California budget cuts en route, with or without proposition approval

From today's Sacramento Bee:

Schwarzenegger's budget proposals cut services,
school year, state workers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed dire budget plans Thursday that slash core public services and push California's financial problems into future years as the state struggles to survive a historic economic downturn.

Under the governor's budget scenarios, schools could let out students five to seven days early, an oil company would drill into California waters near Santa Barbara, and low-income elderly and disabled residents would receive smaller grants.

Schwarzenegger offered two proposals Thursday – one that bridges a $15.4 billion gap if three ballot measures pass next week, and another that closes a $21.3 billion shortfall if the measures fail. The latter plan was different largely in the severity of school cuts and burdens placed on cities and counties

Read the full article at http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1863556.html.

Anyone heading to Merced this Saturday?

A quick question for all V4CF members: Are you one of the few lucky enough to be heading to Merced this weekend, to see First Lady Michelle Obama's speech?

We've checked with the University, and sadly, at this point there's nary a ticket to be had.

So, if you're fortunate enough to be one of those holding a ticket, please let we of Volunteers For Change-Fresno know. We'd love to hear your thoughts and impressions after the speech.

One week to go, and five of six budget propositions appear headed for defeat

From the Sacramento Bee:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is hitting the road, warning of dire fiscal consequences if the special election ballot measures don't pass. But a majority of Californians say they prefer to take their chances and vote "no," according to a new poll.

In a Survey USA poll of measures 1A-1F, five of the six initiatives appeared headed to defeat with just a week to go before the election.

A plurality of voters favored one measure -- Proposition 1F -- which would ban pay raises for state elected officials when there is a budget shortfall. Prop 1F was favored by 45 to 35 percent.

Read the full article at http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/022236.html.

A 'thank you' from Hands On CenCal

Volunteers For Change-Fresno recently received a note from Nicole Smaira of HandsOn Central California, thanking us for our participation in the recent Generation Green Earth Day event. Here's her note:

On behalf of HandsOn Central California and our nonprofit partners, I would like to sincerely thank you for your participation in “Generation Green: Youth Serve Earth Day Event.” Due to your support and service the event was a huge success.

This event was a true demonstration of the community coming together for the grater good. In one day six local nonprofits and 203 volunteers, like you, worked to fill the need for environmental restoration in our community!

When all was said and done the results where astounding! This is what you helped accomplish:

• You planted 30 young Valley Oak and California Sycamore trees along the Eaton Trail.
  
  
• Spano River Ranch was re-vegetated with over 75 newly planted trees, existing trees where caged for protection and the entire premises was fertilized to promote healthy growth.
  
  
• Habitat enhancement was created for the Western Blue bird that makes its home on McKenzie Preserve and existing trees where caged and restored.
  
  
• China Creek went through an invasive weed removal in order to prepare the land for re-vegetation and native planting.
  
  
• Decade old trees along Woodward Parks Pearl Harbor and Eaton trail were cleared of debris and trail ways were weeded, cleaned up and restored.
  
  
• A section of the 100 acres of Jensen River Ranch, one of the largest restoration projects in the works was replanted with native trees, shrubs, and grasses.

We are so thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of volunteers. It is people like you who help make real change in our community. It is our hope that this has been a meaningful experience for you and that you will continue to serve your community throughout the year!

Congratulations on your success and we look forward to serving with you again soon!

Sincerely,
Nicole Smaira
Volunteer Connections Director
HandsOn Central California
(559) 237-3101
www.handsoncentralcal.org

President Obama's weekly address: Credit card reform

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

This week President Obama recaps a busy week, from strides on fiscal discipline, to financial stability, to cracking down on tax havens and tax breaks for shifting jobs overseas. For his next big step, he calls for a credit card reform bill.

"Americans know that they have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe. But they also have a right to not get ripped off by the sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties, and hidden fees that have become all-too common in our credit card industry."

If the viewscreen above does not appear, you can view President Obama's weekly address at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oXZLeKqcnk.

Skills exercise, budget propositions highlighted at V4CF meeting May 4

For the first time in three months, Volunteers For Change-Fresno members did not have to brave wet weather to attend its regular meeting, held May 4 at the Fig Garden Library in Fresno.

At the meeting, members heard Mary Savala present information from the California League of Women Voters about California's six budget propositions in the special election May 19. V4CF also heard a recap of the prior weekend's Organizing For America 'Listening Tour' event, and participated in a fun "skills inventory" conducted by members Nikiko Masumoto and Connie Peterson.

Our end-of-meeting announcements included the following :

• The Courage Campaign furnished attending members with a document outlining the positions of several organizations -- including the California Democratic Party, the California Nurses Association, the California Teachers Association, and others -- on the six budget propositions coming to vote May 19. For a copy of that document, download page one and page two.
  
  
• The Sierra Foothill Conservancy invites V4CF members to participate in its annual Open House, scheduled 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at the Mary Elizabeth Miller Preserve at Black Mountain. For more information about this event, including a description of its location, download the flier.

The next Volunteers For Change-Fresno regular meeting is scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, once again at the Fig Garden Library. Watch the V4CF Action Blog for more information.

Our 'Generation Green': A reflection upon V4CF's April 'Call to Action'

On Saturday, April 25, eight Volunteers For Change-Fresno (V4CF) members answered our call to action (Yes we can!) and joined about 160 other Valley volunteers to help make Fresno 'greener.' In honor of Earth Day (April 22) and Youth Serve Day (April 24-26), Hands On Central California coordinated this huge ecological service event. It was a great day!

That Saturday morning we gathered at the San Joaquin River Center for the kick-off. It was amazing to see so many people excited and motivated to take positive action for our environment and our community. All participants were given the opportunity to choose one of seven different local projects. V4CF members worked on three different projects at Woodward Park, the Eaton trail, and the McKenzie Preserve.

I had the privilege of building birdhouses with several other V4CF members at the McKenzie Preserve. We built shelters for a native bird (the Western Blue Bird) whose species is being threatened by an invasive bird species. We worked with other community volunteers (a total of nine adults and two children) and made 24 birdhouses! These shelters will help protect and save our native Western Blue Bird for years to come.

At the end of the day, I realized our work had extended far beyond the material construction of the birdhouses. The tangible results were something much more powerful; for me, they were stories. At the kick-off, I heard a young mother describe the reason she came to give her time, energy, and labor for the environment: she said, it was for her children. She wanted them to grow up in a more sustainable world. When I heard this, a lump rose to my throat and tears rushed behind my eyes. I was reminded of my larger calling - my challenge - my opportunity to share and work for this humble vision. It made me also think of Barack Obama’s words to all of us on Nov. 4, 2008:

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call.

This event helped me re-affirm the “Yes we can” spirit. It’s our spirit, it’s our time, let it be our hands that make the difference in shaping a positive world for our future. Thanks to all of the Volunteers for Change who took part in the Generation Green service event! Let us continue to unleash our creative imaginations and give ourselves wholly to re-making our world!

--Nikiko Masumoto
Community Educator, Farmer, & Artist
V4CF Charter Member

Note: A special thanks to V4CF member Brian Alexander for volunteering to take photos at the event!