More Sentri lane whooes

San Luis Rio Colorado--The city mayor who stopped construction of controversial toll booths at a local port of entry says the issue has been tainted by politics.

San Luis Rio Colorado's Mayor Manuel Baldenebro said his office hasn't seen a single document stating that the Mexican federal government ordered a private company to build toll booths and charge SENTRI lane users to cross into the United States.

He feels the issue has also been touched by politics.

"Mexico is going through political times. What really is going on is that Leonardo Guillen just like Enrique Reina are candidates seeking the popular vote," Baldenebro said. "Suddenly they get involved in this issue and act like the super heroes to save the town."

Recently, political party-PAN member Leonardo Guillen, who represents San Luis Rio Colorado in Mexico's congress took down construction barriers with his own hands.

Baldenebro said Guillen should have instead gone through the courts.

The city of San Luis Rio Colorado claim they were in their right to halt construction of the toll booths and sue the Industrial International Park because they didn't submit the proper paperwork to block the road.

"The city is simply fighting against someone who closed down the roads and we are calling them to appear in court for the crime committed and for the damages done to the road," he said. "I can't oppose the federal government's decision because no one has seen anything about an order."

Baldenbro said he's against fees imposed on those who wish to cross quicker through a U.S. port of entry.

He said the United States decides how fast and how slow border traffic goes.

As for now, cars are crossing freely through SENTRI lanes. (News 13)..

Aircraft Smuggling

Aircraft smuggling is on the rise according to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement And more details on a story we brought to you this week about a pilot arrested for suspicion of trying to fly illegal immigrants.

Smuggling is like a cat an mouse game according to ICE and it is occurring more often.

"Were always trying to figure out what smugglers are doing and their method of operation. If it's not by car, it's by tunnel, or it's by aircraft. When they are not smuggling drugs they are smuggling illegal aliens. Aircraft smuggling is just another form of all these," says Ricardo A. Sandoval, a Special Agent with ICE.

Agent Sandoval tells news 13 why smuggling is becoming more common.

"I think that smuggling is increasing because of the economy and lack of jobs. I think it will continue and people are doing what they can do to make money," says Agent Sandoval.

Lino Rodriguez Chavez is a pilot who was arrested last week charged with allowing 3 illegal immigrants from Mexico to board his Cessna plane at the imperial county airport.

According to court documents special agents had been surveilling the suspected illegal immigrants staying at a Motel 6 in el Centro before catching them at the airport.

"These were Mexican nationals so they came from Mexico, we believe they came from the ports of entry and they were in route to Los Angles," says Sandoval.

Agent Sandoval says the illegal immigrants pay up to 5,000 dollars to get transported by plane.

ICE says the plane involved in the sting was the 4-th aircraft found to be used for smuggling people since last year in the agency's el Centro sector alone.

The Cessna plane was seized and Chavez has since posted 20-thousand dollars bond.

He's due back in court next month.

Toyo Tire Recall So.Cal

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced a recall of nearly 69,000 tires due to the possibility of a kink near the rim area that could cause a crack and lead to tire failure.

The Cypress-based company said the affected tires are the Toyo Extensa A/S models distributed to U.S. tire shops between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010

The way to tell if a tire is part of the recall, company officials say, is by looking on the sidewall.

The affected tires, made in Toyo's plant in Georgia, have a "Made in U.S.A." mark and can be identified by the last four digits of the tire's ID number – ranging from 3809 to 4410.

Affected customers can have their recalled tires replaced for free.

For more information, visit www.toyotires.com/recall-campaign or call 800-442-8696.

Medicar Un Truths

Medicare

False Rumor Medicare premiums 2014, the bogus rumor persists. $247 per month is ridicules and False.

An Internet e-mail still circulates that come 2014 the Medicare Part B standard premium will be $247 per person. That’s nonsense for several reasons.
1. The calculation of the premium is set by law and that law has not changed.
2. There is nothing in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that affects the Medicare premium calculation.
3. The President does not, as has been alleged, have the ability to unilaterally change any of this.

4. The standard 2012 premium for Medicare Part B is $99.90 (higher for the 5% higher income beneficiaries). If you used the highest rate of inflation to hit Medicare in the last forty years for both 2012 and 2013 you would get a premium of less than $130.00. The likelihood of that kind of inflation in the next two years is non-existent.

5. There is nothing in the 2011 Medicare Trustees report to indicate other than normal rates of cost increases over the next several years. In fact, the Trustee’s project that by 2020 the Part B premium will be $158.60. Even that is based on a premium for 2012 of $106.60 (not $99.90).

6. Most Medicare beneficiaries (95%) are protected from high increases in Medicare premiums under the Social Security hold harmless provision. This means that an increase in Medicare premiums cannot cause a net reduction in the Social Security payments. So, for example, if you are receiving $1,000 a month in Social Security benefits and you receive a 3% COLA increase, your Part B premium cannot increase my more than $30. Do the math and you will see there would have to be whopping COLA increases in Social Security in the next two years to get most people anywhere near $247 and that ain’t gonna happen.

English: President signing the Medicare Bill a...

1965

Are any of these projections 100% accurate? Certainly not, there are too many unknowns. However, before you pass along some outrageous story about Medicare premiums (or a tax on the sale of your home, or that the value of health benefits is now taxable income or that Obama was stopping the 2011 Social Security COLA – all of which were circulated in the last year), get the facts.

Unfortunately too many people out there are so obsessed with opposition to this or that, their judgement is clouded …or they are simply ignorant and that’s scary because they can still vote.

By the way, the story about a brain surgeon being at a meeting in Washington where denying care to Americans 70 and over was discussed is also a lie. There was no such meeting, there is nothing in the Affordable Care Act remotely related to that and the caller to a talk show giving the story was not a brain surgeon.

lower immune responses

A group of compounds used in a variety of products, including water-resistant clothing and microwave popcorn, may prevent childhood vaccinations from working properly, a new study says.

In the study, children who had higher concentrations of these compounds, called perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), in their blood had lower immune responses to diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations. An insufficient immune response to a vaccination can mean a child is actually vulnerable to catching a disease even though they've beenvaccinated against it.

Indeed, the levels of antibodies in the blood of some children exposed to PFCs indicated they were not protected against these diseases by age 7.

"When we take our kids to the doctor's office to get their shots, we expect that the vaccines are going to work," said study researcher Dr. Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. "What we found was that there was an increasing risk that they didn’t work if the kids had been exposed to the PFCs," Grandjean said.

The study is provocative, but the findings are not of immediate public health concern, said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Despite the link found in this study, vaccines have largely protected the public against diphtheria and tetanus over the same period of time that PFCs have accumulated in the environment, Schaffner said.

"These are illnesses that have been virtually eliminated from children," in the United States, Schaffner said.

However, Schaffner said investigations into the link between vaccines' effectiveness and PFCs, along with other potential environmental hazards, should continue.

The study will be published tomorrow (Jan. 25) in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

PFCs have thousands of uses in manufacturing, and most people have the compounds in their bodies, Grandjean said. They are slow to break down and persist for many years in the environment.

Studies in animals have suggested PFCs may lower the body's immune response, but their impact on people's health is unclear.

Grandjean and colleagues analyzed data from 587 children living in the Faroe Islands, in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Scotland and Iceland. These islands were chosen because their inhabitants frequently consume seafood, which is associated with increased exposure to PFCs. Still, overall,levels of PFCs in this area are similar to those found in other countries, including the United States, Grandjean said.

The researchers measured levels of PFCs in the blood of 5-year-old children, and tested the children's immune response to tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations at ages 5 and 7. The kids received complete vaccinations against these diseases, including a booster shot at age 5.

The higher the levels of PFCs were in the blood, the lower the children's response was to the vaccines.

A doubling of the exposure to PFCs was associated with a 49 percent lower level of blood antibodies in children at age 7, Grandjean said.

Children with some of the highest levels of PFCs were two to four times more likely to have antibodies in their blood at a level below what is thought to protect against these diseases.

The study "emphasizes the importance of making sure that the world does not pollute the natural environment," Schaffner said. "Clearly, greater efforts must be made to keep these perfluorinated compounds out of the environment," hesaid.

It's not clear exactly how people come to accumulate levels of PFCs in their body, so advice on how to avoid them may not necessarily work. But Grandjean said, "It would be prudent to avoid microwave popcorn [and] treatment of furniture, carpets, shoes and clothing with stain repellants," unless they are known not to contain PFCs.

Future studies into the health impact of PFCs should examine their effect on the immune system, Grandjean said. The researchers would also like to know if exposure to PFCs is associated with a reduced immune response to other vaccinations.

WWII Code Talker Last one living

The last surviving member of the original Navajo Code Talkers has turned 92 years old.
The city of Albuquerque recognized Chester Nez for his contributions in World War II.
Nez was 1 of 29 original code talkers who developed a code based on their native language that helped confound the Japanese and win World War II.
Nez told KOB-TV that he's happy to represent such an important part of U.S. history.
He says a lot of people still ask him questions about the war.
Along with the birthday celebrations Monday, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry proclaimed Jan. 23 as Navajo Code Talker Chester Nez Day. The others are gone but not forgotten.

San Luis Rio Colorado Sonora State Mexico

A Mexican private company under fire for the construction of controversial toll booths at a local port of entry speaks out.

Cars are now crossing freely through SENTRI lanes in San Luis Rio Colorado.

Recently city council member Leonardo Guillen tore down construction barriers after a public protest over toll booths being built by a private Mexican company who planned to impose a fee on SENTRI lane users.

Enrique Orozco, the general director of construction projects for the International Industrial Park about allegations they were just trying to make a quick buck.

"They broke the law. The Mexican federal government, who ordered us to start construction now has to step in," Orozco said.

Construction of the two toll booths has temporarily halted. Mexican officials from the International Industrial park said they will resume once the federal government and city officials come to an agreement.

Orozco said last year in October during a U.S.-Mexico binational meeting, government officials from both sides of the border agreed on a project that'll help alleviate border traffic congestion.

He said the fees collected from the planned toll booths were going to help pay off the $3 million dollar project planned on the Mexican side.

"About 2 miles of road need to be repaved and that costs money. An Immigration building has to be built and that costs money. A military installation needs to be built and another building for Department of Agriculture. Plus, parking for all theses places need to be done," Orozco said.

Reports say U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the San Luis Port of Entry have plans to create a Ready lane but nothing has been set in stone.

Orozco said politics played a big part in stopping their plan with the Mexican federal government.

"The fact that elections in Mexico are taking place and the mayor of San Luis, Arizona faced a recall during that week....they had to take advantage of these type of problems and quarrels to appear the defenders of the town," Orozco said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the San Luis Port of entry said they obviously have no responsibility of what happens on the Mexican side but say they will try to accommodate those in the SENTRI lane program as much as they can.

Dog Scam

The El Centro Police Department says a 23 year-old woman is short $1,400 dollars and a new pet.

Commander Jeff Mason with the El Centro P-D says the woman put in a report over the weekend alleging she was supposed to pick up a dog she purchased online.

"The Dog was supposedly held in Yuma and money was sent via Western Union and was sent to the United Public of Camaroon in Western Africa," says Jeff Mason with the El Centro Police Department.

But after sending the payment, the woman says she never heard back from the company or person again.

Commander Mason says police are able to create an investigation if a scam or fraud is committed by a reputable or legitimate company but says in this case there isn't much police can do.

"When it's a corporation or an individual that is completely fictitious from its origin, the ability to make an investigation is very limited and unfortunately in this instance this lady has learned a $1400 lesson," says Commander Mason.

Thieves are setting up fake websites and sending out thousands of emails daily looking to see who will fall for their scams according to Commander Mason.

He says people need to be very cautious and think twice about who they are buying from. "If the person lives in El Centro and the dogs in Yuma, it's a 60 mile difference but yet they're sending money half way across the world to an African continent. It just doesn't make a lot of sense... and if things don't make sense people need to realize that and either do more investigating or just completely dis- involve themselves from any contact with these individuals," says Commander Mason.

He says online theft has decreased over the last couple years, but is still happening. El Centro P-D says they receive calls regarding online scams about once a month.

Drug Dealers Arrested

MEXICALI, Mex. - Two drug dealers based in Tijuana were arrested in Mexicali over the weekend.

Mexican authorities identified the two men as Vicente Escobar Rodriguez and Gilberto Leyva.

Mexicali Police says both suspects work for an incarcerated drug lord by the name of Raydel Lopez Uriarte, also known as "El Muletas."

They say after an investigation, they got word that both men were in Mexicali and were able to locate Rodriguez driving a grey BMW. The 27-year-old first gave police a wrong name but after running his finger prints, police was able to identify him. Rodriguez also told police the whereabouts of his partner.

Soon after police located Leyva at a residence in Mexicali and were able to recover firearms. Mexicali police say both men confessed they were drug dealers for "El Muletas."

Avoid Popular Scams

With the ending of 2011, the BBB is warning the public of the most popular scams throughout last year before falling victim to them in the New Year.

Janet Torricellas, the Better Business Bureau's Yuma Branch Director says, "The main scam concern right now is the online job scamming. Theirs a lot of unemployment going on and people are seeking and searching for jobs on a daily basis and scammers take advantage of that."

Torricellas says among the second most popular scam is identity theft. She says often guests at hotels become victims after receiving calls in the middle of the night from someone outside the hotel posing to work in the lobby and needing your credit card information.

The BBB-Yuma Director says the third most popular is home improvement scams. She says if someone calls you or visits your home advertising their business and wants to collect money before performing a service that's a red flag. She says, "If someone knocks at your door and says you know we see your roof it leaking and we would like to repair it for this amount, but we need half of the money down first and then we'll come back and finish it up, that falls into the home improvement category."

Torricellas says there are a variety of ways consumers may become scamming victims, but the most at risk are senior citizens.

The BBB encourages the public to visit their website and http://www.bbb.org/scam for the complete list of top 10 scams, to report a scam, and sign up for scam alerts.

gas station robber caught

MEXICALI, Mex. - A man who robbed about 25 gas station markets in Mexicali has been arrested.

The man was identified as Jesus Abel, authorities do not give out the any suspect's last name.

Police say the man robbed more than 25 Oxxo convenient stores throughout the city of Mexicali.

Authorities say with the help of security video and witness testimonies police say there were able to locate and arrest the suspect.

Cocaine found 73 pounds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say they've seized nearly 73 pounds of cocaine while conducting an inspection of a vehicle at the San Luis Port.

Officers referred a 41-year-old San Luis man traveling with his wife and three children for a secondary inspection of his truck when he attempted to enter the United States.

After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers removed 30 packages of cocaine from the spare tire.

Authorities say the cocaine had an estimated value of more than $660,000.

The drugs and the truck were processed for seizure. The man was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations while his family was released. The man's name wasn't released.

Mexican absentee ballot registration ending

For all Mexican nationals living in the U.S. participating in the Mexican presidential elections, there's an important date coming up soon.

January 15th is the last day to register for an absentee ballot for the upcoming elections.

All Mexican citizens over the age of 18 living in the U.S. have the opportunity to vote in Mexican elections.

The consulate of Mexico in Calexico has absentee ballot applications available.

They can also be downloaded at www.votoextranjero.mx

Border Drones

Border officials are looking to expand a drone surveillance program in California, allowing the remotely piloted aircrafts to cover almost all of the state, according to a story by California Watch.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials expect Federal Aviation Administration authorities will grant the agency permission to expand its unmanned aircraft operations into airspace east of the San Diego area, agency spokeswoman Gina Gray told California Watch.

While the aircrafts have been touted for their cutting-edge technology, some say they are too expensive and inefficient.

The drones cost $18.5 million each to operate.

Since 2005, the drones have helped seize 46,600 pounds of narcotics and caught about 7,500 people committing crimes along the border, California Watch stated.

The aircrafts, which can stay in the air for up to 20 hours, also help in emergency and disaster response missions.

Currently, the drones patrol about 1,200 miles along the Southwest border from east of El Centro in California to the Gulf of Mexico.

Green Card Pathway becoming Easier

SANTA ANA – Immigration attorney Luis Gonzalez is bracing for a flood of clients wanting to apply for U.S. legal residency in Orange County.

Immigration officials announced Friday that the pathway to a green card will become easier for some people who are in the country illegally and have a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen.

Immigration officials announced Friday that they make it easier for immigrant applicants to stay with their U.S. citizen children or spouses, instead of separating them during the legal residency application process.

"This is going to open a floodgate," Gonzalez said. "I'll tell you right now... in Santa Ana, there won't be a shortage of clients who will want to do this."
In a teleconference Friday, immigration officials announced a proposed regulation they said would make it easier for immigrant visa applicants to stay with their parents or spouses who are U.S. citizens, instead of separating them during the application process.
There are still some steps before the regulation is implemented, but it could go into effect some time this year, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services head Alejandro Mayorkas said in the teleconference.
Generally, people who are in the country illegally but are married or have parents or immediate relatives who are citizens are allowed under immigration law to become legal residents. Still, there has long been a snag in immigration law in those cases that requires the illegal immigrants to return to their countries of origin as a condition of receiving a legal visa.
However, once the applicant leaves the country, the law automatically bars them from returning to the U.S. for at least three years and sometimes up to a decade even though they are eligible for legal U.S. residency.
While immigration agency officials provide a waiver that allows the applicant to stay in the United States during the visa process, getting such a waiver is difficult and can take as long as gaining permanent residency.
"One of the things we've heard from the public and understand in dealing with these cases is that we have seen cases of extreme hardship when the time of separation is quite lengthy and where the length of time results in enduring hardship," Mayorkas said.
The law was written to avoid such hardships, Mayorkas said. That's why changing the process is in line with the law and doesn't change it, he added.
In fiscal year 2011, USCIS officials received 23,000 applications for such waivers. About 17,000 of them were approved, Mayorkas said.
In addition, the average processing time for such a wavier takes at least six months but often takes a lot longer, he said.
The change will make a huge difference for hundreds of thousands of American families, immigrant advocates and immigration attorneys said.
Many immigrants who were in the country illegally and qualified for legal status via their spouse or parent wouldn't apply out of fear of separation and because they simply couldn't afford to do so, attorney Gonzalez said.
His small firm in Santa Ana receives roughly 1,200 clients inquiring about immigration issues each year, he said. About 30 percent of those people, he said, are likely eligible for legal permanent status because he or she has an American citizen spouse, parent or child.
However, most don't apply because they would have to leave the U.S. for their home country during the visa processing period. Often, the applicant has a family that depends on them in some way, and their absence would cause a great hardship, Gonzalez said.
"I don't think I've had one that came in and didn't have a family member that depends on them," he said. "There are so many of them but they can't afford to leave a family without a breadwinner. They shy away. A lot of them put it off."
The change means these visa applicants will be allowed to stay during the processing of the waiver and visa application. If the applicant meets qualifications, he or she will be given a provisional waiver in the U.S. and can stay before they have to leave for their home countries to pick up their visas.
The "extreme hardship" condition is still a requirement for the granting of a waiver, Mayorkas said. Immigration officials will only grant a waiver if the person who is in the country illegally can prove that their absence will cause "extreme hardship" to an American citizen spouse or parent -- not a U.S. citizen child, according to immigration law.
The wait time for the waivers will likely remain the same. But under the new provision, applicants will be able to stay with their American families while they wait, he said.
Mayorkas emphasized that before the granting of a waiver, immigration officials would do a thorough background check. Applicants with any criminal conviction will not qualify for the waiver, he said.

information from the Orange County Register; Santa Ana, Ca.

iphone useful Apps

Did you dump your dumb phone in 2011 and got smart ones, as in iPhones. Now that you have ‘em, you can’t believe why you waited so long. Besides being able to check directions, look up phone numbers, research databases and more on the fly, you also found a few apps.

For the iPhone Flashlight. There’s a number of flashlight apps. The one we use is simply called “Flashlight.” Big off/on button that fills the screen, easy to switch it on. You’ve carried flashlights with you since you could walk, yea many years ago, but your always losing flashlights, plus they’re cumbersome to carry, and if you’re not on top of the battery situation you can find — surprise! — you’re stuck in the dark with a weak-lighted or dead flashlight. But with this handy app, which was .99, you can now light up at any time.

TurboScan. Again, there’s a bunch of scan apps. Some chose this one because reviews were good. And it is good. After taking a pix of a document, you can adjust the parameters (shorten, lengthen, add width) to encompass the entire doc. Haven’t figured out how to email the doc directly yet, but it’s easy to store a doc scan on the iPhone “Camera Roll” and email that image. We used to feel smart carting a remote scanner, which was heavy and clunky, into courthouses to scan file docs…now we just use TurboScan on our iPhones. $1.99.

VoiceRecorderHD. With this app, we can record witness interviews with our iPhones, link it to Dropbox (another app we’re fond of) for file transfer or instead connect the iPhone to our Mac and download the voice file that way. $1.99.

Lumin. Sometimes you gotta read the fine print…and sometimes you gotta read the fine print in the dark. Lumin works like a magnifying glass…lets you read the fine print, even capture the image so you can zoom in on a part of it for closer inspection, and if you’re in dim or no lighting, Lumin also provides a light for viewing. Cool. $1.99.

For the iPad

Evernote. We’re digging Evernote on our iPad, but still learning how to manipulate it on our iPhones (some apps just seem too large for an iPhone, y’know?). But on the iPad, this app is a winner. One of the Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes PIs (visit their web site) now carries her iPad to all witness interviews and uses Evernote to take notes, pictures, voice recordings…then sends the report immediately afterward to the attorney-client. You can use the free version or upgrade for a nominal fee (something like $1.99). We went for the upgrade.

Mexico Voting

Calexico, CA--The deadline to vote for the next Mexican president is approaching.

Mexico will choose a new president in the beginning of July.

But the deadline to participate is approaching fast and for the second time in history Mexicans can cast their vote from the U.S. or around the globe.

"It's really important to participate. Just because we live in the United States or any other part of the world we stop being Mexicans," Gina Andrea Cruz, consul of Mexico in Calexico said. "It's important to participate and be part of the decisions made in Mexico."

Mexican consulates across the nation are encouraging Mexican nationals living in the U.S. to sign up for a voting ballot.

According to the Mexican Federal Electoral Institute web site, the deadline to register for an absentee ballot is January 15th.

IFE's web site said if the form is approved it will send the person a ballot at their foreign address between April 16th and May 20th.

"Even though were on the outside, the decisions made there will affect us or benefit us, so that's why its important to participate," Cruz said.

Cruz said consulates and Mexican Embassies can't help voters complete or mail in their ballots but can only offer information about voting abroad program and offering voting registration forms.

She points out that a voting credential is a must to register.

She said if you don't have one, credentials can only be obtained in Mexico and picked up in person.

"In the end, we have family back in Mexico," Cruz said. "The decisions made in our country will impact us all and those who are on the outside."

Ca. Schools 2012

As California's public schools begin 2012, a series of new laws take effect that will alter classroom instruction, medical issues and financial aid for immigrant students.

Here is a rundown of some of the new legislation that went into effect Jan. 1.

Dream Act: The first part of California's Dream Act, Assembly Bill 130, will provide access to private scholarships and financial aid to illegal immigrants. To qualify students must attend for at least three years and have graduated from state high schools.

The second part of the act, AB 131, which provides access to public aid for illegal immigrants, goes into effect Jan. 2013.

Transitional kindergarten: Children who start kindergarten must be at least 5 by Sept. 1. School districts must also provide transitional kindergarten programs for more than 120,000 eligible children in California, but only for 4-year-olds born between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2. These are children who were old enough to start kindergarten but often struggled to keep up.

FAIR Act: Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are now added to the lengthy list of social and ethnic groups that schools must include in lessons.

Schools must incorporate the history and contributions of these groups in social studies lessons beginning in middle school.

Epilepsy medication: Teachers and other non-medical personnel who receive training can now administer the anti-seizure medication to students. Before, only nurses and other medical professionals could administer the drug.

Sports safety: Student athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion during a game or practice must be immediately pulled out of action and be cleared by a licensed health care provider.

Common Core Standards: As part of a national effort for states to adopt a common set of instruction standards, California begins to implement a series of policies to develop new curriculum standards for mathematics, English-language arts, and literacy in various content areas for students in kindergarten through grade twelve.

The state Department of Education also begins to develop a list of supplemental instructional materials for use in kindergarten through seventh grade that are aligned with national standards in mathematics, and language arts for kindergarten through eighth grade.

2012 Mexican Holidays

Mexico Holidays 2012 Here is the list of Mexican 2012 holidays.

List of 2012 Mexico Statutory Public Holidays

Año Nuevo
New Year’s Day – First day of the year. Sunday, 1 January 2012 *Monday, 2 January 2012

Día de la Constitución
Constitution day – Celebrates the Promulgation of the 1857 and 1917 Constitutions. Observance: First Monday of February.
Monday, 6 February 2012

Natalicio de Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez’s birthday – Commemorates President Benito Juárez’s birthday on March 21, 1806. Observance: Third Monday of March Monday, 19 March 2012

Día del Trabajo
Labor day – Commemorates the Mexican workers’ union movements. Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Día de Independencia
Independence Day – Commemorates the start of the Independence War by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810.
Monday, 17 September 2012

Día de la Revolución
Revolution day – Commemorates the start of the Mexican Revolution by Francisco I. Madero in 1910. Observance: Third Monday of November. Monday, 19 November 2012

Inauguration day
Change of Federal Government, every 6 years. Saturday, 1 December 2012

Navidad
Christmas – Christmas celebration; secular and religious holiday. Tuesday, 25 December 2012

List of 2012 Mexico Civic Public Holidays

Día del Ejército
Army’s Day – Celebrates the Mexican Army on the Loyalty Day (“Día de la Lealtad”), when President Madero was escorted by the Cadets of the Militar College to the National Palace. Sunday, 19 February 2012

Día de la Bandera
Flag Day – Celebrates the current Flag of Mexico and honors the previous ones. Flag Day was implemented by President Lázaro Cárdenas in 1937. Friday, 24 February 2012

Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera
Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation – Celebrates the Oil Expropriation by President Gral. Lázaro Cárdenas in 1938.
Sunday, 18 March 2012

Heroica Defensa de Veracruz
Heroic Defense of Veracruz – Commemorates the defense against the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914.
Saturday, 21 April 2012

Cinco de Mayo
Fifth of May – Celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army, led by Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza against French forces in the city of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Also widely celebrated in the United States. US “celebration” of this Mexican historical event is largely a result of promotions in the US by liquor, beer, and bars/taverns/clubs/restaurants since the 1980s. For many years Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the US promoted Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day which is actually September 16. Although Mexican citizens feel very proud of the meaning of Cinco de Mayo, it is not a national holiday in Mexico, but it is an official holiday in the State of Puebla where the mentioned battle took place. Saturday, 5 May 2012

Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo’s birthday – Commemorates the birth in 1753 of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the initiator of the Mexican Independence War. Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Día de la Marina
Marine’s Day – Celebrates the Mexican Navy. Friday, 1 June 2012

Día de los Niños Héroes
Boy Heroes or “Heroic Cadets” – Celebrates the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican–American War of 1847.
Thursday, 13 September 2012

Grito de Dolores
Cry of Dolores – Celebrates the Grito de Dolores, an event that marked the start of the independence war against Spain on the eve of September 16, 1810. It took place at a church chapel in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, led by a Creole Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Saturday, 15 September 2012

Consumación de la Independencia
End of Independence War – Celebrates the end of the Mexican Independence War on 1821, 11 years after Father Hidalgo started it. Thursday, 27 September 2012

Natalicio de José Ma. Morelos y Pavón
Morelos’ birthday – Commemorates the birth in 1765 of Father José María Morelos y Pavón, one of the founding fathers of the Mexican nation. Sunday, 30 September 2012

Descubrimiento de América
Columbus Day – Commemorates the Discovery of the Americas in 1492 by the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus.
Friday, 12 October 2012

*In Mexico, when a public holiday falls on a non-working day (Saturday or Sunday) the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

School holidays are for two weeks at Christmas and two weeks at Easter (Semana Santa 2012), and from the beginning of July through the third week of August. During these times beaches and other tourist attractions may be crowded.

Remember to check out Mexico Hotels if you are visiting Mexico. Happy Mexico Holidays 2012 ! Enjoy your holiday !

Re-Calls January 2012

Recalls 2012 January
01/31/2012 10:43 PM EST

President Global Corp., Buena Park, CA is recalling all codes of Bin-Bin Snow Rice Cracker net weight 5.3oz (150g) and Bin-Bin Rice Crackers net weight 15.8oz (450g) because of undeclared egg allergens.

01/31/2012 09:52 PM EST

Pfizer Inc. announced today that it has voluntarily recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)Tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic)for customers in the U.S. market.

01/31/2012 05:26 PM ESTHow Sweet It Is Fudge and Candy Company Inc. is recalling / correcting its 32 count packages of “Peanut Butter Buckeye� and “Peanut Butter Smoothie� because they do contain undeclared milk allergens. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.01/31/2012 05:29 PM EST

Gemini Food Corporation of City of Industry, CA and Tong Enterprises of Hayward, CA are recalling all codes of Bin-Bin Snow Rice Cracker net weight 5.3oz (150g) and Bin-Bin Rice Crackers net weight 15.8oz (450g) because of undeclared egg allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs, run the risk of suffering serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

01/31/2012 10:39 AM ESTVitaflo USA has announced a voluntary recall of Renastart 14.11 oz (400g) cans, Batch Number 12832 (shown on underside of can), because some of the product shipped throughout the United States during the period December 29, 2011 through January 26, 2012 has been incorrectly labeled. Renastart is a powdered medical food used in the dietary management of pediatric renal disease, for patients one year and older in the United States.

01/30/2012 06:22 PM EST

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. is voluntarily recalling from retailers one lot of AVEENO® BABY CALMING COMFORT® LOTION (full product details below) in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. This is not a consumer level recall and no action is required by consumers.
01/30/2012 10:54 AM ESTWalgreen Co. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of 13-oz. Walgreens Chocolate-Covered Raisins because the packages may contain Walgreens Bridge Mix with peanut, almond and soy ingredients. The error occurred when Walgreens Bridge Mix was mistakenly packaged with the Walgreens Chocolate-Covered Raisin labeling.

01/27/2012 09:37 PM EST

Out of regard and concern for our consumers, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC is recalling certain Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes. The product may contain soy protein, an undeclared allergen.1/27/2012 04:00 PM EST

Cephalon, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Treanda® (bendamustine HCL) for Injection 25mg/8mL; lot TB30111, expiration date 12/2012. This product lot is being recalled due to the presence of particulate matter found in a single vial, which has been identified as glass fragments

01/28/2012 10:18 AM ESTJKS Wholesale SVCS INC, of Beltsville, MD is recalling its 16 oz. packages of Torta de Pan because they may contain undeclared milk allergens. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

01/26/2012 10:10 AM EST

M.E. Thompson, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL is recalling its Anytime Deli Turkey & Ham Sub Sandwich, UPC 0543200194, with an expiration date of January 19th and January 22nd because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.01/23/2012 06:07 PM ESTUniversity Place, Washington- Jones' Seasoning Blends LLC announced a voluntary recall of Jones' Mock Salt Original as well as Jones' Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend due to the potential contamination of Salmonella.

01/23/2012 06:07 PM EST

University Place, Washington- Jones’ Seasoning Blends LLC announced a voluntary recall of Jones’ Mock Salt Original as well as Jones’ Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend due to the potential contamination of Salmonella.

01/20/2012 03:58 PM EST

Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on its Coyote Joes Shredded Taco Cheese 16 oz, UPC 41735-12509 with an expiration date of April 21, 2012 due to the possibility of shredded plastic fragments inside the packaging.

01/19/2012 10:07 PM EST

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar Tree brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

01/20/2012 12:16 PM EST

CareFusion issued the following update regarding its voluntary recall of the Nicolet® Cortical Stimulator Control Unit, Nicolet® C64 Stimulus Switching Unit (SSU) Amplifier and NicoletOne Software with Cortical Stimulator License. The FDA has classified this action as a Class I recall.01/20/2012 12:48 PM ESTPerfect Image Solutions, LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots of Men's Minoxidil 15% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Men's Minoxidil 10% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Men's Minoxidil 5% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Women's Minoxidil 3% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; and Hair regrowth shampoo enhanced with Ketoconazole and salicylic acid, 180mL, to the consumer level. The products are deemed “unapproved new drugsâ€� under the law and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and may present potential health hazards.

01/20/2012 10:18 AM EST

JKS Wholesale SVCS INC, of Beltsville, MD is recalling its 16 oz. packages of “Torta de Pan� because they may contain undeclared milk allergens. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.01/19/2012 04:58 PM ESTUSA Far Ocean Group Inc. (U.S.A. Far Ocean), is voluntarily recalling the Company's two products sold as cosmetic under the names Vagifresh Ball and Vagifresh Gel. These two products were also sold under the mixed package named Female One, which contained Vagifresh Ball, Vagifresh Gel and Vagifresh Liquid (this recall does not involve Vagifresh Liquid).

01/19/2012 06:15 PM EST

Last week, Rich Products Corporation expanded its January 5, 2012 recall of one fourth Sheet Vanilla Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored to include the 8 inch Vanilla Flavored Pre-Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored (Product Code: 62938) because of the possibility that small plastic fragments from the packaging were contaminating the product.

01/19/2012 10:07 PM EST

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar Tree brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

01/19/2012 10:34 AM EST

LEASA Industries Co., Inc. of Miami, FL is recalling 346 cases of LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with use by date 2/1/12, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

01/19/2012 12:15 PM EST

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., today announced an immediate Class I voluntary recall of all LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts sold in the 6 oz. package with a UPC code of 7546555912. According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), the product is potentially contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.01/19/2012 10:34 AM ESTLeasa Industries Co., Inc. of Miami, FL is recalling 346 cases of LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with use by date 2/1/12, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.01/18/2012 11:37 AM ESTCovidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that it is conducting a voluntary recall of all production lots for the Duet TRS Universal Straight and Articulating Single Use Loading Units, with respect to the use of this product family in the thoracic cavity.

01/13/2012 06:53 PM EST

Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on 'Gourmet Stuffed Clams' from its seafood departments with a scale code of 209181. This product is being recalled due to the fact that it contains milk, wheat and eggs, three known allergens, which are not listed on the store generated ingredient label.

01/13/2012 05:27 PM EST

Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on two sizes of its bakery’s Central Market Classics Tres Leches cakes - the 5 inch, UPC 41735-26013, and the 8 inch, UPC 41735-25128. Rich Foods, the manufacturer of the cake layers contained in this product, has notified Price Chopper that they may contain plastic fragments.

01/13/2012 04:51 PM EST

Ryt-way Industries LLC is voluntarily recalling select sunflower seeds because they may contain soy ingredients that were not declared on the packaging. The recall is being issued on BIGS ® Dill Pickle Sunflower Seeds packaged in 5.35oz plastic bags with BEST BY Dates of 08DEC2012 and 09DEC2012 with an individual bag UPC code 896887002202.Â
01/16/2012 08:08 PM ESTToday Rexall, Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Florida, announced a recall of Rexall Calcium 1200 mg plus 1000IU Vitamin D3, 60 softgels. The affected bottles actually contain a TABLET product, Triple Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM Tablets.

01/13/2012 06:53 PM EST

Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on 'Gourmet Stuffed Clams' from its seafood departments with a scale code of 209181. This product is being recalled due to the fact that it contains milk, wheat and eggs, three known allergens, which are not listed on the store generated ingredient label.

01/13/2012 02:00 PM EST

Herbadashery LLC, Casper, WY is recalling bottles of Pine Ridge BBQ and Dipping Sauce and Pine Ridge Jalapeño BBQ and Dipping Sauce manufactured after January 1, 2011 because they contain undeclared anchovies in the Worcestershire sauce used in production.

01/11/2012 04:03 PM EST

Bedford Laboratories today issued updated guidance on the following nationwide voluntary product recalls originally issued on August 2, 2011: Polymyxin B for Injection USP, 500,000 Units per vial – NDC #55390-139-10 Lot 1942980 – Exp. Date August 2013 and Lot 1895027 – Exp. Date June 2013

01/11/2012 03:04 PM EST

Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, MA is recalling a single date code of Blount Fine Foods branded Rip Roarin’ Crab Soup in 16 ounce retail cup pack size because of undeclared milk, wheat and crab allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, wheat or crab run the risk of suffering serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

01/11/2012 01:52 PM EST

D. F. Stauffer Biscuit Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Safeway Snack Artist Sugar Free Bite-Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies because they contain undeclared milk and eggs. People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. Symptoms may include itching, hives, wheezing, vomiting, anaphylaxis and digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea.
01/11/2012 12:04 PM EST
Listeria is a common organism found in nature. It can cause serious complications for pregnant women, such as stillbirth. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems. Listeria can also cause serious flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.

01/10/2012 03:33 PM EST

Pepin Heights Orchards is advising consumers to discard Pepin Heights brand Honeycrisp Apple Cider with a “Use By” date on the label of Feb 09 2012. The product was packaged in half-gallon plastic jugs and sold and distributed in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
01/08/2012 10:04 PM ESTNovartis Consumer Health, Inc. (NCH) announced today that it is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle packaging configurations of Excedrin® and NoDoz® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin® and Gas-X Prevention® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States. NCH is taking this action as a precautionary measure because the products may contain stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis products, or contain broken or chipped tablets.

01/06/2012 04:06 PM EST

Bloch’s Best Inc doing business as Laromme of Monsey, NY is recalling Laromme brand Vanilla Rugelach in 14 oz. round containers because it may contain undeclared eggs. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

01/05/2012 03:14 PM EST

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company of Monroe, WI is voluntarily recalling “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend -- Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese”, “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese”, “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

01/05/2012 03:47 PM EST

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company is voluntarily recalling “Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

01/06/2012 11:08 AM EST

Rich Products Corporation recalled its 1/4 (quarter) Sheet Vanilla Flavored Pre-Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored (Product Code: 00405) on January 5, 2012, because small plastic fragments from the packaging were found on top of the product. The size of the fragments range from 1/4 (one fourth) to 3/4(three fourths) inches.

01/05/2012 12:57 PM EST

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company in Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling “HEB Queso Cotija (Grated)”, “El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)”, “El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated)”, and “BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

01/04/2012 05:08 PM EST

Enhorabuena!, Bayamón, PR is issuing this alert due to undeclared milk, wheat, tree nuts, and eggs in the product “Palitos de Guayaba” (Guava Sticks) . People who have allergies to milk, wheat, tree nuts and eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the products.

01/04/2012 03:41 PM EST

As a precautionary measure, certain production lots of Martinelli's Gold Medal Sparkling Cider in six-pack shrink-bundled 250 mL glass bottles are being recalled in the Western United States due to the possibility of a defective seal that could break when opening the bottle.

01/01/2012 01:10 AM EST

Green Valley Food Corp. is recalling approximately 35,159 cases of a variety of products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Random samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

01/04/2012 01:14 PM EST

Bekkum Family Farms LLC of Westby, WI, is recalling shredded cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cheese is labeled "Grumpy Goat Shreds" under the Nordic Creamery brand name, in eightounce bags with a code date of 10-MAR-12.

01/03/2012 10:48 PM EST

Green Valley Food Corp. is expanding its recall to include additional products because of a possible health risk. Products which were distributed from 12/07/2011 to 1/1/2012 are affected in this recall and/or if the items have a use by date ranging from 12/22/2011 to 1/17/2012.

01/01/2012 12/30/2011 11:33 AM EST

The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) is issuing a warning to consumers to avoid consumption of certain cheese and milk products because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The presence of L. monocytogenes in foods such as cheese and milk products represents a significant danger to public health.

01/01/2012 12:48 AM EST

HimalayaUSA® announced today it is conducting a voluntary recall of Organique by Himalaya Nourishing Night Cream with batch #S691001 and batch #S691002 effective immediately. This product was distributed nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. For identification purposes, the product is sold in a cylinder shaped teal bottle with an orange cap. The batch numbers are located on the bottom of the bottle

01/01/2012 01:10 AM EST

Green Valley Food Corp. is recalling approximately 35,159 cases of a variety of products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Random samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

For detailed information pertaining to this Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts message, please contact U.S. Government about these bulletins.