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March 2008 Newsletter
ASSEMBLYMEMBER COTO HONORS TAMARA ALAVARDO AS
2008 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
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On March 10, 2008 Assemblymember Joe Coto and the California State Assembly will honor Tamara Alvarado as the 23rd Assembly District 2008 “Woman of the Year.” The California State Assembly’s “Woman of the Year” program honors eighty dynamic women who work to make their communities better places to live. They are chosen by the Assemblymembers of each of California’s eighty Assembly districts.
Originally from San Diego, Tamara Alvarado holds a Bachelors Degree in Spanish Literature from Stanford University. Currently the Executive Director of MACLA, (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana), a non-profit organization formed to showcase multicultural art, Tamara has positioned the organization to further its ties to the local community. This special initiative funded primarily by the Ford Foundation, engages art and artistic practices as a catalyst for community development. Tamara has been active in the visual arts community and in many other community activities. She worked as a community partner at the Washington United Youth Center for several years. The Guadalupe Washington Neighborhood is a community that has faced multiple challenges familiar to immigrant, monolingual communities. In that setting Tamara forged many unique partnerships to further enhance the lives of young and their families. From 1999 through 2003, she directed the efforts of Catholic Charities of San José. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Performance Network as well as a founding member of First Voice, the South Bay’s Forum for multicultural artists and arts organization. She is the co-chair of the “Creative Urban Center” of First Act, a regional initiative launched in 2004.
"It is my honor to recognize Tamara for all of her contributions to the 23rd Assembly District," said Assemblymember Coto. “Tamara has proven to be a dynamic, engaging, and effective leader not only for the arts, but for the community as a whole. She is an exceptional woman; a wonderful role model for others looking to make a difference in our community.”
ASSEMBLYMEMBER COTO CELEBRATES THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND ENCOUARGES FAMILY LITERACY
On February 2, 2008, Tully Community Branch Library of San Jose was filled with parents and children participating in the Coto Tet Festival and Literacy Event. The day’s celebrations included arts and crafts, games and story time consisting of a traditional Lunar New Year folktale presented by Assemblymember Coto’s office, and a three lion dance performance by the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association. In addition to the festivities, 100 hardcover copies of the bilingual English-Vietnamese story book, “Tam and Cam: The Ancient Vietnamese Cinderella Story” were given to the families along with over 200 coloring and children’s activity books. The book giveaway was sponsored by Assemblymember Coto with the help of the Asian American Women’s Alliance, International Children Assistance Network and East West Discovery Press.
Below is a note from the Tully Librarian Chieu Nguyen:
"It has always been our library's honor and pleasure to partner with Assemblymember Coto's office. Together we create this remarkable experience that has so many meanings to our community. Tet means "New Year" in the Vietnamese language and we are celebrating the Year of the Rat in 2008.
The Tet Festival on Saturday February 2nd turned out to be a successful event at Tully Community Branch. By carrying out this wonderful cultural exchange event, we are teaching our young generation to respect and have fun at the same time with different cultures.
Many people from various ethnicities including Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and others came and enjoyed the event, establishing a tremendous success. Though it was sprinkling outside we had over 200 attendees at the Tet Festival at Tully Library that afternoon. The Tet Festival shared and introduced Vietnamese cultures and traditions to others.
On behalf of Tully Library I would like to express our appreciation to Assemblymember Joe Coto for bringing books and enthusiasm about reading to the community."
COTO URGES CONGRESS TO PERMANENTLY LOWER MORTGAGE LOAN RATES
To increase homeownership in California and help stimulate the California economy,
Assemblymember Coto recently introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 45, urging the Congress and the President to permanently raise the federal conforming loan limit to $729,750 from the current rate of $417,000. This change would allow a large number of California homebuyers to secure a lower interest loan.
California has the nation’s highest housing costs, with a state median-home price of nearly $500,000. The state is home to 21 of the 25 least affordable housing markets in the United States. California’s homeownership rate is 58 percent, 12 percentage points below the national average and the second-worst rate of all the states.
The federal conforming mortgage loan limit is presently set at $417,000, which is well below the median-priced home in California. The federal conforming loan limit is the maximum amount of debt that may be guaranteed or purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Loans made at or below the conforming loan limit enjoy interest rates much lower than loans made above the limit. This interest rate differential means that California homebuyers can, over the life of a mortgage loan, pay up to $150,000 more in finance charges than homebuyers in other states.
Because of the state’s high home prices, nearly 50 percent of California homeowners and homebuyers in 2007 paid higher interest rates on non-conforming (“jumbo”) loans. Economists attribute the state, and the nation’s worsening economic condition to the current slump in the housing market. It is estimated that the housing slump cost the state of California nearly $2 billion in tax revenue in 2007.The National Association of Realtors estimates that an increase in the conforming loan limit will produce nearly 400,000 new home sales in the nation and generate over $40 billion in economic activity.
While the recent action of Congress and the President increases the federal conforming loan limit, the increase expires on December 31, 2008. This resolution urges the United States Congress and President to permanently raise the federal conforming loan limit on homes to $729,750 in California.
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CELEBRATE CÉSAR CHÁVEZ DAY ON MARCH 31ST
California has established an official state holiday, March 31st to honor Latino labor leader César Chávez. The day commemorates the life and work of this American labor leader and union organizer. César Chávez was an activist and humanitarian who worked for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. He left behind an inspirational legacy through a lifetime of calling for dignity and rights for all working families in this country. Assemblymember Coto encourages you to celebrate this holiday by spending time together with your family out in the community or at home.
César Chávez Day Events
César Chávez Commemorative Breakfast
When: March 28, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Mexican Heritage Plaza 1700 Alum Rock Plaza, San José
Price: $25
Phone: 408.928.5563
Age: 18 and up
Website: Unavailable
Rise, shine and dine with community leaders and activists in the sixth annual tribute to Chávez’s civil rights work. Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Nora Campos co-chair the event along with Chávez’s sister, Rita Chavez Medina
César Chávez Celebration
When: March 28, 2008 at 6:00pm
Where: SEIU Local 521, 2302 Zanker Road, San José
Price: Entrance-$1; Dinner $5
Website: Unavailable
Age: All
Honor the labor leader’s life and work with an evening celebration, beginning with a traditional Danza Mexica-Azteca blessing. Recording artist and film star Daniel Valdez will share and sing about Chávez’s early activism; and, chairwoman of the SEIU International Latino Caucus, Gilda Valdez, will speak about current civil rights issues. Mexican vendors will be selling handmade crafts clothing, and jewelry. An exhibit of photos of farmworkers will be displayed. Music from Conjunto Libertad and Cuatro Con 3 will close out the festivities.
Annual César Chávez March
When: March 29, 2008
Where: Starts San José’s Plaza de César Chávez
Price: Free
Website: Unavailable
Age: All
The annual march begins at San Jose's Plaza de César Chávez and ends at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, where a La Colectiva concert follows at noon. It will be an eventful afternoon to share the sun and culture. The walk will commemorate the marches that César Chávez undertook for the United Farm Workers;
César Chávez Foundation is Building a Playground
When: March 31, 2008
Where: Mexican American Community Services Agency San José Youth Center Site
Price: None
http://www.csc.ca.gov/ccd/pg_mayfair.asp
Age: All
The 10 year-old play ground currently onsite is not designed for the young Head Start children, and they do not have access to a playground designed for their age group. Through playground project, a new, appropriate playground will be designed for the younger Mayfair Head Start children, as well as for the older youth who attend the MACSA youth center. The site is open to the public and serves all kids in the surrounding neighborhoods. A new playground will not only aid in the development these children’s gross motor skills, but will also be a place for families in the nearby apartment complexes to come and let their children play in a safe and fun environment.
César Chávez Day at San José City College
When: April 5, 2008 10:00-3:00
Where: San José City College
Price: Free
Phone: 408.298.2181
www.sjcc.edu/
Ages: All
REMINDER – DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME IS EARLY THIS YEAR - MARCH 9TH 2008: CLOCKS SPRING FORWARD AN HOUR
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Remember these important steps when you change your clock
1. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Save the batteries for re-use in handheld electronic devices and toys. Recycle used batteries through the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program: 408-299-7300.
2. Change all the batteries in your emergency supply kits and your household flashlights. Follow the same reuse and recycle steps as in #1.
3. Rotate the food, water and non-prescription medications in your car kit, desk kit and household caches. Use the previously stored food within the next few weeks. Ensure that the newly stored food is recently purchased and has at least nine months left on the “use by” date noted on the container. Discard medications from the car kit, and put desk kit items in the front of the medicine chest for first use.
4. Check your gas shut off valve. Turn the valve 1/8th of a turn in each direction to ensure that the valve moves freely. If the valve does not move readily, call PG&E for a free valve service and lubrication. THIS IS NOT A DO-IT-YOURSELF JOB!
5. Sort through the supplies stored under your kitchen sink and in the laundry cupboard. Ensure that you keep all liquid cleaning products containing “chlorine” or “bleach” in the laundry, and all liquid products containing “ammonia” in the kitchen. If you have children in the home ensure that these cupboards are protected with properly installed and working safety latches to prevent child poisoning.
6. Sort through the toxics stored in your garage. If you find items that you no longer need, properly recycle or discard those items in their original containers through the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program: 408-299-7300. Ensure that the items you keep are segregated by category and properly stored in waterproof containers with lids, and with locks if you have children in your household.
7. Review the medical information with your child’s caregiver. Update the information to add or change medical conditions, medications and dosages, doctors’ names and phone numbers, and emergency contact information.
Information courtesy of San Jose Prepared.
COTO COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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Wonders of our Water Works Tour
When: First and third Saturday’s,
March – May 2008 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. OR 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
Join the City of San Jose on a FREE tour and learn firsthand how our everyday activities impact the Bay and its wetlands. The San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant plays a vital role in protecting and preserving San Francisco Bay. It is one of the largest advanced treatment plants in the nation and a marvel of engineering and technology. The adjacent Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the largest urban wildlife refuge in the U.S. and home to two endangered species. Located along the Pacific Flyway, millions of shorebirds and water fowl stop to refuel at the Refuge during the spring and fall migrations.
Space is limited! Register NOW for the spring tours
Visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/plantmasterplan/tour-reservations.asp
Spring Walking Series
When:Saturdays in March
Where: Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center
Price: $50/members, $60/non-members
Phone: (408) 298-7657
http://www.grpg.org/Education.html
Age: 18 and up
Start the New Year out right by registering for a structured walking series with Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Step after step, you’ll become healthier through these group walks that will take place on the beautiful paved trails of the Guadalupe River Park. Whether you are an avid walker or new to a walking program, you will learn about proper equipment, walking technique, stretching and beneficial strength exercises for walkers while meeting others who enjoy walking. Participants must be 18 years or older.
All classes will meet at the Visitor & Education Center located at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose, 95110. Pre-registration is required.
What Connects the Bay Area Community?
When: March 6, 2008 6:00-8:00pm
Where: San José Art Museum
Price: Members Free; Non-members $8
http://www.sjmusart.org/content/events/event_info.phtml?itemID=334
Age: All
The San José of Art is excited to present the second in a series of great events and opportunities for contemporary artists and art lovers. One Night Stand is a one-night mini-exhibition curated around the theme “What connects the Bay Area community?” At each event a new sub-theme will be explored. Ten artist installations will be available to the public from 6-8 pm only. SJMA encourages submissions from individual artists that are site-specific, participatory, and installation or performance-based. SJMA has conceived of the visitor experience as the way to open an ongoing dialogue among art, artists, and museum audiences. To this end, each artist will be available throughout the night to encourage participation with their work and talk to visitors about their work.
CPR Training
When: March 8, 2008
Where: East Side Union High School District Offices, 830 North Capitol Avenue, San José
Price: Free
Phone: 408.577.2166
www.scv-redcross.org
Age: 13-18 (if you’re an adult, register at another location through provided website)
The American Red Cross is offering free CPR training in eight Bay Area counties on Saturday, March 8, 2008. Register today and learn life-saving skill that will better prepare you and your family for emergencies. Classes will be offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. For a list of training sites and schedules, visit www.RedCrossCPRSaturday.org
Common Ground & Figures in the Dust
When: March 30, 2008 at 1:00pm
Where: Mexican Heritage Plaza; 1700 Alum Rock Plaza, San José
Price: Free
Age: All
www.mhcviva.org/
For more information on please contact:
Assemblymember Joe Coto's office
State Capitol, Room 2013
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.2023 (phone)
916.319.2123 (Fax)
assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov
San Jose District Office
100 Paseo de San Antonio #319
San Jose, CA 95113
408.277.1220 (phone)
408.277.1036 (fax)