by Elisabeth Pinio
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor Schwarzenegger has announced newly appointed offi cials for the state of California. State Board of Barbering Cosmetology: Socorro Farias, of Folsom, Calif. She is a jewelry consultant for Cookie Lee Jewelry, and a Spanish medical interpreter for the University of California, Davis Medical Center.
Fraud Assessment Commission: Lilia Garcia, of East Los Angeles. Garcia is the executive director of Maintenance Corporation Trust Fund, a regulator of the janitorial industry.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board: Jose Moreno, of Fremont, Calif. He has been a labor rights advocate for several years.
City shut down Woodfi n, workers fired up
More than 300 people gathered in Emeryville, Calif. to protest the fi rings of twelve immigrant workers by Woodfin Suites Hotel. The intersection in front of the hotel was blocked for hours as boycotters demanded the Emeryville City Council to revoke Woodfi n’s operating permit until the workers’ jobs were restored and compensation was provided.
The hotel quoted Social Security discrepancies as the reason for the workers’ dismissals. The workers stated that Woodfi n hadn’t voiced concern over their immigration status until they started asserting their rights under Measure C. Supporters threatened to continue the protests, increasing the frequency from two times per week to fi ve, until the workers’ demands are met.
What’s in a name?
Fiona Ma
The Name Equality Act of 2007 will allow soon- to-be married spouses and
domestic partners to change their surnames, regardless of gender, upon marriage or domestic partnership registration. AB 102, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), will also require California Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a new driver’s license or identifi cation card with the preferred name when presented with a marriage license or certifi cate of domestic partnership.
This act is currently recognized in six states.
Mayor announces HIV Planning Council appointments
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced appointments and reappointments to the San Francisco HIV Planning Council, which include Alfredo Cordova, Jose Luis Villarce, and Cruz Olgin.
Each member of the HIV Planning Council has a background in public advocacy with a dedication to the homeless and Latino communities, promoting HIV awareness and prevention, and compassion and support to those living with HIV and AIDS.
College of Alameda offers Ancestral DNA Testing Workshop
College of Alameda is offering a genealogy workshop for those interested in exploring their ancestry. Taught by the college’s anthropology instructor, Dr. Nathan Strong, the six-hour class will include DNA collection of each student and a thorough description of DNA testing to trace biogeographic origins. Results of the DNA collection will be analyzed and discussed.
The two-part workshop will take place May 19 and June 9, from noon to 3 p.m. Cost of the workshop is $125. Interested participants can call (510) 748-2395 to register.
Latina honor student fi rst in family to attend college
Laura Maldonado, student ambassador of College of Alameda and vice president of the student honor society, has been accepted to the California Maritime Academy as a Global Studies and Maritime Affairs major.
Maldonado immigrated to California from Mexico City with her mother at the age of 15. Fluent in English, she plans to study languages at Maritime University in addition to her other coursework. Her goal is to be fl uent in fi ve languages. She is the fi rst member of her family to attend college.
