2012 2013
Tops in the Valley
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E xaminer El MontE
Readers’Choice Monday Edition of the
Monrovia Weekly ArcAdiA Weekly Monday, may 14 - MAy 20, 2012 Volume xVIi, No. XX
Readers’Choice 2012 2013
Tops in the Valley
Temple Tribune
US Soldiers Hold Culinary Competition in El Monte by dena burroughs On May 6th Whittier Narrows Park saw frenzied soldiers preparing for a savory battle. That is because the 2012 Philip A. Connelly Awards were held that day, an annual event that recognizes excellent food preparation and service in both garrison and field environments. That the event was held at Whittier Narrows was no coincidence. A critical part of the event is the choosing of a site, one that allows the 6,000 pound Mobile Kitchen Trailer to be leveled and properly set for cooking and drainage. This portable unit is capable of feeding up to 300 soldiers per meal. A unit just like it is set up wherever soldiers may be serving, amidst other tents that are needed for their stay, such as sanitation tents. The competition was also a scenario-driven exercise for the 137th Quartermaster Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command unit, and they brought along everything they would have needed in a field environment, even their weapons. As part of the competition, the soldiers participat-
Coroner Says Kendrec McDade was Not Shot in Back The Los Angels Coroner has released the findings of the Kendrec McDade autopsy which has been sealed for an extended period. The Coroner’s Report documented that McDade sustained seven gunshot wounds. Three of the wounds were fatal due to lacerated arteries, including two to his lower abdomen and one to his upper right arm, back to front. The autopsy showed there were Please see page 3
Spc. Carlos Mojica (far right) serves the first soldier to come through the line at the competition. -Photo by by Sgt. Scott Akanewich
ing were inspected for what is considered part of their culinary perfection – the cleanliness of their hands, the length of their fingernails, the lack of any jewelry other
than a wedding ring (not even dog tags). Deliberations were based in more than just the taste of the food – also on how the food was presented
on the plate, how much of it was consumed/discarded, and the addition of spices and garnishments. The soldiers of the 137th Quartermaster Com-
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pany are attempting to move on the Connelly Finals in Dallas scheduled on November of this year. Only four of sixteen units competing will make it.
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Federal Funding Cuts Put Squeeze on Rosemead's Nonprofits By JIM E. WINBURN Facing a severe decrease in federal funding, the Rosemead City Council held a public hearing Tuesday to review and approve Community Development Block Grant funds for local service organizations. But before local agencies would get their share, it was necessary for councilmembers to approve $92,010 in funding for the city's senior nutrition program per staff recommendations. What mostly remained in available CDBG funds for local public service programs included $7,328 to People for People, $5,000 each to Family Counseling Services and Family Promise, and $1,000 each to Please see page 8
El Monte Commissioner Grow! A Garden Festival in Review By Krishna Rajagopalan Awarded Distinguished Grow! A Garden Festival, was held at the Los Man of the Year Angeles Arboretum this
Jerry Velasco on the red carpet at the Sheriff’s Show. -Photo by Carlos Zeron
Jerry Velasco, the City of El Monte’s appointed Planning Commissioner, was awarded as Distinguished Man of the Year at the 4th Annual Sheriff’s Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 28th. The show honors men and women in uniform as well as leaders in the community, media, and business. L.A. Sheriff Leroy D. Baca was present in the event that included a silent auc-
tion of art pieces and autographed documents by The Beatles and that reportedly would benefit the families of sheriffs who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past ten years. It has been a good year for Velasco, who received this recognition just a few weeks after the National Association of Latino Independent Producers awarded him with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Advocacy.
past weekend. Visitors of all ages attended this annual event. The event featured a series of talks given by renowned garden experts, children's activities, plants for sale, demonstrations by bee experts, as well as food for sale from the everpopular food trucks. It was a time for people with a passion for gardening to come out and see what is offered in the field of horticulture as well as those who wanted to spend a day at the arboretum perusing the various offerings of the festival while visiting the rest of the arboretum. Local floral organizations were on hand to answer questions that visitors had about plants or gardening. Among the topics discussed during the forums Please see page 4
A young woman strolls the GROW festival last weekend at Los Angeles County Arboretum. -Photo by Terry Miller