Civic and education leaders will join representatives from Raytheon at Isla Vista School this morning for the announcement of a $100,000 contribution from Raytheon to the Computers for Families Sustainability Fund.

Dignitaries on hand for the event will include Congresswoman Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone.

Computers for Families, operating under the auspices of Santa Barbara Partners in Education and the Santa Barbara County Education Office, is in the process of placing 4,000 computers into the homes of children in the county whose families cannot afford to purchase the increasingly important learning tools. The project also provides training for students, teachers, parents and administrators.

The goal of the Computers for Families Sustainability Fund

is to make the program self-sufficient by establishing a $4 million endowment to support the program’s annual $200,000 budget.

"Raytheon sees giving back to the community a responsibility as a good corporate citizen and neighbor," said Pat Hurley, vice president and general manager of Raytheon EW Systems. "As a business, supporting Computers for Families makes sense because a person’s success in today’s high-tech marketplace requires computer literacy and the ability to understand and utilize technologies," said Hurley.

"The Computers for Families program is a model that should be used across the country to help prepare our children for the future."

Avoid rain-borne illnesses

The County Environmental Health Services Division issued a storm water runoff advisory following the heavy rains earlier this week.

According to the advisory, contact with storm water may increase the risk of illnesses such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Unlike the municipal sewer system, water carried by the storm drain system is not treated, the statement said. People are warned not to swim, play or surf in the ocean and creeks for at least three days following any storm water runoff. "If people do choose to swim during the rain or immediately following the rain, they should avoid areas near the outfall from drainpipes and creeks that enter the ocean, the statement continued. "Beach goers should also avoid discolored water, as this may indicate high pollutant levels."

Anyone collecting seafood should wait until at least 10 days after a significant rain to harvest shellfish. High bacterial levels, pesticide, herbicides and motor oil grease flushed into the ocean with the storm runoff may contaminate the shellfish beds. Eating raw or undercooked contaminated shellfish could lead to such serious illnesses as gastroenteritis, septicemia, salmonellosis, and hepatitis. According to the warning, "Adequate cooking of shellfish will destroy harmful bacteria, but may not be effective in killing viruses. In addition, cooking does not eliminate chemical and metal pollutants in the shellfish."

Crapemyrtles on offer

The National Arbor Day Foundation is offering five free crapemyrtle trees to each person who takes out a $10 membership in the organization, through Jan. 31.

The offer is part of the non-profit’s "Trees for America Campaign." According to John Rosenow, the group’s president, "These small flowering trees boast perfect, six-petaled flowers of pink and red, with leaves that change from summer green to autumn red, orange and yellow."

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time of year for planting, between Feb. 1 and May 31, with enclosed instructions. Any tree that fails to grow will be replaced without charge.

Members also receive the foundation’s colorful bimonthly publication, "Arbor Day," and "The Tree Book," with directions for tree planting and care.

Those wanting the free trees should send a $10 membership contribution to:
Five Crapemyrtles
National Arbor Day Foundation
100 Arbor Ave.
Nebraska City, NE 68410.
The contributions should be sent by Jan. 31, 2006.

Web page offered to teens

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has established a new Website for novice teenage drivers and their parents, to answer questions that arise: http://www.dmv/ca/gov/teenweb

In announcing the new resource for young drivers and their families, the DMV lists a number of topics covered at the site. These include:

° New rules affecting teen drivers in 2006.
° Requirements and restrictions of permits and provisional licenses.
° Driver education and training, including tips to help select a driving school.
° Insurance and financial responsibility.
° Drug and alcohol use, effects and consequences.
° Comprehensive study materials.
° Sample tests with full color photos.
° Advice on practicing for and passing the driving test.
° Making DMV appointments online.

The site also provides link to the Parent-Teen Training Aid and the California Driver Handbook. Information is easily accessed, since it is highlighted prominently on the front page of the DMV Website, www.dmv.ca.gov.

Natural gas leak on UCSB campus

A break in a natural gas line occurred Wednesday afternoon on the UCSB Campus, after a backhoe cut through the line on a construction site.

Firefighters from Engine 17 and Truck 11 arrived to find natural gas entering three university buildings, Engineering I, Kohn Hall, and the Materials Research Lab. All were evacuated, according to Capt. Keith Cullom of the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept.
Approximately 200 people were moved from the buildings for their safety for approximately 45 minutes, while university personnel stopped the natural gas leak and firefighters cleared the buildings of any danger from the escaped gas.