Job Market

SOUTH GLENDALE ? Demand for career advice has skyrocketed at the Verdugo Jobs Center, more than doubling from last year?s stream of about 4,000 monthly out-of-work visitors, the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board reported Tuesday. The board oversees the center, which offers career training and counseling to job seekers, said Don Nakamoto, labor market analyst for the board. It now offers its free services to between 9,000 and 10,000 visitors monthly, he said. ?I think because of what?

GLENDALE ? Citing the "dramatic increase" of American children being born with autism, a United States dignitary and Academy Award-winning actress helped kick off a Vons market fundraiser to support those stricken by the disorder on Thursday at College View School. The fundraiser will benefit Easter Seals Southern California, which for 16 years has run an after-school program for children with developmental disorders at College View School. Starting on Sunday and through the month of April, Vons checkout clerks will be soliciting donations from customers for Easter Seals.

The City Council on Tuesday introduced new flood plain management regulations that have been revised to reflect a new federal analysis. The revised plan reflects state modeling and a determination by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that no Special Flood Hazard Areas exist within the city?s boundaries. WHAT IT MEANS Adopting the revisions, which will come back to the council next week for a final vote, is required for the city?s continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, which allows residents to purchase insurance protection against flood damage.

As we approach Mother’s Day, I am asked by my sons, “Mom, what do you want for Mother’s Day?” I know they don’t want to hear, “Nothing, dear.” But the truth is I really don’t need anything. I just want my adult children to have the best life possible and save their money. Our kids today will not have the same opportunities we had to purchase a home as easily as we did. The job market is much more competitive and life is just harder.

With some time and guidance, students in John Ghazarian?s auto maintenance class at Hoover High School are turning would-be junk into a fully functioning automobile. On Tuesday, the dozen students in the summer school class, which falls under the Regional Occupation Program, worked on rebuilding a Chevrolet 350 engine that Ghazarian picked up at a junkyard. ?Their job right now is to assemble the whole thing completely,? he said. During the first week of class, students watched videos about how a car works.

Darleene Barrientos At John Drayman's store, where he fulfills orders to restore and preserve old photographs, business has been very healthy in October. And over the years, he's learned a good October in his store is a merry Christmas in the Montrose Shopping Park. "In my particular business, Christmas orders have to go in early, and it has been a very good October," said Drayman, a member of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. "That usually means a very good Christmas season.

The resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday signaled the Republican administration's willingness to reevaluate its course in Iraq, Rep. Adam Schiff said this week. Schiff, who was reelected during an election that saw the Democrats take control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, said that the largely Democratic vote was a message from voters that the country wants to change direction. With a Democratic majority in Congress, Schiff, whose district includes Burbank and Glendale, pledged to pursue new ideas about how to end the conflict in Iraq.

Rep. Adam Schiff met with IRS Commissioner Mark Everson Wednesday to express his concerns about the agency's investigation of houses of worship, in particular All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. The IRS threatened to take away the church's tax-exempt status after the Rev. George Regas gave an anti-war sermon in the fall of 2004. Schiff told Everson he was concerned that the IRS investigations may have a chilling effect on 1st Amendment rights of the clergy, and that while the federal tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations like churches from intervening in political campaigns and elections, faith communities have "every right" to express themselves on the major issues of the day. Schiff has requested a formal Government Accountability Office investigation of IRS. Sierra club supports local candidate The Sierra Club of California has endorsed La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Anthony Portantino as a Democratic candidate for the 44th Assembly District.

Jackson Bell Scott Hauck wants to be a professional baseball player when he grows up. But if that doesn't work out, the 13-year-old said being a park ranger would also be the perfect career for him. And he should know, since his father is Glendale Park Ranger Supervisor Russ Hauck. "I just want to follow in my dad's footsteps," Scott said. "And I like animals a lot." Scott was one of more than 50 children who took part Thursday in the ninth annual Bring Your Son or Daughter to Work Day, the city's version of the national event.