Education in California: It's a Priorities Problem

Today, I took part in a local protest along with dozens of teachers, parents and children facing the (new) potential budget cuts to education in California.

I took lots of photos, which you can see on my Facebook page. However, the most revealing one in my opinion was the one I included here, which had a father of a student holding up a sign that read “It’s a Priorities Problem.”

The state Government doesn’t have a spending problem. It has a PRIORITIES problem: what it’s valuing most and what it’s willing to do for that vs. what it’s willing to do to maintain (and improve) public education.

What can YOU do?

  • Call your state legislators (1-888-268-4334): tell them to think like Oregonians! In Oregon, on January 26, to protect public education and other vital social services, voters passed two ballot measures that raised taxes on those with the highest incomes and corporations.
  • Read about progressive tax alternatives to cuts: www.cft.org
  • Talk to everyone around you (family, neighbors, friends) about the issues.
  • Support the 48-day March for California’s Future and follow it.

Venezuelan Coffee and New Home in Palo Alto


New home – front
Originally uploaded by Manny Hernandez

It’s a great coincidence… I had to come THIS far to be close once more to my beloved true Venezuelan coffee.

I just got word from a friend of Andreina from school that there is an authentic Venezuelan coffee place within 2 blocks of Ning. It’s called Coupa Cafe and I can’t wait to try it out tomorrow, in our last day before we head back to Orlando.

We may swing by after we drop off Mr. Ciro (my father-in-law) at the airport (he flies out a day before), on our way to San Jose to sign the contract for the lease of our new place… you heard well. We found a place and we love it! It is within biking distance of Ning.

Here is a picture of the front.