A bill that would dramatically expand the mandatory arbitration process for some ag labor contracts passed the Assembly this week and will be headed to the Governor.  SB 25 (Steinberg) passed the Assembly 43-25 on Monday.  The bill would extend the existing law that prescribes mandatory mediation that can result in a contract being unilaterally applied to the parties.  The bill would apply this extraordinary process to every ag labor union contract.  The concern is that labor unions will no longer bargain in good faith, knowing that after 60 days they can enter this mandatory process which will result in a contract being forced on the employer. 

However, the bill did not pass without drama.  Assembly member Bonilla from Contra Costa stated during debate that she received a commitment from the author to eliminate a provision that raised the standard of review for an appeal of the contract.  Following the vote, conversations with the author's office confirms he intends to either amend the bill or pass another bill to return that provision to the existing standard.  The association has been working closely with a coalition of ag employer representatives to oppose this bill and obtain the appropriate amendments. 

With pro-immigration reform groups spreading out across the country to put pressure on House members home for the August recess, a major focus remains on Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R, VA), chair of the House Judiciary Committee with immigration oversight, and former chair of the House Agriculture Committee.

The Virginia Republican made news this week when statements made to the media and in a town hall meeting in his district seemed to take a step back from earlier statements which indicated House GOP would work on a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented workers in the U.S.  This week, Goodlatte said he favors a "legal status" for illegal aliens, including the children of illegals brought to the U.S. or born here, but stopped short of endorsing a clear path to citizenship.  He and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R, VA) are working on a bill to provide that legal status to the children of illegal immigrants, but he told his town hall meeting - complete with pro-immigration supporters - that the current system using family or employment status to gain citizenship is sufficient.

Goodlatte has moved several bills through his committee related to immigration reform, testimony to the House leadership's refusal to take up a single, comprehensive immigration reform package, including the Senate-passed immigration bill.  In September the judiciary panel will take up bills on interior enforcement, workplace verification and border security, according to reports.   

In other immigration reform developments this week, the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition of evangelical Christian groups, confirmed it will buy $400,000 in advertising on Christian radio stations across the country to push for comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship.  The ads will play in 14 states and 56 House districts, the majority represented by GOP members.  The group said its members have experienced a dramatic run-up in illegal immigrant members in recent years.

It's not too late to add classes at City College of San Francisco. If you want to register or encourage friends to, we still have room in RF80A on Tuesday and Thursday Mornings and on Saturdays. Other classes are available too! Check the online schedule@ccsf.edu. I'll be glad to give add codes over the phone 415-239-3140 or via email, sbrown@ccsf.edu.

Sacramento, August 22, 2013 - Today the California Business Roundtable announced the launch of the California Center for Jobs and the Economy. The Center will provide a comprehensive view of California's employment picture by region as well as by demographics and industry sectors. The website provides a new data tool that allows users to visually see what is occurring in the state with respect to employment, wages, and other economic data across the regions, by county and by State Senate and Assembly districts.

"California businesses, residents and elected officials are going to greatly benefit from the creation of the Center for Jobs and the Economy. The factual data that the Center distributes is going to give California the opportunity to assess a variety of aspects of the jobs environment and the economy, ultimately allowing for further understanding of California's business climate," stated Tom Conley, Chairman of the California Business Roundtable.

Building off the work of regional economic development groups, the Center for Jobs and the Economy was formed to provide an objective and nonpartisan source of information about the jobs environment and economic trends in California, as well as providing information to understand current policy decisions and their impacts on job creation. The data is organized by statewide, GoBiz regions, county level and senate and assembly districts. The Center has the capability of providing comprehensive data in one place including unemployment rates, county demographics, industry specific information, job growth statistics and types of jobs gained and lost.

• Click here for full article.... 

 

Gallup & Stribling Orchids - 3450 Via Real, Carpinteria, CA

Saturday, October 12^th

California Certified Florist (CCF) Testing

Education Workshops

Evening Student Design Competition

Sunday, October 13^th

Top Ten Design Competition

Trade Show

Afternoon Design Show Sponsored by FTD Featuring

Deborah De La Flor, AIFD, PFCI

Click on links for all important documents below...   

• PROGRAM
• 2013 DESIGN WORKSHOPS
• REGISTRATION FORM
• SILENT AUCTION
• TOP TEN COMPETITION
• STUDENT COMPETITION

Get More Details/Register:

Call CSFA:  916-448-5266

Email:  ann@agamsi.com

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED FLORIST (CCF)

EXAM PREPARATION CLASSES SCHEDULED

The California State Floral Association (CSFA) &  

The California Certified Florist (CCF) Program

Present:

CCF Prep Classes

Sunday, September 22nd

Two Locations:

A To Wholesale Floral Supply Inc.  

1511 E. McFadden Avenue,

Santa Ana, CA  92705

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

For More Information call the CSFA office at 916-448-5266 or go to the CCF website at:  www.californiacertifiedflorist.org 

by Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD

The City College of San Francisco's SAIFD (Student American Institute of Floral Designers) Menzies Chapter won first place overall for the Student Design Competition at the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) National Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 27th, 2013.  

This popular and exciting event at Symposium is a breath of fresh air, and a chance to see new talent.  It's truly a thrill for the students to observe and interact with professional designers/attendees from all over the world as their designs are on display after the competition.  Attendees can choose their favorite student designer and vote for them in the People's Choice category.  There is a special night/dinner dedicated to all award recipients.   AIFD Symposium to many students is an unforgettable life learning experience that has built a platform for their future.

City College of San Francisco's team won nine of the fifteen awards and are now the AIFD Student Chapter Champions for the second consecutive year. Seneca College from Ontario Canada placed second overall and Joliet Junior College from Joliet, Illinois place third overall.  There were fourteen SAIFD College Chapters throughout the United States and Canada that participated in the competition with 48 students in the competition.  The design categories were Wedding, Sympathy, Arrangement for an art opening and Body Flowers.  The students had 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the designs.

City College of San Francisco team member Ineke Moss won four individual awards including first place overall.  Oxana Sanukova won first place Arrangement and third place Sympathy.  Nicole Kastle won second place Sympathy and Ariel Ermatinger won second place in Body Flowers.  The intriguing designs executed by team members Imelda Iraeta, Maria Pettyjohn and Sungmun Ryu contributed to the Overall School Award with the highest average score.

The team's success is due to outstanding commitment, extreme passion, and diverse backgrounds.  There were five consecutive weeks of practice sessions before the competition.  This was a tremendous commitment and dedication of time for the students and instructors.  It takes a certain type of student to compete and make this commitment. The pure passion and talent for floral design is a key ingredient that instructors look for and are able to recognize in their students as they enter and go through the Environment Horticulture/Retail Floristry program at City College of San Francisco.  Instructors encourage, mentor and lead the path for this developmental process.  Instructors in the Retail Floristry Division at City College of San Francisco are AIFD members and have an extensive background in student competition.

City College of San Francisco is known for its diversity and this is also an important factor for the team's success.  The blending of many cultures into one team produces individual uniqueness and a dynamic creative force.  We have students from all over the world.  This year we had students from Germany, Russia, Korea, El Salvador, Philippines and California on the team.

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry program and outside organizations such as the San Francisco Garden Club assist with scholarship funding for the student incurred competition expenses.  Kitayama Brothers Inc., one of the largest growers in the USA with over one million square feet of greenhouse and over 20 acres of outside production in Watsonville, California, invites students to participate in their annual open house competition.  This provides an excellent opportunity for the students to practice their newly learned skills before the AIFD National Symposium.

Students are advised and trained by instructors:  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD, Steven Brown Department Chair AIFD, CFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, CFD and Soho Sakai, AIFD, CFD.

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry Department is a hidden gem that has existed since the 1930's.  The department program offers a complete curriculum that maintains strong links with horticulture, flower shop/studio owners, growers, wholesalers and manufacturers. More information about the college and program can be found at www.ccsf.edu.   

CORSAGES & BOUTS..."in 5 Minutes or Less" 

(NO wire NO tape)

By Ren� van Rems, AIFD 

Rene van Rems Floral Training Center

Carlsbad, CA 92008

SUNDAY, September 22, 2013

9 A.M. - 4 P.M.  (one hour lunch break @ noon)

$124.50 per student, all inclusive

By Request...

Corsages and other body flowers..."The New Way"

Learn how to:

• Create FAST custom corsages &  boutonnieres                
• Make your own LIGHT-WEIGHT corsages &  boutonnieres
• SELL corsages & boutonnieres                        
• SELECT flowers that will last for DAYS!     
• PRE-MAKE your corsages & boutonnieres                       
•  UP-SELL bling and accessories   
• Work with bling and accessories

To register, contact Amy Grothe @ 888.824.7363

Full registration only please. All Credit Cards accepted.

RENE VAN REMS INTERNATIONAL 

5451 AVENIDA ENCINAS, SUITE F

CARLSBAD, CA 920078

rene@renevanrems.com