Greetings!

Los Angeles 

Leaky heating ducts, thin attic insulation, and ancient appliances suck energy from a home like a tick sucks blood from an unwary hiker.

Fixing these problems on California's 13 million houses could save the state's businesses and residents huge amounts of energy and millions of dollars.

Now state regulators hope they can sweet-talk all California homeowners into retrofitting their houses to consume less electricity and natural gas. They've launched a new website that pulls many incentive programs into one place, and they have a strategy of persuading early adopters to spread the word to mainstream homeowners.

The moves are part of a goal laid out by the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission to reduce home energy consumption by 20 percent by 2015, and 40 percent by 2020. The efficiency upgrade plan is an attempt to move the state closer to meeting its goal of cutting greenhouse gases by reducing its electricity consumption. But regulators know they have to persuade millions of people to make the upgrades, something people have been unwilling to do on their own for decades.

"First and foremost, people have to see it having value," said Andrew McAllister, director of programs at the California Center for Sustainable Energy. "They have to know they want the product. No one knows they want to retrofit right now. They have to look into it. But then it has to be easy."

洛縣政府最近宣布，洛縣屋主可參與政府能源更新計畫，擁有獨立住屋者，最高可能獲得政府6000元的補貼，經費有限，先到先得。

縣政府說，如果你在洛杉磯縣境內擁有一棟獨立屋，以下文中所介紹的補貼對於你就是一次很好的機會：

只要及時參與Energy Upgrade California加州能源更新計畫，就可在政府補貼的幫助下，使你的住宅更為健康環保，節省能源，獲得增值。許多房屋冬天洩露熱空氣，夏天又被熱氣籠罩，加州能源更新計畫所審核過的建築承包商，將把你的房屋視作一個互相合作的完整體系，對你的房屋進行科學評估，通過為房子進行密封和絕緣，提供具能源效率的暖氣、空調系統、窗戶、熱水器、電路等有效節能途徑，一方面節約能源，一方面節省你的水電煤氣費用帳單，同時使你的房屋更加舒適。

如果立即加入加州能源更新計畫，你將享受以下補貼優惠政策（補貼多少取決你的改善能節省多少能源）：基本密封和絕緣高達1000元；更加廣泛的更新高達4500元，暑假期間到勞工節2011年9月5日之前另加1500元。而特定的更新有額外補貼，可向參與加州能源更新計畫的建築承包商查詢，補貼標準可能根據公共事業提供者而不同。

另有創新的融資選項，你可瀏覽www.energyupgradeca.org瞭解詳情。

所謂的認證的承包商，是持有執照參與「加州能源更新」計畫的建築承包商，他們是能源效率專家，將幫助你提高房屋能源效率，同時協助你獲得所有合格的退款和獎勵金，而且還有獨立品質保證計畫，確保高品質工作成效。

加入加州能源更新計畫詳情，可訪問官方網站www.energyupgradeca.org，諮詢電話626-282-6660希望教育基金會，諮詢地址533 S. Atlantic Blvd. #302, Monterey Park, CA, 91754。

Read more: 世界新聞網  

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Today I've got answers to questions from readers who want to know why some California retailers haven't lowered their sales tax rate, how to stop unemployment benefits and whether the government's decision to essentially end sales of paper savings bonds will cut the annual purchase limit in half.

Q: Francesca Wander writes, "Many San Francisco businesses, and perhaps beyond, have not readjusted their sales tax calculations to reflect the 1 percent reduction that went into effect July 1. While I think reducing them at a time that our state is starved for cash was a bad idea, I expect our businesses to comply now that they have been. What can be done about this, in addition to pointing out to individual business owners the error of their ways?"

mentioned on Thursday - Thom's Natural Foods on Geary and Soup Freaks on Mission - and found that they were still charging 9.5 percent (the old rate for San Francisco) instead of 8.5 percent, the correct rate as of July 1. 

Michelle Ryan, manager of Thom's, said she knew about the change but has not been able to reach the guy who changes her cash register, despite calling him every day. "It's not something I can fix myself," she says. 

Shirley Rafie, founder of Soup Freaks, said she had not heard about the change and had not received anything in the mail about it. She immediately corrected the problem by updating her cash register's software. 

It's not always easy for consumers to spot the mistake because some retailers don't show the sales tax rate, only the amount. 

After hearing that some retailers were charging the incorrect tax, the California Board of Equalization issued a second "special notice," says Anita Gore, a spokeswoman for the board. The notice is posted at sfg.ly/n637zH. 

"If a customer is overcharged, they must take up the issue with the retailer and ask for a refund. A retailer may not keep any tax overcharged. They must return it to consumers or send it to the BOE. If someone is aware of incorrect tax being charged, and are not satisfied with the retailer's response, they should contact their local BOE office," Gore says. 

She says the board e-mailed about 680,000 retailers twice about the change, but it doesn't have e-mail addresses for every retailer that is registered with the board.

Article From: SFGate.com  

加州稅務委員會主席霍頓（Jerome Horton）宣布，自7月1日起加州銷售及使用稅（Sale and Use Tax）將從8.25%調降至7.25%。加州一些城市由選民投票通過額外增加銷售及使用稅案，屆時應以7.25%做計算基準。州稅務委員會就這項改變並寄出68萬份通知給零售商。 

被照會的商家指出，這項改變由於消費者知道的不多，對生意影響有限。

調高加州銷售及使用稅1%，是2009年4月1日生效實施。加州有些城市由於另外通過增加銷售及使用稅案，稅率更高，如洛杉磯縣大部分城市介於9.75%至10.25%間，南門及畢柯立維拉兩個城市更高達10.75%。 

霍頓指出，除非州議會7月1日前通過繼續延長銷售及使用稅1%，否則商家必須調整電腦及收銀機計算銷售及使用稅基準，避免向消費者多收稅。 

日前州眾議會通過的預算案，提議增加銷售及使用稅0.25%。但被州長布朗否決，布朗傾向於延長銷售及使用稅1%。 

州稅務委員會發言人高爾（Anita Gore）提醒商家，在州政府未做成最後決定前，應遵守調降相關稅率規定。 

消費性電器品業者莊慕寧說，尚未遇到客人以7月以後銷售稅率將調降1%，要求屆時才送貨。因為若以1000元商品為例，差距不過十元，金額不算大。 

他更關心網路零售銷售稅法案動向，因為上網銷售已成趨勢，該商號也不例外。但目前亞馬遜等外州網路零售公司，在加州出售的商品，不須向消費者收取銷售稅，已形成不公平競爭。 

消費性電器品業者張淑卿說，很期待7月1日來臨，因為有些消費者確實錙銖必較，屆時銷售稅少個1%，有助於帶動買氣。 

城中賓士批發經理馬威廉說，有錢人似乎不受稅率變動影響。如該公司今年4月C及E字頭賓士車銷售量分別比去年同期上升8%及17%，5月比去年同期分別上升5.7%及14.2%。G字頭休旅車這兩個月也比去年同期分別上升41%及33%。雖然6月統計數字尚未發布，但向他買車的客人仍源源不絕。 

在聖蓋博谷本田汽車服務的吳姓銷售員說，生意比起去年同期平平，但尚未遇到消費者提到銷售稅將調降1%，打算回頭再買車的經驗。 

有意換車的天普市張先生說，原就不急著換車，獲悉7月後銷售稅少1%，更不急著換車。因為7月後買車每1萬元車價就可省100元銷售稅，拿來請家人吃飯都好，沒必要跟錢過不去。 

Article From: 世界新聞網  

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Community News 

Introducing...

 

A team of educators, scientists, parents, alumni and community members have worked together for a historic moment - to open Telesis Academy of Science & Math, a new K-8 Academy in the Rowland Unified School District.

This new Academy will bring powerful partnerships for dynamic science learning into a culture of collaboration and college readiness. Damen Lopez, the founder of the national "No Excuses University" (NEU) Program has partnered with Telesis. NEU is focused on college readiness that begins in Kindergarten with college symbolism in every classroom and partnerships built between classrooms and universities. The entire Telesis teaching staff received training with Lopez on the NEU culture which focuses on collabora- tion, student-focused conversations, and shared responsibility to use data to ensure academic success for all. No Excuses!  

"We want Telesis to provide a system where science and math become the blanket under which all aspects of the core curriculum are delivered to students, with the ultimate goal of becoming a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) school," said Principal Miriam Kim. Students from across Rowland Unified applied for admission to the Academy during the spring and were selected through a random lottery. For this first year, current 7th grade Rincon students and 6th graders from Hollingworth and Rorimer were admitted automatically. Applications will be accepted next year from within and outside the District.

Grades K-6 will feature inquiry-based, hands- on learning. For 7th and 8th graders, electives will include yearbook, strategic reading, tech- nology, drama, and leadership classes. Music classes include choir, band and a strings rogram. All grades will explore the three new state-of-the-art science labs on campus.

Telesis Academy is partnering with the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Teachers completed professional development at the Center in the areas of science, aerospace and ecology. Other partnerships include a robotics program for students with Cal Poly Pomona's Engineering Project, and a rocketry class with the Youth Science Center.

"This is a tremendous and very exciting opportunity for Rowland, but most of all for our students," said Kim. "It's so great to see the excitement from our families, students and staff members regarding the opening of Telesis. With such positive feedback, only great things can happen!"  

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Want to step away from the hot sun?  Step into this traditional Korean Soup House and enjoy a cooling off traditional dish!

Summer Specials  for limited time only

Beef Soup Cold Noodle

Kimichi Cold Soup Noodle

Spicy Beef Stock Cold Noodle

FREE Korean Potato Pancake!  

「張家店」是一個傳統的韓國餐館，傳統美食應有盡有. 在炎炎夏日，推出特種牛肉湯涼麵，可以讓老饕們享受真正的韓國餐。

「張家店」的食物講究新鮮、衛生，任何一款美食都配有醃黃瓜、泡菜、豆芽菜、辣蘿蔔、綠色花椰菜、和韓國沙拉等小菜，每天更換新品種，還可免費添加。餐前還會贈送一份特別的馬鈴薯煎餅，這個馬鈴薯煎餅在其他韓國餐廳是不容易吃到的。  

張家店 | Korean Soup House, Yang-Pyung Shin Nae Restaurant  

Rowland Height Plaza

1722 Desire Ave., #108

Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Mon-Sun 9AM to 10PM (Closed 3PM to 5PM)

626-839-7977

Yelp Review  

Download To Go Menu Here  

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By Kathy Tung, Leasing Division

"Health & Love"

健康 &愛

Do you know health and love are connected together for someone's blood pressure? Health and Love are important key elements for everyone. The answer can be found in the special health report (68 page report) from DHHS, the department of Health and Human Services.

In the report that found, in general, married people are happier, live longer, drink less and even have fewer doctors' appointments than unmarried people. Most studies on the health benefits of love have focused on married couples.

The study also published about marriage and blood pressure. The research found that happily married people have lower blood pressure than unmarried people. But unhappily married people have higher blood pressure than both groups. When it comes to blood pressure, at least, you're probably better off alone than in a troubled marriage.

Loving spouses tend to encourage each others; they keep up with healthy behaviors such as exercise and flossing, and dissuade unhealthy ones, such as heavy drinking, according to many studies. Romantic relationships also can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life that can translate to better self-care and less risk taking.

So love may make the world go round, but is it powerful enough to influence one's health by lower one's blood pressure, and even reduce one's depression. My section's another topic is how love can influence one's depression.

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