Community News page 8
Chalk Talk School Events, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 56, No. 18
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
September 04, 2019
NORMS Celebrates Its First Anniversary in El Monte by Julie Carlson, Contributing Writer El Monte
With its iconic orange and white sawtooth sign shining against the blue sky, NORMS kicked off their one year celebration with an awards ceremony and a long line of hungry patrons waiting to get in. The event at 10620 Valley Blvd began with an opening from Mayor Andre Quintero who said, “I would like to thank you, Mike Colonna [President of NORMS], and the NORMS family for all the work that they’ve done this last year.” “I said when we just opened NORMS,” Quintero continued, referring to last year’s Grand Opening ceremony. “I would be here at 3 o’clock in the morning on the Saturday right after it opened and sure enough I was here with my mom and my dad, and with our assistant city manager, at the time, Alma Martinez. And guess who was serving the folks that were here at 3 o’clock? Mike Colonna.” The crowd gave a warm applause to Colonna who stepped up to the podium. He discussed the importance of being a part of a community, the diversity of the restaurant’s employees, and how 70% of NORMS original hires were still there. He
Courtesy Photo
even quipped the restaurants famous catchphrase: “NORMS ‘Is Where Life Happens.’” “It’s not about a pretty building, which we have,” Colonna said. “It’s not about great food, which we have. It’s not about affordable prices. You can still get an affordable breakfast for $8 bucks that will fill you up.
It’s really about the people. That’s what makes a business successful -- the relationship with the city, the community. The police department has been tremendous in supporting us and keeping the area safe. I think we’ve helped improve the entire corner...we have many, many years to go so, we need your support in the
future and I greatly appreciate it.” Along with the Mayor, Councilmember Victoria Martinez-Muela is also a big fan of NORMS. She stated a number of reasons why she loves visiting the establishment: being in El Monte and being open Norms Anniversary continued on page 15
Harumi “Bacon” Sakatini Details Story of Internment During WWII
by Julie Carlson, Contributing Writer El Monte
Set against the majestic mountain range of the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming are the army-style barracks located on the 1,500-acres of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center. These barracks are where detainees of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants lived behind barbed wire fencing during World War II. Looking out of his barrack with cots stuffed with hay and a single light bulb hanging from a ceiling, that he shared with his family, Harumi Sakatini, wondered at the tender age of 13, why us? Now at the age of 90, as he travels around and lectures on his internment time, he provides answers to that question through his poignant PowerPoint presentation. On Monday, August 19, the La Historia Society hosted Sakatini at the El Monte
Photo Courtesy
Senior Citizens Center on 3129 Tyler Avenue. Sakatani was born and grew up in El Monte. His family later moved to West Covina where they had a strawberry farm, but that all changed when President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 after Japan
bombed Pearl Harbor. At the time, “relocation” centers for 117,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants living in the United States were created to protect them from harm from anti-Japanese sentiments or prevent espionage, it was said.
“There were instructions placed on buildings and telephone poles,” Sakatani said showing an image on screen of the Executive Order 9066. “You see those words aliens and non-aliens? They were used during Internment continued on page 15
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September 4, 2019 September 04, 2019
Chalk Talk Community Committed to College and Career
El Monte Union Welcomes 8000 Students to School El Monte Union High School District welcomed over 8,000 new and returning students to its campuses on Aug. 20 for the 201920 school year, with nearly 2,000 freshmen among the first to experience the District’s rollout of a new 1:1 device initiative, increased dual enrollment and innovative career pathway programs and new facility upgrades. Rosemead High School kicked off the year on Aug. 13 with its fourth annual LINK Crew Orientation Program, which provided over 400 members of the Class of 2023 the opportunity to acclimate to the Panther culture, learn campus rules
and expectations, meet classmates and “link” up with upperclassmen who will serve as their mentors for the entire school year. “I joined LINK Crew because during my freshman year, I wasn't prepared at all and didn't know what was going on at school,” LINK Crew cabinet member Kayla Chung, who is among the 88 juniors and seniors involved in the program this year, told the ninth graders in the audience. “I want to change that. I want you guys to feel at home and prepared for this upcoming school year. I want your freshman year to be as enjoyable as possible." With the help of LINK Crew leaders, Rosemead High’s orientation program helps ease students’ transition from middle school to high school and prepares them for academic and personal success. As part of the yearlong transition program, freshmen gathered in the Rosemead High Auditorium to get an overview of Panther life, participated in a balloonpop challenge and
hulahoop game, and watched performances from varsity cheer and song while learning important tips like doing homework, getting involved on campus and finding resources. Freshmen and their leaders engaged in interactive icebreaker activities in individual classrooms, where they received information from their peers on how to be successful. Students also took a campus tour. “Our job when you walk through those doors every day is to make you feel welcomed and loved, supported and successful,” Rosemead High Principal Dr. Brian Bristol told the freshman class. “That's because we know you are the best. We are here for you and want to help you in every way possible, and I can't wait to get to know you better.” El Monte, Arroyo and South El Monte high schools also have LINK Crew programs on campus, helping
s tudent leaders to become mentors and facilitate freshman success by organizing activities and fostering bonds. “We are incredibly excited to kick off a new year with a talented team of educators and staff, a new class of enthusiastic freshmen and returning students who will continue to be challenged through rigorous academics,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “We look forward to building on our District successes, strengthening our schools and supporting our students in achieving success.”
Spending Plan Aims to Boost El Monte Union Recognizes Achievement for All 201819 Parent Volunteers of the Year
The El Monte Union Board of Trustees on June 19 adopted a $135 million 201920 budget that supports its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which calls for developing wellness centers, additional afterschool enrichment programs and implementing a new data analysis platform that will allow teachers to collaborate and modify instruction to ensure student success. The state’s new funding law, the Local Control Funding Formula, allows districts to decide how to use state dollars to meet the needs of students, particularly lowincome students, Foster Youth and English Learners. In 201920, the District will invest $27.5 million in these students through programs outlined in the District’s LCAP, a threeyear spending plan that district guides efforts to improve student achievement and built with extensive input from parents, students, staff, teachers and stakeholders. “Our LCAP continues to support the success of all students, providing targeted services to those who need it and boosting resources to students, parents and staff alike to ensure our classrooms and campuses are strong,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “As we continue to monitor areas of need, we are focused on boosting the academic and personal performance of all El Monte
Union students.” Some ongoing programs and services that will provided Districtwide and schoolwide include:
Technology/Internet access and online learning programs Free AP/PSAT/SAT testing, prep and materials Upgraded computer and science labs College/career counseling and college field trips Career Technical Education pathways and vocational education programs Summer school and tutoring Increased comprehensive student support and mental health services Parent workshops and trainings Districtwide attendance initiative School resource officers and campus supervision Ongoing professional development Academic language development El Monte Union recently honored its classes, added support to ELs through parent volunteers, including Jose paraeducators Macias (left), from El Monte High School; Kin Vong, from Rosemead High School; Darlene Gonzalez, from Arroyo High School; Jenny Cardenas from Fernando R. Ledesma High School; Erica Mondragon, from South El Monte High School; and Erika Cordero, from Mountain View High School. They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, left, and the Board of Trustees: Member Maria Morgan, Clerk Ricardo Padilla, President David Diaz, Member Carlos Salcedo and Vice President Florencio Briones.
El Monte Union recently honored six parent volunteers for their efforts, naming Jenny Cardenas from Fernando R. Ledesma High School its 20182019 District Parent Volunteer of the Year. She is pictured with Principal Freddy Arteaga.
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Mid Valley News Mid Valley News
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Chalk Talk Community Committed to College and Career
A Gray Fox Can Teach Students About Engineering
On the first day of school, Mountain View High School students enrolled in "Zoo Crew: Engineers Gone Wild Career Tech" had a special visitor. Spring, a gray fox brought from Nature of Wildworks, a Topanga based wildlife care center that provides care to nonreleasable wild animals. Lee Porter, the Science teacher in charge of the program, how engineering works with wildlife: "It gives the kids a chance to see the animal and have the handlers tell them the importance to preserve wildlife and their role in learning about the curriculum."
Students learn about environmental custodianship including the welfare of animals and how to design things, such as enclosures, feeders, and puzzles for enrichment of zoos and animals. "The curriculum we're writing is based on learning about engineering with wild animals in mind raised in captivity and in the wild," Porter said. "Instead of the students learning the rigor of engineering with abstract things from cars to airplanes...We don't think how much engineering goes into wildlife." For example, Freshman learn about the process of engineering, the steps and applying it, and the computer added design software aka CAD. Second year courses are geared more around physics and electricity with zoo enclosures in mind, circuits, GPS collars, and robotics. Nicole Wilson, also an Animal Care Specialist and Volunteer Supervisor, talked about gray foxes, their habits, behaviors, diets, and how engineering can play a role in helping such creatures.
El Monte Union Launches Digital Learning Initiative
This fall, El Monte Union students will receive their own dedicated Chromebook laptops, carrying cases and chargers to use at school as part of the 1:1 digital learning initiative. The program will provide all high school students instant access to technology to do homework, research, communicate and collaborate with peers. To boost student engagement and ensure equitable access to technology, El Monte Union will also provide students with limited or no athome Internet access the opportunity to apply for a free MiFi wireless hotspot through a 1 Million Project Foundation grant. “We are very excited to launch this initiative, which will not only enhance and transform learning for our students, but also ensures that they are provided every tool available to thrive in a 21st century learning environment,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “Access for All is an essential goal in our District, and we are committed to prepare our students for an everexpanding digital learning environment.”
El Monte High School Alumna Recognized as 201920 District Teacher of the Year students a sixweek SAT When Sonia Lamas was workshop. In 2019, 100 a junior at El Monte High nonAVID juniors took the School in the early 1990s, she made a bold prediction workshop. to her math teacher that she For the 201920 school would one day return and year, Lamas and her AVID take his place in the cohort will add a reading classroom. She came close component that focuses on to fulfilling her promise student wellbeing to help when she was hired as a alleviate the pressures and math teacher at the Lion anxieties of being a first campus just a few short generation collegegoer. years later. Lamas – whose three children graduated from El While she didn’t displace Monte High – received the her former mentor, Lamas, school’s 2019 a precalculus and Humanitarian Award for Advancement Via her volunteer efforts, Individual Determination including serving as (AVID) teacher, has made a considerable impact at her adviser of the school’s alma mater and its students MEChA and Laurels clubs over the course of 20 years. and filling in as tennis team Her enthusiastic presence El Monte High School math and AVID teacher Sonia Lamas mom for two years. in the classroom and “Sonia Lamas brings so has been recognized as El Monte Union School District’s willingness to make time 201920 Teacher of the Year for her enthusiastic presence in much energy and devotion for every student has the classroom and willingness to make time for every student. to her students and has culminated in Lamas being demonstrated admirable resonated throughout the school, in recognized as El Monte Union’s leadership skills that resonate with our particular with firstgeneration college students and her peers,” Superintendent 201920 Teacher of the Year. students preparing for the SAT. Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “I am ecstatic “This is an honor that I share with SAT prep is a weekly component of that she has been recognized as El all of the teachers who helped me to Lamas’ AVID classes, with students Monte Union’s Teacher of the Year. achieve my dream of going to concentrating on different subject areas Her generosity and willingness to help college,” said Lamas, a lifelong El and strategies, like time management, a student or colleague in need is an Monte resident. “As a kid from the and taking practice tests. “To score neighborhood, I am just trying to inspiration to us all.” well on the SAT, students need to be give back to the community. I want able to check their work, go back and to be a role model for my students.” correct what they missed and learn While math remains her passion, from their mistakes,” Lamas said. Lamas’ contributions to the AVID The AVID SAT prep has been so college readiness program have successful that El Monte now offers all
Teachers have been provided access to a new online professional development program, called “FREE” (Future Ready EMUHSD Educators), which is designed to assist them with integrating 1:1 laptop use into daily instruction and their teaching practices. “We are incredibly proud of our efforts to support our evolving learning environments, both in and outside of the classroom,” said Erick Steelman, Director of Information Services. “Students will have everything they need in order to take advantage of these great digital resources, which will allow them to create, contribute and compete within our global society.” Students may receive their device during registration week or as they enroll within the District once they have submitted the online student technology usage agreement form and watched the orientation video. For more information about the program, visit www.emuhsd.org/ accessforall.
Angel Jimenez Selected as Student Board Memeber
Mountain View High School senior Angel Jimenez has been selected to served student board member for the 201920 school year – and is the first to be officially sworn in to serve alongside the EMUHSD Board of Trustees. “I wanted a platform that would allow me to teach students of my community how to tackle issues head on,” he said. “I believe that it can never be just the adults doing the problem solving. Students must have a say, especially in this situation.” As a student board member, Jimenez will be able to cast preferential votes on some agenda items. With a preferential vote, the student's vote is recorded in the Board Meeting minutes, but does not affect the final outcome of a voting item. Although, the vote can still be influential.
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Mid Valley News
September 04, 2019
Community Corner Make True Friends. Improve Ourselves. Have an Impact on Society.
626 Golden Streets | Community Meetings El Monte and South El Monte
LEXINGTON LODGE NO. 104 Invites you to an Open House
YOU ARE INVITED!
Meet members, tour the lodge, learn more!
Thursday, September 26, 4pm – 8pm 4017 N Tyler Ave El Monte, CA
What is 626 Golden Streets?
MORE INFORMATION AT
lodge104.freemason.org
Public Meetings
El Monte
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
South El Monte
Join us for a special FREE event for men to learn more about specific health topics and the various steps you can take to improve your health. www.626GoldenStreets.com
626GoldenStreets@gmail.com
Men’s Health Awareness Fair When:
Friday, September 6; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location:
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Exterior patio, near the Farmer’s Market
Topics:
Blood Pressure Screenings, Stroke Awareness, Erectile Dysfunction, Colorectal Cancer Screening, STDs, Diabetes, Weight Management, Depression, Elder Health Services, Smoking Cessation, Mental Health and Flu Shots
FREE event and open to all members, staff, and the public For more information or to register for this event, please call 626-851-7763. For additional resources and health education classes, call our Center for Healthy Living at 626-851-5820 or visit kp.org/menshealth.
kp.org/baldwinpark
Calderon Refund via Prepaid Debit Card Legislation Signed by Governor Newsom by Staff Writer, El Monte
Assembly Bill 1428, authored by Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) which requires any business that offers a refund to a customer via a prepaid debit card to offer the customer with at least one other method of receiving the refund other than a prepaid debit card, was signed into law today by Governor
Newsom. “AB 1428 will give consumers the choice, allowing them to decide what type of refund meets their needs,” stated Majority Leader Calderon. “While there may be some instances where refund via prepaid debit card is preferable – likely for the unbanked consumer – by and large, given the usage restrictions, maintenance fees, and expiration dates, these payment instruments are not favorable to the consumer.” Unlike gift cards, prepaid debit cards may have an expiration date. Additionally, prepaid debit cards may charge a monthly maintenance or service fee. Some transactions may not be permitted, often involving purchases at gas pumps or stipulations that the card only be used at restaurants if the card has enough funds to cover the entirety of the bill and a hold for an anticipated 20% gratuity. These restrictions can often make the card difficult to fully utilize. That difficulty of use, coupled with the monthly maintenance fees and expiration date, inhibit the ability of the customer to fully acquire the refund they were
Debit Card continued on page 16
September 04, 2019
Webb’s Rule A PET
by Eugene R. Webb
Maybe you’ve never had a pet; Or it could be not yet. But there just might come a day; When you too will adopt a stray. Most pets can be a lot of fun; But not everybody should have one. Time and patience is what you need to do; And nobody needs more than two. Some pets will often just come to us; That’s when we start making a big fuss. And usually we don’t have any regret; For a lot of love comes with every pet.
But also with pets comes joy and strife; A pet usually can’t be a friend for life. For they are only here for a short time; So we should be thoughtful and kind. A pet can make you laugh and smile; Having a good pet is really worthwhile.But a pet can also make you cry; Usually on the day they leave or die.
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“Labor Day” My father worked for the railroad so growing up Labor Day was one of our family’s big gatherings. My uncle Charlie was a union man as well as my father so it was natural to celebrate the day. The first Labor Day Celebration was September 5, 1882 in New York City and it was on a Tuesday (President Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a national holiday on June 28,1894). Over 10,000 workers marched for labor rights that day. The average American worked 12 hours a day, six days a week back then. It wasn’t until the Adamson Act passed on September 3, 1916 that our modern eighthour week was established. There is some dispute over who first proposed the holiday. Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, General Secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold” but there are many who think it was someone else. Matthew Maguire, a machinist who
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by Dick James El Monte later became the Secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinist in Paterson, NJ proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as Secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York and it was the Central Labor Union that adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed the committee to plan the first celebration on September 5, 1882 in New York. Whoever first proposed it, thank you.
“Cracker Barrel” “A Picnic Without Potato Salad…WHAT!” by: Mike McClure, Staff Writer El Monte
…so the other day I called the young lady at the club who is coordinating this year’s Labor Day Picnic. Like the over 214 million other Americans (67% of us) we are planning to have a picnic/bar-b-que and this is her first year as coordinator so I thought I would give her a call and see if she needed help. She seemed confident. Carolyn had volunteered to help with the raffle prizes, Chris said he would handle the grilling (that kind of worried me, Chris is a good fellow but still young. I think Pete and I will give him a hand - maybe relieve him or give a little advice). Of course Luz has her assignments covered and we can always rely on Donnie, so all in all I was feeling good about the plan until I mentioned Donna’s potato salad. There was a long pause. The silence was
deafening. “Well, I don’t think she is bringing it this year” our young coordinator said. “I think she said that she was bringing ceviche”. Don’t get me wrong, I love the South American dish of raw fish marinated in lime juice as much as the next person - in fact more than most - but let’s be honest “A Picnic With Out Potato Salad…WHAT!” and not just any, buy it at Food For Less potato salad, we are talking about Donna’s world renowned potato salad! Are there no traditions any more? Every club event that I have gone to has had Donna’s potato salad because it is delicious. It is so good that if she wasn’t already happily married I would propose to her over a dish of her potato salad! I immediately hung up on our coordinator and called Donna to find out what’s up… Cracker Barrel continued on page 16
Home Country by: Slim Randles, Staff Writer El Monte
September. Our month of change. Our month of happy change. Once more we can stand the thought of wearing a sweater as the summer sun burns itself down. Once again we can think about a new year at school, a new teacher. Once again, the house is ours … and quiet during the day. September. In the forest, the animals are polishing antlers, sleeking muscles for the mating ruts to come, marking their territories. The deciduous trees are showing those awesome changes of color as the mountains become a splendid quilt of temporary beauty. September. A resting time for the older folks. They can sit on the patio now even in the afternoons. It’s a time for bar-
becued ribs and football, and picking fruit. On the farms, the canning pots are boiling with treasures for the coming winter. September. Time for the Fall gather. Time to see what’s out in those far pastures. Time to brand and work any late calves. Time to sort those who will stay and those who will go to the sale. Time to make money for the ranch. September. Time to sit and sip something hot and think about things past and yearn for certain future things and to plan … plan how we can finish this year in a better fashion than last year. September! --------Brought to you by The Long Dark, a novel about winter in a small Alaska village. Available at Amazon.com
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Why Decent, Affordable Housing Is Important reduced stress due to a lessening of concerns that high housing costs will lead to foreclosure and eviction; this in turn leads to fewer physical and mental health problems and reduced absenteeism on the job. Affordable housing also is important Rio Hondo Community to the economic vitality of Development Corporation communities. Affordable homes can attract and retain employees to your Decent, affordable housing is community a selling point and a important to families. Certainly, it competitive advantage for area fulfills a basic human need for employers. Affordable homes also shelter, but it also contributes to the support the local workforce so they can well being of both parents and live close to their jobs. children. Studies show that children Shorter commutes allow workers to in stable housing do better in school spend more time with their families and are less likely to experience while the community benefits from disruption in their education due to reduction in traffic congestion, air unwanted moves. Decent, affordable housing reduces pollution, and expenditures on roads. In stress, toxins, and infectious disease, revitalizing communities, the construction of affordable homes can which leads to improvement in both also help to stimulate economic physical and mental health. growth. Affordable housing also frees up A healthy mix of housing options, funds within families’ tight budgets from market rate and affordable rental to spend on health care and food. housing, single family homes, Studies have shown that children duplexes, as well as developments for whose parents receive housing seniors, ensures opportunities for all assistance benefit from better individuals to improve their economic nutrition. situation and contribute to their For parents, living in decent, communities. affordable housing also means
Creating the Perfect Home Office
(StatePoint) With more people nationwide opting to create their own businesses or work for their employer remotely, the home office has become one of the most used spaces of the house, with many people spending more than eight hours a day in this room. If you’re one of these people, the kitchen table just won’t cut it if you’re looking to get serious and organized. To create a dedicated workspace that is beautiful, smart and functional, consider the following tips:
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Mid Mid Valley Valley News News Mid Valley News
jade.
Don’t forget function! As the wheels turn and your creative juices start flowing, nothing can be more distracting than a creaking ceiling fan or a light that just doesn’t do the trick. A simple switch can make all the difference. While a desk lamp might solve your lighting problem, why not opt for a fixture that can solve both of those issues at the same time?
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California REALTORS® award more than $26,000 in scholarships
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Scholarship Foundation recently awarded 11 California college students with scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, for a total of $26,550. The C.A.R. Scholarship Foundation provides awards Get personal. up to $4,000 to students You may be doing business, but when enrolled at a California it comes to decorating, it’s time to mix college or university pursuing degrees Design a space where you’ll enjoy in the personal. Items such as centered on, or supporting, a career in spending time. photographs of friends and family or the real estate industry. Simple touches like lighting, a reminders of previous accomplishments “We are pleased to award these 11 bright touch of paint or a wideopen will bring you joy and help you stay deserving students with scholarships so window, can help create an inviting motivated. Whatever you do, don’t that they may follow their passion of ambiance, and so can the addition of settle for completely bare walls! choosing a career in real estate,” said certain accessories. Instead of opting Melanie McShane, chair of C.A.R.’s for a simple ceiling light fixture, dare Gone are the days of dark wood Scholarship Foundation Committee. to add a pop of style and color with a paneling, moody lighting and “With younger home buyers and sellers new ceiling fan. Not only can this rolodexes. Today’s most effective home soon becoming a larger share of the addition make your space more offices are brighter, more welcoming, consumer real estate market, it only comfortable, it can elevate your and unite function with your personal makes sense to help the next generation décor, with the ceiling as the style. of real estate professionals serve those centerpiece. consumers by awarding them with scholarships so that they may more Add life. easily attain their career goals.” Add color and vitality to your Students may be eligible to apply for home office with some plant life. a scholarship award if they are currently Not only will you be improving enrolled in a two or fouryear college indoor air quality, you’ll be in California and are pursuing a degree adding beauty to the space. To for professions which are centered on a save precious deskspace, career in real estate such as Real Estate consider a few hanging planters, Brokerage, Real Estate Finance, Real opting for plants that thrive Estate Management, Real Estate indoors, such as spider plants or
Development, and other fields of study the Trustees believe worthy of consideration. For more information, visit https://car.org/difference/ scholarships. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Scholarship Foundation was established in 1948.The foundation, which was originally called the Glenn D. Willaman Real Estate Foundation, was suggested and started at the Silver Anniversary Testimonial Banquet for Glenn D. Willaman, the Association’s first Executive Officer, at the 42nd Convention of the California Real Estate Association (as C.A.R. was previously known). The Association wished to honor Willaman for his 25 years of service to it and started the Foundation with $1,874.38 in cash, a $1,000 bond and some donation pledges.
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Mid Valley News
California Home Sales Up First Time in More Than a Year The lowest mortgage interest rates in nearly three years helped jump start California’s housing market to post the first yearoveryear sales gain and highest sales level in 15 months, the Arcadia Association of REALTORS® said today. Closed escrow sales of existing, singlefamily detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 411,630 units in July, according to information collected by the California Association of REALTORS® from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2019 if sales maintained the July pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. July’s sales figure was up 5.6 percent from the 389,730 level in June and up 1.1 percent from home sales in July 2018 of 407,030. “Mortgage rates that dipped to the
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Maintaining an Organized Home
(Family Features) This time of year, family life can get a little messy. School schedules and sports activities lowest level in nearly three years has mix with work commitments, and helped reduce monthly mortgage before long the house is as cluttered as payments for the past five consecutive the calendar. months, giving buyers more purchasing With these tips, you can make small power,” said AAR President, Kelvin changes to help you get organized and Chang. “The boost in demand gave the stay that way. housing market its first yearly gain since April 2018.” Embrace routines. After setting record prices for the The idea of dedicating large chunks past three months straight, the median of time to organizing and tidying the price pulled back from June’s $610,720 house can be overwhelming. However, but still registered higher than the making time to clean as you progress previous year. July’s median price was through the day can help control clutter $607,990, down 0.4 percent from June and keep the time commitment more and up 2.8 percent from $591,230 in manageable. July 2018, marking the fourth straight month that the median price remained Purge the excess. above $600,000. Over time, nearly everyone collects “While it’s encouraging that home too much stuff, and clutter is often sales crept higher in July, the market will continue to be challenged by an overarching affordability issue, especially in high cost areas such as the Bay Area, which requires a minimum annual income well into the six figures to purchase a home,” said AAR Chief Executive Office, Andrew Cooper.
more an indication of too much volume than poor organization. Getting control of your clutter starts with eliminating the things you no longer want or need. Create a drop zone. In most homes, the entryway is a catchall for family belongings that get shed with each pass through the door. Instead of fighting the inevitable jumble, find a way to organize it. A stylish drop zone using ClosetMaid’s Space Creations organizers is a solution that attractively contains all those essentials. Avoid junk piles. Nearly every home has at least one junk pile, drawer or even room. Make a point to identify ways to create order, whether it’s adding drawer inserts to contain all the odds and ends or buying a standing file to capture bills and mail. Find more ideas for better home organization this busy season at ClosetMaid.com.
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September 4, 2019 September 04, 2019
Monetizing Your Non Profit Work
One of the core problems that many nonprofits face is that although we work to serve or protect people or resources that are often called “priceless,” the failure to monetize our causes has the ironic effect of rendering them valueless. Certain sustainability and environmental business stakeholders are now taking the step of monetizing to try to force corporate leaders to manage natural resources more effectively. A close examination reveals several strategies that nonprofits can use to monetize the work they do every day and add value in corporate terms. Assigning value to nonprofit work in this way isn't just good for business; it's great for the people and resources nonprofits work to protect and serves the greater public interest, too.
one form than in another? If your nonprofit works to teach adults to read, for example, you are definitely working on a natural capital issue. In the US alone the effects of low literacy cost at least $225 billion annually in crime, loss of tax revenue due to unemployment, and nonproductivity in the workforce. And worldwide illiteracy is linked to extreme poverty, gender abuse, the spread of preventable infectious diseases, and high infant mortality.
Think beyond the value of your funding One way we have all always tried to monetize our work is by showing how much value we provide for the funding we receive. Of course this is still important (and for many of us it is necessary). However, this is only the first step. For example, say your nonprofit Tying your cause to the cost of provides educational programming for running other businesses kids in your community. Most of your Sustainability advocates are having funding is from government grants and success showing corporate leaders private donors. You're probably in the how costly it is to run a business habit of providing a detailed without green, environmentally accounting of how the grant money is friendly practices in place. For spent as a matter of course and example, while many businesses showing how you give a dollarfor have resisted building more energy dollar value back to every source. efficient buildings, it's possible hat Start focusing on how you squeeze doing so reduces their costs over three dollars (or more!) from every time. dollar you get—and you probably do, But how does this work for other because that's how most nonprofits nonprofit messaging? That depends operate. Do this by assessing things on the cause, but in most cases like natural capital and the ways your there's a good angle somewhere. For cause relates to the cost of running example, for domestic violence other businesses, but also account for advocates, the monetizing pain point the value of volunteer work, the value to hit is the billions of dollars that of the impact you have on the domestic violence costs American community impact, and other value businesses alone. If we already know added factors. that domestic violence eats up 8 Remember, you're moving one step million days of paid work each year beyond your unique value proposition in the US, not to mention almost 6 here, although of course that billion in lost productivity, we have a proposition is essential. You're not just great starting point for how much showing your value to donors; you're domestic violence work in the US is showing how much value your potentially worth. nonprofit is contributing to the entire community. The value of natural capital Does your nonprofit focus on something that is worth far more in
Four tips that will motivate you to stay on budget Budget troubles? Here are four ways to motivate yourself to meet your financial objectives.
make good decisions.
Track successes.
Keep up your morale by setting
Remember the reason you’re shortterm goals and recognizing small successes. Celebrate when saving. Focusing on your goal (that trip to Hawaii or paying off your student loan) will motivate you to stick to your spending plan.
you reach these milestones.
Allow for occasional indulgences.
It’s important to allow some room in your budget for fun Telling friends and family activities. It’ll help you stay members about your budgeting motivated, and you’ll be more goals will keep you accountable. likely to follow your budget over a Surround yourself with people who longer period of time. will support you and help you The point of a bud get is not to deny yourself every little indulgence but to curb your expen ses over time so that you can achieve your longterm goals. Spending moderately while keeping your eye on the prize is the way to do it.
Tell people about your goals.
(626) 594 5162
September 4, 2019 September 04, 2019
Mid Valley News Mid Valley News
Top Reasons to Buy Local, Eat Local, Go Local
LOWER TAXES!
Why buy local? According to the American Independent Business Alliance, by choosing local and independent businesses, you not only enjoy a more personal experience, you help:
Local businesses generate more tax revenue per sales dollar. The bottom line: a greater percentage of local independent businesses keeps your taxes lower.
BUILD COMMUNITY!
GET REAL VALUE FOR YOURSELF!
The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood–scale businesses and the public spaces around them build relationships and community cohesiveness. They’re the ultimate social networking sites!
STRENGTHEN YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY!
Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain and almost 50 times more than buying from an online megaretailer.
SHAPE OUR CHARACTER!
Independent businesses help give your community its distinct personality.
YOU CAN BUY IT WHERE YOU TRY IT!
Local stores enable you to try on and try out items before you buy — and get real expertise — saving your time and money.
CREATE A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT!
Independent, communityserving businesses typically consume less land, carry more locallymade products, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution.
Reader surveys by the Consumers Union repeatedly show independent businesses beating their chain competitors in overall customer satisfaction (and often save you money).
ENHANCE CHOICES!
A wide variety of independent businesses, each serving their customers’ tastes, creates greater overall choice for all of us.
INCREASE WEALTH OF RESIDENTS!
El Monte’s New Skatepark One Step Closer
El Monte skateboarders could be doing tricks at the proposed Gibson Mariposa skatepark studded with rails and ramps in the coming year. Gibson Mariposa Park, which was constructed 2011, has all the amenities skaters need, such as bathrooms, picnic shelters and parking. The park’s northern undeveloped portion of the park is the ideal location as it provides ample spacing for the construction of a linear skatepark. A Community Outreach was recently held at Gibson Mariposa Park where the voice of the community provided valuable feedback and input regarding the potential design and amenities. Additional outreach meetings will be held in the coming months as the City works to finalize the design. Currently, the City is seeking the community’s input via an online survey, which can be found on the City’s website. Presently, the City of El Monte is applying for a $25,000 Tony Hawk Foundation grant for construction of the proposed skatepark. The Tony Hawk Foundation supports disadvantaged communities and atrisk children and is the only national grant writing organization focused solely on the development and financing of free, quality public skateparks. If successful, the grant funding will
help offset the amount of city funding utilized for the skatepark project. Construction design is slated to begin late fall 2019 with components that are ideal for all levels of skateboarding, from professionals to those new to the sport. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2020. For additional information regarding the proposed skatepark, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services office at (626) 5802261; Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
What are the keys to succeess as a businesswoman?
The appetite for risk, the love for a good challenge, the desire to succeed, the longing to be one’s own boss, the appeal of a better balance between work and family life, and, most importantly, the immense passion for CREATE JOBS AND one’s job — these are the driving factors that are increasingly pushing OPPORTUNITIES! Not only do independent businesses women to enter the business world. employ more people directly per dollar Today, many women enjoy great of revenue, they also are the customers success and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. But how do you of local printers, accountants, become an accomplished wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc., businesswoman? expanding opportunities for local Entrepreneurs normally have several entrepreneurs. essential qualities in common, starting with an unfailing desire to succeed. GIVE BACK TO YOUR Selfconfidence and leadership are two COMMUNITY! other important characteristics to have Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local to get ahead in the business world — an industry that is still largely male nonprofits, events, and teams dominated. And that’s not all! To compared to big businesses. The multiplier effect created by spending locally generates lasting impact on the prosperity of local organizations and residents.
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succeed, women must master the art of organization, sales and networking. But above all, they must demonstrate a high level of creativity. Furthermore, successful businesswomen aren’t only conscious of their capabilities; they’re also aware of their limitations. In other words, they aren’t afraid to delegate tasks that fall beyond their expertise to others. Being an entrepreneur means surrounding yourself with the right people, specifically trustworthy people whose skillsets contribute to the company’s prosperous future. Lastly, it’s no secret that the recipe for success includes a lot of hard work. Successful businesswomen are completely invested in their company and know the value of sacrifice. So, think you have what it takes?
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Mid Valley News Mid Valley News
September 04, 2019 September 4, 2019
Help Seniors Prepare for Natural Disasters Did you know that seniors suffer more disasterrelated deaths than the general population? According to the Red Cross, older adults are more at risk of injury and fatality during all phases of a disaster, including the time leading up to and the time following the event. While not all seniors are equally vulnerable during disasters, with advanced age many adults develop health conditions that make staying safe during a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or other type of crisis more difficult. The good news is that many disaster related fatalities and injuries can be prevented with the right planning and resources. Here are three steps seniors can take to prepare themselves for a local emergency.
Establish meeting places.
Designate two meeting places — one near your house and one that’s further away but still in your neighborhood — where friends and relatives will know to find you in case of an emergency evacuation.
Prepare your own emergency kit.
In addition to a three to sixday supply of all medications and devices, older adults with certain health conditions, such as diabetes and dementia, should also wear medical ID bracelets so that first responders will have the information they need to proceed with any needed treatment.
Given the increasing number of natural disasters taking place across Form a support network. North America, it’s essential that Make sure you have at least three Americans of all ages have access to people in your community who you the support they need to survive a can rely on during an emergency. Keep catastrophe. their contact information current and accessible at all times.
Community Meetings Encourage Emergency Preparedness by Mary Ann Milbourn Energized by Edison Writer Wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters can happen at a moment’s notice and it’s only then that people often realize they are unprepared. For more than a year, Southern California Edison has joined with the American Red Cross, first responders and other local officials at nearly 30 community meetings in high fire risk areas to explain what the utility is doing to strengthen its power system to better withstand wildfires and to urge people to help themselves by being prepared. “We want to educate our customers about our Wildfire Mitigation Plan Opens in new window, Public Safety Power Shutoffs Opens in new window and emergency preparedness Opens in new window,” said Bob Stiens, an SCE government relations adviser who delivered SCE’s presentation at a recent community meeting in Culver City. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby was among the local officials who attended and spoke about wildfire and emergency preparedness. The Public Safety Power Shutoff is a process that has become an important tool in protecting public safety as climate change increases
the risk of wildfires. When high winds, heat and low humidity create an elevated fire risk, SCE will send out an alert to customers in that area that they are being considered for a power shutoff. The company will try to give customers a twoday notice so they can prepare. A second notice will go out a day before a possible power shutoff. Local governments and agencies will also be notified. SCE will only shut off power when elevated conditions indicate a heightened risk of wildfire. Customers will then be notified that power has been shut off and again when it has been restored. "We know a power outage is disruptive, but we are doing this to ensure the public’s safety,” said Stiens. “Customers can help us help them by checking with SCE to ensure their contact information Opens in new window is up to date so they will receive email, phone or text message alerts notifying them of a possible shutoff.” For more information and to sign up for PSPS alerts: sce.com/PSPS Opens in new window.
September 4, 2019 September 30, 2019 04, 2015
Mid Valley News Mid Valley News
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As AmeriCorps Turns 25, Federal Agency Announces $560 Million in Funding The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced $560 million in AmeriCorps funding – including grants and education awards – to help national and local organizations, faithbased groups, and educational institutions respond to the most critical issues facing communities in the U.S. In total, this funding will provide 65,000 Americans the opportunity to serve their communities through AmeriCorps, which marks its 25th anniversary later this year. In a highly competitive year, the federal investment includes grants of approximately $250 million, nearly 60 percent of which went to national program models, supporting the majority of AmeriCorps members. An additional $140 million was provided to Governorappointed state service commissions, which in turn will be awarded to statebased organizations in the coming months. A complete list of awards by state or territory can be found here. The total announced today includes
$172 million CNCS is making available in education scholarships for AmeriCorps members serving under these grants. After completing a full term of service, members receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of roughly $6,000 to pay for college or to repay student loans. “Building on America’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps can change lives, improve communities, and build a safer and stronger nation,” said Chester
Spellman, Director of AmeriCorps. “For 25 years, the AmeriCorps members who pledge to ‘get things done’ have represented the best of America while demonstrating the great promise and ideals of our country. I congratulate all of this year’s grant recipients, who will help make service possible for a new generation of AmeriCorps members, and salute all those who serve.” Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through 21,000+
schools, nonprofits, and community and faithbased organizations across the country. This class of AmeriCorps members will prepare students for college, reduce crime and revitalize cities, connect veterans to jobs, fight the opioid epidemic, rebuild communities following disasters, preserve public lands, strengthen education, foster economic opportunity, and more. This year marks the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have served, These members provided more than 1.5 billion hours of service and earned more than $3.6 billion in education scholarships, more than $1 billion of which has been used to pay back student debt. Organizations are currently recruiting for AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. Those interested in serving can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.
10 Steps to Disaster Preparedness The golden rule for successful disaster management at all levels is to increase awareness, develop actions plans and practice them. Communicating and building relationships with those around you, whether they contribute actively to the plan or are dependent on it, will have the most significant and positive affect in determining your resiliency throughout an event. Below are 7 actions to keep in mind when planning to mitigate disaster and resources to help prepare.
Be ready at home.
Learn about agencies and roles
Preparedness is a shared obligation among all U.S. government agencies. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website has information about how these agencies can help you prepare effectively.
Conduct a risk assessment
Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and consequences and follow through with action to mitigate risks.
Plan for all types of risks
Emergencies are not all related to natural hazards. Some are manmade (e.g., fires, industrial or transport accidents, oil spills, explosions). It is important to be prepared for all possible risk scenarios.
Prepare, plan and practice. It is important for individuals and families to increase their awareness, get educated, engage in preparedness Understand continuity of conversations and stay informed. operations (COOP) Visit ready. gov for toolkits and COOP describes the stability of downloadable emergency plans. essential functions in a community or Be ready at work business. Know what these function Does your office have an are, who performs them and what they emergency and evacuation plan? require to operate during and after a Have you communicated it? How do disaster. Learn more at FEMA’s you stay in contact with local website. authorities to determine what to do? Research Nongovernmental Answering these questions are organizations (NGOs) detrimental to dealing with disaster. NGOs are key to every community’s Know your community’s preparedness, assisting with disaster vulnerabilities response and recovery. Learn more and Knowing what types of disasters get involved by visiting the American are most likely to affect your location Red Cross and Citizen Corps. will help inform your plan. Enter your zip code to discover the potential risks you face.
Are You Prepared? Emergency Responders may not be able to reach you for up to 14 days
Only 36.5% of Americans have an emergency meeting location
During a home fire you may have as little as two minutes to escape
Just26.4% have an emergency communication plan
Empower. Educate. Engage. El Monte South El Monte Emergency Preparation Coalition South El Monte Senior Center Monday, September 23 3:00 pm
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September 04, 2019
into Summer Fun C R O S S W O R D
S u d o k u
Crossword Puzzle solution in issue 09.18.19
Solution for Sudoku in issue 09.18.19
BACK TO SCHOOL
ACROSS 1. “American Graffiti” director 6. *”High School ____” with Michael J. Fox 9. Chutzpah 13. *Beside, in Shakespeare class 14. Actor Lowe 15. “Melting Pot” island 16. Lazybones 17. General Services Administration 18. Prominent 19. *Opposite of wide ruled 21. *Like Core 23. Husk of corn 24. *Ballpoint type 25. Pet rock or Beanie Baby 28. Foal’s mother 30. Put on a pedestal 35. Flock’s echo 37. *Human Biology focus 39. *Divide by two 40. Plural of focus 41. #28 Across girlfriend? 43. Iranian coin 44. Resembling a serpent 46. “Cogito, ____ sum” 47. Taro plant 48. Radiant 50. Taj Mahal city 52. *Even, in Poetry class 53. *Ginsberg’s lit class staple 55. *Students’ docs 57. *What Miss Othmar said 60. *Lunch box companion 64. “Tippe____ and Tyler Too” 65. International Monetary Fund 67. Physicist of exclusion principle fame 68. *First-year undergrad 69. Luftwaffe’s WWII enemy 70. Arch of ____, Rome 71. Lincoln coin 72. I do this with my little eye 73. Hoity-toity sorts
DOWN
1. Nonclerical 2. Ctrl + Z 3. Unit of life 4. Anoint 5. Watch Hulu, e.g. 6. Spur on 7. ABBA’s 1975 hit 8. *Olden schoolhouse math tool 9. Steal 10. *Type of sax in band 11. Bank holding 12. 1960s altered state inducer 15. Catch in a net 20. “Up for ____” 22. *Smallest whole number 24. F in FBI 25. *Financial aid acronym 26. In the midst 27. Hot rod sticker 29. *Traditional learning method 31. Container weight 32. Omit 33. Avoid, as in taxes 34. *Thornton of “Back to School” fame 36. Goddess of victory 38. Slang for safecracker 42. Not Ionic or Corinthian 45. Name of God in the Old Testament 49. Extinct flightless bird 51. Virtuosos 54. Sounds like a helicopter 56. “The rain in ____ falls mainly in the plain” 57. Ending with hard or soft 58. *Soon, in Shakespeare class 59. Rat during bubonic plaque epidemic, e.g. 60. Questionable 61. *Drivers Ed “classroom” 62. *Afterschool get-together 63. Gene Simmons’ band 64. Chlorofluorocarbon 66. *Geography class prop
El Monte City School District Highlights Community Support at First Day of School By Staff Writer El Monte
El Monte City School District teachers and administrators rolled out red carpets, clutched colorful signs and cheered on droves of smiling students and parents, welcoming them to the start of the 2019-20 school year on Aug. 20. The District welcomed students and parents across its 14 campuses, each with information kiosks and orientation meetings to inform the public about new and expanding programs to boost academic and social-emo-
and assist with transitioning from elementary school to middle school. “Our SOAR program students are prepared to show younger students that they always have someone that will listen to them and guide them during their time at Columbia,” Columbia School Principal Jaime Ortega said. Wright School is the second school in the District to host a Mariachi Academy to encourage interest in new styles of music and cultural appreciation. Music classes are also linked to enhanced student learning and achievement.
Students and parents are ushered onto campus with celebrity treatment with cheers and a red carpet, courtesy of the teachers and administrators of Wright School during the first day of school on Aug. 20.
tional growth. Each school in the District is introducing a new Lego Robotics curriculum, allowing all K-8 students to build and program robots to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning. The curriculum was created after the District’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program launched a popular robotics team in January 2018. The team won a second-place project award at the Los Angeles Region FIRST Lego League in November 2018. Columbia School unveiled its new Students Offering Academic Readiness (SOAR) program, which pairs 26 eighth-graders with students from all grade levels to encourage positive behaviors, offer academic support
The academy was piloted at Potrero School during the 2018-19 school year, where it was immediately popular, reaching its enrollment cap of 40 with a waitlist consisting of another 40. MORE“Our hope for the Mariachi Academy is that it is as successful here as it is at Potrero School,” Wright School Assistant Principal Juan Carranza said. “We hope this program gives our musically inclined students a means to pursue their passions.” Wright School’s Mariachi Academy will begin enrollment in September. “We would like to welcome our students, staff and parents to yet another wonderful year at the El Monte City School District,” First Day of School continued on page 16
September 04, 2019
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California PBIS Coalition Recognizes Six Mountain View School District Schools by Staff Writer El Monte
Six schools in the Mountain View School District were recognized by the California PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Coalition for their successful implementation of the PBIS program during the 2018-2019 school year. Voorhis School earned Gold Level Recognition for the second year in a row and Twin Lakes, Miramonte, Parkview and Payne Schools earned Silver Level Recognition. The Magnolia Learning Center received Bronze Recognition. The schools were honored for their
excellence and efforts in implementing the core features of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program which include a school-wide system of support incorporating proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. As a framework for enhancing the adoption and carrying out of strategies to achieve important outcomes for all students. As a “framework,” the emphasis is on a process or approach, rather than a curriculum, intervention, or practice. With PBIS, students know what the behavior expectations are for every part of their campus including
classrooms, hallways, restrooms, the cafeteria and the playground. All 12 MVSD schools have implemented successful PBIS programs, helping to create the conditions to maximize academic and social behavioral outcomes for all students. The goal of the PBIS behavior management system is not just to correct behavior issues, but to create a positive school environment where all students develop the social, emotional and academic skills to learn and thrive. According to George Schonborn, MVSD’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services, the PBIS program teaches students the desired behaviors for success in school.
“All of our school PBIS teams have received intensive training in the program for the past few years and have learned strategies to prevent or reduce problem behaviors while creating more positive learning environments for all students,” said Schonborn. “Since implementing the PBIS program our schools report a more positive school climate on their campuses.” The California PBIS Coalition will acknowledge the six schools’ honor by displaying the school names on the Coalition’s webpage and they will also be posted at the 4th Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento scheduled for late October.
Health and Wellness El Monte City School Initiatives Evident District Students Throughout the City of Receive Backpacks and El Monte Supplies by Staff Writer El Monte
El Monte was one of 5 recipients within the Los Angeles County that pursued policy change and related physical projects that decreased barriers in the built environment that improved opportunities for nutrition and physical activity. The lead agency for the City of El Monte P.L.A.C.E. Initiative was the Community and Senior Services Division, who worked closely with the Community Development Department (Planning and Engineering), the Police Department, and the City Manager’s Office throughout the grant cycle to implement the Initia-
The Policies for Livable Active Communities and Environments (PLACE) Program was launched in 2006 as part of an effort to align funding allocated for chronic disease and injury prevention with death and disability caused by chronic disease and injury. The PLACE initiative first came to El Monte in July 2008 with a 3-year $1.65 million grant dedicated to fostering policy change that supported the development of healthy, active environments for Los Angeles County residents. Health and Wellness continued on page 16
Courtesy Photo
by Staff Writer El Monte
District. “When students don’t have all the materials they need to learn, it does affect them,” Potrero School Principal Lorraine Torres said. “Thanks to this donation, some of our students can walk a little prouder and be confident because they have the tools they need to enhance their learning.” Third-grader Leilani Garcia beamed with joy when she received a bright lime green backpack and rushed to show off her new supplies to friend and second-grader Mariah Moya. Moya excitedly
More than 50 Potrero School students jumped, cheered and grinned during an August 23rd assembly, where they received free backpacks filled with supplies such as pencils, notebooks and erasers, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center employees. The El Monte City School District received 850 backpacks in total for students across its 14 schools. This is the first year that Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center employees have donated backpacks and supplies to the Backpacks and Supplies continued on page 16
Courtesy Photo
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Mid Valley News Mid Valley News
The Pet Boost: Furry Friends Help Seniors Feel Less Lonely (NewsUSA) Many older adults experience feelings of loneliness and isolation as they age, but pets can provide the companionship and love seniors desire. According to a new survey conducted by Home Instead, Inc., 82 percent of older adults say they will not consider moving to a senior living community without their pet. There are many ways seniors can interact with animals without taking on the responsibility of pet ownership. Here are a few ideas: Volunteer at a rescue organization or animal shelter. Many rescue organizations and animal shelters could use an extra hand. Volunteers experience the benefits of interacting with pets, and they can provide some care to an animal in need.
With so many options available, finding the right animal interaction for each individual should be as easy as a walk in the dog park.
Connect with a therapy animal. Pet Partners therapy teams, made up of a pet owner and his or her
Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet Courtesy of WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA
A Rat as A Pet? A Bad Rap for A Great Idea They’re smart Rats, like dogs, are intelligent and inquisitive. Call them and they’ll come running — they’re able to recognize their own name. With a bit of patience and some treats, you can train your rat to perform all sorts of impressive tricks.
registered animal, go into many locations where seniors are living or being treated, such as hospitals, hospice centers and care communities. Visit a pet store. Some pet stores sell small animals, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, gerbils, mice, rats, certain geckos, bearded dragons, snakes, and specific types of frogs, birds and fish.
fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. 5. Your neutered male will be much Whether you’ve recently adopted a better behaved. Neutered cats and dogs focus their pet or you’re considering it, one of attention on their human families. the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your Intact dogs and cats mark their territory by spraying urine all over the house. cat or dog. 6. Spaying or neutering will NOT Spaying and neutering are make your pet fat. veterinary procedures that requires Lack of exercise and overfeeding minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. will make your pet fatnot neutering. Check out our handyand 7. It is highly costeffective. persuasivelist of the top 10 reasons The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost a litter to spay or neuter your pet! or treatment and legal bills when your 1. Your female pet will live a they escape and get into a fight. longer, healthier life. 8. Spaying and neutering your pet is Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is good for the community. Stray animals can prey on wildlife, fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and cause car accidents, damage the local 90 percent of cats. fauna and attack children. 2. Neutering provides major 9. Your pet doesn't need to have a health benefits for your male. litter for your children to learn about Besides preventing unwanted the miracle of birth. litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer. Letting your pet produce offspring 3. Your spayed female won't go you have no intention of keeping is not into heat. a good lesson for your children While cycles can vary, female especially when so many unwanted felines usually go into heat four to animals end up in shelters. five days every three weeks during 10. Spaying and neutering helps breeding season. fight pet overpopulation. 4. Your male dog won't want to Every year, millions of cats and dogs roam away from home. of all ages and breeds are euthanized or An intact male will do just about suffer as strays. These high numbers anything to find a mate! That could have been prevented by spaying includes digging his way under the or neutering.
September 4, 2019 September 04, 2019
Are you looking to adopt a new four legged family member? Here are three reasons rats make great pets: They’re docile Rats are calm critters that enjoy receiving affection. Unlike hamsters, which are known to bite without warning, they don’t mind being handled, making them ideal pets for children. They even like taking walks atop your shoulder or tucked into your backpack. They’re clean Rats groom themselves and require very little maintenance. Just make sure you change your rat’s litter regularly, give him fresh food and water every day, and trim his claws as needed.
Rats Are Affectionate Every rat has his own personality, but in general rats enjoy the companionship of humans (and other rats). Many rats enjoy being petted while some enjoy perching on your shoulder. Rats Like to Be Tickled It’s been scientifically proven that the highfrequency chirping noises rats make when tickled is a form of laughter. What’s more, rats bond with the person who tickles them and make them laugh.
DID YOU KNOW... Similar to when cats purr, rats grind their teeth when they’re relaxed and confident.
Five Facts About Dogs You Probably Didn’t Know He may be man’s best friend, but how much do you really know about your pup? Here are five amazing facts about dogs you probably didn’t realize. Extra eyelids: in addition to top and bottom eyelids, dogs have another in the corner of their eye that acts like a windshield wiper to clean and moisturize the cornea. Feeble taste: dogs gain most information about their food from the way it smells, not the way it tastes. They only have 1,700 taste buds on their tongues compared to our 9,000. Instinctive sleeping: when your dog curls into a ball to sleep, it’s not just adorable, it’s also an instinctive response to the need to stay warm and to protect their abdomen and organs from predators.
Amazing noses: not only is their sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than ours, every dog’s nose print is as distinctive as a human fingerprint. Remarkable ears: each dog ear has 18 muscles that enable it to turn, tilt, raise, lower and move, thereby allowing Fido to hear faraway sounds — up to four times as far as a normal human ear can detect! Dogs can also hear highfrequency pitches humans can’t detect. Dogs do dream: Dogs and humans have the same type of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) and during this REM stage dogs can dream. Not only are dogs loving and loyal companions, but they’re also fascinating animals with unique characteristics and abilities.
September 04, 2019
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World War II. Today it would be documented and undocumented or legal and illegal.” Japanese American citizens and immigrants were to report to relocation camps and bring only what they could carry. In the Los Angeles area, these were located at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia and Pomona Assembly Center at the L.A. County Fairgrounds. Sakatani and his family first went to Pomona. During this time, more permanent concentration camps were being built inland in the United States. Saka-tani and his family were eventually transferred to Heart Mountain. For the three, over 10,000 Japanese Americans would be held there. “We were the third largest city in the state of Wyoming,” Sakatani said. Sakatani showed images of the camp -- the barracks, the places where people bathed, the mess hall, and Japanese American citizens tried to make the best of their circumstances. And also how Nisei (secondgeneration) males dissented, and became well-known for their stance. He discussed the way detainees were paid for the work at the camp and how they were used to run it. “We had our own fire department, police department, doctors, nurses, school, farm, hog farm, grocery mart, poultry farm, cultural events, churches, and cultural events,” Sakatani explained. “We didn’t have a barbed wire fence in the beginning. The army decided that they needed a fence around the camp to more easily control us.” Sakatani also spoke about how many Japanese American males were
tent right across the street where we used to live. We could not get our farm back. We found an old, broken down farm in Pomona so, we moved there to start our lives over all over again. It was really a struggle.” Sakatani showed through his PowerPoint presentation how his family built up their strawberry farm, his own military service in the Korean War, and how he has visited Heart Mountain Relocation Center, now known as Heart Mountain Foundation. They have a Heart Mountain Interpretative Center, a museum that is dedicated to showing future generations the experiences of Japanese Americans and immigrants during WWII. They also host a pilgrimage in the summer in hopes of bridging the past and present together. After his presentation, Sakatani held up a book and spoke for a few more minutes, before taking questions from the audience. “During the late 1970s and early 1980s, they [the U.S. government] tried to redress the wrong incarceration of Japanese Americans and so, President Carter established a [Commission] of Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians to investigate why we were put into the camps. The [Commission] went into the archives and found secret documents and interviewed several people. The Commission came out with this document,” Sakatani said holding up the book. “Personal Justice Denied. It states that Executive Or-der 9066 was not justified by military necessity but was the result of racism, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership. A great injustice was done to Japanese Americans.” Sakatani urged all in the audience to read the book and discover more for themselves about internment of Japanese Americans and immigrants
Courtesy photo
able to enter the war and fight for their country during the late forties. Despite what had been done to them and their families, they wanted to show their patriotism and loyalty. As the war drew to a close, Japanese Americans and immigrants were told they could return to the their hometowns, except in many cases their old lives were gone. “My family returned to West Covina,” Saktani said. “We put up a
during the War. He received a citation from Representative Blanca Rubio’s Office and the La Historia Society and his family presented him with a cake for his upcoming 90th birthday. For more information on the La Historia Society visit https://www. lahistoriamuseum.org and Heart Mountain Foundation and Interpretive Center visit http://heartmountain.org
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Norms Anniversary continued from page 1
24/7. “After a long council meeting. You know where we like to go? NORMS,” she enthused. She also mentioned steak and eggs which was greeted with a healthy round of applause. Martinez-Muela, continued: “The number four reason. When we first had a conversation about bringing a NORMS to this community, we talked about providing local jobs. We pulled up some numbers the other day and initially 81 folks were employed here. [NORMS] still has 41 employees to date who work and live in the City of El Monte. What a blessing. There are so many [employees] from the San Gabriel Valley -- Rosemead, Baldwin Park, Temple City, San Gabriel -- who come into our city to work at a great place. And reason number five why I love NORMS -- it is a family-friendly place that my family loves to come to...Cheers to many more.” Several employees from NORMS corporate headquarters in Bellflower also attended the celebration. “I love the community aspect and the people,” said Nate Bertke, Marketing Manager, who has been with NORMS’s three years. “A lot of our team members have been with NORMS a long time -- 30, 40 years. It’s a small company but you can make a big impact.”
When asked what his favorite things to eat are, Bertke immediately responded and gave off list: “The club sandwich. By far the best club sandwich I’ve ever had, and I’m not just saying that. The ham and cheese omelet is amazing. You can’t go wrong with our ‘Bigger Better Breakfast’. It’s a giant plate of food for $7.99. Our seasonal limited time offer -- ribs.” Also on hand for the event were Cathi Eredia, City Clerk, Viviana Longoria, City Treasurer; Jerry Velasco, Mayor Pro Tem; Victoria Martinez-Muela, Councilmember; Betty Donavanik, Community Economic Development Director; El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga; Ken Rausch, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Brooke Perez, Community Relations Manager at Longo Toyota; representatives from Susan Rubio’s and Hilda Solis’ office; as well as other officials from the City of El Monte. NORMS, founded in 1949 in Los Angeles is planning to open three more restaurants in the Los Angeles area by the end of the year, and three more by first quarter of next year. “We’re a legacy brand,” said Ingrid Martinez, Vice President of Marketing. “We are celebrating our 70th Anniversary so, what better way to celebrate it than by growing.”
September 04, 2019
Mid Valley News
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Health and Wellness continued from page 13
tive. The City also collaborated with the California Community Foundation, AltaMed Health Services, the El Monte City School District and Amigos de los Rios. The City of El Monte developed a Health and Wellness Element for the El Monte General Plan (2010) with proposed components addressing healthy lifestyles and physical activity, access to healthy food, public safety and security, and access to recreation. The physical project component of the P.L.A.C.E. Initiative was a 1-mile circuit-walking path with mileage markers and signage connecting various civic, educational, retail and health care facilities in the area. Another valuable outcome of this program was the establishment of a walking club that had over 350 residents actively enrolled. The Community & Senior Services Division, in collaboration with other city departments and community partners, continues to offer physical activity opportunities and health education through special events throughout
the year. The PLACE Program has evolved into developing policy change that supports the development of healthy, safe and active environments for all Los Angeles County residents. The support and effects of the PLACE initiative can be seen throughout El Monte. Whether its Hatha Yoga, Senior Initiative, or a walk around Arceo Park, these are just some of the places members of our community can take advantage of the PLACE Program. For more information our readers are encouraged to view the City’s website.
Backpacks and Supplies continued from page 13
showed Garcia her hot pink backpack, which was adorned with unicorns, stars and rainbows. “My favorite thing about the backpack is all the school supplies it comes with,” Garcia said. “I got erasers, pencils, a pencil sharpener, crayons and a binder. I also love the way it looks.” Garcia said she was thankful for the new backpack because her previous backpack was getting old and worn out. Yolanda Padilla, linguistics and cultural services manager at Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, said she gathered donations, contacted the District and setup the giveaway within a month.
“El Monte is part of the catchment area for Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park and we always want to give back to the community and provide outreach opportunities,” Padilla said. Padilla and several employees, including administrators and nurses, attended the assembly to hand out the backpacks to dozens of smiling students. “We would like to thank the employees of Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center for their generous donation,” Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia said. “These backpacks are a welcome gift to improve the self-esteem and academic achievement of our students.” (Left) Sixth-grader Eunice Munoz smiles and holds a tie-dye colored backpack while her friend, (right) sixthgrader Daniela Toledo, sifts through her new school supplies with Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Oncology and Infusion Department Administrator Gurdeep Singh. The two received backpacks and supplies from Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center employees during an Aug. 23 assembly. Courtesy Photo
First Day of School The Mid Valley News is published Bi - weekly on Thursday by Mid Valley Media Center, LLC Business and Editorial Offices are located at: 11401 E. Valley Blvd.
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Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia said. “We are excited to start the new school year because we have many new and expanded program offerings that will boost student success and build a stronger community.”
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Courtesy Photo. Photo to the right: Two Columbia School students cheer on incoming classmates while hoisting signs of encouragement during their first day of school on Aug. 20
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Contributing Writers Connie Keenan Dick James Devette Johnson Michael McClure Mike Nelson Mid Valley Media Center, LLC, all contents here in are copyrighted and may not be reproduce in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff of Mid Valley Media Center, LLC. Adjudicated as a paper of general circulation in the City of El Monte, County of Los Angeles Superior Court, Nov. 7 1973. No. C68383 official paper for the County of Los Angeles, Adjudicated on general circulation Los Angeles July 18, 1992, No. BS016380
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no answer so I text her…no reply. Although originally from Peru, ceviche is popular throughout South & Central America and in the seaport cities of Mexico where I first discovered it. Many of our fine restaurants and markets here in the El Monte and South El Monte serve great varieties of the popular dish. But as I said “A Picnic With Out Potato Salad…WHAT” {Editor’s Note: This column was written Saturday morning 8/31/19 to meet deadline. Tune in next issue to see if Donna came through with her potato salad and saved the picnic. The Mid Valley News hopes that you all had a great Labor Day}
Debit Card continued from page 4
due at the onset. At the federal level, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 provides general consumer protections for not only credit cards, but for various types of gift certificates, store gift cards, and prepaid cards. Section 401(a) (2)(A) of the Credit CARD Act defines “general-use prepaid card” as “a card or other payment code or device issued by any person that is (i) redeemable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers, or automated teller machines” and “(iv) honored, upon presentation, by
Sudoku Solution for 08.21.19
merchants for goods or services, or at automated teller machines.” However, certain types of generaluse prepaid cards may be excluded from the Credit CARD Act’s regulations. Section 205.20(b) states that general-use prepaid cards do not include any card that is “(4) Not marketed to the general public.” AB 1428 will require any business (excluding retail establishments and restaurants) that offers a refund to a customer via a prepaid debit card to offer the customer a choice among the following refund formats: • A refund back to the original form of payment. • A refund via a check. • A refund via a prepaid debit card. Crossword Solution for 08.21.19
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