by the El Reportero news services
Fontana, CA—Plug In America, the nation’s leading plug-in car advocacy organization, announces availability of grants for California student teams to design, build and race plug-in hybrid electric cars for 2009’s Formula Hybrid International Competition.
The grant funding, up to $15,000 per school, is intended to encourage engineering innovation among California college and university students. The grants were made possible by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) alternative fuels incentive program.
“Formula Hybrid encourages the next generation of engineers to explore and experience the benefi ts of electricity use for transportation,” said Jay Friedland, Plug In America’s Legislative Director. “Hybrids have already demonstrated its advantages–imagine what it can do with plug-in hybrids and beyond.”
Last year, Plug In America awarded grants of $12,500 each to student teams at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine to participate in the recently completed 2008 Formula Hybrid Competition.
“We are delighted to have more California schools join the Formula Hybrid event,” said its Director Douglas Fraser, a research engineer at the Dartmouth College Thayer School of Engineering, which organizes the competition. “Students are incredibly creative in coming up with novel solutions which push the envelope. I am confi dent the new California teams will add a great additional dimension to the competition.”
Hunger strike begins because of SAUSD employee contract cuts
Ramon Quintanilla, employee of Santa Ana Unifi ed School District has started on a hunger strike to do what he feels he has to do in order to get the attention of school board members.
The school district has started the wheels rolling to cut the contracts of many dedicated employees – there can only be outrage that ultimately those who will suffer are the students of Santa Ana parents.
Quintanilla is holding his fast at the school district’s offi ce, located at 1601 East Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana. Santa Ana LULAC Council #147 (League of United Latin American Citizens) urges the public to support Mr. Quintanilla and others who are in solidarity.
Recognizing the urgency of this situation, John Palacio, School District Board Trustee has will be on-site to make an assessment and have discussions with teachers, employees and parents of school children.
Mayor’s Office releases comprehensive violence prevention plan
Community leaders, city department heads, members of law enforcement and national violence prevention experts, joined Mayor Gavin Newsom at the release of the San Francisco’s Violence Prevention Plan at the Omega Boys Club. As part of the release of the plan, Mayor Newsom unveiled the “Alive and Free” public education campaign and summer resource guide.
The “Alive & Free” violence prevention model will be adopted as San Francisco’s overarching violence prevention philosophy.
The Violence Prevention Plan contains a set of strategies to prevent violence and deal more strategically with factors that contribute to violence.
Among the area of focus are stronger coordination between city agencies, Improved partnership with community organizations, Greater accountability to achieve concrete, measurable outcomes – both short-term intervention for the most at-risk community members, Alignment of city resources to strategically address the “root causes” of violence, a strong citywide violence prevention philosophy and multimedia public education campaign.
