Friday, December 27, 2013

A "Final Thought" 4 The Year: On Success :-)

For the final posting of the year here in South County Matters, I wanted to share this from Emerson--May all be granted the strength to do what they can do to help change the world:


To leave the world a better place,
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived,
this is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Onward to 2014 w/all its' possibilities :-)

Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Simple Admonition As 2014 is Before Us....Happy Holidays!! :-)

Wishing all the best of Holidays & a wonderful 2014 :-)




A generous heart, kind speech,
and a life of service and compassion
are the things which renew humanity.
- The Buddha

  

Saturday, December 14, 2013

On the #HourofCode: A Beauitful Day :-)

I spent the day @ Microsoft in Irvine California as part of the "Hour of Code" Week that has been spreaheaded by the leading Tech luminaries of our time.   For the first time in a very long time, I was able to actually do some coding--although I had been to CodeAcademy and Code.org which are wonderful innovations to underscore the need to code and innovate.  I shared some thoughts on it earlier on Facebook:

After some preliminary morning business..In honor of "the Hour of Code", spent the day Microsoft doing some coding..joined by my Son!! :-)..I am happy to report that he earned the badges and I struggled :-) A long day, but an eye opener..........I commend Hadi Partovi, the founder of Code.org and other leading luminaries for spreaheading this..and congratulate the Irvine Public Schools Foundation for having partnered w/Microsoft..hopefully my local school district will consider such initiatives..I will raise it w/them...doing a bit of "chilling" and planning as I gear up for another beautiful week...hope friends enjoy this & make it the best of weeks: http://youtu.be/Q1b6TCajCfw 
 
  • Mike Pouraryan As I reflected upon the #HourofCode, hopefully this will spark the discussion that is absolutely vital as we just saw our brothers and sisters in China land a rover on the Moon...I congratulate them because any scientific achievement is worth it--but we in America have to as the founder of Infosys told Tom Friedman not so long, to create the future (and I would add--the next future...) and it starts w/the creativity evident today...
 


Thursday, December 5, 2013

On Being Prepared: An Extreme View :-)

One of the impetus behind this "channel" I continue to develop has been the need to be prepared.   I ran across this from the team @ "MakeUseofIt" and wanted to have it here as part of the on-going develpment Work:


MakeUseOf Newsletter
Tip of the Day: Offline maps, Wi-Fi walkie talkies, and other useful apps will also help you when the world ends -- or just when the power goes out for a bit.Unsubscribe

Survive An Apocalypse: Setting Up A Complete Emergency Survival Kit

by James Bruce
Are you ready to fulfil your ultimate destiny? The apocalypse will need to be documented with Facebook updates and Twitter hashtags for future generations to fully enjoy – so how are you planning to do that with no power or Internet connectivity?
Joel already walked us through the basics of a emergency survival kitshould the worst happen – consider this list a geek upgrade with an eye to more long-term survival (and by long term, I mean being able to upload your post-apocalyptic meals to Instagram, because who’d want to live in a world where we don’t know what you had for dinner).

Mesh Internet Router

Decentralise your communications abilities by setting up a mesh network in your local neighbourhood. Rather than relying on your traditional service provider, a mesh Internet router connects everyone in a web of access nodes: the Internet itself is a mesh network (a world wide web of access nodes, one might call it if one was quite weird). Even without an Internet connection somewhere in that mesh, you could still set up VoIP communications and private servers for use within your community. The NSA will probably still find a way to watch you, though.
The best part is that you don’t even need new hardware – just grab some replacement firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWRT for a compatible router; or check out Serval Project for Android that does the same thing using your mobile device. Your first port of call should be CommunityWireless.org to learn more. Google’s Project Loon is a great example of mesh networking that might just be ready by the time the apocalypse arrives.

Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Generator and Solar Charger

Goal Zero is the ultimate in apocalypse power gear, and this battery, power inverter, and solar charging kit comes in at a pricey $400. The generator stores enough power for 1-3 hours of laptop use or around 8 mobile recharges: I’m not sure how much post-apocalypse Netflix time that translates to. It can be refuelled either by a separate solar charger for 10 hours, or plugged into the mains for 2 hours if you’ve managed to break through the zombie horde and been fortunate enough to find a reliable source. Truly, you’ll be equipped to leech and provide power for all.
sherpa

Survival? There’s An App For That

The Internet has made our generation the most knowledgable, ever: anything is just a search away. But you can’t search Google for the different types of poisonous plants when the Internet is down. For that, you can use an app. The Survival Guide for iOS is free, with a huge amount of useful information from working with fire, building shelter, and basic medicine. Get it while you can!
wikihow
For more extreme survival situations like controlling a spooked camel, this offline collection of WikiHow articles for iOS might also come in useful, but I doubt it.
Be sure to check out these apps and equipment for a zombie apocalypse, too.

BioLite Wood Burning Campstove and USB Charger

Solar panels are great as long as there’s sunlight around; what if a post-warfare thick smog of destruction covered the skies? Your only hope would be fire – and this $130 wood burning stove will both ensure the vital ability to roast marshmallows and charge your smartphone so you can still take selfies. Boil a litre of water in under 5 minutes; 20 minutes will charge your iPhone with 60 minutes of talk time.
biolite

Pocket Chainsaw

In a post-apocalpyse situation, you’d be surprised how much of your activity involves getting big chunks of wood – whether to burn, make shelter, or fashion an impromptu thwacking implement. To that end, you’ll want one of these $23 pocket chainsaws. Infinitely more convenient than an actual saw, but you will need to supply your own chainsaw sounds.

Eton FRX3 Hand Turbine Emergency Radio with Smartphone Charger

No sunlight or woodland to chop down? No worries – as long as you have use of your hands (my sincerest apologies if a zombie bit them off), you’ll still be able to listen to emergency broadcasts with this $53 Eton hand turbine radio. And though it might take a lot of work, you can eventually charge your smartphone over USB too. Seriously though, just find something to burn, it’ll be so much less effort.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

It does’t matter how many iPhones you’ve got if you don’t have access to clean water: you’ll be dead within days. The $20 LifeStraw needs no batteries and contains no chemicals: just a series of extremely small tubes (hey – just like the Internet!) that filters out particulates with 99.99999% efficiency. Good for up to 1000 litres, though it won’t desalinate or remove viruses, so you’ll still need to deal with the plague some other way.
lifestraw
That’s my apocalypse survival kit – what’s in yours?

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Daring To Be Different :-)

Transformations allow one to step back and reflect upon what has been and what is truly possible.     It is about truly being able to try and make a difference.  This is one of the reasons I have been working on a number of sites to hopefully transform them soon.   The goal is to live up to what the great Coco Chanel reminded us all:

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”


..and To also do it the "Ralph Martson Way" by being reminded of the beautiful reality that is life itself:

Act not out of judgment, but out of love. Live not from a position of fear, but from a perspective of joy.

Let go of the need to prove how good you are. Live in such a way that real goodness, joy and generosity flow naturally from all you do.
Instead of seeking to gain more advantage, discover new ways to give more value. Instead of worrying about what might be, live the immense treasure of what already is.
Don’t waste your time looking for happiness in this thing or that. Let happiness always find you right where you are, doing whatever you are doing.
See life not as a contest where some must lose in order for others to win. See it as an opportunity to lift yourself higher by lifting many, many others through your unique gifts.
Let go of the illusion that you must struggle. And let in the beautiful reality of how very good life can be.

As the great Diane Nyad reminds us all, "onward"!! :-)



Tuesday, November 26, 2013

On the Eve of Thanksgiving..Not Forgetting :-)

Wishing all the very best on this day...Happy Thanksgiving to all:


Develop a passion for learning.

If you do, you will never cease to grow.
- Anthony J. D'Angelo

I remind myself every morning:
Nothing I say this day will teach me anything.
So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.
- Larry King

Intellectual growth should commence at birth
and cease only at death.
- Albert Einstein

Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.
- Leonardo da Vinci

The difference between school and life?
In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
- Tom Bodett

When you pray for anyone, you tend to
modify your personal attitude toward them.
- Norman Vincent Peale

You have heard that it was said,
"Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.
- Jesus (Matthew 5:43-44)

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
- Abraham Lincoln

If you want to make peace with your enemy,
you have to work with your enemy.
Then he becomes your partner.
- Nelson Mandela

Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.
- Lao Tzu

Hate is like fire; it burns those who hold it.
- Alden Loveshade
 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Honoring a Teacher

ParentingOC has launched an initiative to honor a top teacher in Orange County.      It is not easy as I have been privy to the wonderful work they do every day.    I hope all who live in Orange County will consider taking the time to nominate a teacher:


Parenting OC Magazine
www.parentingoc.com
� Nominations end November 22, 2013 School Administrators, parents and students, we want to hear from you.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

On Being Ready & Vigliant: A "Snapshot of Resources" & Gearing Up For 2014

The need to be ready and prepared is ever so critical.    We here @ South County Matters have been reflecting upon this as we have been gearing up for the upcoming year.   This is ever so critical in the wake of the aftermath of  Haiyan in the Philippines and as the Weather Channel reported severe thunder storms were due to hitting the Eastern Half of the United States.     Furthermore, the recent "ransomware" attack reported by the UK's National Crime Agency  underscores further the need to be aware and be ready.   As that was going on, we experienced Summer Like Heat for almost a week.   If anyone continues to deny Climate Change, they ought to get their head examined !!

As for disasters, it is not a question of if it is going to hit--but when.    In Southern California, the need to recognize to be ready for Earthquakes and other calamities is a fact of life.    There are many resources available for all to be aware--which we hope to investigate and think about going forward.   A summary of them are noted here for reference:


  • http://www.ready.gov:  The FEMA guide to Preparedness
  • http://www.earthquakecountry.info:  The Earthquake Country Alliance
  • http://earthquake.usgs.gov:  USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
  • http://ocgov.com/about/emergency/preparation:   Orange County prevention & preparation
  • http://www.readyoc.org:  Ready OC--The Orange County Emergency Preparedness Resource
  • http://www.healthdisasteroc.org:  On Health Disasters in Orange County
  • http://www.ocfa.org:  Orange County Fire Authority
  • http://www.oc-redcross.org: American Red Cross--Orange County Chapter
This is just a "sampling" of the myriad of resources deployed online to make sure all are given the tools to be ready.     What continues to be fascinating is the deployment of Technology to help facilitate this further.  We here @ South County Matters have been quite keen on the research done at MIT and led by Lalana Kagal on developing an app for people to monitor news feeds, connect with relief workers and broadcast alerts even with limited computer skills.     There are battery powered modems such as BRCK that allows all to switch seamlessly between Ethernet, Wi-Fi & mobile networks.    

On a daily basis, though, the need to be safe in a tough virtual World is ever so critical.    Britain's Sky News reported on "ransomware" that the National Crime Agency reported on.       Being proactive in how one manages one's online life is ever so critical.     There is one more very cool App which has been rolled out:  A Child ID App by the FBI.   It gives all the ability to store a Child's Information on their mobile device.  It is quite a cool device  We will be reviewing these resources over the ensuing weeks and months and assessing their viability for all to be able to 

The need to be aware, be ready and vigilant is ever so critical today as we bid farewell to 2013 and gear up for 2014.      We look forward to continuing onward with the deliberations here in South County Matters throughout the new year.

Onward :-)



Sunday, November 10, 2013

Finding Happiness in Troubled Times

Speaks for itself  :-)
http://www.youtube.com/v/VIX3tdFPolg?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=MUe0DBQxHAkLobM15GZqoA&showinfo=1&autoplay=1&autohide=1&feature=share

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Around South County: On Being Safe & Other Thoughts

The necessity to prepare is ever more vital. This was underscored at a recent LA Times article discussed the possiblity of a 9.0 Earthquake in Alaska and how it could impact Orange County in a major way. One of the vibrant planning tools available is ReadyOC .org. For preparation tips and ideas, please visit http://www.readyoc.org/prepare/plan.html.

There was also another great tip this past week courtesy of USA.Gov.  As reported by the USA.Gov site: 

Help to keep your child safe in the car by choosing the right car seat and installing it properly.

Visit SaferCar.gov to find out which type of restraint is appropriate for your child, based on his/her age and size

(rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt). You'll also find tips on installing car seats
and positioning the harness on your child.

Once you've installed the car seat or booster seat, go to an inspection station near you to ensure that it's properly installed.

The quarterly meeting of Team Laguna Niguel was held on Saturday September 21 2013  at Laguna Niguel City Hall.   It was gratifying to see community members and how dedicated they are to safety and awareness in the event that the "big one" is before us.   It was also in the spirit of this from William Arthur Ward:



The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.
The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become.
The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become.
The more serving we are, the more prosperous we become.

As deliberations on Safety and Prepardness continues,  community engagement is ever more a feature of life in South Orange County.     An upcoming event is the OC Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The OC Jingle Bell Run/Walk® will take place on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Crown Valley Community and Laguna Niguel Regional parks.  This is a family oriented event with tons of fun, festive activities… a great way to kick off the holidays!  For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.ocjinglebellrun.org.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Are Your Vaccinations Up to Date

This is courtesy of USA.Gov:

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that people of all ages can protect their health by getting recommended vaccinations. Take a look at immunization schedules by age:

Under the Affordable Care Act, immunizations are a preventive service that will be covered by all plans within the Health Insurance Marketplace and by many other health insurance plans.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

On the Affordable Care Act: A Brief Update (Courtesy of USA.Gov)

Visit USA.gov's Health Insurance page to learn about the new Health Insurance Marketplace and other types of health coverage. 

Starting October 1, 2013, you can fill out an application for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You'll be able to compare your options side-by-side and enroll in a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs. Coverage takes effect as early as January 1, 2014


USA.gov's Health Insurance
 page includes:
 
  • A brief overview on health insurance and the Affordable Care Act.
  • Key dates for enrollment and coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
  • Publications to help you prepare for enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
  • Information about Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and COBRA.

Friday, August 16, 2013

As The New School Year is Before Us

It is “Back to School” for our Kids. As our children go back to school, USA.Gov has shared some key resources for all available @ http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back-to-School.shtml . Some of the key information discussed include:



  • Keep track of required immunizations
  • See if your child qualifies for low-cost meals
  • Find affordable health insurance
  • Help your child with homework
  • Re-use and recycle school supplies
  • Prepare healthy meals
  • Promote physical activity
Some further key health and safety resources include tips and techniques on School Safety and other key ideas to insure that our Children stay safe.



Sunday, August 11, 2013

A "Thought 4 the Week" To Remember :-)


Although the world is full of suffering,
it is full also of the overcoming of it.
My optimism, then, does not rest on the absence of evil,
but on a glad belief in the preponderance of good
and a willing effort always to cooperate with the good,
that it may prevail.
- Helen Keller 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

A "newsflash": A Day of Service @ the Orange County Fair

On Wednesday July 24,  The Orange County Fair had its' "Laguna Niguel Day".   Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts joined the City's Mayor, Robert Ming, along with Council Member Davies and the City Manager, Rod Foster, as another beautiful day began at the Fair.


Monday, July 15, 2013

Around Town in South Orange County: Weekly Reflections

South Orange County is a very blessed and beautiful place.    As I drove around town and walked the beautiful trails and streeets, I could not help but realize and recognize how blessed I am for having lived in such a community.

This past week saw me visit the local VW dealer, Capistrano VW.   They have a very unique way to reach out to clients.  What particularly caught my eye was an initiative by the owner of the dealership to raise the awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.   As someone who had to be reminded of it, I was particularly impressed by what he had done by investing in a Motor Home that traveled all around getting folks to commit to not texting and driving.  He was driven by it as he observed his daughters doing the same.  The stories about how such careless acts have caused so much wreckage on people's lives is too much to mention.  Someone had the foresight to do something about it--and I was very very glad to add my name to that list.

The level of humanity shown by members of the Community also continues to amaze me.  Although the Community of South Orange County is one of the most affluent, many are suffering.  I am privy to such misery as I observe folks who visit the St. Timothy's Outreach Ministry to garner a week of food.  I could not shake off an older gentleman who came in one week who was living in his car with his wife and was begging for anything.       All challenges that I had before me seemed to somewhat disappear--it was as if the almighty had reminded me how truly good I had it.

I also continue to be amazed at how the Public School System continues to be at the forefront of innovation. This amazement is ever more as I see weekly reports from Capistrano Unified School District on the level of achievement done by students and how they move on to College.   I have also been quite amazed by the initiative by the School District to provide free lunches to children in South County.     This is all in spite of the push back by many more conservative elements who have not been as keen on Public Education.       With the new California State Budget, I am hopeful that some semblance of stability is at hand for Public Education as they continue onward with their mission.   

I have also been quite impressed with the evolution of the local paper, the Orange County Register.   I have especially been keen to read up on their focus on Faith.   This has been especially so as their columnist Mona Shadia has done a wonderful job to reflect upon the life of Muslims in South County.   I was especially quite impressed with her moving column about her experience as she began her spirtiual reset during the Holy Month of Ramadan.     

This is also a community that would see changes in leadership in 2014.    As it stands, the current Mayor of Laguna Niguel, Robert Ming, will be running for the County Supervisor Seat being vacated by Patricia Bates.    It is a sign of change to come.    

A fascinating community to be a  part of..beyond a doubt....


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

A "thought 4 the Week"

never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.
If you’re abandoned
if you’re left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you’ll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don’t leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.

Rumi image: Norvhic Fernandez

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Week-End Notations: The 24th Annual "Run in the Park" @ The City of Laguna Niguel

On July 4, the City of Laguna Niguel and the South Coast YMCA sponsor an Annual Run in the Park.   This  year saw a record number of participants.   Local Businesses were also on hand to showcase their products and services.   It was quite a scene to see the Community come together yet again as it did.

I had the pleasure to join the event along with a contingent of Scouts from my Scout Troop supporting the event.  Member of the City Council--including the Mayor, Robert Ming-were on hand and Mayor Ming made the rounds and joined the Scouts briefly: 

:

The celebrations at the City culminated with beautiful fireworks at La Paz Park.   Other cities throughout South Orange County also celebrated the 4th of July as well with fireworks.  

As I saw the Community and all who had come together, I was reminded of this by Zayed Yasin as he noted that "...a life lived for yourself has little value".     Laguna Niguel proved it on July 4.




Thursday, July 4, 2013

Thought 4 the Week


Live so that when your children think of fairness,
caring and integrity, they think of you.
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

As Summer is Before Us: 41 Summer Safety Tips (Courtesy of All Pro Dad)

I wanted to share this great resource courtesy of the All Pro Dad Team that has some very crucial ideas that we must all embrace to be "safe".

I also wish everyone a Happy and safe 4th of July:


41 Summer Safety Tips
This week we’re doing a summer series to help you stay safe and enjoy the summer with your family. Here’s day one:

Following a guide, or an instruction manual, is not typically listed as a dad’s strength.  However, when it comes to pool, water, and sun safety we may want to rethink that.

Spending time at the pool, or the beach, with your kids is sure to be fun in the sun.  But it doesn’t come without risk.  Here are some alarming stats about pool and water accidents:

•    Children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning rates, second to only birth defects.

•    Among those ages 1-14, fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death behind motor vehicle crashes.

As you are enjoying the summer with your kids, don’t neglect to follow safety guidelines.  Avoid adding to the number in the stats listed above.

Here are some resources to help you have fun, and keep from being a statistic:

•    16 Swimming Pool Safety Tips

•    15 Beach, Boat, and Open Water Safety Tips

•    10 Sun Safety Tips


 













Friday, June 28, 2013

On the Eve of July 4: A "Lightning Safety Tip" (Courtesy of USA.Gov)

As July 4 is celebrated here in the US, USA.GOV shared this guidance which I wanted to release--as I wish all the best:

Summer is the peak season for lightning-related deaths and injuries, though people are struck by lightning year-round.

The National Weather Service provides a wide range of information about lightning, including these facts and tips:

General Tips
  • No outdoor area is safe when you hear thunder.
  • If you hear thunder, find a safe indoor shelter (a substantial building or enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with the windows up).

Indoor Safety Tips
  • Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electrical equipment.
  • Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
  • Stay away from porches, windows, and doors.
  • Never lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Outdoor Safety Tips
No outdoor area is safe during a thunderstorm, but if you're caught outside with no safe shelter options, take these steps to reduce your risk of being struck by lightning:
  • Come down from elevated areas.
  • Never lie flat on the ground.
  • Never shelter under an isolated tree.
  • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
  • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as wire fences.


Read some interesting myths and facts about lightning

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Reflecting Upon a Dream.....



I have been thinking about the evolution of the idea behind this website and the "Dream walk" I have had to put some of the ideas.    This Keiko Matsui song epitomizes the spirit of the evolutionary thought that evolved from a strict site focused on safety to really expand it to think and reflect upon the best that South Orange County California offers.    I hope I can do what I can to take this to the next level to be a resource not just for my own neighbours, but for the broader South Orange County Community

Thursday, June 20, 2013

On the Need to Be Safe & Prepared: Community & National Initiatives

logo
A safe and prepared community is the ultimate objective of all.   For 29 Years, National Night Out has been held to underscore the need and the urge for a safer nation.   Laguna Niguel will have its' third annual national night out at Crown Valley Community on August 6, 2013 starting at 5:00 PM.      All key Public Safety Team Members will be there to showcase the vast array of services in suport of a safe and prepared community.

The need to be prepared and be ready to recover from any calamity has been shown time and time again.    The Small Business Administration has created a great portal to help with this.  Please visit:
http://www.sba.gov/prepare to gain further insights.




Monday, June 17, 2013

A "Thought 4 the Day" to Begin The Week.....


Ideas on Being Safe (Courtesy: Technlious)

This is an interesting idea courtesy of the Technilous Team that I hope is of interest:

     June 13, 2013
Techlicious

Apps to Keep You & Your Family Safe



Cell phones are personal devices and usually I think of them in terms of what they can do for me. But in fact they're really about communication, and that's incredibly important when it comes to ensuring the safety of my family.

For instance today, there are storms coming through the Northeast and I'd like to know what's going on in my parent's town, since they usually lose power. I also like to check in on my daughter to make sure she's made it to school. Both of these tasks I can easily accomplish with my smartphone.

There's nothing quite like the peace of mind you get from knowing your loved ones are safe and that you're prepared in case of an emergency. So check out our picks of safety apps you should consider having on your phone.

Suzanne Kantra
Founder, Techlicious

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Some Good News For Capo Unified

Just received from the School District's Legislative Co-Chairs--Great News for Our Children and especially the 54,000 Students of the Capo Unified School District....

​Hello and Happy Summer to all Child Advocates!

Thanks to all who made calls to the Governor and Legislators last week.  I know that for some, this is really outside your comfort zone; however, those calls had a real impact on the compromise budget that was reached by state leaders this week.

Although this compromise is not all we hoped for, the base school funding grant has been increased which will benefit the students in Capo Unified.  Its not quite clear yet exactly how this will impact the CUSD budget for next school year but this will be resolved in the next week or 2 as the CUSD budget is finalized for approval at the June 26 school board meeting.  In fact, there will be a budget presentation at tonight's school board meeting for those interested.

Here is an excellent link to an article by John Fensterwald  which provides a really good explanation of the LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) compromise and also includes some very helpful graphics:
 
The compromise proposal still has to be voted on by the full legislature and we expect that to happen this week, so that the June 15 constitutional budget deadline can be met.
 
Thanks and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions! 
Sue Hill
​ & Leslie Parker​

CUCPTSA Legislative Co-chair

PS. Below is the CAPTA alert with more information and links.
 
 

From: California State PTA [mailto:californiastatepta@capta.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 5:43 PM
To: kanderson@capta.org
Subject: Your voice made a difference!
 
 
Legislative Alert
June 11, 2013
..
Your voice made a difference! Compromise on state budget includes increase in base funding for all students
..
A compromise on the state budget and new school funding formula has been reached between the Governor and legislative leaders, and approved by the Joint Budget Conference Committee.
While full details are still emerging, the new plan includes an increase to the base grants for school districts that PTA strongly supported. Thank you to all our members who picked up the phone and delivered our message to the Governor and Legislature.
The compromise also provides additional resources based on student needs — another critical component supported by PTA. The compromise plan includes both supplemental and concentration grants, though the formulas for these were changed somewhat from what the Governor proposed in his May Revision. 
The structure for accountability, transparency and parent engagement in the final proposal has not yet been described as part of the budget deal.
In addition, the compromise includes $1.25 billion to support districts with implementation of the new Common Core Standards.
Expect a vote of the full Senate and Assembly this week to meet the June 15 deadline to pass an on-time budget, and then the budget would go to the Governor for his signature.   
PTA will continue to monitor details of the compromise plan and communicate to our members.
For more information, view the legislature's summary of the compromise on the Local Control Funding Formula at:
....
This legislative alert is being sent to subscribers of our Legislative Alerts, Sacramento Update and to all unit, council and district PTA presidents to share with their board members throughout the year.
 
 
 
 
 
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