Vol. 51, No. 2 Special Section Temple City, San Gabriel, & ROSEMEAD PAGE 7
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966 Local Events
Chalk Talk
Sports
Movie Reviews
page 2, 4
page 5
page 9
page 3
The YWCA PasadenaFoothill Valley Teams up with the Paul Mitchell School
T
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
he YWCA PasadenaFoothill Valley teamed up with the Paul Mitchell School of Pasadena to host their Annual Just for Girls Holiday Party at their facility on Friday, December 14, 2012. The YWCA Pasadena has been hosting their Annual Holiday Party for over ten years and they have served over 500 girls in their last fiscal year. More than sixty mothers and daughters were treated to a spa night that included hair, nails and make-up makeovers. “We are so thankful that the Paul Mitchell school here in Pasadena saw the importance of the program that we offer and decided to be a part of such a wonderful end of year celebration,” says Ada Rodriguez, Program Assistant at the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley. The programs offered at the YWCA help girls overcome their challenges by allowing them to redefine themselves. Just for Girls (JFG) is a year-round program that offers support, mentoring, education, and a safe, fun environment for economically disadvantaged girls.
January 9, 2013
El Monte Police Officer’s Association & Auxiliary Finish 2012 in “Solidarity with the Community!”
by Crystal Hernandez
JFG’s goal is to help participant’s complete high school and pursue post-secondary education, maintain healthy lifestyles and relationships, and prepare to succeed in the job market. “Our 2012 Just For Girls
Holiday Party was a huge success, and an enjoyable event to wrap-up yet another exciting year of Just For Girls and TECHGyrls programming. The YWCA is grateful to know that not only do our mothers support the services we provide their daughters,
but so do local businesses and schools such as Paul Mitchell – Pasadena, whose students donated their services to pamper our girls and their mothers. We are looking forward to the fun adventures that 2013 holds for the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley” says Tamika Farr, Executive Director at the YWCA PasadenaFoothill Valley. The YWCA offers several other programs for women and girls in the community including their TECHGyrls, Just For Girls Summer Camp, Adult Computer Class, EncorePlus Mammograms and Fun & Fit Nutrition and Exercise Series. Additional details about these programs can be found on the organizations website, www. tions are still being accepted for the Just For Girls Program, please call the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley at 626-296-8433. For more information about other programs offered, please contact the Program Manager, Karen Draine via phone or email kdraine@ywca-pasadena.org.
by Ben Lowry, President
The El Monte Police Officer’s Association (EMPOA) started 2012 with the goal of doing a better job at living their motto, “Solidarity with the Community!” Consequently, the EMPOA has done much to live up to their promise. In order to preserve the critical staffing levels and services provided to the community, the EMPOA has taken pay cuts for the past three years and has committed to three more years of pay cuts. Additionally, the EMPOA voluntarily restructured pensions, medical, and fringe benefits to help address short and longterm budget concerns. The EMPOA also agreed to no increases until the City of El Monte is able to restore an appropriate cash reserve. El Monte’s elected officials and executive staff has applauded the unprecedented level of cooperation and commitment shown by the EMPOA towards the residents and businesses in El Monte. The EMPOA considers the
formation of the EMPOA Auxiliary as their crowning achievement for 2012. EMPOA President Ben Lowry said: “In order to have true ‘Solidarity with the Community,’ we need the community itself to become a part of our decision making process.” The EMPOA turned to long time El Monte resident and retired EMPD police officer, Richard Thomas, to be their Director of Public Affairs. After discussing the goals of the EMPOA, Thomas suggested that EMPOA form a group of diverse and civic-minded members of the community to help guide the efforts of the EMPOA. The “EMPOA Auxiliary” was formed and tasked with finding ways to help the EMPOA contribute to the community in ways that are more meaningful. With their help, support, and guidance, the EMPOA Auxiliary has identified dozens of organizations and individuals in El Monte that needed help and support. continued on pg 14
Photo (L to R): Charles and Josie Zapata (EMPOA Auxiliary Members), Ben Lowry (EMPOA President), Perfidia Turing, Isabelle Pinedo, & Mercy Lopez (Villa Raintree Residents).