By Edi Birsan, on January 14th, 2012%
The Thursday night meeting of the Lamorinda Democrats featured their President – Craig Cheslog speaking about California Education as well as his position within the Superintendent Torlakason's offices at Sacramento. There was a host of bullet points and issues covered from the basic office structure (the lobby receptionist also reports to him) these were some of the salient features that echoed in my concerns for our children's future.
1. The number of new teachers learning to be teachers has dropped almost in half from 80,000 to 42,000. This was also confirmed my Mike McGill a trustee in a local college group that has a teacher training focus.
2. The retention of teachers is down, the prospect of new teachers to . . . → Read More: Overview of Education at Lamorinda Dems Meeting
By Craig Cheslog, on October 7th, 2011%
The San Ramon Valley Democratic Club will feature a discussion about "From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks" and “To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine" with award-winning Bay Area actor Ian Ruskin at its Thursday, October 27 meeting.
The meeting will take place at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, in Danville. Social time at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m., with the program at 7:15 p.m. Members and invited guests can enjoy the dinner and program for $25, non-members $30, presentation only is $5 (requested donation).
Ian trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In England, he worked in Repertory Theater, London's West End (where work included the title role in Jack the Ripper), . . . → Read More: San Ramon Valley Democratic Club to Discuss “From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks” and “To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine” on Oct. 27
By Craig Cheslog, on August 10th, 2011%
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson yesterday released his Transition Advisory Team's report, A Blueprint for Great Schools.
"The first step in reaching a goal is setting one," Torlakson said. "We've taken an honest look at where we are and where we want to be, and created a vision about how to get there—with a focus on 21st century learning, meeting the needs of the whole child, and building the ranks of California's teachers with resources and respect."
The 31-page report is the result of months of work by Torlakson's Transition Advisory Team, a 59-member group made of up leading teachers, parents, school employees and administrators as well as community, labor, and business leaders. The report's recommendations include provisions to foster excellence in teaching, provide community support . . . → Read More: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson Releases “Blueprint for Great Schools”
By Edi Birsan, on May 5th, 2011%
In the course of the three days there were over 2000 delegates and hundreds of others in the Democratic Party joining in the Statewide Convention in Sacramento to discuss general issues, pick regional and various party leaders, participate in the forums, workshops, networking and vote on general resolutions.
Everywhere there were constant reminders of the differences between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party in California:
Delegate- half were women
Significant numbers of every sort of minority was present,
1/3 were elected directly by the Democrats in the Assembly Districts
1/3 were elected by the elected members of the central committees
1/3 were appointed by the elected state and federal office holders
. . . → Read More: One View of the California State Convention- Report
By Edi Birsan, on April 18th, 2011%
In a joint march from both sides of the Alfred Zampa Bridge (I-80-Crocket) the Central Labor Councils of both Contra Costa and Solano Counties, with their associated members and local supporters met in the middle of the span with chants in support of Collective Bargaining and in protest to the actions in Wisconsin where Governor Walker’s actions are considered by organizers as “union busting.” Click to see slideshow and more below.
“Who Built This Bridge?” “Unions Built this Bridge”
On the Contra Costa side there was a whole range of union representatives including the latest union to be formed- the Contra Costa Clerical workers 2700, as well as union stalwarts from SEIU 1, Local 512, AFSME, OPIU3, the Plumbers, Electrical Workers (IBEW), andFirefighters Local 1230. The Iron Workers union, of . . . → Read More: Labor March on the Zampa Bridge April 4th
By Edi Birsan, on March 24th, 2011%
Before an overflow crowd of 100 at the Concord Senior Center, Congressman George Miller and other speakers celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Health Care Act, which was signed by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Dr. William Walker of the County health services and health advocate with numerous podcasts on the subject was present. Miller called him his mentor on provisions of the bill. Walker called the repeal the act as the most serious threat to the health services of the county. Dr. Walker said that 500 dependents in the County are now eligible for care and that the eventual coverage under a Federal program would relieve the county of a major fiscal burden.
Congressman Miller expressed great satisfaction with being a leader in the Health . . . → Read More: Miller Addresses Health Care Anniversary
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