• WHAT: The Network for a Healthy California—Latino Campaign, the El Centro Parks and Recreation, Imperial Food Bank, Imperial County Children & Families First Commission, Women, Infants and Children(WIC), Behavioral Health, March of Dimes, Breastfeeding Coalition and UC Cooperative Extension will host a Community Event in El Centro, to commemorate Latino Health Awareness Month. This statewide effort empowers Latinos to make healthy, active living a priority for themselves and their families while staying true to their culture. The event is offered at no cost to the public and will include a variety of fun and educational activities such as learning how to make authentic Latino dishes using healthy ingredients and cooking methods, and discovering fun, low-cost ways for the whole family to be physically active.

  WHY: As California Latinos continue to suffer higher rates of obesity, the Network hosts events like Latino Health Awareness Month that offer the tools and information they need to be Champions for Change who make healthier choices, like eating more fruits and vegetables and being more physically active every day. With obesity estimated to cause 112,000 deaths per year in the United States, making healthy changes helps lower the risk of obesity and the serious health problems that follow.

  WHEN: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 5:00 p.m.

  WHERE: El Centro Community Center

  375 S. First Street

El Centro CA. 92243

• WHO:

· Dr. Gloria Sotelo, San Diego Nutrition Network

· Local Champion Mom Isela Villagrana and her family

• VISUALS:

· Local Champion Mom, Isela Villagrana, preparing healthy Latino recipes featuring in-season fruits and vegetables and offering healthier cooking methods

· Community participating in physical activity demonstrations lead by Eva Navarro Zumba Instructor

· “Brain Dance” presentation by Ashley Beltran- Gonzalez with Creative Dance Center. The dance includes eight fundamental movement patters and an excellent full body and brain warm-up

· No cost food box provided by Imperial Valley Food Bank

• CONTACT: Yoli Viviana Sanchez, Network for a Healthy California—Imperial Valley Region Latino Campaign, at 760-482-4939(on-site) or yolivivianasanchez@co.imperial.ca.us

Aymee Valdes, Paine PR at 213-996-3806 or avaldes@painepr.com

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Tickets will cost $7.00 per plate and can be purchased from any one of the volunteer groups, at the front counter of the sheriff’s office or at the door the day of the BBQ.

This year we will also be selling pre-packaged meat at the door for $7.00 per pound.

While you are there check out the displays provided by the Sheriff’s Volunteer Services. There will be raffles for great prizes along with desserts and refreshments to be purchased separately. Bring the whole family and enjoy the afternoon with the men, women, and youth of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Volunteer Service Organizations.

Help support the Volunteer Groups that support the Sheriff’s Office.

For further information call 339-6301

Sheriff’s Volunteer Services:

Imperial County Sheriff’s Reserve Unit

De Anza Rescue Unit, Inc.

Imperial County Sheriff’s Explorer Post #500

Imperial County Sheriff’s Activities League

Imperial County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron

Imperial County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse
This is a major fundraiser for these volunteer groups that support the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of the Imperial County.

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The Crown That will belong to the 2010 Cattle Call Queen when she is coronated on Saturday, October 16, 2010. The Crowns were on display at a special orientation meeting that took place at the Stockman’s Club in Brawley on August 27. The earlier than usual date was used to accomodate a series of practices and training exercises that began the following afternoon and will run until a few days before the horsemanship competition. More photos on page 12. Chris Furguson Photo.

This year’s Cattle Call Queen’s Competition began with an orientation meeting for the six Queen candidates and the two Junior Queen candidates last Friday, August 27 at the Stockman’s Club.
While Orientation usually takes place during the middle of September, a special schedule of training and practice days have been maintained in order to better prepare the candidates for competition and in being Queen or the first or second princess.
These practices will consist of several runs through the horse riding patterns for the Horsemanship competition, make-up lessons, modeling practice and working with cattle and on rodeo skills.
Kelly Hannon, the chairman of the Cattle Call Queen’s Committee, told the girls that they needed experience with rodeo in order ensure their participation in the Rodeo.
“You need to be invited to participate in the Rodeo,” Hannon told the contestants. “Don’t think that just because you’re Queen, you own that arena.”
Hannon also said that she didn’t want to hear about any infighting between the contestants or between the parents or trainers.  Hannon also advised the contestants and parents to watch what they say about each other on social networking sites like Myspace, Twitter and Facebook
Questions also arose about various topics, including attire, being “in character” at all times, and more.
One sensitive subject brought up by Hannon concerned the horses used by the contestants during the competition.
“I don’t care if you have a beautiful horse,” said Hannon.  “If the horse can’t do the routine or it doesn’t like being saddled, have a back up horse.”
Also this year, in a new twist to the event, Coronation banquet ticket sales will not contribute to the competition score.
Hannon also emphasized that the contestants had to maintain their grades and that the practice days would not take the place of actual training.
The scheduled practice days run throughout the month of September and the first of half of October.  The horsemanship portion would take place on October 15 at 6:30 pm at the Cattle Call Arena while the remainder of the competition, including evening gown and speeches, would occur on Saturday, October 16 at the Lions Center. The Queen’s Coronation will take place later  that evening along with the Junior Queen and the First and Second Princesses.

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“The funds awarded today will aid in reigniting California’s economy by creating jobs and improving infrastructure in rural communities. I congratulate today’s recipients and applaud their dedication to improving our schools, medical centers and fire stations.”

The $242.3 million in Recovery Act projects announced today are funded through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program and will be matched with $58.4 million from other sources. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.  Below is a complete list of the selected recipients from California:

Boys and Girls Clubs of The Sequoias: $63,630 grant.  The funding will be used to renovate a commercial kitchen.

City of San Joaquin: $162,690 grant.  The funding will be used to renovate and expand a public works building.

Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District: $63,750 grant.  The funding will be used to replace an obsolete cold food storage unit with a larger and more efficient unit.

Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District: $130,350 grant.  The funding will be used to replace an obsolete cold food storage unit with a larger and more efficient unit.

Marshall Medical Center: $3,000,000 loan.  The funding will be used to purchase medical equipment.

Orange Cove Fire Protection District: $41,900 grant.  The funding will be used to retrofit a fire station.

Palacios Community Center: $90,000 grant.  The funding will be used to renovate a community center to meet accessibility standards.

San Jose Community & Bea Main Learning Center: $27,000 grant.  The funding will be used to purchase a fire sprinkler system for a community center.

Southern Humboldt Community Health Care District: $61,875 grant.  The funding will be used to purchase health record management equipment for a critical access hospital.

Strathmore Union Elementary School District: $48,750 grant.  The funding will be used to renovate an elementary school cafeteria.

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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The Women of Virtue Empowerment Network was established this year to provide FREE faith-based small group support for women facing many of today’s issues, including grief, menopause, weight management, parenting, marriage, AA, single parenting, positive conflict resolution, and building confidence  The center provides a safe and confidential  atmosphere where small groups are conducted by trained facilitators.  Women are able to share concerns and ideas, and build their self-esteem, while supporting other women in their struggles.  The center is located at 235-A Main Street in Brawley and there are classes scheduled Monday – Thursday.  Private sessions are also available upon request.

WOVEN will be hosting a Women’s Conference on October 8& 9, 2010 in Walker Auditorium at Pioneers Memorial Hospital.  The conference will include guest speakers on various subjects based around the Book of Ruth.  There will be small group break-out sessions, along with wonderful music and delicious food.  This conference is being provided FREE to all women.  Registration can be done via the website at www.wovenwomen.org or by calling the WOVEN office at 760-344-0411.

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SAN DIEGO, September 1, 2010

Like all disasters, certain images stick in our minds as illustrations of their magnitude.  And in Oklahoma City, a photograph of firefighter Chris Fields holding a child became one of those iconic images.

Major Fields has been with the Oklahoma City Fire Department since 1985 and the Special Operations Officer since 2008.  As Special Ops Officer he oversees the operation of Water Rescue, Hazmat, and Technical Rescue, which includes low- and high-angle, swift water, urban search and rescue, confined spaces and a variety of special situations.    He focuses on the overall management of on-going quality improvement, educational programs, and ensuring all equipment and supply needs for the Special Operations work section are met.  The Heart of Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross recently welcomed Major Fields as a distinguished member of its Board of Directors.

Hosted by the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Real Heroes Breakfast is a highly visible community event that celebrates everyday people who have demonstrated acts of bravery by saving a life or helping others in need. Among the featured categories are adult, animal rescue, company, fire and rescue, law enforcement, youth, media, medical, and military.  It is an opportunity for our communities to recognize people who are striving to make a difference in someone else’s life.

“We are very grateful to have Major Fields as our keynote speaker,” said Joe Craver, CEO, American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.  “He will provide a simple, yet powerful message that recognizes the importance of helping others by showing courage, kindness, and unselfish character through acts of heroism. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to observe how ordinary people make a difference with extraordinary courage.”

For more information on the Real Heroes Breakfast or how your sponsorship can honor these heroes, please visit www.sdarc.org or call (858) 309-1271. Sponsorships and tables are still available.

About the American Red Cross, San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter

The San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross is leading the effort to make San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties “America’s Most Prepared Community.” As a charitable organization and not a government agency, the Red Cross depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The local chapter also provides nutritional counseling through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. For more information, please call (858) 309-1200 or visit www.sdarc.org.

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Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe station encountered two men driving white 2004 Ford F-150’s within two hours of each other, the first at approximately 10:15 a.m. and the second at approximately 12:00 p.m., at the Highway 98 checkpoint, north of Yuma. A cursory sniff by a K9 team alerted to the odor of narcotics or hidden persons within the vehicles.

The subjects were referred to secondary where the K9 team alerted to the undercarriages of the vehicles. An examination of the undercarriages revealed the oil pans had been tampered with. Agents removed the oil pans from the vehicles and discovered a total of 12 packages of cocaine and methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane and tape.

The cocaine weighed a total of 23.2 pounds and had a street value of $742,400. The methamphetamine weighed 4.4 pounds and had a street value of $105,600. The subjects and narcotics were all turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicles were seized by the United States Border Patrol.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Yuma Sector Border Patrol’s toll free telephone number at 1-866-999-8727.

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EL CENTRO -”This is what they want,to play again,” explains Assistant Coach Keith Smith Sr. As the familiar sounds of whistles being blown, football pads clashing against one another and the good ol’ flags on the field coming into play, it was that time again. This past Friday, the Southwest High School held a football Carnival of sorts which was an open invitation to all the Varsity football teams in their division to come out and play.

A few Varsity teams came out and took advantage of this warm up including the Holtville Vikings, Calexico Bulldogs, St. Joseph Crusaders and the Imperial Tigers. These teams took part in a football version of half court basketball. Essentially, it was one football field, two games going on with four teams playing them. Both teams began on the fifty yard line and worked outwards with one team trying to score and the other trying to stop them.

“We’re greatly improved over last year, solid team,” states Head Coach Keith Smith. Smith ensured that the Vikings are working hard both academically and athletically. “Last year we were trying to implement the very basics of the offensive that we were running,” explained Keith. “This year we hit the ground running, we got a lot of returners that knew what the program was about, they knew the offense.”

“Rock and roll, we’ve been working hard, its time to rock and roll on the field, come out and hit hard every night. I tell these guys when they step out on that field they represent their family, the school and our town and we take that seriously,” exclaimed Smith, assuring the town of Holtville that they’re ready.

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