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The measure, SB 1690, sets a groundbreaking precedent in fisheries management by giving authority to commercial crab fishermen to develop solutions to problems in the industry that stem from increasing competition for crab.
“California has some of the most robust crab fisheries in the world,” Wiggins said “But looming pressures, such as declining salmon runs, are increasing competition for this valuable resource. This competition also results in unsafe conditions on the ocean and puts fishermen at risk.
“I believe the fishermen know best how to solve problems in their industry,” Wiggins added. “My bill asks them to work together to tell policymakers how to fix problems, in order to keep the fisheries safe and sustainable for future generations of fishermen and their families.”
SB 1690 sets up a Crab Task Force comprised of fishermen from California’s eight crab ports, commercial processors, sport-fishing and tour boat representatives, the state Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and sustainable fishery groups.
The task force is charged with meeting over the course of two years to develop recommendations for management policies that will improve safety and sustainability in California’s crab fisheries. The recommendations will be submitted by January, 2011 to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, DFG and the Fish and Game Commission.
Wiggins’ measure was sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund, which brought together fishermen throughout the North Coast and led a series of discussions on how to craft a fair and representative process to develop policy recommendations,
The bill is supported by a wide range of crab fishermen and others in the industry, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, California Fisheries and Seafood Institute and Coastal Fishboat Owners Alliance.
SB 1690 passed the Assembly on August 18 on a 55-22 bi-partisan vote. Wednesday’s approval by the Senate sends the bill to the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has 30 days following the Legislature’s adjournment to sign or veto legislation.
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The Senate voted 21-15 in favor of the bill Thursday. The Assembly previously approved SB 623 on Aug. 12, meaning the fate of the measure will soon be in the hands of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Some gasoline stations are offering different prices for gasoline based on the method of purchase, with discounts for cash transactions,” Wiggins said. “This is mainly because credit cards add about 2 to 3 percent to the cost of the transaction — an extra sum passed on to the customer for the convenience of using plastic at the pump."
With high gas prices and low profit margins, some gas station owners seek to encourage customers to use cash to reduce the amount of mandatory fees that station owners pay to banks that issue credit and debit cards.
Merchants pay a percentage of the sales paid with plastic (with gas station owners paying 1.5 percent to 3 percent of credit and debit card sales in fees). For example, a 2-percent fee means a station owner paid four cents per gallon when gas cost $2 a gallon and eight cents a gallon when gas hit $4.
"Drivers should be clearly shown what they’re paying, especially when prices are high,” Wiggins said. “I think some station owners can do a better job of telling consumers that they’ll pay a lower price for gas if they use cash. SB 623 simply says that if a gas station owner charges different prices for the identical fuel based on payment method, he or she needs to place a notice on each pump so that consumers can make an informed choice.”
She added that adequate posting of prices will benefit station owners, too, as consumers may be more inclined to make cash purchases.
For more information on this bill or other legislation authored by Senator Wiggins, please visit her Web site, http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.
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“Culinary awareness is hard to ignore. Thanks to Food Network and home chefs becoming more interested in ingredients and techniques, culinary classes are hot,” said Duane Harper of Hardester’s Markets.
Hardester’s has teamed up with Chic Le Chef Inc., a private chef and specialty caterer, to provide culinary classes in a center scheduled to open Sept. 1, adjacent to their Hidden Valley market.
“We’ve been feeling the pressure to expand our gourmet and specialty food lines for some time, and this concept works nicely into the overall plan,” said Ross Hardester. “We’ve already done some pilot classes in our Middletown and Hidden Valley markets and the response has been very positive. We are planning additional specialty classes to continue at our various markets until the permanent classroom opens in September.”
Julie Hoskins of Chic Le Chef Inc. explained that “exploring the more readily available global foods has become the adventure of the day.” Her vision of the culinary center is that there will be “something for everyone.”
Classes will cover techniques and information from ingredients to wine and food pairings. Healthy eating classes, guest chef instructors and interactive kids’ classes are all a part of this culinary vision.
“The popular theme of the film ‘Ratatouille’ was that ‘anyone can cook.’ What we want to do is provide people with the awareness, techniques and confidence to cook what they like,” said Hoskins.
Class schedules and online signup are available on the web at www.chiclechef.com.
For more information visit the Web site or call 355-0174.
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If you think a SIG is political, you are mistaken. There is no such thing as a PASIG (Political Action Special Interest Group). However, there is something called a PAC (Political Action Committee). Washington, DC is full of them.
As a SIG, Clusters functions as a unique educational forum – not a club with dues, officers, bylaws and articles of incorporation that need to be filed with a governmental agency. If your small business could benefit from some mutual collaboration with other businesses, if your business does not know how to use free online resources to its advantage – like Twitter, Jott, Squidoo, Skype and Yugma, among others – you need to come to meeting of Clusters. If you do not know what an Internet tablet is let alone how to use it, you really NEED to come to a meeting of Clusters. At a Clusters meeting, the message is always "win/win." For that reason, the bringing of business cards, fliers and brochures is always encouraged.
Clusters focuses on the power of small group communication and netweaving (looking out for Number 2) that results in a mutual uplift.
If saving money through creative mutual collaboration and growing your small business by becoming a "goto" person fits your lifestyle, you will enjoy being in a four-person cluster with a virtual mentor.
Thus far all Cluster meetings have been held on Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greenview Restaurant. However, as the Cluster network grows, there could be meetings spread out all over the county. Best check the Squidoo site for the latest update at www.squidoo.com/Clusters. (Please note the special link for you to RSVP your intentions to attend a meeting. This helps with the planning of each weekly event. However, that does not mean you have to make any long-term commitments. The goal at Clusters is to make your life less expensive and less of a hassle.)
There is also a Ryze Business Network showcasing Clusters at http://clusters-network.ryze.com. This network is freely available and ideal for the asking of questions you may have about Clusters to a worldwide audience.
If you have questions about the local meetings here in Lake County regarding Clusters, especially the many ways it can benefit your small business, call 709-8605.
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