Mid Valley News - April 4, 2018 - Vol 55 No 7

Sports

Education Chalk Talk, page 2 - 3

Dodgers Opening Day page 4

The Community Paper of Record

Vol. 55, No. 07

Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966

April 04, 2018

El Monte City School District Announces New Assistant Superintendent

by Staff Writer El Monte

The El Monte City School District is proud to announce the appointment of Virginia Castro as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the 2018-2019 school year. Castro steps up from her position as Director of Instruction and Assessment and is eager to take on her new role. She has used her influential leadership to help develop itinerant music, dual language, musical theater and STEAM summer programs. She has continued to promote a culture of effective professional learning communities, and to facilitate positive relationship development among the educational community.

Castro said, “I am honored and excited to accept my new position.

I look forward to maintaining and growing a rigorous teaching and learning environment. I want the best for each and every student.”

As the daughter of immigrant parents, Virginia began school as an English learner. Experiencing the struggles of being an English learner has provided her with insight, knowledge and familiarity. She has used these tools and served as an expert panelist on MSNBC’s Education Na-

tion where she highlighted her work with a model Dual Language School and her focus on ensuring the success of all subgroups, including English learners.

Castro began her career as an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Baldwin Park. She then became a middle school teacher and moved into administration as assistant principal and then later was appointed principal. Under her leadership, her school transformed from one of the lowest to one of the top performing schools in the Baldwin Park School District.

In 2013 she joined the El Monte City School District as the Director of Instruction and Assessment.

Castro is married and has two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, traveling and good food.

Dr. Maribel Garcia, EMCSD Superintendent, said, “We are excited to see the ideas Ms. Castro will offer our district. The future of our district is bright!” Garcia went on to say, “I want to congratulate our retiring Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Traino for her 35 years of exemplary service and leadership to our district.

We wish her well in her retirement.”

Newly appointed, Virginia Castro as the Assistant Superintendent of the El Monte City School District. Courtesy photo from El Monte City School District.

Rio Hondo College Trustees Named Woman of the Year

by Staff Writer El Monte

Rio Hondo College Trustee Norma Edith Garcia will be honored on Tuesday, March 27 as Woman of the Year for the 22nd state Senate District for her contributions to the community.

Garcia, a trustee since 2013, was lauded for her work as chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, a role she has held since 2016. She is the first woman to hold the role.

“I am honored to recognize Norma Edith Garcia as the Woman of the Year for the 22nd Senate District,” said state Sen. Ed Hernandez, who represents the 22nd District. “Her tenacity and determination to fight for communities in California has helped enrich countless lives,” Hernandez said. “Due to her activism and local involvement, she is paving the way for future generations to have better access to green space, educational opportunities and economic empow-

erment. Thank you for all you do, Norma.”

Garcia, who holds a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA, has promoted educational access as a trustee at Rio Hondo College. She co-founded the El Monte Promise Foundation, which creates a cradleto-college path for area youth. During her tenure, Rio Hondo College has expanded student support services, including a one-year tuition waiver program called the Rio Promise.

“Trustee Garcia is an enthusiastic and dedicated advocate for equity in education,” Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Garcia said. “This award recognizes her for attributes the Rio Hondo College community has long benefited from – a commitment to fight on behalf of our students.”

Garcia was honored by Hernandez on March 12 on the floor of the state senate during an event sponsored by the California Legislative Women’s

Courtesy Photo

Woman of the Year continued on page 8

Page 2

Mid Valley News

April 04, 2018

EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chalk Talk

Two El Monte Union Seniors Surprised with $40,000 Edison STEM Scholarships

by Staff Writer El Monte

Two El Monte Union High School District seniors are among an elite group of 30 high school students from across the Southland to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International during surprise announcements.

South El Monte High School senior Sandra Amezcua Rocha, who was surprised during her Spanish Literature class on March 26, and El Monte High School senior Connie Lee, who received the exciting news via Skype on March 19, were selected out of more than 2,000 applicants to the Edison Scholars program.

“I was very surprised and am very thankful for this investment in my fu-

ture,” said Amezcua Rocha, who was presented with the check by Edison International President and CEO Pedro Pizarro to the wild applause of her family and friends.

“The Edison STEM Scholarship gives me security for my higher education and the hope that I can achieve something great,” she said. “My message to all students is to not give up and to always have a dream.”

Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, annually awards $1.2 million in scholarships to 30 high school seniors pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields at four-year universities. Each $40,000 scholarship will be paid over four years.

Amezcua Rocha, who holds a 4.47 GPA, will choose between attending Stanford and Yale University in

the fall. Lee, who is ranked fourth in her class with a 4.3 GPA, will attend UCLA or USC. Both share a passion for pursuing career paths that will help create healthy environments for the communities of the future – Amezcua Rocha as an environmental scientist and Lee as a physician or scientist.

Lee is looking to pursue a career in medicine researching cures for frontotemporal degenerative diseases such as dementia and developing vaccines that will improve quality of life.

Lee has years of experience acting as a caregiver for her grandmother, who has dementia, and her mother, who is

Edison Scholarship continued on page 3

Surrounded by family and friends, South El Monte High School senior Sandra Amezcua Rocha was surprised with a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International as part of the Edison Scholars program on March 26. Amezcua Rocha, who is still deciding whether to attend Yale or Stanford University, will use the scholarship toward her college tuition. Photo Courtesy El Monte High School senior Connie Lee was surprised with a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International during a Skype call on March 19. Lee, who wants to be a physician or scientist, will attend UCLA or USC. Photo Courtesy

Culinary Talent, Runs The Rosemead High School Panther Café

by Staff Writer El Monte

Rosemead High School students and staff who start their day at 6:50 a.m. will enjoy freshly baked treats and nutritious breakfast items courtesy of the Panther Café, run by the school’s culinary arts students who use the facility as a training center to learn kitchen techniques and entrepreneurial skills.

“Culinary arts students are learning all aspects of running a kitchen, how to prep, what ingredients to order, which knife to use,” Rosemead High School food management teacher Patricia Sahagun said. “The program is really allowing the kids to learn a lot about the catering business and they are bringing those lessons backs home to share with their families.”

Averaging nearly 150 food items sold per day, the Panther Café receives enough revenue from sales of breakfast bowls, chicken noodle soup, oatmeal and bakery items to stock its

kitchen with fresh ingredients. Student chefs also have access to homegrown vegetables from Rosemead’s herb garden, run by students in the Best of Thymes club.

“It’s a great hands-on learning experience,” Rosemead senior Cristina Pagan said. “The skills we learn in the kitchen we get to take home. My mom loves my chicken noodle soup!”

The culinary arts program will receive a boost in funding from the El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce, who are donating a portion of their proceeds from the 4th Annual “A Taste and Sound of El Monte/ South El Monte” event recently held at the Grace T. Black Auditorium.

The culinary arts program is among more than a dozen career technical education (CTE) pathways available to El Monte Union High School District students. Rosemead’s program features two courses – Intro to Cooking, which concentrates on the basics Panther Café 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 week we continue to focus on STEM Scholarships with the Great Minds in STEM Scholarships taking center stage.

Graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students and graduate students, who intend to or are currently pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degree at an accredited college/university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, are encouraged to apply for these merit-based scholarships. Students must have an overall minimum 3.0 GPA and must be of Hispanic descent or demonstrate strong leadership or service within the Hispanic community.

I’m sure the District is currently home to at least one or two of our community’s brightest and best who can take advantage of this opportunity.

Scholarships range from $500 $10,000 and all recipients are invited to attend the 30th HENAAC Conference, from October 18 – 21, 2018, in Pasadena, CA. Great Minds in STEM subsidizes over $850 in registration, travel and housing for the Scholars to attend this conference, where they

will meet their sponsors, be awarded their scholarship and formally recognized as new members of the GMiS Scholars Society.

Different types of scholarships include Corporate / Government Sponsored Scholarships which are scholarships are made possible thanks to our dedicated scholarship sponsors from corporate America, federal agencies and affinity groups.

Each year, Great Minds in STEM recognizes the most outstanding students for their academic achievement and leadership. These awards are presented with a scholarship. In addition, GMiS has specially partnered with NAVSEA (US Navy STEM Scholarship) to provide highly-competitive, $10,000 scholarships to firsttime freshmen at a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

There is a lot of money being invested in the STEM of our future, so if you’re wondering about a career path, there are a lot of opportunities out there and it’s a career choice that isn’t going away anytime soon. Just think “automation” and “robotics” and you get the idea.

For more information on Great Minds in STEM Scholarships, I strongly encourage our readers to visit http://www.greatmindsinstem.org.

April 04, 2018

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Your Community Paper of Record

EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chalk Talk

AVID Panthers Make Strong Membership Showing At State Renewed Academic Decathlon for Another Year

by Christopher Au-Young, Contributing Writer El Monte

by, Staff Writer

The El Monte Union High School District approved an agreement between the AVID Center for implementation of the AVID Program for the five comprehensive high schools in the district.

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. The program places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills.

To offer the AVID Program, Districts are required to become members of the AVID National Model which entitles membership schools to a wide selection of workshops, ongoing consultation with AVID staff, curriculum resources and training, access to members only website, the AVID newsletter and other helpful publications.

The class is now offered in more than 2,000 U.S. high schools. Students in the class usually take it

Panther Café Continued from page 2

of food preparation, and Culinary II, which focuses on the practical experience of running a restaurant.

The Panther Café adheres to all California school nutrition guidelines.

At the end of the first semester, students with a B or better are offered the opportunity to take the food safety training course required to receive a California Food Handlers card. At the end of the second semester, students receive a certificate that lists the tan-

Edison Scholarship Continued from page 2

a breast cancer survivor. She is also involved at the public library, where she sits on the Teen Advisory Council and coordinates interactive activities for children.

“These experiences have allowed me to recognize that there is a con-

throughout their high school career, and with the same group of students.

The five high schools enrolling in the AVID Program are El Monte High School, South El Monte High School, Rosemead High School, Arroyo High School, and Mountain View High School.

According to the AVID Program website, nearly 9 out of every 10 AVID seniors submitted college applications, and nearly 8 out of every 10 AVID seniors were accepted into four-year colleges. Nearly 6 out of every 10 AVID students have parents with no college experience, giving them little guidance in navigating the college readiness process.

By developing the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary, AVID works to close the soft skills gap by developing the habits, skills, and behaviors important for success in college, career, and life.

AVID high school graduates outpaced their peers who did not participate in the program in persisting in college through freshman and sophomore years, according to a recent study released in December, Education Week reported.

The Winners of the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon have been announced, with El Monte Union’s own Rosemead High placing fourth place.

The Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, taking place in February, is a local, county, state, and national honors program that promotes selfassurance, academic enrichment, and teamwork. South Pasadena High school placed first in the competition, with Mark Keppel High School and West High School placed second and third respectively.

The Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon is open to public high schools in the county, outside of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The teams are made up of students from all grade-point averages, required to apply their analytical skills, performance abilities, and test taking and writing aptitude in 10 subjects; art, economics, essay, interview, language & literature, math, music, social science, speech, and super quiz.

Rosemead High scored fourth place in the initial Academic Decathlon, which advanced them to the California State Championships in Sacramento. The Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon is comprised of three levels based on a student’s GPA, “A,” for honors, “,” for varsity, and “C,” for scholastic.

After a series of multiple choice tests, students participate in an interview, give prepared and impromptu speeches, and write an essay. Following these tasks, all the students partake in the Super quiz. The Super

Quiz, which is the final part of the Academic Decathlon and is made up of a question and answer format, is the only public portion of the Decathlon.

Individual medals were rewarded to students from Rosemead High School for several different categories, Honors, Varsity, and Scholastic.

In the honors team, Serena Estrada won the gold medal in the essay category, scoring the top decathlete score, silver in the economics, interview and speech categories, and bronze in the literature and super quiz portions.

Andres Angelo received the silver medal in speech, and bronze in the essay and super quiz portions, while Allison Nguyen-Thai won silver in the speech and essay categories, and bronze in the super quiz portion. In the varsity category, Madi Razo won gold for the interview section, silver in the essay and speech categories, and bronze for the super quiz.

Carlos Lopez placed gold in the speech category, bronze for literature, and bronze for the super quiz.

Neo Torres won silver for the essay portion, and bronze in both speech and super quiz portions. In the Scholastic division, Sean Thai won the silver medal for the essay portion, and bronze in the super quiz.

Henry Tran won bronze for the speech portion, and bronze for the super quiz. Tricia Young won silver for the speech, essay, and interview portions, and bronze for the super quiz.

Overall this marks an improvement from last year, when Rosemead High School placed ninth overall, with South Pasadena High School placing first.

gible skills they have learned in class.

Rosemead’s newly renovated stateof-the-art kitchen, which was funded by the $148 million Measure D facilities bond passed by El Monte voters in 2008, is equipped with six instructional stations for students and a prep area for dishes on the Panther Café’s menu.

“Being in the class has taught me that we need to be up and ready to get to work every day,” Rosemead senior Christy Lam said. “It has also made me more responsible and patient with others.”

Upon graduation, culinary arts students have pursued post-secondary programs at such educational institutions as Los Angeles Trade Tech College, Culinary Institute of America

and the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona, as well careers as chefs and line cooks at local restaurants.

“Rosemead’s culinary arts students are not only learning a trade, but they are also learning responsibility and accountability – two characteristics of highly successful professionals,” Principal Dr. Brian Bristol said. “I want to thank our teachers and staff for helping our culinary arts students develop meaningful skills that can lead to rewarding and lucrative careers.”

temporary issue with American health care,” said Lee, who will be the first in her family to attend college. “I want to increase the accessibility of quality health care in all low-income communities. Thank you to Edison for helping me in my quest to provide a better quality of life through medical research.”

Amezcua is president and founder of South El Monte High’s Emerald

Jewel Club, which focuses on reducing the human impact to the environment. Emerald Jewel members work as volunteers at the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, located across the street from campus. As a freshman, Amezcua began the Meatless Monday pilot program at South El Monte High, which proved so successful that it has been implemented throughout the District.

“I am so proud of our high-achieving students whose dedication, hard work and potential for greatness is being recognized and nurtured by Edison with these exclusive STEM scholarships,” El Monte Union Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said.

“Sandra and Connie are ambassadors for all El Monte Union students who are using education to effect positive change in the world.”

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Mid Valley News

April 04, 2018

Mid Valley Sports

Giants Blank Dodgers on Opening Day

by Mike Nelson, Contributing Sports Writer National / Los Angeles

Major League Baseball started the 2018 season on March 29th with all 30 teams playing. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 in front of a sold-out Dodger Stadium. It was an emotional day for Dodger fans with the 1988 World Series MVP Kirk Gibson throwing out the first pitch. Gibson who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015 and it was his first time coming back to Dodger Stadium since his diagnosis. The Dodgers also added the “Kirk Gibson 88 seat” in right field prior to the game. The seat is painted blue and it is where his iconic 1988 Game 1 World Series Home Run ball landed. Gibson signed the seat with his autograph so his imprint on Dodger Stadium will now be on display forever.

The Dodgers had Clayton Kershaw on the mound while the Giants had Ty Blach. For the first few innings of this game both teams got runners in scoring positions multiple times, but they were unable to cash them in for runs. Kershaw and Blach found ways to deal themselves out of trouble. In the top of the 5th Kershaw left a pitch high and inside that Joe Panik was able hit for a solo home run to make it 1-0. It was the difference in the game and the ball just barely stayed fair as it almost grazed the right field foul pole as it left the park.

Courtesy photo

Blach pitched the game of his life when the Giants really needed it.

When Madison Bumgarner fractured his pinky finger in his final spring training start the situation was dire for the Giants going into this massive tilt. Blach stepped up his in 5 innings pitched and the Giants bullpen also pulled together in this win. Josh

Osich, Cody Gearrin, Tony Watson and Hunter Strickland each pitched an inning and held the Dodgers to 2 hits in the final 4 innings.

The Dodgers big bats were silenced in this game, Cody Bellinger 0 for 4, Corey Seager 0 for 4 and Yasiel Puig 0 for 3. Ironically, Clayton Kershaw had a great day at the plate going 2 for

2. The Dodgers needed a spark from somebody at the plate to get a win, but they just didn’t get it. The Dodgers lost their first Opening Day Game since 2010. It was a good run for the Dodgers, 7 straight Opening Day wins but it was bound to be snapped sooner or later.

LA Galaxy defeats LAFC New Temple Elementary School Named National Showcase School

by Mike Nelson, Contributing Sports Writer National / Los Angeles

This past Saturday the first ever game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC took place in front of a sold out Stubhub Center. It was a game for the ages that will not be soon forgotten with the Galaxy winning 4-3. The Galaxy trailed 3-0 with 30 minutes to go in the game. They then mounted on one of the greatest MLS comebacks if not the best in the league’s 22 year history.

Carlos Vela opened up the scoring in the 5th minute with a shot from outside of the box that curled perfectly into the left corner. Vela doubled the LAFC lead in the 26th minute with a breathtaking goal as he dribbled in a circle in the box and then shot the ball into the net. The Galaxy looked dead in the 1st half creating next to nothing on offense. LAFC dominated the ball possession and were outworking the Galaxy team. It was a total beatdown of the Galaxy team and LAFC led 2-0 at half.

LAFC made it 3-0 in the 48th minute when Marco Urena crossed the ball into the box and it deflected off of Galaxy Defender Daniel Steres into the net for an own goal. At this point a comeback seemed unlikely and some Galaxy fans looked about ready to leave. In the 61st minute Sebastian Lletget scored for the Galaxy off a terrible turnover from LAFC Midfielder Benny Fielhaber to make the score 3-1. It was going to take something special for a comeback to occur with 29 minutes.

In the 70th minute the entire stadium rose to their feet when Swedish player Zlatan Ibrahimović checked into the game as a subsistute.

Ibrahimović had just signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy just a day earlier and had only trained on that day.

Ibrahimović was a highly touted European star that the Galaxy had been trying to get since 2016. Their wish was finally granted earlier this week when he decided to leave Manchester United and join the MLS. What hap-

by J. Gannon, Prinicipal, New Temple Elementary El Monte

New Temple Elementary School was named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School for the 2016-2017 School Year and we have been awarded this honor for a second year in a row.

Three years ago, New Temple Elementary School began an initiative to enhance the transformation of its campus into an emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff, and parents to come alive with a love for learning. Because of implementing Capturing Kids’

Hearts, New Temple Elementary School has received the federal Title 1 Academic Achievement Award and the California Gold Ribbon School Award in 2016.

Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards, the Flippen Group recognizes and celebrates campuses that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. The Flippen Group believes unsung heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in

LA Galaxy continued on page 8

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Call Us at 626.888.1493 or Email Us at info@midvalleymedia.net

Flip Flippen Inspires Student leaders at Leadworthy Live Event . Photo Courtesy of Flippen Group.

Angels Preview continued on page 8

April 04, 2018

Your Community Paper of Record

Webb’s Rule CREDIT CARDS

by Eugene R. Webb

Most people using credit cards don’t even have a clue; It gives them the illusion of having more money too. Yes, credit cards are so convenient to use;Also they are real easy to abuse.

Credit cards can give you a short time pleasure; But they are not something to treasure. They can give you a long term pain; And using them is real hard to refrain.

Credit Cards are like a drug to so many; And the money they owe is plenty. If you carry a bal-

ance month to month; You will never ever get over the hump.

If you feel you must have a credit card; Hopefully, you won’t find it too hard. When you pay off each month the balance due; You’ll have more money and be happier too.

Oh, credit cards can be real handy and good; If you use them the way a person should. You could be using their money for a month; So pay off the credit cards and don’t be a chump.

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“Working Overtime”

“The Last Time I Saw Cesar Chavez” In 1976 I got a call from the office of Congressman Edward Roybal, the legendary Eastside lawmaker wanted a favor. I was the Director of Sales for the Holiday Inn in his district and the United Farm Workers (UFW) needed a place to hold a meeting and none of the big hotels in Los Angeles would rent them space, so the Congressman was asking me for help.

I had worked for several hotels in Las Vegas, which was a union town, so I was use to union business, I knew that the UFW had had some problems with some of the older, established unions but that wasn’t any of my concern so I told the Congressman that I would be happy to have them, his office assured me that if there was any problems to let them know and that they would probably pay cash for anything they ask for.

That was the beginnings of a great relationship, I booked several of their meetings and got to know their leadership. Cesar Chavez would come by when he was in the area and they were a great bunch (although they scared the owners of the hotel, they would always invite our staff, the maids and the houseman to join them for lunch or dur-

ing breaks and would share their m e a l s with them and I think that

by Dick James the ownEl Monte ers worried about them organizing).

About ten years later, I had left the hotel and I had an office in Boyle Heights at the corner of Brooklyn (now Cesar Chavez) Blvd. and Soto above the Payless Shoe Store when I was approached by the Mexican-American Labor Council to help organize their 25th Annual Dinner. We put together a great event, the Dinner was sold out. It was rumored that Cesar Chavez would be there but not confirmed.

At the Dinner there were two tables in the back of the room that me, my partner and our staff sat at and the other had the guys from the Laborers Local.

The ticket price was pretty steep so we had comp their table and in exchange Working Overtime continued on page 8

Cracker Barrel

“The Mechanic, a Labor Leader Icon, Oso and a crossing guard named Jim” By: Mike McClure El Monte

Baker School Offers New Full Day Head Start Classrooms

by Michele Earle El Monte

The Mountain View School District was proud to celebrate the dedication of the new Baker Full-Day Head Start Classrooms with a special ribbon cutting ceremony held March 14.

MVSD was one of the first school districts to adopt the Project Head Start back in 1965, and over the past 53 years the program has evolved into a full early education program providing a high-quality preschool experience in centered based classrooms, as well as in the homes.

“Throughout the years our District has worked closely with the Los Angeles County Office of Education to replace facilities to provide a clean and safe environment for students to learn and grow physically and academically,” said Alma Gonzales, MVSD’s Director of Preschool Programs. “Since 1999 we have replaced facilities at Cogswell, Maxson, Parkview, Baker, Payne, the Head Start Main Office and Fam-

ily Service Center and today we are thrilled to add to the list this beautiful Baker Dosage Full-day Program.”

Keesha Woods, Executive Director, Head Start Division for Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) applauded Ms. Gonzales and Mountain View’s Head Start program for being a model program for others to follow.

“Mountain View School District does a fabulous job providing a highquality program for students and families and is dedicated to providing a wealth of services,” said Woods.

“Ms. Gonzales is a fierce leader of early learning and the entire Head Start team does amazing work.”

A highlight of the ceremony was a performance by the preschool students who joyfully sang “The World is a Rainbow.”

“This is such a happy occasion,” said Mountain View School District Superintendent Lillian Maldonado French. “We have an incredible team Baker School continued on page 8

…so the other day I had my car in for a smog check. I drive a 97 Ford TBird and it needs a lot of tender care so I take it to Gary’s over on Peck Rd. and while it was there I had them check a few things. It gave me time to sit down and talk with Gary - what an interesting guy! In El Monte we have approximately 3,900 businesses and about 40% are the small, family owned sole proprietor like Gary’s Auto Shop and they make up a significant portion of the City’s financial base with taxes and employment opportunities.

Garabet “Gary” Boyajian’s family fled Armenia during the genocide in the early part of the last century ending up in Aleppo, Syria where Gary was born. Highly educated, Gary holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and he has worked on large construction projects through- out Europe and Africa during the seventy’s and eighty’s finally coming to America in 1989.

In 1990 he opened his garage here in El Monte where Gary’s Auto Shop has been a fixture on Peck Rd ever since. Gary is a lucky man, his son Kev works with him at the shop and his other son Jack is one of State Farm’s top agents over in Pasadena.

Good job Gary and hat’s off to you and all of our small businessmen and women . …I went out to the City of Bell last week for Supervisor Solis’s “Day

of Service” to honor the memory of Cesar Chavez. Regular readers of the “Cracker Barrel” know that I had the honor of meeting the famed labor leader on several occasions, both before and after the hunger strikes that finally brought social awareness to the plight of the farm workers and raised the issue of human rights for all workers around the world. It was sad to see the physical damage that the hunger strikes had on his body but his commitment was inspiration. Thank you Supervisor Solis for everything you do to keep Cesar’s memory alive. …Recently the paper hired a special assistant to work with me here with my duties as the Mid Valley News’s Community Development Liaison. As a special assistant, like Governor Brown’s recent appointment of a special assistant State Dog, L. Monte will not need a Senate confirmation (we weren’t sure he would pass, he has kind of a vague history, his street name is “OSO” even though he isn’t very big?) You will be seeing L. Monte at a lot of community events so please say hi and make him feel welcome. …and this issue’s “One Last Thing” goes to one of our local unsung hero, Jim Ponnet, the crossing guard at Tyler & Freer over near Rio Hondo Elementary School. Every once and a while we need to stop and thank these special men and women who help keep our kids safe as they make their way back and forth to school each day, so thank you Jim.

Page 6

Mid Valley News

April 04, 2018

Supervisor Hilda L. Solis Honors Cesar Chavez with a “First District Day of Service”

By M. McClure, Staff Writer California / SGV

Supervisor Solis, the Salvation Army, and other partners welcomed over 350 volunteers and community members from across the First District to a community beautification event at the Bell Shelter in the City of Bell, to honor labor leader icon Cesar Chavez. The volunteer projects were

family friendly and included no sew blankets, landscaping, assembling hygiene kits and more.

Throughout the month of March, communities across the country have commemorated the life and legacy of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez’ work through education, celebration, and service projects.

The day of service, recognized

around Chavez’ birth date of March 31, is a legal holiday in the state of California and an optional holiday in several other cities and states. Community groups, schools, and other organizations use the event to reflect on Chavez’ life and carry out service projects in his honor.

Volunteers and community members enjoyed free food and a resource fair featuring more than 30 County and local service providers. Several county departments participated a long with Veteran Affairs, employment specialists, medical, dental and eye screenings, legal services and other resources for the community.

A first-generation American, Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, just outside of Yuma, Arizona. The Chavez family became migrant farmworkers traveling throughout California to harvest crops after the family lost their farm during the Great

Depression.

A Navy veteran, Cesar eventually settled with his family in East San Jose, CA, where he first began working with migrant farm workers. Having experienced the hardships of life as a farm worker firsthand, Chavez worked tirelessly to improve the lives of farmworkers and Latino families.

He passed away in his sleep, at the age of 66, on April 23, 1993.

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community...

Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own,” Chavez said.

Every year Supervisor Solis utilizes the occasion of honoring Cesar Chavez’s birthday to keep his legacy of service alive by conducting “Days of Service” though out the First District.

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

April 04, 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 4.21.18

Solution for Sudoku in issue 4.21.18

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

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EM / SEM Taste and Sounds

Page 8

Mid Valley News

April 04, 2018

Baker School continued from page 1

in MVSD that enabled this to happen and I am grateful to all of you. This is our seventh Head Start renovation thanks to the support and involvement of our families, parents and community. It is a great pleasure to provide excellent programs for our youngest students and watch them continue on through our schools.”

In attendance to celebrate the grand opening was Anthony Perez, a former Baker Head Start student and father of two current Head Start students.

“This is a very good program and I had a wonderful time while I was a student here years ago. I wanted to bring my kids here because my experience was so great,” said Perez who also has a child on the way that he plans to enroll in the program.

MVSD’s Head Start and Children’s Center is a federally and state funded

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

preschool program serving preschool children and their families in the El Monte area. Recognizing that a child’s future depends on his/her social, emotional and physical well-being, the MVSD Head Start and Children’s Center programs work with parents and communities to ensure that children receive the educational, social and health services needed to succeed both in their present environment and later in life.

Working Overtime continued from page 5

they had done a lot of work helping set up and selling tickets for us. These two tables were the worst tables in the room, the Mariachi’s had better seats when in walks Cesar, from the back.

Well of course this created a big stir. All of the big shots, the VIP’s and sponsors wanted Cesar Chavez to sit with them but instead he stopped and asked Louie Martinez, the President of the Labor’s Local if he would mind if he sat with them. So there sat the most famous man in the room at the worst table in the house and made those at his table the proudest group at the event.

Cesar came over to my table, thanked us for our help and it was sad to see up close the toll that the Fast’s had taken on his health, but although his body was weak his spirit wasn’t, nor his dignity lost.

Cesar Chavez March 31,1923 April 23,1993 Rest In Peace

LA Galaxy Continued from page 4

pened after he checked into the game was simply magical.

The Galaxy made the score 3-2 in the 73rd minute with a goal from Chris Pontius. In the 77th Minute Zlatan Ibrahimović left the stadium in awe as he shot the ball from midfield and into the net to tie the game up 3-3. In the 91st minute Ibrahimović then scored the winning goal on a header sending the Stubhub Center into a frenzy. A rivalry may have been born last Saturday and this game will never be forgotten for those in attendance.

Women of the Year Continued from page 1

Caucus. She will be honored again at the 10th annual Women of Achievement Awards for the 22nd Senate District, set for 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 27 at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, 104 N. Citrus Ave., Covina.

New Temple continued from page 4

schools and pave the way for other schools to follow, need and deserve recognition for a job well done.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country are considered for these awards based on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’ Hearts has made

Sudoku Solution for 3.07.18

Also honored that day will be 19 Women of Achievement and two Emerging Leaders.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected as Woman of the Year for the 22nd Senate District,” Garcia said.

“I’m humbled and thankful to Senator Hernandez for this recognition, which inspires me to redouble my efforts on behalf of our community.”

a significant improvement in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, or academics.

The Flippen Group is proud to recognize these outstanding individuals at New Temple Elementary School who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children. As we identify these remarkable schools, campus leaders, and teachers each year, please join us in celebrating them as some of the most skilled and effective educators in the country!

Crossword Solution for 3.07.18

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