The conference is sponsored by the California African American Genealogical Society, the African American Heritage Society and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It will start at 8:30 a.m. at 3115 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
Haley, keynote speaker at the conference, is associate director of reference services at the Maryland State Archives, where his uncle, Alex Haley, made significant discoveries in his research for his book, "Roots."
"We are gratified by the response to this conference," said Steve Gilliland, event chairman. "The advanced registrations show that we are meeting a need African Americans have to trace their heritage. We have outstanding teachers for the workshops," he added. "From Marjorie Sholes Hileffwiggins, vice president of the California African American Genealogical Society, who is teaching 'Beginning Genealogical Basics,' to Beth Wilson of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education, whose topic is 'Tracing Your African American Families through Land Records,' a wealth of information will be presented."
Other presenters and their topics include Ron Batiste, president of the California African American Genealogical Society, "Using the U.S. Federal Census," Margaret Lewis, a member of the International Society of Sons and Daughters of Slave Ancestry, and a founding member of the San Diego African American Genealogical Research Group, "Preparing a Military Case Study," Aaron Day, vice president of Questing Heirs in Long Beach, "Writing Your Family History," and Don Cuillard, former regional director of the California State Genealogical Alliance, "Planning and Enjoying Your Family Reunion."
For information, call (310) 474-2202.
The Fund is an auxiliary of Rancho Los Amigos Foundation which was established in 1954 and which is dedicated to improving the lives of both inpatients and outpatients at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center-a nationally-known institution providing state-of-the-art care for individuals coping with severely disabling illnesses and injuries.
In one touching situation, the Amigos Fund paid the burial expenses for a man, without family, who had spent most of his life as an inpatient at Rancho. He was not only being rehabilitated but he also volunteered to undertake various tasks he was capable of performing at the medical center.
The Amigos Fund performs its mission through donations, proceeds from Rancho Gift Shop, the Rancho Thrift Shop and the weekly bingo games held at the Woman's Club of Downey.
Patterson's goal for the Fund this year is to get enough volunteers to staff these three vitally important fund-raising entities.
The Thrift Shop is located just off Rives at the east side of the building facing Imperial Highway. Gently-used clothing and bric-a-brac donations are solicited and anyone interested in volunteering in this user-friendly environment, can call Barbara Travis, manager, 401-7218.
"We can sure use some help with our weekly bingo games," says Patterson. "Our motto: 'Because everybody needs a friend' pretty much sums it up, friends helping friends is what it is all about. Giving of your time, as little as three hours a week, will go a long way in helping us to accomplish our goals. Anyone interested can call me, 869-0377."
For more information about volunteering in other areas of the Center, call volunteer services at 402-7651. For information about the Foundation, call 401-7053.
The restaurant is located at 10924 Paramount Blvd., and features a Scandinavian menu in addition to standard fare.
The hammered dulcimer is one of the oldest and most beautiful folk instruments. With it's musicbox-like sound, it is a wonderful compliment to Nordic Fox Valentine's dinner.
Romano will have guitar accompaniment, as well as a dumbek and Irish drum.
She also presents musical enrichment lectures on the history of her instrument for clubs, libraries, and schools and is a member of the Downey-based band "When Pigs Fly."
For information, call her at 861-7049.
On Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., children can participate in Connect Four. It is a board game which two people can play and the one that completes four checkers in a row first wins. On Wednesday, March 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will be a Carroms Tournament that consists of a mini-golf course which two people play by hitting cues with sticks.
Tournament winners will receive a champion certificate and a candy prize and all participants will receive certificates. The tournaments are free and will be held at Apollo, Dennis The Menace, Furman and Rio San Gabriel parks. Children can brush up on their skills to participate in these tournaments on Mondays and Fridays at 5 p.m. at the "A Safe Place To Play," program offered at the parks.
"These tournaments are a way to participate in an activity if the weather is not that generous. Children get an opportunity to have a good time and show off their skills," said Teri Hamilton, Community Services recreations supervisor.
Registration is required and must be completed at the parks from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. The tournaments will be held indoors and will go on rain or shine.
For information, call Teri Hamilton at 904-7238.
"Fun & Messy," will run three consecutive Thursdays, March 21 through April 4, from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and three consecutive Saturdays, March 23 through April 6, from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. In this class tots will have hands-on experience with paint, dough, goop and flubber. Cost for the class is $10 plus an $8 material fee that must be paid to the instructor. Registration is required and begins February 28 for the Thursday class and March 2 for the Saturday class.
"Some children have not been exposed to these type of tactile skills and have not learned their numbers, colors and visuals so these classes are great because they teach them that," said Dan Belling, senior center supervisor.
Space is limited. For information, call 904-7223.
At a press conference at Bret Harte Elementary School in Sacramento, Eastin presented findings from a study by the University of California, Irvine's School of Education (UCI), which found positive improvements in student achievement, attendance, and student behavior. The report also documented high levels of support for the program from parents, teachers, school administrators, and community members.
"This report confirms what many of us working in education already know-after school programs work for children, families, schools, and our communities," said Eastin. "We find children in after school programs making remarkable gains in reading and math, at the same time they are developing positive attitudes toward school and attending classes more consistently."
State Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) joined Eastin at the press conference. "After school programs are the answer," he said. "These results are outstanding. Our work is not done until every child in California has the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive after school program."
State Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) said, "As an author of the original legislation for this initiative, I am thrilled to see such impressive results in the program. It is proving to be a significant system of learning support for the children of California."
The UCI report was funded by the Public-Private Partnership of the California Department of Education and the Foundation Consortium. It includes findings for more than 963 schools across the state serving approximately 97,000 students in the After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Program during 2000-2001. Key findings include:
* Large improvements in achievement among the most high-risk students, including those initially in the lowest 25 percent on SAT 9 test scores.
* In reading, 4.2 percent of after school participants moved out of the lowest 25 percent as compared with only 1.9 percent of all students statewide; in math 2.5 percent of after school participants moved out of the lowest 25 percent as compared with only 1.9 percent statewide.
* A direct relationship between gains in math and amount of participation in the program, with students who participated for 7.5 months or more demonstrating improvements in math scores that were more than 2.5 times those found statewide.
* Improvements in school attendance, which have been particularly impressive among students having the highest number of absences prior to participating in the program.
* Improved behavior among students in the program, including reduced suspensions among middle school students.
* A substantial boost in achievement for students in low-income communities.
The statewide report is available at www.cde.ca.gov/afterschool
The report projects a cost saving of $11 million for the current school year because fewer students need to be held back in school. There will be a cost savings of more than $20 million next year at the level of expansion for the program the Governor has requested in his State Budget proposal for 2002-03.
The report also explains the cost effectiveness of this after school program, indicating that it is an economical intervention, costing the state $1.67 per student hour of participation. The program requires that for every $2 in state funds $1 must be matched locally in other funding or in-kind resources. The cost to the state is $750 per student for 7.5 months (150 days) of participation in the program. In contrast, California's annual education expense per pupil-an amount that is re-incurred every time a student is retained-is more than $7,000.
Matching funds to support the program are provided by school districts, cities, counties, community-based organizations, businesses, and foundations. Additional contributions include the services of parks and recreation departments, libraries, museums, arts centers, and service organizations. Many of the students engaged in service-learning coordinate their activities through local programs.
"Since its inception in 1999, the program has shown the ability to improve academic achievement and increase the safety of our children," said Eastin. "The cost savings associated with it are substantial, making its expansion one of the soundest educational investments that can be made by the State of California."
The California Department of Education provides essential support to California after school programs through its unique partnership with the Foundation Consortium and, more recently, the Governor's Office of the Secretary for Education.
To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average while enrolled in 12 or more units. On a 4.0 grade point scale, a 4.0 is equivalent to an "A" and 3.0 is equivalent to a "B".
Cerritos President Jane Harmon, the College Board of Trustees, faculty and staff congratulated the following Downey students who earned a place on the List:
Monica E. Aguilar; Jose G. Aguilera; Osvaldo A. Alfaro; Carolina V. Alvarez; Cynthia A. Amezcua; Mildr Atendidowiese; Kevin M. Balster; Fernando Barraza; Ricardo Beltran; Karin A. Beil; Liliana Bonet; Tracie K. Buckner; Betsy A. Cardenas; Seth C. Carmack; Juan Castro; Vu Chau; Fernando C. Chirino; Jeannie M. Choe; Soon Y. Chun; Kenneth F. Cook; Rosalina Coorea; Uyenphuong H. Dang; Kyle M. Deichman; Leonor A. Delaney; Mark D. Duran; Patrick M. Edquist; Mark A. Ewart; Franky M. Farina; Daniel G. Gardner; Steven Lawren Gates; Lilly M. Gharibian; Danny Z. Ghrawi; Alejandro Godoy; Samuel Guillen; Misty D. Gunderson; Ryan L. Hamburger; Robert A. Hamby; Luz Hauser; Christina Hernandez; Miranda Hernandez; Danielle R. Hoglin; Ryan M. Hopkins; Jennifer m. Howard; James J. Hwang; Thomas J. Ives; Susan L. Ivison; Alejandro Jazan.
The list includes Rebecca Jebananthan; Elgin D. Jenkins; Ron B. Jennings; Andrijana Jevtic; Ingrid A. Johnson; Norman C. Jornacion; Takana Kato; Amrit Kaur; Jane Y. Kim; Jee Won S Ko; Kurt M. Landgren; Marjorie A. Macaspac; Joseph Manacmul; Abraham E. Martinez; Guadalupe Martinez; Julio B. Martinez; Sonia M. Martinez; Wilfredo Martinez; Patrick A. McMains; Ruth V. Medina; Maria C. Millner; Daniel P. Milloy; Bob Moonswami; Sandee M. Muro; Abir Nabulsi; Cynthia Gay Nelson; Irene Nevarez; Michael D. Nicdao; Sarah L. Paez; Mariah J. Ready; Gilma R. Rodriguez; John Rofaeel; Sammy Woo Roh; Paul D. Rojo; Jamie Lenno Rowland; Carlo A. Sabogal; John-Vincen Sagredo; Waylon R. Samuels; Lucero Sesteaga; Fakhar Mehdi Shah; Joseph A. Shasha; Hyunchul Shin; James R. Shull; Sungja Song; Brian A. Sorto; Gina M. Sulme; Christopher S. Tan; Brandon M. Valsonis; James H. VanWinkle; Juan R. Velasquez; Travis P. Weir; Jenny E. Wilson; Julia B. Yanez; and George Zoumberakis.
Each student in the school will attend four presentations by community volunteers who will share details of their careers with the youngsters. Volunteers from the business and professional community will each be assigned a classroom and be visited by four groups of students. Each presentation will be for one half hour. Afterwards, volunteers will have a lunch with the teachers.
If you are interested in sharing your career or being a sponsor, call Lori Hill of the East Career Day Committee at 904-3586, or fax 562-869-3524 or e-mail at eastcareerday@aol.com.
Boys and girls ages 14-17 will be taken by bus to Camp Whittle, near Big Bear Lake where they will take part in team-building activities, ice breakers, leadership and get-to-know-you activities.
"This is a great way to get involved with your community. It's a springboard which can make a big impact on youngsters' lives if they get training to become counselors-in-training or junior counselors for the YMCA," said Cameron Harding, YMCA camp director.
Registration is under way at the YMCA. Fees must be paid in full at registration time. Sign up soon since space is limited to 60 participants.
"The teens will have a lot of fun. We would love to get more people to attend so they can experience how enjoyable it is," Harding added.
For information, call Harding at 862-4201.
Held at the Chamber office, 11131 Brookshire Ave., members and guests meet weekly to network, exchange leads, and promote their business services and products. Complimentary breakfast treats and coffee are provided.
For information, call 923-2191.