Readers’ Choice 2020 - 2021 | 3
Readers’ Choice 2020 Honors Essential Workers For this year’s Readers’ Choice publication theme, we decided to pay tribute to the tremendous and tireless efforts of those who have helped us deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and wildfires that have consumed hundreds of thousands of acres of land, and all this in an election year unlike anything history has witnessed. We pay homage to essential workers like firefighters, grocery workers, restaurants employees and others that have helped (and continue to help) us all muddle through these extraordinary times. The pandemic has sadly taken over 240,000 fellow Americans and thrown our lives and the economy into a tailspin—changing all our lives, perhaps, for a very long time. However, we as humans are resilient and with the help of essential workers, we soldier on. These people, to whom we pay homage, really are our heroes without capes. With the health and safety of our friends and neighbors a major priority, we have all had to adapt to a new form of “normal” that involves face coverings and exceptional hygienic care. Essential workers have gone the extra mile in their professions to ensure that we are safe and can have a relatively normal life. Readers’ Choice 2020 is our annual celebration of local tradespeople selected by our readers as their favorites. For the past 23 years, Beacon Media News—publisher of Arcadia Weekly, Monrovia Weekly, Pasadena Independent—has brought local communities insightful, thoughtful coverage on news, education, arts & entertainment, events, high school sports, and community leadership via print and our digital platforms. We hope you enjoy this year’s special edition of Readers’ Choice. PLEASE NOTE: While we endeavor to provide up-to-date, accurate information about the businesses featured in our annual Readers’ Choice 2020 publication, there may be some businesses that have restricted hours, may have closed, etc., due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff worked diligently to provide precise information. If any information in this issue is erroneous, please let us know and we hope you’ll accept our whole-hearted apologies. 2020 has been an enormous challenge for us all. Thank you.
Beauty
Cuisine
Community
7
4 Education
Drinks
Retail
30
34
Entertainment
40
36
14
Entree
Health
Professionals
10
20
17
Dining
Sweets
44
47
STAFF Founder/CEO
Managing Editor
Von Raees
Fabiola Diaz
COO
News Editor & Photographer
Andrea Tange
Terry Miller
Executive Assistant Video Production Director Alexia Almeida
Silentia Slaboch
Director of sales
Digital Marketing Director
Artin Meliksetian
Robert Robles
Senior advertising consultant Graphics/Production José Luis Correa Fred Bankston
Alyssa Ehinger Edward Sotelo
Advertising Consultant
legal advertising manager
Emmy Chen
social media manager
Alejandra Becerril
Annette Reyes
Contact
P: 626.301.1010 E: info@heymediagroup.com 125 E.Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
Accounting
Vera Shamon heysocal.com/readerschoice2020