SEE PAGE3 FOR PERIODONTAL EXAMS FOR THOSE OVER 50
SEE PAGE 3 for GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW LEGISLATIVE SECRETARY MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015
cypressnewspress.com
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Sworn in for Second Term State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson outlined his ambitious “Agenda for Excellence” for the next four years today in Sacramento as he was sworn in for his second term as chief of California’s public school system and leader of the California Department of Education. “During my first term, we have begun transforming education in California by providing a world-class education for all students from early childhood to adulthood,” said Torlakson. “ But more work needs to be done. For my second term, I want to transform our system to one known far and wide for its excellence.” Torlakson, California’s 27th state schools chief, said that schools have made significant progress during his first term, including achieving a record high school graduation rate of 80 percent. Today, he outlined his plans to work together with teachers, parents, administrators, classified employees, community leaders, and business leaders, to achieve excellence
Monday, January 12th 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Bill Liu, Pharmacist, OC Health Care Agency. Did you know that a healthy liver does a lot for you? At least nine things. For example, if you are taking medications, your liver processes medications and Please see page 2
Please see page 4
ability system based on broad measures; •Implementing the Local Control Funding Formula that brings spending decisions to local communities, and rigorous Please see page 4
Upcoming Special Topics at the Cypress Senior Center Jan. 2015 The following programs will be offered at the Cypress Senior Center, which is located at 9031 Grindlay Street, just south of Lincoln Ave. and about a mile west of Valley View Street in Cypress. You need not be a Cypress resident to participate in these free programs. Reservations are recommended, unless otherwise
indicated. For more information or reservations please call (714) 229-2005. Information about other services at the Cypress Senior Center may also be found on the Cypress Recreation & Community Services’ website atwww. cypressrec.com. Why You Should Love Your Liver:
Plastic Bag Manufacturers Buy Time as Bag Ban Is on Hold On September 30 of this year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 270, banning grocery and convenience stores from selling single-use plastic bags, but allowing the sale of more environmentally inoffensive, reusable bags made by certified third party manufacturers. These bags, which have to meet standards for labeling, durability, material makeup, and heavy metal content, can be sold for no less than $0.10 each. Even though about six out of every ten California voters supports the bill, according to a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll, there are still those who oppose its passing. This opposition naturally comes most strongly from plastic bag manufacturers who claim the new law is just a way for grocers and union bosses to stuff their pockets. They also raise the issue that the enactment of the new law will cost plastic workers their jobs. “SB 270 was never a bill about the environment. It was a back room deal between the grocers and union bosses to scam California consumers out of billions of dollars in bag fees without providing any public benefit. We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in the effort to repeal a terrible piece of job-killing legislation,” said the head of the American Progressive Bag Alliance, Lee Califf in a statement.
-Courtesy Photo by Matt MacGillivray
in California’s educational system. He seeks to do this by: •Continuing to exert independent and strong leadership; •Supporting teachers to help them become the best educators they can be; •Developing an account-
VOLUME 2, NO. 2
2 | JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015
Cypress Senior Center Continued from page 1
prepares the medication to leave your body. Join Pharmacist Bill Liu for a discussion on what your hard- working liver does for you. Keeping Your Brain Young: Tuesday, January 13 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Dr. Will Roger. Seacrest Health & Wellness Center. Although some aspects of memory and processing change as people get older, simple behavior changes can help people stay sharp for as long as possible. Your memory doesn’t always work perfectly. As people grow older, it may take longer to retrieve information. Learn about how memory works and how you can improve it. Financial New Year’s Resolutions: Thursday, January 15th 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Michael DePaul. Society for Financial Awareness. Have you resolved to start getting your investments in order? If so, this presentation will provide information on deciding what investments are right for you, improving the role that cash plays, dealing with your taxes and required minimum distributions. Learn more about stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Senior Bargains: Tuesday, January 20 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Zina Quigley, Direc-
tor of Marketing. Quaker Gardens Senior Living Are you paying more than $3.95 an hour to live in your house? Zina Quigley will compare the home- owner costs to other senior living options. She will talk about the senior living choices available and how to select the right option for you! Turn Paper Piles into Organized Files: Wednesday, January 21 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Barbara Langdorf, Quantum Leap. If you are staring at a pile of paperwork, don’t know what to keep and don’t know how long to keep it, Professional Organizer Barbara Langdorf will teach you how to set up the perfect filing system. Join her for this free twohour hands-on, paper-organizing workshop. Learn how to create the most efficient way to file and retrieve your documents. You will leave with your own filing kit and the confidence to tackle any piece of paper. All supplies are provided. Reservations required; space is limited to 15 participants. How To Rid Your Body of Pain: Thursday, January 22 10:00 11:30 a.m. Dr. Daniel Twogood. Conventional medicine is ineffective for chronic pain, by
definition. If you suffer with any form of chronic pain - fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, migraines, knee pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), psoriasis, etc., your doctors have probably told you to take pain pills and learn to live with the pain. Dr. Twogood will talk about what causes chronic pain and how to eliminate your chronic pain within 90 days. Caregiver Resource Center: Thursday, January 22 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Caregiver Resource Center will be available to provide information about their services which include family consultation, assessment, care planning, counseling, referrals for resources, psycho-educational seminars, respite planning, and community education. Walk in. Mind Fitness Fun: Monday, January 26 10:30 11:30 a.m. Pat Glavin, gounder of Brain Body Challenge. Sponsored by Monarch HealthCare. Over time, we all lose our mental fitness capacity. The good news is that our brain does not have to age as we do. By simply changing the way we do things, our brain can make new pathways and thereby increase our mental capacity. Come to join the fun and learning. Improve your mind and memory and learn new techniques and activities that will empower and motivate you to live an active lifestyle. Macular Degeneration and Low-Vision Rehabilitation: Tuesday, January 27 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Dr. Stanley Carson, Dr. Avani Patel. South Coast Retina Center. Dr. Carson will speak about the types of age-related macular degeneration, the causes and treatments, the impact and influencing factors, plus a demonstration of cases. Dr. Patel will be talking about tips for independence, the impact of low vision, and more.
Hazardous Waste Settlement LA City Attorney Mike Feuer, together with 29 California District and City Attorneys, announced Tuesday that San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Bob McNatt has approved a settlement with Los Angelesbased 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, that includes over two million dollars in civil penalties and costs, supplemental environmental projects, and enhanced environmental compliance efforts. "This judgment protects the environment and public health," said Los Angeles City Attorney City Attorney Mike Feuer. "And it demonstrates the strong commitment of prosecutors and environmental agencies throughout California to enforce our hazardous waste laws." Under the settlement, the corporation must pay $1.8 million in civil penalties, $312,500 in costs and $250,000 in supplemental environmental projects. Under the terms of the settlement, 99 Cents Only Stores also must implement certain enhanced compliance efforts. This Judgment is the culmination of a civil enforcement investigation into 99 Cents Only Stores’ improper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste products into company trash bins at each of the 251 stores and distribution centers in California. Instead of being sent to authorized disposal sites, hazardous waste as well as other contaminated materials were allegedly being unlawfully transported to area landfills. Upon being notified by prosecutors of the widespread issues, 99 Cents Only Stores worked cooperatively to remedy the issue and train its employees to properly handle hazardous wastes. The hazardous waste is now being properly handled. As a result of the prosecution and settlement, California 99 Cents Only Stores have also adopted new policies and procedures.
JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015 | 3
hlr media EDITORIAL
jschlueter@hlrmedia.com
Editor
Jennifer Schlueter
Publisher HLR Media
Periodontal Exams Essential After Age 50
Advertising
advertising@hlrmedia.com
Submissions:
Please send all press releases to: jschlueter@hlrmedia.com HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 5252 Orange ave, Suite 203 cypress, CA 90630
Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452
Alhambra PRESS ANAHEIM PRESS
Baldwin Park
Belmont Beacon INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
Pasadena Press
San Bernardino Press
-Courtesy Photo
It is recommended by the American Cancer Society that after 50 years of age everyone should have a colonoscopy. The same should be true for a periodontal exam. Diagnosing and treating an early issue has far greater benefits than an advanced diagnosis. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 47.2 percent or 64.7 million American adults have periodontal disease ranging from mild to severe. In adults 65 and older, prevalence rates increase to 70.1 percent. Early colorectal cancer is asymptomatic, as is periodontal disease. Screening examinations are critical to early treatment of both diseases. In deciding who should do your colonoscopy examination, do you go to a family physician or a gastroenterologist? It is equally important in deciding who does your periodontal examination. Do you choose a restorative dentist or a board certified periodontist? Be certain, periodontal disease is a bacterial inflammatory infection that has well-documented effects on our overall health (cardiovascular/heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and can be associated with kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers). Be proactive. Schedule a periodontal examination today.
Gov. Brown Appoints New Legislative Secretary Governor Brown today announced the appointment of Camille Wagner as legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor, replacing Gareth Elliott, who has served in that role since 2011. Elliott will pursue opportunities in the private sector, and last week was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by the Governor. “Gareth has provided wise counsel and invaluable advice for the past four years, and he will continue to ably serve Californians in his new role on the Board of Regents,” said Governor Brown. “Camille is a trusted advisor and will step into this new role without missing a beat.”
Wagner, 32, of Sacramento, has been appointed legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor, where she has served as chief deputy legislative affairs secretary since 2013 and was deputy legislative affairs secretary from 2011 to 2013. Wagner was legislative director for California Assemblymember Steven Bradford from 2009 to 2011, a legislative aide for California State Senator Christine Kehoe from 2005 to 2009 and a Senate fellow for the California Senate Fellows Program from 2004 to 2005. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $140,004. Wagner is a Democrat.
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
4 | JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015
Amtrak Sets Ridership Records Despite Falling Gas Prices Over one of the busiest travel period of the year, Californians rode trains in unprecedented numbers this Thanksgiving, despite gas prices dipping to their lowest level in six years. November ridership and revenue reports for Amtrak California are in and boast impressive gains. The Pacific Surfliner, the 2nd busiest intercity rail corridor in the nation, set records for the highest ridership and revenue in over a decade. The San Joaquin, the 5th busiest corridor in the nation that travels from both Sacramento and San Francisco to Bakersfield, had the second highest ridership and revenue in over a decade. “Intercity passenger rail is an important component of a sustainable, multimodal transportation system for today and the future,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “More and more Californians are increasingly seeing train travel as a smart option.” Traditionally, declining gas prices have had a negative impact on ridership. Not this year. Gas prices for the Thanksgiving holiday this year were just over $3.00 a gallon, down nearly 15% from last year, but ridership and revenue were up on all Amtrak California routes. Social media reports attribute the increased holiday ridership to a trend toward leisurely travel. Sophisticated and tech sav-
vy travelers are taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi on the trains and spending their travel time either catching up on work or relaxing with their electronic devices and enjoying beautiful views. The traveling public may also be starting to recognize the environmental benefit to train travel. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, per passenger mile, rail generates about half the carbon dioxide emission of an automobile. With Christmas and New Years fast approaching, now is the time to book your trip so you can enjoy more leisurely holiday travel. Check up to two bags and carry on up to two additional bags for free, which provides extra space for holiday cheer. About Amtrak California: Under the Amtrak California banner, Caltrans funds three of the five busiest intercity passenger rail routes in the Amtrak system: the Pacific Surfliner® corridor (ranked second), the Capitol Corridor® (ranked third), and the San Joaquin® corridor (ranked fifth). Caltrans manages both the Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin corridors. The Capitol Corridor, although funded by Caltrans, is managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. Visit us at www.amtrakcalifornia.com; join us on Facebook at Facebook. com/AmtrakCalifornia or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/Amtrak_CA
Plastic Bag Ban on Hold Continued from page 1
Soon after the announcement was made that Governor Brown had signed the bill, the American Progressive Bag Alliance fervently began collecting signatures in an effort to overturn the state’s decision – so far, over they accumulated 800,000. In order for their referendum to be on the November 2016 ballot, the Alliance had a 90 day window to gather 504,760 signatures by January 1, 2015. That number has been far surpassed. And it’s not just California bag makers who are against the bill. Only $50,000 of the $1.2 million put into the campaign is from plastic bag manufacturers in California. Most of the funding comes from companies headquartered outside of California. As California has become the first state to sign a statewide ban, manufacturers are also fearful that other states will follow suit. The bag ban, planned to go into effect on July 1, 2015 is now on hold until November 2016 when voters will, again, cast their votes for or against the bag ban. If a referendum has gathered the necessary number of signatures in the allotted amount of time, the law that referendum seeks to invalidate cannot be enacted until voters have their say again. Even if the referendum
fails, this newfound time before the law goes into effect gives plastic bag manufacturers the opportunity to sell an estimated $145 million worth of bags according to calculations made by the pro-ban group, Californians Against Waste. “We’re not doing this so we can sell bags for another 16 months,” said Mark Daniels, chairman of the American Plastic Bag Alliance. “When consumers understand that this is a cash grab by the grocers, they oppose this horrible legislation.”, he said, citing internal Alliance polling, showing that voters opinions shift after they are told that grocers will make millions from paper bag sales. Regardless of the outcome of this legislative slugfest, the call for bans on single use plastic bags will continue. Environmentalists are continuing to push for bans at the local level, adding to the over 100 California municipalities with bans on plastic bag sales. According to Molly Peterson, a correspondent with Southern California Public Radio, pro-ban environmental groups will continue to strive to add to the “130 municipalities, counties, and local entities that have enacted some sort of a ban.” The battle over plastic bag sales will seemingly be over no time soon.
Torlakson Sworn In Continued from page 1
new English, mathematics, and science standards; •Updating his A Blueprint For Great Schools initiative to guide the pursuit of education excellence in the next four years; •Continuing to meet the needs of all children, including nutritional, health, and mental health needs. •Expanding career edu-
cation programs that bring together high schools, community colleges, and businesses together to prepare students for college and careers; and •Maintaining and increasing investment in our schools, including allowing voters to decide whether to continue Proposition 30 or a similar measure, and providing more funds for school facilities.