February 4, 2012

New hours as Community Conversations focuses on ponies, papas and Poly

An open house at the Wayward Ponies Home, the Father of the Year Program and a Cal Poly student talking about a career as an ag teacher are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.

The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. There are new hours, with the show airing on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 10 a.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s lineup: Lou Ann Sakai talks about the open house for the Wayward Ponies Home in Catheys Valley; Hannah Ewing, a student teacher from Cal Poly, SLO, talks about what it takes to be an agriculture teacher; Merced Court Executive Officer Linda Romero Soles talks about the state’s traffic amnesty program; Kathleen Crookham, talks about the planned gala for the Merced Theatre Board and Paul Lundberg talks about the Father of the Year Program with last year’s winner, Doug Fluetsch, and his son, Spencer.

The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

The show’s hosts this week is Roger Wood and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

February 4, 2012

Office complex near hospital, warming center in park, on agenda

A zoning change to allow an office complex on Mercy Avenue and a request to use the Rotary Scout Hut in Applegate Park as an emergency warming center are on the City Council agenda for Monday, Feb. 6.

The owner of the property on Mercy Avenue and Mansionette Drive and the future Sandpiper Avenue wants to change the designation from low-density residential to commercial office. The property is across from the new Mercy Hospital and Cruickshank Middle School.

The proposal would require an amendment to the general plan and other changes to allow the construction of a 133,000 square-foot office complex. The four-building complex would include medical and general offices ranging from one to three stories high.

The Merced Continuum of Care is asking the City Council for permission to use the Rotary Scout Hut in Applegate Park as an emergency warming center on an as-needed basis this year and to waive any fees associated with the rental of the building. The center would be staffed by volunteers, not City employees. The Continuum wants the use of the building in case the homeless shelters, along with two facilities that were established as emergency warming centers, reach capacity.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council. The meeting is carried live on Comcast Channel 96.

February 3, 2011

The Afters Open Merced County Fair

MERCED -- The Afters are talented musicians and songwriters with a hit song that continues to ride high on the Christian music charts, and they're coming to the 2012 Merced County Fair.

The Afters will perform Opening Day, Wednesday, June 13, in the fairgrounds' Outdoor Theatre.

The Afters' current hit, "Light Up The Sky," the title song from their latest album, is ranked No. 7 on Billboard's Christian Songs charts this week after 40 weeks on the charts. The band's other hits include "Lift Me Up," "Start Over," "Ocean Wide," "Never Going Back to OK" and "Beautiful Love."

The rest of the entertainment line-up for the fair’s run -- Wednesday, June 13 through Sunday, June 17 -- will be announced soon. Each night a headline entertainment act will appear at 8:30 p.m. in the fairgrounds’ Outdoor Theatre, where all concerts are free with admission. The "Light Up The Sky" album is a fresh start for this band. They held onto their passion for making music and their faith after losing their longtime friend and manager to cancer, followed by the departure of two band members. Founding band members, Matt Fuqua (vocals/guitar) and Josh Havens (lead vocals/keyboards/guitar) are now playing with new members Dan Ostebo (bass) and Jordan Mohilowski (drums).

"Light Up The Sky" is a bit of a departure from the grunge rock of the band's debut music, and the current album leans more toward pop. But having their music categorized doesn't bother The Afters. "I don't really even think about it," said Fuqua. "I think about a lot of things like 'What is my responsibility to the poor (and the) hungry as a Christian?' I think, 'Am I being a faithful husband and father?' And I hope that focus and love is felt in our songs and that those will be the things that define us."

The Afters' song "Light Up The Sky" was No. 1 on both Christian Contemporary Hit Radio and Alternative Christian Radio and No. 22 on Billboard's Top Christian Songs of 2010. Rhapsody.com and Gospel Music Channel online named "Light Up the Sky" a favorite album of 2010.
"Never Going Back To OK" received a 2009 GMA (Gospel Music Association) DOVE award for Rock Contemporary Album of the Year. "Never Going Back to OK" entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 41 and the Contemporary Christian charts at No. 1 and reached No. 14 on the iTunes overall Top Album chart and No. 4 on the Rock Top Albums chart.

The Afters' songs have been used in many TV shows, movies and ad campaigns. "Never Going Back To OK" was selected by Grammy Award-winning producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson to be on the film soundtrack of "Secrets of the Mountain," that included songs by Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

"Light Up The Sky" was in "The Hills" (MTV) and "The Biggest Loser" finale (NBC); "Start Over" is on the movie soundtrack, "New Year's Eve"; "Ocean Wide" has been featured in "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) and "Army Wives'" (Lifetime); "Never Going Back to OK" and "We Are The Sound" were played in American Idol (Fox) promo spots and "Beautiful Love" has been used in promotions from American Eagle stores to American Airlines in-flight videos.

For The Afters, the band that started out as four friends working together at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas, it feels like they've come full circle and are enjoying the process more than ever. "God brought us through," Fuqua said. "(He) has really restored the excitement and life we had when we were kids making music for fun at the coffee shop."

Presented by the 35th District Agricultural Association, the 121st annual fair's theme is "Cows Just Wanna Have Fun!" For more information call (209)722-1507, fax at (209) 722-3773 email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com, go to www.MercedCountyFair.com, connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

For more information, call the fair office
at (209) 722-1507.

February 3, 2012

A report from Cozay estimates 30,000 children die in Africa daily from a combination of starvation and disease-infested water

A report from Cozay estimates 30,000 children die in Africa daily from a combination of starvation and disease-infested water. In the time it takes for you to leave for your lunch break, run some errands and grab a bite to eat 1,250 children will die. These alarming numbers however, are preventable and organizations such as the Migori-Maasai Africa Medical Mission are taking steps toward a better future.

Each year for the past 13 years this organization, led by Judge Robert Quall takes teams of volunteers to Kenya to provide medical treatment, teach Christianity and build schools, orphanages and water wells. In order to raise money for the trip and for supplies, the Migori-Maasai Africa Medical Mission is holding their 2012 Africa Auction on February the 10th at the Hoffmeister Center at 1920 Canal Street.

Merced County Chamber of Commerce

Come out and show your support of this worthy cause and help put an end to starvation and death by disease in Africa. Tickets are only $10 and there will be plenty of delicious tri-tip, over 300 silent auction items and wonderful raffle prizes such as a week long stay at a beautiful home in Monterey, over 12 weekend getaway packages or a R.C.I. Lifetime Time Share valued at $10,000. The silent auction is
Due to begin at 5:30PM with the dinner following at 6:00PM.

For more information contact the County Chamber
at 209.722.3864 or Robert Quall at 209.777.0503
or by email at robertquall@comcast.net.

February 3, 2012

AMTRAK SERVICE TWEETS
TO BE SENT TO NEWS MEDIA
Major disruptions to be relayed as e-mails
to media in affected areas

OAKLAND -- Effective today, news media will receive e-mails with the same information that is sent via Twitter to passengers during major service disruptions on the San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner and Amtrak Cascade corridors.

Tweets regarding disruptions affecting multiple Amtrak trains and for delays lasting for long periods will be automatically sent simultaneously to Twitter and as an e-mail to the news media. Reporters and assignment desks are also welcome to subscribe to the same Twitter feeds as our Amtrak passengers, which can come hourly and are sent regarding individual trains and brief delays.

The "tweets-as-e-mails" coverage of major disruptions will expedite the delivery of information of interest to you and your audiences. It will be provided for these Twitter feeds now being sent from the Amtrak operations center in Oakland:

* @San Joaquin Train -- service between San Francisco/Emeryville/Oakland and Bakersfield via Sacramento

* @PACSurfliners -- service between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles

* @Amtrak_Cascades -- service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., via Portland & Seattle

February 2, 2012

‘The Age of Empire’ is theme of 31st Merced County Academic Decathlon

Students from 10 Merced County high schools will converge at Merced College on Saturday for the Merced County Academic Decathlon. This year’s theme: the Age of Empire.
The 31st year in Merced County, the Academic Decathlon pits area high schools against each other in a contest of academics. Students compete in the areas of art, economics, language and literature, mathematics,music and science. The Decathlon is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, at Merced College.
High Schools participating this year are: Atwater High School, Golden Valley High School, Le Grand High School, Los Baños High School, Valley Community School, Merced, Valley Community School, Atwater, Valley Community School, Los Baños, Merced High School, Gustine High School and Buhach Colony High School. There are also communications tests, which include essay writing, the delivery of a prepared and impromptu speech, and an oral interview.
Teams compete for awards, scholarships and a chance to represent Merced County on March 15-18, 2012, at the State Academic Decathlon in Sacramento.
Sponsorship partners for the Academic Decathlon are the Hattie Givens Testamentary Trust, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Educational Employees Credit Union and Merced County Office of Education.
In addition, Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union donates $5,000 to sponsor the Robert Wayne Scholarship Program.
The schools pay a $750 participation fee. Of that, $500 is matched

by the MSEFCU Robert Wayne Scholarship program. This brings the scholarships to $1000 for each school. Two scholarships at $250 each and one scholarship at $500. All participating teams get awarded that in scholarship money.
Wayne, who founded MSEFCU, passed away on Nov. 9, 2009.
Whether they are donating money, serving on the board, or volunteering on competition day, Wayne and the credit union have been one of MCAD’s key contributors.
Nancy Deavours, CEO of MSEFCU, said, “Robert Wayne started his career as an educator, and even though he later became manager of MSEFCU, he remained an educator at heart. The credit union knows the value of education and we are proud to continue our support of the MCAD in honor and memory of Mr. Wayne.”
The public is invited to attend the Super Quiz portion of the Decathlon at 3:05 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Merced College Theater at 3600 M St. in Merced.

For more information, call Valerie LeDuc at (209) 381-5910.

February 2, 2012

Building Healthy Communities Awards Grant To Le Grand Union High School District For Granada High School
School To Adopt A Permanent Physical Education Curriciulum And
Planada Community To Have Joint Use Of New Athletic Space On Campus

MERCED (Feb. 2, 2012) – The California Endowment, through the Building Healthy Communities: Southwest Merced/East Merced County (BHC) project, awarded a grant this week to the Le Grand Union High School District for Granada High School in Planada. The grant will fund the adoption of a permanent physical education requirement into the curriculum at Granada High School that will meet the guidelines set out by the Department of Education and the State of California. All students attending Granada High School will be enrolled in the new Physical Education offerings established at the school, and Granada High School instructors will develop Physical Education course offerings that include but are not limited to the following: basketball, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, flag football, badminton, tennis and pickle ball. Granada High School students will also learn about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle inclusive of physical activity and healthy eating.

Also, as part of this BHC grant, Le Grand Union High School District Board of Trustees will adopt a joint use policy for the new athletic space on campus. They will also outreach to the community to ensure that community residents know of the new green space resource in their community. The Board of Trustees will also provide at least two community open houses where Granada High School will collaborate with at least two community partners which will include but are not limited to Golden Valley Health Center, Merced County Public Health Department, and CCROPP to provide information on health benefits and how to include regular physical activity into a person’s daily routine.

Building Healthy Communities is proud to continue working in partnership with the Le Grand Union High School District to promote better health for all Planada residents and youth.

###

Building Healthy Communities is a 10-year, $1 billion plan of The California Endowment. In connection with staff-led, statewide policy initiatives, 14 communities, including Southwest Merced/East Merced County, are taking action to make where they live healthier. They’re doing this by improving employment opportunities, education, housing, neighborhood safety, unhealthy environmental conditions, access to healthy food and more. The goal: to create places where children are healthy, safe and ready to learn. Ultimately, we’re aiming at nothing less than a transformation in the way all of us think about and support health for all Californians. For more information, please visit www.calendow.org/healthycommunities

February 2 , 2012

Congressman Cardoza Applauds President Obama’s Far-Reaching Mortgage Refinancing PlanHousing initiative mirrors Cardoza’s HOME Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) applauded President Obama’s new aggressive housing initiative. Like Congressman Cardoza’s HOME Act, the President’s new plan will allow responsible homeowners to refinance their mortgages at the current historically-low interest rates. “This plan is a monumental step toward bringing the housing market back from the brink,” said Congressman Cardoza. “It is simply the right thing to do as millions of homeowners across the country have been devastated by plummeting home values and an epidemic of foreclosures. Banks have so far failed to cooperate in stemming the housing crisis, and it will take a bold and sweeping initiative like the President’s plan to get us back on track.” The President’s plan allows any homeowner, as long as they are current on their payments, to refinance their mortgage at the current market rate. Many of these homeowners are locked in at rates approaching 9% and have been unable to refinance because the housing crisis has pushed their homes “under water,” owing more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. President Obama’s program will be administered by the Federal Housing Agency and is estimated to cost between $5 and $10 billion. The President has proposed a fee leveraged on banks and financial institutions to pay for the cost of the program. Congressman Cardoza introduced a nearly identical mortgage refinance plan in 2009, the Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity (HOME) Act. Like the President’s plan, it allows homeowners the opportunity to refinance their mortgages at the current market rate and lower theirmonthly payments. Refinancing would significantly lower the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments, saving them money and

stabilizing the housing market by preventing unnecessary foreclosures. Two experts that Congressman Cardoza consulted with when writing the HOME Act, economist and Senior Vice Dean of the Columbia University Business School Chris Mayer and economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics, have repeatedly advocated for a major housing refinancing push from the federal government. Like Congressman Cardoza, Mayer and Zandi argue that the depressed housing market is holding the economy back. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the actions the President has taken today,” said Congressman Cardoza. “In addition, I am also appreciative that the California Delegation has been steadfast in its commitment to help the troubled housing market. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the House and Senate to implement the President’s housing plan and bring homeowners the relief they desperately need.”Congressman Cardoza represents California’s Central Valley, which has been ground zero for the housing crisis. In some communities, over 53 percent of mortgages are underwater and over 70,000 people have lost their homes to foreclosure since the crisis began in 2007.

January 28, 2012

Community Conversations on musicals, history and service to the community

“The King and I,” the end of redevelopment agencies, and serving our country during World War II are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.

The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. It airs on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s lineup: Elaine Post from the City of Merced talks about the death of redevelopment agencies as of Feb. 1; Noelle Chandler, talks about Playhouse Merced's production of “The King and I” opening Feb. 2; Richard Mahacek, retiring county director of UC Agricultural Extension and long-time 4-H advisor talks about his career; Sherman Kishi; talks about the upcoming Day of Remembrance Dinner and receiving recognition in Washington, D.C. for his contributions an intelligence officer during WWII and 90-year-old Otto Rigan talks about his life in Atwater after growing up in Austria.

The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

The show’s hosts this week is Roger Wood and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

January 27, 2012

Willowbrook closed Friday night

Pacific Gas and Electric will be working on Willowbrook Drive Friday. Caltrans has asked that the street be closed during the work from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

January 27, 2012

The Merced City Council will hold a study session Friday and Saturday to develop policies and goals for the fiscal year 2012/13.

The Friday session will begin at noon and the Saturday session will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Every year the City Council holds a study session that helps establish priorities, action items and give staff direction for the future.
The study sessions will be held in the Sam Pipes Room of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. Merced.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting.

January 26, 2012

Atwater Police Activities League (PAL) will receive 80% of all donations from the contribution fund based upon our zip code 95301. Please help us continue to provide free programs for our children in the community.
“Every Kids needs a PAL”

January 25, 2012

Fair Market Beef Weigh in February 16

MERCED -- A one-day only, mandatory event is scheduled February 16 for 2012 Merced County Fair market beef exhibitors.

All market beef exhibitors -- 4-H, FFA and Independents -- are required to bring their animals to Turlock Livestock Yard, 10430 North Lander Ave., Turlock, Thursday, February 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. to participate in the event.

All animals will be pre-weighed, hair follicles will be pulled for potential DNA testing and animals also will be ear-tagged. MercedCounty fair representatives will be at Turlock Livestock that day to ear tag and take the animal's certified scale weight and pull a hair sample to be put on file. All independent market beef exhibitors are required to provide a photo of their animal and proof of ownership at the pre-weigh. Those who don’t meet the deadline requirements won’t be permitted to show animals at the fair.

An information packet for Independent Junior Livestock exhibitors is available at the fair office.

The theme of the 2012 Merced County Fair, June 13-17, is "Cows Just Wanna Have Fun!" For information, call the fair office at (209) 722-1507, fax at (209) 722-3773, email to info@MercedCountyFair.com or go to www.MercedCountyFair.com and connect with us – find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

For more information, call the fair office
at (209) 722-1507.

January 25, 2012

Congressman Cardoza’s HOME Act Echoed in President’s State of the Union SpeechHousing plan allows all responsible homeowners to refinance at current market rate

WASHINGTON, DC – This evening, President Obama introduced a new housing plan that will allow all homeowners who are current on their payments to be able to refinance their mortgage at the current historically low market rates, mirroring Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s (D-Merced) Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity (HOME) Act. “If President Obama means what he says, I could not be more pleased,” said Congressman Cardoza. “He must understand that the key is execution and cutting the red tape for struggling homeowners is essential. He must implement this plan immediately in a simple and effective way. People have waited far too long to be weighed down by any more bureaucracy.” The President announced in his State of the Union speech that he will send Congress a plan that will allow responsible homeowners who are current on their payments to save $3k a year on their mortgage by refinancing at historically low interest rates. The President is proposing to use part of a proposed bank fee to cover the cost of the refinancing plan, since some of the financial institutions helped cause the housing crisis from which borrowers and the economy are still trying to recover. The President stated in his address, “[M]illions of innocent Americans [have] seen their home values decline. And while Government can’t fix the problem on its own,

responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief. In 2009, Congressman Cardoza first introduced the HOME Act (H.R. 383), which would help up to 30 million struggling homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to benefit from current historically low market interest rates and refinance for up to 40 years at a fixed single-digit rate. This would significantly lower the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments, resulting in fewer foreclosures, while stabilizing the housing market and the national economy. Congressman Cardoza represents California’s Central Valley, which has been ground zero for the housing crisis. In some communities, over 53 percent of mortgages are underwater. 70,000 people have lost their homes to foreclosure since the crisis began in 2007.

January 24, 2012

Atwater FFA Students Advance
to Regional Speaking Finals

The Atwater High School FFA joined 120 FFA members, representing twelve high school agriculture programs in the Merced-Mariposa FFA Public Speaking Sectional at Merced College January 22nd. Atwater FFA’s Makayla Navarro, Carolyn Schiber, Sarah Rogers, and Sandra Flores came away with top four finishes to qualify them for the Regional Finals on February 25th. Carolyn Schiber earned 1st place and Sandra Flores earned 4th place overall in the Prepared Public Speaking contest which required students to write and deliver a six- to- eight-minute speech in front of a panel of judges. Scoring is based on the written manuscript, the delivery of the speech and the answers to questions.

Atwater FFA’s Makayla Navarro placed 1st overall in the FFA Creed speaking contest. This event is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions on the meaning and purpose of the FFA Creed. The event is just one way FFA members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner. Members boost their self- confidence and earn recognition.

Sarah Rogers earned 3rd place and Courtney Miscione placed 6th in the Job Interview contest which involves students completing a cover letter, resume, job application, and panel interview. This event emphasizes developing, practicing, and demonstrating skills needed when seeking employment.

Additional Atwater FFA members that competed included (Creed) Dayana Ceja, Samantha Cox, Karina Garcia, Emily Jorge, (Prepared Public Speaking) Hans van Warmerdam, Mayra Hernandez, Cheyenne Schoonover, (Job Interview) Joana Pena, Colleen Doke, and Maria Ceja.

“Being a good communicator is one of the foundations off success towards personal and career development,” says Atwater FFA Advisor Beth Knapp. “I’m very proud of our students’ efforts, participation, courage, and enthusiasm in this event!”

For more photos and information on this and other exciting Atwater FFA and Atwater High School Agriculture program events and activities please check their website at www.atwaterffa.org.

Makayla Navarro, Courtney Miscione, Sarah Rogers, and Carolyn Schiber display their award plaques earned during the Merced-Mariposa Sectional FFA Public Speaking Finals held at Merced College.

Members of the Atwater FFA gather together prior to the FFA Creed, Prepared, Extemporaneous, and Job Interview sectional speaking finals.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

January 24, 2012

Congressman Cardoza Calls on President Obama to Address Housing Crisis in State of the Union SpeechContinues Push for far-reaching mortgage refinance program, permanent director of the FHFA

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) called on President Obama to address the housing crisis in tomorrow’s State of the Union speech before, and include in his agenda for 2012 a far-reaching mortgage refinancing program such as Cardoza’s proposal, the Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity (HOME) Act. In 2009, Congressman Cardoza first introduced the HOME Act (H.R. 383), which would help up to 30 million struggling homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to benefit from current historically low market interest rates and refinance for up to 40 years at a fixed single-digit rate. This would significantly lower the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments, resulting in fewer foreclosures, while stabilizing the housing market and the national economy. “Simply put, none of the current housing programs that President Obama has instituted have succeeded in stemming the tide of foreclosures still dragging down our country. People continue to suffer as their communities are devastated by the housing crisis, with no relief in sight,” said Congressman Cardoza. “We need bold leadership from the President on this crisis.” Congressman Cardoza represents California’s Central Valley, which has been ground zero for the housing crisis. In some communities, over 53 percent of mortgages are underwater. 70,000 people have lost their homes to foreclosure since the crisis began in 2007. Earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke released a report reiterating Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s (D-CA) longstanding argument that bold, far-reaching action is needed to stem the housing crisis and spur economic recovery. According to Bloomberg News, the Fed’s report concluded, “A policy of no action will lengthen the housing slump, generate higher costs to the economy, push home prices lower and prolong ‘downward pressure on the wealth of current homeowners and the resultant drag on the economy at large.’” Also echoing Congressman Cardoza’s calls to address the housing crisis, Ezra Klein of the Washington Post wrote a column calling for President Obama to tackle the housing crisis by enacting a far-reaching mortgage refinancing program. Klein, a

nationally syndicated columnist, argued that the President should listen to the advice of Glenn Hubbard, who served as President George W. Bush’s chief economist: “Hubbard is an advocate for using Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to set off a nationwide wave of mortgage refinancing. In a paper co-authored with Columbia economist Christopher Mayer, Hubbard estimates that more than 75 percent of the homeowners with 30-year mortgages backed by Fannie or Freddie are paying interest rates higher than 5 percent. But for the past two years, interest rates have been closer to 4 percent. That means tens of millions of Americans are paying more than they need to every single month.”….“[These] homeowners represent one of the president’s few remaining opportunities to help a substantial number of Americans. That’s because a major push on refinancing is one of the few policies the Obama administration could accomplish without the help of Congress.” Congressman Cardoza has also repeatedly called on the President to appoint a permanent director to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to replace Acting Director Edward DeMarco. The FHFA, as the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has the statutory authority to institute a far-reaching mortgage refinancing program, similar to Cardoza’s HOME Act, which could aid up to 30 million homeowners. “Mr. DeMarco has proved himself incapable or unwilling to aggressively combat the housing crisis,” said Congressman Cardoza. “It is time for the President to step up and nominate a new Director who will use his existing authority to bring relief to millions of homeowners nationwide. I will be listening intently tomorrow to President Obama and hope he heeds my call to act boldly and decisively.”

January 241, 2012

Computer Scientist Earns Prestigious Early-Career Research AwardUC Merced engineering Professor Ming-Hsuan Yang receives National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award to improve visual tracking abilities in machines

MERCED, Calif. — Engineering Professor Ming-Hsuan Yang of the University of California, Merced, has been named a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to further his work on improving visual tracking abilities in machines.The award will provide Yang, a computer scientist, with research funding of $473,797 over five years. Yang’s research will focus on developing computer algorithms that can efficiently and effectively empower machines with object tracking, detection and recognition capabilities similar to human cognition, all with the use of only a single camera.“Professor Yang’s innovative and groundbreaking research into visual tracking is certainly deserving of this honor from the National Science Foundation,” said Dan Hirleman, Dean of Engineering at UC Merced. “The award represents a clear recognition and validation of the importance of this work.”While humans can effortlessly locate moving objects in different environments, visual tracking remains one of the most important and challenging problems in computer vision. Yang’s algorithms would help machines handle scenarios in which the objects they are designed to track drift, disappear and reappear, or

are obscured by other objects.Yang said this research could have broad applications, including assistive technology for the visually impaired, medical purposes like cell tracking and telesurgery, tracking insect and animal motion, traffic modeling for smart buildings, and improved navigation and surveillance capabilities in robots.“I am grateful for this NSF award which will boost our research efforts in computer vision for the next five years,” Yang said.In addition to the research itself, Yang’s project would include developing a code library of tracking algorithms and a large benchmark data set, all of which would be made available to the public. Yang also plans to complement the research with a strong educational component involving both undergraduate and graduate students, with the goal being to encourage students from underrepresented minority groups in the Central Valley to pursue studies in computer sciences and related fields.It’s not the first significant award for Yang, who came to UC Merced in 2008. He also received the Google Faculty Award in 2009, the UC Merced Academic Senate’s Distinguished Early Career Research Award in 2011, the Nvidia Professor Partnership Award in 2011, and a research grant from the NSF Information and Intelligent Systems’ Robust Intelligence program earlier this year.

January 22 , 2012

The Merced County Chamber of Commerce installed its new board of directors at the 2012 Installation Dinner on January 21st at the Merced Golf & Country Club.

The Merced County Chamber of Commerce also presented the Membership’s choices for the 2011 community awards at the 2012 Installation Dinner on January 21st at the Merced Golf & Country Club. The winners of the 2011 Ambassador of Goodwill, Business of the Year, Businesswoman, Businessman, and Good Business Citizen of the Year awards are nominated by the County Chamber Membership and the Board of Directors select the winners. Representatives of our Local, State and Federal Government and the County Chamber Leadership will present the awards to the winners of each category the night of the event.

2012 Board of Directors
Executive Board
President: Fernando Palomino, Fernando’s Bistro
Vice President: Mike Waite, Merced Business Association
Secretary: Fily Cale, Castle Family Health Centers
Treasurer: M. Stephen Jones, CPA
Executive Past President: M. Stephen Jones, CPA

Directors
Past President Bud Wallace, Wallace Properties
Past President Jeff Pennington, M P Professional Investigations
Past President Steven Gallichio, American Ag Credit
Charles Parrish, Parrish Enterprises
Jack Mobley, Service Masters of Merced
Robert Mitchell, Hilmar Chamber of Commerce
David Spaur, Merced County Economic Development Corporation
Past Mayor Ellie Wooten, Salvadori Realty
Issac Isakow, Laird Manufacturing
Robert Salles, Leap Carpenter & Kemp Insurance
Nancy Deavours, Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union
Clark Kellogg: Kellogg’s Supply

The winners are: 2011 GOOD BUSINESS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Judy Gandy who is the Executive Director of the Gustine Chamber of Commerce, is honored for her deeds above and beyond the practices of daily business and for her daily conduct that exemplifies good business practices that benefits our County’s quest for community prosperity.

New board of directors of the
Merced County Chamber of Commerce

2011 BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Jeannie Fluetsch Bliss who is the Secretary/Treasurer of Fluetsch & Busby Insurance, is honored for demonstrating excellence in her business profession, her dedication to community business growth, and for her personal accomplishments as well as her advocacy for women in business.
2011 BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Jim Abbate Propietor of the ALIA Corporation who employs over 600 people, is honored for demonstrating excellence in his business and profession, his dedication to community business advocacy, his personal accomplishments and for his community volunteerism.

2011 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient is Razzari Motors (Owner, Tim Razzari) is honored for making a significant and positive contribution to Merced County. For having the courage to continue to grow their business Team during these trying economic times and creating jobs that help support the economic vitality of our communities. Tim Razzari and his honorable Team are always ready to help their clients and their community.
2011 AMBASSADOR OF GOOD WILL AWARD recipients are Dave Long Proprietor Partner of Hilltop Ranch and Marvin Hanneman Proprietor of Imedia West, are honored for their advocacy for all the community Chambers and for their community volunteerism above and beyond the practices of daily business and for spreading the good will of Merced County wherever they journey.
We also honored 2011 Past President, M. Stephen Jones and retiring Director, Past President Dawn Kinney for her 14 years of dedicated service to the County Chamber and the businesses of Merced County. ...see photos of the event

January 21, 2012

CHANGES TO SAN JOAQUIN WEEKEND SERVICE
TRAINS #711 AND #718 BETWEEN
BAKERSFIELD AND HANFORD
On January 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2012

OAKLAND - On Saturdays, January 21 and January 28, Train #718 will operate from Oakland to Hanford. Passengers will be provided motorcoach service from Hanford to Corcoran, Wasco and Bakersfield.
On Sundays, January. 22 and January 29, Train #711 will originate in Hanford. Passengers will be provided motorcoach service from Bakersfield, Wasco, Corcoran and Hanford, where passengers may transfer to Train #711.

The most up-to-date schedule and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, the free iPhone app and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

January 21, 2012

UC Merced Receives National Award for Educational ProgrammingCampus honored for utilizing new, effective and innovative systems to evaluate and demonstrate student outcomes

MERCED, Calif. — The University of California, Merced, has been awarded the 2012 Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes. “The CHEA award affirms UC Merced’s mission as a student-centered research university by formally recognizing the exceptional commitment of faculty, administrators and staff to the shared goal of advancing our students’ academic success,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Keith Alley. “The concept of learning outcomes is embedded in the campus’ culture, and it’s an honor for UC Merced to receive this national recognition.”Since the campus opened its doors in 2005, it has remained focused on establishing student learning outcomes across all undergraduate programs, along with annual assessment plans and an infrastructure to encourage and monitor periodic assessment.In its application, UC Merced said it has benefited from the creation of a Senate-Administration Council on Assessment that oversees continuing attention to program assessment, including co-curricular and administrative programs. Program-based Faculty Assessment Organizers have led to evidence-based improvements in instruction.Undergraduates participate in the assessment process through an innovative program ? Students Assessing Teaching and

Learning. Additionally, graduate students are employed through a grant-funded program to conduct classroom or program assessment and disseminate results. The CHEA Award was established in 2005 to recognize institutions that have been exceptional in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes to improve higher education quality and accountability. Rather than just providing a record of what students have been taught, student learning outcomes establish what students should be able to do as a result of instruction. A committee selected from higher education institutions, accrediting organizations and the public judged the entries on the basis of four award criteria: articulation and evidence of outcomes; success with regard to outcomes; information to the public about outcomes; and use of outcomes for educational improvement.CHEA received 47 applications for this year’s award and recognized UC Merced, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Rio Salado College in Arizona. ”The award committee was strongly impressed with the strength and creativity of the work of these institutions,” CHEA President Judith Eaton said. “They provide excellent examples of effective approaches to the use of student learning outcomes.”The awards will be presented at the 2012 CHEA Annual Conference on Jan. 24 in Washington, D.C.

January 20, 2012

Congressman Cardoza Announces Local Nominees for Service Academies

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) announced his 2012 nominees for the United States Service Academies. Congressman Cardoza nominated five young people from California’s 18th Congressional District to be in the graduating class of 2016 at the U.S Military Academy at West Point or the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. “This is one of my greatest privileges as a Member of Congress and I am honored to play a role in choosing our nation’s future leaders,” said Congressman Cardoza. “Each young person is an outstanding nominee and has demonstrated excellence and leadership potential. I congratulate them for making their families and community proud and commend them for their desire and aspirations to serve our country.”
The following have been nominated by Congressman Cardoza this year:

• David Bennett of Modesto High School – U.S. Military Academy, West Point
• Ross Downum of Lathrop High School – U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis and U.S. Military Academy, West Point
• John Ohman of Modesto Junior College – U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis
• Raymond Tello of Livingston High School – U.S Military Academy, West Point
• Karch Thissen of Golden Valley High School – U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis and U.S. Military Academy, West Point

Each year, Congressman Cardoza nominates talented young men and women from California’s 18th Congressional District to the nation’s service academies. Congressman Cardoza’s Academy Selection Committee interviewed each applicant and made its recommendations to the Congressman recently. The selection of nominees is based on a composite of academic factors, including junior class rank and SAT scores, along with leadership potential.

Although a nomination is required for admission into an academy, it is not a guarantee of acceptance. Each Service Academy will ultimately decide whether or not each candidate will be admitted.

January 20, 2012

Federal Grant Will Improve
County's Early Education Quality

By Dr. Steven E. Gomes
Merced County Superintendent of Schools

It is no secret that California’s budget is in a disastrous state and education funding is at historic lows. Despite the lack of funding for Transitional Kindergarten and school transportation in Gov. Brown’s proposed budget, there is some hope for the quality of early care and education in Merced County.
On Dec. 16, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education and Health and Human Services announced the winners of the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant and California was one of the nine states selected for funding.
California is set to receive $52.6 million during the next four years starting this month.
California’s plan was unique because instead of submitting a statewide plan, the approach was to support a voluntary network of Regional Leadership Consortia. The Merced County Office of Education, in partnership with First 5 Merced County, is one of 17 entitiesfrom 16 counties to be invited to participate in the successful application. Other counties include Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Ventura and Yolo.
The Regional Leadership Consortia are made up of mostly county offices of education and First 5s.
While the lead agency for our state is the California Department of Education, in Merced County, MCOE is the designated lead agency in partnership with First 5 Merced County. The statewill be responsible training, distribution of screening tools, curricula development for higher education, and evaluation
The Consortia brings together organizations committed to improving the quality of early learning including: county offices of education, First 5 County Commissions, school districts, local institutions of higher education, local child care and development planning councils, migrant child care, county health and humans services, resource and referral agencies, Head Start and Early Head Start and home visiting programs, among others. Parents and families are included in local decision-making.

The main goal for each member of the Consortia is to develop and implement a quality rating and improvement system for early care and education settings. The focus will be on three areas of program quality: 1) child development and readiness for school; 2) teachers and teaching; and 3) program and environment quality.
Merced County was uniquely prepared to participate in the state’s application because of its long history of innovation and excellence in early care and education. Merced County hasbeen one of only a handful of counties who have participated in most of First 5 California’s signature programs including Power of Preschool, Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards and the School Readiness Initiative.
This grant money will also help MCOE with one of its overarching strategic goals, which is to provide high quality programs that result in increased learning. Multiple studies point to a high quality early care and education program as a tool to help close the achievement gap.
While the RTT-ELC grant in Merced County will not increase the number of spaces for children in early care and education settings, its goal is to increase the quality and effectiveness of current programs in order to improve the readiness of children for kindergarten, which is their first step down a long road of education.

January 20, 2012

Researchers' Refinement Increases Solar Concentrator Efficiency
A team of UC Merced professors and students discovered that changing the shape of a solar concentrator significantly increases its efficiency, bringing its use closer to reality

MERCED, Calif. — A team of researchers at the University of California, Merced, have redesigned luminescent solar concentrators to be more efficient at sending sunlight to solar cells.
The advancement could be an important breakthrough for solar energy harvesting, said UC Merced physics Professor Sayantani Ghosh, who led the project.
"We tweaked the traditional flat design for luminescent solar concentrators and made them into cylinders," Ghosh said. "The results of this architectural redesign surprised us, as it significantly improves their efficiency."
The main problem preventing luminescent concentrators from being used commercially is that they have high rates of self-absorption, Ghosh said, meaning they absorb a significant amount of the light they produce instead of transporting it to the solar cells.
The research team showed the problem can be addressed by changing the shape of the concentrator. They discovered a hollow cylindrical solar concentrator is a better design compared with a flat concentrator or a solid cylinder concentrator. The hollow cylinders absorb more sunlight while having lower self-absorption losses.
Luminiscent solar concentrators are designed to absorb solar radiation over a broad range of colors and re-emit it over a narrower range (for example, only red), a process known as down-converting. This light is transported to solar cells for photocurrent generation. The quantum dots embedded in the concentrator are the materials that carry out this color conversion.

The biggest advantage they offer over traditional solar cells is that they can work even in diffuse sunlight, like on cloudy days. And because of this, they do not need to directly face the sun at all times, eliminating the need for tracking mechanisms.
Ghosh said the discovery could make commercially viable luminescent solar concentrators a reality, especially because the design enhances performance while using the same number of quantum dots, therefore without being more costly.
This saves on infrastructure costs and also opens up the possibility that the collectors can be integrated onto vertical surfaces like walls and windows. The next step is to develop a large array of hollow cylindrical luminescent solar concentrators and track the efficiency of the panel.
Richard Inman, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Dmitri Medvedko and Ajay Gopinathan are the other members of the team that conducted this research.
Inman served as the lead researcher while he was an undergraduate at UC Merced, an example of the hands-on learning opportunities available to students. He's now a graduate student at UC San Diego. Medvedko is an undergraduate student, and Shcherbatyuk is a graduate student. Gopinathan is a physics professor.
The team published a paper on the work, "Cylindrical luminescent solar concentrators with near-infrared quantum dots," in the journal Optics Express last fall.

January 19, 2012

United Way receives Wells Fargo grant
Supporting Merced County economic development

Merced, California (January, 2012) – United Way of Merced County is pleased to announce that Wells Fargo has committed a $20,000 grant to fund the Social Enterprise Initiative to provide initial developmental support and opportunities for low and moderate income residents to design, create and operate small business start-ups, with access to important business training and management instruction. SEI will begin with a five-year development and demonstration timeline to test its models, according to grant writer and project manager Robert Bauer of Checkmark Data.

United Way of Merced County is known in the region for its commitment to improving the lives and social well-being of Merced County residents. “We are very excited to work with Wells Fargo,” said Flip Hassett, Executive Director. “Teaming up with Wells Fargo to engage in the creation of a Social Enterprise economic model for Merced is an exciting development for our organization and our community."

“Wells Fargo is a great partner and this agreement exemplifies their dedication to economic development in Merced County. This partnership reflects our desire to collaborate with companies that share our vision of community-based development and underscores our commitment to the people of Merced County. Wells Fargo is known for its regional vision of a vibrant Central Valley and has similar agreements with several other organizations.

About United Way of Merced County
The United Way of Merced County has been operating since 1954. United Way of Merced County (UWMC) has functioned as a leader in collaborative relationships and community building in Merced County. Working with business, government, and individuals, as well as the nonprofit community the UWMC has sought to relieve the burdens of its most vulnerable and dependent citizens and to help them become healthier, more financially stable and actively engaged in a stronger community. For more information about UWMC, visit its website at www.unitedwaymerced.org.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 23 on Fortune’s 2011 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

For more information please contact:
Flip Hassett, Executive Director
United Way of Merced County
658 W. Main St.
Merced, California 95369

Phone: (209) 383-4242
Fax: (209) 383-4254
Web: www.unitedwaymerced.org

January 18, 2012

National Child Labor Committee Honors ANA PAGAN of Merced, California, Director, Merced County Human Services Agency with 2012 LEWIS HINE AWARD for Service to Children and Youth

26th Annual Awards Honor Those Who Stand Up for America’s Kids

New York, New York, January 17, 2012—The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) today announced that Ana Pagan of Merced, California, Director, Merced County Human Services Agency, www.co.merced.ca.us, will receive one of its prestigious LEWIS HINE AWARDS FOR SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH. The Awards will be presented at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on the evening of Monday, January 30th.
Named for the acclaimed NCLC photographer who documented early-20th century exploitation of children, the LEWIS HINE AWARDS honor those individuals who, either as professionals or volunteers, give of themselves and go the extra mile for the well-being of young people. The recipients, who this year hail from as far away as Wyoming and as close as New York, are selected by a distinguished panel of judges from among hundreds of nominations submitted each year by business, community, and non-profit leaders.
This year’s program will be chaired by Maria R. Morris, Executive Vice President of MetLife, Inc.:
"We congratulate this year's honorees for their truly extraordinary accomplishments and appreciate their exceptional service on behalf of our nation's children and youth,” said Ms. Morris. “MetLife and MetLife Foundation have a longstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of young people and preparing them for the future. We are proud to join NCLC in recognizing this year’s Lewis Hine Awards honorees for their dedication and hard work toward making the welfare of all children a priority."
Ana Pagan, Merced, California, Director, Merced County Human Services Agency, www.co.merced.ca.us, will be honored for her visionary efforts in finding solutions to the problems of poverty, substance abuse, and child neglect in one of the poorest counties in California. To fulfill her duties, she draws on her past experiences in anthropology studies, community development, child welfare, and mental health, and as a Vietnam-era veteran.
The Child Welfare Services (CWS) division of the agency is dedicated to the preservation of the family unit. The agency sponsors Fatherhood programs because it realizes that a child’s development is positively impacted by having a father in the household. The agency aims at preventing child abuse and neglect by providing counseling, crisis intervention, and emergency shelter care.
Ms. Pagan oversees various programs aimed at helping at-risk children and teens make successful lives. The agency opened the Main Street Youth Center to provide a safe place for neighborhood youth, including foster children. Foster children between the ages of 16 and 21 who have not been placed in permanent homes are given training to become self-sufficient adults.

Ana Pagan, Director, Merced County Human Services Agency

Ms. Pagan is a member of the California Welfare Directors Association (CWDA). Its mission is to “promote a human services system that encourages self-sufficiency of families and communities and protects vulnerable children.” She also serves on the APHSA Presidents Council which is involved in developing social policy in Washington, D.C. The vision of APHSA is “better, healthier lives for children, adults, families, and communities.”
Among the accolades Ms. Pagan has received for her efforts are: the Soroptomists Women of Distinction Award, the UC Merced Helping Hands Community Service Award, and the Boy Scouts of America Visionary Leadership Award.
The NCLC also announced that a select group of public figures will be honored with special awards, including the Distinguished Service Awards to business leaders and individuals in the public eye who have had a positive impact on the welfare of children and youth, The David T. Kearns Award for Excellence and Innovation in Education, and The Ronald H. Brown Award, which honors American leaders, like the late Mr. Brown, who have overcome prejudice and discrimination and uses his or her public platform to help today’s young people do the same. In addition, this year the NCLC will inaugurate The Nancy Daly Advocacy Award memorializing the late Los Angeles, California, activist and philanthropist Nancy Daly whose continuous efforts over many years provided support and opportunity for thousands of young people.
Since its inception, thousands of deserving individuals have been nominated for LEWIS HINE AWARDS and over 250 have been selected as honorees. Previous recipients have gained national and local recognition and have earned increased support, allowing them to make an even greater difference in their communities. Each of this year’s LEWIS HINE AWARDS Honorees will receive a $1,000 award.
For more information about the National Child Labor Committee and the LEWIS HINE AWARDS, visit www.nationalchildlabor.org.

January 17, 2012

Community Celebrates
Martin Luther King Jr Day

Members of the community turned out Monday for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March down Martin Luther King Way. The march began at the Amtrak Train Station and proceeded down Martin Luther King Way to the fair grounds, where a rally was held. Lt. Col. James C. Warren, Iris Jackson and Bishop Dwight Amey were the grand marshals of the 16th annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr...see photos at facebook

January 14, 2012

Community Conversations on Yosemite Avenue work, fire staffing and customer service

The road work on Yosemite Avenue, fire staffing levels and customer service are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.
The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. It airs on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. The show also will have a special broadcast at 8 a.m. Saturday.
This weekend’s lineup: Jonae Pistoresi from the Merced College talks about the Customer Service Academy she created and that is now taught on 75 community college campuses; Jim Kocher talks about the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Merced Multi-Cultural Arts Center on Jan. 20; Merced Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin talks about the policy to “brown out” a fire company when staffing levels get low; Maria Mendoza from the City Economic Development Department talks about the Yosemite Avenue Road Improvement Project now under way and Otto Rigan's talks about how his life of 90 years has taken him from Austria to Atwater.

The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

The show’s host is Nathan Quevedo and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

January 14, 2012

City Council considers adding office buildings to project, changing zoning

The Merced City Council will consider adding a commercial office development to a Yosemite Avenue and G Street project, allowing a neighborhood commercial development on Barclay Way and Bellevue Road and approving a water and sewer service agreements with the Merced Union High School District.

The proposal for the Yosemite Avenue property would add five more buildings to the 23-plus acre development. The City already has approved a bank, pharmacy restaurant and hotel for the site.

The new plan would add five office buildings to the parcel and relocate a drainage basin originally included on the property. The changes would add 33,360 square-feet of building space to the project.

The Barclay Way zoning changes would allow for a small neighborhood commercial center at the intersection to serve the neighborhood, the future high school and the UC campus that could include retail or a small café-type use or fast food restaurant, but not drive-through service. No specific tenants have been identified.

The City Council will consider a contract for water and service services for the El Capitan High School at W. Farmland and G Street based on the usual rates in the City ordinances.

The Council will meet in closed session at 5:45 p.m. to meet with labor negotiators and to discussion existing litigation.

The regular City Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. Council meetings are normally held on Mondays, but because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday the meeting is being held on Tuesday.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council.

January 14, 2012

San José and California High-Speed Rail Status Update

As you may already be aware, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is circulating the Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train (HST) Partially Revised Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PRDPEIR) in order to address the November 2011 Town of Atherton court rulings regarding the 2010 Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report. It is the Authority’s intention to complete the work on the PRDPEIR prior to moving forward with the next San Jose Town Hall Community Meeting. As such, the next Town Hall meeting that was planned for mid-January, has been postponed. The Authority’s work to address the November 2011 Town of Atherton court ruling will also likely impact the schedule for the completion of the San José Visual Design Guidelines and the release of the San Jose to Merced Draft EIR/EIS. We will keep you informed about any changes to the schedule and next steps for the section.

A notice will be sent out when the second San Jose and California High-Speed Rail Authority Town Hall Community Meeting is scheduled. If you have any questions about the postponed meeting, please contact Ben Tripousis, City of San José Transportation Policy Manager, at 408-975-3717. If you have questions about the San Jose to Merced section or the Partially Revised Draft Program EIR, please contact the San Jose to Merced section team at 1-800-881-5799, email san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov or visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.

Para más información sobre California High-Speed Train Project, por favor Ilame al 1-800-881-5799, envíe un correo electrónico a san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov o visite la Página Web www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.

January 12 , 2012

City Council votes unanimously

City Council votes unanimously to have the City of Merced retain Housing Assets and Housing Functions Previously Performed by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Merced Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 1X26

City Council votes unanimously to not have the City of Merced serve as Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency for the Non-Housing Functions to Wind Down Affairs Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) AB1X 26

January 12, 2012

United Way campaign Kick Off
at UC Merced Great Success

UC Merced Faculty & Staff had 26 people participate in making chili and/or baking bread. 16 departments participated, several with multiple entries. About 250-300 people attended. There were 8 community agencies tabling at the event. Flip Hassett, Mary Bigelow and Bernadette Mello from United Way of Merced County were the judges. The competition was close and here are the honorable mentions. Peter Howell - Sigma Chi Fraternity, Scott Hernandez-Jason - Chancellor’s Office, Jan Owens - Dining, Carmen Chavez- Dining, Telisa Gunter - International Affairs, Maria Marvilla - Dining. The Peoples Choice portion raised $808.00 for United Way.

Katie Unruh from Administrative Operations was the Chili Cook-off Champion in the Judges Choice category with her SPV Unruly “Bobcat Red” Chicken Chili.

Jason Martin from Business Financial Services won the bread category with his Sourdough “Bobcat Bread”.

Flip Hassett, Mary Bigelow and Bernadette Mello from United Way of Merced County tasted their way through chili and bread

In the peoples choice category the Chili Champion was Kari Mansager from the Police and Public Safety with her “Fire in the Bowl”

In the peoples choice category, Sheryl Ireland and Cindi Deegan from Business Financial Services with their “HIGH RISK Cornbread”.

January 12, 2012

Barnes & Noble collected 1,055 Books for United Way To Distribute Throughout the Communiy

Barnes and Noble Holiday book collection went well this year. We are ecstatic to announce that the collection increased from 727 books last year, to 1,055 books this year! Thank you to Barnes & Noble and the community members of Merced County for giving to the children in our area. We will be distributing the books collected from Barnes & Noble throughout community during the next few months

January 12, 2012

UC Merced Sees Another Increase in Applications Campus receives more than 15,000 applications, a nearly 10 percent boost over 2011

MERCED, Calif. — The University of California, Merced, continues to see growing interest from prospective students, as witnessed by a 9.9 percent rise in applications over the 2011 academic year according to data released today by the UC Office of the President. UC Merced received 15,054 undergraduate applications for Fall 2012, up from 13,701 in Fall 2011. Freshman applicants totaled 12,838, which represents 11.3 percent more than last fall. “An increase in applications points to the campus’ growing popularity,” said J. Michael Thompson, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management. “It is a direct reflection of the strong value placed on a UC Merced education and the development of our academic programs, hands-on research opportunities and a growing array of student activities and amenities.” A record 160,939 students applied to the UC system as a whole. This number includes a 9.5 percent increase in applications from students in the Central Valley region, a testament to the work UC Merced’s Center for Educational Partnerships is doing to increase the college-going rate in the Valley.In Fall 2011, UC Merced’s student enrollment rose to 5,198, a nearly 19 percent increase compared with Fall 2010 and two students shy of the target set for Fall 2012. “Due to this tremendous success, the campus plans to moderate undergraduate enrollment growth in Fall 2012 in order to keep pace with new classrooms, laboratories and housing being built,” Thompson said. “This will help ensure a quality experience for all.” According to

Thompson, projected enrollment for Fall 2012 is 5,600, a net increase of about 400 students. Transfer ApplicantsOf the 2,216 transfer applications the campus received, 92 percent originated from California Community Colleges. UC Merced had a 2.2 percent increase in applications at the transfer level, while there was a decrease systemwide. Graduate AdmissionsConsistent with its mission as a major research university, UC Merced has made increasing graduate student enrollment — currently 5 percent of total student enrollment — a top strategic priority. The campus is striving to reach 10 percent by the time total enrollment hits 10,000. Graduate applications are due Jan. 15, so the figures for Fall 2012 will not be available until later this spring.

UC Merced opened Sept. 5, 2005, as the 10th campus in the University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century. The campus significantly expands access to the UC system for students throughout the state, with a special mission to increase college-going rates among students in the San Joaquin Valley. It also serves as a major base of advanced research and as a stimulus to economic growth and diversification throughout the region. Situated near Yosemite National Park, the university is expected to grow rapidly, topping out at about 25,000 students within 30 years.

January 11 , 2012

Council to decide fate of redevelopment in City

The Merced City Council will meet Thursday to consider whether to become the successor agency to the Merced Redevelopment Agency. The Council could decide to handle dissolving the agency, or let some other taxing entity get rid of the redevelopment agencies assets and pay its bills. The decision must be made by Jan. 13.
The state Supreme Court upheld the power of the state Legislature to eliminate the more than 400 redevelopment agencies in the state as of Feb. 1 and give their property taxes back to the state, counties, schools and other taxing agencies.
Cities can no long use redevelopment agencies for economic development, job creation or elimination of blight.
The City Council will meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss litigation regarding redevelopment cases. It will come out of closed session to discuss whether to become the successor agency for redevelopment and whether to become the successor agency for housing.

The Council will meet in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council.

January 10 , 2012

TRAVIS CREDIT UNION OFFERS
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

VACAVILLE, CA – Great news for college bound seniors – Travis Credit Union announced today that it will again award twenty, $1,000 scholarships.

Travis Credit Union encourages all graduating seniors to apply. Each applicant must be a high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, bound for a two–or four–year college or university and a member of Travis Credit Union in good standing. Students who live in Travis Credit Union’s twelve-county service region and are not yet members may join the credit union and apply for a scholarship at the same time.

“In the last eight years, we have received a tremendous response from young members who have exhibited a commitment to academic excellence and community service. We look forward to recognizing even more of our deserving young members this year,” says Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, Travis Credit Union president and CEO.

The Travis Credit Union Board of Directors established the scholarship program in 2004 and named it the Mary Keith Duff Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of a long-time board member, who passed away in December 2004.

Scholarship applications are available at any branch location or students may apply online at Travis Credit Union’s website at

www.traviscu.org. In addition to a completed application otherrequirements include: a 250-word essay, a certified high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Completed applications must be received no later than the close of business Monday, March 12, 2012.

“As a credit union, we are founded on the philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ and we stand behind the principles that promote human development and social responsibility,” adds Van Ouwerkerk. “Offering these scholarships is just one way Travis Credit Union is assisting young members with the increasing cost of higher education and reinforcing its commitment to the financial success of our country’s future leaders.”

Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Merced Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 12th largest credit union in California with more than 175,000 members and more than $1.9 billion in assets. As one of the leading financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Napa, Yolo and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members and the community; its solid, secure history; and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.

January 10 , 2012

City fire has 'brown out' option for engine company

The City of Merced Fire Department will be implementing a policy with the option to temporarily “brown out” the engine company at Station 51 on 16th Street starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday when staffing levels get low.

Station 51 currently houses two companies, only one will be impacted by the brown-outs: the truck company will remain staffed to respond to calls for service at all times.

The need to implement the brown out policy will be determined on a day-to-day basis.

“We have studied the effects of the reductions and we will experience some negative impacts by intermittently closing a fire company.” said Fire Chief Michael McLaughlin.

“We will, however, be continuously working to minimize all identified impacts.” McLaughlin said, “All our fire stations will be staffed, and all of our companies will have three personnel.”

Staffing levels will never drop below having one company browned out, McLaughlin said. Firefighters will be called back on overtime if personnel levels drop too low. A brown out is when one three-person fire engine company is left unstaffed for a length of time up to a full shift.

The browning out does not affect how the department will respond to the initial response to a structure fire, he said. The City dispatches three engines, the truck and a battalion chief – 13 personnel – to all reports of a structure fire.

In normal circumstances after the call comes in reporting a structure fire there are two Merced companies in reserve. If those companies get called to another fire, they rely on mutual aid from surrounding departments to assist.

The same system will be in place during a brown out. However, during a brownout, there is only one City fire company in reserve, so the City will most likely rely on more mutual aid in these situations.

The browning out of the company is an effort to conserve the amount of overtime left in the department’s budget. When the budget was drawn up last spring it forecast the layoff of several firefighters, the closure of a fire station and a reduced overtime budget.

When the final budget was approved, the station remained opened and the layoffs were reduced to two, but the overtime budget was not increased.

As of Dec. 1 the department has used $257,760 of the $411,389 budgeted for overtime, or 63 percent. At that burn rate, funding will not last until the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Complicating the picture is an increase in long-term line-of-duty injuries and illnesses that have created vacancies among the staff.
The department evaluated several options before deciding on browning out a company, including seeking additional funding. One option was to reduce the size of a company. However, based on three different studies, the department decided that reducing the size of fire companies would most likely result in larger fires that result in more damage, and could have negative impacts on life and responder safety.
“While there are not any options that are right for Merced, browning-out one company is the least wrong for the safety of our community” McLaughlin said. “The safety of the citizens and our first responders is paramount.”

Station 51 was selected because it is the only fire station in the City with two companies, an engine and a truck. It also serves as the headquarters for the department.
“Merced has been fortunate to stave off the need to reduce services for as long as we have,” said McLaughlin. “There are numerous fire departments throughout the State that have had to brown out companies, reduce company size, and/or fully close stations.”

Clovis, Manteca, Sacramento and Sacramento Metro, Lathrup-Manteca have browned out stations or companies. Fresno has eliminated double company stations, Stockton has closed stations and reduced staff and Tracy has reduced staff.

Only one fire company will ever be browned out in the City. After that, the department will bring back firefighters on overtime to staff the companies.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Contact Chief McLaughlin at 209-385-6891.)

January 9 , 2012

CLEAN & GREEN IS OUR DREAM
MLK Day of Service Recycling Drive

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Merced County (BGC Merced) has teamed up with Multicultural Promises, Hands On Central California R.S.V.P., KCSOS BHC/Y AmeriCorps, and WildLink to help protect the environment and clean up the community by recycling. The organizations and volunteers will be set up in the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club, located at 615 W. 15th Street; Merced, to receive donated items. They will be collecting traditional CRV items like aluminum cans, bottles, and plastic. In addition, they will accept electronic products.
Every year, approximately 125 million cell phones are sent to landfills. If left to sit in a landfill, one cell phone can seep dangerous chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, and has the potential to pollute thousands of gallons of drinking water. Flat screen TVs are becoming the norm in most homes, but what happens to the old CRT TVs? It’s considered e-waste. E-waste is defined as all obsolete or outdated computers, televisions, cell phones, printers, PDAs, and thousands of other devices commonly used in offices, homes, and by people on the go.
Martin Luther King Day is not a day off. It is a day on where everyone can play a role in being a good steward of the community. Whether you want to get rid of the old items in your garage that you replaced with the new gadgets you received

for Christmas, or you want to serve your community by volunteering, it is a day of service for anyone who answers the call and wants to do their part. Refreshments will be served to volunteers, and there are three shifts available, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The recycling drive will be held Monday, January 16, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Those interested in volunteering can call the Boys & Girls Club and ask for Ms. Lou. For additional information on the items that will be accepted, ask for Ms. Yvette.
The Boys & Girls Club provides a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Merced County programs and activities, please contact Tony Slaton, Executive Director, (209) 722-9922.

January 9, 2012

Local Students Earn Merced Fair Beef Awards

Although the Merced County Fair ended back in June, various awards pertaining to the summer event continue to be awarded to local high school FFA and 4-H students. The 2011 Beef Carcass Contest Awards ceremony was held December 8th at the Merced County Cooperative Extension classroom. The contest is an extension of the Merced County Fair Market Steer Show where student market steer projects are rated and assessed on the live “rate-of-gain” and the post processing information pertaining to the quality and yield of the carcass.

Roen Johnson Buhach Colony FFA won the “Rate-of-Gain” portion of the contest. This contest records the live weight of all the individual Merced Fair market steers in February followed by another weigh-in just prior to the start of the fair in June. The number of pounds gained between the weigh-ins is divided by the total number of days in between the two weights. Johnson’s steer gained an average of 3.44 lbs per day. From a market standpoint, the more pounds a steer can gain per day, the less time and money it takes to get the steer to its market weight.

The 1st place award for the “Carcass” portion of the contest went to Kayla Johnston of Buhach Colony FFA, 2nd place was awarded to Elana Enriquez of Weaver 4-H, 3rd place was awarded to Dylan Donahue of Dos Palos Community 4-H, and 4th place was awarded to Zachary Lewis of Buhach Colony FFA. This portion of the contest centers on the industry’s standards for beef. The steers were processed at the Los Banos Abattoir after the fair and a USDA beef inspector evaluated each carcass based on fat thickness, intramuscular fat, and muscling in determining a quality and yield grade. The results produced a dollar value on a grid system in determining the overall carcass value.

The “Overall” portion of the contest pertained to the combination of the “rate-of-gain” and “carcass” results. It recognizes the two most important traits desired by the beef industry: (1) animals that can gain weight efficiently and (2) animals that can yield a high quality carcass. Kayla Johnston earned 1st place, Zachary Lewis earned 2nd place, Dylan Donahue earned 3rd place, and Page Huerta of Snelling 4-H earned 4th place.

The annual awards ceremony was sponsored by the Merced-Mariposa Cattleman’s Association and American Ag Credit. Students earned financial awards based on their placing. The “Overall” winner and reserve also received a jacket donated by American AgCredit which was customized for the event by Diamond Stitch Embroidery. The event also served as a reminder to all participants about their role in raising healthy, well-fed market steers that meet the needs of the consumer.

“Top 2 Winners”: This is for the Overall Carcass Project. Pictured on the far left and far right; Stephen Moitozo and Richard Bell, respectively, representing American AgCredit who sponsored this award. Overall Project winner is Kayla Johnston and Reserve is Zachary Lewis:

“Top 4 Winners”: This is also for the Overall Carcass Project. From left to right; Dr. Randy Perry of Fresno State who presented the carcass data, Page Huerta (fourth place winner) along with Zachary Lewis and Kayla Johnston.

Students who participated in the annual Beef Carcass Contest (listed in order of overall finish) included Kayla Johnston, Dylan Donahue, Zachary Lewis, Page Huerta, John Sanchotena, Alexis Alexander, Roen Johnson, Elana Enriquez, John Hennagan, Edith Ramirez, Stormy Aue, Hunter Aue, Grant Sardella, Shelby Grinder Anthony Veredas, Shane Lewis, Chuck Huff and Isaac Sweigard.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

January 9, 2012

Wired Internet Café to Hold Grand Reopening With New Menu, More Space

After a summer spent under construction, Wired Internet Café has reopened with more space and a revamped menu.
Owned and operated by the Merced County Office of Education, the Internet café serves as a training ground for students with learning and physical disabilities.
MCOE has operated Wired since 2005 and it was previously owned by MercedNet, a now-defunct Internet service provider. The café doubles as MCOE’s information technology department, which is located in the back of the building. This area houses the main data and network operations center providing high speed connectivity to the Internet and other technology services to the 20 school districts and MCOE sites located throughout Merced and neighboring counties.
In the remodel, two walls were knocked down and the horseshoe café in the middle of the space was taken out and replaced by a café area that runs along the side of Wired. MCOE also installed a hood so hot sandwiches can be prepared. The goal was to make itmore efficient for the students and staff.
“Wired Internet Café gives students with disabilities the opportunity to get real-life on-the-job workexperience,” said Merced County Superintendent of Schools Steven E. Gomes.
Along with a few employees, MCOE special education students and Merced Union High School District special education students will work at the facility, with room for collaboration with other organizations.

Wired will offer cold sandwiches, panini-style sandwiches, soup, gourmet salads along with coffee drink, teas, blended drinks and fountain soda.
The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce is helping to host a grand reopening on Jan. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m.
Also available at the café is wireless Internet with a few desktop computers and a flat screen TV that will be tuned in to Merced Educational Television (METV), another program operated by MCOE.
Wired Café is located at 450 W. 18th Street and operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

January 9 , 2012

The Merced County Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce the Membership’s choices for the 2011 community awards to be presented at the 2012 Installation Dinner on January 21st at the Merced Golf & Country Club. The winners of the 2011 Ambassador of Goodwill, Business of the Year, Businesswoman, Businessman, and Good Business Citizen of the Year awards are nominated by the County Chamber Membership and the Board of Directors select the winners. Representatives of our Local, State and Federal Government and the County Chamber Leadership will present the awards to the winners of each category the night of the event.
The winners are: 2011 GOOD BUSINESS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Judy Gandy who is the Executive Director of the Gustine Chamber of Commerce, is honored for her deeds above and beyond the practices of daily business and for her daily conduct that exemplifies good business practices that benefits our County’s quest for community prosperity.
2011 BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Jeannie Fluetsch Bliss who is the Secretary/Treasurer of Fluetsch & Busby Insurance, is honored for demonstrating excellence in her business profession, her dedication to community business growth, and for her personal accomplishments as well as her advocacy for women in business.
2011 BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient Jim Abbate Propietor of the ALIA Corporation who employs over 600 people, is honored for demonstrating excellence in his business and profession, his dedication to community business advocacy, his personal accomplishments and for his community volunteerism.

Merced County Chamber of Commerce

2011 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD recipient is Razzari Motors (Owner, Tim Razzari) is honored for making a significant and positive contribution to Merced County. For having the courage to continue to grow their business Team during these trying economic times and creating jobs that help support the economic vitality of our communities. Tim Razzari and his honorable Team are always ready to help their clients and their community.
2011 AMBASSADOR OF GOOD WILL AWARD recipients are Dave Long Proprietor Partner of Hilltop Ranch and Marvin Hanneman Proprietor of Imedia West, are honored for their advocacy for all the community Chambers and for their community volunteerism above and beyond the practices of daily business and for spreading the good will of Merced County wherever they journey.
We will also be honoring 2011 Past President, M. Stephen Jones and retiring Director, Past President Dawn Kinney for her 14 years of dedicated service to the County Chamber and the businesses of Merced County.

January 6 , 2012

Grand marshals named to MLK Day Celebration

Lt. Col. James C. Warren, Iris Jackson and Bishop Dwight Amey will be the grand marshals of the 16th annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday Jan. 16.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a march along Martin Luther King Jr. Way from the Amtrak Depot, 324 W. 24th St., to the Merced County Fairgrounds at 900 MLK Way. A two hour multicultural celebration will be held at the fairgrounds starting at noon.

There is no admission charge for the celebration. The event is organized by the MLK Planning Committee and sponsored by the City of Merced and the City Recreation Division.

The Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers and grand marshal from last year’s event, National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson, will also be in attendance at the festivities and will hold honorary positions in the march.

Inside the Exhibit Building at the fairgrounds the celebration will continue with a multi-ethnic Unity program featuring entertainment by local school children, youth groups, choirs and speakers. There will be exhibits reinforcing the “Unity” them of the event, as taught by Dr. King.

Warren is a highly decorated retired lieutenant colonel with the US Army Air Forces. He was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, who served his country for 35 years. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the armed forces. Warren flew in more than 173 combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He has received numerous awards for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation medal and other awards.
Lt. Col. Warren’s career was highlighted by being selected as the navigator of “Homecoming One,” the first C-141 to fly into Northern Vietnam to rescue and return American POW’s to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.

Iris Jackson is a dedicated educator and contributor to every community that she’s lived in. She began her teaching career in Texas shortly after graduating from Northern Michigan University in 1974. She then moved to Livingston where she taught for nearly 23 years.

In addition to her career, she has been a lifetime servant of the community. Jackson has played an active role in every church that she’s attended, whether it is as a Sunday school teacher, choir member or as the Director of Christian Education. From 2002 through 2008, she continued to enhance the lives of children by serving as a volunteer teacher at the All God’s Children Christian School. She was also the Director of the Perry-Yokley After School Program from 1998 to 2002. She is a member of The Atwater-Merced Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women.

She has been married to her husband, retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant William E. Jackson, for 55 years. They have three children; William Jr., Pamela and Felecia as well as 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Mrs. Jackson will serve as the mistress of ceremony as well as a grand marshal.

Bishop Dwight Walter Amey, Sr. has been Pastor of New Faith Tabernacle Christian Church of Merced for 36 years. He has conducted revivals and marriage seminars across the country and in Germany, Japan and Turkey.

He is a past member of the Merced City Council, Officer of the Courts, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, member of the Merced Citizen Advisory Redevelopment Agency, City of Merced Parks and Recreation Commissioner and president of Friends of Merced Parks and Recreation. Bishop Amey also is the chairman for the annual Martin Luther King Celebration. The City Council recently honored him by naming the Dwight Amey Neighborhood Park after him.

January 6 , 2012

Yosemite Avenue road work starts Monday

The Yosemite Avenue Improvement Project begins Monday, Jan. 9, with reconstruction of the driveways at the Raley’s Shopping Center at Yosemite and G Street.

The driveway work will be staggered, so that customers will always be able to enter the shopping center from Yosemite Avenue during this phase of the project.

The $1.8 million project will result in four lanes of roadway, and a left turn lane at the Raley’s side of the street. The quarter mile stretch of road from G Street to Maisonette will be widened and the deteriorated pavement will be replaced. The traffic signals also will be improved in the area.

City staff has had extensive discussions with the businesses and residents in the area on how to have the least impact on their livelihoods during the project. Because of the seasonal nature of the businesses around the construction area there will be several stretches of time when work on the road completely stops to give patrons better access to the shopping center.

As a result of the on-again, off-again work, the entire construction project will be longer than normal, lasting from January until June.

Once completed, the project will eliminate the bottleneck at the G Street intersection and allow better flow of traffic along Yosemite Avenue.

More news and updates on the project can be found on the City’s Facebook page on “The Streets of Merced” or on the City website, www.cityofmerced.org.

January 4, 2012

Atwater High School Leadership and FFA Classes Participate in Local Can Hunger Drive

Members of the Atwater High School FFA and Atwater High School Leadership class geared themselves in the final weeks of the school semester not only towards their academic goals, but their community service and holiday spirit too. Nearly 4000 cans were collected by Atwater High School students prior to and during the semester break. The cans were donated to the Atwater Interact Club and distributed to families in the Atwater Community. “I think the experience of delivering the food to families in need throughout the community was a powerful impact with our students as they understood firsthand how fortunate they are in comparison to the challenges many in our community face,” said FFA advisor Beth Knapp. This year’s event was co-directed by Atwater High School Director of Activities Nathan Braga. “The enthusiasm and efforts of our students towards the gift of “giving” is really what the holiday season is all about,” said Braga.

Atwater FFA Students Participate in Kops for Kids

Atwater High School FFA students joined in the holiday spirit of giving and participated in Atwater community’s annual Kops for Kids over the Christmas week. Atwater High School Agriculture Shop instructor Dan Flatt has coordinated with the Lions Club and the Atwater Police Department in generating student wood shop projects as toys and gifts for community children. “The students made over 250 toy helicopters the past few months and they were all gone within minutes,” said Flatt. The parents of the children who receive the wooden toys appreciate the fact they are “simple”, durable, and provide the kids the opportunity to personalize them at home with their own paint and decorations.

The opportunity for students to get involved with the community event was two-fold. First, there was the goal of building 250+ toy helicopters in the student’s shop classes. Second, was the opportunity for all agriculture students to volunteer their time in putting together Christmas baskets/packages followed by the disbursement of those gifts to children and families.

Although the toy helicopters represent simple projects, they instill basic shop skills such as shop/equipment safety, measurement, proper tool operation, and effort. “I’ve seen the pride of our students transform with gratitude when they are directly involved in the Kops for Kids program,” said Flatt, “It’s what the holiday spirit is all about …… giving and sharing, and they learn to be much more appreciative and gracious for what they have in life.”

Atwater High School agriculture students Giovani Hurtado and Anuvis Ramirez work on their wooden toy projects for the Kops for Kids program.

Members of the Atwater High School Leadership class and Atwater FFA work together over the holiday break in organizing the canned food to be delivered to the Atwater community over the holidays.

Omar Matta, Kendall Flatt, Colby Flatt, Brittney Peek, Dillon Junsay, and Christian Gonzalez gather together in preparation of handing out the toy helicopters.

AHS Ag Wood Shop students Nick Sanchez, Brittney Peek, Omar Metta, Christian Gonzalez, and Chris Bento display over 250 wooden toy helicopters made in the AHS wood shop.

For more photos and information on this and other exciting Atwater FFA and Atwater High School Agriculture program events and activities please check their website at www.atwaterffa.org.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

January 3, 2012

FFA Students Experience Shark Attack

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

A shark attack was experienced by members of the Atwater FFA as they traveled to San Jose for a NHL hockey game between San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers earlier this month. This FFA event is part of the annual Atwater FFA Hockey Trip scheduled each December. This activity is one of the most popular activities of the year as students take a charter bus to San Jose and visit the Fairfield Mall for some holiday shopping. After a few hours at the mall, the students depart to the HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose to watch the hockey game.

For most students this is the first time they have ever attended a professional sporting event. “The best part is seeing the smiles and enthusiasm of our students when they travel and experience something new,” said FFA advisor Jackie Ioimo. The Sharks provided the students with a thrilling 3-2 win.

This activity coincides with the recreational aspect of FFA and the agriculture program as it creates an opportunity for FFA members to participate in recreational activities and develop one’s social and team building skills. It is an opportunity for students to travel, explore new places, gain more experiences and most importantly, have some fun!

For more photos and information on this and other exciting Atwater FFA and Atwater High School Agriculture program events and activities please check their website at www.atwaterffa.org.

Laura Gutierrez, Vanessa Del Toro, Nayeli Hernandez, and Eunis Hernandez enjoy the opportunity of attending the annual Atwater FFA Sharks game.


Members of the Atwater FFA gather together prior to the Sharks vs Oilers NHL hockey game in late December.

January 3, 2012

MCAG's Role in Redistricting

California’s state and federal officials are not the only ones affected by a redistricting process. Changes in how voters elect their 2012 Merced Region school trustees could also be in place for 2012 elections.
Redistricting is the process of drawing voting boundaries in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial (every 10 years) census. Redrawing district and precinct lines to ensure balanced representation is a critical yet complex task. MCAG’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Department has taken on the challenge for over a dozen elementary/high school districts and Merced College.

The criteria GIS staff must follow makes the process rather complicated. A few examples of what the GIS department must consider when redrawing voting districts – distribute the population equally, maintain ay districts that have minority population great than 50%, keep existing incumbents in their districts, and make sure each district is contiguous (touching). Overall, the final product just has to make sense.

Using GIS mapping technology, GIS staff analyzed the criteria mentioned above and the latest available census data, to develop draft maps, also known as scenarios, for each of the districts. They presented these draft scenarios to the respective Boards and the public to solicit comments. GIS staff then compiled all of the comments received from the Boards and the public to develop final scenarios.

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2012 Homeless Street Count

The Merced Regional Continuum of Care Program, facilitated by MCAG, has garnered over $2 million in grant funds for homeless programs. Programs range from housing the mentally ill to a web-based data tracking tool for Congress.

As part of the grant requirements, the Continuum of Care collaborative, made up of service provides, homeless advocates and government representatives, conducts an annual homeless street count and survey. The 2012 count is scheduled to take place the morning of January 24th. “Counters” literally walk or drive throughout the county to visually identify and tally homeless persons. Emergency shelters also provide their headcount for reporting purposes.

The 2011 street count found 485 homeless persons living on the streets or in emergency shelter.
In addition to the headcount, volunteers also survey the homeless to learn more about their characteristics, including their gender, length of homelessness, if they’re a veteran, any disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse issues.

Although each Board is within different stages of the approval process, they must complete the redistricting process, which includes certain federal approvals, in time to prepare for the 2012 November elections.

If you have never experienced the excitement of GIS technology, be sure to click below to access interactive tools, view zoning and general plan maps or contact our GIS staff directly.

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The data collected is not only provided to the federal government for reporting purposes, it is also used by members of the Continuum of Care to identify any existing gaps that may exist and provides an opportunity to introduce the homeless to programs they may not be aware of.

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Alicia Ochoa-Jones, Coordinator for the Continuum of Care at (209) 723-3153 x328 or via email at alicia.ochoa-jones@mcagov.org

December 21, 2011

Campus’ Ties with Community Continue to Increase
UC Merced’s multidisciplinary research arm continues to grow and address issues that challenge the San Joaquin Valley, the state and the world

MERCED, Calif. — The bond between the San Joaquin Valley and the University of California, Merced, continues to strengthen.
This past year, UC Merced’s ongoing research endeavors produced new knowledge that serves the San Joaquin Valley’s community and economy, while the university’s burgeoning athletics program became another source of pride for the community.
Additionally, the campus’ continued development serves as major source of economic investment during a difficult economy.
“UC Merced was built on the promise to improve lives and bring economic prosperity to the San Joaquin Valley,” Chancellor Dorothy Leland said. “Despite unprecedented economic challenges, this young and innovative campus has made substantial progress toward these goals, and it is poised to continue on this path through 2012.”
Research Vital to the Valley
The campus’ research takes many forms and shapes, from engineering to natural sciences to literature. In some cases, the research directly involves issues confronting the San Joaquin Valley.
UC Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research Institute continues to study how the Sierra and the San Joaquin Valley are affected by climate change, population growth, pollution and the scarcity of natural resources. Researchers with the institute were

awarded a $2 million grant this year from the National Science Foundation to expand on a prototype system that uses a network of wireless sensors to track snowpack depth, water storage in soil, stream flow, and water use by vegetation in the Sierra. This information is key to efficient usage of water, a scarce resource that is vital for the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industries.

Additionally, Roger Bales, a professor and the institute’s director, was part of a research team that proposed thinning forests to historical conditions in order to enhance water runoff from the mountains.
Another way the campus’ research is benefitting the community is through the focus on community-engaged scholarship. The Chancellor’s Task Force on Community Engaged Scholarship was awarded a grant from The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative to strengthen the collaboration between the campus and community.
As part of the collaboration, the task force organized a conference on campus that drew about 180 people who were interested in learning about successful programs that could be used to improve the lives of San Joaquin Valley youth.

December 21 , 2011

ASSETS After School Program Helps to Create College-Going Culture

Students from 35 different Merced County schools had the opportunity to see what college life is like — if only for an hour or so.
Students in the Merced County Office of Educations ASSETS after school program visited UC Merced or CSU Stanislaus to learn about the school, and college life in general.
“This trip gives Merced County students the experience of visiting a real college campus,” said Steven E. Gomes, Merced County Superintendent of Schools. “The more students that see there are institutions of higher education literally in their backyard, themore MCOE is helping to create a college-going culture in Merced County. This activity addresses one of MCOE's three overarching goals.”
The ASSETS program, which is supported through state grant money, helps to support the enrichment of children’s academic achievement in English/Language Arts and math while providing a safe and enriching place for students.
On Dec. 14, Chenoweth and Burbank Elementary Schools in Merced were bussed to UC Merced and students were intrigued by the underground labs, idea of living on campus, having to clean their own dorm room and, most of all, the dining commons.
Tour guides also talked about what a major is, how different it can be to go to a start-up university and long-term plans for the university’s expansion.
The ASSETS program is a free, safe and fun after school program that encourages success through engaging experiences in academics, enrichment and homework support.
Students in the ASSETS program will also get a chance to visit the Challenger Learning Center and the Gallo Center for the Arts this spring.

PHOTOS BY NATHAN QUEVEDO COURTESY MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Photo to right
Priscilla Gomez, a UC Merced freshman in political science, gives students in the ASSETS after school program from Chenoweth Elementary School in Merced a tour of the campus on Dec. 14.

Students in the ASSETS after school program from Chenoweth Elementary School in Merced arrive at UC Merced on Dec. 14 for a tour of the campus led by UC Merced senior in mechanical engineering, Edirin Egbikuadje.

December 21 , 2011

Special Education Program Celebrates Holidays a Little Differently This Year

Pamela Parrott realized she had enough gifts and holiday decorations this year.
A special education program coordinator for the Merced County Office of Education, Parrott talked with her staff and decided to do something a little different than a traditional office gift exchange.
“We recognized that our community’s in dire need,” she said.
So her staff of about 55 people pitched in to donate to a local agency. Contributors included adapted physical education teachers, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, program secretaries, and other coordinators.
“The decision regarding charity wasn’t an easy one, but the staff decided to donate to the Merced County Food Bank. Food is just a basic necessity,” Parrott said.
The food bank serves between 80,000 and 100,000 people per month in Merced County.
The staff thought this was the best way to reach a wide range of people throughout the county.
“Just a small group of people can make a big difference,” she said.
The Merced County Food Bank also collaborates with other programs like the Neighborhood Pantries Grocery Distribution, which works with more than 80 organizations that host neighborhood distribution programs located at places of worship, community centers and senior centers throughout the county.
Parrott, accompanied by her staff member Carol Davis, recently took the donation to Phyllis Legg, executive director of the food bank.
The donation total was $1,300.
“This will feed a lot of families, not just during Christmas, but throughout the year,” Legg said.
Parrott thinks this is a great model for other organizations to follow.
“I challenge different agencies and organizations to choose a charity and make a contribution,” she said.
For more information on the Merced County Food Bank, visit mercedcountyfoodbank.com.

From left, Pamela Parrott, program coordinator for the Merced County Office of Education, Phyliss Legg, executive director of the Merced County Food Bank and Carol Davis, special education staff member, pose for a picture with an envelope containing $1,300 that Parrott's staff donated to the food bank. This donation was in lieu of the program's normal holiday exchange.

PHOTOS BY NATHAN QUEVEDO COURTESY MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

December 19 , 2011

Atwater FFA “Waves” in the
Holiday Season

During the last week of the 1st semester, just before the Christmas break, over 150 Atwater FFA students braved the cold weather and gathered at the Ag Department for the annual “Morning Wave” at 6:00 am. The idea was created by FFA advisor Dave Gossman who, while residing in Bermuda in the late 1990’s, was inspired by the country’s famous Johnny Barnes who stands at the road leading into the city of Hamilton every weekday morning (rain or shine) to wave and greet everyone driving into work.

For the past nine years, the Atwater FFA utilizes its December FFA meeting as a way to gather and socialize over hot chocolate, hot cider, and doughnuts and proceed to the main corner of the school to greet, wave, and wish everyone a “Happy Holiday” season.

“Its been a great tradition,” said FFA advisor Sam Meredith, “The best part is seeing the smile and enthusiasm on the passerby’s driving in their vehicles. I think we make their day!”

Members of the Atwater FFA gather on Winton Way and Fruitland for the annual “Atwater FFA Morning Wave” during the holiday season.

For more photos and information on this and other exciting Atwater FFA and Atwater High School Agriculture program events and activities please check their website at www.atwaterffa.org.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

December 17 , 2011

Yosemite Corvette Club of Merced Challenges Other Clubs to Give to the Rescue Mission's Christmas Dinner

Merced, CA- Yosemite Corvette Club of Merced made a fun run Saturday to give a caring hand for the Rescue Mission's Christmas Dinner as well as two other organizations, Merced County Food Bank and Toys for Tots.
They spent Saturday morning by meeting at Save Mart, buying food and toys, dropping food in the Merced County Food Bank's container at Save Mart, stopping by the Toys For Tots Collection Station that was in front of Hobby Lobby to drop off the toys, and delivering the hams and food to the Rescue Mission....click here to see the whole story in pictures

December 16 , 2011

Community Conversations on housing,
holidays and wishes

A holiday choral concert, a Christmas wish and a look back at a long life are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.

The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. It airs on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s lineup: Richard Mahacek talks about the Challenger Learning Center’s new family pass; Pam Duarte talks about the recent Christmas Wish grants by Merced County Make-A-Wish; Juli Rice talks about the Merced College Choral group’s Christmas Concert that will air on Community Conversations over the holidays; Otto Rigan talks about his life that began 90 years ago and ended up in Atwater; Mark Hamilton from the City of Merced talks about the housing programs that are available to the public and Monika Sotelo talks about the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s New Year’s Eve gala.

The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

The show’s hosts this week are Nathan Quevedo, Roger Wood and Mike Conway and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

December 16 , 2011

City Council considers repealing ordinance,
MLK Way plan

The Merced City Council will consider repealing the “Just Cause for Eviction” ordinance, receive a report on the Martin Luther King Jr. Way Revitalization Plan and provide staff with direction concerning the permitting process for special events and parades.

In November the City Council approved a “Just Cause for Eviction” ordinance that gave tenants added protection from eviction if a rental property changed owners as a result of foreclosure.

At its Nov. 7 meeting the Council approved the ordinance, and again approved the ordinance at its second reading Nov. 21. At the Dec. 5 meeting, the Council voted to bring the ordinance back for possible repeal.

The City received a $250,000 grant to study MLK Jr. Way area between M and G streets and Highway 99 and Childs Avenue. The report before the Council includes strategies such as diverting truck traffic off of the road and onto Highway 99, creating a brand for the corridor, improving alley lighting and providing bus stops on the highway.

The City receives regular requests to close streets, conduct special events on City property and hold parades. Currently most of these events go before the City Council, even if they are long-standing events.

The Council is being asked if they want to grandfather in a list of events already approved by Council and allow staff to approve the events as long as they meet the usual City requirements including insurance and notification. The other option would continue to have Council approve all of the larger events.

The Council will meet in closed session at 6:30 p.m. to meet with labor negotiators and to discussion potential litigation.

The regular City Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council.

December 16 , 2011

Planada Students Learn to Sing the Blues

PLANADA — The blues were in the air in Planada in early December. And of all places, the scene was Cesar Chavez Middle School.
About 80 eighth-grade students were treated to blues music performed by J. Wood and Cheryl Craig-Lockett. Wood is a local blues artist who achieved international fame playing all over the world with musicians like Albert Collins.
This was part of a class project that teachers Marissa Luna-Mahacek and Reno Martinelli had been working on with the students. The students worked “on a multicultural, multisensory, technology driven, socially conscious project that was inspired by our curriculum,” Luna-Mahacek said.
Students read “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Meyers, a fictional story about a homeless man who was once famous for singing the blues.
Students then mobilized the school community by having a canned food drive where they collected more than 800 nonperishable food items to donate locally.
The next step was for students to work in small groups and research famous blues singers. They even wrote their own blues song and performed it at theevent.
“What I liked about watching the presentations was learning more about music and its origins,” said Samantha Zaragoza, 13. “The blues varies and expresses the singer’s emotions. It’s like reading a diary or looking into the artist’s heart.”
And then they reached out to the local blues community.
Mel Pruitt, who owns “Mel’s” on Highway 140 near Planada, helped to get both Woods and Craig-Lockett at the event.
“I helped them get this thing going and get a little history of the blues,” said Pruitt with a smile on his face. He hosted Juneteenth celebrations at Mel’s and is in touch with the local community.
Craig-Locket, a voice instructor who has a space in downtown Merced, was happy to show the students what the blues mean to her.
Her father, Kenny Craig, was in the Merced-based band the Blue Notes who played in the 1950s. To her, the music is more than a rhythm with notes strung together.
“I want the students to walk away with a clear understanding of the power of music in the history of black America,” she said. “It wasn’t welcomed initially — it was seen as unsacred. … Almost like an abomination.”
She went on to talk about jazz and its roots.
“It didn’t make sense to people. It’s like science or spirituality — something people didn’t really understand,” she said.
After the students performed, Craig-Locket joined Wood to perform a fewblues classics.

Blues musician J. Woods performs for Cesar Chavez Middle School students inearly December in Planada. The students were studying blues music and read the book “The Treasure of Lemon Brown.”

PHOTOS BY NATHAN QUEVEDO COURTESY MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Blues musician J. Woods performs for Cesar Chavez Middle School students inearly December in Planada. The students were studying blues music and read the book “The Treasure of Lemon Brown.”

Blues musician J. Woods, left, performs with vocalist Cheryl Craig-Locket for Cesar Chavez Middle School students in early December in Planada. The students were studying blues music and read the book “The Treasure of Lemon Brown.”

December 15 , 2011

Bakersfield leads California in
‘best performing cities’ list
Merced makes biggest jump in rankings

SANTA MONICA December 15, 2011 5:43am • Milken Institute's annual review puts it 47th in nation • Merced makes biggest jump in rankings
Of all the metropolitan areas in all of California, which is rated the best in the state for best economic performance? Buck Owens would be proud. It’s Bakersfield in the Central Valley, according to the annual Milken Institute survey of “Best Performing Cities” among the nation’s 200 largest metro areas. Bakersfield is 47th in the nation, a sharp drop from its perch at 27th on last year’s list. “Merced, the epicenter of the housing collapse, recorded the biggest jump in ranking, vaulting 105 positions to 63rd. Merced's housing sector has begun to heal, and new hiring in trade and transportation helped the region,” the report says. This year, San Antonio, Texas, topped the list of 200 large metros, and Houston, Texas, scored No. 1 among the 10 biggest U.S. metros. Texas metros occupied four of the Top 5 positions (vs. three last year), and nine of the Top 25 (vs. 11 in 2010). Despite continuing national economic weakness, the Texas job machine continued to crank out employment gains, the report says. Its employers created one of every six new jobs in the United States in the year through October. Milken says Texas benefits from a lower reliance on durable goods manufacturing, low business costs, the ongoing consolidation of military bases, increased trade with Mexico and South America, continued energy exploration and development, and aggressive recruiting of employers from less “business-friendly” states. Utah has three metros in the Top 25 compared to only one last year. The Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden metro areas climbed an average 32 positions, with Salt Lake gaining 49 spots. Utah was the only state to double its volume of exports over the past five years, and Salt Lake's economy is highly diversified, with pharmaceuticals, medical devices, transportation equipment, financial services, and high-tech companies. "There were some common themes among top-performing metro areas across the country," says Ross DeVol, the Institute's chief research officer and one of the report's authors. "Many that did the best were those that took advantage of the boom in energy production and increased investment in equipment by businesses. And it is no accident that the housing markets showing the most resilience are in cities with growing employment." The Best-Performing Cities

index includes measures of job, wage, and technology performance to rank the nation's 200 large metropolitan areas. Unlike other "best places" rankings, it does not use quality-of-life metrics, such as commute times or housing costs. In the Institute's index, employment growth is weighted most heavily due to its critical importance to community vitality. Wage and salary growth measures the quality of jobs created and sustained. Here’s how Milken ranks other Central Valley cities compared to the nation: • Merced, 63rd (Ahead of places like Portland, Ore., and San Diego • Sacramento, 144th • Fresno, 146th • Visalia-Porterville, 151st • Modesto, 174th • Stockton, 187th Among the findings in the report: Realignment of military bases is bringing new jobs and construction to San Antonio, Texas, while advances in drilling techniques have made the area's Eagle Ford shale formation more attractive to oil and gas companies. Housing prices, which fell less than 5 percent from the peak, are supported by new residents attracted by the available jobs. Fort Collins/Loveland, Colo., jumped 47 positions to reach third in this year's index. The metro offers many of the same amenities as Boulder but at a lower cost, says Milken. Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins has attracted a number of high-tech firms; technology output is over 50 percent more important to the Fort Collins economy than the national average. In part because of the university, the metro is a leader in innovative infrastructure investments. In the metropolitan area anchored by Washington, D.C., federal employment continued to shield the economy from the aftermath of the Great Recession. The government created 15,000 new jobs, and salaries in the area continued to rise faster than the national average. In a sign of the dynamism of the U.S. economy, many of this year's trailing cities were once on top: Las Vegas, now 197th, was No. 2 in 2003 and 2004. And the metro at the bottom of the biggest 200, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Fla., was No. 1 in 2004. The Milken Institute of Santa Monica describes itself as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank.” Frank Quintero | Director of Economic DevelopmentCity of Merced | 678 W. 18th Street | Merced, CA 95340 1-800-723-4788(209) 385-6827 office(209) 388-7612 pc fax quinterof@cityofmerced.orgwww.cityofmerced.org

December 15 , 2011

Congressman Cardoza Testifies before House Committee on Benefits of High Speed Rail for the Central ValleyRail Would Create Jobs, Boost Economy, Reduce Congestion, and Improve Air Quality

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cardoza (D-Merced) testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of California’s ongoing High Speed Rail project. “In both our nation’s and in California’s history, tough times have led to bold and innovative solutions,” said Congressman Cardoza. “The opportunity presented by California High Speed Rail is a continuation of this legacy of visionary leadership.” Congressman Cardoza focused his comments on the economic benefits high speed rail would offer the Central Valley, which has been plagued by high unemployment rates. Congressman Cardoza said, “The people I represent in the San Joaquin Valley are in a dire economic situation. The latest reported unemployment in three of the cities in my District ranges from 15 to 17 percent, nearly twice the national unemployment rate. Crime has increased and jobs are scarce.” He continued, “The economic analysis of this project shows that construction of the initial segment will generate nearly 100,000 jobs. The people I represent desperately need these jobs, the jobs that will be generated as the system becomes operational, and the spin-off of economic activity associated with the project. Furthermore, the San Joaquin Valley desperately needs to be connected to the other major areas of the state in order to realize greater economic, cultural and educational opportunities.” Since much of the concern about the high speed rail project has centered around the cost to taxpayers, Congressman Cardoza noted, “From a practical standpoint, if we don’t construct high speed rail, in order to meet our state’s needs, we would need to construct 2,300 new miles of highway, 115 new airport gates, and 4 new runways -- all at a projected cost of more than $170 billion. While costly, there have been no cost projections for the California High Speed Rail system that have come anywhere close to $170 billion.” In addition, Congressman Cardoza stated that air quality would improve by reducing the number of cars and trucks on the road and it would provide a clear vehicle for economic investment into communities along the rail route. Congressman Cardoza also expressed that in a public meeting recently held by the California High Speed Rail Authority in Merced, more than 90% of those in attendance spoke in favor of the project. Congressman Cardoza concluded his testimony, “The Authority still has a long way to go in the development of the project, but if their handling of the preferred route for the Merced-Fresno segment is any indication, the Authority has the capability of working with local communities to address their concerns.” Read below for his complete testimony, and to see video, click here. Statement of Congressman Dennis CardozaBefore the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure “California’s High-Speed Rail Plan: Skyrocketing Costs & Project Concerns” Introduction• Chairman Mica, Ranking Member Rahall and Members of the Committee, I’d like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak about the proposed High Speed Rail system in California. Background and Challenges• California and our nation face a number of challenges, both related to the economy and to our quality of life.• There is incredible congestion on California’s highways and in its airports, costing California’s economy, the 9th largest in the world, over $14.5 billion each year.• Travel on the interstate system is increasing at a rate five times faster than capacity has been added.• California, particularly the San Joaquin Valley where my district is located, has some of the worst air quality in the nation. 1 in 6 children in Fresno have asthma, much higher than the national average. • And exacerbating all of these other problems is the challenge presented by rapid population growth.• California is projected to add 20 million people by 2050, and the Central Valley is expected to more than double in size.• Faced with these simple facts, it’s very clear that investments need to be made to improve mobility, air quality and the economy in California. HSR Opportunities• In both our nation’s and in California’s history, tough times have led to bold and innovative solutions.• The opportunity presented by California High Speed

Rail is a continuation of this legacy of visionary leadership.• From a practical standpoint, if we don’t construct high speed rail, in order to meet our state’s needs, we would need to construct:o 2,300 new miles of highwayo 115 new airport gateso And 4 new runways• All at a projected cost of more than $170 billion.• While costly, there have been no cost projections for the California High Speed Rail system that have come anywhere close to $170 billion.• And High Speed Rail has a number of secondary benefits including:o Improving air quality by reducing the number of cars and trucks on the roado Reducing the amount of farmland taken out of production, compared to massive highway expansiono And providing a clear vehicle for economic investment into communities along the rail route Economic Development• As I mentioned in the beginning of my statement, the people I represent in the San Joaquin Valley are in a dire economic situation. • The latest reported unemployment in three of the cities in my District ranges from 15 to 17 percent, nearly twice the national unemployment rate.• Crime has increased and jobs are scarce.The economic analysis of this project shows that construction of the initial segment will generate nearly 100,000 jobs.• The people I represent desperately need these jobs, the jobs that will be generated as the system becomes operational, and the spin off of economic activity associated with the project • Furthermore, the San Joaquin Valley desperately needs to be connected to the other major areas of the state in order to realize greater economic, cultural and educational opportunities. Concerns• There have been some concerns expressed by Members of this Committee about the development of the California High Speed Rail system and about the Authority’s ability to carry out such an expansive project.• To be frank, I have shared many of your concerns. • Specifically, the concerns I had involved transparency in the process and potential impacts of the project on the agricultural communities I serve.• However, I have seen an improvement in the Authority’s process, outreach and transparency. It is essential that these improvements continue as we move forward.• I was also concerned with some of the alignments that were under consideration that would have resulted in a significant amount of farmland being lost and in drastic impacts on the agricultural community.• The Authority ultimately selected the correct alternative, the hybrid A-2 alignment, which had the least impact.• In the same vein, I urge the Authority to select the alignment along the 152 freeway when designing the “WYE” in the Merced to San Jose segment, so that farmland vital to our nation’s food security can be protected. Community Support• As a result of the Authority working side by side with the local communities, there is strong support in my District for bringing High Speed Rail service to Merced and other communities in the Valley.• The Authority held a public meeting two days ago in the City of Merced to select the preferred route, where hundreds of people were in attendance.• Over 90% of those in attendance not only spoke in favor of the project, but thanked the Authority for listening to and addressing their concerns.• The Authority still has a long way to go in the development of the project, but if the the Authority’s handling of the preferred route for the Merced-Fresno segment is any indication, the Authority has the capability of working with local communities to address the local concerns. • While ultimately all of those concerns may not be addressed, based on the experience of my constituents, the Authority will take a good hard look at all of the alternatives presented and will come to the right solution. Conclusion• I’d like to thank you again for the opportunity to speak in support of this project and I look forward to hearing the rest of the testimony.

December 13 , 2011

High-Speed Rail Authority Voted 6-0 to accept the Hybrid Route Through Valley
Train stations in downtown Merced and downtown Fresno

Merced – December 13, 2011 Board Meeting
The Board of Directors received a presentation from Authority staff on this recommendation at the regularly scheduled December 13, 2011 meeting in Merced and took action with a 6-0 vote to accept the Hybrid Route through the Valley. The Authority has recommended that this route be identified as the preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), which is now being prepared and scheduled for release in early 2012. There was an opportunity for public comment at the board meeting, with about 100 people expressing their view on the route.There will also be a public comment session following the release of the Final EIR/EIS.

High-Speed Rail Authority Voted 6-0 to accept the Hybrid Route Through Valley

December 13 , 2011

FFA Students Earn Their Degrees

The Atwater FFA Chapter held its 33nd annual Greenhand - Chapter FFA Degree Ceremony recently at the BCHS Performing Arts Theater. The purpose of this annual event was to recognize 652 AHS agriculture students who earned their Greenhand and Chapter FFA degrees. As students advance in FFA and their agricultural education, they can earn a series of “degrees” that represent their accomplishments. Each FFA degree recognizes a student’s progress in leadership, agricultural education, and their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program which represent(s) an ownership and/or work experience project(s) in agriculture.

Over 350 students, family, and friends attended this special event. Atwater FFA Chapter President, Sandra Flores opened the meeting and welcomed students, parents, and guests to the ceremony. Ninth grade students Samantha Cox, Dayana Ceja, Karina Garcia, Makala Navarro, and Emily Jorge recited the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany. A slide show of the students who earned their degrees was presented along with a musical slide show of the numerous FFA activities that students have taken part in so far this year.

422 Greenhand degrees and a bronze pin were awarded to first year agriculture students. Requirements of this degree include enrollment in an agriculture class, plans for an SAE program or project, and knowledge and understanding of the FFA organization. 245 Chapter Farmer degrees and a silver pin were awarded to second year agriculture students. Requirements for this degree include being an FFA member for at least one year, being active in a SAE program or project, involvement in group discussions and parliamentary law, progress toward individual achievement in the FFA awards program, and a satisfactory scholastic record.

The Atwater FFA advisors are committed to building a strong program that gets students involved and providing them with opportunities for scholastic achievement, personal growth, and career success. Although not every student is planning to pursue an education and career directly related to agriculture, the AHS Agriculture Program and FFA provides students the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience that will benefit ANY educational path and career.

“We provide our students with opportunities to grow and develop personally, academically, and professionally,” says FFA advisor Beth Knapp, “We challenge our students to take advantage of those opportunities and pursue their interests towards colleges, universities, and a successful career.”

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

Atwater High School agriculture students Amy Dutra and Bernadette Sevilla display their name cards as they prepare to walk on stage and receive their FFA Chapter degree.

Francisco Macias (left) and Joana Pena (far right) congratulate Samantha Cox, Dayana Ceja, Karina Garcia, Makala Navarro, and Emily Jorge following their FFA Creed recitation.

Atwater High School sophomore agriculture student Alyssa Ruiz is congratulated by FFA Chapter Officer Trazarra Manuel during the FFA Greeenhand / Chapter Degree Ceremony.

Atwater High agriculture students Oscar Del Toro, Austin Connor, Francis Britton, Shawna Moore, Paola Torres, Rosalva Carrillo, Haley Lawrence, Makala Navarro, and Gracie Santistevan display their FFA “Greenhands”.

December 13 , 2011

Merced County Rescue Mission Needs Hams

Thank you for your generous support of the Merced County Rescue Mission over the Thanksgiving Meal. They were truly blessed by the generosity and help that poured in for the community meal. They would now like to do another dinner for Christmas. They are expecting the same number of people and will be serving ham. They will need 100, 10lb hams. They need potatoes and salad. They have vegetables left over from Christmas. They can always use monetary donations and volunteers to continue their support in helping those less fortunate.

Please contact Philip Schmauss at the Mission for any other information: 1921 Canal Street Merced, CA 95340-3725
(209) 722-9269
Merry Christmas everyone and let us hope to make this a happier Christmas for others.

December 12 , 2011

Results from 2011-12 Merced County Elementary and Junior High Spelling Bees

Students from Merced County’s West Side nearly dominated both the elementary and junior high school Merced County Spelling Bees this week.
Held at the Atwater Community Center and Merced County Office of Education on Dec. 7 and 8, 25 students from 12 junior high schools competed in addition to 85 students from 38 elementary schools.
Except for first place in the elementary competition, all other students who placed in the top three spots are from Los Banos.
Barbara Cole, Beginning Teacher Support and Assistance coordinator at MCOE, was the word master for the elementary spelling bee. Kathy Pon, Assistant Superintendent for the Instructional Services department at MCOE, was the word master for the junior high competition.
Words and definitions were given to students before they put their spelling skill into action. First and second place winners from both competitions represent Merced County at the state championships accordingly.
Winners for the Spelling Bees:

ELEMENTARY
First Place: Allison Melander, 6th Grade, Peggy Heller Elementary School, Atwater Elementary School District
Second Place: Anmol Kuar, 6th Grade, RM Miano Elementary School, Los Banos Unified School District
Third Place: Kevin Rubio, 6th Grade, RM Miano Elementary School, Los Banos Unified School District
Last Word Given: Nepotism

JUNIOR HIGH
First Place: Danny Chera, 8th Grade, Los Banos Junior High, LosBanos Unified School District
Second Place: T.J. Bangle, 8th Grade, Los Banos Junior High, Los Banos Unified School District
Third Place: Kellen Haug, 8th Grade, Los Banos Junior High, Los Banos Unified School District
Last Word Given: Panacea

The 2011 California State Junior High Spelling Bee championship is Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Marin County Office of Education in San Rafael.
The 2011 California State Elementary Spelling Bee championship is Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the SanJoaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.
For more information about the Spelling Bees, contact Valerie LeDuc at (209) 381-5910.

The top three elementary students from the 2011-12 Merced County Spelling Bee, from left, Kevin Rubio, third place, Anmol Kuar, second place and Allison Melander, first place, pose with Merced County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent Kathy Pon at the Atwater Community Center on Dec. 7.

The top three junior high students from the 2011-12 Merced County Spelling Bee, from left, Danny Chera, first place, T.J. Bangle, second place and Kellen Haug, third place — all from Los Banos Junior High — show off their trophies at the Merced County Office of Education on Dec. 8.

December 5 , 2011

New City Council members sworn in Monday night

Three new members of the Merced City Council took the oath of office at the start of the 7 p.m. Monday night meeting. Mayor Stan Thurston and Council members Mike Murphy and Tony Dossetti began their terms after the ceremony. Returning Council member Noah Lor was also sworn in.

Out-going Mayor Bill Spriggs and Council members Michelle Gabriault-Acosta and John Carlisle were honored for their service to the City.

December 7 , 2011

Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce Unveils New Website December 7, 2011

In celebration of their 75th anniversary and their move back to downtown Merced, the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce was eager to establish a new image that will take them forward for the next 75 years. The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce is Merced’s premier business resource providing advocacy, education, networking, and community stewardship. Guided by core principles, The Greater Merced Chamber partners with business, government and community leaders to promote a strong local economy. Selecting a new logo was the first phase of an updated marketing plan that the Chamber’s Board of Directors has been working on for the past several months. Following the logo selection in June, a new website and a cutting edge quarterly business lifestyle magazine have been in development. The new marketing materials will incorporate the Chamber’s new tag line: The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce, Your Partner in Business. The Chamber’s new website, found at www.merced-chamber.com

has been streamlined and consolidated, but offers a few new features which provide members with additional value for the
Chamber membership. Members now receive exclusive discounts available only to Chamber members, such as free consulting, advertising discounts, and other service discounts. Members may also upgrade their membership to the Chairman’s Circle which offers additional benefits. To learn how to become a member of the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce, check the website or call the Chamber at (209) 384-7092.

December 2 , 2011

New City Council members sworn in Monday night

Three new members of the Merced City Council will take the oath of office at the start of the 7 p.m. Monday night meeting. Mayor Stan Thurston and Council members Mike Murphy and Tony Dossetti will begin their terms after the ceremony. Returning Council member Noah Lor also will be sworn in.

Out-going Mayor Bill Spriggs and Council members Michelle Gabriault-Acosta and John Carlisle will be honored for their service to the City.

The meeting is carried live on Comcast Channel 96.

On the agenda for the evening is a public hearing to consider changing the zoning of the Fahrens Park Plaza from business park to neighborhood commercial. Owners of the plaza, located at Highway 59 and Buena Vista Drive, want a reduction in the amount of parking required for the site along with the changes in use.

Also on the agenda is an urgency ordinance that would allow the City to freeze the water rates, and eliminate the scheduled increase. Staff also is seeking approval of a water rate study to determine future rates and connection charges.

The Council will be asked to adopt the 2011 Emergency Operations Plan for the City. The plan outlines how the City would deal with large-scale disasters such as a flood, major fire or large toxic spill.

The regular City Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. The Council will adjourn to a 5:30 p.m. Tuesday closed session to discuss labor issues and existing litigation.

The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council.

December 2 , 2011

MCOE to Host 2011-12 Merced County Elementary and Junior High Spelling Bees

Even though winter is almost here, Merced County students are abuzzwith excitement.
And that’s because both 2011-12 Merced County Spelling Bees will be held Dec. 7 and 8 at the Atwater Community Center and at the Merced County Office of Education, and students have been studying nonstop to earn a spot at the top.
On Dec. 7, 80 students from 38 elementary schools will compete at 9a.m. at the Atwater Community Center, and on Dec. 8, 28 students from 12 junior high schools will compete at 9 a.m. at the Merced County Office of Education’s Clark/Newbold conference rooms.
“What I see that’s important about the Spelling Bee is the chance for students to have their accomplishments take them outside of the classroom and into a different environment, which is a learning experience in itself,” said Valerie LeDuc, Merced County Office of Education events and activities supervisor.
Barbara Cole, Beginning Teacher Support and Assistance coordinator at MCOE, is the word master for the elementary competition and Kathy Pon, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services at MCOE, will be the word master for the junior high competition.

Words and definitions will be given to students before they put their spelling skill into action. First and second place winners from both competitions represent Merced County at the state championships accordingly.
The elementary study word list is provided by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, which holds the elementary state spelling bee championship. Marin County Office of Education provides the junior high word list and holds the state championship in San Rafael.
For more information about the Spelling Bees, contact LeDuc at (209) 381-5910.

December 2 , 2011

Community Conversations turn to Christmas kettles, tours and Downtown events

The history of Christmas kettles, helping the SPCA and youth basketball are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.

The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. It airs on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s lineup: Tom Price and R.C. Essig talk about live music and art events Downtown in December; Leslie Nazario of Educational Employees Credit Union talks about its events to boost education in the Central Valley; Joey Chavez from City Parks and Rec talks about the benefits of the Jr. Warrior Basketball program; Merced City Fire Captain Ryan Wells talks about holiday safety around the home; Carole Steinhauer talks about the Merced SPCA's Christmas Home Tour ; Nathan Mininger talks about the Merced County Food Bank’s needs and activities for the holidays and Capt. Joel Harmon talks about the history of their Christmas kettles and the needs and activities of the Salvation Army for the holidays.

The show’s host is Nathan Quevedo and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer. The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

December 1 , 2011

High-Speed Rail Authority Releases
Preferred Hybrid Route Through Valley
Train stations in downtown Merced and downtown Fresno

After reviewing extensive public comments and feedback from Central Valley residents and businesses, the California High-Speed Rail Authority released a staff report today recommending the “Hybrid Alternative” as the preferred route for the Merced to Fresno Section.

“This is an exciting step, moving us closer to initiating construction,” said Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director of Planning for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We have listened to residents, businesses and community groups and it is clear this route has the least impact on communities and is the most cost efficient.”

The selection of the preferred route advances the northernmost Central Valley segment toward construction. Construction of this segment will generate thousands of jobs in one of the state’s highest unemployment regions.

Environmental Review and Analysis
The Authority began studying and evaluating potential routes for the Merced to Fresno Section, a corridor of approximately 65 miles, from 2001 to 2005. Based on this analysis, five alternative north-south alignment routes were identified in 2010. In August of this year, that list was narrowed to three routes, which were included in the Authority’s Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS). Based on continued community feedback and further analysis, the Authority selected the “Hybrid Alternative” route, which combines elements of the other two routes identified in the Draft EIR/EIS.
The “Merced to Fresno Staff Recommendation: Preferred Alternative” report is available on the Authority’s website at: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Merced_-_Fresno.aspx.

Hybrid Alternative
The Hybrid Alternative generally parallels the Union Pacific Rail Road and State Route 99 between Merced and Fresno. To avoid impacts to downtown Madera, this route travels east to be adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor. The station locations proposed along this route include downtown Merced between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and G Street and downtown Fresno at Mariposa Street.

It is estimated that the Union Pacific Rail Road / State Route 99 would have cost $1 billion more than the Hybrid Alternative and the BNSF route would have cost $500 million more.

Next Steps – December 13, 2011 Board Meeting
The Board of Directors will receive a presentation from Authority staff on this recommendation at the regularly scheduled December 13, 2011 meeting in Merced and are expected to take action. The Authority has recommended that this route be identified as the preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), which is now being prepared and scheduled for release in early 2012. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the board meeting and also following the release of the Final EIR/EIS.

Please feel free to contact the Merced to Fresno team directly if you have questions or need assistance. Contact the Merced to Fresno team at (415) 955-2938 or email Merced_Fresno@hsr.ca.gov

December 1, 2011

San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium receives funding approval

The San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium (SJVRBC) has received final approval for funding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). After CPUC finished its initial review of the 15 regional consortia grant applications filed in August, seven consortia, including the SJVRBC, not only met the grant qualifications but earned the highest scores. The full commission voted to approve a formal funding resolution on December 1, 2011.

The SJVRBC is under the umbrella of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and is being administered by the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State, with assistance from the Great Valley Center. The SJVRBC will be working diligently during the next three years to focus on accelerating the deployment, accessibility, and adoption of broadband within the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley.

The SJVRBC requested California Advanced Services Fund consortia funding of $150,000 in Year 1 with an intention to renew for the same amount in Years 2 and 3. The San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium represents Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.

SJVRBC's goals are:
• Expedite the provision of broadband access in all areas of the San Joaquin Valley;
• Promote accessibility and adoption of broadband in targeted underserved communities and populations (e.g., develop and implement a plan to ensure high school students graduate with basic computer literacy skills);
• Expand and replicate successful model programs to increase broadband access and bridge the digital divide;
• Accelerate deployment of broadband infrastructure through Telemedicine and Telehealth technology (e.g., develop and implement a plan to connect health clinics with medical centers); and
• Work with neighboring regional consortia to ensure the development of cohesive infrastructure.
The SJVRBC is represented by members of the public-private sectors including telecommunications providers and industry associations; government, economic development corporations, and business development centers; local educational agencies and institutions of higher education; health delivery organizations, community-based and nonprofit organizations; and accessibility advocates. The consortium membership brings years of experience in a variety of areas that will enhance the ability of the SJVRBC to meet its goals. Namely, that have successfully increased utilization by residents through digital literacy programs, pursued funding for deployment, built upon existing infrastructure for Telemedicine/Telehealth, and expanded digital literacy programming.

The Consortium will convene in December to discuss next steps, goals of the work groups, and develop a meeting schedule for the next year.

November 30 , 2011

G Street Underpass dedication ceremony at noon, Saturday, Dec. 3.

The public is invited to tour the G Street Underpass prior to the formal dedication ceremony at noon, Saturday, Dec. 3. The road will be open to pedestrians at 11 a.m. so that people can see the modern marvels normally hidden from view.

Later in the day Mayor Bill Spriggs and former Mayor Ellie Wooten will ride in the vehicle that will be the first car to drive under the underpass. Local students will be involved in a ribbon cutting for the sidewalks that lead to an elementary school and a middle school.

Staff and contractors will be on hand to show the huge storm water pumps that would drain the underpass in case of a heavy rain, explain the network of pipes buried below the asphalt and the electrical system that provides all the power.

Artists Kristan Robinson and Monika Modest will be at the underpass to discuss their artworks that will be decorating the underpass walls and City staff will also be available to discuss the surveillance cameras that protect the art, and other features, from vandals.

There also will be information tables on Neighborhood Watch, recycling, crime prevention, fire safety, transportation available during the event.

The road project has its roots in a tragedy occurring almost 80 years ago. It was at the intersection of G Street and the then Santa Fe railroad tracks that a school bus coming from Fremont School was struck by a train. Seven students were killed and another 23 were injured. The tragedy on May 7, 1931 helped lead to the legislation that requires all occupied buses to stop at railroad crossings. One of the survivors of the accident will be on hand for the undercrossing dedication.

G Street has been closed for the last 18 months for construction of an underpass at the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe tracks.

The underpass is the largest road project in the City’s history. It involved the complete reconstruction of the railroad crossing, the installation of 45 pilings to hold the bridge and the construction of a massive storm water drainage system. In addition, the project involved rerouting sewer and water lines, along with moving natural gas lines and power poles.

The completion of this project means that Central and North Merced residents can move without having to stop for train traffic. Prior to the underpass, police, fire and other public safety vehicles in Merced spend up to two hours each day delayed by the trains. The City can have up to 42 trains a day cutting through town. The only overhead crossing for the BNSF railroad in the City is the two-lane Bradley Overhead on the edge of town that is more that is more 70 years old and gets closed in the winter when roads are too frosty or icy. (It is now being rebuilt) The next nearest crossing is 10 miles away.

The $18 million project is funded by:

California Transportation Commission $9 million
Merced Redevelopment Agency $4.8 million
City Public Facility Financing (Impact fees) $2.3 million
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe RR $1.9 million

In addition, the City spent another $2.4 million for improvements in the project area, including a $1.1 million water line replacement. No general fund money was used in the project and the funds could not be used to pay for personnel such as police or fire personnel.

The project had a “finished” look earlier than expected when the paving schedule was moved up to October to beat the early winter storm that dumped an inch of rain on the City. Staff estimates work would have been delayed at least three to four weeks to dry everything out if the asphalt had not been laid prior to the storm’s arrival.

Even after G Street is opened, additional work will need to be done including installing an emergency generator, pouring concrete near the car wash and finish planting the 6,000 bushes and 200 trees that will decorate the project.

November 30, 2011

Scientists Propose Thinning Sierra Forests to Enhance Water RunoffLess water used by trees would result in more runoff, which could benefit farmers and water managers statewide; Project will examine impacts on forest health and other ecosystem services

MERCED, Calif. — Runoff from the Sierra Nevada, a critical source of California’s water supply, could be enhanced by thinning forests to historical conditions, according to a report from a team of scientists with the University of California, Merced, UC Berkeley and the Environmental Defense Fund.The team proposes to test the hypothesis that forest-management strategies that use thinning to reduce fire risk and maintain the historical mix can also increase water yield and extend the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.The scientists suggest that by selectively reducing the number of trees — which use large amounts of the water received through precipitation — the amount of water that is released from the forest as runoff could increase. This enhanced runoff could make things easier for farmers and water managers statewide.As part of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Ecosystem Enhancement Project (SWEEP), the scientists plan to reduce forest density in test areas and examine the impacts on water runoff, forest health and other ecosystem services, and provide a template for broader forest management in the Sierra Nevada.The thinning of forests, which are much denser now than in past centuries, is already a common practice to reduce the risk of wildfires. The scientists also believe thinning can be done in ways that enhance the forests’ overall ecological health.“It is critical to test these thinning prescriptions in well-controlled, well-monitored

experimental areas to evaluate and verify the effects before applying them statewide,” said lead author Roger Bales, a UC Merced professor and director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute. “Reductions in forest density to enhance runoff have been attempted in past experiments, but never over a sustained period of time, and never under the conditions that currently exist in the Sierra Nevada.”California’s water supply has been diminished by drought in recent years, and climate change is only exacerbating the problem, the researchers said. Warmer temperatures mean more rain and less snow, which leads to runoff that comes earlier in the year. Warming can also lengthen the growing season for trees and other plants, reducing runoff, and the warmer, drier conditions have been shown to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires.Reducing forest density can help counter the effects of climate warming on runoff, they said, in addition to enhancing the runoff directly.“Climate change is having and will have direct effects on the water supply and storage capacity of the Sierra Nevada forests,” said UC Berkeley Professor John Battles, one of the researchers on the project. “Management with an eye toward the water balance provides one potentially important mitigation tool.”Other researchers on the project include Yihsu Chen, Martha H. Conklin and Philip Saksa of UC Merced; Kevin L. O’Hara and William Stewart of UC Berkeley; and Eric Holst of the Environmental Defense Fund.

November 28 , 2011

Chamber Hosts Second Breakfast in Wake Up Merced Series – Community Impact of Mercy Medical Center

November 28, 2011 After a very successful Wake Up Merced Breakfast in September, The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce will host the second event in the series on Wednesday, December 14. The topic of the discussion will be the economic and community impact of the new Mercy Medical Center. The guests will be David Dunham, CEO of Mercy Medical Center and Robert McLaughlin, Director of Marketing for Mercy Medical Center. The program will feature an interview format, with questions posed by Ben Duran, President, Merced College. The first breakfast meeting surprised attendees with a powerful video highlighting some of the very real positive aspects of Merced. There will be an equally surprising component of this second event. The series - sponsored by MERCO Credit Union, Razzari Auto Centers, ImageMasters,

Berliner Cohen and Leap/Carpenter/Kemps Insurance - will feature a hot breakfast courtesy of Merced's Breakfast Lion's Club and Merced Costco. Additional sponsors and supporters include the City of Merced and youbiquicast. The breakfast will be held at the Merced Senior Center. Doors open at 6:30am, program begins at 7:00am. Admission is free for Chamber members, $2 for non-members. To reserve your spot today, call the Chamber at (209) 384-7092.

November 28 , 2011

Merced Library Launches Adopt-A-Book ProgramBeginning in December of 2011

The Merced County Library will launch its first ever Adopt-A-Book program, in which members of the community can support the library with a $25.00 donation that will go toward the addition of a new book or DVD to any of the 16 Merced County libraries. The donor may select from two categories for his or her donation: Adult or Children’s/Young Adult. Librarians will make a selection from the chosen category. The adoptee may choose a commemorative occasion such as Birthday,

Anniversary, In Memoriam or In Honor. A bookplate with an inscription of the donor’s choosing will be placed inside the cover. The adoptee will receive a thank-you letter, receipt (the donation is tax deductible) and a picture of the bookplate in the mail. Adopt-A-Book forms are available at all Merced County libraries, and may be downloaded and printed from the Merced County Library website at www.mercedcountylibrary.org. For more information, please contact the Merced County Library Adopt-A-Book program at (209) 385-7311 ext. 4085.

November 28 , 2011

Chancellor Leland Statement on Peaceful Protest
Held on Campus During Regents Meeting

MERCED, Calif. — Chancellor Dorothy Leland of the University of California, Merced, has issued the following statement on protests held on campus today:“Today marked a milestone of sorts for UC Merced, when one of our first significant peaceful assemblies was held. The university community gathered together — in solidarity with sister campuses throughout the UC system — to express its frustration with the state’s continued disinvestment of public higher education. “Thanks to the mutually respectful and collaborative atmosphere — which is a hallmark of our campus — academic, research and administrative activities of the university were carried out as they would be on any other day. I appreciate everyone’s commitment to our campus’ Principles of Community, as well as the time and effort students and others took to convey their dissatisfaction with rising cost of tuition and detrimental cuts to

the university’s budget.“I congratulate our student protest leaders for ensuring their concerns are heard. Participating in the open democratic process is one of many experiences to be had both in and out of the classroom. In addition, I thank campus law enforcement officials and other staff members whose level of professionalism is laudable and to be commended.”

November 28, 2011

AMTRAK AND CALIFORNIA RAIL PARTNERS LAUNCH FREE Wi-Fi®
ON STATE-SUPPORTED SERVICES
Now available on Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner trains

OAKLAND - Responding to customer demand, Amtrak and its California passenger rail partners are today launching free Wi-Fi service on all three state-supported routes. The launch coincides with "Cyber Monday," the busiest Internet holiday shopping day of the year, allowing passengers onboard to shop online.

Using any laptop computer or Wi-Fi enabled device, passengers traveling on the Capitol Corridor (Auburn-Sacramento-Emeryville/SF-Oakland-San Jose), San Joaquin (Sacramento-Oakland-Bakersfield), and Pacific Surfliner (San Diego- LA-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo) trains now can connect to the Internet through AmtrakConnectSM for general Web surfing and using e-mail. Passengers also can use the Wi-Fi service to access corporate networks through most standard Virtual Private Networks (VPN), turning train trips into productive work time.

California state passenger rail agencies funded the implementation of Wi-Fi by reinvesting cost savings from prior completed rail projects, further improving the attractiveness of this green travel mode.
In Amtrak's fiscal year 2011, more than 5.5 million passengers rode the three California state-supported trains, up about 7.5 percent over the previous year. California ridership represents nearly 20 percent of all Amtrak passengers. Wi-Fi service has been the most requested amenity by passengers using these trains and experience on other WiFi-enabled intercity routes indicates that more people are enticed to travel on WiFi-enabled trains.

"Free Wi-Fi is our early holiday gift to loyal train passengers who have wanted this service for some time," said Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Managing Director David Kutrosky. "Adding another great onboard amenity like Wi-Fi makes travel by train even more attractive.
Our customers can now make their travel mode choice based on which mode is more productive or entertaining, soon making these trains the preferred means of interregional travel."

While Wi-Fi service has long been a priority for Amtrak, the biggest obstacle to providing Internet connectivity on trains is the limited bandwidth available through third-party cellular data networks along many routes, which provides the backhaul connection for on-board Wi-Fi. Amtrak is continuing to explore ways to expand that coverage through talks with cellular companies. Importantly, the AmtrakConnect technology is designed in a way that enables it to take advantage of technology improvements such as faster 4G speeds, as they become available along the routes.

"We're taking maximum advantage of the existing infrastructure to offer Wi-Fi service to our passengers," says Lenetta McCampbell, Amtrak senior director of on board systems. "And we're poised to improve upon those offerings rapidly as the networks we tap into advance."

As a result of today's launch of Wi-Fi on the California state-supported routes, trains that carry nearly 75 percent of all Amtrak passengers across the country now have Wi-Fi connections. Wi-Fi service is already available on high-speed Acela Express trains and 12 other East Coast routes as well as on the Amtrak Cascades service in the Pacific Northwest.

November 22 , 2011

New Internal Medicine Doctor to Serve the Needs of the Merced County Community
Lekshmi Vallyathan, MD, joins MMMG

Merced, (November 22, 2011) – Mercy Merced Medical Group (MMMG), a service of CHW Medical Foundation, has expanded its medical services with the addition of Lekshmi Vallyathan, MD, specializing in internal medicine. Her special clinical interests include prevention of heart disease in women, diabetes, menopause and osteoporosis.

Dr. Vallyathan did a year of the residency program in obstetrics and gynecology at Royal Glamorgan Hospital in South Wales, United Kingdom. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “I am excited to be practicing medicine in Merced,” said Lekshmi Vallyathan, MD. “I look forward to meeting the needs of the residents and providing valuable services as well as becoming a part of the community.”

Mercy Merced Medical Group opened its doors in the state-of-the-art Mercy Medical Pavilion on August 15. “We are expanding services in Merced to meet the growing needs of the community,” said Jag Gill, ScD, FACHE, FACMPE, President and CEO of CHW Medical Foundation. “We are pleased to provide the patients in this region the excellent care CHWMF offers.”

“CHW Medical Foundation has proven it has a successful practice model,” said David Dunham, President of Mercy Medical Center. “The organization continues to recruit exceptional physicians adding to the quality of healthcare in our community.”

Dr. Vallyathan joins Family Practice Physician Samira Jahangiri, MD and General Surgeon Jennifer McEvoy, MD. “It’s great to see the practice growing,” said Samaria Jahangiri, MD. “We look forward to working as a team and collaborating with other physicians in the central valley’s medical community.

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If you would like more information about Mercy Merced Medical Group or to schedule an interview with Dr. Vallyathan, please call Kendall Miller at (916) 851-2582.

About Mercy Merced Medical Group

Mercy Merced Medical Group is affiliated with Mercy Medical Center in Merced and CHW Medical Foundation in Sacramento. CHW Medical Foundation operates care centers throughout the state of California with more than 500 Medical Providers. CHWMF is part of Catholic Healthcare West, a 42 hospital network with facilities in California, Arizona and Nevada.

November 22 , 2011

Community Conversations turn to trees, concerts, plays and fraud

The annual Courthouse Christmas Tree exhibit, a Christmas concert, “The Wizard of Oz,” and how to spot the Grinch who wants to scam you are some of this week’s topics on Community Conversations, a public service program on KYOS.

The hour-long show focuses on community, education and government news affecting residents throughout Merced County. It airs on KYOS, 1480 AM, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s lineup: Herb Wood talks about the Courthouse Museum's annual Christmas Tree exhibit; Stephen Mouillesseaux, aka the Cowardly Lion, talks about Playhouse Merced’s Wizard of Oz; Judy Edwina Smith, talks about the Merced Symphony and its upcoming concert and Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse talks about consumer fraud during the holidays and protecting families against scam artists.

The show’s hosts are Roger Wood and Mike Conway and Steve Colvard from KYOS is the engineer. The show is produced by Nathan Quevedo, the public information officer for the Merced County Office of Education MCOE, Mike Conway, public information officer at the City of Merced, Roger Wood, and Scott Hernandez-Jason of the University of California, Merced, in association with the County of Merced and Merced College.

Go to www.mercedcommunityconversations.com for past episodes of Community Conversations.

November 22, 2011

Campus Plans Teach-In to Discuss Occupy Movement

MERCED, Calif. — The University of California, Merced, will hold a teach-in on campus Dec. 7 to give students, faculty and staff a chance to discuss the many issues raised by the Occupy movements that have spread across the nation.The teach-in will be from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium. Faculty members will share their thoughts and insight on this and other movements, and students who recently traveled to New York to interview Occupy Wall Street

participants will also present.The teach-in is cosponsored by the Office of the Chancellor, the Academic Senate, Associated Students of UC Merced and the Division of Student Affairs. More information on the teach-in will be available next week.

November21, 2011

Students Create Glazed Tiles For G Street Underpass

Nearly 150 students at Yosemite High School will have left a lasting artistic mark in Merced. At least for everyone who travels down the G Street underpass when it opens in early December.
Students in William Gossett’s art class at the Merced Union High School District’s continuation school were lucky enough to help artist Monika Modest with ceramic tiles that will line a portion of the G Street underpass.
Gossett admits he was a little late to jump on this artistic opportunity, but realized this was something he couldn’t pass up.
“My life as a father, husband, teacher, coach and pottery instructor at Merced College was so hectic I couldn't make any of the set-tile glazing dates,” Gossett said. “After some thought, I realized that this was an amazing opportunity for my students at Yosemite High School along with my 23-month-old son.”
So Gossett contacted Modest, who had already hosted several dates open to the public for the tile project, and he offered to help her fire the tiles if she would be willing to allow his art classes at Yosemite to participate in the project.
Modest, who was the creator of the recently installed Faces of Merced tile project in Bob Hart Square and one of two artists selected for the G Street project, came to the school and at first spent an entire school day talking with students about the project, what they were being given the opportunity to be a part of, the limitations and expectations of the project, and the process of making the tiles.
“I was very surprised how quickly they embraced the project. … They were very supportive and complimentary to each other,” said Modest. “Their images became very personal.”
Students were given the choice of three tile panels they could participate in: the beauty of the Sierra’s; the beauty of the Central Valley; and the cultural diversity of Merced.
She also encouraged students to take the challenge and do the third option and tell a personal story.
During the next week-and-a-half, Modest came to help motivate, teach and encourage Gossett’s students to work on the tiles.
Although cautious in the beginning, the students started to buy into the project — some even volunteered to give up their lunch period to work on tiles.
“One of the difficult aspects for the students was the concept that when the glaze goes on, it’s a pastel chalky dull look, and in the firing process the tiles becomes bright and vibrant,” Modest said.
This wasn’t the first setting Modest helped students who learn best in a nontraditional setting experience art: She worked with incarcerated students at Iris Garrett Juvenile Detention Center and special education students at the Merced High School, among others.
In total, Yosemite High School students created about 120 tiles for the project.

Chynna Robinson, an 11th grade student at Yosemite High School in Merced, describes what how her tile shows her love of music and her dream of moving to New York City to become an artist, at the campus in early November. Robinson was one of nearly 150 students at the school who had the chance to work with artist Monika Modest designing tiles for the G Street underpass.

Yosemite High School art students work on tiles in the background as three tiles are propped on display at William Gosset’s art class in early November. Nearly 150 students at the school had the chance to work with artist Monika Modest designing tiles for the G Street underpass.

Monika Modest is hosting three more tile-decorating dates on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 W. Main St., in downtown Merced, from 4-8 p.m. Anyone from the community is welcome to participate, but must reserve the time with Monika Modest by calling (209) 233-9073.

November21, 2011

Teens Sought For 2012 Junior Fair Board

MERCED -- Teens interested in being part of the 2012 Merced County Fair are encouraged to apply for a seat on the Junior Fair Board by the December 16 deadline.

The fair is recruiting teens who want to volunteer their talents for a year by serving on the 12-member Junior Fair Board. Application forms can be picked up at the Merced County Fairgrounds Office,
900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced
and also can be downloaded from the fair's website, www.MercedCountyFair.com

Candidates must live in MercedCounty and be 14 to 19 years of age as of Jan. 1. A GPA of 2.0 or above is required to be eligible to volunteer.

Junior Fair Board duties include providing input on what teens want to see and do at the fair, assisting with pre-fair planning, set-up and helping during the fair. Applicants don't need any experience at the fair, such as showing an animal or entering an exhibit.

Serving on the board will help fulfill high school community service requirements. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month and as needed as the fair gets closer. The 2012 fair is June 13-17.

Each Junior Fair Board member is entitled to free parking and admission for one person and one vehicle during the fair.

Junior Fair Board applications must be physically received at the fairgrounds office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, December 16. Applications may be hand-delivered, sent by the United States Postal Service or other courier service and should be addressed to "ATTN: Junior Fair Board Advisors." Applications will be stamped with the exact time and date of receipt.

For more information, call the fair office
at (209) 722-1507.

November 20, 2011

Chancellor Leland Statement on Protest Incidents

MERCED, Calif. — Chancellor Dorothy Leland of the University of California, Merced, has issued the following statement on recent protest incidents at other UC campuses:“Free speech and nonviolent protest have an honored place in American society and on college and university campuses. In light of recent incidents on several sister University of California campuses, I met last week with senior leadership to review our protocol for managing protests on campus and to plan for a campus teach-in related to the concerns of the Occupy movement. “In 1962, President Kennedy famously said, ‘Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent

revolution inevitable.’ I have made it very clear to UC Merced personnel that I will neither order nor condone police aggression or force during a protest on campus in the absence of an imminent and substantial threat of harm to persons or property.“Regardless of your political views, I call on every member of the university community to honor our country’s tradition of nonviolent protest and free speech. As stated in our campus’ Principles of Community, ‘We are a community comprised of individuals with multiple cultures, lifestyles and beliefs. We celebrate this diversity for the breadth of ideas and perspectives it brings.’”

November 17 , 2011

UC Merced to Connect Research, Practices to Improve Youth Well-Being
The Chancellor’s Task Force on Community Engaged Scholarship will hold a conference to showcase successful research and evidence-based programs that promote youth development

MERCED, Calif. — In an effort to help improve the health of young people in the Central Valley, the University of California, Merced, will host a conference next month to connect innovative researchers with community members working to improve the lives of area youth. “Building Healthy Youth in Merced County: Community Engagement and Scholarship” will showcase successful research and evidence-based programs that can promote positive youth development in Merced County. The conference is being organized by the campus’ Chancellor’s Task Force on Community Engaged Scholarship. The conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the campus’ California Room. The deadline to register to attend is Nov. 28.“Youth development occurs on many levels and through many practices,” task force member and anthropology Professor Robin DeLugan said. “This conference provides an opportunity to illustrate how research links with successful programs, interventions and systems changes that are improving outcomes for young people in Merced and in our region.” Vajra Watson, founder of Sacramento Area Youth Speaks and director of research and policy for equity at UC Davis’ Center for Cooperative Research and Extension

Services for Schools, will deliver the keynote talk. Watson’s work focuses on closing the achievement gap, specifically on holistic reform efforts for chronically underperforming schools in rural, suburban and urban communities. Presenters from other UCs and nonprofit organizations will talk about youth arts programs, collaborations between school districts and community organizations, restorative justice, wilderness and academic programming, and 4-H engagement. Tony Slaton, executive director with Merced’s Boys and Girls Club, plans on attending the conference. He said he’s hoping to find new and innovative ideas for collaboration that will help improve the lives of the county’s youth. “I love Merced, and I’m interested in finding out more about being an effective community worker,” Slaton said. “How do we work together to have a bigger effect on the community? How do we work together to support the young people?”UC Merced’s Task Force on Community-Engaged Scholarship was awarded two years of funding from The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative to strengthen the collaboration between the campus and community. The alliance will work to build a body of knowledge about local health issues as well as the factors that influence health equity. The task force was formed in 2009 to encourage, support and highlight community-engaged scholarship at UC Merced.

November17 , 2011

AMTRAK PREPARES FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WEEK
Equipment added on California routes

OAKLAND - Anticipating the busiest travel week of the year, Amtrak, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) are planning ahead for Thanksgiving by adding extra equipment to accommodate extra passengers traveling by rail throughout California.

More capacity will be added to the Amtrak San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner and Capitol Corridor routes. Cars will be added to the San Joaquin service (Bakersfield-Oakland/Sacramento) beginning Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27, adding more than 700 seats, a 35 percent increase. The Pacific Surfliner trains (San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara-Los Angeles and San Diego) will require reservations beginning Tuesday, November 22 through Monday, November 28, with more than 3,200 seats added. More than 500 seats will be added to the Capitol Corridor service beginning Wednesday, November 22, an increase of 32 percent in seating capacity.
Amtrak will also be increasing the number of reserved Thruway buses on its busiest routes. Passengers can anticipate exceptionally heavy travel the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving so reservations for these days should be made as soon as possible (where required).

The heaviest single travel day of the year for Amtrak is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving which set a record last year of 134,230 passengers for the day. Amtrak also set a record last year by transporting 704,446 passengers for the holiday week. Amtrak anticipates similarly strong ridership for this year's Thanksgiving travel.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS

Amtrak is working to make the holiday travel experience as pleasant as possible and encourages passengers to consider the following holiday travel tips to help ensure a smooth trip:

. Avoid the Rush
The busiest Amtrak travel days are the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Purchase tickets early using Amtrak.com, QuikTraksm ticket vending machines, ticket windows at staffed stations, the Amtrak iPhone app or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.

. Arrive at the Station Early
Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure - at least 45 minutes before if tickets need to be picked up. Arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance and use Red Cap agents to help you with your baggage. In addition, suburban Amtrak stops can be less crowded than downtown locations and can enable you to get a jump on your trip if the station is in your direction of travel.

. Know the Limits
Note the limit of two carry-on bags per person (excluding laptops, purses, briefcases), and be sure all luggage is tagged with your name and address.

. Carry photo ID
Passengers are required to show valid photo identification when purchasing tickets. Make sure to carry valid photo ID at all times, as it may be requested aboard trains.

. Be Safe
Be aware of your surroundings, stand back from the edge of the platform, do not leave your bags unattended, and watch your step when boarding and leaving the train or when walking between cars while the train is in motion.

. Security Matters
If you see something suspicious or unusual, say something. Call Amtrak Police at 1.800.331.0008 or 911. Passengers may notice additional police presence at stations and on board our trains as part of our planned increased security efforts which also include random baggage screening at various stations.

About Amtrak®:
Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America's Railroad®, Amtrak is the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 30.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2011 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Enjoy the journeysm at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak

Amtrak California
Amtrak California is a partnership between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Amtrak. Under the Amtrak California banner, Caltrans funds three intercity passenger rail corridors in California. Contributing more than $90 million annually in state operating assistance, Caltrans is the largest passenger rail capital assistance program in the nation. Amtrak California operates three of the five busiest state supported intercity passenger rail services throughout California including: the Pacific Surfliner Corridor, Amtrak's second busiest corridor; the San Joaquin Corridor, Amtrak's fifth busiest corridor; and the Capitol Corridor, which is managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Amtrak's third busiest corridor. For more information visit www.AmtrakCalifornia.com; join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmtrakCalifornia; and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/Amtrak_CA

November16 , 2011

Merced County Rescue Mission Needs Turkeys

Last year at this time the Merced County Rescue Mission had over 800 turkeys to serve over 3000 people here in our community. As of yesterday they had 211. Please do what you can and buy 1 or more or give funds for them to purchase supplies for this much needed, time honored tradition. Gather a pool in the office, challenge your neighbors, talk to your associations; just give back this season. These people come from all over the County to have a meal. We all know Merced County has been hit harder than most and it always amazes me to see the giving hearts of our community come together to give back.

Please contact Philip Schmauss at the Mission for any other information: 1921 Canal Street Merced, CA 95340-3725
(209) 722-9269
Happy Thanksgiving everyone and let us hope to make this a happier Thanksgiving for others.

November 16 , 2011

Congressman Cardoza Supports Passage of Important Veterans Legislation Includes tax credits for businesses that hire veterans and additionaltraining and education for returning service members

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) announced that the House of Representatives passed with his support the Putting Veterans to Work Act of 2011 (H.R. 674). This bill passed the Senate last week and includes key provisions that benefit veterans as they transition to civilian life. Specifically, the bill creates new tax credits for businesses that hire veterans, improves the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for returning service members entering the civilian workforce, and expands educational and training opportunities to older veterans by providing up to a year of additional Montgomery GI benefits. “Throughout our nation’s history, members of the armed forces have proudly stepped forward and made enormous sacrifices to protect our country and way of life,” said Congressman Cardoza. “Once our service members fulfill their commitment to our nation, we must honor our commitment to them. We will forever owe them and their families a debt of gratitude, and this bill helps fulfill that promise.”In California’s 18th Congressional District alone, an estimated 35,900 veterans are currently unemployed, and California is home to over 1.9 million veterans who cannot find permanent jobs. These staggering numbers reflect the economic crisis our nation faces and the difficulty we have in fulfilling our obligations to those who have sacrificed the most. The Putting Veterans to Work Act includes key provisions from other veterans’ bills, such as the Hiring Heroes Act (H.R. 1941) and the Veteran Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act (H.R. 2433). Although these individual bills passed the House of Representatives, they stalled in the Senate. Key Veterans Provisions in the Putting Veterans to Work Act: Provides businesses with a tax credit of up to $5,600 for hiring veterans

who have been looking for a job for more than six months, as well as a $2,400 credit for veterans who are unemployed for more than 4 weeks, but less than 6 months.Provides a tax credit of up to $9,600 for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months. Makes the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), an interagency workshop coordinated by Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, mandatory for service members moving on to civilian life. Expands education and training opportunities for older veterans by providing 100,000 unemployed veterans of past eras and wars with up to 1-year of additional Montgomery GI benefits to go towards education or training programs at community colleges or technical schools. Provides disabled veterans up to 1-year of additional Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits. Allows service members to begin the federal employment process prior to separation in order to facilitate a truly seamless transition from the military to jobs at VA, Homeland Security, or the many other federal agencies in need of our veterans. Works with the states to create a licensing and credentialing standard for returning service members to break down the barriers to find meaningful employment in their military occupations. Strengthens the protections for members of the National Guard and Reserve in the workforce to minimize hostile work environments. This bill is fully paid for, mainly with a VA mortgage fee extension similar to a provision that has already passed the House.

November 9 , 2011

G Street will open for traffic Dec. 3

All four lanes of G Street will open for traffic the afternoon of Dec. 3, according to the City of Merced. The street had been closed for the construction of an underpass at the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe tracks.

“We want to get the word out so that businesses and schools can start planning for the road opening,” said Mayor Bill Spriggs. “The road closure has been a huge inconvenience for everyone in the City, but now drivers will no longer get stopped by trains at these tracks. This will allow emergency vehicles to cross town quicker and it will improve the flow of traffic.”

The City will hold a Community Celebration and Pedestrian Preview of the underpass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. A formal dedication of the project will be held at noon.

The $18 million project is funded by:

California Transportation Commission $9 million
Merced Redevelopment Agency $4.8 million
City Public Facility Financing (Impact fees) $2.3 million
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe RR $1.9 million

In addition, the City spent another $2.4 million for improvements in the project area, including a $1.1 million water line replacement. No general fund money was used in the project. The money spend on the underpass could not be spent to pay for police or fire personnel.

The underpass is the largest road project in the City’s history. It involved the complete reconstruction of the railroad crossing, the installation of 45 pilings to hold the bridge and the construction of a massive storm water drainage system. In addition, the project involved rerouting sewer and water lines, along with moving natural gas lines and power poles.

The paving schedule was moved up to October to beat the early winter storm that dumped an inch of rain on the City. Staff estimates work would have been delayed at least three to four weeks to dry everything out if the asphalt had not been laid prior to the storm’s arrival.

“Even though the road is paved, there’s still a lot of work to be done before G Street opens for traffic,” said City Manager John Bramble. “We want to have it open quickly, but we want it done right. There are only 16 working days left before the road opens.”

Some of the work that needs to be done: A 36-inch and 30-inch storm drain pipes still needs to be tested, along with the five pumps to drain water, the electrical systems and seven control panels. An emergency generator, security cameras, guard rails and hand rails need to be installed. Landscapers will finish planting the 6,000 bushes and 200 trees that will decorate the project.

November 8, 2011

Top Finish for Atwater FFA’s Cotton Team

As the program continues to grow, so does student opportunity and expansion in getting students involved and exposed in the agriculture industry. In only their second year of existence in Atwater High School’s history, the Atwater FFA cotton judging team placed 3rd high overall in California at the recent FFA state finals cotton contest held at Fresno State University. Individual highlights included Sandra Flores placing 3rd high individually and Taylor Ferreira placing 4th high individual overall in the state. “In their first year last year, out team placed 6th in the state, and to improve to the top three in the state is a tremendous accomplishment for our students,” said FFA advisor and coach Natalie Kirschner, “The recognition earned at the state level is a tribute to our student’s enthusiasm and effort in taking on a new challenge and learning opportunity.”

Throughout the Fall season, the team competed and earned a 4th place finish at the Madera Field Day, a 3rd place finish at the Corcoran Field Day, a 3rd place finish at the Modesto Junior College Field Day, and a 4th place finish at the Handord Field Day. Overall, the team demonstrated consistent growth and improvement from their inaugural year last season.

Cotton judging involves six main components spread out in a variety of categories and/or classes. The first area is the evaluation of the cotton plants based on uniformity, market yield, and balance. Cotton seeds are evaluated on maturity, lack of trash or foreign materials, uniformity, and quality. Cotton bolls are evaluated on color, size, lack of trash or foreign material, and uniformity. Cotton lint is evaluated on color, quality (free of naps or nips), and the lack of trash or foreign material. Students are also required to give oral reasons to a judge to communicate and justify their class placings. The final aspect is a written exam on the cotton industry and practices utilized within the industry.

“We had the opportunity to practice and work along Buhach Colony High School’s cotton team and their coach Mike Morales throughout the season and their assistance provided our team with addtional knowledge and opportunities to learn about cotton and the industry,” said Kirschner. “I feel confident Atwater FFA will be a team to reckon with throughout the state in the coming years and we look forward to the challenge and opportunity of competing next year.”

Members of the Atwater FFA cotton judging team Caresse Wilson-Cotter, Heather Lewandowski, Sandra Flores, and Taylor Ferreira earn their 3rd place finish at the 2011 California State FFA Finals at Fresno State University.

Atwater High School agriculture students Taylor Ferreira, Sandra Flores, Caresse Wilson-Cotter, and Heather Lewandowski evaluate cotton plants during the state finals contest.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

November8, 2011

In 2008, California voters took the visionary step to begin a high-speed rail project. Now, Governor Jerry Brown has challenged California to think big again.

This week's release of the High-Speed Rail Draft Business Plan is a cornerstone of that challenge. Just as important, the plan shows how this statewide transportation network will be a powerful job generator, creating over 100,000 in the next five years alone and more than 1 million jobs over the course of its construction in California.

It’s a business plan that thinks big for Californians who want jobs. It thinks big for Californians who want cleaner air. It thinks big for Californians who know our transportation infrastructure can’t keep up with our population growth.

And, in a traditional California style it’s a plan that keeps our State at the forefront of technology, innovation and in the global economy.

The new business plan recognizes that the project will be built one step at a time and that each of those building blocks, while moving us toward a statewide whole, will also bring with them value to the regions served. It’s a plan that reflects honest, realistic and credible financial assumptions to guide project decisions.
The first step in the journey is the construction of a 130-mile stretch in the Central Valley for about $6 billion, using already identified funding and breaking ground in less than a year, with completion in 2017.

The next step is extending this initial construction either north, connecting Bakersfield to San Jose, or south, connecting Merced to the San Fernando Valley. If the decision is made to build south first, this will cost $27 billion and would be completed in 2021. This is also the point at which trains will generate revenues from initial passenger service and the project will be able to attract private capital to help fund further expansions of the system.

Further steps include building the remaining sections needed to create a “Bay to Basin” system that connects San Jose to the San Fernando Valley.

New construction and future improvements to Caltrain in the Bay Area and Metrolink in Southern California will blend these services with the high-speed rail system to make possible a “one-seat ride” from San Francisco to Los Angeles (shown in Chapter 2 "Phased Implementation Strategy"). This “blended” system will utilize upgraded existing regional rail services and will connect San Francisco to Los Angeles and Anaheim. The goal is to complete this part of the system several years earlier than the full system and reduce the overall cost estimate by $20 billion. As outlined in Chapter 3 "Capital Costs", extending dedicated high-speed rail service into downtown San Francisco and LA/Anaheim may cost $98 billion over twenty years.

The costs are big – but so are the challenges facing California. Efficient movement of people and goods throughout California is fundamental to the state’s economy and quality of life and doing nothing to protect these assets in the face of an exponentially growing population is simply not an option. Without high-speed rail, the state will face much larger and more serious environmental and economic threats to our quality of life as we struggle to expand freeways and airports to keep up with the growing needs of our population

November 8 , 2011

STAN THURSTON wins Merced Mayor Race

Merced City Councilmembers Winners
NOAH LOR
MIKE MURPHY
MARK "TONY" DOSSETTI

VOTES PERCENT

PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 24) . . . . . 24 (100.00%)
REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL . . . . . 29,708
BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL. . . . . . . 6,620
VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL . . . . . . 22.28%

Merced Mayor

Vote for 1
STAN THURSTON . . . . . . . . . 2,006 (31.92%)
MICHELE GABRIAULT-ACOSTA . . . . . 1,073 (17.08%)
BILL BLAKE . . . . . . . . . . 1,838 (29.25%)
BILL SPRIGGS . . . . . . . . . 1,100 (17.50%)
KENNETH W. RIGGLEMAN JR. . . . . . 245 (3.90%)
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 22 (.35%)

Merced Councilmember

Vote for 3
JOHN CARLISLE . . . . . . . . . 1,634 (10.40%)
RICHARD L. CERVANTES. . . . . . . 2,183 (13.90%)
ALEX GALLARDO JR.. . . . . . . . 833 (5.30%)
CHARLES BOLIN . . . . . . . . . 333 (2.12%)
NOAH LOR. . . . . . . . . . . 3,395 (21.62%)
MIKE MURPHY. . . . . . . . . . 3,029 (19.29%)
MARK "TONY" DOSSETTI. . . . . . . 3,342 (21.28%)
CARL POLLARD . . . . . . . . . 905 (5.76%)
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 51 (.32%)

November3 , 2011

Fair Logo Contest Winners Announced

MERCED -- Albert J. Ortega Sr. wanted to win the Merced County Fair's annual logo design contest for a lot of reasons, but his biggest motivation and was to make his grandchildren proud.

His entry in the 2012 MercedCounty's Fair's logo design competition took first place. Ortega's design will be used to illustrate the fair's slogan, "Cows Just Wanna Have Fun." The theme commodity for the 121st fair is dairy cows.

The slogan and logo will appear on posters, T-shirts, ads, banners, schedules, the fair's website, Facebook and more to promote the fair. The fair is June 13-17.

The fair's Board of Directors selected the first, second and third place graphic design winners at their October 10 board meeting. There were 28 submissions and all eligible entries were assigned a number for judging. The numbered entries were reviewed by the fair's marketing/promotions committee before the winning entries were picked by the fair board. The entrants' names weren't revealed until after the winners were selected.

The winning logo features a couple of cow "girlfriends" arriving at the Merced County Fair in a vintage convertible, with one cow behind the wheel and the other waving from the front passenger seat. Ortega said his design was inspired by his love of classic cars and the 1991 movie, "Thelma and Louise," starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.

Ortega, 49, lives in Merced and works as a graphic designer at Quad Graphics. He designs ads for Yellow Pages books at the Merced company. This isn't the first time Ortega has won the fair's logo contest. He created the logo for the 2006 Merced County Fair with his "Vine-Ripened Fun" design and he also came in second place in the 2011 logo design contest. Winning the contest the second time around was even sweeter, he said.
"I was totally shocked when I found out I won this year's contest," Ortega said. "I wanted to win so I have something to show my grandkids that I'm a good artist and they'll be proud of me."

He can't wait to take his three grandchildren -- Iris, 6, Levi Jr., 2 1/2 and baby Albert III to the fair next June with their parents. His favorite thing to do is to check out the exhibits, especially the fine arts entries.

Ortega will be awarded $500 in prize money, a pair of season passes to the five-day fair, and he'll experience the thrill of seeing his artwork on fair promotions throughout the county.

The 2012 slogan, "Cows Just Wanna Have Fun," was the winner submitted by Prudy Mook of Atwater. She received $100 for her winning slogan and a pair of season passes to the fair.

Dusty Dahlgren, who won the 2011 logo design contest, took both second and third place for his logo designs this year. He will receive two pair of season passes to the fair. Dahlgren, 34, of Los Banos, is the Art Director for Image Masters and On Target Marketing in Merced. He's looking forward to taking his wife, Nicole, and children, Drew, an eighth grader and Gianna, a second grader, to the fair.

For information, call the fair office (209) 722-1507, fax at (209) 722-3773 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com. Go to www.MercedCountyFair.com and connect with us on Facebook.

November 1, 2011

FFA Members Attend aMAZEing Meeting!

Over 250 Atwater High School FFA members attended the October FFA chapter meeting at the AHS Agriculture Department with the 2011-2012 chapter officers performing the official FFA Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The student run meeting provided the students with an opportunity to share and discuss the recent calendar events and activities. Students were updated about the recent fundraisers such as the Take-Out BBQ, Atwater Beautification Day, Opening and Closing Ceremonies Contest, and the annual Greenhand / Chapter Degree Ceremony on Nov. 8th. Upcoming information regarding the local and sectional FFA Project Competition taking place later this month and the Job Interview and Prepared Public Speaking contest was presented by the officer team.

The meeting was followed by a free BBQ for the students. “It’s great to see the students get excited and involved,” said FFA Advisor and BBQ extraordinaire Sam Meredith. “I’m really proud of the students who have taken to become members of the elite Atwater FFA BBQ crew!”

The highlight of the evening was a trip to the Dell’ Osso Farm corn maze located in Lathrop, near Tracy. Over 100 FFA members attended the trip in two charter buses. “We went first class for a first class organization!” exclaimed Fresno State student teacher Ariana Hallum. Students were challenged with a 20+ acre corn maze and enthusiastic over the extra activities including the haunted house and the pumpkin blasters.

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

Atwater FFA members Aline Jiminez, Jasmine Huerta, Jesus Duran, Daniel Sanchez, Michael Marcelino, Steven Ornales, and Ezequiel Hurtado gather around the pumpkin cart at Del’Osso Farms in Tracy.

Atwater High School agriculture students Jesus Duran, Michael Marcelino, Krista Trujillo, and Steven Ornales explore the pumpkin patch at Del’Osso Farms.

November 1, 2011

Green Communities program concludes successful first round

The Great Valley Center’s Green Communities program, a collaborative effort with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA, has completed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories for ten local governments in Stanislaus and Merced Counties. During the first round of the program, Great Valley Center (GVC) staff and interns were trained and sent to local governments to essentially measure the “carbon footprint” of each government. Results were delivered individually to the participating local governments as a starting-point for reducing GHG emissions in future operations.

The nine local governments from Stanislaus County that partnered with the GVC during this first round of the Green Communities program have since obtained funding through Proposition 84 to continue with GHG emission reduction efforts at a regional level. Proposition 84, also known as the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, authorizes over $5 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of environmental and infrastructure improvements in California, including a Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Reduction element.

GVC seeks government partners for next round of Green Communities

Of course, with the successful close of this round of the program, GVC is now actively looking for other local governments to assist over the next several months. You can expect to see us working in the following Central Valley regions in the near-future: San Joaquin County area, Merced County area, and west Kern County area.

Green Communities is intended to provide support to local governments and communities in pursuing their energy efficiency and GHG emission reduction goals. The program is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Green Communities provides local governments with the tools to begin reducing GHG emissions in response to statewide policies and recommendations. As an added benefit, local governments that become more energy efficient tend to reduce operating costs associated with energy consumption.

To learn more about the Green Communities program accomplishments or how to get involved please contact Bryce Dias, Program Associate, at bryce@greatvalley.org.

The Great Valley Center looks forward to bringing you additional news on Green Communities in the near future!

November 1, 2011

Atwater High FFA Members and Teacher Earn National recognition

The Atwater FFA Agronomy team earned a gold award at the 2011 National FFA Agronomy Career Development Event in Indianapolis, Indiana placing in the top one-third (11th) in the nation. “Considering the national contest is much different than our state contests, our goal was to earn a “gold” award representing the top tier of the state finalists,” said Atwater FFA coach and adviser Beth Knapp, “We were very excited to accomplish our goal and earn one of California’s top placings in the history national finals.”

The FFA National Finals was held in conjunction with the 84th National FFA Convention. The National FFA Agronomy CDE is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants’ knowledge of agronomic sciences was tested through several levels of competition including developing solutions for problematic scenarios; identification of seeds, insects, soil and crops; and other management practices.

Christina Willman earned a Gold emblem with Mekayla Coughran, Nikki Schiber, and Jackie Vasquez earning Silver emblems. “I am very proud of our students as their journey towards winning the state championship and competing at the national finals represented the character and efforts we encourage in our students towards being successful in life,” said Knapp.

In addition to the Agronomy team competition, Atwater High School agriculture instructor and FFA advisor Beth Knapp was earned the 2011 National Agriscience Teacher award for being the nation’s top agriscience teacher.

Students also visited Washington D.C. and toured the national monuments. It provided the students with an opportunity to extend their leadership skills and knowledge.

The entire trip to Washington D.C. and the National FFA Finals in Indianpolis, Indiana was sponsored through various community and agriculture industry businesses. “If it wasn’t for the staff at Atwater High School and MUHSD, members of the community, and local businesses, the opportunity for our students to participate in this positive experience of a lifetime would not have been possible,” said Knapp, “We are forever grateful for their continued support, and we will continue our efforts in making a positive difference in young people’s lives through agricultural education.”

Written by: Trazarra Manuel, Atwater FFA Reporter
Photos by: Mr. Dave Gossman (FFA Advisor)

Members of the Atwater FFA Agronomy team Nikki Schiber, Jackie Vasquez, Christina Willman, Mekayla Coughran, and (coach) Beth Knapp display their Gold emblem plaque during the National FFA Finals in Indianapolis.

Christina Willman, Mekayla Coughran, Jackie Vasquez, and Nikki Schiber attend the Career Fair during the 84th National FFA Convention

October31, 2011

Merced City Firefighters Raise $4000
for breast cancer research

Merced City Firefighters thanked the community for their support in the fight against breast cancer during a news conference held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Firefighters announced that they raised $4000 selling pink T-shirts during the event on the steps of the Old Courthouse, 20th and N streets.

During the month of October, Merced firefighters wore pink T-shirts to show their support for those who have suffered from the disease. The Merced City Firefighters union also teamed up with the Susan G. Komen’s Passionately Pink for the Cure to sell T-shirts to raise funds for breast cancer research. During their off-duty hours, the firefighters sold t-shirts at fundraisers they held at UC Merced, local restaurants and during the Thursday evening Market on Main.

The first batch of t-shirts sold out in the first few days of the month and the firefighters had to order more. All of the funds raised will go to breast cancer research.

October 28, 2011

Four Artists Win ArtsAlive! Cash Prizes

Once again, photographers had a hand in the top prizes of the ArtsAlive! competition as Roger Wyan won a handy $250, while second-place winners Dawn Trook and John Whitaker split $150 for their performance, and Kelly Barrows won $100 with her painting skills.

Great ideas and energy were flowing on the streets of Merced while Roger captured the day on the faces of 150 people who were downtown between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. last Saturday - and then composed the photos into a print of the Merced Theater tower.

Bob Hart Square had several painters enjoying a day of dabbing and swirling color onto canvasses. John Harrel worked under the shade of a palm tree, others picked various other perspectives. There was a young couple from Oakdale, and an ambitious-sized painting that, even unfinished, took home the Fernando's Bistro gift certificate.

Artist Dave Medley made drums of various tones from large plastic barrels, and then he put in a day's performance of pounding his tom-toms. Even some passer-bys put up some beat.

Rafael Barajas put up an interesting, prize-contending installation of colorful rubber bands and various found objects over some park benches on Main Street, and deserved most-talked-about prize if there were one.

Oscar Torres put together a lovely palette on a painting inside his own J&R Tacos.

There were the pen and ink drawings of UC Merced student Nils Skudra, and great efforts by (with a few possible typos) Miguel Mahany, Janelle Hobbs, Donny Clark, Melissa Gale, Jose Hernandez, Kristine Doeiel, Melissa Rocha, and Katt and Mike Szyndler.

ArtAlive! is a community event open to local artists to create a piece of art in 6 hours or less that is judged by expert artists to win cash or other prizes. The 2011 judges were artists and teachers Karen LeCocq, Tonya Lopez-Craig and Becky Wilson.

Please be sure to thank Merced County District 3 Supervisor John Pedrozo for supporting local artists and the Merced County Arts Council. And please thank and partonize these local businesses for their support. Playhouse Merced, J&R Tacos, Hangar Cafe, House of Dogz, Toni's Courtyard Cafe, Fernando's Bistro, Joe On The Go, the Cue Spot, Fitz Direct, The Partisan and Little Pink Boxes Bakery.

October 26, 2011

A longtime Block Captain will share her success stories during the quarterly Neighborhood Watch Block Captains meeting, which will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. There also will be representatives from Code Enforcement, Crime Stoppers and the Police and Fire departments to talk about holiday safety. The meeting will be in the Sam Pipes Room of the Merced civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. Merced. For information on the Neighborhood Watch Program, please leave a message at 385-6835.

October 24, 2011

MCOE HR Assistant Superintendent Honored With Statewide Leadership Award

Eva Chavez, assistant superintendent of Human Resources for the Merced County Office of Education, was honored with the Ray Curry Excellence in Personnel Award.
The award recognizes accomplishments in the role of human resources administrator, significant contributions in the field of personnel leadership and outstanding professional qualities and traits. The Association for California School Administrators (ACSA) gives out the award annually to one of its members in the human resources field at its annual Personnel Institute in Berkeley.
“I nominated Eva for this award because she has done an outstanding job providing leadership and advocating for employees while keeping in mind what is best for Merced County students and programs,” said Dr. Steven E. Gomes, Merced County superintendent of schools.

Chavez has worked at MCOE for the past five years leading the Human Resources department and was previously an Administrator for the Fresno Unified School District in the Human Resources/Labor Relations department serving as the chief negotiator for FUSD from 2002-2006, Assistant Superintendent Human Resources for Madera Unified School District from 1998-2002, and Assistant Superintendent Administrative Services for Madera Unified School District from 1997-1998.
“It is quite an honor to be nominated by Steve Gomes and selected by the committee as the recipient of the Ray Curry Award at this year’s ACSA Personnel Institute,” said Chavez.

October 24, 2011

MCOE Earns Three Awards from California Schools Public Relations Association

The Merced County Office of Education earned three awards of merit from the California Schools Public Relations Association’s (CalSPRA) Excellence in Communications contest for photography, multimedia communication and special event or program.
The photograph was taken by MCOE Public Information Officer Nathan Quevedo at the 2010 Dinner With a Scientist event at UC Merced.
The multimedia communication entry featured video vignettes of 2011 Merced County Teacher of the Year candidates produced by Merced Educational Television (METV).
And the special event or program entry was the entire 2011 Merced County Teacher of the Year Awards reception — invitations, programs and the METV vignettes.
Another component of the contest is for educational organizations to describe how the entry was used as a promotional tool and through what media outlets.
MCOE has previously earned awards from CalSPRA for multimedia communication and special event or program.
The awards were given out at CalSPRA’s annual fall conference, this year in Santa Ana on Oct. 26.

Photo by Nathan Quevedo Courtesy Merced County Office of Education
This photo, taken by Merced County Office of Education Public Information Office Nathan Quevedo at the 2010 Dinner With a Scientist event at UC Merced, earned an award of merit in the California Schools Public Relations Association's Excellence in Communications contest.

October 24, 2011

UC Merced to Celebrate
International Education Week

The week of on-campus events, Nov. 14 to 18, includes workshops, a screening of an award-winning film, storytelling and library exhibit MERCED, Calif. — The Office of International Affairs at the University of California, Merced, will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 14 to 18, with a series of events to highlight the rich cultures represented on campus and in the Merced community. International Education Week (IEW) was established in 2000 to help prepare Americans for a global environment by highlighting opportunities to study, learn, and exchange experiences from around the world. This is UC Merced’s fourth year participating in the annual celebration. A list of events is available online.It’s important for students to develop cross-cultural competency in their academic career to meet the challenges of the 21st century, said Rebecca Sweeley, director of international affairs at UC Merced.“Whether by going abroad or pursuing global learning opportunities locally, students are able to expand their understanding of the world during their time with us,” Sweeley

said. “We hope UC Merced's IEW events will help foster a greater sense of global community on campus and in the community.”UC Merced’s theme for the week is “Celebrating One Human Family.” The week is also meant to encourage a greater awareness of other people, other countries, world affairs and their influence on everyone’s lives.UC Merced’s events will provide opportunities for international students and scholars to celebrate their countries and cultures and for the campus community to share global learning and research experiences. Each day of the week will feature a variety of activities in addition to an award-winning film, travel abroad experiences and an ongoing exhibit at the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library. The Office of International Affairs is inviting submissions from community members for events or lectures that relate to this year’s theme. The deadline for submission for inclusion on the IEW website and promotional fliers is Nov. 4. For more information or to submit an event proposal, please visit the website for International Education Week.

October 24, 2011

Congressman Cardoza Reacts to President Obama’sHousing InitiativeWarns changes will not go far enough WASHINGTON,

DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) released the following statement in response the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) new guidelines for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The changes attempt to help homeowners who are “underwater” take advantage of the historically low interest rates. “I have been fighting for a robust refinancing program since I introduced the Housing Opportunity Mortgage Equity (HOME) Act in 2009. Although the changes announced today by the FHFA are a step in the right direction, they do not go far enough. I am happy President Obama and the FHFA have decided to focus on the housing crisis, but we must have a much more aggressive plan to solve this problem. “Currently, over 11 million homeowners nationwide are underwater, owing more than their homes are worth. The changes announced today are only expected to help an addition 800,000 to 1 million homeowners. This is not acceptable, and leaves too many families in dire straits. “These changes are merely baby steps to addressing a far greater crisis than the President and his Administration are willing to admit. This revised plan doesn’t do anything to compel banks to participate, which is one of the primary reasons the HARP program has failed. The new plan will also fail to help the hardest-hit areas like the Central Valley, where a new appraisal is impossible because the bottom has fallen out of the housing

market. I urge President Obama to use this opportunity to make bolder changes and give American homeowners the help they need. Without a substantial plan to combat this epidemic, the economy and job market will continue to flounder.” California’s Central Valley, the region Congressman Cardoza represents, has been ground zero in the foreclosure crisis. In some communities, over 53 percent of mortgages are underwater and 70,000 people have lost their homes to foreclosure since the crisis began in 2007. In 2009, Congressman Cardoza introduced the HOME Act, which would help up to 30 million struggling homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to benefit from current historically low market interest rates and refinance for up to 40 years at a fixed single-digit rate. This would significantly lower the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments, resulting in fewer foreclosures, while stabilizing the housing market and the national economy.

October24, 2011

Merced County CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) West Side Hoedown---A Great Time for a Great Cause

A western-themed fundraiser and shoot-out attracted approximately 200 Merced County residents to the Delta Farms Party Barn near Los Banos last Saturday night to support the continuing development of CASA of Merced County.
As a nonprofit volunteer organization, CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, provides highly trained Advocates to represent and assist abused and neglected children in the court system and to ensure that these children are placed in a safe home with an appropriate family.
“Our goal for this event was to raise awareness and support for CASA on the west side of the county. I think we accomplished that and had great fun.” said Merced CASA President Nancy Young- Bergman.
“I was pleased to see such a great turnout,” said Merced County Supervisor Jerry O’Banion, who represents the Los Banos area and volunteered as the event’s emcee. “It was rewarding for me personally to have been able to participate in such a worthy event expected to support our community’s youth.”
Throughout the evening, the crowd was entertained by Sheriff Mark Pazin and other celebrities who were dragged off to a jail with real bars. The prisoners could only “escape” by bailing themselves out or serving their “time”. Also, Will York, a famous quick draw artist from Los Banos, gave them a real taste of the old West by challenging them to a quick draw competition. Guests then did some serious boot-stompin’ and danced up a storm to the amazing fiddle music of Tim Johnson and The Sierra Cowboy Riders.

Los Banos Mayor Mike Villalta helped tend bar for the event. ”It was a fun-filled evening and funds were raised for a very important cause for our community,” he said.
County Supervisor John Pedrozo and his crew served a delicious BBQ dinner, which was followed by amazing desserts and raffle prizes. All of the funds raised from the event will remain in Merced County to assist our children and to train many additional volunteer advocates to work with Merced County’s abused and neglected youth. With approximately 700 foster children in our county, many more volunteers are needed to help.
Senator Anthony Cannella, Congressman Jim Costa and Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani participated in different parts of the evening’s festivities.
Almost 1000 CASA organizations exist nationally, and since the Merced County chapter formed just last year, it has graduated two classes of advocates who are now working with approximately 20 children. With 30 advocates and a full Board, the organization wants to recruit additional advocates to serve youth who live on the West side of Merced County.
Shar Herrera, the organization’s executive director, said CASA of Merced County would continue to reach out to the west side communities to find much-needed support for our communities’ youth.
“In every sense of the term, abuse and neglect simply know no boundaries,” she said.

October21, 2011

Solar panels power County of
Merced’s Correctional Facilities
1.4 megawatt system will yield utility incentives, environmental benefits and positive cash flow

MERCED COUNTY, Calif., October 21, 2011 – Merced County officials announced that they are “switching on” the 1.4 megawatt solar array to power the County’s Merced Correctional facilities in El Nido.
The switch will be thrown at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at the Correctional Facility at 2584 W. Sandy Mush Rd. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and view the solar arrays.
Merced County contracted with Siemens Industry Inc., Clean Energy Projects to deliver the solar photovoltaic system. It is designed to provide approximately 70 percent of the facilities’ peak electricity consumption.
“We are thrilled to be switching on the system and turning on a new era of sustainability for Merced County citizens. I think all will agree we have made a solid investment that will yield tremendous fiscal and environmental benefits to the County and its citizens for decades to come,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Pedrozo.
“The economics of the system could not be better. We can expect more than $300,000 in equivalent electricity savings every year and a net positive cash flow that over 25 years will reach, according to projections, nearly $9 million,” Pedrozo said.
The County’s solar array is designed to generate enough power to offset the correctional facilities’ electricity consumption.
The Board’s policy is to have money saved by the solar project deposited in a fund for other countywide capital improvements. The improvements can also include future energy-efficient upgrades at all County facilities.

The County’s goal is to use local businesses wherever possible. Siemens subcontracted with Collins Electric, Suntrek, Phase One Construction and Volvo Rents for the solar project. For a separate lighting upgrade project Siemens subcontracted with Sylvania.
Two triangular shaped arrays deploying 6,272 solar panels were installed on 4.5 acres adjacent to the John Latorraca Correctional Facility and the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. One array produces 600 kW and the other 800 kW of electricity.
No general fund money has been used on the project. The system’s construction is being paid for by Tobacco Securitization funds specifically designated for capital improvements at County facilities. According to project planners, the County will realize the following benefits:

• Solar Incentives over 5 years, totaling $1,578,610
• Electrical Utility Savings over 25 Years, Estimated totaling $13,892,500
• Total Positive cash flow to County over 25 Years = $8,685,000
• PG&E Capital Improvement Rebate eligibility

According to Siemens, the solar system and the energy-efficient lighting upgrades will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 999.85 tons.

October 21, 2011

Building Healthy Communities:
Southwest Merced/East Merced County

MERCED (Oct. 21, 2011) – Building Healthy Communities: Southwest Merced/East Merced County (BHC), working in partnership with the Merced County Arts Council (MCAC), is pleased to announce that they received a record number of entries for their Youth Logo Contest. The contest was publicized throughout the county, and MCAC and BHC staff worked closely with teachers at Golden Valley High School, Le Grand High School, Dos Palos High School, Cesar Chavez Middle School, and Tenaya Middle School to encourage student participation. Students at Tenaya Middle School even produced a thirty-second commercial for Tenaya TV to promote the contest. A total of thirty-seven entries were submitted.
The grand prize of $500 and three additional $250 prizes will be awarded at a dessert reception to be held on Monday, October 24, from 6:30-8pm at the Multicultural Arts Center of Merced, 645 W. Main Street, Merced. The public is invited to attend.

Building Healthy Communities is a 10-year, $1 billion plan of The California Endowment. In connection with staff-led, statewide policy initiatives, 14 communities, including Southwest Merced/East Merced County, are taking action to make where they live healthier. They’re doing this by improving employment opportunities, education, housing, neighborhood safety, unhealthy environmental conditions, access to healthy food and more. The goal: to create places where children are healthy, safe and ready to learn. Ultimately, we’re aiming at nothing less than a transformation in the way all of us think about and support health for all Californians. For more information, please visit www.calendow.org/healthycommunities/

BHC Youth Logo Contest Received 37 Entries
(1)$500 Grand Prize and (3) Additional $250 Prizes Will Be Awarded At Reception On Monday, Oct. 24 – Public Invited