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7 Natural remedies for healthy gums

Shared by Cathy Wong

Very Well Health

Neem, tea tree oil, and cranberry are a few remedies that may help you improve your gum health naturally.

If you try them, they should be added to an oral hygiene routine that also includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing often, and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups.

This article reviews the causes of gum disease and discusses some of the natural remedies and lifestyle strategies that can help keep your gums healthy, according to some studies.

Keep in mind that these are not replacements for standard oral care. They also require consistent use; no remedy can strengthen your gums overnight.

Causes of Gum Disease

In your mouth, bacteria are constantly forming a sticky substance called plaque on your teeth. Brushing and flossing can help you get rid of plaque, but the substance can also harden and, in turn, form another substance called tartar.

In many cases, the buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to the development of gingivitis

, a condition marked by inflammation of the gums.1

When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis (inflammation around the teeth). Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease in a number of studies.

Neem

Neem extract from an evergreen tree native to India has been found to possess antibacterial properties. Research on neem and gum health includes a small study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2014.

For this study, 105 children (ages 12 to 15) used one of the following mouthwashes, twice a day for three weeks:

– Neem, a solution containing powder extracted from neem tree branches

– Mango, a solution containing powder extracted from mango tree branches

– Chlorhexidine (CHX), an antiseptic found in many types of mouthwash

Results suggested that all three types of mouthwash were effective in reducing plaque and inhibiting gingivitis. However, more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of neem and mango extract mouthwashes on oral health.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil may aid in the treatment of gingivitis, according to a 2022 review of existing literature. The researchers concluded that tea tree oil is superior to CHX in reducing inflamed gums, while CHX was more effective at inhibiting plaque formation.

If you’re thinking of using tea tree oil for gum health, choose a toothpaste that contains this essential oil as an ingredient. Ingesting undiluted tea tree oil (or using homemade tea tree oil tooth remedies) can be toxic.

Cranberry

Some research shows that cranberry may help thwart gum disease by preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth.

A 2018 study in the journal Nutrition Research, for example, found that consuming a liquid containing cranberry extract improved gum health in people with gingivitis who were also undergoing treatment by a periodontist.

In addition, the researchers noted that the drink did not promote dental cavities.

Vitamin C

There’s evidence that vitamin C could play a role in protecting gum health, according to a 2019 review of existing studies that looked at the relationship between blood levels of vitamin C and periodontitis.

The patients with lower blood levels of vitamin C showed a greater progression of periodontal disease than those with higher vitamin C levels.

For help filling up on vitamin C, include foods such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe in your diet.

Ask your healthcare professional for advice on whether you should take supplements.

A remedy long used in Ayurveda, oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (such as coconut oil or sesame oil) around in your mouth for about 15 minutes at a time.

A 2019 study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that oil pulling with coconut oil seems to inhibit plaque growth as effectively as CHX. In addition, it caused less tooth staining than CHX.7

A 2022 meta-analysis, however, concluded that oil pulling with coconut oil had no significant effect on gum health or plaque prevention.

Diet

Along with using good oral hygiene practices, you can preserve your oral health by following a diet high in calcium-rich foods and low in sugary foods and beverages. Sugary foods attract bacteria that can lead to gingivitis.

Drinking water with and after a meal can help reduce this bacteria buildup.

Lifestyle

Avoiding smoking (and any other form of tobacco use) can significantly lower your risk of developing gum disease. Smoking and tobacco have negative effects on all aspects of dental and oral health, including contributing to receding gums.10

There’s also some evidence that managing your stress can help keep your gums healthy. It is believed that stress can alter the immune response and affect the body’s ability to fight bacteria buildup.

Summary

Some research has shown that some natural substances, including tea tree oil and vitamin C, can contribute to healthy gums and help prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.

However, these methods should not replace tried-and-true oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly.

(Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman’s World, and Natural Health.)

Guadalupana Pilgrimage for the Anniversary of the Santa María La Asunción Cathedral

by Magdy Zara

The Archdiocese of San Francisco invites the annual pilgrimage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption of San Francisco.

The call is to walk praying for immigration reform, for peace, for the sick, and the personal intentions of each of the attendees, to together ask for the intercession of the Queen of the Americas and Empress of the World, Our Lady of Guadalupe,

The rally begins at 5 a.m., at All Souls Catholic Church; and then perform the blessing to the pilgrims at 5:30 a.m. The departure is scheduled for 6 a.m.

There will be five stops and the pilgrimage will end at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, with a mass that will be presided over by His Excellency Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco.

The Guadalupana Pilgrimage will take place this Saturday, Dec. 9. The solemn mass will be at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, located at 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco.

Mariachi Sol de México presents its Christmas show

Latin Grammy nominees José Hernández and his Mariachi Sol de México return to San Francisco to present their traditional annual show “A Merry-achi Christmas.”

In this presentation they will be playing the mariachis’ favorite songs, as well as the most well-known and beloved Christmas music, such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and they will also premiere their new Christmas single “La Noche Buena”, written for all those who have lost their loved ones. mothers and never forget their unconditional love.

The concert will be this Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, located at 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.

They hold the Last Supper Party

The Last Supper Party returns this December with the masterful participation of four renowned artists, who between poetry and music will be giving their opinion on various topics.

The Feast of the Last Supper is a series of events featuring the voices of diverse artists and writers who denounce the countless injustices and impacts of corruption, unbridled power and greed.

The artists present in this edition are: Susan Dambroff, Jeff DeMark, Chris Kammler, Kimi Sugioka and Fe Bongolan.

The Feast of the Last Supper will take place next Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Medicine for Nightmares bookstore located at 3036 24th St, San Francisco. Admission is free.

LA County wants Latinos to feel welcomed and respected

New “Come walk with me” mural in El Monte honors Latino community

by Brenda Fernanda Verano

Late last month, LA vs. Hate, the self-desribed “community-based system” launched by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations in 2020, revealed a new mural celebrating the Latino communities of Southern California. LA vs. Hate was created by the county to track hate crimes and incidents and offer support to victims of hate.

The mural is located in El Monte and was part of the city campaign called “Summer of Solidarity,” a public art series that celebrates the diversity of LA and unity against prejudice and discrimination.

The mural titled “Come Walk with Me” was painted by Kiara Aileen Machado, a self-described contemporary artist born in Lynwood. Machaso obtained her bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing from California State University Long Beach. She told CALÓ NEWS that her art explores the structures and liberation of identity, femininity and culture. Her artwork has been seen in museums across the United States, including the South Gate Museum (California), Buckham Gallery (Michigan), Dupont Underground (Washington DC), John and Geraldine Lilley Museum (Nevada), and the UCF Art Gallery (Florida).

El Monte

The city of El Monte has one of the highest Latino populations, with 72 percent of the city being Latino and 18 percent Asian. “This beautiful mural reflects the vibrant and diverse communities and cultures that call El Monte home,” said El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona.

The experiences and voices of the Latino community took center stage when it came to the design of the mural. Workshops were hosted with the El Monte community to guide the exploration of Latino identity.

Machado said that the different images that make up the mural all represent, in one way or another, a key metaphor that emerged from the workshops. “The unity and affection of El Monte is like the sweetness of “pan dulce” and the warmth of “tamalitos” from Valley Mall,” she said.

A mural for Latinos 

“This mural is a journey through the El Monte community that is inspired by past and present stories of culture, unity and pride,” Machado said.

With this metaphor in mind, the artist conveyed some of the things brought to her by the Latino community—what they wanted to see and the messages they wanted to convey to Latinos and other people who would come across the mural. Images of culturally relevant foods like “pan dulce” and Chinese mooncakes, as well as corn, fruit and banana leaf-wrapped tamales, are painted on the left side of the mural. Mexican, Central American and Asian communities that call El Monte home are also represented in a children’s playground depiction.

Symbolizing comfort and unity, the mural also depicts two older women exchanging a hug. In the center of the mural, a rainbow tent represents local farmers market vendors. As one’s eyes move throughout the mural, the rainbow tent becomes the dress of a drag performer. In the background, people are holding signs that evoke the memory of El Monte’s historic unity against hate.

The mural was created in partnership with Latino-driven organizations such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), as well as Ancona and the offices of LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who has been an ongoing advocate for Latinos and anti-hate initiatives.

Solis, who resides in the city of El Monte, was present at the mural unveiling ceremony. “I am proud to join today’s mural unveiling and reinforce my continued call on hate having no place here or anywhere in our County,” Solis said. “It is truly thrilling to see our community of El Monte coming together to celebrate an impactful artwork that speaks to our diversity and to prove that there is strength and beauty in it.”

Report: Almost 3 in 4 future jobs will require some college

Two students talking in amphitheater

by Suzanne Potter

More than two million jobs will be created in California each year through 2031 – and 72 percent of them will require more than a high school diploma, according to a new report.

Researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce project the national economy will generate 18.5 million job openings per year, on average – and about 12.5 million of them will require at least some college education.

Georgetown Center Chief Economist Nicole Smith co-authored the report.

“There’s a growing number of healthcare support jobs, a growing number of sales jobs, food and personal services jobs,” said Smith, “and even blue-collar jobs that require more and more postsecondary education and training.”

The report predicts the U.S. will have 171 million jobs in 2031, an increase of 16 million net new jobs from 2021.

Enrollment at California’s community colleges dropped 18.5 percent at the start of the pandemic, a 30-year low.

It has rebounded 5 percent this school year, mostly among students ages 18 to 20, or over age 30. Enrollment among students in their 20s has dipped 2 percent.

Smith said she’s concerned the United States isn’t producing enough people with the skills, credentials and degrees needed to meet future workplace demand.

“We’re not graduating fast enough,” said Smith. “We know that colleges’ and universities’ enrollment has fallen substantially and it’s not just COVID – enrollment was on the decline long before COVID. I would be concerned that the opportunities are going to go unfilled.”

Last year, the state launched “California Reconnect,” a program that helps people ages 25 to 54 who have some college credits return to school to finish their certificate or degree.

Participants can get professional coaching and may have unpaid fees forgiven.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

Artificial intelligence could dramatically reshape the 2024 US election

People fill ballots in privacy booths at a polling station at the Jackie Robinson School during the New York City mayoral election in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

by Sunita Sohrabji

Ethnic Media Services

Ethnic Media Services

The Biden Administration’s executive order on AI places many standards on the emerging technology, but experts say much more is needed to safeguard the election process.

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to dramatically disrupt the outcome of the 2024 US election, said experts at a briefing Nov. 27, hosted by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Once confined strictly to science fiction, AI is now everywhere. Generative AI’s capabilities to manipulate data, impersonate experts, candidates, and political leaders, and spew out misinformation on social media arrives at a time when voters are already challenged with separating fact from falsehoods.

In a surprise moment during the briefing, moderator Zoe Schiffer, managing editor at Platformer News, featured a clip that used generative AI to create a cloned version of speaker Lawrence Norden, Senior Director of the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. The AI-generated Norden was able to accurately replicate Norden’s concerns about AI in the upcoming elections, but added additional disinformation and hyperbole about China, Iran and Russia’s alleged interference.

Deep Fakes

The real Norden broke down his concerns down into four categories: imitation threat, also known as deep fakes, in which Chat GPT is used to generate articles that look like they are coming from election offices or candidates.

AI can also be used for harassment of election officials, said Norden, with AI-generated emails flooding election offices with frivolous records’ requests. “You could just imagine offices being inundated with thousands and thousands of requests that keep election officials from doing their work,” he said.

A third threat is cyberattacks, potentially against election offices, said Norden, adding that his fourth concern was public fear of AI. “There’s been so much written about it and there’s been so much undermining of confidence in our elections already that AI itself, and the claims for what it can do may add to this undermining of confidence in election,” he said.

Multifactorial authentication — requiring people to put in a password sent to their phones — can curb some of the issues with AI-generated material, said Norden. Voting machines and electronic poll books must have paper backups, he said.

Biden Executive Order

“We need to make sure that election officials, the media are giving the public accurate information about elections,” said Norden.

In October, the Biden Administration announced an executive order, attempting to place safeguards and oversight on the use of AI. Mia Hoffman, a research fellow at the Center of for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University, said the action was a good start.

“At a high level, it does a lot of things right. I think they’re trying to address a lot of different concerns with one directive and that’s hard to do,” she said.

In the context of elections, the executive order addresses disinformation with watermarking techniques: hidden patterns are going to be embedded in AI generated content so that it will be detectable and identifiable. “We can actually tell what information and what media is real and what’s fake,” said Hoffman. She added that she was also excited about investments in research into authentication technology.

Risk Assessment

“Being able to tell that some information has not been manipulated might actually become more valuable than being able to tell if something has been AI-generated or not because it just requires kind of trustworthy issuers of news to be able to comply with this authentication rather than making everybody who generates something with AI use watermarking,” she said.

Election hardware and software will be subject to an annual risk assessment when AI is used,” said Hoffman, noting that the National Institutes of Safety and Technology framework — the gold standard for risk assessment — will be used.

Mekela Panditharatne, Counsel for the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said more needed to be done by Congress to safeguard not only elections, but general use of AI.

Voter Suppression

“Absent to Congressional action, theres sort of a modest amount that can be done and made enforceable by the federal government, and we kind of saw that with this order. So given those constraints. I do think it’s an admirable effort.”

Panditharatne said the order invokes the Defense Production Act, a national security law. “But when you look at what’s enforceable, it’s a very small portion of items. Elements like voter suppression, the use of AI in election administration, and election security aren’t expressly recognized. So as the order is implemented, there are certainly important steps that need to be taken to ensure that that those elements are sufficiently protected, but much more is needed by Congress as well,” she said.

False Narratives

Post-election, Panditharatne said she expects to see AI employed to generate distrust of results, as with the 2020 election. “We might see sort of amplification of false narratives about the election process, potentially deep fakes of election officials manipulating the vote count or preventing people from voting. That’s something that we should be worried about potentially seeing,” she said.

All of the experts encouraged voters to deeply examine the sources from which they are receiving election-related content.

The 15 years that destroyed America

Paul Craig Roberts

by Paul Craig Roberts

The United States Government today bears little resemblance to the government created by the Founding Fathers. Many “reforms” contributed to the transformation of an accountable government to an unaccountable one. For example, the direct election of US senators and the expansion of the franchise from male property owners adversely affected the security of private property. Others point to the effects of wars. All of these played a role in America’s destruction. However, in my opinion the transformation of American government can be explained by events in three short periods of our history.

The founders saw the US as an association of states in which central power was limited and weak. The 10th Amendment gave governing to the states. President Lincoln’s war for the tariff destroyed states’ rights and led to the supremacy of centralized federal power over the states. Today what happens in specific states can be determined by votes in other states. Lincoln’s war lasted four years, and that was time enough for Lincoln to destroy the framework devised by the Founders.

The second devastating period was 1913. That year the United States took two hard blows. One from the creation of the Federal Reserve, and one from the establishment of an income tax. The creation of the Federal Reserve took control over money from the government and gave it to the big bankers. The income tax resurrected slavery. Historians have ignored that historically the definition of a free person is a person who owns his own labor. A slave or a serf is a person whose labor is owned in whole or part by an outside party. No person subject to an income tax owns his own labor. Once a person is violated in this way, all his other protections fall away–his privacy, his security in his home and documents, his protection against arbitrary arrest, self-incrimination, indefinite detention without conviction. No American alive today has experienced the freedom known to the Founders.

The third destructive period was the depression of the 1930s. This was the work of the Federal Reserve which permitted the money supply to shrink, thereby collapsing employment, income, and prices. The Great Depression produced President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. The New Deal transferred Congress’ lawmaking power to the new progressive regulatory agencies. Today when Congress passes a law, it amounts to an authorization for regulatory agencies to write the regulations that implement the law. For example, the 1964 Civil Rights Act expressly prohibited racial quotas, but the EEOC imposed racial quotas by regulatory means.

These three periods, comprising 15 years of American history or 6 percent of our time as a country, sufficed to destroy what the Founders created. Historians are blind, because history has been written for propagandistic reasons to serve agendas. Lincoln’s war for the tariff has been turned into a moral cause of freeing black slaves, something Lincoln denied while initiating and fighting the war. The year 1913 is described as a progressive turning in the direction of financial stability and equity or fairness. The New Deal is presented as measures that tamed the instability of capitalism. When Henry Ford reportedly said “history is bunk,” he wasn’t far off.

It is unfortunate that our political heroes, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and England’s Winston Churchill come under scrutiny at the very time that the countries are under assault for their evil past. It is now when we need belief to fend off assault that our idols are shown to have feet of clay. David Irvin’s Churchill’s War destroyed the artfully created reputation of Churchill. Now David T. Beito’s The New Deal’s War on the Bill of Rights completes the destruction of progressive hero FDR.

Like Lincoln, Roosevelt used war to achieve his agenda–the destruction of the British Empire and its replacement with the American Empire based on the US dollar taking the British currency’s role as world reserve currency. It is a paradox that liberals have regarded as a progressive hero a president, who squashed dissent and free speech, locked up American citizens of Japanese ethnicity in concentration camps, destroying their lives and allowing their properties to be stolen, and attacked the Bill of Rights that made Americans secure under the protection of law. As Beito’s exposure of FDR makes clear, the man was a tyrant who elevated executive power by stripping power from Congress and intimidating the Supreme Court.

Beito spent a decade researching and writing his book, and the voluminous notes and index comprising more than 25 percent of the printed pages attest to his thoroughness. The book is not one man’s opinion. It is a historical record.

If America had had historians different from the gullible and insouciant liberals, we might still exist in the freedom and liberty that the Founders gave to us.

Notice of election County of San Mateo

NOTIFICATION FROM THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL OF THE TIME AND LOCATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION, FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND PARTISAN COUNTY CORE COMMITTEES, FOR WHICH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE ELECTED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Presidential Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

ALL QUALIFIED PERSONS ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that elections will be held for the following offices in the County of San Mateo, State of California, for the purpose of electing members to the Federal, State and County District Offices indicate below:

Federal and State Positions:

President: 4-year term beginning January 20, 2025

US Senator: 6-year term beginning January 3, 2025

U.S. Senator (partial/unexpired term): This special vacancy election is for the remainder of the unexpired term in the United States Senate, which ends January 3, 2025

Representative in the United States Congress, Districts 15 and 16: 2-year terms; each begins January 3, 2025

State Senate, Districts 11 and 13: 4-year terms; each begins December 2, 2024

State Assembly, Districts 19, 21, and 23: 2-year terms; each begins December 2, 2024

Nonpartisan County Offices:

– Superior Court Judge: 10 vacant positions; 6-year terms beginning January 6, 2025

– Board of Supervisors, Districts 1, 4 and 5: 4-year terms; each starts on January 6, 2025

Central Party County Committees

– Democrat, Green, Peace and Freedom, and Republican

Please call the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division at 650.312.5222 for more information on the number of vacant positions.

Declarations of candidacy and nomination papers for qualified candidates who wish to run for any of the elective offices may be obtained at the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division located at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402, phone number 650.312.5222, effective November 13, 2023, and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on December 8, 2023. If any eligible officeholder does not file nomination papers by the established date and time, voters will have until 5:00 p.m. on December 13, 2023 to nominate candidates other than the holder of such position.

I FURTHER PROCLAIM that at such election such constitutional amendments, questions, propositions and proposed bills as the Constitution and laws of this State require to be submitted shall be submitted to the vote of the electors.

NOTICE IS ALSO NOTIFIED that all Vote Centers will be open for a minimum of eight hours daily beginning 10 days before Election Day, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. including weekends and holidays. Voting Centers will be open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Mail Ballots, Voting Center Ballots and Provisional Electoral Ballots voted in the Election to be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, will be counted at the location indicated below:

San Mateo County

Registration and Elections Division

40 Tower Road

San Mateo, CA 94402

Dated: December 2023

_/s/_Mark Church

Chief Election Official and

County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder

12/8/23

CNS-3760967#

THE REPORTER

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO Community Outreach Public Notice

Prepared by the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Supervisors Pursuant to the Administrative Code, Section 2.81SF.GOV/ES

San Francisco Board of Supervisors Board or Commission Vacancies: Get on a Board or Commission!

The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) The AAB resolves legal and appraisal issues between the Assessor’s office and property owners. The hearings are quasi-judicial and are conducted in a manner similar to a court, with evidence and testimony presented by the parties. The Board then evaluates the evidence and testimony and renders its decision. To be eligible for appointment to the position, you must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in California as: (1) CPA; (2) Real Estate Broker; (3) lawyer; or (4) property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized organization, or certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraiser or the State Board of Equalization.

For a complete list of current or future boards, commissions, and task forces, visit https://sfbos.org/vacancy-boards-commissions-task-forces.

Department Announcements

 Elections Department

The choice is yours! Go paperless!

For each election, the Department of Elections publishes a voter information pamphlet and a sample ballot. The pamphlet provides nonpartisan information on voting, candidates and measures. By law, we must mail you a brochure unless you choose not to receive it. There are several reasons to opt out of paper brochure mailings:

– You will save taxpayer money we use to print and mail.

– You will reduce your carbon footprint.

– You can access election information anytime, anywhere.

Does your household receive more than one copy of the Brochure? Consider having all but one voter opt out so their household can share a printed copy. Not sure you’ll like reading the online brochure? Give it a try – re-engaging is just as easy!

If you’re ready to make the switch to the digital pamphlet, go to sfelections.org/voterportal or call us at 415-554-4375.

Department of Child Support Services

Child support matters can be complicated, stressful and confusing. The Department of Child Support Services helps parents understand the process so they know their rights and options for making and receiving support payments. We are available to assist you in person or by phone. Call us today at (866) 901-3212 for more information. Request services online or schedule an appointment at sf.gov/dcss to learn how we can help you.

Department of Public Health

Count on WIC for Healthy Families!

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for women, infants, and children. You may qualify if:

– Are pregnant, breastfeeding or have just had a baby;

– You have children under 5 years old; and

– Has low to medium income; I

– You receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), or CalWORKS (TANF) benefits; and

– He lives in California

WIC provides: nutrition education and health information, breastfeeding support, food benefits for healthy foods (such as fruits and vegetables), referrals to medical providers, and community services.

Learn more at: MyFamily.wic.ca.gov or www.wicworks.ca.gov

Sign up early! Call today to see if you qualify and schedule an appointment- (628) 206-5494 or (415) 657-1724

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages public outreach. Articles are translated into multiple languages to provide better public access. The newspaper does everything possible to correctly translate articles of general interest. The City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions. CNSB #3760689 – El Reportero.

CIUDAD Y CONDADO DE SAN FRANCISCO Aviso público de alcance comunitario

CIUDAD Y CONDADO DE SAN FRANCISCO

Aviso público de alcance comunitario

Preparado por la Oficina de la Secretaria de la Junta de Supervisores De conformidad con el Código Administrativo, Sección 2.81SF.GOV/ES

Vacantes de la Junta o Comisión de la Junta de Supervisores de San Francisco: ¡Participa en una Junta o Comisión!

La Junta de Apelaciones de Evaluación (AAB) La AAB resuelve cuestiones legales y de valoración entre la oficina del Tasador y los propietarios. Las audiencias son cuasijudiciales y se llevan a cabo de manera similar a un tribunal, con pruebas y testimonios presentados por las partes. Luego, la Junta evalúa la evidencia y el testimonio y dicta su decisión. Para ser elegible para el nombramiento de puesto, debe tener un mínimo de cinco años de experiencia profesional en California como: (1) contador público;(2) corredor de bienes raíces; (3) abogado; o (4) tasador de propiedades acreditado por una organización reconocida a nivel nacional, o certificado por la Oficina de Tasador de Bienes Raíces o la Junta Estatal de Ecualización.

Para obtener una lista completa de las juntas, comisiones y grupos de trabajo actuales o futuros, visitehttps://sfbos.org/vacancy-boards-commissions-task-forces.

Anuncios del departamento

Departamento de Elecciones¡

La decisión es tuya! ¡Vaya sin papel!

Para cada elección, el Departamento de Elecciones publica un folleto de información para los votantes y una boleta demuestra. El folleto proporciona información no partidista sobre votaciones, candidatos y medidas. Por ley, debemos enviarle un folleto por correo a menos que usted opte por no recibirlo. Hay varias razones para optar por no recibir el envío de folletos en papel:

– Ahorrará el dinero de los contribuyentes que utilizamos para imprimir y enviar por correo.

– Reducirás tu huella de carbono.

– Puede acceder a la información electoral en cualquier momento y en cualquier lugar.

¿Recibe su hogar más de una copia del Folleto? Considere la posibilidad de que todos los votantes menos uno opten por no participar para que su hogar pueda compartir una copia impresa. ¿No está seguro de que le gustará leer el folleto en línea? Pruébelo: ¡volver a participar es igual de fácil!

Si está listo para hacer el cambio al folleto digital, vaya a sfelections.org/voterportal o llámanos al 415-554-4375.

Departamento de Servicios de Manutención Infantil

Los asuntos de manutención infantil pueden ser complicados, estresantes y confusos. El Departamento de Servicios deManutención Infantil ayuda a los padres a comprender el proceso para que conozcan sus derechos y opciones para realizar yrecibir pagos de manutención. Estamos disponibles para atenderte personalmente o por teléfono. Llámanos hoy al (866) 901-3212 para más información. Solicite servicios en línea o programe una cita en sf.gov/dcss para saber cómo podemos ayudarle.

Departamento de Salud Pública

¡Cuente con WIC para Familias Saludables!

WIC es un programa de nutrición financiado con fondos federales para mujeres, bebés y niños. Puede calificar si:

– Está embarazada, amamantando o acaba de tener un bebé;

– Tiene hijos menores de 5 años; y

– Tiene ingresos bajos a medios; y/o

– Recibes beneficios de Medi-Cal, CalFresh (cupones para alimentos) o CalWORKS (TANF); y

– vive en california

WIC proporciona: educación nutricional e información de salud, apoyo a la lactancia materna, beneficios alimentarios paraalimentos saludables (como frutas y verduras), referencias a proveedores médicos y servicios comunitarios.

Obtenga más información en: MyFamily.wic.ca.gov o www.wicworks.ca.gov

¡Inscríbete temprano! Llame hoy para ver si califica y programar una cita- (628) 206-5494 or (415) 657-1724

Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.

La Ciudad y el Condado de San Francisco fomentan el alcance público. Los artículos se traducen a varios idiomas para proporcionar un mejor acceso público. El periódico hace todo lo posible para traducir correctamente los artículos de interés general. La Ciudad y el Condado de San Francisco o los periódicos no asumen ninguna responsabilidad por errores y omisiones. CNSB # 3760689  – El Reportero.

FTC scales language barriers to battle scammers

As of this fall, the FTC’s Language Access Initiative will expand its services to include up to a dozen new languages

by Mark Hedin

The Federal Trade Commission has a new strategy for battling fraud. As of this fall, its Language Access Initiative provides interpreters who can take fraud reports and provide advice in many more languages than just English and Spanish.

At a Nov. 21 press briefing the federal agency hosted with Ethnic Media Services – simultaneously translated into Spanish, Korean and Mandarin – two FTC officials and a lawyer/journalist described how the new multilingual services work and some of the ways they’re expected to help protect consumers.

“We’ve long had the ability to hear from people in English and Spanish,” said Monica Vaca, deputy director in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Getting reports from people in other languages has been a limitation for us.”

Vaca emphasized the importance of people making those reports not just for their own sake but to help the FTC get the word out before more people are scammed.  “We can only bring cases and do education about scams that we know about,” she said.

Fraud toll nears $9 billion

Just based on the number of reports people made in English or Spanish, fraud and deceptive or unfair business practices cost U.S. consumers close to $9 billion last year, noted Larissa Bungo, senior attorney with the FTC’s Division of Consumer and Business Education.

People who are worried they have been victimized can reach out for FTC help either on the phone or online.

Doing so will alert the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network – a pool of 3,000 law enforcement officers at federal, state and local levels – to be on the lookout.

If the FTC can catch the culprits quickly enough there is the possibility of getting your money back – another reason to not hesitate if you think you’ve been cheated.

For example, the FTC was able to recover $245 million that it is returning to customers of Epic Games, creator of the popular game Fortnite, which the FTC alleged tricked young players into making unintentional purchases.

The deadline for filing a claim is Jan. 17 of 2024.

Don’t hesitate to report fraud

Of course, to get money back with FTC help, you have to identify yourself when making a report, but in any case, you will never be asked about your immigration status.

Sometimes, success in getting money back depends on how the victim was defrauded. For instance, if payments were made using a credit card, it may be possible to contest the charge with the card company.

So be careful. “Only scammers insist you pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer,” Bungo advised.

Another reason to not delay reporting suspicions is that scammers often work from overseas where they and the money they obtained are harder for law enforcement to reach.

Even if you successfully dodge a scam, reporting the attempt helps inform and thus protect otherwise unsuspecting potential victims, Bungo said.

The multilingual call-center staff and information available at the agency’s website can also provide a range of “next steps” for people to consider.

By phone, call (877) 382-4357, then press 3. A succession of messages in different languages will tell you what number to press next to reach an in-person interpreter who knows your language.

Lines are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, which is 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the West Coast.

New language choices available as of last month include Portuguese, French, Tagalog, Somali, Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, Polish, Korean, Ukrainian, Hmong and Mandarin.

The FTC has the ability to find interpreters in almost 200 languages, as needs arise.

This multilingual reporting system can also be used to report identity theft situations. For those, call (877) 438-4338, then follow the same process of dialing 3 to access the various languages available.

You can make either fraud or identity theft reports online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov or, in Spanish, ReporteFraude.ftc.gov and RobodeIdentidad.gov.

Those four web pages all have drop-down lists in a box labeled “languages” or “idiomas” that let users complete reports in dozens of other languages.

Bungo also described numerous resources the FTC provides at no cost for people to distribute within their communities, whether online or in print.

For instance, there’s a fraud handbook for recent immigrants and refugees and guidance for small business owners. There’s information about “four warning signs of a scam,” descriptions of common tricks such as fake invoices, business impersonation, bad business practices, phony job opportunities, phony online retailers and “phishing” links disguised to look like they’re from companies trying to make a delivery.

If asked, the agency will also print and ship these guides to community organizations, at no charge, Bungo said.

Information the ‘most powerful weapon’ against scammers

Lawyer and journalist Jongwon Lee described a scenario he witnessed and reported on in Atlanta’s Korean community, where a retiree lost tens of thousands to an investment scammer who gained his trust in part by being conversant in Korean.

Publicity about the case, a pyramid scheme that became known as Club Mega Planet, helped prosecutors uncover other victims in several states. Making law enforcement aware of additional cases increases the likelihood of criminals being arrested, and prompt reporting can help prevent the stolen money from being spent before it can be recovered.

“The FTC’s Language Access Initiative is historic,” Lee said. “It shows that government agencies are looking to do justice for immigrants like us. Language access gets rid of fear and shame and gives you confidence and encouragement that you are not alone and somebody is listening to you.”

“Information is the most powerful weapon against scammers. Get educated and informed.”

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