Community News
Chalk Talk
page 8
Community Events, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 56, No. 08
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
April 17, 2019
Rio Hondo College Alumna Dedicates Career to Education by Staff Writer San Gabriel Valley
Angelica De La Rosa recalls how her struggles with education – a lack of motivation and the poor grades that resulted – changed overnight with the birth of her first son. “The motivation wasn’t there, the goals weren’t set,” she said. “I come from a family of seven and going through school, it was difficult for me to do the things I wanted to do. I wanted something better for my children and I knew it was going to be up to me to make that possible. I decided education was going to be my path.” De La Rosa, who had enrolled in Rio Hondo College after high school only to be declared academically ineligible due to poor grades, returned with a plan. Working part time and caring for her son, she jumped into a full
schedule of classes. She retook the courses she had failed and did so well she was able to transfer to California State University, Los Angeles. At Cal State L.A., she blazed a path through the curriculum, studying with a full schedule straight through summers to get her Bachelor of Arts in child development and multi-subject teaching credential in eight quarters. She graduated on Dec. 12, 1998 and was working as a substitute teacher when Whittier City School District started its spring semester on Jan. 5, 1999. “I was the first in my family to get a degree and I was the youngest,” De La Rosa said. “My family was so proud.” De La Rosa soon found a full-time post at the district, teaching English and history for six years and then math. She shifted to high school instruction, taking another round of college classes to obtain a single-
Education continued on page 16
Courtesy Photo
The Gift of Life is Our Most Precious Gift by Dawn Marsh, Rio Vista Elementary School El Monte
Not often enough do we hear stories of heroic deeds, so when someone comes along and restores our faith in humanity, it is important to share the good news with the world. This story is about two colleagues and friends, Shirley Chan and Alexandria “Alex” Fabbro. Shirley and Alex are special education teachers at Rio Vista Elementary School in El Monte, California. Shirley has been teaching children with special needs for the last 10 years and Alex has been on a journey as a general education teacher, a high school math teacher and now has found her calling as a teacher for children with special needs, namely autism. Alex has been teaching at Rio Vista for the past three years. As you will see, these two friends share more than their passion for helping students with special needs. When Shirley was 15 years old, she was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
Courtesy Photo
Unfortunately, Shirley’s Lupus has compromised her kidneys to the point where she is now undergoing lifesaving daily dialysis. It has severely impacted her quality of life. A machine filters wastes, salts and
fluid from her blood because Shirley’s kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work effectively. A kidney transplant is the only way for Shirley to be able to live independently without being tethered
to her dialysis equipment. In September 2018 another colleague and friend of Shirley’s, Betty Silva, sent out a letter to the staff at Gift of Life continued on page 16
Mid Valley News
Page 2
April 17, 2019
Chalk Talk El Monte Union Academic Decathlon Teams Shine at Competition by Staff
elite university. “This is the most significant thing I’ve ever done,” Luong said. “My family is very proud of me and participating in AcaDeca has made me a better student and person.” “I joined AcaDeca because I wanted to try something new and challenging,” Huynh added. The Panther team earned 34 medals, including a thirdplace trophy in Division I Super Quiz. Arroyo High earned 27 medals and placed fourth overall and second in Division II Super Quiz. Junior Mia Cabrera placed third for Top DecathleteVarsity in Division II and senior Hai Chou was the top overall El Monte Union Academic The team was joined in the Top 25 Decathlete for Arroyo. Decathlon Teams Shine at by Arroyo High (15th place), Mountain View High earned 12 Competition Mountain View High (19th place) and medals, including three gold and three Rosemead High School’s Panther South El Monte High, which earned silver. The top scorer was James Liu. Academic Decathlon team will return Rookie School of the Year honors with South El Monte High, participating to the California State Championships its 25thplace finish. Though placing in its first Academic Decathlon, for the second year in a row, capping out of the Top 25, El Monte High also finished first in Division III and an unprecedented season that saw excelled, winning eight medals, nearly every El Monte Union including two gold. comprehensive high school place in “These schools are our brothers and the Top 25 in the Los Angeles County sisters. We created a Google Drive file regionals. so that we could share information and In its second year competing as a resources before the competition,” Division I team, Rosemead High Rosemead High AcaDeca adviser Eric earned a fifthplace finish at the Los Burgess said. “The results speak for Angeles County Office of Education themselves. I couldn’t be happier for Academic Decathlon in February and our Rosemead students and partner will return to the state competition schools.” March 2224 in Sacramento. Rosemead’s ninemember team “We finished second in state last includes newcomers senior Dustin year, so I feel as if we have unfinished Luong and junior Madelyn Huynh, business,” Rosemead High senior and both of whom joined because of the AcaDeca team captain Sean Thai said. rigorous competition, which may “We would really like to win it all this bolster their chances of attending an year.”
A Message from the Superintendent
By Dr. Edward Zuniga, Superintendent, El Monte Union High School District As we Academic Decathlon. welcome We also saw our innovative student spring and chefs and video production students head into put their classroom learning to the test one of the with the inaugural Cooking busiest times of the school year, I want Showdown. We were so proud of the to thank our teachers, staff and parents collaboration among the student teams for continuing to forge ahead in our – who competed to showcase their collective efforts to see all of our culinary skills – and our VISTA students challenge themselves and Academy students, who learned how succeed. to shoot and film a reality TV show. It has been an exciting month here We can’t wait to learn who won. I at El Monte Union. We celebrated new want to also acknowledge our parents beginnings at El Monte High School who attended the Parent Involvement with its revamped Lion Stadium, Academy, demonstrating how active congratulated Arroyo High School for engagement contributes to increased winning a coveted award for boosting student achievement. STEM education among girls and We are excited to see what else is cheered on Rosemead High School to come from our students and students competing in the state schools!
earned second place in the Super Quiz. The team earned 23 individual medals, led by senior Cesar Raygoza, who won nine medals and earned the distinction of being the top scoring decathlete for Division III. Academic Decathlon teams are composed of students from all grade point averages. The county competition involved 40 official teams and 15 junior teams from 26 school districts. This year’s competition was focused on the subject, “The 1960s: A Transformational Decade.” “The Districtwide success in the Academic Decathlon is truly a significant achievement for El Monte Union and is a testament to the dedication of our students and their advisers,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “The success of Rosemead High is providing a template for the rest of the District to follow. I wish them the best of luck.”
El Monte Rosemead Adult School Celebrates Adult Education Week
The El MonteRosemead Adult School celebrated Adult Education Week – themed “Get your Kicks on Route 66” – April 812 with a scholastic book fair, Route 66 classroom displays, student appreciation BBQ and a “What Adult Education Means to Me” essay contest. Students also wore red all week in recognition of Adult Education Week. The winners of the essay contest, which included 377 submissions, were Laura Isabel Cruz, Gloria Collazo, Yifeng Shi and Yesenia Carolina Serrano. EMRAS is the primary community resource for the teaching and instruction of adult literacy, providing
vocational and job training, instruction to those learning to speak English and support to complete high school studies. The Board of Trustees in April adopted a resolution proclaiming April 812 Adult Education Week at EMRAS, acknowledging that the school serves the changing economic and cultural needs of an expanding community.
April 17, 2019
Mid Valley News
Page 3
Chalk Talk SeaPerch, a Navy organized club that allows students to build their own robots using provided parts at Arroyo placed 3rd out of 20 in the Southern California SeaPerch challenge on March 2nd. Representing Arroyo at the competition were students Marco Hernandez, 12, Xiao Lei Luo, 12, Vivian Ha, 12, Connie Chan, 12, and Xingjie Fang, 12. Stacy Lim, club advisor, explained “it’s a regional competition and we all meet at Troy High School … in Fullerton. It was roughly over 20 schools and they each have like a time slot and they have their opportunity to do the obstacle course and mission recovery thing.” The mission recovery “was reenacting an incident in Thailand in which a few children were stuck in a cave,” explained Marco Hernandez, club secretary. “We had to create a robot that would pick up certain objects under water and take them to a certain destination under fifteen minutes,” Hernandez explained. Their robot had to pick up robot parts, and weighted orbs, the heaviest one weighing about
SeaPerch: Knights Undersea Victory By Alicia NaranjoChampion, News Editor, Knights Banner 50 grams. The other part of the competition was to go through a set of obstacles under 15 minutes. This included going through hoops. “We got a total of 6 minutes and 27 seconds which was decent for the conditions in which we were running at,” said Hernandez. Along with completing these tasks, SeaPerch members must prepare an engineering notebook and answer questions before a judging panel. “In that engineering notebook they
have to write out their design for their robot … include the reasoning behind it, like physics and math all that stuff to prove why theirs [their robot] works, why they chose … that design and then at the competition … they have to present their notebook and answer questions to a panel of judges,” explained Lim. Hernandez explained that they also had to log the different trial and errors it took to make certain parts of the robot.
The robot takes about 4 hours to build, then the rest of the time is spent testing it. To test their robot, SeaPerch club members either go to a house with a pool or public pools like those at the YMCA. “We test on how buoyant it is. So if it floats too much, it’s positively buoyant … that’s good but then too much can not let the robot sink and pick up the things it’s supposed to.” Hernandez said that his favorite part about SeaPerch was being able to build the robot and the mechanical aspect to it. For more information about the club or to join see Ms. Lim in room 29. For more information about SeaPerch go to: https:// www.seaperch.org/index (The club meets on Thursdays during lunch and sometimes after school in room 29 about once a month.) Ed Note: This article was originally published in the April 3rd edition of Knights Banner, The Student News Site of Arroyo High School and is reprinted here with permission of The El Monte Union High School District.
South El Monte High School Eagles 2019 CIF State Champions Recognized By Supervisor Solis
Photo Courtesy Trustee Florencio Briones https://www.facebook.com/trusteeflo
DID YOU KNOW... All El Monte Union High School District employees are mandated to report suspected child abuse. Child abuse is legally defined as any act of omission or commission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or Photo Courtesy Trustee Florencio Briones emotional health and development. https://www.facebook.com/trusteeflo
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Mid Valley News
April 17, 2019
Mountain View School District Celebrates Read Across America by M. Earle, Contributing Writer, Mountain View School District El Monte
The joy of reading was the focus throughout the Mountain View School District (MVSD) as schools celebrated Read Across America, the largest national reading event in the United States sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). Held in conjunction with the birthday of famed children’s author,
Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, MVSD was happy to join in the nationwide celebration as schools hosted Read Aloud celebrations with fun activities promoting the importance of reading. A highlight of the celebrations was the guest read-in where community members were invited to join in the fun by visiting schools and reading their favorite book to students. Guest readers included police of-
Cleminson School Achieves High Performance on State Dashboard by Staff Writer El Monte
El Monte City School District’s Cleminson School saw growth in multiple areas on the California School Dashboard, a tool that gives parents, students and educators access to important school and district data. Cleminson School students improved their performance on California’s English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests, building on their strong performance in the previous school year. The school’s ELA scores increased 15.8 percent-
age points from 2017-18 while math scores increased 19.4 percentage points. “These scores and placement show that all of our hard work, from both the teachers and students, has come to fruition,” Cleminson School Principal Carlos Salcedo said. “It’s extremely satisfying to see these improvements.” Salcedo said the achievement stems from the school’s teachers, who have used their professional learning community to pinpoint the best ways to assist students.
ficers, firemen, city officials, local business people, veterans of the armed forces, high school students, MVSD board members, school district staff and retirees, parents and volunteers. Students were excited when popular Dr. Seuss characters like The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 visited classrooms and encouraged them to read. Payne School welcomed the Mt. View High Teachers Preparation Academy (TPA) students and Magnolia Learning Center students to read in classrooms and students also enjoyed an interactive story-telling of The Hungry Caterpillar. “Welcoming guest readers to our classrooms is a great way to show students the importance of reading,” said Lillian Maldonado French, MVSD superintendent, who read to several classes. “We appreciate all the volunteer readers who
took the time to visit our schools and read to our students. We hope it instills a passion for reading and love of books that will continue into their adult years. Our teachers and support personnel do an excellent job with our Read Across America events and instilling a love of reading in our students each day.” Along with welcoming guest readers, schools hosted a variety of fun-themed days such as pajama day where students wore their PJ’s to school and snuggled up with a good book, literary character day where they dressed as their favorite book character, and held book cover art contests, bookmark contests and games. Maxson School hosted a weeklong Camp Read-A-Lot and students were encouraged to learn and read “s’more” during the fun camping America continued on page 15
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Dashboard continued on page 16
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Mid Valley News
Rio Hondo College President Teresa Dreyfuss Honored by Staff Writer San Gabriel Valley / LA County
Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss has been named a 2019 Distinguished Woman of the Year for the 57th Assembly District in recognition of her contributions to the community. “I am proud and humbled by this honor,” Dreyfuss said. “My goal has always been to serve Rio Hondo College and our communities with the utmost passion, to do my best to ensure the opportunity for higher education was available to everyone.” Assembly Majority Leader Ian C. Calderon, who represents the 57th District, honored 10 distinguished women during a March 28 event at The Clarke Estate in Santa Fe Springs. “President Dreyfuss has dedicated many years of service to our community and to ensuring the success of countless students,” Calderon said. “I am proud to honor her for her leadership and many contributions to the 57th Assembly District.” Dreyfuss was nominated by Pico Rivera Mayor Pro-Tem Gustavo Camacho and Huntington Park Public Works Director Daniel Hernandez
for her role at Rio Hondo College and her commitment to supporting the community. “I have worked with many great community leaders over the years, but Ms. Dreyfuss stands out for her leadership, experience, professionalism, integrity and her commitment to community,” Camacho wrote in his nomination form. “I believe she exemplifies courage, strength and vision through her accomplishments working at the college and in the community she serves,” Hernandez wrote. Dreyfuss, who retires on June 30, has served Rio Hondo College for more than 30 years, starting in 1987. She started as a senior accountant and worked her way up to the leadership post. She was appointed permanently to the post in 2013 after a brief time as the college’s interim leader. During her service, she helmed a $250 million construction program that remade the aging hilltop campus into a modern institution, as well as establishing three regional education centers to serve students close to their homes. Dreyfuss, who holds an MBA from the University of La Verne, is an immigrant from Taiwan who has
LeGore School Leadership Program Creates Culture of Confidence by Staff Writer San Gabriel Valley / LA County
LeGore School sixth-grader Frank Rodriguez wore a No. 42 jersey in honor of former Brooklyn Dodger and civil rights pioneer Jackie Robinson as he conducted campus tours
LeGore School’s sixth-grader Justin Vargas spoke to parents and community members on how learning leadership skills has had a profound effect on his life during All-Star Leadership Day on March 22. Photo courtesy.
for parents and community members during the school’s third annual AllStar Leadership Day on March 22. “Jackie Robinson has had a great impact on my life,” Rodriguez said. “He inspires me to open my heart, show respect and to share. Being a
Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss has been named a 2019 Distinguished Woman of the Year for the 57th Assembly District in recognition of her contributions to the community. Photo courtesy.
drawn on her experiences to inspire
Distinguished continued on page 16
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leader means being a role model to others.”
Led by a group of third-graders who sang “We Are The World,” Rodriguez and fellow LeGore students familiarized visitors with the District’s Leader In Me program. Infused with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the leadership framework has had a profound effect on LeGore students. “The seven habits have helped me in life, every single one of them,” LeGore sixth-grader Justin Vargas said. “Not just since I started using them in the fourth grade, but even before I knew what they were, they were helping me. And they can help you, too.” The theme for the 2018-19 school year is “Lead Like Champions.” LeGore’s student leaders chose inspirational athletes like Robinson, Serena Williams and the U.S. “Miracle on Ice” hockey team to represent principles such as being proactive, having a plan and working together. LeGore’s Lighthouse members hold bi-monthly meetings with their advisers and keep leadership binders that contain their mission statement and track their progress in school.
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April 17, 2019
Mid Mid Valley Valley News News
Things to Consider Before Getting t C id B Backyard Chickens
Chickens make great pets for people who dream of collecting fresh eggs from a coop outside their back door. Backyard chickens are gaining in popularity, but are they the right choice for you? Here are five things to consider before setting up your very own flock of hens.
Great Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet
1.
They may not be legal in your area. Check your municipality’s bylaws Heading to the local to make sure you’re allowed to keep chickens in your backyard. animal shelter to adopt a pet? Don’t look past the 2. They need the right home. Chickens need outdoor space to roam and a animal with soulful eyes and coop to sleep and lay their eggs. a grey muzzle. Here are some compelling reasons to 3. They love company. adopt a senior pet instead of Chickens are highly sociable a young one. creatures and thrive on the company of other chickens, so • They are what they it’s not suggested to keep only appear to be. When you one. adopt an older cat or dog, you won’t be surprised 4. They require lots of clean about their eventual size or up. The average chicken coat colour. What you see is defecates up to 70 times a day. what you get! Their personality will That’s a lot of manure to clean also be fully develo ped and is up. Luckily, this nitrogenrich unlikely to change. substance is a great addition to your composter. • They (usually) come pre trained. You won’t need to spend 5. Their egg production will hours teaching them how to act dwindle. Chickens can live for up around people or where to go to the to eight years, but after a while, bathroom. Often, older pets have they’ll produce fewer eggs. lived with a family before and know how to behave. While they’re not typical pets, chicken owners quickly learn that • They love their downtime. these funny birds are great While older cats and dogs still need company — and provide breakfast their exercise, a senior pet will be to boot. happy to spend most of their time napping by your side.
•
They’ll be grateful. Senior cats and dogs seem to know intuitively that they’ve been given a second chance in a loving home. This translates to a deep bond with their new owners.
Often, older cats and dogs are in good health and have many years left to enjoy. Unfortunately, they’re the least likely to be adopted from a shelter. By welcoming an older pet into your home, you’re not only gaining a loyal companion, you’re saving them from an unhappy life in a shelter.
3 Kinds of Lizards That Make Great Pets Are you looking for an uncommon prone to chirping and barking when
Questions to Ask Before Fostering an Animal Too often, animal shelters and pet rescue groups take in more animals than their facilities can truly accommodate. Animal fostering takes the strain off these shelters, and provides pets with a safe environment while waiting Are you prepared to do some to be adopted. Before temporarily • opening your home to a dog or cat in training? Foster animals may come to you with behaviour issues. You’ll need, ask yourself these questions. probably need to spend time training • Is everyone on board? Make the animal to get him or her ready for sure all the humans in your home are adoption. comfortable interacting with the new Can you love and let go? It’s animal. If you have pets, make sure • their vaccines are up to date and that likely that you’ll become emotionally they’ll be okay with welcoming a attached to your foster pet while you live together. It may be hard to let newcomer into their home. them go once they’ve been adopted, • Is your home petproof? Your foster but you’ll have the satisfaction of animal won’t be used to your home knowing that you made a difference and may get into things they in their life. shouldn’t. Protect your belongings and the foster animal by making sure If you’re ready to take on the your home is safe and your valuables challenge of fostering an animal, call your local shelter today. are out of reach.
and interesting pet? If so, a lizard may they’re excited or hungry. be just what you’re looking for. Here are three types that make great 3. BEARDED DRAGON When properly socialized, these pets companions. enjoy interacting with humans and may even learn to respond to their 1. GREEN ANOLE These lizards are ideal to keep as pets. owners’ voices. They’re awake during They’re small and relatively easy to the day, making them a great care for and are often willing to companion for somebody who spends interact with humans. They can be a lot of time at home. escape artists, how ever, so make sure their tank has a tight fitting lid. Before adopting a lizard, you should be familiar with the species’ 2. LEOPARD GECKO habitat requirements, diet, lifespan These animals are generally docile and adult size. Once you’ve chosen and easy to tame and are also known your ideal lizard, buy or adopt it from for their big personalities. Unlike a reputable source, and make sure the other lizards, leopard geckos are one you pick is healthy and active.
Promote Your Pet Related Services in the Mid Valley News Today! Contact Michael McClure (626) 235-0943
April 17, 2019
Page 7
Mountain View School District Students Compete in 3rd Annual Elks Drug Quiz Show by M. Earle, Contributing Writer, Mountain View School District El Monte
Displaying great expertise in drug prevention and awareness, student teams from Kranz Intermediate School, Madrid Middle School and Monte Vista School competed in the 3rd Annual Elks Drug Quiz Show. Coordinated by the Duarte Elks Lodge #1427 and the San Gabriel Valley District Elks, the annual Drug Quiz Show is part of the Elks’ Nationwide Drug Awareness Program and provides students a fun way to gain knowledge, practice skills, and
enhance the self-esteem needed to make safe, healthy, real-life choices regarding a variety of life issues, including the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. The 6th, 7th and 8th graders making up the three school teams worked diligently with their coaches leading up to the quiz show as they studied the Elks’ fact-based drug awareness curriculum materials. At the quiz show they were ready to vie to answer questions related to drug prevention and awareness in three rounds of competition including a group collaboration round, a mul-
tiple choice and true/false round and the popular lightning buzzer round. Serving as hosts of the Drug Quiz Show were Donna McEntire, member of the Duarte Elks and Chris McEntire, San Gabriel Valley Elks District Drug Awareness Chair. “Thank you for participating in our 3rd Annual Drug Quiz Show,” said Donna McEntire. “We are happy to provide this drug prevention outreach to help you and other youth gain knowledge and make healthy decisions regarding drugs. In addition to answering questions and showing us what you know, participating in this quiz show encourages good sportsmanship, teamwork and helps build connectedness with your classmates.” Coaching the teams were Bernadette Dincin from Kranz, Chris Jimenez from Madrid and Isaac Trujillo from Monte Vista. Each worked with the students as they studied the Common Core aligned drug awareness curriculum, and learned about the risks and dangers of alcohol, drug and tobacco use. The curriculum also provided information to help students develop important lifeskills in dealing with conflict resolution, stress, bullying and grief. “Congratulations to all the participants,” said Chris McEntire. “You are all winners because you put in the work and did an amazing job tonight answering these tough questions. We look forward to next
year’s event.” The three teams represented their schools well and did an excellent job with Madrid taking the win and Monte Vista edging out Kranz in a tie-breaker round for 2nd place. Each participant received a certificate and a medal from the Elks for their hard work and dedication. George Schonborn, Mountain View School District’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services expressed his appreciation to the Elks for their continued support of our students and dedication to supporting education. “Thank you for putting this beneficial event together for our students,” said Schonborn. “The Quiz Show offers a great way for students to learn about these important topics, compete against each other and have fun. We appreciate the Elks providing so many opportunities for our students to excel like this quiz show, the essay and poster contests and more.” Schonborn also thanked the parents in attendance for supporting their students and encouraged them to continue to stay involved in their educational endeavors. The Elks’ comprehensive drug awareness program shows their strong commitment to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and reinforcDrug Quiz continued from page 7
Citrus College Continues to Meet Workforce Needs Through Career Technical Education by Staff Writer El Monte
This spring, representatives from school districts throughout the region will visit Citrus College for the annual K-14 Education Forum. During the event, local board of education members, superintendents and school administrators will join the college’s administrators, deans and faculty for an informative morning of collaboration and discussion. The focus of this year’s forum will be the career technical education (CTE) programs offered at Citrus College. The forum’s theme is relevant and timely. With employers struggling to find skilled workers to fill job openings, responding to labor market demands has become a state priority. In 2016, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office introduced its Strong Workforce program, which addresses the workforce crisis by providing funding for community colleges to improve and expand their career education programs. As a Strong Workforce partner, Citrus College has committed to supporting the program’s objective of lifting low-wage workers into living-wage jobs. Of course, preparing students to enter the workforce has long been the goal of Citrus College’s CTE programs. Citrus College offers 18
CTE associate degrees, four CTE transfer degrees, and is currently awaiting the approval of an additional CTE transfer degree that has been sent to the Chancellor’s Office. It also offers 38 certificates of achievement and more than 10 skill awards. The wide range of CTE programs includes automotive technology, bio-
technology, nursing, water technology and more. Each of these programs is designed to provide students with the education and skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Before a new program is introduced or curriculum is established, faculty and staff research industry demands and study
the regional economy. Among other things, they determine which occupations are predicted to have growth, which have a shortage of workers and which pay a livable wage. Working closely with business and industry professionals, they identify the knowledge needed to secure and Citrus College continued on page 13
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April 17, 2019
Mid Valley News
Community Corner Los Angeles County 2020 Census Jobs Available
DOWNTOWN EL MONTE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Presents
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting for various positions to assist with the 2020 Census count. Positions provide -
EASTER SIDEWALK SALE APRIL 12 TH - MAY 12TH
Excellent Pay
nte El MoM all Valley
Flexible Hours Paid Training Close to home
Multiple Positions available – One Application – www.2020census.gov/jobs Position
Job Description
Perform various administrative and clerical tasks to support various daily operations.
$16.00 - $17.00 per hour
Office Operations Supervisors
Assist in the management of office functions and day-to-day activities.
$18.50 - $21.50 per hour
Census Field Supervisors
Conduct fieldwork to support and conduct on-the-job training for census takers and/or to follow-up in situations where census takers have confronted issues, such as not gaining entry to restricted areas.
$20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Enumerators
Some field positions require employees to work during the day to locate addresses on buildings. Other field positions require interviewing the public, so employees must be available to work when people are usually at home, such as in the evening and on weekends.
$18.00 - $21.00 per hour
Recruiting Assistants
Travel throughout assigned geographic areas to visit with community-based organizations, attend promotional events and conduct other recruiting activities.
$20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Apply Today!
2020census.gov/jobs
12 de ABRIL - 12 de MAYO
Easter Bunny & FREE Baskets Raffle
Pay Rate
Office Clerks
venta de banqueta de pascua
Saturday, April 20th - 11 am to 2 pm
Conejo de Pascua y GRATIS Rifa para Canastas de Pascua Sábado, 20 de Abril - 11 am to 2 pm
Opportunity to take FREE pictures with the EASTER BUNNY. Bring your own camera! Oportunidad de tomar fotos GRATIS con el Conejo de Pascua. Trae tu propia cámara! Raffle for Easter Baskets, Face Painting & More! FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Rifa para Canastas de Pascua, Caritas Pintadas y Más!
DIVERSIÓN PARA TODA LA FAMILIA!
Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339 TTY / ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay
Come and hop down to the Valley Mall for all your special Easter attire and party needs!
1-855-JOB-2020 (1-855-562-2020)
VEN Y ACOMPAÑANOS AL VALLEY MALL. PARA ENCONTRAR LO NECESARIO PARA TU CELEBRACION DE PASCUA.
The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer
SHOP VALLEY MALL. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MERCHANTS!
Downtown El Monte Business Association Presenta
Dia de Las Madres Serenata Para Celebrar Nuestra Madres
Sábado, 11 de Mayo de 2019
“El Corazón de Nuestra Ciudad” Ven y trae a tu Mama para una serenata durante tus compras en el Valley Mall.
Mariachi Serenata Ranchera de 12:00 pm hasta 4:00 pm Rifas Gratis a partir de la 1:00 pm hasta las 4:00 pm
Por favor llene la información abajo y soltar en el comerciante en los Comerciantes Participantes. No es necesario para entrar comprar.
Dibujo del Día de la Madre Nombre: _______________________________________________ Telefono #: ____________________________ Dirección: _____________________________________________ Ciudad ________________________________ Estado: _________________________ Código Postal: ______________
Casa Colina Raises $657K to Fund Free and Subsidized Healthcare by Staff Writer El Monte
Prominent figures from healthcare, government, and business turned up to celebrate Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare at its annual Tribute to Courage Gala Saturday, March 9, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California. Casa Colina honored three first responders from law enforcement and emergency services: Tyler Blondi, Ira Douglas, and Trevor Stevenson. Severely injured in the line of duty, each faced major recovery challenges but ultimately prevailed through Casa Colina’s Continuum of Care and strong family support. Actor, writer, and director Bonnie Hunt hosted the event. A longtime Casa Colina supporter and former
oncology nurse, Hunt spoke about the determination, family support, and clinical expertise that helped each honoree recover from traumatic brain injury. After a DUI driver hit his motorcycle, Pomona police officer Trevor Stevenson came to Casa Colina unable to walk, with severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury. With aggressive daily therapy and family support, Stevenson has since returned to full duty with the Pomona Police Department. Stevenson credited Casa Colina physicians and therapists with his recovery. In April 2012, while heading to an emergency call, the ambulance Ira Douglas was driving was broadsided by a garbage truck. Douglas was found unconscious, slumped over Healthcare continued on page 11
April 17, 2019
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Mid Valley News
Transportation Electrification – Reducing Emissions, Driving Innovation by Staff National
This article is Part I in a five part series educating and informing our community about SCE’s role in the future of electric transportation. Long a leader in environmental policy and action, California is raising the bar—requiring 40 per-
cent reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030—along with complementary policies, such as a 50 percent renewables portfolio standard and doubling of energy efficiency by 2030. The State is also seeking solutions to curb nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions, contributors to poor air quality. Despite major
Metro’s Art Program Features Photographic Portraits by Staff San Gabriel Valley
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is featuring Metro female employees in a variety of professions through a series of photographic portraits now on display at Union Station. Metro’s Art Program entitled Forward Motion is an exhibition featuring the powerful and imaginative photography of artist Michele Asselin. The artwork is on display in the Union Station passageway as part of National Women’s History Month and will remain through August. “This exciting photo exhibit illustrates the important work being done by women in helping residents get around the County every day,” said Metro Board Chair Sheila Kuehl.
“These photos of many of our talented and hard-working women will be seen by tens of thousands of commuters as they travel through Union Station and I hope they will inspire significant numbers of other women to join Metro’s workforce.” Among the luminous portraits Asselin captured are an urban planner, mechanic, bus operator, rail security officer and other professions that women have found in the transportation industry. The artist found inspiration in the personal and professional stories that drew her subjects to working in the public transportation industry. “With Forward Motion, I wanted to highlight the women of Metro as well as the environments in which they work,” Asselin said. “My hope is that the Metro patrons who experiMetro Art continued on page 13
Artist: Cha-Rie Tang, Courtesy photo
progress over many decades, Southern California, in particular, still has some of the worst local air quality in the nation. With just over a decade to achieve its ambitious GHG reduction goals and the immediate need to make dramatic improvements in air quality, California needs bold, innovative solutions. The transportation sec-
tor is responsible for 36 percent of California’s GHG emissions —about half when you add fossil fuel refinement—and more than 80 percent of NOx and particulate emissions. One of the most promising opportunities to meet California’s complex environmental challenges and air quality standards is transportation electrification—powering passenger cars, delivery trucks, semi-trucks, and other people and goods movement with clean electric power instead of fossil fuels. Consumers are starting to gravitate towards a growing selection of passenger electric vehicles (EV) that deliver clean, quiet, powerful rides. As battery costs decline, EV ranges extend, and charging infrastructure expands, more people will drive EVs. While passenger EVs are available and adoption is slowly increasing, it is not nearly fast enough to achieve the substantial increase in electric transportation necessary to meet the state’s environmental challenges. And electrification of delivery and freight transportation is even further behind. The natural role for electric utilities in electric transportation is delivering clean electricity to customers to fuel their EVs. California’s electric sector is quickly decarbonTransportation continued on page 13
El Monte Police Department Challenges Drivers to ‘Silence’ the Distraction by Staff San Gabriel Valley
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the El Monte Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies statewide, stopping drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law. Throughout the month of April El Monte Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking specifically for drivers on their phones. Last year, El Monte Police issued 495 citations to drivers who were texting, calling or performing other functions on their phones. Distracted driving is dangerous, especially when it involves a cell phone. According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 66 people were killed and more than 6,500 injured in 2017 from distracted driving-related crashes. “Cell phones remain one of the top distractions for drivers. Like any bad habit, it can be hard to break, but this habit can have life-altering consequences” said Police Chief Reynoso. A 2018 observational survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on driver cell phone use found about 4.5 percent of drivers are still using their cell phone illegally, a nearly 27 percent increase from 2016.
“That text or phone call will never be worth losing a life over. That is why curbing distracted driving is high on our priority list” said Police Chief Reynoso. Under the most recent cell phone law that went into effect in 2017, drivers are prohibited from having a phone in their hand for any reason and can only use their phone in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine. If you need to make a call or text someone, pull over and park at a safe location. Struggling to stay off the phone while driving? Put your phone in a place you can’t reach, like the backseat or trunk. Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Courtesy photo
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April 17, 2019
Mid Valley News
Webb’s Rule POSSUM
by Eugene R. Webb
Here’s an animal that you might fear; A Possum with a large head and hairless ears. He has a long pointed snout and resembles a rat; The scary looking Possum is as large as any cat. Like the Kangaroo, she carries the young in a pouch; They crawl all over her body while travelling about. The female also brings forth 7 to 13 young at a time; This thing about the Possum will blow your mind. A Possum has a very strong hairless tail over its back; It seems there is nothing that this animal does lack. Uses its tail and thumb-like big toe to climb a tree; They are very interesting and as smart as they can be. The Possum on a branch he’ll wrap his tail around; He likes eating mice, birds, while hanging upside down. Here’s something that should take away your breath; Their trick to play possum, means to pretend death. My son opened a chest drawer on our porch one day; He thought he saw a skunk in it and quickly ran away. He thought it’s a white streak on its back, he had seen; So later he looked and it was gone, just like a dream. Now he did take the drawer out for he was not afraid; And down in the next drawer there a Possum laid. It’s a real smart animal to figure out how to get in; Soon it left and we don’t know if it was a her or a him.
“Cracker Barrel” “Around the City and a Few Perks” by: Mike McClure, Staff Writer El Monte
…so the other night I was invited to dinner by the guys from the Mason’s Lexington Lodge over on Tyler here in El Monte. One of the perks of the elite media are getting to meet some of the fine people around the city that do great things all of the time without a lot of fanfare. This particular dinner was to honor the local winners of the Lodge’s annual essay contest about the Constitution. Christine Tran’s “America’s Future” won first place this year. Congrats to all the youngsters who participated from schools in the El Monte City School District (EMCSD) and to the men and women at the Lexington Lodge. Every year the Lodge, which stresses literacy, gives out books to hundreds of young student in the district’s schools starting with kindergarten kids helping to guide them in a positive educational experience and which is one of the reason that our local schools rank so high around the area. …For those of you who were wondering what Mike Eng would do next, I was happy to see that California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon just appointed him to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB) which is an independent admin-
istrative court system for workers and employers seeking to challenge decisions made by the Employment Development Department (EDD) which consists of 5 members who work in a full-time position handling thousands of cases a year. Mike is a fixture around here, so congrats Mike Eng on your new position. …Finally, an old, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard the other day. I could tell by his collar and fat belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a pat on the head and he followed me into my house. He walked over and in front of the furnace laid down and went to sleep. An hour later he woke up went to the door and I let him out. The next day he was back and did the same thing. After repeating this for a week I got curious so I tied a note to his collar which I wrote ,“ I would like to know who the owner of this wonderful dog is, do you know that every day he comes to my house for a nap?” The next day he came over with a different note pinned to his collar, it read” He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3. He’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?” Happy Easter Everyone.
“Working Overtime”
Remembering a Great Performer, a Great Song and Passover Wishes
When I was working in Las Vegas I had the chance to see Judy Garland perform several times. In 1962 she signed up to do a four-week engagement at by Dick James El Monte the Sahara Hotel, she packed the house (even at 2:30 A.M.) and they extended her show for two additional weeks. I was working down the street at the Flamingo and we use to go see each other’s shows when somebody good was in town. Liza Minneli was still young at the time and Judy Garland would introduce her and let her come up and sing a song or two (that all ended in 1964 when Ms. Garland brought her out on stage in London and Liza upstaged her and got rave reviews). The last time I saw her perform was here at The Greek Theater in 1965. It was the second night of
what was supposed to be a week run at the Greek. On opening night, she had been super, got great reviews, then for the second night she was joined by Mickey Rooney, Martha Ray and Johnny Mathis and although she only sang 5 songs, the show was fantastic. Unfortunately, it was her last show at the Greek Theater, the next day she tripped over her dog, broke her arm and canceled the rest of the shows. That last night at the Greek, Judy Garland ended her show with her classic “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and at every performance the 1939 hit song from the Wizard of Oz would always bring the audience to their feet, even to this day it is a crowd favorite. At the 2014 Oscars, they celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the release of the Wizard of Oz by having Pink sing it. Few people realize while listening to this unforgettable song is that the music is deeply embedded in
Working Overtime continued on page 11
“Connie’s Comments” “Mama, what does outspoken mean?” Mama paused dish washing and by Connie Keenan El Monte looked at me. “It means someone who always tells the truth,” Mama said. “Why?” she asked. “Lori’s mother said she liked me was because I was outspoken,” I said. I’ve learned that being outspoken isn’t necessarily the best policy. Daddy always said if we told the truth he wouldn’t hit us. Daddy was not outspoken. It’s served me well too. In the fourth grade I was called to the principal’s office. Getting called to the principal’s office meant only one thing in my nine-year old brain. I was in trouble. I went into Mr. Tubiolo’s office and there sat our neighbor and Mr. Tubiolo. “Sit down Connie,” said Mr. Tubiolo. “Did you tell people that Charlene had ring worm?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. With a puzzled look he said, “Why?” “Because when I asked Charlene why she wasn’t in school she said she had ring worm,” I said. Mr. Tubiolo looked at Charlene’s mother. “You don’t understand!” she said. “Those kids are wild. The climb trees. They play in the dirt….” “You can go back to class now,
Connie” Mr. Tubiolo said. My nine-year old impression was that Charlene’s mother was in trouble. But being outspoken has caused me grief. This past year, during the holidays, I took care of Mama for a week in her home. She was in home hospice. We were watching television. I held her hand lounging full-length on the couch next to her arm chair. “Connie,” Mama said in an ‘I’m about to cry voice’, “I’m not getting any better.” My heart knew she wanted me to tell her she was going to get better, at least for a little while. But my stupid mouth opened before I could catch it. “You’re not going to get better Mama,” I said. She didn’t say anything. She just looked down and kept rubbing the skin along my thumb. After about 15 minutes I asked her if she wanted to go to bed. She nodded and I hooked her up to the bi-pap machine that allowed her to breathe somewhat normally at night. I kissed her goodnight and reminded her I was leaving in the morning. In the morning I kissed her forehead to tell her I was leaving. “Don’t forget I’ll be here on Thursday to make the Christmas popcorn,” I said. She wouldn’t look at me. Mama died the day before I was to make her Christmas popcorn balls. I think being outspoken caused her to give up or gave her permission to be with Daddy and my two sisters. I don’t know which. My heart has a Mama hole that cannot be filled.
September April 30, 17, 2015 2019
Healthcare continued from page 8
the steering wheel, requiring extrication from the vehicle. He spoke emotionally about the challenges of his resulting traumatic brain injury and spinal stenosis. With a lengthy rehabilitation at Casa Colina, Douglas has since returned to full duty as a firefighter-paramedic. Veteran Beverly Hills Police Officer Tyler Blondi suffered several serious injuries over his career, including multiple ACL tears and severe head trauma that eventually resulted in a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury. Blondi spoke of finding the help he needed at Casa Colina, which he said allowed him to resume a healthy life. After medical discharge from his patrol job, Blondi is forging a new career as a college instructor and still maintains professional ties to law enforcement administrating polygraphs. More than 900 attendees were on hand to learn about these patient outcomes from Casa Colina’s Continuum of Care, which includes acute rehabilitation, medical-surgical services, transitional living, outpatient services, children’s services, and more. The honorees were given a standing ovation in addition to each receiving Casa Colina’s Tribute to Courage Award. “Behind these success stories is an intricate network of caregivers and public servants that our patients count on in their most vulnerable moments,” said Dr. Felice Loverso, Casa Colina President and CEO. “Whether it’s remarkable first re-
Mid Valley News sponders like Tyler, Ira, and Trevor; ER staff; or the doctors, therapists, and case managers who faithfully serve them throughout their recoveries, our patients rely on a complex healthcare delivery system designed to support them when they need it most.” “At Casa Colina, we are proud to be an integral part of that system,” he added. The Tribute to Courage Gala is Casa Colina’s primary fundraising event. This year’s gala raised $657,000 toward free and subsidized care for under-resourced patients and, in some cases, temporary housing for families to be near loved ones during rehabilitation. Diamond sponsors included Mary Lou Jensen, Chien-Ying Yeh, and Kin-Ding Au. Platinum sponsors were Morrison Healthcare and UCLA Health Neurosurgery. Gold sponsors included Aday Architects, Air Conditioning Solutions, Allied Anesthesia Medical Group, American Classic Cars, Bentley & More Law Offices, Bioness, Dr. Felice and Denise Loverso, Moss Adams, National CORE, Odjaghian Law Group, Pacific Rim Rehabilitation Associates, Panish Shea & Boyle, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, the Scudder Family, Shernoff Bidart Echeverria, and Williams Beck & Forbes. For more information about Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare or to donate to the Casa Colina Foundation, visit www.casacolina.org or contact foundation@ casacolina.org or 909/596-7733, Ext. 2222.
Downtown El Monte Business Association Presents
Mother’s Day Sidewalk Serenade To Celebrate Our Mothers
Saturday, May 11, 2019
“The Heart of our City” Bring your Mother for a serenade while you shop at the Valley Mall.
Mariachi Serenata Ranchera from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm FREE drawing EVERY hour beginning at 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm
Please fill out information below and drop at designated Participating Merchants.
Working Overtime continued from page 10
the Jewish experience. Perhaps the most poignant song emerging out of the mass exodus from Europe was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. The lyrics were written by Yip Harburg, the youngest of four children born to Russian Jewish immigrants. His real name was Isidore Hochberg and he grew up in a Yiddish speaking, Orthodox Jewish home in New York. The music was written by Harold Arlan, a cantor’s son whose real name was Hyman Arluck and his parents were from Lithuania. To-
gether, Hochberg and Arluck wrote “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, which was voted the 20th century’s number one song by Recording Industry Association of America RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In writing it, the two men reached deep into their Jewish consciousness, framed by the past and the Holocaust about to happen, and wrote an unforgettable melody set to near prophetic words. I want to send all of our Jewish friend our very best wishes for Passover, which begins sundown Friday April 19 and ends nightfall Shabbat April 27.
LA County to Work with Cities Identifying Temporary Homeless Shelters
On any given night, more than 4,200 people experience homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley, according to the 2018 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. Despite this great need, there are limited options for temporary shelter in the San Gabriel Valley, with only two year-round homeless shelters: one in Pasadena and the other in Pomona, with few shelters between these two cities. Recognizing this lack of resources for one of the most vulnerable populations in the County, today the Board of Supervisors approved a motion, authored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, requesting that LA County and cities in the San Gabriel Valley identify sites they own that could be repurposed to help people who lack housing. “Offering our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness a safe and warm bed can provide them with a sense of stability that can get them get back on their feet and can help put them on a path towards stable employment and permanent housing. Temporary housing, coupled with social services, is one effective way to help end homelessness,” said Supervisor Solis. “By working together, LA County and cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley can identify locations that could be leveraged to increase the number of local shelters. All feasible options must be explored. I look forward to strengthening our partnerships with cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley as we work together to think innovatively and make resources more readily available for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. “ In 2018, homelessness rose by 3 percent in the San Gabriel Valley,
All are located on the Valley Mall Blvd. No purchase necessary to enter.
Mother’s Day Drawing Name: _______________________________________________ Phone #: ________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ City ____________________________________ State: _________________________ Zip Code: ______________
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according to the Homeless Count. Establishing more shelters in the San Gabriel Valley could help decrease the area’s homeless population, and it could provide locations where individuals could receive meals and wraparound services. A 2018 survey conducted by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles found that nearly 70 percent of respondents indicated they support housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in their own communities. Several cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley have crafted plans to decrease homelessness in their localities and have applied for Measure H funding to help expand the number of interim and permanent housing options in their respective communities. Today’s motion directs LA County to ask cities in the San Gabriel Valley to identify city-owned properties that could potentially be used for interim housing. The motion also directs LA County’s CEO to work with Supervisorial Districts 1, 4 and 5 to identify County-owned sites in the San Gabriel Valley that could be used for interim housing, as well as to scout sites in unincorporated areas throughout the Valley that could be locations for shelters. Recognizing the urgent need to address homelessness in the County, the CEO is also directed to provide the Board with a report back on the feasibility of potential sites within 90 days. “Working with our city partners in the San Gabriel Valley, this effort will help us identify appropriate sites for interim housing and services within city jurisdictions and in unincorporated communities — particularly in the central portion of the region,” said Supervisor Barger.
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A Beginner's Introduction to Cryptocurrency
Make Sure You're Prepared for a Financial Emergency Even if you have a wellpaying job, your expenses if you be come ill or affordable living costs and few debts, disabled and can’t work. it’s important not to take a good financial situation for granted. Here 3. Make sure to have credit are some steps you can take to prepare available. In a financial emergency, you may need to bill expenses to yourself for a financial emergency: your credit cards until you’re able to 1. Have an emergency fund. pay them off. Before financial Financial experts recommend disaster occurs, however, it’s creating a savings account with important to do your best to avoid enough money to cover six months’ credit card debt and pay off your worth of expenses. That way if outstanding balances as quickly as possible. disaster strikes, you’re prepared. 2. Have adequate insurance. It’s 4. Plan how to cut expenses quickly. essential to have renter’s or Examine your expenses and identify homeowner’s insurance in case of where you can cut back. In an disaster. It’s also a good idea to get emergency, gym memberships and disability insurance, which covers TV packages can be cancelled, and money spent on eating out can be reduced or eliminated entirely. If you prepare for an emergency now, your financial plan won’t be totally derailed if you’re faced with a debilitating illness or injury, unexpected job loss or costly damage to your home.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are digital currencies that allow people to make anonymous transactions electronically without involving third parties, such as banks, credit cards or companies like PayPal. This is appealing because third party institutions often charge fees and slow down the transfer process, especially for large, international transfers. Cryptocurrencies eliminate the need for a middleman by using a peertopeer network that relies on cryptography — the practice of encrypting information so that only select people can read and process it. These currencies are not only virtual but also decentralized, meaning that no government or central authority controls how much is in circulation. Instead, circulation is monitored by the user community, and transaction data is stored on computers across the world. HOW BLOCK CHAIN WORKS
Rather than using intermediaries, cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology to record and verify transactions. A blockchain is a list of all transactions that occur using a cryptocurrency, with each block representing a specific transaction. It can be accessed by anyone using the currency but is encrypted so your private information stays secure. When you start using a cryptocurrency, you receive a digital wallet and a public and private key. Your private key is a string of letters and numbers that you use to sign a transfer to confirm that it’s from you. Liquidity: liquid investments can be Once entered, it becomes encrypted, cashed in or sold quickly. This is but other users can use your public important if you’re investing on a key to check that you’ve signed it with your unique signature. shortterm basis. So, how exactly do transactions get
Investment Terms You Should Know
Are you too embarrassed to ask about the difference between stocks and bonds or what it means to “diversify” your investment portfolio? Here’s a brief glossary defining some key Mutual funds: with mutual funds, investment terms. investors pool their money together Bonds: bonds are formal “IOUs” that into one professionally managed specify how a loan will be repaid over investment. An investing expert then time. Government bodies and determines where the money should corporations borrow money from go to generate the greatest returns for investors to fund projects and pay the investors. them interest until the bond reaches Stocks: stocks represent partial maturity and is repaid in full. ownership of a company. When you Diversification: a diversified buy stock, you become a shareholder investment portfolio means having a and earn money when the company mix of different assets to reduce risk. does well. For example, you own stock in a variety of companies and also have Now that you know some of the basic bonds; you won’t lose everything if terminology, it’s time to get your feet wet and start investing. one company fails.
recorded on the blockchain? When you enter your private key to send cryptocurrency, it spurs an encryption process that generates a complex math problem. Blockchain users compete to solve the problem by running high powered computers that eventually find the solution to the algorithm. Solving the algorithm results in a new block being added to the chain. The users competing to solve algorithms are called miners because the user who solves the problem first is rewarded in new digital coins. Each time a block is added, more cryptocurrency is generated. Mining cryptocurrency thus verifies transactions while rewarding the people responsible for keeping the blockchain updated. INVESTING IN CRYPTOCURRENCIES Financial experts are divided on whether cryptocurrency is the future of money or just a passing fad. In any case, at the moment cryptocurrency is a highrisk investment. Since digital currencies have no fixed worth or government backing, their value is purely speculative and can fluctuate wildly, even within a few days. If you buy cryptocurrency, spend only what you’re prepared to lose. Instead of buying cryptocurrencies, some experts recommend investing in companies that are developing blockchain technology. Blockchain has applications beyond cryptocurrency, and many people think that even if cryptocurrency doesn’t last, blockchain could transform how we do business in the years to come. If you’re looking for investment opportunities, consider buying stock in companies that are finding new uses for blockchain.
DID YOU KNOW? Microsoft, Subway, Expedia and PayPal are some of the major companies that are now accepting certain cryptocurrencies as payment. Customers can pay for goods and services out of their digital wallets when making online purchases.
Promote Your Financial Services in the Mid Valley News Today! Contact Michael McClure (626) 235-0943 mmclure@midvalleymedia.net
April 17, 2019
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Mid Valley News
into Summer Fun C R O S S W O R D
S u d o k u
Crossword Puzzle solution in issue 05.01.19
Solution for Sudoku in issue 05.01.19
SPACE
ACROSS 1. Not slouching 6. However, poetically 9. “Poor me!” 13. Yo-Yo’s instrument 14. Read-only storage 15. Clear the chalkboard 16. Macho one 17. Gobbled up 18. Prepare for winter takeoff 19. *”2001: A Space ____” 21. *First man in space 23. Rocketman’s title 24. Green gemstone 25. Middle-earth creature 28. Dharma teacher 30. *Like space 35. Actress Gilbert 37. Heartburn relief 39. Parent, to a child 40. All over again 41. Pertaining to Os 43. Rani’s dress 44. Great reviews 46. 1,000 grams 47. Moon pull 48. *NASA’s human spaceflight program 50. Major European river 52. Huxley’s choice 53. Bookie’s quote 55. Two halves 57. *Robotic space explorer 61. *Kennedy Space Center location 65. Pleasant smell 66. Be indisposed 68. “____ death do us part” 69. Manicurist’s office 70. Court 71. Underwater breathing organs 72. Benevolent fellows 73. Car nut 74. Conversation starter
DOWN 1. Acoustic phenomenon 2. Lou of The Velvet Underground 3. Abounding with elms 4. Teacher’s audience 5. Throat lymph node 6. Carhop’s carrier 7. *Like Venus 8. *____ Centauri or ____ Nebula 9. *____ 51 10. Bear’s den 11. Fungal spore sacs 12. “As ____ on TV” 15. Push one’s way into 20. One of the Muses 22. Internet pop-ups 24. Comfy nightwear 25. City in Japan 26. Piled up, as in debt 27. Words to live by 29. *Falcon Heavy entrepreneur 31. *Kind of frontier? 32. 21st century letter 33. Smart candy? 34. ____-and-true 36. Military no-show 38. Place for a house plant 42. Business-oriented programming language 45. *”For the Benefit of All,” e.g. 49. “___ to Joy” 51. As much as necessary 54. A southern ____ 56. Bert’s partner 57. Bud holder 58. Instead of written 59. Part of an egg 60. Singer-songwriter Tori 61. Use a cat o’ nine tails 62. It will 63. Popular pickling herb 64. Additionally 67. Promise to pay
Mid Valley Radio
The Voice of the Valley, Where Content is King! www. MidValleyRadio.net Digital Broadcasting
Metro Art
Transportation
continued from page 9
ence these artworks will understand these women to be guides, guardians, and builders of Los Angeles.” Michele Asselin is best known for her photographic portraiture focusing on individual identities within larger social constructs. Her past work includes a series of portraits of domestic workers and a series of photographs about the loss of Hollywood Park Race Track. Commissioned by Metro Art, Forward Motion features members of the inaugural Women and Girls Governing Council created by Metro’s Office of the CEO. The Council is tasked with exploring ways Metro can achieve a more gender-balanced workforce, accelerating
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career advancement for women and improving mobility for female ridership. “More and more women are being introduced to a world they may not have seen as a real possibility,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “We’re providing women with training and support that move beyond traditional careers.” Forward Motion related programming will take place through fall 2019 and will include a panel discussion with Asselin and a series of exhibition tours. For more details as they are announced, and other Metro Art activities and events, please subscribe to Metro’s Art email list by visiting metro.net/art/ events.
Citrus College continued from page 7
sustain employment. This detailed and thoughtful approach led to the creation of Citrus College’s newest CTE associate degree program, construction management. Debuting during the 2019-2020 academic year, this program will prepare students to hold entry-level construction management positions, work with public agencies or private construction firms or become employed with construction contractors. Program graduates will understand the fundamental systems and processes employed in building and heavy construction. They will also be prepared with specialized skills and certificates in construction inspection and quality control. Another new CTE option is stationary power generation service, diagnosis and repair. This program, which will be the only one of its kind in Southern California, will allow students to complete courses in the maintenance of diesel-powered stationary power
izing with the growth of renewable energy resources. New electricity infrastructure and a modernized grid will support the growth and integration of EVs. Electric transportation load can increase grid flexibility to integrate clean energy resources and spread the increasing cost of a clean modern grid over more customers. However, we must extend the grid and support more chargers that deliver clean and reliable electric fuel to EVs. Southern California Edison (SCE) is taking a leading role to ensure that transportation electrification plays a major part in reducing of GHG and criteria pollutant emissions in California. In addition to cleaning and modernizing the grid, SCE is offering programs to support charger availability, make electric fueling more affordable, and increase awareness of the benefits of electric transportation. Through its current Charge Ready program, SCE is ensuring that
generators and associated equipment. After earning their technical certificate, graduates will be prepared to pursue careers as electrical and electronics repairers, power distributors and dispatchers, stationary engineers, and mobile heavy equipment mechanics. I am confident that these new programs will be beneficial to the region. According to the Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, available data has determined that the programs will fulfill unmet workforce needs. In addition, the entry-level earnings of program graduates will exceed a living wage. As the Duarte area’s representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud that the college equips students with highly marketable, specialized skills, and I am certain that it will continue to play a critical role in addressing labor market demands for years to come. Automotive technology is one of the many career technical education programs offered at Citrus College.
April 17, 2019
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REALTORS® Back Governor's Housing Proposal
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® recently announced its support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new legislative proposals to address the housing supply crisis. C.A.R. and its membership of more than 200,000 real estate professionals is encouraged by Gov. Newsom’s continued leadership to address the housing shortage head on with bold and innovative ideas that will help put California on the right track to increase supply and protect homeownership. “Gov. Newsom’s legislative
proposals demonstrate his steadfast commitment to digging California out of its dire housing crisis,” said C.A.R. President Jared Martin. “California’s future depends on addressing and solving the housing shortage and this plan provides a strong roadmap to get us there.” The governor’s plan, rolled out on Monday, is part of his broader $1.75 billion housing crisis package for 2019. Monday’s recommendations call for higher shortterm statewide housing goals established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, $250 million to help cities and counties with
Flip or Flop? If you’re thinking about making a down payment on a house that’s been flipped, here are a few precautions you should take. You don’t want to find out months or years after moving into your dream house that the wiring isn’t up to code or that the basement has a serious mold problem. • Dabbling in real estate is an expensive proposition. The first expense is the property acquisition cost. While low/no money down financing claims abound, finding these deals from a legitimate vendor is easier said than done. Also, if you're financing the acquisition, that means you're paying interest. • Renovating and flipping houses is timeconsuming and can take months to find, buy, renovate, and sell the right property. If you have a day job, time spent on demolition and construction can translate into lots of
lost evening and weekends. Remember: Time is Money! • Confirm that the developer used a licensed contractor. Sometimes amateur real estate investors will try to fix up rundown houses themselves, often resulting in shoddy workmanship. • Ask to see all building permits relating to the property and confirm that any upgrades to the house passed inspection. It’s important to confirm that renovations were done according to the building codes specified by your municipality. • Hire professionals to inspect the house for termite damage as well as mold and water damage. It can be difficult to recognize these kinds of problems underneath the shiny new features installed to sell the house. Newly renovated houses may be equipped with brandnew floors, fresh coats of paint and the latest appliances, but make sure to investigate potential risks. In some cases, the house’s likenew appearance may mask serious structural problems that the developer failed to address in the interest of turning a quick profit.
planning, $500 million in housing the solution to California’s housing production incentive grants for local shortage. governments, $500 million for Leading the way in California real expanding the State Housing Tax estate for more than 110 years, the Credit Program to spur middleclass CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF housing production and modernizing REALTORS is one of the largest state longterm Regional Housing Need trade organizations in the United Allocation (RHNA) goals by 2022. States with more than 200,000 The plan would also provide members dedicated to the necessary accountability by advancement of professionalism in withholding SB 1 gas tax funds from real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in jurisdictions that are not compliant Los Angeles. with the updated RHNA goals. “The emphasis on increasing the housing supply through higher shortterm production goals and reformed longterm housing goals paired with an essential level of accountability creates a sustainable pathway to achieving the governor’s bold vision to ‘build housing for all.’ REALTORS® look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Newsom and the Legislature to advance these proposals in the coming Ramona Property Managers, Inc. months,” Martin continued. The governor’s most recent Proudly Serving the San Gabriel Valley announcement, along with bills Since 1960 that C.A.R. announced its sponsorship of earlier this (626) 4487882 week, continue the needed momentum to prioritize www.RamonaPro.com increasing housing supply as
Can Solar Panels Increase Value? You’ve probably heard solar panels can reduce your electricity bill and lead to major savings over time, but can they also increase your home’s resale value? Over the last few years, researchers have discovered that in fact, they do. While installing solar panels may seem like a costly investment, a recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (the Berkeley Lab) found that Americans are willing to pay more for homes that have solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The study estimates that buyers typically pay about four dollars per watt of solar power installed, meaning that a fivekilowatt system can lead to an added value of $20,000. Even given the costs of solar panel installation, the study suggests homeowners end up
making money when selling their homes. It’s less clear whether solar panels add value when homeowners rent solar power systems instead of buying them outright. Because of the upfront costs associated with solar panels, many Americans choose to rent PV systems. These leases often last for 20 years and can make selling your house more complicated. Nonetheless, a 2016 survey by the Berkeley Lab found that leased solar energy systems don’t reduce a home’s overall value and in some cases add value. Overall, real estate experts are finding that in an era when homebuyers are looking to go green, investing in solar panels — whether you buy or lease them — is likely to make your home more valuable.
Promote Your Real Estate Services in the Mid Valley News Today! Contact Michael McClure (626) 235-0943 mmclure@midvalleymedia.net
April 17, 2019
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Mid Valley News
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es their belief that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is
essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment. It is the goal of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the CaliforniaHawaii Elks Association, to sponsor a Drug Quiz Show in every state.
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themed event. The campus was adorned with camping gear, signs, decorations, and treats all promoting the importance of reading. Each student received a wood chip necklace to decorate and enjoyed having guest readers join them at camp. As the foundation of every child’s education, literacy opens doorways to opportunity and MVSD is committed to participating in Read Across America each year, partnering educators, parents, librarians, mentors and community members to read with students and give them a lifelong gift of learning. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “remember that…reading takes you places, the more that you read, the more things you will know. The
more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. And, you’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”
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Mid Valley News
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Salcedo also said the school’s absenteeism and suspension rates have remained low thanks to the incentives it provides to bolster attendance and to the Leader in Me program, which establishes a friendly campus by teaching students about positive leadership skills. The Dashboard evaluates districts, schools and student performance on a variety of items, including English learner progress, parent engagement and suspension rates. These measures are graded through five color-coded icons – blue, green, yellow, orange and red – to represent a school’s success on each state measure by averaging performance and growth. A blue icon indicates the highest performance, while red indicates poor performance. Cleminson School’s recent improvements have pushed its ELA, math and suspension scores into the blue level, showcasing
its improvements. “We are very proud of Cleminson School for its amazing improvements on the state Dashboard,” Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia said. “Our District will continue to improve its in-class instruction and program offerings to ensure that all of our students are given the tools to succeed.”
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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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El Monte, California 91731 (626) 522-1944 FAX (626) 443-2245 Display Advertising: midvalleynewssgv@gmail.com Publisher/ Mid Valley Media Center Editor/ Feature Writer: Staff Asst. Editor/Graphic Designer/Social Media / Photographer: Devette Johnson Community Development Liaison: Mike McClure Media Relations Specialist: Staff
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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
subject credential. Along the way, she also picked up Master of Arts in education and, shortly after, became a National Board Certified Teacher in math – one of the nation’s toughest standards for teachers. De La Rosa went on to earn an administrative credential in 2011 and moved into high school administration. She returned to middle school this fall, serving as an assistant principal at East Whittier City School District while completing a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California. In February, she defended her dissertation on Future Ready Schools. “When I left the room, they called me Dr. De La Rosa and that was amazing,” she said. She credits her parents for teaching her to work hard for her goals and her husband, Anthony, for supporting her as she tackled each new challenge. “My parents had little to no formal education, but they taught us about hard work. It was so much more than that, yet simple. They didn’t make excuses or complain. They did what they needed to do to make sure our family progressed,” De La Rosa said. She has also served to inspire her children. Her eldest son is studying for his master’s degree in public administration. Her second son is
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students to achieve their dreams. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at Rio Hondo College and other institutions. She is a member of Soroptimist International of Whittier, Soroptimist International of South El Monte and El Monte, L.A. County Fourth District Consolidated Oversight Board, Los Angeles Orange Regional Consortia, the Whittier Historical Association, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officers and the American Association of University Women, She serves as vice chair of the City of Whittier’s Sister City Committee and senior advisor to the L.A. Positive Chinese Association. Dreyfuss has been praised from many fronts for guarding Rio Hondo College’s finances through the Great Recession, ensuring stability even when other institutions struggled, and increased student graduation, taking Rio Hondo College courses during high school and will graduate as a college sophomore. Her two daughters, ages 12 and 8, are still deciding their paths. De La Rosa’s path also served as an inspiration for her older sister, who went to Rio Hondo College to earn a degree in nursing, followed by a bachelor and master’s degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Rio Hondo College President Teresa Dreyfuss said De La Rosa exemplifies the College’s mission. “Rio Hondo College’s goal is to provide not only access to higher education, but the support necessary for community members to realize their dreams,” Dreyfuss said. De La Rosa said she wanted to recognize the entire Rio Hondo College community for launching her journey. “Thank you all for the work that you do for our students and our community,” she said. “Your slogan could not be more accurate, ‘Start Rio ... Go anywhere!’” Rio Hondo College, located in Whittier, California, is committed to the success of its diverse students and communities by providing dynamic educational opportunities and resources that lead to degrees, certificates, transfer, career and technical pathways, basic skills proficiency, and lifelong learning. For information on the College or its programs, please call 562-692-0921 or visit www.riohondo.edu.
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completion and transfer rates during her tenure as superintendent/president. “We are immensely thankful to President Dreyfuss for her consistent, passionate and innovative work to strengthen and promote Rio Hondo College,” Board of Trustees President Gary Mendez said. “I offer my heartfelt congratulations for this much-deserved honor.”
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Rio Vista Elementary School to see if anyone would be interested in becoming a kidney donor. When Alex received Betty’s plea for a kidney donor, Alex did not hesitate and gave Shirley the lifesaving news, that she would gladly donate a kidney and help save her life. Over the last several months, Alex has endured multiple medical exams and tests to see if she is a perfect match for Shirley. If Alex and Shirley are not compatible, Alex has volunteered her kidney in exchange for one that is compatible with Shirley’s anatomy. Shirley has been on the kidney donor list at the Scripps Memorial Hospital for the last few years. Now Shirley and Alex are working closely with their medical teams of experts to plan the final steps of the transplant. In the last few weeks, Alex and Shirley are approved donor matches and Alex will be donating her kidney directly to Shirley. Surgery is scheduled for April 23, 2019. Alex is selflessly saving the life of our dear friend and colleague, Shirley Chan. This type of sacrifice and genuine love and compassion for another person speaks volumes to her character. As a staff member at Rio Vista Elementary School, I can speak for everyone when I say that Alex Fabbro is our hero!
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