As concerned parents of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, we are writing to enlist your support in cultivating a healthier environment for our children. The American Heart Association (AHA) has stated that "over the last decade, at least 6,000 excess deaths from any cause and 21,000 life-years lost can be attributed to the increase in sugar-sweetened drinks" and "Sugar-sweetened soda, sport and fruit drinks (not 100 percent fruit juice) contain equivalent calories, ranging from 120 to 200 per drink, and thus play a role in the nation’s rising tide of obesity" (AHA March 5, 2010). The sugar in these drinks often exceeds the AHA daily allowance of sugar for children and young adults. We would like more water and fruit juices without added sugar to be offered instead. For these reasons we are asking that the CVUSD Health & Wellness Policy state that all drinks including electrolyte replacement beverages (ERB’s) with added sugar, artificial colors and flavorings (Gatorade, Powerade, Nesliquick, sodas, etc) be removed from all school cafeterias, vending machines, and student stores. Sport drinks/ERB’s should only be offered to athletes at sporting events in conjunction with water. Please see the other petitions involving healthy changes for CVUSD: http://www.parentsforhealthyschoollunch.com/sign_the_petitions_.html

As concerned parents of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, we are writing to enlist your support in cultivating a healthier environment for our children. Currently flavored milk (chocolate) is being served to school children at breakfast and lunch. Chocolate milk has 56% more calories; 108% more sugar (4 tsp); 11% less protein, 50% more salt and 25% less Vit C than unflavored milk. Due to the fact that 1 in 4 children are obese, and 2 out of 3 adults are obese we feel that kids should enjoy the benefits of milk without the sugar and additives of flavored milk. We want the Health and Wellness Policy for Conejo Valley USD to state that no flavored milk (chocolate or otherwise) will be offered or served on school campuses. Please see the other petitions involving healthy changes for CVUSD: http://www.parentsforhealthyschoollunch.com/sign_the_petitions_.html

As concerned parents of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, we are writing to enlist your support in cultivating a healthier environment for our children. Currently ‘birthday celebrations’ are being held on school grounds during recess, before/after school, that involve food (cake, cupcakes, doughnuts, candy, etc). This food/candy is given to kids WITHOUT parent permission. This is an issue due to allergies (8% of kids), obesity (1 in 4 kids), cavities, special needs children, behavior problems in class, not eating lunch, etc. We know that parents want their kids to feel special on their birthdays, but we want these celebrations to not involve food or beverages; instead read a favorite book, give out pencils, share something special, wear a birthday hat, etc. We want the Health and Wellness Policy for Conejo Valley USD to include that no food or beverage shall be given for birthday celebrations on school campus. School should be about education; let’s leave the birthday celebrations involving food off school campus. Please see the other petitions involving healthy changes for CVUSD: http://www.parentsforhealthyschoollunch.com/sign_the_petitions_.html

As concerned parents of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, we are writing to enlist your support in cultivating a healthier environment for our children. Currently candy is being given out by some teachers, principals, school nurses, after school activity leaders, etc. to our children for testing, good behavior, ‘boo boos, etc. This candy is given WITHOUT parent permission. This is an issue due to allergies (8% of kids), obesity (1 in 4 kids), cavities, special needs children, behavior problems, and the basic idea that you are giving or withholding food to reward kids. We want the Health and Wellness Policy for Conejo Valley USD to include that no food or beverage shall be given as a reward for student accomplishments or withheld as punishment on school campus. Let’s find other ways to reward kids that doesn’t involve candy or food! Please see the other petitions involving healthy changes for CVUSD: http://www.parentsforhealthyschoollunch.com/sign_the_petitions_.html

As concerned parents of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, we are writing to enlist your support in cultivating a healthier environment for our children. One in four children in the US is obese, and two of every three adults in the US are obese. Obesity is the leading cause of death in America after smoking. Unless measures are taken to reduce obesity, the youth of today may live shorter lives than their parents. For this reason as parents we feel that nutrition education should be a major concern to schools as they are our nation's primary institutions of education. Schools help teach children how to read, write and become problem solvers. As parents we believe schools can also help educate children (and parents) about eating right and keeping their bodies healthy. We want the Health and Wellness Policy for Conejo Valley USD to require that nutrition education be included as part of the curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students. Please see the other petitions involving healthy changes for CVUSD: http://www.parentsforhealthyschoollunch.com/sign_the_petitions_.html

nasty slurs being published in such magazines as GQ pointing at people with Down Syndrome and other people with disabilities.

We will not allow the budget deficit to be strapped solely on the backs of Kentucky's seniors, disabled, working class, and those living below the poverty line.

According to the Cato Institute, the U.S. Federal Government spends nearly $100 Billion dollars annually in corporate welfare and subsidies. Before cutting programs for average Americans, Congress should cut off all subsidies and welfare for corporations.

Congress imposes laws on the American people but exempts themselves from having to live with them. Examples are healthcare, social security, retirement, etc. If congress had to live within the laws and restrictions they create for other Americans we feel that we would get better, faster and more intelligent decisions from an elected congress and senate.

For generations, the sugar beet industry has been the lifeblood of Northwest Minnesota’s Red River Valley. Sugar workers have always stood shoulder to shoulder with American Crystal Sugar and farmers to protect and advance the sugar industry. Together, the workers, company and growers have helped to build the local economy, support families, and made communities flourish. Now, American Crystal has put all of this in jeopardy by locking out workers. Sign our petition telling CEO Dave Berg: Don’t turn your back on the community!

I am for the majority of the people; this two party system isn't working for the majority, it has always worked for the 2%. I feel there is more good people than Republicans, and there more poor people than richs Republicans people.

Americans for Prosperity in Tucson recently staged a drop by action at Rep. Raul Grijalva's office, protesting President Obama's comment that urged lawmakers to "eat their peas" and tackle the debt and deficit. While the action was tongue in cheek, the truth is that Rep. Grijalva has been standing up for the many out of work Arizonans and vulnerable seniors who are having trouble putting enough food on the table due to the disastrous economic policies of Republicans in congress. Rep. Grijalva and Rep. Ed Pastor in Arizona, as well as 78 other Democrats in Congress, recently signed on to a letter to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging that Social Security and Medicare remain off the table in the current budget deficit talks. http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/07/14/137860891/top-house-progressive-says-he-others-wont-ok-debt-ceiling-benefit-cuts. Please sign a petition expressing support for these courageous members of Congress and urging their colleagues to join them in signing on to the letter to Rep. Pelosi. And here in Tucson, please consider making donations to the Tucson Community Food Bank in support of Rep. Grijalva's efforts.