Mid Valley News - Vol#55 Iss#06, March 21, 2018

Sports

Education

Dodgers and Angels page 4

Chalk Talk, page 2 - 3

The Community Paper of Record

Vol. 55, No. 06

Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966

March 21, 2018

Legendary Art Laboe Given Key to the City at Union Walk Grand Opening

by Staff Writer El Monte

In the 1950s, hundreds of people filled the El Monte Legion Stadium, anxiously waiting for Art Laboe’s concerts. City of El Monte officials and more than 100 community members from all throughout Southern California gathered on March 10, 2018 at the site of the former stadium to celebrate the grand opening of Union Walk, a new townhouse development, and recognize entertainment legend Art Laboe with a key to the City.

“Union Walk represents a glimpse of the past and a window into the future of El Monte,” said El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero. “We thank the Olson Company and the community for continuing to invest in the City of El Monte.”

Developed by the Olson Company, Union Walk is a newly constructed 62-unit townhouse development on the corner of Ramona and Valley Boulevard. Of the 62 units, four are featured as live-work units while the remaining 58 units are designated as residential spaces.

“Union Walk is one of the City’s efforts to create more housing opportu-

El Monte City Council, Olson Company and living legend Art Laboe gather for ribbon cutting of Union Walk. Courtesy photo from the City of El Monte.

nities for our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Juventino “J” Gomez.

“At the same time, Union Walk pays homage to the City’s rich history.”

During the event, community members toured the exterior of the three-

story units and had the opportunity to see the site design plans. Union Walk will feature common open space amenities including an outdoor fireplace lounge, citrus garden and community events lawn.

Community members also witnessed as on-air personality Art Laboe unveiled a charming Union Walk fountain featuring a plaque that honArt Laboe continued on page 8

Cesar Chavez Day of Service Reminds Us – Yes, We Should

by Staff Writer El Monte

Five decades ago, a 35-year-old Mexican-American applied for unemployment in Bakersfield, California, and argued with the caseworker about how to characterize his previous job. Community organizer was not part of the American lexicon in April 1962. Neither was the name Cesar Chavez. Only seven years later, he would be on the cover of Time magazine.

School districts across the state and the community including El Monte City School District, Mountain View School District, Valle Lindo School District, and The El Monte Union High School District will commemorate the birthday of Cesar Chavez events and activities celebrating the man and his actions.

Hardened by his early experience as a migrant worker, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Associa-

tion in 1962. His union joined with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in its first strike against grape growers in California, and the two organizations later merged to become the United Farm Workers.

“I suppose if I wanted to be fair I could say that I’m trying to settle a personal score. I could dramatize it by saying that I want to bring social justice to farmworkers. But the truth is that I went through a lot of hell, and a lot of people did. If we can even the score a little for the workers, then we are doing something.”

August 18th, 2000 the state of California recognized the legacy of Cesar Chavez when Governor Gray Davis signed into law SB984, creating an official state holiday and day of learning and service in the state’s public schools. This is the first time in the United States that a Latino or labor leader has ever received this tribute.

Cesar Chavez Day is a US federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed

by President Barack Obama in 2014 and the fight continues to create a national holiday honoring Cesar Chavez and those that fought with him for dignity and human rights.

The UFW altered life in the fields of California, from banning the short-handled hoe to offering health care and pensions. The victories of the 1970s were in many ways short-lived. But Chavez’s legacy resonates far from the fields, echoing across generations barely not yet born when he died in 1993.

Chavez himself has become a symbol—for all those David’s who tackle Goliaths and embrace the slogan, sí se puede: Yes, it can be done.

Photo Courtesy from Santillana USA.

Mid Valley News

Page 2

March 21, 2018

EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chalk Talk

No Demerits for this National Merit Finalist

by Eddie Nguyen, News Editor, Knights Banner El Monte

W. Nguyen, 12, after a very rigorous process, has qualified as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.

Currently, Michael is in the finalist position, where he awaits his results which will determine whether or not he will receive a scholarship to a college of his choice.

“It’s very exciting. Michael’s worked very hard to get to where he is. He’s had nothing handed to him and deserves every bit of what he has coming,” said Ms.Vasquez, Michael’s counselor.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, NMSC, is an organization whose goal is to acknowledge and honor students who stand out academically and reward them. According to the NMSC website, their goals are to promote a wider respect for learning, shine a spotlight on individuals of great academic talent and suc-

cess, and to gain the support of other organizations to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent.

In order to qualify for the award in general, the student must pass under three qualifications. According to the NMSC, the student must take the PSAT in their junior year, be in high school with plans to attend a college immediately after graduation, and be a U.S. citizen and if not, have the intentions of becoming one.

After meeting all these basic requirements, majority of the elimination process afterwards is determined by your PSAT score. For each state, there is a certain score the student must reach or surpass. As of 2018, the score one must reach is a minimum of 1470, or in terms of the NMSQT, an index score of 222.

Of all the students who do take the PSAT, about 50,000 of them with the

High School Students Win Art and Music Competition

nine submitted by El Monte Women’s Club, eight received award ribbons by the panel of art judges.

The eight winners are 1st place winner Sally Hall - Arroyo High School, 2nd place winner Jackie Hernandez Arroyo High School, 3rd place winners Amaya Corral - Arroyo High School, Leonard Gonzales - Rosemead High School, Emily Rodriguez - Arroyo High School, and Jazlyn Jocobo - Arroyo High School. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Ireno Solis - Fernando Ledesma High School, and Kristian Lucy - Arroyo High School “El Monte Union High School District students continue to impress our members every year. We look forward to holding the student art contest each February, and we are so proud of how well our students perform against others in the San Gabriel Valley District,” said El Monte Women’s Club’s Student Art Competition Chairman Cathi Eredia. “Next year, we look forward to having 100% participation from every high school in the district in our

by Tina Ly and Jacqui Morales, El Monte Women’s Club El Monte

Thirty-three high school students from Arroyo High School, El Monte High School, Rosemead High School, and Fernando Ledesma High School entered the El Monte Women’s Club’s Student Art Competition. The competition was held on February 27, 2018, at the El Monte Community Center.

Club members reviewed and selected their top choices.

The top four winners of the El Monte Women’s Club’s student art contest are Arroyo H.S. student Amaya Corral, Rosemead H.S. student Leonard Gonzales, Fernando Ledesma Continuation H.S. student Irene Solis, and Arroyo H.S. student Kristian Lucy.

Each of the four winners will be presented with a $100 gift certificate at the El Monte Women’s Club Scholarship Luncheon on May 24, 2018, at the El Monte Community Center.

Of the thirty-three art pieces submitted, the nine with the highest votes from El Monte Women’s Club members were then entered into the San Gabriel Valley District women’s clubs’ Student Art Competition held on March 9, 2018, at the Covina Woman’s Club. The SGV District received 79 entries in total. Of the

Pop vocal winner Austyn Perez with women’s club members: L-R: EMWC co-president Jackie Morales, EMWC member Lorene Gutierrez, SGV District President Patsy Wilson, EMWC student music chairman Rita Cruz, winner Austyn Perez, SGV District student music chairman Teri Perkins, California Federation of Women’s Club president Toby Kahan, EMWC co-president Gina Morales Photo Courtesy Art and Music continued on page 3

Courtesy photo

highest scores qualify for NMSP recognition. Once the 50,000 are select-

ed, two-thirds of them will receive National Merit continued on page 3

Scholarship of the Week

Welcome to the land of the debt free bachelor’s degree. Where nickels and dimes are common sense and the college degree has taken over student debt as the status symbol of higher education.

This month, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Mid Valley News will focus on STEM Scholarships for young women interested in pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Somewhere in there is supposed to be an “A” for arts, but that is a big enough topic for another article.

Now it’s time to “show me the money” Women in Technology

The VIP Women in Technology Scholarship (WITS) program is sponsored

by Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), a leading provider of technology solutions that drive enterprise performance. The WITS program is made available annually to women across the United States. The WITS Program will grant multiple scholarship awards that value up to $2,500.00 per recipient. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA and participate in community service and/or extracurricular activities.

For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.

For more information, please visit their website at www.trustvip.com.

AWG Minority Scholarship The Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) is an international organization devoted to enhancing the quality and level of participation of women in geosciences and to introduce girls and young women to geoscience careers.

If you are enrolled, or enrolling, in an earth-science education or geoscience degree program and would like to apply for a scholarship, The AWG Foundation is offering the AWG Minority Scholarship to encourage young minority women to pursue an education and career in the geosciences.

This scholarship is for women who are African-American, Hispanic, or Native American, A full-time student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in the geosciences (geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, meteorology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth science education) at an accredited college or university or High school student entering one of these fields during their freshman year.

For more information, students are encouraged to visit the AWG website at www.awg.org.

We’re Out of Space for this week’s scholarships, but before we dot the last “I” and cross the last “t”, an honorable mention goes to the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.

Visit the website at www.NACME.org.

You won’t be disappointment!

The District Supports Affordable Housing

by Christopher Au-Young, Contributing Writer

The El Monte Union Housing District is addressing the issue of lack of affordable housing in El Monte, by standing alongside working-class residents of the city.

Decent, affordable housing is important to families. Certainly, it fulfills a basic human need for shelter, but it also contributes to the happiness and comfort of both parents and Affordable Housing continued on page 3

March 21, 2018

Page 3

Your Community Paper of Record

EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chalk Talk

Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union to Begin Offering Scholarships to EMRAS Students

by Christopher Au-Young, Contributing Writer El Monte

EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Summer School Schedule 2018

Arroyo HS, El Monte HS, Mountain View HS, Rosemead HS, So El Monte HS, F.R. Ledesma HS, Community Day School and Transition Center Tuesday, JUNE 5 – Thursday, JULY 12, 2018 This schedule can be a divided into two sessions for students in grades 10-12. These students can attend both sessions if they need two classes, or just one session if they only need one class. Session 1 is Week 1-3 and Session 2 is Week 4-6.

With this option, 9 graders would attend summer school during Session 2, beginning June 25. This is to accommodate for the last day of school at MVSD (June 7), EMCSD (June 12) as well as VLSD and RSD (June 15). th

Session 1 (students attend both periods 1 & 2 for one semester course credit) Session 2 (students attend both periods 1 & 2 for one semester course credit)

Dates June 5-8 (T-F) June 11-14 (M-Th) June 18-21 (M-Th) June 25-28 (M-Th) July 2-6 (M, T, Th, F) July 9-12 (M-Th)

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5* Week 6

# of Days 4 4 4 4 4 4 24 Total Days

*Please note that there is no school on Wednesday, July 4 for the holiday. th

Below is the daily schedule. Each period is 2 hours and 40 minutes, with a 25-minute nutrition time.

DAILY SCHEDULE Period 1: 7:45 am – 10:25 am Nutrition: 10:25 am – 10:50 am Period 2: 10:55 am – 1:35 pm

For further information and registration, please call your home school site.

The Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union is offering the students of El Monte Rosemead Adult School an internship experience. Students will receive a hands-on educational, work experience to garner what it’s like working in the real world.

The program is being offered three times a year, for all students of the El Monte Rosemead Adult school, throughout each quarter and during the academic year, not including the summer quarter. This opportunity, which is unpaid, can help adult students in the community learn valuable skills for the workplace.

Students, who are already looking to advance their lives by pursuing an education and a potential career path, will find this internship to be beneficial to their long-term goals.

It is an opportunity to be alongside workplace professionals, to learn to co-exist, to work alongside, and to observe and partake in a learning experience that is taught by supervisors and managers in the workplace.

While there is no guarantee of a job offer or placement following completion of this program, it is still a chance for these students of El Monte, to network and gain exposure that they wouldn’t otherwise receive in a classroom.

Art and Music Continued from page 2

Pop instrumental winner Adrian Garcia with women’s club members: L-R: EMWC co-president Jackie Morales, SGV District President Patsy Wilson, EMWC member Lorene Gutierrez, winner Adrian Garcia, SGV District student music chairman Teri Perkins, EMWC Financial Secretary Jane Myring, EMWC student music chairman Rita Cruz

National Merit Continued from page 2

letters of commendation. Students who receive this are not eligible for the scholarship award. The remaining one-third are now considered National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

These semifinalists will now move on to the next step and submit their National Merit Scholarship application in order to move on and become a finalist. Entering the month of February, students are notified on whether or not they have achieved the spot of finalist, which is approximately 15,000 positions. This is where senior, Michael Nguyen, currently stands.

Michael is now in the position of a finalist. Along with the other 15,000, about 8,200 of them will be awarded

one of several different kinds of Merit Scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to the remaining number of students based upon their skills, abilities, and accomplishments as displayed on their application.

“I’d say it was a really amazing moment when I got the letter, it’s one thing for people to say ‘yeah you sort of qualify,’ but another for you to somehow actually be part of 15,000 students who rank this high,” said Michael Nguyen.

Pub note: This article originally appeared in the March 12th edition of Knight’s Banner: The Student News Site of Arroyo High School and is reprinted with permission from Arroyo High School and the El Monte Union High School District. This article has been edited due to space restraints.

student art competition.”

The March 9th San Gabriel Valley District of women’s clubs’ event not only presented the student art winners but also held the student music competition.

El Monte Women’s Club sent the four winners from the Club’s student music competition held in January 2018. Arroyo High School student

Affordable Housing Continued from page 2

children. Studies show that children in stable housing do better in school and are less likely to experience disruption in their education due to unwanted moves.

For citizens of El Monte, affordable housing shortages is a severe issue, especially for the middle to low-income brackets, nearly 50% of residents are housing stressed meaning they pay more than 30% of their income to keep their homes.

One contributing factor to this growing problem is how housing costs rise while real earnings stagnate, and poverty increases, as does residential segregation as a result.

A resolution to support affordable and stable housing was unanimously passed by the El Monte Union Housing District Board of Trustees during their February meeting. By passing

Along with being enrolled in the El Monte Rosemead Adult school, there are additional guidelines and requirements for qualifying for this internship. These skills fall under different categories including graphic design, video editing, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe. Other qualifications include developing press releases and social media engagement.

Students are expected to up on leads, track contacts using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and proper use of phone for following up with leads.

For the operations/ and collections department, students will be offering back office support, filing, organizing, providing customer support and phone call follow ups.

In the lending department, students will be performing application processing, data entry, scanning, practicing use of clerical/PC skills and excel.

Accounting students practice use of accounting basics and phone call follow ups. Background checks will also be performed for interested El Monte students.

For more information, interested students are encouraged to contact Jose Reyes of the El Monte – Rosemead Adult School at 626-258-5800 Adrian Garcia competed in the pop instrumental category, while classmate Mark Membrebe competed in the classical instrumental category.

El Monte High School student Austyn Perez competed in the pop vocal category, and classmate Vanessa Flores competed in the classical voice category.

Adrian Garcia and Austyn Perez were among the four winners of the SGV District student music competition.

this resolution and supporting affordable housing initiatives, the District is publicly advocating for educational attainment, social-emotional wellbeing, overall health and wellness, economic security and a vigorous economy in the communities served by the El Monte Union High School District.

The El Monte Union High School District is doing its best to ensure that this issue is dealt with so that citizens and their families can continue to afford living here in El Monte.

Solutions include exploring policies such as rent stabilization, inclusionary housing, increasing density, tax incentives for middle-income families to purchase homes, sufficient subsidies for lower-income families, and incentives that developers may build more units, with appropriate parking is applicable, provided they keep a significant amount affordable to families that make less than the median income.

Page 4

Mid Valley News

March 21, 2018

Mid Valley Sports

Furious Bulldogs Rally Falls Just Short

by By Tim Peterson, MidValleySports.com Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley

Pasadena rallied from a 29-point deficit in the third quarter but fell just short in a 77-74 loss to Chino Hills Tuesday night in the CIF State semifinals.

The Bulldogs were down 41-11 in the second quarter and 51-22 in the third before staging a furious rally. A three pointer by Darius Brown II early in the fourth cut the Huskies lead to 59-58 but Pasadena couldn’t get over the hump.

The Bulldogs found themselves down 44-20 at halftime and before they took the floor they were down 46-20 when they were hit with a technical foul. A Chino Hills administrator ordered that Pasadena assistant Vahan Parseghian be removed from the game before the start of the second half. When he didn’t leave right away, Pasadena was assessed a technical and Chino Hills converted both free throws. Pasadena Head Coach Tony Brooks wasn’t given an explanation by the officials as to why and filed a protest after the game. Outcome to be determined later.

That only seemed to fire up the Bulldogs. The lead hit 51-22 when Pasadena kicked it into high gear. The Dogs went on a 16-0 run to cut the lead to 13. By the time the quarter ended they had turned a flurry of Chino Hills turnovers into three pointers and easy layups and had outscored the Huskies 33-13. Bryce Hamilton buried a three at the end of the quarter to make it 57-53.

Tavian Percy hit a pair of threes in the quarter, Brown had nine in the third and Darius Mason clicked inside for six. The once confident Huskies were now on their heels.

Pasadena continued to press and push in the fourth and when Brown hit a bomb from the right side early in the fourth a 30-point second quarter bulge was suddenly a scant one. Chino Hills managed to find its composure as Ofure Ujadughele hit a three and a couple of baskets and Oneyka Okongwu scored inside to spark a 13-2 run to go up 72-60.

Pasadena had one more run left however. Hamilton hit two free throws to cut it to 75-74 with 27 seconds left.

However, the Huskies were able to burn the clock down to three seconds when William Pluma was fouled and hit hit two from the charity stripe.

Percy’s three at the buzzer fell short and Chino Hills celebrated the pending finals appearance.

The Huskies jumped out to a 2110 first quarter lead behind the inside play of Okongwu who had 10 in the first. Jaren Williams buried a pair of threes early in the second quarter and Okongwu continued to do his thing, it got a little chippy and suddenly the scoreboard read 41-11 Chino Hills.

Pasadena tried to climb back into late in the second but again the lead was nearly 30 again early in the third.

The fat lady wasn’t singing but she was humming a few bars in the corner. It was over folks. And then, it wasn’t.

Hamilton finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs, Brown had 21 and 5 assists and Percy added 14. Mason played a huge part in the rally with 8 points and Omari Moore had a steady line of 6 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals.

For Chino Hills, Okongwu led the way with 22, Ball scored 21 and

2018 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview

by Mike Nelson, Contributing Sports Writer National / Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Dodgers will start the 2018 season with one thing on their minds. The World Series. They came up short last year in a very painful 5-1 loss last season at home in Game 7 of the World Series against the Houston Astros. The Dodgers haven’t won a World Series since 1988 and they have to win one soon with this team because the window is closing unfortunately. The song remains the same with this team, World Series or bust.

The Dodgers pitching staff is pretty much the same from last season. Yu Darvish who they acquired late last year left via free agency to the Chicago Cubs. Clayton Kershaw is the ace for this team again and the ageold question remains, can he solve his postseason troubles? Rich Hill and Alex Wood are locks in the starting rotation as well. The 4th and 5th starters will once again be a game of musical chairs for this team. They didn’t sign anybody to address that so the problem persists.

The bullpen is almost identical to

last season. They did lose Brandon Morrow via free agency who also went to the Chicago Cubs. The emergence of Walker Buehler in Spring Training may be enough to earn him a spot for the Opening Day Roster.

The Dodgers bullpen can be consistent but as we saw in the World Series it can get ugly as well. It will be up to Dave Roberts to use the bullpen accordingly and hope everybody stays healthy.

The Dodgers infield is the same as last year with the exception of Adrian Gonzalez who was traded away in the offseason. Justin Turner at third base, Corey Seager at shortstop, Logan Forysthe at second base and Cody Bellinger at first base. They all can hit which works wonders for this team as we saw last year. The Dodgers outfield will look different in 2018 but it is familiar to Dodger fans. Matt Kemp who played for the Dodgers from 2006-2014 was acquired in a trade from the Atlanta Braves in the Dodgers Preview continued on page 8

Darius Brown II drives to the hole. Courtesy photo by Duane Barker courtesy from MidValleySports.com

Ujadughele netted 17. Williams had 8 – all in the second quarter.

Pasadena finished the season 24-8 overall and was a CIFSS Division 1 Finalist and a CIF State Regional semifinalist.

As for the protest…stay tuned.

Pub Note: This article is reprinted with permission from MidValleySports.com.

MidValleySports. com is not affiliated or related to Mid Valley Media Center or Mid Valley News…except through our mutual appreciation of youth sports

2018 Los Angeles Angels Preview

by Mike Nelson, Contributing Sports Writer National / Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Angels will have another interesting season in 2018.

They are coming off a disappointing season in 2017 where they finished 80-82. They missed the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season. The team has only made the playoffs once in the last 8 seasons. The Angels will have the tall task once again this year to try and make the playoffs.

This offseason the Angels made a huge splash when they signed Pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani from Japan. It has been a rough spring training for Ohtani, he has given up 15 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings pitched. Ohtani has 2 hits in 24 Plate Appearances so it has been an abysmal spring for him all around. Angels GM Billy Eppler has said that he does guarantee Ohtani a roster spot for Opening Day. Ohtani may start the season in TripleA and that doesn’t help the Angels at all.

The Pitching Staff is pretty thin for this team. Matt Shoemaker, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and Andrew Heaney are all locks on the starting

rotation. The 5th starter has yet to be decided but Ohtani could get the nod if he improves in the last couple weeks of spring training. The bullpen for this team is once again very shaky. Blake Parker and Cam Bedrosian seem to be only roster locks for Opening Day. The rest of the bullpen is up for grabs. The Angels did not address the pitching problems that plagued the team all season last year.

They just hope they can stay healthy and that their young pitchers improve.

The Angels upgraded their infield for this season. They acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Detroit Tigers via a trade. They also signed Zack Cozart from the Cincinnati Reds, a formidable .279 hitter who will be the third baseman. Cozart, usually a Shortstop will have to learn to play third base so it may take some time for him to adjust. The Angels still have their very talented Shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Luis Valbuena at First Base.

Angels Preview continued on page 8

March 21, 2018

Your Community Paper of Record

Page 5

“Working Overtime” Voorhis School Kindergartners Create “Hunting With Hunter” Model City of El Monte by. M. Earle, Contributing Writer, Mt View School District San Gabriel Valley

Voorhis Elementary School kindergartners in Patty Goytia’s class hosted a Community Gallery Walk featuring a model city of El Monte. As a unit of study, the students have been learning about community workers and their community. As a family project, the young students and their families worked together at home to create a model of a store, restaurant, or agency that is part of the El Monte community.

The model city included replicas of Voorhis School, Taco Bell, Gonzalez Northgate Market, Superior Market, Starbucks, The Dollar Store, Denny’s, the El Monte Police Department, a Bakery, Skechers Outlet, King Taco, Food-4-Less, KFC, McDonald’s and more.

Ms. Goytia enjoys assigning family projects and feels they are a great way to involve parents and family members in the learning process.

“By working together my students and their families not only learn new things, they also have a lot of fun being together,” said Goytia. “It’s a great way to bring parents and their

children closer together. By starting now in Kindergarten to work together on school projects will help prepare them for the many future projects they will be doing during their school years.”

“We decided to create the Taco Bell here in El Monte because it’s our favorite,” said one proud mom. “We loved the project and had so much fun working on it together. My daughter loves to paint so she enjoyed painting the structure and my husband even added lights on the inside.”

The students also studied careers and shared what they want to be when they grow up. Several students dressed in costume representing their career choice, including a fire fighter, a construction worker, a veterinarian, a chef, a doctor, a ballerina and a member of the Army. The young scholars are definitely on their way to success!

“I wanted to be a teacher and here I am doing what I love,” Goytia shared with the students. “You all can be anything you set your mind to with hard work and dedication.”

In the past I have invited Joe D. (the Doctor of Doo-Wop) to contribute an occasional column to “Working Overtime” and I’ve invited some other old doo-wop friends, “Ravishing” Ray Regalado and his pal Jim Dawson to also become contributors.

Ray & Jim are members of the DooWop Society of Southern California, now I am not that big of a fan of doo-wop but I am a big fan of Ella Fitzgerald. When I was working in Las Vegas I met Ms. Fitzgerald, Lena Horn, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton and all of the other great black entertainers that played Vegas. I would meet them, go to their shows but when I came back to L.A. I couldn’t hear them on any of the main stream stations.

Only a few of the disc-jockeys had the nerve to play what was then called “race” music (later it became known as R&B) and one of them was Hunter Hancock.

Hunter Hancock started in L.A. at KFVD, a “sundown Station” which went off at dusk. In 1943 Todd’s Clothes in Downtown L.A. bought an hour on his shift and they wanted music that would appeal to an African-American demographic so Hancock started out playing jazz. His theme was Chick Webb’s “Holiday in Harlem” which featured a very young Ella Fitzgerald and he called his

show “Harlem Holiday”.

KFVD became KPOP and Hunter’s audience grew. Hunter Hancock became the first dee-jay in the western United States to play R&B and he added groups

by Dick James El Monte like the Penguins, Little Esther, the Robins and many more. Years later he was honored by the Doo-Wop Society for his groundbreaking career and that’s where Ravishing Ray and Jim come in. The Society had done several shows around the area at places like the El Monte Legion Stadium with top dee-jays like Hunter Working Overtime continued on page 8

Cracker Barrel

“Keep Those Cards and Letters Coming In” By: Mike McClure El Monte

City of El Monte’s First Public Safety Fair

Experience the City of El Monte’s commitment to crime prevention, community awareness, and public safety when the City of El Monte hosts it’s first Public Safety Fair on Saturday, March 24th, from 9 am to 11:30 am at the Grace T. Black Auditorium on Tyler Ave in El Monte.

The fair is free and open to the public.

El Monte Police Detectives will be available to discuss crime prevention practices and address community questions and concerns. The Fair will also feature vendors offering equipment, products, and services at a discounted price. Vendors will also have additional information on services to address and prevent fraud, auto theft, burglary and more.

Featured vendors include the Internal Revenue Service, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Victim Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and the American Red Cross.

Opal Singleton, President and CEO

of Million Kids, will be on site to discuss the dark web and human trafficking. Million Kids provides lectures and training programs to prevent and stop human trafficking. Internationally, Million Kids support rescue and recovery programs in Southeast Asia and Haiti.

Raffles will be held throughout the event with prizes donated by vendors attending the fair including a RING security camera that connects to the doorbell.

The fair is being held at the Grace T. Black Auditorium located 3130 N Tyler Ave in El Monte. For more information, residents are encourage to visit the city of El Monte website at www.elmonteca.gov.

…so, the complaint phone has been ringing off the hook because of my lousy spelling, to answer most of your questions: I received my education in Burbank and yes they do teach spelling in the Burbank schools it was my driver’s license that I received at Disneyland.

Yes, I know that CLIFFIE STONE spelled his name CLIFFIE not CLIFFY like I did and Molly Bee spelled MOLLY with two LL’s not one. This was embarrassing because Molly Bee lived in Burbank and I was once her paperboy but it was not as embarrassing as misspelling the Moseley Family’s name. I started with the paper while Clarke MOSELEY was the publisher and I always look forward to seeing Virginia MOSELEY at the Quarterly Tea’s and I still share offices with Clarke and his son, Joe MOSELEY. Sorry folks for the mistake. …I got an interesting call from a young fellow named Don who told me that his mother had read my story about the big block of cheese at Crawford’s Village. Don’s mother and grandmother had grown up in Hick’s Camp and would go to Crawford’s Village to shop and enjoy the live entertainment there.

Hick’s Camp (later known as Hicksville) was a 22 acre Mexican Barrio boarded by the Rio Hondo River, Valley Blvd., Lower Azusa Road and Arden Drive which was then in the unincorporated area serviced by the County from Temple City Sheriff’s

Dept. (Donna Crippen, Curator of the El Monte Historical Society’s Museum, told me how her husband, Jack Crippen, was warned not to drive the ambulance into Hick’s Camp without a Sherriff’s escort because it was so dangerous but Donna laughed as she told the story because Jack would ignore the advice because he said that he knew so many of the kids from playing Santa Claus over the years that he wasn’t afraid to go there).

Robert Hicks was a labor contractor and during the early days of the last century he would recruit migrant farm workers from Mexico to come up and sign contracts with him to work in the fields. Many of them would lease homes from him in Hick’s Camp. In those days minorities weren’t allowed to own land so they would lease the property and build their homes from the wood of the old railroad boxcars.

Hicks was supposed to use the money to pave the streets, but it was mostly dirt roads and with the annual flooding of the Rio Hondo River living conditions were pretty bad. During the picking season Hick’s Camp would be almost deserted except for the kids who were going to school.

Many of the Residents participated in the 1933 “Berry Strike” which pitted the farm workers against the growers (an unlikely partnering of Mexican migrant farm workers with the recently arrived “Oakies” who held out for better wages from the owners who were mostly absentee Cracker Barrel continued on page 7

Page 6

Mid Valley News

National Women’s History Month, Every Month, Every Day, Forever

By Staff Writer National

Growing out of a smalltown school event in California, Women’s History Month is a crucial time to celebrate women’s important and essential contributions to our economy, education, history, culture and society.

As recently as the 1970s, women’s history was virtually an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum or in general public awareness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration for 1978.

During the week of March 8th, International Women’s Day, over one-hundred women Women’s Month continued on page 7

March 21, 2018

State Superintendent Reminds Schools to Update Safety Plans

By Staff Writer El Monte

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that the California Department of Education is taking a new step to help safeguard student safety by auditing comprehensive school safety plans that are required of all schools. The state compliance audit requirement will begin in the 2018-2019 school year.

Local school districts must approve safety plans for all schools in its district by March 1 of each year. School safety plans are mandatory and help ensure that schools are as prepared as possible for emergencies and also maintain safe and secure learning environments.

“The safety of our children and education communities is our greatest responsibility,” Torlakson said. “When developing school safety plans, it is

essential to reflect on lessons learned last year and to implement new and improved actions this year.”

For example, school safety plans must present clear policies to address hate crimes, acts of violence, and their perpetrators. Comprehensive school safety plans must include a discrimination and harassment policy.

Last month Torlakson sent a letter to school district superintendents and charter school administrators about the audit requirement and other requirements and guidance for school safety planning. The California Department of Education (CDE) provides resources and information to assist in developing school safety plans.

School site councils or designated safety committees work with educators, classified staff, parents, and community leaders and consult with

Community Corner U.S Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32)

Calling all High School Artists!

Artwork should be submitted to us by no later than 4/13/18

AWARDS CEREMONY Sat., May 5 th , 2018 Registration 8:00am; Awards 8:30am Walker House 121 N. San Dimas Ave., San Dimas, CA

ART ON EXHIBIT Thurs., May 3 rd 1pm to 5pm Fri., May 4 th 6pm to 8pm

1ST PLACE WINNER Will be flown to Washington DC in June to the attend the National Art Competition Winners Ceremony

Millyna Liu- BP HS

For more information, please contact Elena Robles at (626) 350-0150 or via e-mail at: elena.robles@mail.house.gov

Safety Plans continued on page 7

March 21, 2018

Page 7

Your Community Paper of Record

into Winter Fun O SS S W O CC RR O O RR D D

Sudoku

Crossword Puzzle solution in issue 4.07.18

Solution for Sudoku in issue 4.07.18

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

ACROSS 1. Salmon deposit 6. Old age, archaic 9. Bagpiper’s garb 13. Hawaiian veranda 14. Big Island flower necklace 15. Helper 16. V.C. Andrews’ “Flowers in the ____” 17. Uno ___ or one more 18. 4 x 4 race 19. *”Water of life” 21. *Shamrock 23. ____ Aviv 24. Rumpelstiltskin’s weaver 25. Wildebeest 28. Mega Bloks competitor 30. *Outdoor St. Patrick’s Day event 35. Starting point on way to riches 37. Clump 39. Dionysus’ pipe-playing companion 40. *Ireland, once 41. Ox connector, pl.

43. Quartet minus one 44. Put out on a curb 46. *William Butler Yeats, e.g.

47. Cardinal vices 48. Bee’s favorite drink 50. Russian mountain chain 52. Go gray 53. Period of illness 55. Workout unit 57. *These never lived in Ireland 60. *Hibernia 64. Musician’s exercise 65. Flying saucer acronym 67. Cleveland’s controversial chief 68. Villain 69. Decompose 70. Do penitence 71. Parting words 72. Pro vote 73. “Walk the Dog” toy, pl.

DOWN 1. Deli side 2. Beaten by walkers 3. Nay sayer 4. Middle measurement 5. Jefferson coin 6. Lined with elm trees 7. “Back To The Future” actress 8. ABBA’s genre 9. Capital of Ukraine 10. Like some rumors 11. Shakespeare’s tragic monarch 12. “Don’t give up!”

15. Olfactory property, pl.

20. Funereal lament 22. Chop off 24. ____ tower 25. *”The wearing of the ____” 26. Evian, backwards 27. Finno-____ language 29. Lump of stuff 31. Refuse visitors 32. Skylit lobbies 33. Faulkner’s “As I Lay ____” 34. Irregular or jagged 36. Religious offshoot 38. *Stout, e.g.

42. Liverpool star 45. Cursor-moving button 49. Wade’s opponent 51. Wiggle room 54. Shylock’s line of work 56. Socrates’ famous pupil 57. Dog command 58. Classic art subject 59. Puts two and two together 60. Itty-bitty bit 61. Call to a mate 62. Unacceptable 63. “Nobody ____ It Better” 64. Flow alternative 66. *British to the IRA

Women’s Month continued from page 6

participated by hosting special presentations throughout the country and an annual “Real Woman” Essay Contest. The finale for the week was a celebratory parade and program held in the center of downtown Santa Rosa, California.

In 1979, Molly Murphy MacGregor was invited to participate in The Women’s History Institute attended by the national leaders of organizations for women and girls. When the participants learned about the success of the Sonoma County’s Women’s History Week celebration, they decided to initiate similar celebrations within their own organizations, communities, and school districts. They also agreed to support an effort to secure a “National Women’s History Week.”

Cracker Barrel continued from page 5

and their Japanese tenantmanagers).

This unlikely coalition formed the Cannery and Agricultural Workers International Union and eventually they did win higher wages but the victory was short lived because in 1934 the Union was prosecuted which led to its demise. The seeds had been planted, Cesar Chavez, whose birthday we will be honoring next week, would finally years later form the

Safety Plans continued from page 6

law enforcement to make Follow us @ MidValleyNews

The first steps toward national recognition came in February 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th, 1980 as National Women’s History Week.

Organizations sponsored essay contests and within a few years, thousands of schools and communities were celebrating National Women’s History Week, supported and encouraged by resolutions from governors, city councils, school boards, and the U.S. Congress.

Each year, the dates of National Women’s History Week changed and every year a new lobbying effort was needed. Yearly, a national effort that included thousands of individuals and hundreds of educational and women’s organizations was spearheaded by the National Women’s History Project.

By 1986, 14 states had already declared March as Women’s History Month.

This momentum and stateby-state action was used to lobby Congress to declare the month of March 1987 as National Women’s History Month.

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month permanentaly.

A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

More recently in March 2011, the administration of President Barack Obama released a report showing women’s status in the U.S. in 2011 and how it had changed over time. This report was the first comprehensive federal report on women since 1963.

Celebrate Women’s History Month. Every month.

Every day. Forever.

United Farm Workers Union which today is fully recognized and credited for the great advances in working conditions and basic human rights of all farm workers.

After the labor unrest of the thirty’s and then WW2, Father Coffield of San Juan Bosco Church led efforts to organize the Camp and improve conditions. The Hicks family slowly sold off parcels of land and by the sixty’s El Monte incorporated what was left into modern day El Monte. If you drive by the area you won’t see much to

remind you of it’s past, so Don I hope you found this interesting, KCET did a great special about Hick’s Camp and “La Historia Society of El Monte” located at 3240 Tyler Ave. has a large collection of photos and articles about the Camp ***** One Last Thing: Supervisor Solis wants to remind everyone that there will be a “Day of Service” honoring Cesar Chavez so please go to her web site for more information and to see where you can sign up to volunteer.

sure plans are effective and current.

School districts and county offices of education shall notify the CDE by October 15, 2018, of any schools within its own jurisdiction

that have not complied with the safety plan requirements.

Torlakson’s letter is on the CDE Letters Web page.

Page 8

Mid Valley News

Art Laboe continued from page 1

ors his musical and cultural influence.

“Through concerts and dances, Art Laboe developed the El Monte Legion Stadium into the staple of entertainment for Southern California,” said Councilmember Norma Macias.

“Today, we honor his contribution to the industry and the City.”

As the crowd cheered and grooved to “Oldies But Goodies,” Art Laboe thanked the City Council and ecstatic

March 21, 2018

“I’m overwhelmed...with the invocation and treating me the way you have today,” said Art Laboe. “I expected to see a lot of friends but I never expected such a big ovation and making my heart beat a little faster.”

“Art Laboe brought people from diverse backgrounds together, united under music in our beautiful City of El Monte” said Councilmember Victoria Martinez. “I encourage everyone to view the fountain that was inspired by Art Laboe and the memories of El Monte.”

City Council present Art Laboe with key to the City and declare March 10, 2018 as Art Laboe Day. Courtesy photo from the City of El Monte.

fans for the special acknowledgement.

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.

Masterson Building, Suite 208

El Monte, California 91731 (626) 443-1753 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

Sports Editor: Staff

Contributing Writers Glen Maldonado 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

The enthusiastic crowd gave Art Laboe a standing ovation as City presented him with the key to the City and declared March 10, 2018 as Art Laboe Day. “Today, we walked down memory lane, recalling stories of the El Monte Legion Stadium with Art Laboe, a legendary deejay—a monumental icon that gave opportunities to all artists regardless of their background, and made legends of them,” said Councilmember Jerry Velasco.

“At the same time, we celebrated for the future of El Monte. Union Walk, along with other efforts, will continue to draw people to the heart of downtown El Monte.”

Editor’s Note: For more pictures of this event follow us on Facebook @midvalleynews

Working Overtime Continued from page 5

Hancock and Art Laboe, both who had huge followings.

In fact Hunter Hancock’s show on KGFJ , “Hunting With Hunter”, was the top rated show on the radio (in those days you could hear a dee-jay on different channels, with the small “sun downers” it was okay as long as they didn’t compete in the same time slots) and in 2000 they were able to put together a great tribute show for him. Hunter Hancock passed away in 2004, a true pioneer in local radio.

I am looking forward to having Ray and Jim contribute (maybe we can get Ray to tell us how he got the nick name).

Dodger Preview Continued from page 4

offseason. Kemp has hit over. 300 this spring and has looked great. He will most likely be the left fielder, Chris Taylor at center field and Yasiel Puig in right field.

The Dodgers are a great team and there is no doubt about it. They can hit like crazy and they have a great pitcher in Clayton Kershaw. They have had everything to win a World

Angel Preview Continued from page 4

The Angels have the same outfield, Mike Trout, Justin Upton and Kole Calhoun. They will rely heavily on these players to produce at the plate.

Trout, arguably the best player in baseball is always an important factor in the team’s success. 38-year old Albert Pujols who is on the back end of his storied career will try and help this team with his bat. Pujols only hit .241 last season but at this point

Sudoku Solution for 2.21.18

Series for what seems like many years but they just seem like they can’t get over the hump. Their success in the playoffs will once again lie in Kershaw, he has to get to the job done for this team win a World Series. The Dodgers will compete for the NL West and it will be more difficult. The other teams in the division will be better, this may be the most competitive division in baseball. It won’t be easy but this team can win the World Series in 2018. it looks like the Angels realize they can’t ask much more of him.

The Angels will likely compete for a spot in the AL Wild Card Game. I don’t see this team winning the AL West with the 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros in there.

It’s a toss-up with this team. They can hit but they can’t pitch at a consistent level as a team. It will be a struggle for this team to get wins but I see this team getting over the .500 mark and squeaking into that AL sWild Card Game.

Crossword Solution for 2.21.18

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