Consumer Affairs Warns of Price Gouging

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 30, 2009)– Consumers expressed concerns about surges in kerosene prices at retail outlets as a consequence of high demand for the fuel in the wake of the harsh winter weather in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Tennessee Consumer Affairs Director Mary Clement warned public about possible abuse, “Retail outlets that unreasonably or excessively raise the price of commodities during an emergency or crisis in order to take advantage of consumers are price gouging, which is illegal,” she said.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated the state emergency operations center to prepare for and respond to the ice storm. Hit by large power outages, Kentucky residents have been driving into Tennessee to get fuel and kerosene.

The Division of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to be on the lookout for potential price gougers. Consumers may contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 615-741-4737 or toll free at 800-342-8385 to report incidences of suspected price gouging. Consumers will need to provide the name of the business, address and the price of the product being sold.

Consumers are encouraged to send copies of receipts showing the cost of the purchase.  One good way to report activity is by a taking cell phone or digital pictures of the pump prices or price signs and e-mailing them to www.consumer.affairs@tn.gov. “This can help tremendously in investigating and following through with claims of price gouging,” Clement said.

ETSU Open House: Learn How ETSU Fits Into Your Future

Family budgets are tightening.  College tuition is rising… It’s time to take a closer look at East Tennessee State’s education value.  On Thursday, February 12th, at The Mall at Johnson City, come meet many of our university’s representatives at our ‘ETSU Loves You—Student Fair.’ Talk to Admissions and Financial Aid counselors to learn how to navigate through the paperwork.  Find out more about career majors ETSU offers to help build your future, and get a real feel for campus living, activities, Greek Life, housing and more!  Our ‘ETSU Loves You—Student Fair’ will save you time, save you gas, and save you some sleepless nights.  ETSU equals quality and value!  So come on out and ask the people with the answers.  Learn more about ‘ETSU and You’ on February 12th at The Mall at Johnson City from 11 to 5.

Statement from the Mayor Dean on English-only

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean released this statement today in response to the results from the special election on two amendments to the Metro Charter:

“This is a great night for Nashville. The results of this special election reaffirm Nashville’s identity as a welcoming and friendly city, and our ability to come together as a community – from all walks of life and perspectives – to work together for a common cause for the good of our city. That diversity and that shared desire to see our city succeed and progress is part of what makes Nashville so great and the exact reason why this amendment does not represent the city that we are. I can tell you it a true honor and privilege to serve as mayor of this city.

“We are able to celebrate this evening because so many individuals and organizations have devoted their time and resources over the last several weeks to this effort. Thank you to Tom Negri and Loews for hosting us tonight. Thank you to everyone at Nashville for All of Us. Thank you to the many volunteers that spent hours making calls and knocking on doors – it is the individual people in a campaign that mobilize voters. Thank you to the donors, the businesses and the individuals, for making it possible to get the message of this campaign out to the broader public. Thank you to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce for vocally supporting this campaign, and the many other nonprofits and interest groups that rallied their constituents and united behind this cause. Thank you to the coalitions of university presidents and faith-based leaders for speaking out with one voice. Thank you to the Metro Council for overwhelmingly supporting the memorializing resolution on this. Thank you to Governor Bredesen for getting involved when he didn’t have to. His comment to me was “We can’t go back.” And I want to personally thank Jim Hester, a senior advisor in my administration who took a personal leave of absence from his work to ensure this campaign’s success.

“From here, we continue to move forward as a city, and we do so with no barriers in our way.”

Declaración del Alcalde Dean acerca de ‘Solo-Ingles’

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – El alcalde Karl Dean publicó hoy esta declaración en respuesta a los resultados de la elección especial sobre dos enmiendas a la Constitución del gobierno Metropolitano:

“Esta es una gran noche para Nashville. Los resultados de esta elección especial reafirmar la identidad de Nashville como una ciudad acogedora y amigable y nuestra capacidad para unirnos como una comunidad – de todas las ocupaciones, profesiones, clases sociales y perspectivas – de trabajar juntos por una causa común por el bien de nuestra ciudad. Esa diversidad, y ese deseo compartido de que nuestra ciudad tenga éxito y progrese es parte de lo que hace tan grande a Nashville y es exactamente la razón por la que esta enmienda no representa la ciudad que somos. Puedo decirles que es un verdadero honor y un privilegio servir como alcalde de esta ciudad.

“Somos capaces de celebrar esta tarde, porque muchas personas y organizaciones han dedicado su tiempo y recursos  a este esfuerzo a lo largo de las últimas semanas. Gracias a Tom Negri y Loews por ser el anfitrión esta noche. Gracias a todos en ‘Nashville Para Todos Nosotros’. Gracias a los muchos voluntarios que pasaron horas haciendo llamadas y tocando puertas – los los individuos en una campaña los que movilizan a los votantes. Gracias a los donantes,  empresas y personas, por hacer posible que el mensaje de esta campaña llegue a un público más amplio. Gracias a la Cámara de Comercio del Área de Nashville por apoyar esta campaña vocalmente y las muchas otras organizaciones sin fines de lucro y grupos de interés que reunieron a su gente y se unieron a esta causa. Gracias a las coaliciones de presidentes de las universidades y de dirigentes religiosos por hablar con una sola voz. Gracias al Consejo Metropolitano por el apoyo abrumador. Gracias a Gobernador Bredesen por participar, cuando no tenía que hacerlo. Su comentario fue para mí, “No podemos retroceder. “Y quiero agradecer personalmente a Jim Hester, un importante asesor en mi administración que tomó un permiso de ausencia de su trabajo para garantizar el éxito de esta campaña.

“Desde aquí, continuamos avanzando como ciudad, y lo hacemos sin obstáculos en nuestro camino.”

Westwood Elementary breaks barriers reaching Hispanics students and their families

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Jan. 23, 2009 — In 2004, Westwood Elementary in Manchester, Tenn. received a 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) grant to support ELL students and their families, and to foster a positive and connected home-school relationship. The CLC offers programs and opportunities for students to achieve academic success, and for their parents to increase their English language skills and promote school readiness for preschoolers.

“We wrote the grant because we knew we needed to find a way to make our school more accessible to members of our Hispanic community,” said Principal Sandra Morris. “Many parents didn’t feel welcome and were reluctant to engage in activities at school. We wanted to bridge that gap. I would say parent involvement has gone up 400 percent in four years.”

The grant provided funds for a CLC director and interpreter, and a van to provide transportation. In a survey at the center, many parents indicated they wanted to learn English so they could help their children. So, the CLC arranged for Fast ForWord, a family of educational software products designed to accelerate learning by training the brain to process more efficiently, and English classes to be provided for parents.

Parents work on the 100-minute Fast ForWord protocol and then attend English classes. The center offers two levels, beginner and advanced; each meets two mornings weekly.

“It’s not uncommon for parents who work the night shift to bring their children to school and then go to the Fast ForWord lab to do their 100-minute program,” said Morris. “They are very dedicated. Plus, students are so pleased with their parents’ efforts to learn English, which benefits the entire family.”

At the end of each school year, the center holds a Parent Celebration, where plaques and certificates are awarded for parents’ achievements, including the completion of levels in the Fast ForWord program.

In addition to the Fast ForWord program and English classes, the CLC offers several other programs to help parents and students. For example, through the “Circle of Friends” program, junior high and high school students volunteer their time to work with K-6 ELL students at the CLC one day a week after school for reading practice, skill review, homework help or paired reading.

Westwood Elementary also has its own one-on-one tutoring program for ELL students. When teachers identify an ELL student who needs extra help, that student is paired with a high school student who provides skill-specific tutoring one afternoon a week during the school day.

Westwood has seen many positive changes among ELL students and parents, including:
* An expanded English vocabulary
* Improved student attendance
* Increased parent involvement in school activities
* A rise in self-esteem
* Increased reading at home

“We are now a successful school academically,” said Morris. “We are a school that makes AYP. We make all ‘A’s’ in our Academic Achievement and Value Added grades.”

“Parents are so much more comfortable and confident coming into the school building,” continued Morris. “Plus, the younger children who regularly attend our Community Learning Center are more prepared for preschool and adjust well to their classes. One of the neatest things I’ve experienced is watching the expressions on the faces of children who come to the Fast ForWord lab with their parents. They are so proud.”

About Westwood Elementary School
Due to its record of achievement, rigorous curriculum and activities offered to students, Westwood has been recognized twice as a National Title I Distinguished School, and twice as a Tennessee Title I Distinguished School.

About Scientific Learning Corporation
Scientific Learning creates educational software that accelerates learning by improving the processing efficiency of the brain. The patented Fast ForWord® family of products provides struggling readers with computer-delivered interventions and intensive exercises that build the cognitive skills required to read and learn effectively. Based on more than 30 years of neuroscience and cognitive research, the Fast ForWord products apply patented technology and validated neuroscience principles of brain plasticity to help children, adolescents, and adults improve processing efficiency and achieve enduring gains. The efficacy of the products and the science behind them has been confirmed by more than 425 research studies and publications. For more information, visit www.scientificlearning.com and www.brainconnection.com, or call toll-free 888-452-7323.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor created by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include the intention of certain shareholders to offer and sell common stock. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of many factors, including but not limited to the risk that the underwriters or selling stockholders decide to not proceed with or consummate the proposed offering due to general economic conditions, stock market conditions, or otherwise.

Nashville Spoke up on Charter ammends proposal

Thank you Nashville for speaking up!!

The Mayor, city council members, business leaders, labor organizers, faith leaders,  presidents of 9 universities, civil rights activists, immigrant and refugee leaders from every community, all came together to speak up for a friendly and welcoming Nashville. We are proud to be part of the strongest, most diverse coalition in our city’s history.

Nashville for All of Us

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. TIRRC leaders spent months mobilizing the immigrant and refugee community, knocking on doors, making phone calls, presenting at community meetings, speaking at faith services. Over 15,000 New Americans were contacted during this public education and Get Out the Vote effort, and the immigrant vote made the difference.

“A special thanks to new Americans. Thank you, not only for voting against this amendment, but for being here.”

~Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, last night’s victory speech~

Bredesen Habla sobre el voto en Nashville

DECLARACIÓN DE GOBERNADOR PHIL BREDESEN SOBRE EL VOTO DE RECHAZO A LA ENMIENDA ‘SOLO INGLÉS EN Nashville / Davidson Co.

“Los votantes de Nashville han expresado su opinión en las urnas y hablaron en voz alta en apoyo a impulsar a Nashville  hacia adelante en áreas importantes como la contratación de nuevos negocios y el desarrollo turístico. Cuando Andrea y yo llegamos a Nashville como una pareja de jóvenes, encontramos una comunidad abierta y hospitalaria que nos hizo sentir como en casa. Nashville ha afirmado que sigue siendo ese tipo de lugar “.

English

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN

ON REJECTION OF “ENGLISH-ONLY” AMENDMENT VOTE IN NASHVILLE / DAVIDSON COUNTY

“Nashville voters have voiced their opinion at the polls and spoke loudly in support of moving Nashville forward in important areas like new business recruiting and tourist development. When Andrea and I came to Nashville as a young couple, we found an open and accepting community that made us feel at home. Nashville has affirmed it is still that kind of place.”

Metro Human Relations Commission opposes effort to amend Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government

NASHVILLE, TN. ( January 13, 2009 )- The members of the Metro Human Relations Commission  have reiterated their opposition  to ongoing efforts to amend the Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government which has the potential to disenfranchise thousands of Nashvillians.   “While the proposed charter amendment may appear innocent at first blush, Metro government’s inability to constructively dialogue with its constituents in languages other than English would undermine longstanding efforts to create an inclusive community where all can contribute,” said Kelvin Jones, Executive Director of the Commission. 

 

The 16 member Commission, all appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by the Metropolitan Council  and  representative of a broad cross section of the Nashville Community,  is tasked with the responsibility to provide community-wide education to reduce discrimination in employment, housing, financial services and public accommodations as well as to assist efforts to promote respect for diversity, encourage improved race relations and address issues of community concern.

 

“ The effort to amend the Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government is a wedge issue which has the ability to jeopardize Nashville’s place as one of the country’s most desirable communities in which to live,  work and play.  This effort is divisive, creating an “us” and a “them”  and creates a mean and intolerant image  which is not reflective of the great city Nashville truly is; we are much better than this,” according to Jones.   

 

 “The Metro Human Relations Commission is committed to working with community leaders and stakeholders who are likewise invested in creating and protecting “One City for All People” .

PREPAID CALLING CARD SETTLEMENT WILL PROVIDE $75,000 FOR HISPANIC INSTITUTE

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has reached a resolution with a prepaid long distance phone card company over marketing practices related to its calling cards. Business Telecommunications Services, Inc., also known as ADMA Telecom, Inc. must now fully deliver the total amount of long distance telephone minutes as advertised and disclose all applicable fees and charges. The settlement also provides for a total of $75,000 to be donated to The Hispanic Institute, which assisted the Attorney General’s Office with its investigation into the prepaid calling card industry.

“I am pleased the higher standards in place within the calling card industry will benefit many of our residents who were using these cards to communicate with family and loved ones,” said Attorney General McCollum.

ADMA is the 12^th company to reach a settlement with the Attorney General over issues related to the prepaid calling card industry. The agreement requires the company to cease any potentially deceptive advertisements, provide 100 percent of the minutes advertised, and submit to three years of auditing by the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that it is following the terms of the agreement. Further, as part of the settlement agreement, the company will provide funding of $25,000 per year for three years to The Hispanic Institute to support its investigative and monitoring efforts in this industry.

“Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is the national leader in combating calling card fraud,” said Gus West, president of the Hispanic Institute. “His work on this issue, and many other issues, continues to provide consumer protection to Hispanics.”

The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division reached this agreement as a result of a continued investigation of the prepaid calling card industry. Prior to the investigation, consumers complained that companies within the industry often utilized hidden or inadequately disclosed fees and charges such as “hang-up fees,” periodic maintenance fees and destination surcharges.

The Economic Crimes Division is still investigating other companies that have been allegedly engaging in similar deceptive and unfair trade practices. Consumers affected by these or other practices may file a complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website at http://www.myfloridalegal.com or by calling the fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.

Líderes de la comunidad hispana hablan de la economía local

El periodista especializado en asuntos de negocios y editor de la sección de negocios del periódico The News Sentinel, Bill Brewer se reunió en mesa redonda con 4 líderes hispanos de Knoxville con la finalidad de vislumbrar a través de los puntos de vista de ellos de que modo la comunidad hispana local ha sido impactada – si ese es el caso, con los cambios en la economía.

Juan Aranda, dueño de la cadena de restaurantes El Charro, Roberto Hernández y Elizabeth Bonilla de la Cámara Hispana de Comercio del Este de Tennessee y Carlos Nicho, presidente de Mundo Hispano-Hispanic World, Inc. propietario de Mundo Hispano Bilingual, el único periódico hispano en el Este de Tennessee conversaron informalmente acerca de varios asuntos de la comunidad.

Encuentre el reportaje sobre esta reunión el día 30 de noviembre en la sección ‘Business’ del periódico The News Sentinel.

ENGLISH VERSION

Journalist and business editor of local The News Sentinel newspaper, Bill Brewer met in round table with four Knoxville Hispanic leaders aiming at getting a glimps through their viewpoints, of the way the local Hispanic community has been impacted – if that’s the case, with changes in the current economy.

Juan Aranda, owner of the restaurant chain El Charro, Roberto Hernandez and Elizabeth Bonilla of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of East Tennessee and Carlos Nicho, president of Mundo Hispano-Hispanic World, Inc. proprietor of Mundo Hispano Bilingual, the only Hispanic newspaper in East Tennessee chatted informally about a number of community issues.

Find the report about this meeting on Nov. 30 in the ‘Business’ section of The News Sentinel.

‘Nashville English only” comes back in Jan. 2009

 Progreso Community Center invites you to a community dialogue about the January 2009 special election on the proposed “English Only” amendment to the Metro Nashville Charter. We would like to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in dialogue of various perspectives and how we can work together as a community to address this special election issue. Please join us for an evening of dialogue and fellowship. All are welcome.

Community Dialogue on “English Only” Special Election
**Pot luck** (bring something to share)
Friday, 21 November 2008
6:00-9:00pm
Progreso Community Center
478 Allied Drive, Suite 107 – Nashville

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Juan Canedo
Director, Progreso Community Center
615-332-8704 or 615-569-3752

==============================================

Queridos amigos,

El Centro Comunitario Progreso invita a ustedes al diálogo comunitario sobre la elección especial del 22 de enero del 2009 para la enmienda de la Constitución de Nashville a través de la propuesta “English Only/Solo Inglés”.  Nos gustaría reunir gente diversa para entablar un diálogo sobre las varias perspectivas sobre esta propuesta y como poder trabajar juntos como comunidad para tratar este asunto de la elección especial.  Por favor únanse a nosotros para una noche de dialogue y amistad.  Todos son bienvenidos.

Diálogo Comunitario sobre “English Only/Solo Inglés”

**Si puede, traiga un aperitivo para compartir**

Viernes 21 de Noviembre 2008

6:00 a 9:00 pm

Centro Comunitario Progreso

478 Allied Drive, Suite 107 – Nashville

Por favor siéntanse libres de contactarme si tienen preguntas.

Atentamente,

Juan Canedo

Director, Centro Comunitario Progreso

615-332-8704 o 615-569-3752

————————————————————
Progreso Community Center / Centro Comunitario Progreso

478 Allied Drive, Suite 107
Nashville, TN 37211
www.hispanictn.org
info@hispanictn.org
Phone: 615-332-8704
Mobile:615-569-3752
Toll Free: 1-866-519-6294
Fax: 615-332-8704