by Gerry L. Galvan

An active member of St. James Presbyterian Church was recently awarded a four-star pin by the Blood Center of the Pacific for 4,000 hours of volunteer work at the blood bank since 1987.

Ruth Arvanites found time from her duties at the academic department of the San Francisco Unified School District to work at the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank on Stanyan Street in the City. She was always there during Saturdays and even holidays to help regulars in the campaign and collection of blood from donors.

Arvanites began volunteering at Irwin in 1987, and continued on after Irwin Memorial merged with Shasta Blood to form the Blood Center of the Pacific.

In appreciation of her devotion, the Blood Center of the Pacific treated Arvanites and three fellow volunteers to lunch at a downtown restaurant.

"I will continue to volunteer my service to the blood bank as long as I can manage to move around and do something," Arvanites told the Grapevine.

Her enthusiasm in service is also demonstrated both in devotion to her church and SFUSD duties.
Ruth Arvanites is married to Jim Arvanites. They have three children: Phillipp, Gregg and Cindy.

(Top) Professor John Choy and colleagues performed traditional Chinese music as part of the Lunar New Year celebration. (Left) A colorful "Ribbon Dance" added excitement to the day's festivities.

Neighbors Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Mayor Willie Brown was special guest at Visitacion Valley's Lunar New Year Community Celebration on Feb. 25 which featured cultural performances and cuisine. Dancers from both Visitacion Valley Elementary School and Family School entertained the capacity audience, which also witnessed the S.F. Police Department Lion Dance Team in action. Mayor Brown presented local ESL instructor Marlene Tran with a community award for her many efforts in helping the neighborhood.

Cultural Celebration at VVES

Visitacion Valley Elementary School (VVES) celebrated Black History Month and the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit on Feb. 19 with a multicultural assembly in the school's auditorium. More than 40 parents and guardians joined VVES students and teachers in this annual event.

Ms. Zamora and Ms. Jeung's Kindergarten children performed the "Hoochie Coochie Man." A "Mowtown Revue" by the Enterprise Community-funded Leadership Club After School Program, was coordinated by Mr. Edwards and Ms. Marshall. Another performance by students of the Leadership Club was Mrs. Hau's "Chinese Fan Dance." 

Spelling Bee Champions at VVES

Congratulations are in order to all the grade level spelling be champions at Visitacion Valley Elementary School (VVES) and best wishes to the school champion, Edward Chan (3rd grade) who will represent VVES and compete in the City-wide Spelling Bee Championship.

Judges in the contest were Mr. Spearmon, Mrs. Hau, Ms. Washington and Ms. Davis. Grade level champions include: Andy Zheng (5th); Julia Shen (4th); Edward Chan (3rd); Terry De La Cruz (2nd); Jennifer Luong; and Andy Guan (K). 

Ingleside Station Police Report

If you see any of the following described wanted suspects (or vehivles), phone 9-1-1 and give a complete physical description to the police dispatcher, referring to the case numbers.

District Robberies
*On Feb. 19 at 4:25 p.m., a teenage boy was waiting for the bus at Bayshore and Blanken when three suspects approached him and forcefully took his personal property from him. The suspects ran away north on Bayshore and are described as: 1) black male, 17-20, 5'7", 190 wearing black beanie, black jacket with yellow lining and blue jeans; 2) black male, 16, 5'5", 130 wearing blue Dallas Cowboys jersey #21, black pants; 3) black male, 17, wearing Army camouflage jacket. Refer to case 990214391.

*On Feb. 20, at 4:38 a.m., a man was driving a friend home and had stopped his car near Cortland and Peralta Streets when he was approached by a man who pointed a silver semi-automatic handgun at him and demanded that he exit his car and leave the keys in it. The victim complied and the suspect fled in the victim's vehicle: a '93 Honda Del Sol, 2-door, red, California license 7THSIN. The suspect is described as a black male, 20-25, 6'$", 240, wearing a white and blue baseball cap, blue jean jacket and pants, black shoes. Refer to case 990216586.

*On Feb. 21 at (:30 p.m., a man was walking on Chenery near Fairmount when he was approached by two suspects who punched him, knocking him to the ground. Both suspects then kicked the victim several times and he began to yell for the police. The suspects then ran to a waiting dark colored car and fled the scene. The suspects are described as: !) black male, 6', 200, wearing a dark colored jacket; 2) black male, no further. Refer to case 990221982.

*On Feb. 21 at 10:33 p.m., a woman was walking home near Diamond and Chenery when a man approached her near 701  Chenery and pushed her to the ground. The man then stole her property and ran to a waiting vehicle, driven by a second suspect. The suspect is described as a black male, 30-40, 6'2", 168, thick mustache, wearing a dark-colored zip-up jacket with hood. The vehicle is described as a medium-size dark-colored vehicle driven by an unknown suspect. Refer to case 990222128.

*On Feb. 23 at 6:50 p.m., two teenage boys were leaving the 7-11 store on Bayshore Boulevard when they noticed they were being followed by five males. As the victims approached Raymond Street, the five suspects ran up to them and one of the suspects demanded money as a second suspect began to choke the first victim. As the victim was taken to the ground, two of the additional suspects  began to kick him in the face and rib areas. Two of the suspects then forced the second victim against a wall and began to punch him. The suspects stole property from both victims and then fled north on Bayshore on foot. The suspects are described as: 1) Samoan male, 18, 5'8", 190 curly hair, wearing a dark blue jersey; 2) black male, 18, 5'8", 150, wearing a black jacket with hood pulled over his head, dark pants; 3) black male, 18, 5'9", 160, wearing a hood over his head and dark clothing; 4) black male, 18, 5'8", 160, wearing a hood pulled over his head and dark clothing; 5) black male, 18, 5'9", 160 wearing a hood pulled over his head and dark clothing. Refer to case 990231743.

*On Feb. 25 at 4:18 p.m., an 80-year-old woman was walking slowly down Cambridge Street when she was approached by a female suspect who pushed her in an attempt to knock her down. The female suspect then went through the victim's shopping bags and removed her wallet prior to fleeing on foot. The suspect then joined a male suspect, and both ran away and got onto a bus on Silver Avenue. The suspects are described as 1) black female, 20s, 5'4", 135, braided hair, wearing a "puffy" coat and dark jean pants; 2) black male, 20-30, "fade" haircut, wearing a white T-shirt and blue pants. Refer to case 990242518.

Hot Prowl Burglary
*On Feb. 25 at 12:00 p.m., a woman was at home by herself on the 1000 block of Teresita when she heard someone walking down her hallway. The woman got up and saw two Asian male suspects walking towards her. One of the suspects pushed the victim to the floor and covered her face. Both suspects then ransacked the home for approximately two hours, and then fled with several pieces of property. The suspects had gained entry by forcing open the rear door leading to the garage area of the house. The suspects are described as: 1) Asian male, 25-30, 5'7", 140, wearing Navy blue clothing; 2) Asian male, 25-30, 5'6", 140 wearing a white flannel shirt and white pants. Refer to case 990242518.

Residential Burglary with Suspicious Circumstances
*On Mar. 1 at 6:30 p.m., a woman arrived home on the 600 block of Miramar to find a man named Myoung Kook Kim in front of her home. Kim, who is also a roofing contractor who had done work for the victim, told her that he believed her roof was leaking so he broke into her house to check it out. The victim then entered her home and found that it had been ransacked. This same suspect was also wanted for a similar burglary that occurred a few weeks earlier. (The particulars of this second burglary were not known at the time of his arrest on Feb. 26.) An arrest warrant was prepared charging him with two counts of burglary. On Mar. 4, it was reported that Myoung Kook Kim was arrested and is now in custody.

New Medical Breakthrough for
Obesity and Weight Management

The Family Solution, Inc., an Idaho based company that features herbal pharmaceuticals exclusively, has announced the debut of two new scientific dietary formulations. These formulations, which have had tremendous results in the treatment of obesity, are the result of 40 years of medical research and clinical evaluations.

Studies have indicated that obesity is really a symptom of incomplete digestion and toxification of the body. The greatest contributing factor is protein combining with sugars resulting in stored fat. The latest medical theory suggests that adjusting the body's digestive process, to prohibit sugars and proteins from combining, tremendously enhance weight loss.

The dietary formulations in the spotlight are known as The Enzyme Solution and LiteNing 4 have achieved tremendous success in treating obesity. The combination of these two formulations is a completely different approach to weight loss.

Research evaluations have shown that these formulations will replenish the level of live enzymes in the body, reduce toxins, inhibit sugar and fat absorption, accelerate metabolism, maintain lean muscle tissue and decrease sugar cravings. In addition to their success in treating obesity, blood tests have shown that these two formulas were able to boost the immune system by increasing T-cells by up to 1400 percent and white blood cells up to 700 percent.

In the United States, hundreds of doctors have begun to utilize the formulations and are endorsing the theory that there is an important link between proper digestion and obesity. Larry Coker, who has maintained a 581 pound weight loss for over 11 years, stated, "I would not have been so overweight if these products had been available to me. This will be a miracle for some very desperate people. Because of using these formulas, managing my weight has not been an issue."

The product's ability to increase lean muscle tissue was discovered by Tom Manno, 41, a renowned body builder who holds 10 national titles and 26 world records for weight lifting. He is the current Guinness record holder as "The Strongest Man Over Age 40." Tom competes in the steroid-free federation, Natural Athletes Strength Association (NASA).

While training, Tom tested the prototype of the enzyme formulation. He was amazed by the results. He was able to increase his weight lifting ability by 200 pounds over three years. Tom said, "I know that the enzyme formulation was a crucial factor to increasing my strength.

Since lean muscle burns fat more effectively, it will be a great benefit to anyone trying to lose weight, as well a someone who is trying to increase his or her own strength."

The Enzyme Solution and LiteNing 4 are finally available to the public for the first time. To request more information, you can contact The Family Solution, 2675 W. Main, Boise, Idaho, 83702. Telephone (toll-free) is 877-336-3003. 

Friends of the Urban Forest Workshop Schedule

April 8: The Changing San Francisco Landscape
What was here, what happened to it, what we have now, what we want (Saving and restoring the remaining native plant communities, planting trees to beautify neighborhoods.) with Greg Gaar, California Native Plant Society.

May 13: Diseases of Ornamental Trees
Slides and discussion about identification, causes, and controls of tree diseases with Dr. Robert Raabe, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, U.C. Berkeley.

June 10: Wildlife in Our Urban Forest
Trees as habitats, birds by the season, greenways with Alan Hopkins, Audubon Society.

Call Friends of the Urban Forest at 415.543.5000, ext. 108 for locations and times. There is a $5 fee. 

MDA Issues Parent's Guide for
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has published a new illustrated book, Journey of Love: A Parent's Guide to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, to help those raising children with DMD.

In his introduction to the book, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis tells parents, "MDA exists because it's dedicated to aiding families like yours."

Journey of Love is available free from local MDA offices to families with a member affected by Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy who is registered with the Association. Others can purchase the volume for $15 from local MDA offices or from MDA, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718; (520) 529-2000.

The comprehensive publication, with 180 pages, provides a rich variety of information, including sections on medical, social, educational and emotional issues.

It also contains an extensive list of resources and information about MDA's programs.

Dr. Leon Charash, chairman of MDA's Medical Advisory Committee, calls the guide a much-needed resource. "This definitive book is what every family living with Duchenne needs. We want parents to know they are not alone in the battle," he said, adding, " It would be wonderful if all health organizations published books like this for those affected by specific diseases."

Duchenne (DMD) is the most common and most destructive childhood form of muscular dystrophy.  It begins in early childhood, striking boys almost exclusively, and is usually fatal by the mid-20s.

Through its worldwide research program, MDA has discovered the genetic cause of DMD and is developing forms of gene therapy as potential treatments for the disorder. Across the country, thousands of youngsters with DMD are treated at hospital-affiliated MDA clinics.
The parent's guide describes the needs of boys with DMD for orthopedic equipment, physical and occupational therapy, cardiac and respiratory health care, medications and other medical interventions. It also delves into the child's emotional adjustment, effects of the disorder on other family members, help available through social service agencies and end-of-life issues.

Journey of Love presents the latest medical information about DMD and MDA's research on the disease. It also includes a list of the 230 clinics in MDA's nationwide clinic network, and addresses and phone numbers of some 180 local MDA offices.

Some sections may also be of interest to families affected by DMD's less severe variant, Becker muscular dystrophy.
Robert Ross, MDA senior vice president and executive director, in announcing the book's publication, said, "MDA continues to fund cutting-edge research that will soon lead to treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases. In the meantime, we're commit
ted to providing wide-ranging assistance to families facing these disorders via many avenues, including this thorough parent's guide."
In 1997, MDA issued another book-length guide for caregivers, When a Loved One Has ALS, for those caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease).  It's available from MDA offices for $10.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

The American Medical Association has honored MDA with a Lifetime Achievement Award for "significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."

More information about MDA is available by calling the Association's nationwide help line at (800) 572-1717 or checking MDA's Web site at www.mdausa.org.

Health Champions at SFUSD Schools

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has partnered with California Pacific Medical Center and the Transamerica Foundation for the launch of a Health Champions program, promoting healthy lifestyles for children and families of San Francisco.

Health Champions will provide health screenings, physical and athletic activity plans, stress management, healthy body image workshops, nutrition and cooking classes, a mentoring project, and an organic gardening project to students at Treasure Island and Lawton Elementary Schools.

"At SFUSD, we strongly believe that a healthy student is key to active and effective learning," said SFUSD Superintendent Waldemar Rojas. "This program will dedicate additional resources to the advancement of the physical and emotional well-being of our students."

The program was developed by California Pacific Medical Center in collaboration with the SFUSD School Health Programs Department. Transamerica has donated $1 million in the last three years to the project. 

Legislation Introduced to
Fund Poison Control System

Assemblymember Kevin Shelley (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) recently introduced legislation to enable California's Poison Control System (CPCS) to continue to keep its doors open.

Last year in California alone, nearly 300,000 calls were made to Poison Control from people asking for help. Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its National Center for Disease Control has concluded for every $1 spent on poison centers and poison control, $7 are saved in medical costs.

"California's Poison Control System saves not only lives, but also dollars and we need to do what we can to see that they keep their doors open," said Shelley.

CPCS began operating in 1997 under the direction of the UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy. Consolidating this state's poison control centers has served to provide a seamless delivery system to callers in need throughout the state.

"Poison Control is able to effectively manage 80 percent of the calls that they get at the caller's home," explained Shelley. "This saves money for both the caller and the caller's health plan."

CPCS has four sites around California equipped with experts on poisoning. They are on call 24 hours a day to respond to any poisoning emergency or questions callers may have. 

S.F. Students Display Art for
PTA Reflections Contest

San Francisco Public Library and the Parent-Teacher Association are sponsoring a major exhibit and opening for the annual PTA Reflections fine arts contest and program. More than 100 entries in four media categories: music, literature, photography, and visual arts created by students from 13 City schools will be displayed Apr. 10 at the Main Library's Jewett Gallery, located on the lower level.

The opening program for the exhibit, which runs through May 30, is slated for Saturday, Apr. 10 at 1 p.m. in the Koret Auditorium on the library's lower level. A one-hour reception will follow at 2 p.m. in the adjacent Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room. All programs at the Main Library are free; everyone is invited and welcome.

Reflections is a national fine arts program and contest hosted by the San Francisco Unified School District by the Second District PTA. Each year, students 5-18 select the theme for the program. This years theme is: "Suddenly you turn around and..." 

Cookware Company Sued for
High Pressure Sales Tactics

A Wisconsin-based company that sells expensive cookware and water filtration devices in California under the name Royal Prestige is being sued by State Attorney General Bill Lockyer and S.F. District Attorney Terence Hallinan to halt deceptive advertising and unfair business practices.

A complaint filed Feb. 17 against Hy Cite Corporation in San Francisco Superior Court alleges the company and two of its local distributors have been targeting the Hispanic community using high-pressure door-to-door sales and scare tactics for the purpose of inducing them to purchase expensive pots and pans and water filtration devices. The suit seeks an injunction prohibiting the company from engaging in these practices, full restitution to the victims, and a minimum of $1 million in civil penalties.

In the complaint, it is stated that Royal Prestige salespeople are using such deceptive tactics as posing as health department workers who aggressively question consumers about family health problems or express concerns with lead and other contaminants in the water. The salespeople then proceed to pitch Royal Prestige products as a means for preventing anything from cancer to high blood pressure to high cholesterol.

Salespeople have also been falsely been promoting Royal Prestige cookware as a "health system" and have been telling consumers that whatever cookware they are currently using will cause disease, including cancer and loss of memory. To sell their water filtration devices, Royal Prestige salespeople allegedly have told consumers that their water supply is contaminated with lead or other environmental hazards, and to support baseless claims have used a phony chemical test.

The complaint also charges the company with unfair business practices in the financing of the products sold. It states that, once the sale is made, consumers are induced into signing two confusing documents, including a credit agreement designed to hide the fact that a high interest rate of 21 percent will be charged. In addition, the complaint charges the company with various violations of state law that provides a "cooling-off period" which allows consumers to cancel home-solicitation contracts within three days of the purchase, and with abusive collection practices. 

Community Lectures on Health

St. Luke's Hospital is sponsoring the following free community lectures at 3555 Cesar Chavez St. :

*Home Safety Class takes place Thursday, Mar. 25 from 3-5 p.m. Call 641-6465 to register.

*Oh. My Aching Feet with an emphasis on diabetic foot care will be held Saturday, Mar. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Call 641-6465 to register. 

S.F. City Chorus Spring Concert

The San Francisco City Chorus will present a concert of Johannes Brahns' Ein Deutsches Requiem (with soloists Karen Anderson and Paul Thompson) and Gesange: Opus 17 on Sunday, Mar. 28, 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Bush at Gough Streets. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 seniors and students. Call 765-7664 for more information.

More Than 400,000 Since 1997
Employed Through Welfare to Work

More than 410,000 welfare recipients have moved from welfare to work since May 1997 after being hired by the Business Partners of the Welfare to Work Partnership (WWP), according to the results of the latest Wirthlin Worldwide Welfare to Work Survey.

The Wirthlin Survey also showed the mentoring programs and partnerships with community based organizations are the two greatest drivers of promotion among welfare recipients.

Vice President Al Gore released the results of the Wirthlin Survey Mar. 1 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium where 500 Bay Area businesses joined to discuss welfare to work initiatives and rob retention at the Bay Area Welfare to Work Conference, sponsored by the Welfare to Work Partnership. The conference brought together many business leaders from around the region who are committed to hiring former welfare recipients.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and WWP President and CEO Eli Segal joined Vice President Gore to talk about the future of welfare to work and the importance of partnerships between businesses, service providers and government.

"The secret to a successful welfare to work program is partnerships," said Mayor Brown. "Business, community-based organizations and local and state government all working together to move people from lives of dependance to lives of independence."

The conference reinforced the results of the Wirthlin Survey that showed 48 percent of companies are turning to non-profit, community-based organizations to find candidates to hire. That number is up from 25 percent in 1998.

This is the third Welfare to Work Survey by Wirthlin Worldwide, designed to statistically measure the effects of welfare reform in the business community. In February 1998, Wirthlin's first Welfare to Work Survey revealed that the Partnership's 3,200 business partners hired 135,000 former welfare recipients in 1997.

"This survey shows conclusively that our Business Partners are doing more than just signing their names to a form--they are hiring, retaining, training and promoting welfare recipients," said Segal. "But there is still much work to be done. Two years ago, welfare to work was just a slogan. Today the results of the survey show that welfare to work is on it's way to becoming a reality throughout America."
In fact, the survey showed that former welfare recipients across the country are landing good jobs with full health care benefits and mentoring, but child care and transportation obstacles are still at the forefront. According to the survey:
*72 percent of these companies offer health care benefits;
*53 percent offer mentoring services;
*23 percent offer transportation subsidies;
*12 percent offer child care.

The Partnership was launched in May 1997 with just five companies: Burger King, Monsanto, Sprint, United and UPS. At its one year anniversary, it had 5,000 Business Partners and today, the Partnership has more than 10,000 Business Partners, all dedicated to hiring and retaining former welfare recipients.

The survey was conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, an international public opinion research and consulting firm. Wirthlin surveyed a random sample of 500 businesses--broken down by business size to represent the Partnership's significant small business membership.
Other interesting facts revealed in the survey include:

*Sixty-seven percent of the Partnership's businesses still believe they are facing al abor shortage in either their company or industry. Partnership compainies expect to hire more recipients in 1999, pledging to hire a mean of 70.2 employees per company from the welfare rolls in 1999.

*More than eight out of ten (82 percent) executives who have hired former welfare recipients found that their new hires are "good, productive employees." This number continues to improve. It is up 3 percent from Withlin's second survey in August 1998 and 6 percent from the first survey in February 1998.

*Companies say welfare to work programs cost no extra money and in some cases save a company money. Sixty-five percent of businesses say they run successful welfare to work programs without increasing their costs while 16 percent of the companies have actually saved money by creating a welfare to work program.

*Twenty-seven percent of Partnership businesses are hiring welfare recipients into salaried positions (up from 19 percent in August 1998) at a mean salary of $15,266 while 70 percent of Partnership businesses are hiring welfare recipients into wage jobs at a mean starting wage of $6.86 per hour. Furthermore, welfare hires are gaining valuable experience in their first jobs and moving into better jobs with other organizations--60 percent of businesses report such movement.

*Eight out of ten (77 percent) companies hiring former welfare recipients hire them for "promotional track" positions. In fact, 91 percent of companies hiring former welfare recipients offer them opportunities for training that could lead to a promotion and 60 percent of businesses report some promotion of welfare hires--the dame rate as standard hires among member companies.

Vice President Gore convened a town hall at the Bay Area Welfare to Work conference to talk about the results of the survey, a strong start to welfare to work in the Bay Area and the work that still lays ahead. He touted UPS, Bank of America, Pacific Gas & Electric, Clorox and Cal Insurance for their welfare to work programs.

The Bay Area conference is part of the Welfare to Work Partnership's City-Link campaign to mobilize the business community in cities with high concentrations of welfare recipients across the country to hire and retain individuals coming off the welfare rolls.

The goal of City-Link, which started in St. Louis on Aug. 12, 1997 and covered 30 cities, is to establish partnerships with local and state government, businesses and service providers to develop and implement creative local strategies for successful welfare to work initiatives.

"We know that businesses will continue to have new easy-level hiring needs as long as the economy stays strong," said Segal. "The results of the survey and today's conference show progress. But they both tell us that there will be new challenges and opportunities, and it demands a constant focus on partnerships between businesses, service providers and government."

The Wirthlin Worldwide Welfare to Work Survey was originally conducted at the request of the governors on the Partnership's National Advisory Council, chaired by Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI) and Governor Tom Carper (D-DE). The 26 governors on the Advisory Council utilize the survey results to shape welfare reform policy and support the businesses in their states with welfare to work initiatives. 

Valley Task Force Meets in March

Visitacion Valley Task Force (VVTF) will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Saturday, Mar. 27 at the Community Center auditorium at 66 Raymond Ave.

In recent meetings:

*Bevon Dufty of the Mayor's Office recommended a PUC site at Campbell Avenue and Rutland Street would be most feasible in the relocation of Early Years Academy (EYA), soon to give way at 500 Raymond Ave. for construction of the new John King Senior Housing. Valley residents near the Campbell site have supported its proposed conversion, along with adjacent land, into neighborhood gardens, but were in disagreement with the City's sudden change in plans from an original agreement announced last July.

*A proposal was brought forth to reroute service of the 56 Rutland bus to better serve Visitacion Valley Middle School and the Beacon Center located on its premises. 

Glenridge Preschool Accepting Applications

Glenridge Cooperative Preschool, located in beautiful Glen Park Canyon, is now accepting applications for Fall 1999 for children 2.9 to 5 years. Glenridge is a multi-ethnic, parent-participatory school and scholarships are available. For more information, contact Barbara at 584-9465.

Billions Lost When 1990
Census Shortchanged California

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Mar. 2 expressed concern that due to an undercount in the 1990 census, California lost $2.2 billion in population  based formula grants, according to a General Accounting Office (GAO) estimate.

"We are talking about initiatives like School Lunch, Head Start, WIC (Women Infants Children) and Title 1 not getting the full funding needed to meet the demands in our community," explained Pelosi. "It is an outrage to think that children are being shortchanged because of an incorrect headcount."

California was hurt most of any state by the undercount, losing $2,660 for each person missed. The census Bureau reports that people of Hispanic origin accounted for nearly half of those missed in the state (395,000 out of 835,000).