SAN JOAQUÍN VALLEY
The San Joaquín Valley Air Pollution Control District wants individuals, businesses and organizations to make a pledge to make clean-air choices in time for Healthy Air Living Week (July 7-13) and get a chance to win a new Toyota Prius.
"There are numerous clean-air alternatives for any individual or organization, and we're confident that everyone can find something to commit during Healthy Air Living Week," said Jaime Holt, the district's chief communications officer.
Residents in the district's eight-county area -- San Joaquín, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties -- can pledge to minimize car trips by using online services, avoid drive-thrus, take public transit to work at least three days that week, or walk their child to school. They can choose seven of 24 choices to quality for the Prius drawing.
Churches and businesses are being asked to promote car-pooling, planting shade trees, or promote alternative transportation.
Deadline to enter is July 31. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, be a licensed California driver, and live within the district.
Details: www.healthyairliving.com.
New LIF director
SAN FRANCISCO -- Yammilette G. Rodríguez has been appointed as the Central Valley director for the Latino Issues Forum. She will be responsible for developing and implementing the forum's activities in the region.
Rodríguez, who was a professor in the leadership discipline for honor transfer students at Fresno Pacific University for seven years, graduated from Reedley College and California State University, Fresno.
NATIONAL
Obama, McCain campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Courting the increasingly influential Latino vote, the rival presidential candidates each pledged last Saturday to make overhauling the nation's immigration policies a top priority.
In separate appearances before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain looked for ways to connect with their audience and emphasize distinctions between themselves.
Before the candidates spoke, Adolfo Carrión Jr., the association president and Bronx Borough president, laid down the stakes. "I believe that we will determine the outcome of the 2008 presidential election," he said.
Perhaps with that in mind, Obama delivered a few lines in Spanish -- "Sí, se puede," he said -- and recalled marching in the streets of Chicago in support of immigration reform. He offered his historic campaign to become the first black president as a signpost for others.
"I'm hoping that somewhere out there in the audience sits the person who will be the first Latino nominee in their party," he said.
McCain noted that he represents Arizona, "where Spanish was spoken before English," and remembered a fellow Vietnam prisoner of war, Everett Álvarez, "a brave American of Mexican descent."
And McCain pointed out that he pushed for overhauling immigration laws when "it wasn't very popular with some in my party."
Immigrant vote push
CHICAGO -- In a sustained push to win greater influence during the next presidential administration, immigrant groups across the country are launching a major door-knocking campaign to register hundreds of thousands of new voters.
The local effort began last Saturday at Foreman High School on the West Side of Chicago, where organizers helped immigrants fill out U.S. citizenship applications, while volunteers from 14 states kick off a six-day "boot camp" in Chicago geared toward getting out the vote in the fall.
That coalesced with the work of more than 300 unions, churches and grass-roots organizations that plan to register new voters over the next several months, under a national Campaign for Community Values advocating immigration reform, better health care and workers' rights, organizers said.
With voter turnout at record levels, a strong immigrant showing could help re-energize federal discussions about legalization, school funding, neighborhood safety and other issues, said Juan Salgado, president of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which is helping coordinate the effort.
STATE
Homeownership funds
LOS ÁNGELES -- Wells Fargo has provided a $100,000 grant to ByDesign Financial Solutions for its mortgage default and foreclosure counseling and education services.
The funds will be used for the organization's 'Alternatives to Foreclosure' web seminars and one-on-one counseling.
The web seminars are scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 8, 17 and 22, and Aug. 7, 21 and 26.
Details: (800) 750-2227.
FRESNO COUNTY
USDA grants
The USDA Rural Development had provided $82,050 in grants to Fresno County communities to improve the effective of first responders.
The city of San Joaquín received $30,000 to help purchase security cameras, and Parlier got $30,900 to help purchase two police vehicles.
The Fresno County Fire Protection District also got $15,400 for its Parlier station and $5,750 for its Mendota station.
Section 8 applications
FRESNO -- Pre-applications are being accepted for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which provides low-income families with renatl assistance.
Families will be taken from the wait list based on funding availability and preferences established in the Fresno Housing Authority plan.
Pre-applications may be completed online at www.hafresno.org. Hard-copy applications must be mailed by July 31.
The housing authority has offices in Fresno at 937 Klotte, 4430 E. Hamilton, and 1331 Fulton Mall; in Parlier at 1030 Parlier Ave.; and, in Firebaugh at 1625 Allardt Dr.
Offices are open Monday through Thursday -- and alternate Fridays -- from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
League scholarships
FRESNO -- The League of Mexican American Women has provided scholarships to 18 high school seniors in the area. The league has provided more than $275,000 in scholarships to area students.
Scholarships were awarded to Anthony Sepulveda (Bullard), Jacqueline Torres (Clovis West), Heather Lynn Hernández and Sylvia Fierro Pacheco (Fresno State University), Nancy Chavero (Fowler), Marisol Rangel (Firebaugh), Norma Ramos (Orange Cove), Cassandra Nix (Reedley), and Arturo Gasga (Sunnyside).
Also getting scholarships were Erika Reyes, Samantha Rincón and Anabel Viera of Parlier; and, Enrique Álvarez, Irlanda Barrios, Karen Barragán, Verónica García, Yoana Guerrero and Rubén Ramírez of Roosevelt.
Night of Jazz
FRESNO -- Centro La Familia's 17th annual Night of Jazz will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. July 18 t the VFW Post 8900, 3585 N. Blythe. The event helps the non-profit organization provide services to families and children, the elderly and disabled of all diverse groups.
The Steve López Jazz Band and Dave 'Chile' Huerta & Friends will perform.
For tickets or sponsorships, call (559) 237-2961.
Ambulances donated
FRESNO -- American Ambulance Company has donated two ambulances to Fresno's sister city of Torreón, Coahuila, México. The vehicles were turned over to Rodolfo Woessner, director of Cruz Roja Mexicana in Torreón last Sunday.
The ambulances will be used to provide emergency care and transport ill patients and accident victims.
KINGS COUNTY
Kings Fair July 10
HANFORD -- The Kings Fair will be held July 10-13, with the final night featuring Mexican music at the outdoor theater. Groups scheduled to perform starting at 7 p.m. that evening are Cazadores del Norte, Los Gatos de Sinaloa, Los Herederos, and Los Arianes.
The concert is free with paid fair admission.
Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children 6 to 10.
TULARE COUNTY
Farmersville center
FARMERSVILLE -- Groundbreaking will be held at 10 a.m. July 8 for the city's new community center. The $3.5 million, two-story building will include a gymnasium, computer lab, kitchen, and courtyard.
The center will be the home for the Boys & Girls Club of Farmersville.
Edison protest
EXETER -- The coalition opposing a plan by Southern California Edison to run high voltage power lines between Lemon Cove and Visalia will hold a general meeting at 7 p.m. July 10 at the Exeter Memorial Building. Details: (559) 804-4040.
MERCED COUNTY
Homeowner help
MERCED -- Seniors, the disabled and the blind are eligible for homeowner and rental assistance under a state-operated program. People can get help in filling out the applications Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 W. 15th St.
The program is for people whose annual household income is less than $44,096 and are blind, disabled or older than 62.
People must bring proof of age and copy of their 1099 Social Security benefit statement.