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APRIL 2007
IN THIS ISSUE Tony Mendoza Hits the Ground Running in Sacramento Tony's Fight Against Artery-Clogging Trans Fats Tony Leads Effort to Get Fair Share of $3 Billion to Improve Area Schools Mendoza Gets $5,000 Grant for Niemes Elementary Afterschool Program |
Tony Mendoza Hits the Ground Running in Sacramento
Your new Assemblymember, Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) has only been in office for four months and already he is engaged in several high - profile state-wide efforts to improve food safety (Trans fats" below) , and the quality of our children's education (read "QEIA"). On the local level, he is working to improve the business climate in our district (check out "Threading") and bring needed funds to our area for important projects (please see Niemes Elementary). Tony's Fight Against Artery-Clogging Trans Fats Mendoza wrote a proposed law, AB 97, that, if passed, will make food safer and healthier in restaurants, school cafeterias, and grocery store delis by phasing out trans fats from foods sold in California by July 2009. Trans fats have been scientifically proven to be a leading cause of heart disease and diabetes. They are artificially created by injecting hydrogen into fat for the sole purpose of selling food that is no longer fresh. Trans fats solidify easier, making certain foods retain their shape and stay solid longer. But trans fats solidify in human arteries, too. They add to bad cholesterol while reducing the good cholesterol in your body. So trans fats threaten the health and welfare of Californians of all ages and are a major reason the cost of healthcare is rising. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Trans fats can be substituted by a wide array of healthier alternatives easily and cost effectively. States and municipalities throughout the United States are now taking action to phase out the use of this artificial heart-clogging substance. Many corporations like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy’s, Disney, Universal Studios and others are voluntarily banning trans fats from their restaurants. Mendoza’s proposed legislation was approved by the Assembly Health Committee on March 6, 2007. Tony's proposed law is now headed for a vote of the full Assembly. Tony Leads Effort to Get Fair Share of $3 Billion to Improve Area Schools Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, whose 56th District includes at least 11 schools classified as "low performing," is leading the charge to ensure that those schools apply for their fair share of the almost $3 billion that is newly available from the "Quality Education Improvement Act." Mendoza hosted a phone workshop to help the eligible schools in his district apply for the funding. Experts from Strategic Education Services were available to answer educators’ questions and provide support. Largely as a result of the workshop and Tony's outreach efforts, every eligible school in our area is applying. Tony says, "this is an extraordinary opportunity to enhance the quality of education for students at the schools most in need of improvement. Forty percent of the schools that apply will receive millions of dollars over a seven year period to help challenged students improve. I am proud that our district has a 100% application rate." The districts and their eligible schools include: ABC Unified- Artesia High; Fedde Middle Furgeson Elementary; and Melbourne Elementary; East Whittier City Elementary- Evergreen Elementary; Los Nietos Elementary- Aeolian Elementary; Norwalk-La Mirada Unified- Glenn High; Huerta Elementary; Norwalk High; Sanchez Elementary and Waite Middle. Mendoza Wants Ancient East Asian Hair Removal Method to Get Permanent Green Light in Image Conscious California
“This is a great example of the strength of diversity,” says Mendoza. “This ancient skill is chemical-free, pollutant free, long lasting, and very effective. As Hollywood and the rest of Southern California have come to learn about this method, small threading businesses in the Indo-American community are thriving. What’s more, threading has become a way for more women, especially in the South Asian community, to gain economic viability.” A majority of threading salons are owned and operated by immigrant women. Threading is the removal of unwanted hair by using a special cotton thread. The process removes hair from its follicle by pulling and twisting a cotton thread along a row of unwanted hair. The practice of threading has existed for centuries and is a well established beauty practice in many countries, such as India and the Middle East. Proponents say threading is a simple, harmless, and natural method of removing hair. Threading is most commonly used to shape eyebrows and remove unwanted facial hair from women. Mendoza Gets $5,000 Grant for Niemes Elementary Afterschool Program
The innovative program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by an Indian Tribe. Through the endorsement of locally-elected state representatives, schools throughout California can apply for educational funding to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement, including books, computers, and other educational materials. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Schools can apply once a year for a $5,000 grant and only one grant will be awarded per state legislative district. The program will fund materials that promote academic improvement, including books, computers, and laptops. Awarded grants cannot be used for personnel, wages, sports equipment, athletic and recreational equipment, giveaway books, office furniture or supplies. |
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