For generations of Cudahy families, Emerita "Emi" Elizondo has been the special person at school who makes a difference. Her work as the Assistant Principal at Elizabeth Learning Center and as the Director of the campus’ Family Center has helped countless families overcome challenges and become thriving members of our communities.

This summer, Emi decided to retire and, while everyone is sad that she will no longer be a daily fixture at ELC, everyone is also very happy for her because she has worked so hard and put all her heart and soul into Cudahy.

For all her great work – and for being a great friend and mentor to both children and adults – the Cudahy City Council recognized her achievements recently with a plaque and speeches at Clara Park's Turner Hall. Students came out to sing and clap for Emi and everyone has a great story how Emi made their life better.

"I know I'm too young to retire, right?" Emi asked the audience. "There are so many things I will miss, but you know I will always be a part of Cudahy and Cudahy will always be a part of me", said Emi. "I may be retiring, but I'll find ways to still be here helping and seeing all of you'.

As we age, our ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become a serious problem. Cudahy would like to share the advice from National Institutes of Health for helping older people avoid heat-related illnesses during the summer months.

Hyperthermia can include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. Seek immediate medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.

Lifestyle factors can also increase risk, including extremely hot living quarters, lack of transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding how to respond to weather conditions.

Older people, particularly those at special risk, should stay indoors on particularly hot and humid days, especially when there is an air pollution alert in effect.

People without fans or air conditioners should go to places such as shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries or cooling centers, which are often provided by government agencies, religious groups, and social service organizations in many communities.

If you suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

• Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place.
• Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
• Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin, places where blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
• Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

For a free copy of the NIA's Age Page on hyperthermia in English or in Spanish, contact the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or go to www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther.asp or www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther-sp.asp for the Spanish-language version.

Cudahy's Manuel Buenrostro selected by La Opinión and Univision as part of the Cadena Buena Gente (Chain of Good People).

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Cudahy resident Maria Young was named 2009 “Women of the Year” by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) for the 50th Assembly District. The award is given annually to recognize women that have made significant contributions to their communities.

"Mrs. Young is an outstanding example of volunteerism. For over 9 years, she has given her time to participate at the Elizabeth Learning Center", said Cudahy Mayor David Silva. "Maria also volunteers at the food distribution and has been a vital part of our community as a community health worker as well. She leads by example, and we are delighted that the Assemblymember recognized her contributions to our community".

Volunteerism is not just a community service for Mrs. Young, it is a way to connect with her children and the community. She has volunteered to work with the family center, food distribution, the annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway and at toy drives. She also has worked as a Promotora for a local hospital to teach the community how to lead healthier lives for themselves and their families.

"You know I started volunteering at Elizabeth Learning Center since my daughter (Melissa) was in Head Start", said Mrs. Young. "I was nervous when I first volunteered, but they told me I could come every month. I found out that I love working in volunteer programs because I like working with people".

Cudahy voters passed Measure R on March 3, 2009, an ordinance that will reduce the tax rate from 4% to 3.75% on the residential Telecommunications Utility Users Tax. Also, the measure will modernize this tax code to reflect changes in federal law and make it law that all taxpayers in Cudahy will be treated equally regardless of the telecommunications technology they choose or use.

Here is more information you may want to know about Measure R:

1. The new tax level cannot be increased in the future without voter approval.
2. The ordinance will update the law’s definition of telecommunications to be technology-neutral, and includes the use of internet protocol voice services (also referred to as VoIP), paging, and private networks for providing these services, except where it is not allowed because of federal statute.
3. The revenues from this tax represent about 10% of the Cudahy general fund.

Overall, Measure R has two important effects:

1. A tax reduction for residential telecommunications.
2. Protection of funding for services such as police, parks and recreation, and seniors programs.

A three-year project will help approximately 3,200 residents of Los Angeles County's southeast cities get ahead with high-speed broadband Internet access and education

CUDAHY, CALIFORNIA, PRNewswire-The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is presenting grant awards of $476,000 and $301,000 respectively to the Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative for a three-year initiative to close the growing Digital Divide among residents in the southeast cities of Los Angeles County. A press conference to announce the grants was held on Sept. 11, 2008, and was attended by Michael Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and chairman of CETF, Ronald Garcia, president of the Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC), Leonis Malburg, mayor of Vernon, former State Senator Martha Escutia, and Leticia Chacon, associate director of Human Services Association (HSA) Bell Gardens.

"We're pleased to support the southeast community of Los Angeles County," said Michael Peevey, president of the CPUC and chairman of CETF. "Investing in high-speed Internet access will encourage the social, educational and economic advancement and help community residents get ahead. We think that the Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative will be a model for other regions to replicate."

Although adoption of high-speed broadband Internet technology is steadily increasing across the nation and within California, many underserved populations exist without Internet access. Almost all adults with household incomes above $80,000 use computers (94 percent) and the Internet (92 percent), while those with household incomes under $40,000 are far less likely to use either computers (58 percent) or the Internet (49 percent), according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Three in four Californians (75%) report that they use a computer at home, work or school, and 70 percent use the Internet. Latinos lag far behind other groups with only 58 percent using computers and 48 percent using the Internet.

A recent study conducted by the University of California in Berkeley has shown that residents of the southeast cities, including the communities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park / Florence-Firestone, are largely disconnected from the Internet due to the lack of broad public access to computers, technical assistance and computer literacy education. This reality, referred to as the Digital Divide, is a concern for California's future global competitiveness.

In order to bridge the Digital Divide, the Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative will conduct a three-year technology initiative in these communities to develop strong pathways for improving educational and health outcomes by expanding community broadband access, implementing a comprehensive computer literacy program and enhancing existing community service programs throughout the region.

"We're grateful for this opportunity to advance our community," said Ronald Garcia, president of the Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC). "For California to be a global leader in broadband, there must be a broader and deeper understanding among California policymakers, civic leaders and consumers of how broadband technology can improve quality of life, enhance economic prosperity and help reduce impacts on the environment."

This project is the first of many initiatives beginning statewide that will help underserved communities and populations get ahead by closing the Digital Divide through the use of high-speed Internet access and education. CETF's overall goal is to make a substantial and measurable impact on bridging California's Digital Divide in rural areas, urban disadvantaged neighborhoods, and among people with disabilities. Achieving this goal will require both the availability of broadband technology as well as the ability to access and use it.

The Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative will serve at least 1,700 residents, plus 500 students with the adult education training programs, and 1,000 children/youth over a three-year period. The Collaborative will develop eight Regional Technology Centers in eight communities by strategically locating 80 computer workstations in community facilities, providing space and staff members to enhance early learning skills for children, math and science skills for youth, career and workforce development and financial literacy skills for adults. A total of 500 adult students that successfully complete a three-month computer literacy class will receive a free refurbished computer and two years of free AT&T DSL service.

A mobile computer lab with 15 laptops and a projector will be established to provide life-skills, health awareness and job development classes at on-site locations that want to offer classes yet cannot accommodate a learning center. The Collaborative will partner with East Los Angeles Community College (South Gate Branch), Southwest Community College and Huntington Park-Bell Adult School and will refer students for advanced classes.

About the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF)

The mission of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is to close the Digital Divide and ensure that California is a global leader in the use of broadband technology (high-speed access to the Internet). The California Public Utilities Commission directed the establishment of CETF in approving the mergers of SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI in 2005. AT&T and Verizon are contributing a total of $60 million in seed capital to advance broadband deployment and adoption. CETF is a non-profit public-benefit corporation. For more information, please visit http://www.cetfund.org or call (415) 744-CETF.

About the Southeast Community Development (SCDC)

The Southeast Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the economic, social, and educational development of the residents of Southeast area of Los Angeles County. For more information, please visit http://www.scdcorp.org or call (323) 585-4579.

Cudahy welcomes the new principal of the Elizabeth Learning Center, Mr. Michael Perez to our city. Mr. Perez may be the newest member of the Cudahy education community, but he’s been a dedicated educator for 33 years. With a bachelor’s degree in History and Mexican-American studies and a Masters in School Administration, Perez comes with exceptional credentials for the challenges at the Elizabeth Learning Center. Perez is no stranger to the Southeast cities, having served as principal of South Gate High School from 2001 to 2006. For the last two years, Mr. Perez has served as Director of Secondary School Services for Local District 6. Other highlights of his career include Principal of Gardena High School, Assistant Principal of David Starr Jordan

Mr. Michael Pérez brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position as the Principal of the Elizabeth Learning Center.

Cudahy cares about its citizens and has embarked on a year-long effort to empower residents to live healthier lives. ¡SALUD AHORA! HEALTH NOW! is our initiative encouraging healthy choices for Cudahy residents.

Just this August, ¡SALUD AHORA! HEALTH NOW! was kicked off at our monthly food distribution with a health fair and cooking demonstration coaching residents on healthier lifestyle alternatives.

Nationally recognized celebrity chefs Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu of La Casita Mexicana restaurant volunteered their time to teach Cudahy how to prepare healthier meals. I want to extend Cudahy's thanks and my personal gratitude to Jaime and Ramiro for supporting our efforts.

As part of ¡SALUD AHORA! HEALTH NOW! Cudahy is linking its park and recreation programs to the initiative, including the new Basketball Courts and Urban Bike Path at Cudahy Park. And don't forget the Lugo Park Fitness Center is available for workouts Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 3:00p.m.to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A new element in our network of parks and bike paths will be a "pocket park" located at the corner of Clara Street and River Drive (entrance to the Riverfront Bike Path). This new park is expected to open at the end of the year, and will feature native, drought resistant plants.

Another aspect of healthy living is having sound financial health. To help residents during these financially difficult times, Cudahy is planning a half-day workshop on Saturday, November 15th focusing on how to avoid foreclosure and buy a house, save money, repair your credit, and start a business.

The event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Elizabeth Learning Center.

Cudahy is focused on improving our infrastructure of our streets and sidewalks. You may have noticed the city just completed refurbishment on Live Oak Street. We resurfaced the street and added new curbs and gutters. You will also notice that Atlantic is getting a facelift. The center median is receiving improvements that will be completed by late December. Cudahy has established some wonderful holiday traditions, and we are proud to continue.

We begin the season with our annual Turkey Give-Away at the monthly food distribution in November and then Holiday Hams in December. Please note a change in Food Distribution dates to accommodate the holidays to November 20th and December18th. Our successful Town Hall meetings are also moved for the holidays to November 19th and December 17th.

We wish you and your family well during the Holidays, and invite you to visit us at City Hall for any assistance. We are here for you!

Cudahy and School District Break Ground on South Region Elementary School #3 and Early Education Center #1 The major of Cudahy joined the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar in breaking ground on South Region Elementary School #3 and Early Education Center #1. "We are here because LAUSD and the community had a dream that students within the Southeast Cities could attend a school in their community on a single-track calendar,” Board Member Flores Aguilar said. “As someone who attended school in the Southeast area, it is a pleasure to celebrate the construction of a new school for the children of Cudahy". South Region Elementary #3 and Early Education Center

Mr. Michael Pérez brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position as the Principal of the Elizabeth Learning Center.

Hundreds receive Health Screenings and Watch Cooking Demonstration Leading the charge for better health in our community, the City of Cudahy kicked off a year-long healthy city initiative in August before a crowd of over 300 people. The initiative ¡Salud Ahora! Health NOW! is Cudahy’s healthy city initiative that emphasizes access, screenings, nutrition & exercise. The kick-off event was held in conjunction with the monthly Cudahy Food Distribution at Clara Street Park. ¡Salud Ahora! Health NOW! is Cudahy's effort to address obesity, diabetes, and heart-related conditions that have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and are disproportionally affecting Latino communities due to lack of access and education.  Turner Hall Community Center and the Gymnasium were filled to capacity as seniors,

Celebrity chefs Jamie Martin del Campo & Ramiro Arvizu of La Casita Mexicana demonstrate healthy cooking to Cudahy residents.

You may not want to see him in your rearview mirror, but you're glad he's watching the other guy. Officer Lawrence Mesa is probably the most popular traffic cop you will ever see. Most people don’t like getting speeding tickets, but Officer Mesa is a hero to Cudahy Residents because he keeps our streets safe for kids, seniors, and adults. Formerly an Army Infantryman, Mesa has been a police officer for seven years and a Cudahy officer for three years. Oficially, he's a "motor officer" and enforces traffic safety laws and investigates minor to serious traffic accidents. "My main goal is to eliminate or minimize the severity of accidents," says Mesa, "traffic accidents change lives forever... you can't put a price on human life." Officer Mesa is a member of the Maywood-Cudahy police

Traffic Officer Mesa is a role model to children and a friend to Cudahy residents.