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March 2009 Newsletter |
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March Library CLOSURES
All branches of the Law Library will be CLOSED Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in recognition of Cesar Chavez Day. Normal hours of operation will resume on Wednesday, April 1st.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed March 31st as 'Cesar Chavez Day' by issuing a Proclamation in 2005.
50th Anniversary
Celebration CLOSURES
The East County and South Bay Branches will close at 2:30pm, and the Main Branch will close at 3:00pm on Tuesday, March 10th for the 50th Anniversary celebration at the downtown facility. Normal hours of operation will resume on Wednesday, March 11th.
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Customer Service Satisfaction Survey
by Benita G.
Here is your opportunity to voice your opinion on the Law Library's services and a chance to win a $25 restaurant gift certificate to your choice of over 40 participating restaurants in the San Diego area.
From March 2-31, 2009, the San Diego County Public Law Library is conducting a survey on the public services offered to library patrons. The purpose of this survey is to determine if we are effectively meeting your needs and learn about areas of improvement where we can more efficiently serve the community.
You may complete the survey online or visit any one of our four branches to complete a paper version of the survey. Once you submit your survey, you will automatically be entered into our drawing to receive one of three $25 gift certificates.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the survey or suggestions about other services you would like the Law Library to offer, please email the Marketing Department.
Thank you for your participation, we look forward to receiving your feedback.
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Join Us for the 2009 Witkin Dinner
This year's Bernard E. Witkin, Esq. Award Dinner is set for Thursday, March 12, 2009, in the Bellaire Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina (Bay Tower), located at 1590 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. The no-host cocktail reception will begin at 5:00 P.M., and the Dinner and Awards Program will begin at 6:00 P.M.
The Witkin Award Dinner is the main fund-raising event of the San Diego County Public Law Library (SDCPLL). Each year the Foundation uses the event to honor members of the San Diego legal community for civic leadership and excellence in the teaching, practice, enactment or adjudication of the law.
This year we have four award recipients:- District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis;
- Associate Justice Richard D. Huffman,
California Appellate Court;
- Milton J. Silverman, Esq.; and
- University of San Diego Legal Clinics.
Corporate donors and table sponsors will be listed in the program guide. Table Sponsors of eight may be purchased for $1,000. Corporate sponsorships are also available at different levels. Individual ticket prices are $125.00 per person. For additional information, please contact Joy Placek at (619) 531-3904 or email the Law Library.
Funds raised at the event are used to purchase legal materials for SDCPLL's four branches and its users. The Law Library's users include both practicing attorneys and members of the general public who need basic legal information, but cannot afford to hire an attorney. For many people, books purchased with the help of your donations are the only source they have to assist them in resolving their critical legal problems.
Witkin-related information is posted on the Law Library Justice Foundation's website at: http://www.lljf.org. Please visit that website for more information or to register for the Witkin Award Dinner.
Don't miss your chance to attend the best networking event of the year in the legal community!
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TAX NEWS: Free Tax Preparation Assistance,
Free E-Filing & Tax Credit Information
by Benita G. & Gina C.
As the economy declines, we are all looking for ways to save money by cutting expenses where we can. Make sure more money stays in your pocket this year by taking advantage of all eligible tax deductions, credits, and free tax preparation services.
Free Tax Preparation:
The Law Library is partnering with the AARP Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax preparation services for individuals whose AIG is $100,000 or less. The Law Library will be the onsite location for the AARP Tax Volunteers on Wednesday, April 1st and Wednesday, April 8th, from 9:00-4:00pm. For more information and to sign up for this service, please call the Law Library at 619-531-3900.
Free E-File:
You can also save money by filing your federal tax returns electronically. This year, the IRS is offering free e-file to all individual tax payers. For those with an adjusted gross income (AIG) of $56,000 or less, additional assistance is available with a tax preparation software program from the IRS website. If your 2008 AIG was over $56,000, then you may use the IRS fillable forms to e-file your taxes with the IRS for free.
Tax Credits:
Some of the available tax credits include: the Economic Stimulus Act rebate check; the first-time homeowner credit; the additional child tax credit (up to $1,000); and the earned income tax credit. See "Tax Credits Worth Pursuing This Year" from Smartmoney.com, the Consumer Action guide on earned income tax credit, or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 17 at the Law Library or online for more information.
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Upcoming Classes for March & April
Pre-registration is required for all classes, as seating is limited. Please sign up by calling the appropriate Branch number.
Participants may bring lunch.
For a complete description of the classes and the most up-to-date information, visit SDCPLL's Calendar of Events.
MARCH
North County Branch (760) 940-4386
This class is free to Law Library members and $5 for non-members.
Main Branch (619) 531-3900
These classes are free to Law Library members and $5 for non-members.
APRIL
South Bay Branch (619) 691-4929
This class is free to Law Library members and $5 for non-members.
North County Branch (760) 940-4386
Main Branch (619) 531-3900
- Legal Research Using Free Websites*
Friday, April 3, 2009
12:00 - 1:00pm
- Literature and the Law*
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Special Speaker: Ona Russell
12:00 - 1:00pm
- How to Effectively Represent Clients in Mediation*
Special Speakers: Robin Duboe Seigle, Esq. & John C. Edwards, Esq.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
12:00 - 1:00pm
- Law Made Public
Saturday, April 18, 2009
2:00 - 3:00pm
*MCLE Participatory Credit hour(s) available for these classes.
The San Diego County Public Law Library is a
State Bar approved MCLE provider.
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Featured New Resource &
New Materials Added to the Collection
by Isabel E.
Our featured resource
this month is:
Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition
The American Medical Association's Guides resource is a treatise on evaluating impairment. The Guides are used to evaluate patients with injuries or illnesses and to translate this evaluation into an impairment number to assist legal and other systems to calculate compensation. Usually this number is used to measure the residual deficit, a loss, a number that is then converted to a monetary award to the injured party.
About 90% of U.S. jurisdictions either mandate or recommend using the Guides to measure impairment in workers' compensation claims. Federal systems that use the Guides include the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
New Materials Added to the Collection
The Law Library regularly adds new materials to its collection. To see new books added to the collection in the last month, CLICK HERE.
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Presentation Review: The U.S. Housing Crisis
Options to Avoid Foreclosure
by Benita G.
On February 11, the Law Library hosted special guest speaker, Gary Laturno, an experienced attorney, realtor and President of Laturno Kuick Realty, to discuss the present housing crisis and what actions homeowners can take to avoid foreclosure.
Mr. Laturno stressed the importance of:- purchasing an affordable home;
- carefully reviewing your loan documents and making sure you understand the terms of your loan before signing;
- a home equity line of credit should only be used for emergencies;
- contacting your lender immediately if you are struggling to pay your mortgage - lenders are willing to negotiate with you; and
- not using your retirement savings to pay your mortgage.
Possible solutions for some homeowners included:- declaring bankruptcy, but both the bankruptcy and foreclosure will be reflected on your credit report;
- modifying your existing loan; however, most modifications are temporary and fail to stop foreclosure;
- short sale, keeping in mind this could still be a long process because of huge inventories; and
- being creative in your solutions.
Homeowners concerned they may lose their homes can contact 1-888-995-HOPE for free assistance and information.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also offers homeowner assistance at: 1-800-225-5342 and a free online Guide To Avoiding Foreclosure.
The State of California's Consumer Home Mortgage Information website features Help With Your Mortgage for additional state-specific information.
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From the Director
by Robert R.
Downtown Branch Renovation Plans
Negotiations with the County regarding the renovation of our downtown Law Library will take center stage, as we are all anxious to move forward in reaching a decision on plans. A number of factors, including the current state of the construction industry, have made this a most favorable time to pursue plans to renovate.
A renovation of the downtown facility will allow us to improve workflow and climate control, as well as provide a safer, better lit, and a more attractive, user-friendly, comfortable environment for both our users and staff. By accelerating major repair timetables, a renovation at this time would result in quantifiable reduced operating costs and reduced operating costs through new and more efficient equipment.
Meeting Community Needs
Our new Board will also be addressing the issue of whether the Library is being perceived as being relevant to our community's needs. We are working with our new San Diego County Bar Association Liaison, Tom Buchenau, on producing and distributing a survey on this subject to the legal community.
I met this week with the heads of the County's various bar associations. The Law Library will partner with them, and other legal service providers, to dedicate this year to the San Diego County Bar Association's theme of service to our community. Efforts are underway to make this collaboration smoother and more successful for everyone.
We have also initiated a new FREE Small Claims Clinic inside the Law Library's downtown branch. Once again, we are partnering with the USD Law School. If you would like assistance with issues involving Small Claims, this clinic is for you. Please contact the Law Library at 619-531-3900 for more information.
50th Anniversary Celebration
We are all geared up for marking the fiftieth anniversary of our downtown location with an invitation-only gala celebration in March. The combination of exhibits from our rich collection and our 1950's theme guarantee both an informative and fun-filled event. San Diego County is honoring us with a Proclamation acknowledging our longevity.
Witkin Dinner Awards Event
This will be followed by our annual Witkin Awards Event. If you haven't sent in your RSVP and donation, please do so. Remember, our legal collection depends on your generosity. We need your help to update existing collections and purchase important new materials for public use at all of our branches.
We thank all our old friends for their support and welcome the participation by new members of our community.
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Cartoon by Stu Rees
Stu's Views are "Cartoons About Law and Lawyers." Stu Rees is a local entertainment lawyer who represents mostly visual arts creators.
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We hope you've enjoyed our newsletter! If you are a guest and would like to subscribe, please CLICK HERE.
We're hard at work on the next edition. In the meantime, please visit us online at www.sdcpll.org or stop by one of our four locations.
For more information or to send comments about this newsletter, contact Tina Jagerson, Media Coordinator and South Bay Branch Manager.
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