While many SCV citizens will spend the first few months of 2008 trying to make good on their New Year’s resolutions by dieting, exercising, and making other lifestyle changes, the College of the Canyons Sustainable Development Committee is inviting everyone to “go green” by attending the nationwide Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America conference.


Designed as a way to focus the growing concerns about the country’s global warming problems, the Focus the Nation (FTN) conference will include millions of students, educators and environmentally minded citizens simultaneously meeting at various locations across the country. Locally, FTN will take place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008 on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus.

“The whole goal of this conference is education,” said Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine, chair of the college’s Sustainable Development Committee. “As a community college, we want to give back to the community by offering our collective energy, knowledge and guidance to help build a better future for all.”

Operating with a goal to generate community discussion and examine potential solutions to the global warming crisis, the FTN conference will be divided into two environmentally-themed breakout sessions featuring more than 30 speakers — including COC President-Superintendent, Dr. Dianne Van Hook, and City Council Member Marsha McLean — who will be on hand to discuss issues including the historical roots of environmental problems and the roles of education in building a sustainable future.

“College of the Canyons is pleased to host this event and give our community an opportunity to ponder and discuss topics that have far-reaching ramifications for our everyday lives,” Van Hook said.  “More importantly, this event gives us the opportunity to walk away with practical ideas we can implement as individuals to make a collective difference.”

In the afternoon, conference attendees will have the opportunity to take part in workshop sessions focused on audience participation and designed to allow community members the opportunity to brainstorm ideas, present possible solutions and ultimately create an ongoing dialogue within the community about the subject.
“It’s very easy to sit at home and complain that the problem is too big to do anything about, so why not assign the responsibility to ourselves to do something practical and effective?” Cheng-Levine said. “Come and learn how to get started, and from there look at what we can do now, and what we can do collectively to help move society forward from an environmental standpoint.”

Admission to the FTN conference is free, with a suggested $5 to $10 donation to help offset event costs. Other costs are offset by the “Giant Sequoia” title sponsor, Southern California Gas Company.  Conference organizers are asking community members interested in attending to register in advance for the event. “Early Bird” registrants will receive tote bags full of goodies on the day of the conference.

A benefit concert featuring classic rock tribute bands Ticket to Ride (Beatles) and 5150 (Van Halen the Sammy Hagar era) will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday February 1, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center to raise funds for student scholarships and internships. Tickets are $15, $20, $25 and $30 with a $5 discount for students with identification, children 12 and under and seniors 60 and older. Tickets may be purchased online at www.CanyonsPAC.com, by mail or in person at the PAC box office located on the College of the Canyons campus in Room S-127 of the Student Center. For ticket information or box office hours please call 661-362-5304.

For more information about the January 31, 2008 Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America conference or to register to attend, please visit www.cocsdc.org or contact co-chairs of the conference Michael Joslin at 661-362-3260 or Amy Foote at 661-362-3574.