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Mexican Consulate presenting health fair March 20 in Oxnard The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard will present a health fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at its offices at 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E-100, Oxnard. Participants will be able to get information on important topics and illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and other diseases, mental health services, nutrition and health services for children. H1N1 vaccines will also be available for the first 150 people in attendance. Information will also be provided on domestic violence and physical fitness. A variety of screenings will also be available, including prostate cancer testing (mem 45 years of age and older) and mammograms. The testing is by appointment only by calling 805.984.1372. The health fair is part of the consulate's Health Window (Ventanilla de Salud) program in partnership with the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The Ventanilla de Salud is part of a plan by Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa to extend health care to all citizens "inside or outside" the country. For more information, call 805.984.2162, ext. 100, 105 or 111, visit www.consulmexoxnard.com or send an e-mail to consul@consulmexoxnard.com |
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CLU offering online credential program California Lutheran University is developing a program for new teachers to earn their clear credentials online with funding from a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the university reported recently in a media release. With the budget crisis causing many California school districts to cut support programs for beginning teachers, the new online program will provide a convenient alternative. Since the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has approved CLU’s School of Education, teachers throughout the country can also earn credentials through the online program. The program will include an innovative online mentoring component, with CLU faculty and alumni providing timely, individual advice and assistance to beginning teachers. It will also include online resources such as classroom management tips, lesson planning and standards-based content information. Under the direction of Assistant Dean Deborah Erickson, the School of Education is designing the program to address the needs of Latino teachers and kindergarten through 12th grade students. CLU will work with Ocean View School District in Oxnard and possibly other districts with large Spanish-speaking populations. By some estimates, more than one-third of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years. Many states made a major investment in the mentoring and support of new teachers during the last decade to address this problem. California began requiring that all first- and second-year public school teachers participate in the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program to earn their clear credentials. When the budget crisis hit, school districts were allowed to divert the funding allocated for the BTSA program to pay for other expenses. More beginning teachers will now need to earn clear credentials through a fifth year of study at a university. The number of universities offering such a program dropped dramatically when all public school teachers had to complete a BTSA program. Only two universities in the state offer an all-online program. Representatives from Las Virgenes Unified, Conejo Valley Unified and Ocean View school districts are helping to design the courses. The program will begin in fall. Only 30 colleges received a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education Grant for Graduate Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Serving Hispanic Americans. CLU was one of two receiving the highest award amount. The two-year grant covers 76 percent of the cost. CLU will cover the remaining $93,000 with in-kind contributions. For more information, contact the School of Education at 805.493.3422. |
Men and health... it could happen at the fair Feb. 4, 2010 By Mariana Llamas-Cendon Hispanic men have a stigma hanging over their heads: They will not visit a proctologist or any kind of doctor unless: a) it is an emergency or b) they feel they are about to die. And sometimes when the visit to the doctor occurs, it can be too late… “That’s why we are trying to educate (men) and hoping that with the health fair we will be able to get men to understand that if their health isn’t well then, more than likely the health of the rest of their family may not be well either because they are not taking care of themselves,” said Maria Felix-Ryan from the nonprofit organization Promotoras y Promotores Foundation. Promotoras y Promotores Foundation is organizing the event “Health Fair for Men and Their Family,” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. This event is possible due to a close collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard through the Health Window (Ventanilla de Salud) program, Felix-Ryan said. “One of the things, when I started working with the Mexican Consulate with the different projects, I realized that men are not being served as much,” Felix-Ryan said, considering that the Men Camp — another health fair targeting men last year at Fillmore — had a good turnout. “Last year we did another health fair for men here in La Colonia in Oxnard, providing them with health education information.” The Health Windo (Ventanilla de Salud) program was officially launched last month, when the Mexican Secretary of Health Jose Angel Córdova Villalobos visited the offices of the Mexican Consulate at 3141 W. Fifth St. in Oxnard, to donate a check for $35,000 to Mike Powers, director of the Ventura County Health Agency. This program aims to provide healthcare to all Mexican citizens whether in or outside their country. Regarding their collaboration, Felix-Ryan said, “They are actually helping us promoting the event through Ventanilla de Salud.” A fair for everyone Participants will be able to get information on important topics and illnesses affecting Hispanics such as diabetes and blood pressure. And the first 150 people to show up will receive the a H1N1 vaccine for free. “We are doing body mass, checking for diabetes, blood pressure for hypertension or stroke, height and weight since they are all tied in together,” Felix-Ryan said. “Another thing that we are also doing is checking to see if there is anemia because there can be different reasons why you are anemic: You are not healthy or because you have other kinds of illness.” A variety of screenings will also be available including prostate cancer testing, mammograms and pap smears. “This health fair is going to have a health screening for prostate,” Felix-Ryan said, but she emphasized that men have to call in for an appointment at 805.984.1372. Already, eight prostate screenings are scheduled. Women aren’t left out since mammograms and pap smears will also be performed. “With the cut in healthcare that Obama has done, women need to have a place to have their mammograms and pap smears done,” Felix-Ryan said, adding that 10 women have already signed up for those tests. Even though most of the screenings and tests are free, a few of those can have a cost “if there is a possible cause as a result of exams,” Felix-Ryan said, meaning that should there be a diagnosis, the patient will have to visit a specialist. “It could be possible that you should end up with a $65 charge for the mammogram depending upon if you qualify or don’t for the program that currently is still available in the county,” Felix-Ryan said. The participant agencies will also have presentations on a variety of topics such as diabetes, cancer, colon cancer, nutrition, alcohol and drugs, domestic violence and mental health. For more questions on the health fair, contact the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard at 805.984.2162. |
Spanish-language video coverage of opening of Ventanilla de Salud at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard. Ventanilla de Salud opening new window to health Feb. 4, 2010 By Carlos J. Licea Mexican Secretary of Health José Angel Córdova Villalobos recently made a stop in Oxnard to help kick off the Health Window (Ventanilla de Salud) program, which will work out of the Mexican consulate building at 3141 W. Fifth St. |
St. Rose of Lima Church site of free A "Health Fair for Men and their Families" will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley, the Mexican Consulate reported recently. The event includes free health screenings — dental, vision, height-weight, body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin and hematocrit and chiropractic. Information will be provided on diabetes, mental health, hospice, lead poisoning, domestic violence, nutrition, cancer, senior services, children services, health insurance and exercise for the health. H1N1 vaccines will be provided tothe first 150 persons attending the event. Health providers attending the event include the Ventura County Public Health, Clínicas del Camino Real Inc., Las Islas Family Medical Group Inc, Alcohol and Drug Programs Prevention Services Ventura County Behavioral Health, American Cancer Society, Promotoras y Promotores Foundation, Children Medical Services AARP, CHDP, Area Agency on Aging, Cancer Detection Program, Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation and Buena Vista Hospice Care Inc. Information about the new Health Window at Mexican Consulate and the Ventura County Health Care Agency will also be provided. Other free activities for children include a visit by the Clown Henrruchin, face painting and strawberries with chocolate treats, along with a raffle. Mammogram and prostate screenings for women and men over 45 years years of age will be held every 15 minutes. For appointments, call 805.984.1372. Click on image to see full size Spanish-language flyer |
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Community turns out to support dedication of school Sept. 1, 2009 By Frank Moraga Community supporters, educators and students willingly withstood record temperatures to honor the dedication of an individual who helped expand educational opportunities to Latinos and other minorities in Ventura County. More than 200 people attended the dedication at the outdoor stage of Juan Lagunas Soria School on Aug. 29 in Oxnard. While temperatures approached the mid-90s, the appreciative audience listened to a variety of community leaders, politicians and educators who praised Soria, a community activist whose lawsuit on behalf of his children desegregated schools within the Oxnard School District in the 1970s. “We are here to celebrate the life of Juan Soria,” said Ana DeGenna, the school’s principal. “Like Juan Soria, we believe education is the key that will unlock the future for our children.” “A hero is a person who steps up when an injustice needs to be righted,” said Anthony Monreal, superintendent of the Oxnard School District. “We are here to honor a hero.” “This is a long time coming,” said Robert Valles, who first met Soria at the old Oxnard Park and Rec in the 1940s. Valles said while Soria was a humble man, he was also a trailblazer, encouraging the Hispanic community in Ventura County to take part in national politics by becoming involved in the Viva Kennedy Club and responsible for bringing the John Kennedy presidential campaign to the county. Soria was born in 1932 in Oxnard. He was educated in the Oxnard school system and graduated from Oxnard High School in 1950. “I want to thank everyone,” she said, recounting how her father grew up at a time when schools were segregated and he wanted something better for his children and the community. “Being a minority 60 or 70 years ago meant something totally different than today,” she said, adding that she hopes that her father’s life provides a lesson that there is always an opportunity to speak up for the betterment of the community.The celebration included an Aztec blessing and a short dance performance by youth from the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center. Inlakech founder Javier Gomez recalled how he was inspired by Soria to return to the Oxnard School District in the 1970s to teach the next generation of students. Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, said he had the opportunity to work with Soria and agreed with him that we must continue to make an investment in the education of our youth. A photograph in a commemorative booklet at the dedication showed Soria marching with César Chávez during O’Connell’s run for the California Assembly. But while Soria opened the school doors to Latinos, cuts in education continue to hinder equal education to minority students, said Julia Brownley, state assemblymember representing the 41st district, which includes Oxnard and Port Hueneme. “Equal access to quality education remains an issue to this time,” said Brownley, who presented a California state flag that flew over the state capitol building to Principal DeGenna in the hopes the flag will eventually fly over Juan Soria School. “It’s an honor to dedicate this school to Juan Soria,” said John Zaragoza, Ventura County 5th District supervisor, who also attended Ramona Elementary School. “Every children who will walk through these school doors will soon know about the name — Juan Soria,” said Oxnard Mayor Thomas Holden. Denis O’Leary, president of the Oxnard School District Board of Trustees, said this weekend is a wonderful moment in history with a Latina serving on the U.S. Supreme Court, a child of farm workers orbiting the earth as an astronaut and the community coming together to honor the deeds of Juan Soria. Some of the other guest speakers included Edward Castillo, chair of the Soria Construction Oversight Committee; Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stanley Mantooth; Santa Paula native Angel Luevano, national vice president of the Far West region for the League of United Latin American Citizens; John Hatcher III, local president of the NAACP; Oxnard School District trustees Arthur Joe Lopez, Deborah DeVries, Albert Duff Sr. and Ana Del Rio-Barbra; a representative for Rep. Lois Capps, and former Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn. Following the traditional ribbon cutting, community members entered the auditorium where they were able to view the new mural depicting the Juan Soria and the times he lived in. The crowd was also treated to additional music and dance performances and food catered by Evita’s Mexican Café in Ventura. “He would have been very humbled,” she said. “It would have been nice if this had happened during his lifetime, but he would have never expected it.” |
Making a statement for education Aug. 19, 2009 By Frank X. Moraga Educators and others are busy this week trying to take a bite out of the governor’s budget plan as they protest proposed cuts to education. Oxnard Elementary School District board members, a leader of a Latino community serving nonprofit and a city councilmember are among those taking part in a week-long hunger strike from Aug. 18 to 24 to protest Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to cut the school year by up to one week. The S. T. A. R. V. E. (Solidarity To Achieve & Recover Valued Education) campaign features a seven-day discretionary liquid diet that is being held during the first week of classes. Those participating in the hunger strike include Ana Del Rio-Barba and Denis O’Leary, trustees; Janis Duran, former interim superintendent; Alicia Flores, executive director of La Hermandad; Das Williams, Santa Barbara councilman; Esmeralda Ahundada, district employee; attorney Bonifacio “Bonny” Garcia of the law firm Garcia Calderón, Ruíz; and Garcia’s wife, Laura Martinez, teacher. The governor’s plan would allow school districts the option of cutting instruction by one week each school year. But by losing that one week, students would eventually loose a total of nine weeks of education as they progress through the district’s elementary schools, O’Leary said. “It’s setting a very bad precedent,” he said. O’Leary said the hunger strike also targets other education cuts that have been made by the governor. As a result, the school district has already implemented ways to save money, including switching back to a regular school year starting this week instead of year-round school year, a process that will save it $2 million a year in expenses paid to year-round employees. Those participating in the hunger strike held a press conference at Plaza Park on Aug. 18, which drew English and Spanish-language news stations from Los Angeles and the local region, O’Leary said. Those participating in the hunger strike will be at Plaza Park from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. “Today is day one and we will be doing it seven days straight,” he said on Aug. 18. O’Leary said the hunger strike has gained the support of labor leader Dolores Huerta, who said “I hope that all in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., take note. We should all unite in supporting the children and the teachers who inspire many to be leaders.” Del Rio-Barba and O’Leary are then scheduled to travel to Sacramento on Tuesday, Aug. 25 to hold a press conference, supported by Assemblyman Pedro Nava’s office. They will then deliver the petitions to the governor’s office |
Weight loss: A book, a website and a doctor Diets are many, but most of them just concentrate in loosing weight not in promoting a healthy lifestyle that keeps one fit… forever. This one does. June 15, 2009 By Mariana Llamas-Cendon How many diets have you tried in the last year? Perhaps too many. How many of those were you able to keep up with for longer than a couple of weeks? Not many I assume. Now, how many of those really helped you to loose weight and stay fit? Do not answer… Dr. Salomon Jakubowicz is an endocrinologist from Venezuela who created the healthy living system and a book he calls “Ni una dieta mas” (Diet, no more) to help people, like himself, interested in loosing weight through food, not starving diets or pills. “I was addicted to food. For a long time I looked for solutions and when I studied medicine I finally found it. Plus, my mother is a famous endocrinologist and we have studied how to control the addiction to food: The best solution was to create a lifestyle and protein shakes dedicated to control the anxiety attacks suffered by those addicted to food, those who have a “fatty’s brain,” Jakubowicz said. But what is a “fatty’s brain”? According to Jakubowicz, it refers to someone who gets up in the morning, skips breakfast or has a little something; by lunch time they area still lacking appetite but in the evening they suffer from unbearable anxiety attacks and eat much more as consequence. Jakubowicz confessed that he himself had also a “fatty’s brain.” He has scientifically researched how to control the addiction to food. “We actually had founded a laboratory specializing in researching the resistance to insulin,” Jakubowicz said. Those studies were the foundation for creating the treatment of “Ni una dieta mas.” During his research, Jakubowicz has seen those patients who have a diet rich in sugars, carbohydrates or fats did not loose appetite as much as those whose diet is rich in proteins. “We continued analyzing and we proved that the hormonal effects of those (diets) rich in protein help to control the appetite. Also, we noticed that the best of all proteins is whey, which is really powerful to ease the anxiety attacks provoked by the need to eat candies, and so we used a concentrate of that protein in a shake,” Jakubowicz said. Breakfast, the one and only “Those who don’t eat breakfast gain weight even if the rest of day they eat only lettuce while running a marathon,” Jakubowicz said. He recommends eating a little extra during breakfast even if we are already full, in order to avoid the occurrence of evening’s anxiety attack. “Those who skip breakfast have more anxiety attacks and end up eating more calories than those who eat breakfast, since they have less anxiety attacks and their metabolism is much more accelerated,” he said. Breakfast should be more nutritious than just a cup of coffee. The ideal breakfast should contain a diet rich in protein such as tuna, slices of turkey, including eggs, and dairy, Jakubowicz said. “Everybody needs to eat at least 50 grams of protein at breakfast,” he said Jakubowicz also said that if the body doesn’t get those 50 grams of protein, it will look for it somewhere else… such as, in the muscles. “If one doesn’t get those 50 grams of protein, he will eat his own muscles looking for those proteins, causing the slow-down of the metabolism, and even though that person may loose apparently 50 grams of weight everyday, he is actually loosing muscle,” Jakubowicz said. “This is pretty bad because it is in the muscle where aliments are burned, so if you loose muscle the day that you eat a tiny cookie it will not be burned but transformed in fat, and therefore an increase in weight.” Jakubowicz said also that because of that loss in muscle it is not uncommon that some people suffer from muscles aches either in their back or waist. “Many people come to visit me looking forward to loose weight, but they also tell me they have terrible back pains. The first day they start having breakfast with proteins the pain disappears,” Jakubowicz said. Breakfast, according to Jakubowicz, it is a fantastic tool over food addiction. “When do you feel like having a chocolate, at 6 p.m. or 6 a.m.? Most people will feel like having a chocolate in the evening because it is more pleasant to eat not only candy but pizza, bread, cookies…,” he said. “They will try it for a few weeks, but their will fall into temptation as soon as a cake, ice cream or a caramel crosses in front of them,” he said. But Jakubowicz has a trick: After eating a protein rich breakfast, it is a good idea to have a morning dessert of any of those foods that a person craves the most in the evenings whether they are chocolates, cakes, donuts or whatever. “Individuals addicted to chocolate who eat it in the morning will think: ‘I already had it and it was not as pleasant,’ but if someone … eats it in the evening, the pleasure caused is going to be so deep that he will turn into a huge addict for the rest of his life,” he said. “Eating should be pleasurable act, not an anxious one.” Try but can’t “Dieting is fattening. When someone starts one of those strict diets, in which they barely eat, the metabolism slows down and the addiction gets worse,” he said. Jakubowicz doesn’t recommend diet pills of any kind. “Studies show that (diet pills) are not very useful or effective in weight loss. Plus, those have side effects. Many people take them because of their inability to control their appetite. Diet pills can help them the first month, but thereafter the effect is lost,” he said. “A better idea is to think on a healhty lifestyle to control the appetite …” Facebook diet Jakubowicz is one of the online panelists, but there are other doctors from the U.S., Mexico and Venezuela. Jakubowicz considers that this online community provides the support that many people needs to loose weight that they don’t get it from family or friends. The book In his book, Jakubowicz discusses a variety of topics in-depth from diets, pills, resistance to insulin, carbohydrates, proteins, pregnancy and dieting, childhood and obesity and many others. |
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Providing individual counseling, group workshops, media distribution and other communications training services. |
