American Honda Reports June 2014 Sales

July 1, 2014

American Honda Motor Co Sales — American Honda Reports June 2014 Sales (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)

American Honda Reports June 2014 Sales

– Honda Civic and Accord post sales of more than 32,000 each in June for increases of 8.7 and 2.1 percent respectively

– Honda CR-V posts best-ever 6-month sales performance with a gain of 6.1 percent YTD

– Total Acura truck sales were up 6.1 percent in June

– Acura MDX claims best-ever 6-month sales performance with an increase of 68.4 percent

TORRANCE, Calif., July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported June 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 129,023 units. The Honda division posted sales of 117,817 units in June while Acura sold 11,206 units in the same period. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 739,436 units.

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Honda

Honda’s core models—Accord, Civic and CR-V—continue to set the retail pace through the first half of 2014, with the Civic up 8.7 percent and Accord increasing 2.1 percent in June. However, retail consumers appeared to take a breath last month coupled with an unusually short number of selling days, the shortest June in five years.

Bucking a recent market shift toward SUVs, Civic is up 8.7 percent in June and 5.3 percent for the first six months of 2014—its best such period in a decade
Accord sales rise 2.1 percent in June
CR-V, the industry’s most popular SUV, posted a year-to-date gain of 6.1 percent for its best-ever 6-month sales performance
Despite low inventory as supply ramps up, the all-new 2015 Fit is driving new traffic at Honda dealerships

“Despite an easing of the pace in June, the larger sales trend throughout the industry remains robust,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager. “Our core products remain strong and though we’re still filling its supply pipeline, the new 2015 Fit is selling very well and we expect it to add yet another strong pillar to Honda sales in the near future.”

Acura

Overall Acura sales continue to reflect the decreasing supply of TL and TSX models as the company prepares for launch of the 2015 TLX line of luxury performance sedans later this summer. With an unprecedented first half of the year, MDX and RDX continue to sell at a near record pace, pushing Acura truck sales up 6.1 percent for the month.

Acura truck sales rise 6.1 percent in June
MDX June sales rose 27.7 percent on sales of 4,890 units
Posting its best-ever six-month sales performance, the Acura MDX led the division with sales of 30,644 units, an increase 68.4 percent over last year

“The MDX and RDX had a stellar first half of the year, certainly a good indicator that the Acura brand is moving in a strong direction,” said Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager. “While we expected the reduced supply of sedans to impact sales this summer, the upcoming launch of the all-new 2015 TLX lineup heralds a new era for the Acura brand.”

American Honda Vehicle Sales For June 2014
	Month-to-Date				Year-to-Date
	June	June	DSR**	MoM	June	June	DSR**	YoY
	2014	2013	% Chg.	% Chg.	2014	2013	% Chg.	% Chg.
American Honda Total	129,023	136,915	2.1%	-5.8%	739,436	745,578	-0.2%	-0.8%
Total Car Sales	71,791	73,105	6.4%	-1.8%	403,414	412,217	-1.5%	-2.1%
Total Truck Sales	57,232	63,810	-2.8%	-10.3%	336,022	333,361	1.5%	0.8%
Honda Total Car Sales	68,963	67,235	11.1%	2.6%	378,532	375,886	1.4%	0.7%
Honda Total Truck Sales	48,854	55,915	-5.3%	-12.6%	282,953	292,711	-2.7%	-3.3%
Acura Total Car Sales	2,828	5,870	-47.8%	-51.8%	24,882	36,331	-31.1%	-31.5%
Acura Total Truck Sales	8,378	7,895	15.0%	6.1%	53,069	40,650	31.4%	30.6%
Domestic Car Sales	69,112	64,958	15.3%	6.4%	372,150	369,377	1.4%	0.8%
Honda Division	67,194	61,295	18.8%	9.6%	354,777	344,063	3.8%	3.1%
Acura Division	1,918	3,663	-43.3%	-47.6%	17,373	25,314	-30.9%	-31.4%
Domestic Truck Sales	57,232	63,809	-2.8%	-10.3%	336,022	333,289	1.5%	0.8%
Honda Division	48,854	55,914	-5.3%	-12.6%	282,953	292,639	-2.7%	-3.3%
Acura Division	8,378	7,895	15.0%	6.1%	53,069	40,650	31.4%	30.6%
Import Car Sales	2,679	8,147	-64.4%	-67.1%	31,264	42,840	-26.5%	-27.0%
Honda Division	1,769	5,940	-67.7%	-70.2%	23,755	31,823	-24.9%	-25.4%
Acura Division	910	2,207	-55.3%	-58.8%	7,509	11,017	-31.4%	-31.8%
Import Truck Sales	0	1	-100.0%	-100.0%	0	72	-100.0%	-100.0%
Honda Division	0	1	-100.0%	-100.0%	0	72	-100.0%	-100.0%
MODEL BREAKOUTS BY DIVISION
Honda Division Total	117,817	123,150	3.6%	-4.3%	661,485	668,597	-0.4%	-1.1%
Fit	3,698	5,055	-20.7%	-26.8%	21,824	25,541	-14.0%	-14.6%
Memo: Fit-EV	38	208	-80.2%	-81.7%	221	291	-23.6%	-24.1%
Accord	32,329	31,677	10.6%	2.1%	185,278	186,860	-0.2%	-0.8%
Memo: Accord PHEV	28	42	-27.8%	-33.3%	180	200	-9.4%	-10.0%
Memo: Accord FHEV	1,135	0	0.0%	0.0%	6,888	0	0.0%	0.0%
Civic *	32,301	29,724	17.7%	8.7%	167,097	158,704	6.0%	5.3%
Memo: Civic Hybrid	410	568	-21.8%	-27.8%	2,495	3,141	-20.0%	-20.6%
S2000	0	2	-100.0%	-100.0%	0	2	-100.0%	-100.0%
Insight	333	384	-6.1%	-13.3%	2,333	2,362	-0.6%	-1.2%
CR-Z	302	393	-16.8%	-23.2%	1,999	2,415	-16.7%	-17.2%
FCX Clarity	0	0	0.0%	0.0%	1	2	-49.7%	-50.0%
Odyssey	10,911	14,207	-16.8%	-23.2%	63,297	66,472	-4.1%	-4.8%
Crosstour	675	1,479	-50.6%	-54.4%	6,378	8,568	-25.1%	-25.6%
Pilot	9,830	12,085	-11.9%	-18.7%	50,680	62,887	-18.9%	-19.4%
CR-V *	26,129	26,572	6.5%	-1.7%	154,692	145,763	6.8%	6.1%
Element	0	0	0.0%	0.0%	0	1	-100.0%	-100.0%
Ridgeline	1,309	1,572	-9.8%	-16.7%	7,906	9,020	-11.8%	-12.4%
Acura Division Total	11,206	13,765	-11.8%	-18.6%	77,951	76,981	1.9%	1.3%
TL	990	2,156	-50.3%	-54.1%	9,016	14,590	-37.8%	-38.2%
TSX	681	1,708	-56.8%	-60.1%	5,425	9,454	-42.2%	-42.6%
Memo: TSX Wagon	67	154	-52.9%	-56.5%	542	1,164	-53.1%	-53.4%
ILX	928	1,507	-33.3%	-38.4%	8,357	10,724	-21.6%	-22.1%
Memo: ILX Hybrid	44	163	-70.8%	-73.0%	271	893	-69.5%	-69.7%
RLX	229	499	-50.3%	-54.1%	2,084	1,563	34.2%	33.3%
MDX	4,890	3,828	38.4%	27.7%	30,664	18,214	69.5%	68.4%
ZDX	3	44	-92.6%	-93.2%	56	236	-76.1%	-76.3%
RDX	3,485	4,023	-6.2%	-13.4%	22,349	22,200	1.3%	0.7%
Selling Days	24	26			152	153
* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts.
** Daily Selling Rate

	Month-to-Date				Year-to-Date
	June	June	DSR**	MoM	June	June	DSR**	YoY
	2,014	2,013	% Chg.	% Chg.	2,014	2,013	% Chg.	% Chg.

Hybrid	2,252	1,550	57.4%	45.3%	14,166	9,011	58.2%	57.2%

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Department of Industrial Relations Launches Public Works Contractor Online Application System

July 1, 2014

Department of Industrial Relations Launches Public Works Contractor Online Application System

OAKLAND, California, July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) today launched an online application for public works contractors to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 854. SB 854, which became effective June 20, establishes a new public works program to replace the Compliance Monitoring Unit and Labor Compliance Program requirements for bond-funded and other public works projects.

The new program will cover all public works in the state rather than just selected categories of projects. The Labor Commissioner’s Office will continue to monitor and enforce prevailing wage requirements.

“DIR always looks for ways we can improve our services. This new online system for public works contractors and agencies makes it easier and faster to meet their legal requirements,” said DIR Director Christine Baker. The Labor Commissioner’s Office, also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), is a division of DIR.

Contractors must register and meet requirements using the new online application before bidding on public works contracts in California. The application also provides agencies that administer public works programs with a searchable database of qualified contractors.

“The new system levels the playing field for the public works community. We want California taxpayers to know that we are committed to ensuring only responsible and qualified contractors are competing for public works contracts,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su.

Contractors’ requirements include that they maintain workers’ compensation coverage for all employees and only hire subcontractors who are registered public works contractors. They must also hold a Contractors State License Board license, if required for their trade.

In addition, contractors must not be debarred from working on public works by the state or federal government and have no delinquent wage or penalty assessments due to any enforcement agency or employee. Once registration becomes mandatory early next year, contractors will also be subject to penalties for bidding or working on public works without being registered with DIR.

Using any internet-connected computer, public works contractors can create an account, pay the fee and complete the application securely, at their convenience. Application and renewal is completed entirely online with a non-refundable fee of $300.

Agencies that administer public works projects may select from a pool of qualified contractors. They will no longer be charged fees for prevailing wage compliance monitoring and enforcement. Additional information on SB 854 and the new public works program is available on DIR’s website.

Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner’s office inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, enforces prevailing wage rates and apprenticeship standards in public works projects, investigates retaliation complaints, issues licenses and registrations for businesses and educates the public on labor laws.

The most recent information related to California labor law is available on the Labor Commissioner’s website as well as on Facebook and Twitter pages. “Wage Theft is a Crime”, a multilingual campaign initiated statewide earlier this year, provides detail on how to identify and report wage theft, retaliation and other labor law violations.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may also call the toll-free California Workers’ Information Line at (866) 924-9757 for recorded information in English and Spanish.

For media inquiries, contact Erika Monterroza at (510) 286-1164 or Peter Melton at (510) 286-7046.

SOURCE Department of Industrial Relations, California Labor Commissioner

(Español) Abogados de Tejas logran una victoria históricade derechos civiles en el caso del joven de 15 años que fue muerto a balas por un agente fronterizo

July 1, 2014

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Fruits, Vegetables, and Fresh-Squeezed Juices: Handle Them Safely!

July 1, 2014

Fruits, Vegetables, and Fresh-Squeezed Juices: Handle Them Safely!

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Whether from a supermarket, farm stand, or your very own garden, fresh fruits and vegetables are highlights of summertime. But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reminds you that safe handling of produce and fresh-squeezed juice is especially important because foodborne bacteria multiply faster in warm weather – and what’s more, these foods are often consumed raw.

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To keep nutritious produce and fresh-squeezed juices safe, follow these food safety tips to prevent food poisoning:

Buy right. Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged. When selecting pre-cut produce, choose only those that are refrigerated or on ice. Bag fresh fruits and vegetables and keep them separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood in your cart and shopping bags.

Store properly. Keep perishable fresh fruits and vegetables in a clean refrigerator at 40 °F or below, and always refrigerate produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled.

Prepare safely. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. If it looks rotten, discard it!

Wash thoroughly. Wash all produce under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. This includes produce grown at home or purchased from a grocery store or farmers’ market. For pre-packaged produce, read the label – if it says pre-washed and ready-to-eat, you can use it without further washing. And even if you plan to peel a fruit or vegetable, it’s important to wash it first so dirt and bacteria are not transferred from the outside to the inside.

Prevent cross contamination. Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and seafood and the preparation of produce that will not be cooked. If you use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher after use. And always wash hands before and after preparing food!

Check your juice. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems risk serious illnesses or even death from drinking juices that have not been pasteurized or otherwise treated to control harmful bacteria. Look for pasteurized or otherwise treated products in your grocers’ refrigerated sections, frozen food cases, or in non-refrigerated containers, such as juice boxes, bottles, or cans. Untreated juices sold in refrigerated cases of grocery or health food stores, cider mills, and farmers’ markets must contain a warning label indicating that the product has not been pasteurized. However, warning labels are not required for juice or cider that is fresh-squeezed and sold by the glass. So remember: if you are unsure if a juice product is pasteurized – be sure to ask!

Remember, always practice the Four Steps to Food Safety: clean hands and surfaces often; separate raw meats from other foods; cook to the right temperatures; and chill foods promptly.

Learn more about fresh produce and juice safety.

Contact: Media: 1-301-796-4540

Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free), 10 AM to 4 PM ET, Monday through Friday

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Vme Ninos Presents “Mis Amigos Los Animales,” a New Show for Preschoolers

July 1, 2014

MIAMI, July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Vme TV, the only national Spanish-language television network affiliated with public television stations, brings its elementary viewers a brand new animated program, "Mis Amigos Los Animales," during it's Vme Ninos morning block. This amusing and educational show describes the early life and development of young animals, narrated from the viewpoint of the animals themselves. "Mis Amigos Los Animales" premieres July 5, 2014 and airs every Saturday at 10 a.m. E/P on Vme TV stations nationwide.

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This series, produced by Big Media, provides an exciting new perspective on animals for children, who through this show will earn a deep appreciation and true love for these living creatures. It offers Vme TV's preschool audiences valuable life lessons, while reinforcing family values in an engaging new format.

"At Vme TV, we believe that the images we project to children are crucial to their learning and cognitive development," said Ralph Parkman, Vme TV's vice-president of marketing. "Vme Ninos provides little ones with innovative programs, such as 'Mis Amigos Los Animales,' to make the learning process fun for children. This, in
turn, keeps them entertained and amplifies their attention span."

Vme Ninos, Vme TV's morning block, provides English-language children's favorites like 'Angelina Ballerina' and 'Sesame Street' in Spanish, assisting Hispanic-American parents with language and cultural retention in the bilingual home. Its diverse preschool programming is educational and trustworthy, emphasizing Vme TV's core pillars and providing content that is enriching for even the youngest of audiences.

Available in 43 markets and reaching more than 70 million households in the United States, Vme TV is available through Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network and AT&T U-verse among other local cable companies. To find your local channel or to learn more about Vme TV, visit www.vmetv.com or follow us on social media via www.facebook.com/vmetv or www.twitter.com/vmetv.

ABOUT VME TELEVISION

Vme TV (pronounced veh-meh), is the first national Spanish-language television network in association with public television stations. Reaching more than 70 million households in the United States, Vme TV is broadcast in 43 markets by PBS stations and is available on DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse, as well as major cable companies including Comcast. The 24-hour digital broadcast service is dedicated to entertain, educate and inspire families in Spanish with a contemporary mix of original productions, exclusive premieres, acquisitions, and popular public television programs specially adapted for Hispanics. To find your local channel or to learn more about Vme TV, visit www.vmetv.com (http://www.vmetv.com/mediakit) or follow us on social media via www.facebook.com/vmetv or www.twitter.com/vmetv.

SOURCE Vme TV

(Español) Camino Dorado a un Verano Activo

July 1, 2014

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New Public Service Ad Uses Real “Selfies” Of Pregnant Women

July 1, 2014

New Public Service Ad Uses Real “Selfies” Of Pregnant Women

March of Dimes CineMama App Provides Education and
a Way to Record Progress of Pregnancy

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — More than 87,000 women have downloaded the March of Dimes CineMama App to create a video log of their pregnancy and receive the latest pregnancy health information from the March of Dimes. Now, a select group of users will be featured in a new television public service announcement (PSA) featuring “selfies” from their photo diaries. The PSA reminds women, that if a pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to aim for at least 39 completed weeks of gestation before scheduling a delivery.

“Every week of pregnancy is crucial to a newborn’s health,” says March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse. “We believe that using ‘selfie’ photos will help reach today’s mothers-to-be, so they understand that healthy babies are worth the wait.”

The PSA is the work of Crossroads Communications, a Barkley Partner Company, of Kansas City, Mo. It is the second PSA of the 39 Weeks series that helped launch the March of Dimes CineMama App and has been widely placed pro-bono all across the country.

“There’s nothing more real than the journey of pregnancy,” said Mike Swenson, president of Crossroads. “The direction we chose is a fresh and relevant approach that has proven to resonate with today’s mom. She is already engaged in the trend of documenting the beauty of pregnancy, and now March of Dimes is providing encouragement and education when she needs it most.”

Morgan Jenkins of northern California gave birth to a healthy daughter, Harper Jane, who weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces at birth. Ms. Jenkins’ photos were incorporated into the new PSA.

“It was useful and fun to watch my progress,” said Ms. Jenkins, whose pregnancy lasted 39 weeks and five days. “The app helped me ‘see’ the growth progress, keep track of my journey, and learn helpful tips along the way.”

CineMama is part of the March of Dimes “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait” public awareness and consumer education campaign, which focuses on the importance of a full term pregnancy.

The campaign encourages women to wait for labor to begin on its own and health care providers to not schedule a delivery before at least 39 weeks of pregnancy, unless there is a medical necessity. Important development of the brain, lungs and other organs occur during the last weeks of pregnancy. Additional information is available at marchofdimes.org/39weeks.

Rising rates of scheduled inductions of labor and cesarean sections have been linked to increases in the rates of babies born just a few weeks too soon, between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

A broadcast quality version of the PSAs is available for television stations via this hyperlink.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes

(Español) Declaración del Dr. Samuel Rodríguez, Presidente de la Conferencia Nacional de Líderes Hispanos Cristianos (NHCLC), con relación al fallo de la Corte Suprema sobre Sebelius contra Hobby Lobby

June 30, 2014

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El poder de escuchar by Ismael Cala wins award in Latino book contest in U.S.

June 30, 2014

MIAMI, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — El poder de escuchar [‘The power of listening’] by host, lecturer and inspirational author Ismael Cala, has won first place in the category for Most Inspiring Book (non-fiction, in Spanish), in The International Latino Book Awards, the prizes for which were awarded during the weekend in Las Vegas.

Cala also received a mention in the category for Self-Help Book in Spanish.

“This is excellent news that I’d like to dedicate to my readers. It’s now been almost a year since I published El poder de escuchar [‘The power of listening’], and I’m happy about the great acceptance it has had. I want to thank the organizers of The International Latino Book Awards and in particular, to congratulate all of the winners,” Cala commented when he was informed of the award.

He was unable to travel to Las Vegas due to prior commitments in Bogotá, Colombia, where he gave a lecture at the Teatro Mayor. Cala’s lecture Schedule will continue on July 11th and 12th in Guatemala City. In addition, he will present El poder de escuchar on July 26th at the Book Fair in Lima (Peru) and on September 11th in Madrid (Spain).

ABOUT ISMAEL CALA

Ismael Cala, host of the program CALA, on CNN in Spanish, has more than 25 years of experience in media in Cuba, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. In Miami he has worked on a number of different radio and television programs. In 2008 he hosted a news show in Mexico on the Channel of the Stars (Televisa).

In 2013 he published his first book El poder de escuchar, which has become a best seller in Latin America and the U.S. He was declared “Iberoamerican Personality of 2013” by the Organization of Iberoamerican Journalists [Organización de Periodistas Iberoamericanos], and in 2014 he won the John Maxwell Leadership Award in the category for Communications Media.

Born in Santiago de Cuba, he graduated with honors from Universidad de Oriente (Art History), and at the School of Communication at York University in Toronto.

The CALA program is broadcast by CNN in Spanish at 9:00pm (Eastern Standard Time, U.S.) – 8:00pm (Mexico DF) – 8:30pm (Caracas). Follow him on the social networks: @calacnn, @cala and Facebook.com/calacnn.

SOURCE Ismael Cala

(Español) Consejos para pequeñas empresas en cómo usar las redes y herramientas sociales para conectarse mejor con sus empleados y clientes

June 30, 2014

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