Sports League Champs page 4
Vol. 55, No. 04
Education Chalk Talk, page 2 - 3
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
February 21, 2018
El Monte Celebrates Holiday Inn Grand Opening by Staff Writer El Monte
An impressive chandelier adorns the lobby of the Holiday Inn, bringing an enchanting ballroom feel to the newly constructed hotel. Over 130 guests joined the City of El Monte in the grand opening of the Holiday Inn February 8. The celebration featured speeches by project stakeholders, facility tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Holiday Inn is the first hotel to open in the City in the last five years. Council Members expressed their gratitude towards the City staff, project stakeholders and community for investing in El Monte. “We are thrilled with the grand opening of the Holiday Inn,” said El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero. “This hotel will provide much needed revenue to the City and serve as a catalyst for future economic growth.” With 93,200 square-feet of space, the Holiday Inn features 133 rooms that can accommodate nearly 400 guests. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center furnished with new equipment, which allows guests to enjoy a vacation experience while staying active.
El Monte’s City Council and Holiday Inn staff commemorate with the ribbon cutting event. Photo courtesy from the City of El Monte.
As part of the tour, guests also viewed the conference room spaces and banquet rooms. The Holiday Inn conference rooms can accommodate up to 150 guests and the banquet
rooms can seat up to 120 patrons. “From the exterior to the interior, the El Monte Holiday Inn represents elegance and a comfortable hotel for people to stay when visiting our
City. We look forward to seeing many community events here,” said Council Member Jerry Velasco. “We thank Holiday Inn continued on page 8
Project Angel Food Delivered Hope and Health on Valentine’s Day by R. Conner, Staff Writer El Monte
Loneliness, isolation, and fear are common to those struggling with devastating diseases, especially among the underserved and disadvantaged. Project Angel Food’s mission is to feed and nourish the sick as they battle critical illness. We believe our clients should not have to choose between purchasing the medicine they so desperately need or suffer the rav-
ages of hunger and malnutrition. For Valentine’s Day, Project Angel Food delivered a delicious and nutritious meal of beef stroganoff with noodles, turmeric rice and zucchini with red bell peppers, fresh baked cookies, tote bags and bracelets made by volunteers to six families throughout the community of El Monte. Councilwoman Vicki Martinez, a volunteer in delivering meals and companionship, said “It is my hope that by introducing Project Angel Food to the El Monte community and hopefully the San Gabriel Valley region, more critically ill people will take utilize this FREE resource.” Upon medical verification, meal service is initiated, sometimes within 24 hours of the first contact. Project Angel Food keeps tabs on each client’s nutritional intake, health issues, complications, personal challenges and other developments. On an annual basis, Project Angel Food cooks and delivers over
One of the kitchens that helps cook the for the Project Angel Food. Courtesy Photo
560,000 meals to residents throughout the 4,000 square miles of Los Angeles County, using more than 90 routes from Long Beach in the south, Lancaster in the north, Santa Monica in the west to Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. Serious illness can be very isolating, and drivers are often the only human interaction a client may have during their day.
Through savory meals, Project Angel Food fosters a culture of love and support that extends beyond Valentine’s Day. As Councilwoman Martinez said it best “At Project Angel Food, the food is great, the people are great, and it is all done with one mission in mind: FOOD IS LOVE.” Project Angel Food continued on page 8