Heights area and then swerved into a crosswalk.

The man, whose name was not immediately available, was struck and killed near the intersection of Griffin Avenue and Broadway at about 2:20 p.m., according to Richard French of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section.

Capt. Bill Murphy of the Los Angeles Police Department said the chase began when a patrol officer spotted the suspect and  “the suspect gave a startled look, which is usually an indicator they’re up to no good.”

“The officer turned around, started following him,” Murphy told ABC7.

The suspect “obviously started evading police. In fact, he went to a parking lot, people were kind of jumping out of the way,” he told the station.

“That ended up on the freeway. We asked for backup. We asked for an airship. On the freeway, a second unit got involved in it. We engaged in a pursuit and because of the rate of speed he was traveling, we turned it over … to the airship. The suspect went off the freeway at Mission. There’s a lot of traffic here, so we were able to actually re-engage the pursuit.’’

“When he got off at Mission, there was a second suspect, a female in the car,” Murphy said. “She jumped out of the car. We were able to capture her right away. Unfortunately the traffic broke. He was able to gain very, very high speed driving around these streets. When he got to Griffin down here, … (due) to his fast driving and basically reckless driving, he crashed into that silver van, spun out and unfortunately hit the pedestrian who was walking through the crosswalk and killed him.”
The suspect was arrested at the scene. His name was not immediately released.

Eagle Rock Freeway Fatal

The driver of a Ford Explorer was killed Tuesday when the vehicle he or she was driving went through the center divider of the westbound side of the Ventura (134) Freeway and burst into flames on the eastbound side.

The collision occurred about 4 p.m., east of Harvey Drive, in Eagle Rock, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The vehicle blocked two lanes on the eastbound side of the freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Jose Nunez said.

Several other vehicles were involved in the accident, and two additional people were taken to hospitals, Nunez said.

Nunez said he did not know the gender or age of the fatality.

Undocumented Immigration Costs in L.A. County Exceed $1 Billion Annually

Undocumented immigration cost taxpayers in Los Angeles County one billion dollars, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D, Antonovich, announced on Aug 28.

Antonovich cited data collected by the Department of Public Social Services, which revealed that “illegal aliens and their families in Los Angeles County collected nearly $37 million in welfare and food stamp allocations in July 2008.”

Twenty five percent of the welfare and food stamp benefits go directly to the children of undocumented aliens. In total, ithey collected over $19 million in welfare assistance and over $17 million in monthly food stamp allocations during July, for a projected annual cost of $432 million, according to Antonovich.

“Illegal immigration continues to have a devastating impact on Los Angeles County taxpayers,” Antonovich said.

The projected total annual cost of one billion dollars includes the $432 million in welfare, in addition to $220 million in public safety and $400 million in healthcare. This total does not include millions of dollars more for education.

Local Teens Win World Boxing Championship

Five teens from Bell Gardens, three of them girls, won championship belts at the Ringside World Championship tournament in Kansas were 1,488 boxers fought within their designated weight categories early in August.

A total of 10 young people in Bell Gardens Police Department’s Youth Boxing Club went to the tournament that was held at the KCI Expo Center Aug. 5-9, and at the August 25 council meeting, the council members presented the club with a certificate of recognition for their success.

For 14-year-old Raymon Zertuche, student at Pace Intermediate, this was his second boxing championship win. Zertuche has only been training for three years and plans to stay in the sport for a long time.

“I’d like to stay [in the club] until I turn 18, then I want to go professional,” Zertuche told EGP.

The Zertuche family is very proud of Raymond and his success has inspired his seven-year-old sister to become a boxer as well.

The three young women who won their championship matches at the international tournament are Jackie Aviles and Joselyn Rosas, both 13-years-old and students at Bell Gardens High School, and

Jazmine Vazquez, also 13, and a student at Laguna Nueva Elementary.

Although there are few girls in the male dominated club, the girls say they feel comfortable and respected.

Josie Mejia, director of the boxing club and a Hall of Fame Boxer, says that every now and then boys complain about the girls hitting too hard and don’t want to be paired up to spar with them.

“There should be more girls in boxing so that we can fight them,” Aviles said.

Mejia says that a lot of contenders underestimate the Bell Gardens boxers by judging them by their looks.

“They see that they’re thin and think they can’t hit hard,” said Mejia, adding that sometimes Pancho’s opponents think he’s a nerd but end up getting knocked out by him.

On his first day at the club, one of the coaches nicknamed Javier Rojo “Pancho” and the name stuck even though it’s a nickname for “Francisco” and doesn’t have anything to do with his name.

Bathed in sweat and looking like he just got hosed down with a water, Rojo, a 12-year-old student at Bell Gardens Intermediate, has only been training only two years and says his friends underestimate the sport and think it’s easy.

“They think I’m not good, they think it’s easy, but it’s not just about throwing punches,” Rojo told EGP.

“It’s about technique, style and discipline.  You can’t just go throwing wild punches.”

According to Mejia, the boxing program that is sponsored by the police department, benefits the young people in several ways, including: teaching them a sport; discipline and respect; keeping them off the streets and away from gang involvement, and by providing experiences and trips that they might not otherwise have.

Young people under 18 can join the boxing club, all they need to buy is a mouth guard and some hand wraps that cost a few dollars each, and they need to earn good grades.

Several of the champions told EGP that getting good grades is not only worth it, but it’s also easier now that they are in good shape and can focus in class better and burn off their extra energy at practice.
Captain Scott Fairfield of the Bell Gardens Police Department says that working with the teens is a pleasure, even if he doesn’t train them.

“I leave the boxing to the professionals who know what they are doing,” Fairfield said.
Mejia is grateful for all of Fairfield’s help, she says Fairfield not only helps the club financially, he also serves as an excellent role model.

The other Bell Gardens students who participated in the Kansas tournament are Brian Castro, Anthony Casillas, Martin López, Omar Briseño, and Zario Martínez. And with the help of boxing coaches Armando Luiseño and Salvador Casillas, by this time next year they might have championship belts too.

Legislative Dateline: September 4, 2008

Legislature Gives Higher Education a Report Card

The Assembly approved SB325, sponsored by Sen. Jack Scott, which creates an accountability framework for higher education. The bill, passed on Aug 18, establishes a “report card” that decision makers and educators can use to measure how effectively colleges and universities are spending higher education dollars in order to meet statewide economic and educational goals.
SB 325 will go to the Governor’s desk for approval later this month.

Farm Workers Offered Protection from Employer Intimidation

The State Senate approved AB 2386 the Secret Ballot for Farm workers Bill introduced by Assembly Speaker Emeritus Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) on Aug. 18.

AB 2386 proposes a mediated election process in which a worker will fill out a secret ballot through which the worker will directly select union representation or vote to have a traditional ballot booth election overseen by a neutral mediator.

The mediator will oversee the process, convene a meeting of the parties, outline the rules of conduct, and count the ballots.

AB 2386 will return to the Assembly for a concurrence vote and then to the Governor’s desk.
Drug Companies Given More Time To Implement Tracking System

A bill strengthening California’s electronic tracking system for tracking prescription drugs (ePedigree) won legislative approval.

Introduced by Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), Senate Bill 1307 is a compromise between the proposal’s sponsor, the California Board of Pharmacy, members of the pharmaceutical distribution chain and consumer protection advocates in an effort to prevent the problems associated with counterfeit, diverted or misbranded drugs.

SB 1307 will track pharmaceuticals from the point of manufacture to a pharmacy or hospital. The legislation provides additional time to develop and implement the tracking technology system.

SB 1307 creates a graduated implementation schedule that requires manufacturers to serialize half of their product lines by 2015 for tracking throughout the supply chain with the remaining 50 percent to be completed the following year.  Pharmaceutical wholesalers have until 2016 to meet the requirements and pharmacies must comply by 2017.  The Governor has until Sept, 30 to sign SB 1307.

Education Classes Targeting Shaken Baby Syndrome In the Works

Sen. Alex Padilla introduced SB 825, which would establish a three-year parent education program on Shaken Baby Syndrome in hospitals throughout California patterned after a program in New York where such cases were cut in half. Hospitals in Sacramento County began using the program with similar results.

Nearly a third of children diagnosed with the syndrome die.  Of the surviving children, 60 to 70 percent live with a significant disability. Disabilities include severe retardation; paralysis,; cerebral palsy; seizure disorder; and blindness.  Experts estimate that 150 infants and young children become victims of this severe form of abuse in California every year.

Funding for the program would come from the state’s Children’s Trust Fund, The bill prohibits General Fund tax money from being used.

Community Calendar: September 4, 2008

Friday, September 5
5-8pm—Commerce’s Back-to-School Family Night is hosted by the Greenwood Community Church and the Greenwood Library, which is where the event will be held, located at 6134 Greenwood Ave. Activities will include LAN party, games, storytime, crafts, face painting, clowns, raffles, and teen and family programs. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Olivia Audoma at (562) 927-1516.

3pm – Halo 8v8. A Halo tournament will be held at Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, located at 318 S. Ramona Ave. The Computer Lab will be sponsoring a Halo tournament for teens. For team signups or for more information please contact the Reference Desk or call (626) 307-1368.

7:30pm—Free LA Summer Concert Series Rocks on in Macarthur Park today with “Night Rhythms Stratospherrius” – funky, rip-roaring electric violin jams with dance grooves. with additional concerts at 7:30 pm on Saturday, Sept.  6 with  “American Roots Bearfoot: and Target Children’s Night Choo Choo Soul  at 6:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 7. The second annual free concert series was established to unify the community and celebrate diversity. All concerts feature critically-acclaimed performers, celebrated musicians and/or internationally recognized artists and take place at the Levitt Pavillion, the park’s newly restored historic band shell. Located at the northwest corner of MacArthur Park near the intersection of West 6th Street and S. Park View Street just west of Downtown Los Angeles. All events are free and open lawn seating. Street parking is available as well as numerous nearby lots. For a complete schedule go to www.levittla.org or call (213) 384-5701.

Sunday, September 7
10am-2pm—White Memorial Medical Center to offer Free Prostate Cancer Screenings.
The Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center at White Memorial Medical Center, located at 1720 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, will offer free prostate cancer screenings that will include a free blood draw and digital rectal exams.  Hospital physicians will conduct the exams.
An estimated 186,320 new cases will occur in the United States during 2008.  Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men.  For information please call (323) 260-5825.

1:30–2:30pm— Story time at the Southwest Museum. Enjoy two books by Caldecott award–winner Byrd Baylor: The Way to Start a Day and Everybody Needs a Rock.  The Southwest Museum is located at 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA. For more information call (323) 221-2164. Admission is free.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Noon—Property and business owners Adelante Eastside Meeting. CRA/LA will  discuss proposed new standards for business signage larger than 4’x8’. The meeting will be held at the Boyle Heights Technology Center, located at 1600 E. 4th Street. For more information, contact Carlos Alvarado at (323) 307-8807 or by e-mail at calvarado@cra.lacity.org.

6:30–8:30pm— First of three Metro public meetings on the I-710 Corridor Project EIR/EIS. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold three public meetings on September 9, 10 and 11 for the I-710 Corridor Project Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Study. The EIR/EIS is a study of the likely influences future improvements may have on the environment and communities along the corridor. The public will receive updates on alternatives being studied at these meetings. The Sept. 9 meeting is located at Rowan Elementary School, 600 S. Rowan Avenue, Los Angeles, the Sept. 10 meeting is located at Progress Park, 15500 Downey Avenue, Paramount, and the final Sept. 11 meeting will be at Cabrillo High School, 201 Santa Fe Avenue, Long Beach. For more information about the project visit www.metro.net/710eir or phone (213) 922-4710

Saturday, September 13, 2008
2-3:30— Origami Workshop. An Origami workshop in celebration of the Moon Festival will be held at the Asian Pacific Resource Center located at Montebello Regional Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640. Come make a decorative ornament in the shape of a harvest moon using Japanese paper.  For all ages, with artist Juliet Lee. The event is free and open to the public. For more information please call (323) 722-6551 or visit the County Library website at www.colapublib.org. Co-sponsored by the Montebello Friends of the Library.

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