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“I support President Obama’s bold vision to reform public education and focus on improving student achievement in every school,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “That is why I am here today, signing California’s application for Race to the Top Phase Two funding, which has the strong commitment of our leading school district superintendents and education stakeholders. This application lays out a roadmap for the future of public education in California.”

In a state as large as California, the working group of superintendents developed the Race to the Top Phase Two application with the knowledge that most education policy is implemented and delivered at the local level. The state’s detailed plan in the application addresses the stated federal goals of Race to the Top applications, including requiring both teacher and principal evaluations to be based in part on student performance, ensuring effective teachers and principals are placed in low-performing and high-poverty schools and using robust data to improve student achievement to turn around low-performing schools.

In addition to the working group of superintendents (San Francisco, Sacramento, Clovis, Fresno, Sanger, Long Beach and Los Angeles unified school districts), California’s application was joined by more than 100 school districts and more than 200 charter schools – representing a total of more than 1.7 million California students.

Joining the Governor in signing the Race to the Top Phase Two application today are State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and State Board President Ted Mitchell. Letters of support for California’s application were submitted by key leaders including, Governor Pete Wilson, Governor Gray Davis, Senator Feinstein, Senator Boxer, Congressman Miller and members of the California Congressional delegation. Dozens of community groups such as the California State NAACP and Families in Schools also pledged their support for the application.

“As Superintendent of the largest school district in California, Race to the Top represents an opportunity for California to demonstrate true leadership and a commitment to working collaboratively in the interest of our students,” said superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District and working group member Ramon C. Cortines.

On July 24, 2009, President Obama and Secretary Duncan announced federal eligibility and competitiveness requirements for states to compete for $4.35 billion in Race to the Top funding. At the time, California was ineligible to apply. Governor Schwarzenegger took immediate action, calling a special session of the legislature and introducing a bi-partisan legislative package to ensure California could become eligible and highly competitive for this education funding. Since then, Governor Schwarzenegger signed the legislation necessary to make California eligible to apply and then signed historic education reform legislation to ensure California would be highly competitive for up to $700 million in education dollars for California’s schools.

For more information and to view California’s Race to the Top application, please visit: www.caracetothetop.org.

Governor Schwarzenegger created the California Recovery Task Force to track the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding coming into the state; work with President Barack Obama’s administration; help cities, counties, non-profits, and others access the available funding; ensure that the funding funneled through the state is spent efficiently and effectively; and maintain a Web site (www.recovery.ca.gov) that is frequently and thoroughly updated for Californians to be able to track the stimulus dollars.

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IT’S MARIACHI WEEK IN CALEXICO and we got into the spirit at the Chamber of Commerce’s Mariachi Mixer.
It was a great festive occasion because the pressure was off in the Border City.
Most of the earthquake damage had been cleaned up and the school district was functioning on all cylinders.
I ran into Carmen Durazo and Bill Hodge, who were all smiles because they got back to work at CHS.  Carmen is running for County Supervisor from District 5 and Hodge is trying for the City Council.
Carmen has a tough road ahead with stiff competition from John Renison, Louis Fuentes and Luis Castro. They are all experienced campaigner, But she has some too. She served on the Calexico City Council for four years.
Hodge is running against five others including incumbent Willie Hermosillo, who was appointed to fill the remaining term of Louis Fuentes who moved to the County Supervisor’s position.
It was a different conversation because the candidates talked of making it to the November election more than winning the primary with the required 51 percent for victory.
When the field is crowded, as it always is in Calexico, name recognition is more important than the issues. We will find out in June whose achieved the most recognition. You’ll get our picks before the election.
THERE WERE PLENTY OF CANDIDATES AT THE Mariachi Mixer and like everyone else, they were enjoying the lighthearted evening. Hildy Carrillo always knows how to throw a first class party.
WE HAD AN INTERESTING conversation with Hildy about Mariachi Mixteco, the youthful Mariachi group that performs regularly at Chamber functions.
Performers can start as early as 12 years old and continued into the their 20s. They learn the music and how to put on a show on stage form the other members of the group. Tuesday evening, there was one new member to the group playing along with the seasoned vets. She was young and a little nervous, but she was catching on fast with the help of another performer.
It’s nice to see young folks get the chance to improve their musical skills and do it in a professional setting.
They will get plenty more experience over the next several years if they stay with it.
Hildy told me members of the group usually leave in their early twenties. They get through college or start careers or find spouses.
Mariachi music makes a good transition to the start of an adult life. That’s a good reason to celebrate this year.
WE HOPE THE WIND WILL DIE DOWN  after blowing for want seemed like a month during April.   It carried over into May, but looks like there are plenty of signs it will let up.
Now it will be the politicians turns to huff about what they are going to do for us. That ought to stir up a whole lot more wind.
Enjoy the Mariachi concert this weekend and celebrate a return to normal.

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WHAT’S ALL THE SHOUTING ABOUT IN ARIZONA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY? Seems Arizona wants the local cops to track down illegals and give them the heave ho from their state.
That’s brought howls of protest from the bulldogs, oops, I mean watchdogs, of justice! All duly self-righteous people must rise to the the cause of unfairness to illegal aliens.
Since when do we have to be fair to people who are here illegally?
Who are the police supposed to stop if they are checking on immigration status? Blonde haired, blue eyed northern Europeans?
And since when do people not have to carry identification anymore?
And where are all the protesters out marching about illegal Canadians in the country? If they show up in Arizona will they be checked for “papers?”
Checking people’s I.D. is nothing new. It happens a couple of billion times a day.
If you live in the Southwest, then you’re used to seeing Border Patrol Agents checking for green cards among field workers.
Everybody has to have some form of I.D. Social Security numbers are a form of I.D. even  though the government would like you to believe they aren’t.
Arizona wants to protect its borders. They’re encroaching on the Federal turf and the Feds don’t like it. We suppose the illegals don’t like it either.
But, somebody has to get a handle on the situation and the feds aren’t doing that. Making it harder for those who aren’t supposed to be here to stay here shouldn’t be attracting all the huffing and puffing it does.
Making state workers and local police do the work of the Federal government  is contrary to the spirit of the country. If the State wants illegal immigration controlled, then appeal to the feds.
A few years ago, the feds wanted teachers to screen students for having proper I.D. to prove they were here legally. They refused, saying they were teachers not policemen.
Hassling legitimate citizens and those who are in the country legally should be a major cause for concern, though.
When you start hassling citizens, then you’re going against everything the U.S. has stood for. Find a happy ground and it will benefit everyone. The Fed needs to step in now and quit all its petty partisan politics.
THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN THIS SPRING has been a real dull time. One would have expected more from the candidates with so many running, especially for the the County Supervisor seats. But other than a couple of forums where each recited the generic “love me, elect me” rhetoric, there hasn’t been much.
Congressman Bob Filner and Juan Vargas continued their running feud, though. Vargas is running against Mary Salas for the State Senate seat from the 40th District and is backed by Filner. Vargas is running against her.
We got word from the Salas headquarters about a Vargas volunteer starting a fight at a press conference attended by Finer and Salas last week.  We were reminded that a press conference we attended in 2006 when Filner was running against Vargas got disrupted when a campaign volunteer for Vargas stopped everything and insisted the press corps listen to what she had to say.
A little while later a  Filner campaign worker had obscenities sprayed his car. This must be a tactic Vargas likes to use, since he has continued with it if the reports are correct.
Vargas needs to straighten up his act. Too much violence and nastiness surrounds his campaign. I think I would prefer voting for someone who has much more level head than this.
The candidates have been out in force, though, making the scene at the local events. Filner, Manny Perez and several candidates for other offices attended Dr. Stephen Roeder’s retirement party last Friday. The atmosphere was festive and fun.
Dr. Roeder has helped SDSU with programs that can provide a four year education in the Valley and has helped improve the facilities on the Calexico Campus.
He helped the city renovate the Carnegie Library and provide a center for public use too.
We’re glad he had an impact and we hope his retirement bodes well for him and his family.
THE MARIACHI FESTIVAL IS ALMOST HERE. Preliminary events start next week with the concert set for the following weekend. Hildy Carrillo and the Calexico Chamber of Commerce have turned this into a major event for the Valley.
Peace.

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HOLTVILLE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF  activity these days when it comes to using federal funds to fix up old streets around town.
Even the hardest of the hardnose cynics would have to admit that the streets are looking better, as are the new curbs and median strips.
It is all a positive step going into spring that makes me want to smile a little. It’s amazing what some white curbs and new blacktop can do for you.
There’s even some new Welcome to Holtville signs under construction on the West and North sides of town.
One place that is sadly lacking is the East side, where motorists are greeted by a friendly ghost painted on an electrical box at the corner of Fifth Street and Figueroa Avenue.
Welcome to Holtville? I keep waiting for the city’s graffiti truck to pull up and paint it out, but apparently it has escaped the watchful eye of those charged with this task.
The city decided to take over this function itself and move it from the Turning Point, which has done it for the last several years. The city looked clean back then, with little or no graffiti in sight.
We hope we’re not going back to multi-tagged buildings and public eyesores. Like a lot of things, if ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Turning Point did the job well, but in the end got the boot. Now the graffiti sits around for a couple of months until someone notices. I wonder when someone is going to notice Caspar The Friendly Ghost.
If the city is going to spend several hundred thousand dollars on street repairs, perhaps it could spend a couple of hundred dollars on some paint and equipment and turn the removal  back to the Turning Point. At least it will look a lot cleaner around here.
That way “Caspar won’t continue to smile at tourists.
HOLTVILLE IS OUT LOOKING FOR SOME NEW BUSINESS AND TO HELP SOME OLD BUSINESSES. It even had two half page ads in this newspaper to point out what you could get from the city for your money.
You’d get a lot. Or a little, if that’s all you needed. And it wouldn’t cost that much. Call them up and find out the details. It could improve the outside and the inside of your business as well as help out your wallet.
Holtville is also a good place to start a new business, because of the low interest city loans that are available and the number of buildings and businesses that are for sale.
I’ve successfully used city loans to help our business on more than one occasion and it has paid off very well. We got the money we needed. The city got to keep a business here. A win-win situation.
There is a word of caution, though. Read your contract. The city has proved to be incredibly hardnosed when it comes to getting compliance with its contracts. So know what you are getting into before you find yourself in a bigger jam later on.
THE SWEET ONION FESTIVAL IS RETURNING TO BRAWLEY once again. this was one of the first events I covered during my first year in Imperial Valley nearly 20 years ago.
Only it took place at the Mid-Winter Fairgrounds and had such standards as an onion eating contest, onion golf and even some square dancing.
It was definitely a country event with an onion flavor. It even had onion ice cream for the folks with strong stomachs. After all, they are sweet onions, so I suppose you could make anything you want out of them.
There were prizes for the most onions grown and shipped and the biggest onion too.
You could buy bags of your favorite sweets, something my wife thought was outstanding because of their great taste.
Well, the onions are still around and now the contest is centered in Brawley. The emphasis is on a Hawaiian theme these days in deference to Maui onions, even though more Imperial Valley Sweets are grown these days.
But it’s an excuse for a party. Come out try some fresh made onion rings and listen to some of the music. You can even enjoy the hawaiian dancers who will be there. It’s a chance of you to pay tribute to a long standing major cash crop in the Valley. The event is scheduled for May 8th. So mark your calendars and be there.

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April 14, 2010
DR-1884-CA NR-11
FEMA/State News Desk:
(626) 431-3910

At the request of the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with county and local agencies, is carrying out
Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in the earthquake damaged areas of Imperial County.
A PDA is an extensive on-the-ground survey of damage to public facilities, and is used to determine
whether federal assistance from FEMA can be made available.
The PDA will be used by the Governor’s Office as a basis to request a major disaster declaration for
Public Assistance (PA) from the President if it shows the cost of response and recovery efforts is
beyond state and local capabilities to absorb.
The PA program helps fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public facilities
that were damaged or destroyed by a disaster. It also includes reimbursement for emergency
protective services and debris removal. Eligible applicants include state and local governments,
tribal nations and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations that provide an essential
governmental service.
If a Presidential disaster declaration for PA is issued, applicants will have 30 days to make a request
for PA funds. The requirements that agencies must meet for obtaining Federal Assistance are
detailed in an Applicants’ Briefing to be hosted by Cal EMA.
There are two types of work eligible for reimbursement through a Public Assistance Grant:
emergency work and permanent work. The categories of work are often identified by a single letter.
The categories are:
Emergency Work
A. Debris Removal
B. Emergency Protective Measures
Permanent Work
C. Road Systems and Bridges
D. Water Control Facilities
E. Buildings, Contents, and Equipment
F. Utilities
G. Parks, Recreational, and Other
A complete description of the work eligible for reimbursement through PA grants can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/re_categories.shtm
PA funds are made available on a cost sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent of eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent of costs are the responsibility of the state/local agency or eligible non-profit organization. Of the 25 percent, the State of California provides 18.75 percent of the nonfederal share to local agencies, with those agencies paying 6.25 percent.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) coordinates overall state agency preparedness for, response to and recovery from major disasters. Cal EMA also maintains the State Emergency Plan, which outlines the organizational structure for state management of the response to natural and manmade disasters.
###

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Lead to Major Rebuilding

AS THE SCRUTINY OF EARTHQUAKE continues one might think there is going to be a lot of remodeling and some new structures going up around the Valley.
We hope so. When the world hands you lemons, turn them into lemonade. This is an ideal opportunity to tear down some of the old and bring in some of the new in just about every city in the Valley.
You could also put a lot of people to work locally and generate more payroll, more payroll taxes and more money to fix up even more buildings.
It’s time for private enterprise to do its part and pick up the ball to create an economic upturn from this disaster.
Think of it. A rebuilt downtown in Calexico and El Centro would provide something to compete with the Big Box stores and the I.V. Mall.
It would create a better environment for all of us too and encourage people to get out and shop.
ONE PLACE THAT NEEDS A LOT MORE SCRUTINY is the Holtville Middle School. This is a structure could use a lot of revamping. Like other schools in the area, it has been used and overused and needs to have a lot of upgrades. One of the biggest would be a gymnasium that would allow students to get in out of the heat and give the city another recreational facility.
It will have 12 classrooms closed for two weeks due to electrical damage caused by the earthquake.
It’s an ideal time to have the School Board look into remodeling or replacing the whole structure. That way all of the HUSD schools will have been upgraded , allowing for better learning conditions and a modern education.
Just look at the Frank Wright Middle School in Imperial as a shining example of what a modern junior high school campus can look like and picture what it would do for the people of Holtville and Imperial Valley.
Why, you might even talk to the the city about reinstating the recreation programs it started and then stopped just when they were going strong.
We can just hear the refrains now. “We don’t have any money.”
Well, find some all you people who are crying about the government taking too much. Here’s your chance to breathe life into something that will benefit everyone for another century. Maybe they could name the school after one of the present school board members.
POLITICIANS FROM ALL LEVELS have been coming to Calexico to “inspect the damage firsthand.”
Maybe that should read “To get in on a photo opportunity for the public.”
Barbara Boxer showed up, even though its been about a decade since she put in an appearance around here. She was very sincere and made a “we shall overcome” speech that belonged in a church. I think people in Calexico and Imperial Valley would more interested in hearing about what the government they have been paying into for years is going to do for them.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger even made the local scene, playing some oneupmanship with Boxer. Instead of coming in at the same time as Boxer, a Democrat, and showing some unity, Arnold showed up early for his tour of the city, leaving local politicians scrambling to catch up with him for their own photo op.
Louis Fuentes always knows how to get out in front of a crowd. Especially when Arnold is around.
Gov. Schwarzenegger didn’t stay very long and never met with Boxer. Could it be that maybe he will run for the Senate after his stint as governor is over? Perhaps. Only time will  tell.
He can’t run for president because he was born outside the U.S. But the California Governor usually gets consideration for higher office when his term is completed.  Arnold isn’t talking yet. It will make for more interesting election fodder.
Filner had already put in an appearance in Calexico before the others arrived. He had been there earlier in the week to meet with city officials  and offer some assurance.
Last but not least was Denise Ducheny who came in Friday to look over the damage all by herself and offer her own words of encouragement.
Did I forget to mention Manuel Perez? He came with Boxer and was quickly overshadowed by the Senator. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing

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so, where were you during the great ‘quake of 2010? Will that be the question for the next millennium? We doubt it. Although, it is intriguing to note that people actually talk about the Great Quake of 1906 that flattened in  San Francisco. It wasn’t flattened for very long and it came right back stronger than ever. Without a government bailout.
So, what’s a city to do these days. Seek  more federal funds? Sorry, they’ve all been spent on automotive and banking bailouts. Well, I suppose we can all hit up the insurance companies that have been reaping big profits from the lack of earthquakes in these parts for the las 30 years.
But, then, they will probably want a bailout from the federal government to bailout the cities who started it all in the first place. Or so it would seem.
Now, if anybody out there had been listening to Rush Limbaugh and any of the other conservative know-it-alls, not only would they be broke and bankrupt they would now have the socks knocked right off of them by Mother Nature.
Because when the bottom line is drawn, God and Mom make a mighty tough pair to draw to.
So, let’s quit all the shenanigans and get back to work. the notion of keeping all those stores closed for longer than a week makes my poor, little advertising manager’s heart sink.
And those malingerers on the staff won’t even have to come up with a decent excuse as to why they aren’t producing anything.
So, let’s get back to some common sense in government circles and let people take their own risks with their won property. What a unique idea! But common sense and government don’t go together very well. so we’re sure there will be talk of big bailouts and grants and more money from some unlimited source that will spring forward to save the day.
According to our reporter Chris Furguson 89 percent of the buildings in downtown Calexico have been red flagged. Gosheroo!
They’ve probably been that way for the last 70 years or so. And the fact that none of them fell down means they were constructed better than anyone gave the contractors of the day any credit for. It’s time to get back to work, not Haiti. We pride ourselves on bouncing back and not taking anything we didn’t earn.
Therefore, Uncle Sam, put your checkbook away, ease your rules and regulations and watch what we can do in Imperial Valley.
NOW IF YOU AREN’T GOING TO DO THAT, Uncle Sam,  then I hope the folks in those downtowns rebuild everything at government expense and make over areas that are long overdue for it.
Just bring in the bulldozers and push over those 100 year old brick and masonry structures that wouldn’t fall over if an atom bomb fell on them.
Then the Gov. can build us all “safe” buildings to his own specifications. In others, half as good as those it would tear down.
For the buildings in these parts were built to last and last they have. There are some that haven’t held up well and they should be hunted down and demolished before someone gets hurt. but lets not throw out the other buildings that have withstood the test of time, man and nature. They’ll still be there long after we’re gone. And then everybody can get back to work.
We’ll be glad to see them do that because it has been mighty quiet in here waiting for the phones to ring.
HATS OFF TO OUR SAVVY NEWS STAFF that was johnny-on-the-spot with coverage of all portions of the big quake. We had it online early Monday morning with updates and photos as they came about.
As a result, our website had the most hits it ever had in as short a time ever.
We give you breaking news online and in-depth news in the paper along with local events that will never make the national or regional news scene.
As a result, your subscription to the Valley’s leading weekly gives you the best of both worlds for one low price.
If you don’t believe me take a look how you get all the things yo want for one low price at Alice’s Restaurant! Better known as the Holtville Tribune and Imperial Valley Weekly-Chronicle.
This has been an incredible first quarter of the new decade. We’ve had more events and more big stories than we have had in any other time since I have been here.
We may have to take a break after all this. That is, if Mother Nature, the local politicians and the local social scene will let us.
Peace.

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HOO-RAY, HOO-RAY, HOO-RAY! TIGER IS RETURNING TO THE LINKS

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HEAR WE ARE, BACK FROM A SPECTACULAR OSCAR NIGHT. Alice and me like to watch the whole affair from Red Carpet interviews an hour before to the Barbara Walters Special an hour afterward.
Whew! You take about a marathon! But we put in a good stock of chips and soft drinks, as well as a couple of sub sandwiches to eat at the halfway point.
This year’s affair marked a return to formality. Elegant dress as opposed to outrageous, mind bending get-ups.
Steve Martin, one of my all-time favorite comedians, and Alec Baldwin made a dynamic duo of hosts that kept things moving along through the whole three and a half hour affair. Martin is a skilled a professional when it comes to working an audience and Baldwin proved to be an even match for him. Hope and Crosby should have done so well.
Oh yes, there were the awards, of course.
The all-knowing Academy decided to spread them around a little this year, with no one movie dominating everything. At least it made it interesting down to the Best Picture award.
That brought out some politics that should have been deleted. This is an awards show for movies, not a political rally for the National Organization of Women. But presenter Barbara Striesand couldn’t resist turning it into just that.
Looking as frumpy as anyone could at the ceremonies, Streisand roundly cheered the winner of the Best Director Award – Kathryn Bigelow – without even mentioning her name. “the wait is over,” she bellowed into the microphone as if a cure for cancer had been found.
Seems Katie was the first woman director to win the award. I don’t suppose it had anything to do with her ability.
With that bit of partisanship out of the way – it should have been avoided entirely – the show came to a snappy conclusion. You’d almost think it was scripted the way Bigelow, Streisand and the rest of the girls came together. The orchestra even played “I Am Woman” as the gaggle of chicks left the stage. “Pul-lease!!
I had hoped the awards would be partisanship free. They almost made it too. Well, maybe next year.
Perhaps they could leave Streisand at home next year too. Or get her a new dress designer.
WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON OVER HERE? Another Mid-Winter Fair came to a conclusion with the usual animal auctions and a few tribute bands.
They even had a jazz concert in memory of Jimmie Cannon. It was fitting for a man who devoted his life to music and teaching the refinements of it to several generations of students in El Centro.
He brought it to the people too, with the creation of the Imperial Valley Jazz Band. The Fair had the foresight to continue on with that tradition.
Unfortunately, it looked as though a lot of people had pulled in their belts when it came to the Fair. The crowds were small during the week, but strong on the weekends.
Whiskey Dawn put on an excellent country music show, but with only a handful of people in the audience. Which goes to show, you have to have a name act if you want to attract attention.
The Fair Board and other non profits were obviously hurting for money. And entertainment dollars were also hard to come by.
Let’s hope the economy gets turned around by the time the next Fair comes around. A few bright days would be welcome.
SPEAKING OF BRIGHT DAYS, we’re getting more than a little tired of rain that is so rare the rest of the year. February and now March are proving to be the area’s “rainy season.” At least we don’t get mud slides. At least not yet, anyway. That would be something to take pictures of a house sliding into a gully out in the middle of the desert. Let’s hope nobody’s home if it happens.
Don’t forget the Blue Angels are in town  for their annual show.  It’s an experience everyone should have more than once in their lifetime.
Peace

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