Briefly In The News

Nominations needed for Jewel of Glendale award

The Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the Jewel of Glendale Award.

Titled “Woman of Courage Award,” the honor recognizes the city’s outstanding women who haven’t allowed hardships and challenges get in the way of her personal achievements.

Awardees will be recognized at the sixth annual Jewels of Glendale event, on March 11 at the Hilton Glendale. The nomination packet is at the city’s website: www.ci.glendale.ca.us/women.

The deadline is Jan. 20. For more information, call (818) 548-4844 or e-mail women@ci. glendale.ca.us

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Population growth slowing in area, through California

Populations in Glendale and Burbank grew by 0.6%, state officials reported Thursday, less than the 0.9% growth seen in Los Angeles County between 2008 and 2009.

Burbank grew from 107,412 residents to 108,082. In Glendale, the population rose from 205,980 to 207,303.

California’s population grew less than 1% to roughly 38.29 million, according to the latest data released by the California Department of Finance.

The low growth rate reflected fewer people moving to the state as more people, spurred by the recession and the high cost of living, move elsewhere.

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Gov.’s popularity falling to new low, according to poll

The results of a statewide poll show Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval rating at a new low, as finances and the economy continue to weigh on the minds of Californians.

The Public Policy Institute of California poll found that 27% of Californians approve of the job the governor is doing, the lowest marks for Schwarzenegger in the organization’s surveys.

The Legislature fared even worse, gaining the approval of just 17% of respondents.

The economy and jobs topped the list of concerns for more than 60% of Californians polled, with state budget problems running a distant second.

In a related question, 88% responded that the state’s budget crunch was a big problem.

California in November collected $439 million less revenue than what was estimated in July, according to a report issued Tuesday by Schwarzenegger’s Department of Finance.

In January, the governor is expected to release his budget for the coming fiscal year.

The dip in revenue leaves the state $1 billion behind projections midway through the fiscal year.

The $14.4-billion deficit expected in July is in addition to a $6.3-billion gap widening in the year as budget projections continue to fall short of projections.

The institute surveyed 2,004 adults by telephone; the margin of error is 2 percentage points.