Sports
Chalk Talk
Local Football page 6
Community Events, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 55, No. 20
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
October 03, 2018
El Monte and Irwindale Speedway Race Against Bullying by Ethan Peschansky, Contributing Writer El Monte / Irwindale
It’s still early at Irwindale Speedway as the staff prepare for the day’s festivities. Sound systems for the announcer’s booth are tested. Employees gather at the front gate ready to receive their guests. And although the sun hasn’t quite broken through the morning gloom, trucks loaded with water spray the racetrack in anticipation of the heat that is inevitable even in mid-September. However, the guests expected to appear today aren’t the usual racing fans. Busses arrived packed with 8th graders from school districts throughout the El Monte community. Under the watchful gaze of their teachers, the children disembarked in organized lines and made their way to their seats. They trickled in slowly at first, only a few classes worth of students present. But by the time the event was ready to start over three thousand children had taken their seats. As they waited they waved to their friends in other classes or carried on with their little conversations. But their chatting died off as a familiar face began to speak. Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Juven-
Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Juventino “J” Gomez at the podium with stunt car specialist Sammy Maloof and Irwindale Speedway President Tim Huddleston. Courtesy Photo by Ethan Peschansky
tino “J” Gomez began talking and students realized they were here to see fast cars, dangerous stunts, and learn about a topic that hits much
Walk to End Domestic Violence by Staff Writer El Monte
The City of El Monte and local community leaders continue supporting families and survivors of domestic violence by declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness month. As part of the proclamation, the City will light its Statue of Liberty in purple on Tuesday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m. In support of Domestic Violence Awareness month, El Monte Councilmember Victoria Martinez will also host the 3rd Annual Walk to End Domestic Violence on Thursday, October 25th. The event will feature a moment of reflection and testimonials. Participants will also have access to a local resource fair featuring information on counseling, supportive housing and 24-hour hotlines. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Courtesy Photo by D. Johnson, MVMC
The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed in October 1987 and Congress designated October as Domestic Violence Domestic Violence continued on page 14
closer to home for these children then they realize: bullying. On Wednesday September 19th, Irwindale Speedway, with cooperation
from the City of El Monte, hosted the first ever Racing Against Bullying event. The goal of the event was Against Bullying continued on page 15
And The Latino Coalition Leadership Award Goes To… October 2, The Latino Coalition (TLC), the leading, national non-partisan advocacy organization representing Hispanic businesses and consumers, and the small business advocacy group Job Creators Network (JCN), will present The Latino Coalition Leadership Award to Gaddi H. Vasquez, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Southern California Edison. The highly-anticipated event will bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs, executives and elected officials to celebrate the many contributions of the Hispanic community to this nation’s job creation and economic growth. “Hispanic-Americans have a lot to be excited about- a median income that has risen by 3.7 percent, a 40 percent reduction in the overall poverty rate and an entrepreneurial sector that now makes up more than 10 percent of all businesses in the U.S.,” said Hector Barreto, TLC’s Chairman and former U.S. Small
Business Administrator. “This and the many other contributions we make to this nation are meant to be celebrated! And we look forward to an inspiring night of honoring a few hardworking and thought-provoking leaders paving the way for Latino’s to thrive.” Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of The Job Creators Network added: “As Hispanics, our pride of heritage has enriched and strengthened this country in almost every facet of life- science, policymaking, and the artistic and military fields. We are a community that has worked hard as business owners, job creators, and CEO’s to achieve the American Dream, and we have become a driving force for our economy- that is something to be honored and celebrated.” Taking place at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC, the Hispanic Heritage Month Power Gala Leadership Award continued on page 14