THE PICO RIVERA VOL. 46 · NO. 10 WINTER 2019-20

Parks & RecPreaartkiosn & Recreation Parks & RecreatiPoanrks & Recreation CITY OF PICO RIVERA CCITY A OF PICO RIVERA CA download usCITY on OF PICO RIVERA CA followCITY O usF PICO RIVERA CA like us follow us follow us on PICORIVERAORG | RECREATIONPICORIVERAOPICORIVERAORG RG | RECREATIONPICORIVERAOPROFILEyourRG mobile PICORIVERAORG device | RECREATIONPICORIVERAO@PicoRiveraCityPICORIVERAORG RG | RECREATIONPICORIVERAORG @cityofpicorivera @cityofpicorivera Snapchat PERFECT STRANGERS MEET longtime residents of the City of Pico detailed. It was in the details that both Rivera, didn’t know each other before realized after over 80 years, they were coming to the City’s Veterans Day in the same outfit together, the 91st Ceremony. They never knew where Infantry Division. They never once they came from, and as far as they crossed paths, at least not that they knew, were just two veterans, World were aware of. As both were talking, War II veterans, attending a ceremony. both were reliving their experiences, It wasn’t until afterwards that the two each having a different perspective, started talking, they realized they each talking about the same place weren’t strangers. and the same time. It was a unique In a world so big, it just became experience to see these two interact. small. In a war that Joe has described Isaias would look over to Joe and ask as “hell,” a war that him if he remembered certain events, involved so many young it was literally like they have known 91st Infantry men from cities each other for years. As one told their Division across the United story of their time in Italy or Germany, insignia States, these two the other would nod their head in strangers fought agreement and add certain details the together and other might have forgotten. Every year, the City hosts a Veterans make it out each didn’t even As they continued to talk about Day Ceremony where the community year who have told know it until their experiences after the ceremony, comes together and honors our the stories of World they were the realizations of war and what both local veterans. Each year, the event War II. talking to had endured were starting to show. grows with hundreds of veterans Often, many of the each other However, it was an experience they descending to the Library parking lot veterans meet each day, after the can now share with each other, each and adjacent Veterans Memorial Plaza each week or each month ceremony. offering each other an ear to listen to be recognized for their bravery at local American Legions Like many who to and perhaps a few story antidotes. and sacrifice. Through the years, or Veterans of Foreign Wars have served Both families have said that these many veterans have shared stories of posts located in the City. Like in the United two were planning to meet up over their time in combat. The veterans a close knit family, a band of States Military, coffee in the near future, sparking a who attend have seen battle in Iraq, brothers, they know each other and sharing stories friendship that perhaps should have Afghanistan, or other parts of the they help each other. Last month, a is common among started years ago, but only now it has Middle East. Some veterans have been new bond was formed. It was a special veterans. When a just begun. through the conflicts in Korea and bond for two World War II veterans. World War II veteran meets another, Vietnam. There are very few who still Joe Lopez and Isaias Pena, both conversations get emotional and

The City of Pico Rivera wishes Pico Rivera's Best is now 's Best your family a Happy Holidays! So that our team can spend From the soccer fields of Pico time with their families this Rivera to the soccer field of success Holiday season, All City in Seattle, brothers and Facilities will be CLOSED on have turned their Wednesday, December 25, talents into Major League Success. The two local sports heroes play 2019 and Wednesday, January for the (MLS) 1, 2020. The City’s Camp franchise, Seattle Sounders FC. Both program will also be closed have played soccer all their lives, in on these dates.Have a safe fact both played soccer locally at Holiday season and Smith Park and later at El Rancho High Happy New Year! School for the school’s soccer team. Cristian Roldan graduated from El Rancho High School in 2013, receiving a scholarship to attend the University of to play with the soccer team. Eventually, Cristian would be Photo courtesy of Mike Fiechtner/Sounders FC Communications drafted to play as a midfielder on

the Seattle Sounders FC in 2015. with the until he was and determination showed last month PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE Additionally, Cristian has played on recruited by the Seattle Sounders FC when they helped their team, the PROFILE PAID P. O. Box 1016 · 6615 Passons Blvd. PERMIT NO. 2244 the U.S. National Soccer team on two in 2018 where he plays as a midfielder Seattle Sounders FC, win the 2019 Pico Rivera, CA · 90660-1016 SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA occasions. with his brother Cristian. MLS Cup Championship. This is the

Younger brother Alex Roldan All the years of playing soccer, from second MLS Cup for Cristian Roldan, POSTAL PATRON graduated from El Rancho High childhood, high school, and college, the first MLS Cup for Alex Roldan and PICO RIVERA, CA 90660 School in 2014. After high school, he has led up to their success in playing the first MLS Cup Championship for attended , playing at the professional level. Their success the Seattle Sounders FC. Postmaster please deliver by Wed., Nov. 6 PROFILE PAGE 2 CITY WELCOMES NEW BUSINESS Hideit. Lock . Or Loseit. The holiday season is a special time • Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it • Shopping with kids? Teach them to go of year. It’s also a time when normally looks like someone’s home. to a store clerk or security guard if you careful people might become careless get separated. and susceptible to crime. By taking If You Are Shopping some very simple precautions, and • Stay alert and be aware of what’s Protect Your Vehicle With all the road construction going on • . Loading up on all those gifts remembering to HIDE IT. LOCK IT. OR going on around you. HIDE IT in the City, here’s an update on the two is a sign of holiday shopping progress. LOSE IT., you can ensure you and your biggest projects taking place. • Park in a well-lit space, and be sure But if those packages are easily loved ones have a safe, secure, and to lock the car, close the windows, and visible inside the car, your car has now happy holiday season. hide shopping bags and gifts in the become a likely target for thieves. Here are some ways to keep trunk. • LOCK IT. Always lock your vehicle yourself and your belongings • Avoid carrying large amounts of and store all items out of sight. safe: cash; pay with a check or credit card Breaking into an empty car isn’t worth whenever possible. If You Are Out for the Evening a thief’s time. However, anything left • LOCK all entries. Be extra cautious • Deter pickpockets and purse- in plain view—from your holiday gifts about locking doors and windows snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell when you leave, even if it’s just for a with packages. Be extra careful with phones or briefcases—may tempt a few minutes. purses and wallets. Carry a purse thief. close to your body, not dangling by the • HIDE the gifts. Don’t display gifts • Help prevent your vehicle from straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or where they can be seen from outside. being stolen by always locking your front pants pocket. car and using anti-theft devices. And although it’s cold, never leave your vehicle running while you run inside Sheriff's Station Safe your home or a store - even if for only a minute or two. Exchange Zone After You Have Opened the Gifts • Burglars know that many households Residents who recently purchased an item from the internet or from a have new, and oftentimes expensive, Gateway Cities Council newspaper ad and need to meet the seller to retrieve their item can now do items in their homes following the so safely at the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station. The Station recently marked two of Governments (COG) December holidays—especially items parking stalls in their public parking lot specifically for this purpose. The stalls Hot Spots Project such as new computers, televisions, are marked with “Exchange Zone” and are completely free and especially safe cameras and other electronic to use. The Hot Spots intersection equipment. It is easy for burglars improvement project at the to figure out which homes to target intersection of Rosemead Boulevard by looking at the empty boxes that and Beverly Boulevard continues. identify these new gifts in plain view Street improvements for the project with their other garbage. Avoid this by are expected to begin in January 2020 not leaving empty boxes in the alley and be completed in August 2020. or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a recycling bin. (In many cases, especially with computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future.) Think about keeping broken-down boxes Sheriff's Senior Safety Seminar inside—in a garage, for example—until the evening before your regular Deputies from the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station will be hosting a special garbage pick-up. Some burglars Senior Safety Seminar at the Pico Rivera Senior Center on Thursday, January actually look inside garbage cans for 16, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. evidence of holiday gifts. The Sheriff’s Department recognizes that the elderly is one of the most Reducing crime in our community vulnerable population when it comes to fraud. During the Safety Seminar, requires everyone’s involvement. In Seniors will learn about current trends, fraud recognition, identity theft, and addition to the following the tips above, how they can protect themselves from being a victim. residents are encouraged to report any Station detectives and the Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau will be suspicious activity to the Los Angeles presenting and will be available for individual questions or concerns. County Sheriff’s Department, Pico The Senior Safety Seminar is free and no rsvp is necessary. For more Rivera Station, by calling 562.949.2421 information about the Senior Safety Seminar, call the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s or 911 in an emergency. Alameda Corridor East Station at 562.949.2421. (ACE) Durfee Grade upcoming city This Month on CTV Separation Project meetings We're on the air...Tune in this Winter to see California's , Live at the Ford's PROFILE All meetings are held in the Council Preparation work continues for the Editor Gabriel Castorena "Traditional Dance of Korea", and the Vintage Chambers of City Hall, 6615 Passons Vehicle Show. Watch live coverage of the City Durfee Avenue Grade Separation Layout & Design Gabriel Daigle Blvd., unless otherwise noted. Council meetings on Dec. 10, Jan. 14 & 28 at pump station. The pump station will Staff Writers Gabriel Castorena 6:00 p.m. Also catch live coverage of ERUSD City Council Meeting remove storm water from the future Jonathan Barron Board Meetings. Schedule at pico-rivera.org. Tu, Dec. 10, Jan. 14 & 28, 6 p.m. underpass roadway. Around the Contributing Staff Marlene Perez Spectrum Cable, Channel 3 · Frontier FioS project site, utility relocations related Planning Commission Channel 33 · AT&T U-Verse, Channel 99 Photographers Robert Moreno to the project are ongoing. Call 562.942.2000 for current Gabriel Castorena month's schedule. Follow the City’s Facebook page Sign up for CITY E-MAILS The Pico Rivera Profile is produced by the City and Twitter page for the latest news of Pico Rivera and is distributed to residents Parks & Recreation Commission Receive important City news, information, on area street closures and updates on and businesses as an educational service. For Th, Dec. 12 & Jan. 9, 6 p.m. updates, special messages and alerts by information about the Profile contact the Media subscribing to the City’s e-newsletter service. these projects. and Communications Division at 562.801.4217. Simply email us at [email protected]. PAGE 3 PROFILE Holiday Tree Recycling Letters to Join the 93% of Americans who will recycle their Christmas trees this year. The City of Pico Rivera is once again partnering with the County Sanitation District of Santa Los Angeles and NASA Services to recycle natural Christmas trees. Since natural Christmas trees are biodegradable, they can easily be chipped into mulch, which helps protect plant roots, inhibit weed growth, and retain moisture thus reducing water usage. To recycle your Christmas tree follow these three simple steps: v Remove all the ornaments, tinsel, non-wood tree stands and lights from your tree v Do NOT put your tree in a tree bag v Leave the tree on the curb just like you would your regular green waste recycling bins

Trees will be collected on your regularly scheduled pick up date through January 17, 2020. The Christmas season can also create extra trash. To prevent overflowing trash cans, please participate in the City’s blue bin recycling Holiday Fire program. Cardboard packaging, Christmas boxes, wrapping paper and Christmas cards Protection can all be recycled. Place these items in your blue bin along Many residents take pride in with other recyclables such as milk their holiday decorations, from Hey kids, it’s time to send a jugs, detergent containers, beverage exterior lighting decorations to top letter with your Holiday wish list to containers, newspaper, magazines, notch Christmas tree decorations. Santa. junk mail, and tin cans. Please place Remember to be safe while installing You can drop off your letters only clean, dry items in your recycle those decorations, especially dealing NOW through Friday, December bin. with electrical lights. Below are some 13 at special mailboxes set up by For more information on tips from the Los Angeles County Fire the City’s Parks and Recreation Christmas tree recycling or Blue Department to keep your home safe Department. Mailbox locations Bin Recycling program, call NASA from fires during the Holiday season. include City Hall, 6615 Passons Services at 1.888.888.0388. Boulevard; the Parks & Recreation Building, 6767 Passons Boulevard, Holiday Trees and; all City park facilities. Letters If putting up a fresh tree, select may also be mailed to: one with a sticky trunk and green Daddy Daughter Luau needles that don’t come easily off the City of Pico Rivera The City will be hosting a Daddy DJ, food and drinks, games, and more. tree. Keep your tree away from heat c/o North Pole Daughter “Luau”; a fun-filled evening Be sure to come dressed in your best sources, including heater vents and P.O. Box 1016 for girls and their fathers. The evening Hawaiian gear and be ready to have a fireplaces. Put the tree in a stand that Pico Rivera, CA 90660 event will include Music provided by a HULA good time! can hold water and keep the stand The Daddy Daughter “Luau” is filled at all times. Do not keep your So whether you’ve been open to girls ages five through 13 tree up for more than two weeks. If naughty or nice, don’t miss this years old with an accompanying dad, using an artificial tree, make sure it is opportunity to tell Santa what grandfather, uncle, or adult male flame retardant. you’d like to see under your guardian. The event will be held at the Holiday tree. You may even get Pico Rivera Senior Center from 5:00 a reply signed by Santa himself. Decorations to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15. Parents, be sure to include a Use only nonflammable decorations on Tickets must be purchased in advance self-addressed stamped envelope your tree and around the house. Never at the Recreation Office, 6767 Passons with your child’s letter. put lit candles on your tree, and keep Blvd. Pre-sale tickets are now available For more information, call all open flame away from your tree. through Friday, January 31, 2020 for 562.801.4430. $15 per person. Tickets will be $20 per person after January 31. Electrical Safety Limited tickets are available, so Inspect your holiday lights for frayed purchase tickets early. For more or kinked wires, broken or cracked information, call 562.801.4430. sockets and gaps in the insulation. Only use lights listed by an approved testing laboratory. If in doubt, replace CITY WELCOMES NEW BREWERY them. Do not overload electrical Last month, the City welcomed its first Brewery to the City Business Family. sockets with too many lights or Owners, Investors and Family stand proudly inside the new family business appliances. Wires should NOT be venture, Brewjeria Company, located at 4937 Durfee Avenue. Pictured from warm to the touch. Don’t leave lights L to R are Evelyn Bond, Agustin Ruelas, Jaime Cardenas, Adrian Ruelas, on while unattended. Adrian Gonzalez, and Raul Gomez. General Fire Tips Never put tree branches or wrapping Holiday paper in the fireplace. If using lit candles as household decorations, Collection make sure they are in stable holders and located where they can’t be easily Schedule knocked over. Never leave lit candles There will be no trash service on unattended. Always have working fire Wednesday, December 25 and January alarms in every room of your home, 1. Trash Service will be delayed ONE and practice your home escape plan. day and will resume on Thursday and will continue through Saturday. For more information, call NASA Services at 1.888.888.0388. PROFILE PAGE 4

Oil Recycling TRIPS and TOURS The City of Pico Rivera will be This upcoming Winter/Spring session, hosting a used make plans to take an exciting trip with motor oil filter the City’s Trips and Tours Program. exchange event Here’s where we will be visiting in 2020. on Saturday, January 11, Road to California Quilt 2020 from 9:00 Conference & Showcase a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ontario at AutoZone, Friday, January 24 9234 Slauson Ave. In exchange 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for recycling their used motor oil $21 per person (all ages) filters, residents will receive new Lowe's Helps Refurbish Post 411 Registration Deadline: 12/13 motor oil filters free of charge. (Pico Volunteers from local Lowe’s and Norwalk, American Post Legion Rivera residents may receive up to Hardware stores came together last Members, and the Women’s Auxiliary, Rose Bowl Flea Market 2 new filters in exchange for 2 used month and helped refurbish American work began on the much needed Pasadena filters; filters valued up to $15 each; Legion Post 411 through the Lowe's upgrades to the Post. Sunday, February 9 restrictions apply; while supplies last.) Hero Program. Renovations to the Post this time 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. After your next oil change, bring in The facility that Post 411 occupies around included the rebuilding $20 per person (ages 12 and over) your used oil and filter and receive was donated to the American Legion of the kitchen area including new $5 per person (ages 11 and under) vouchers for new oil filters. in 1951 by a manufacturing company. floors, cabinets, and counter tops, Registration Deadline: 1/17 The City of Pico Rivera encourages The building is believed to be over a installation of new ceiling panels, all residents to participate in the 100 years old. Since the donation of interior and exterior painting of the event and to regularly recycle the building, the facility hasn’t seen hall, refurbishing of the outdoor their used motor oil and filters at any major upgrades up until the last barbeque pit and outdoor benches, participating Certified Collection few years when volunteers have come and repainting of the outdoor stage. Centers. Supplementary educational through to make improvements on the The Lowe’s Heroes program is materials will be available, as well as aging facility. a company-wide program giving a free recycling container for eligible Last month, the project offered by employees the opportunity to support participants. Lowe’s was approved and with the help local community improvement projects For more information regarding of volunteers from Lowe's Pico Rivera and make a lasting impact. the Filter Exchange Event, contact the Used Oil Recycling Hotline at 888-HEY-SLICK. Pico Rivera Libraries Programs Continue The Pico Rivera and Rivera Libraries will be offering several interactive programs FREE Mulch Distribution for all ages throughout the months of December, January, and February. Log on to the respective websites for a full description and schedule of programs offered. The City in collaboration with NASA Services and Whittier Fertilizer Co. will Pico Rivera Library - 9001 Mines Avenue - Los Angeles Clippers vs. be distributing FREE garden mulch lacountylibrary.org/pico-rivera-library/ Denver Nuggets on Saturday, December 21, 2019, and Rivera Library - 7828 Serapis Avenue - Los Angeles February 15, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. to lacountylibrary.org/rivera-library/ Friday, February 28 11:00 a.m. at the Whittier Fertilizer 4:00 to 10:30 p.m. Company, 9441 Kruse Road. Both libraries will close at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 24th and Tuesday $71 per person (all ages) Residents can receive one 33-gallon December 31st. Both libraries will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th (for Registration Deadline: 1/24 container of mulch, free of charge. Christmas), Wednesday, January 1st (for New Years), Monday, January 21st (for Additional containers can be filled for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), and Monday, February 18th (for President’s Day). Carlsbad Flower Fields & Outlets $1 each. Residents must bring their Carlsbad own containers as there will be none Saturday, March 21 available at the site. Rio Hondo College Spring 2020 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The mulch distribution is part of the $37 per person (ages 3 and over) City’s green waste recycling program. Registration Now Accepted FREE (ages 2 and under) For more information about mulch Registration Deadline: 2/21 distributions as well as the City’s Pico Rivera Satellite location to offer more than a recycling program, call 562.801.4436. dozen classes for local students Petersen Automotive Museum & L.A.’s Original Farmers Market Announcement to Open registration for new students is now underway for the Rio Hondo College Los Angeles Spring 2020 session. Intersession begins on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Spring Saturday, April 18 the Residents and semester begins on Monday, January 25, 2020 and continues through Thursday, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Apartment Owners of May 21, 2020. $25 per person (ages 18-61) Residents are reminded that they can take many of the classes offered at Rio $18 per person (ages 62 and up & the City of Pico Rivera Hondo College right here at the Rio Hondo Center at Pico Rivera. ages 17 and under) The Center at Pico Rivera currently offers the following classes: Advance City Council will consider a draft Registration Deadline: 3/20 Composition, Child Growth and Development, College Algebra, College & Life ordinance establishing a new rental Success, Government of the United States, History of Rap/Hip Hop Culture, housing inspection program to help All trips depart from and return History of the United States since the City ensure existing rental units to the Pico Rivera Senior Center, 1865, Introduction to Psychology, are safely maintained for Pico Rivera 9200 Mines Avenue. Registration Introduction to Sociology, Public residents. The inspection program is accepted at all City park sites, Speaking, Spanish I, and Statistics. will not only address the interiors of the Department of Parks and A full description of all the above the units, but also the maintenance of Recreation Office, 6767 Passons classes is available on the Rio Hondo the exterior of the structures, which Boulevard, and online at pico- College website at riohondo.edu. includes facilities such as pools, laundry rivera.org. Register early to The Rio Hondo Education Center rooms, and club-houses. The City reserve your seat on one or all of at Pico Rivera is located at 9426 expects significant improvement in the these trips. Marjorie Street, just across the condition and quality of rental housing For more information, call street from El Rancho High School. as a result of the proposed program. the Department of Parks and For more information about the Staff will present the draft ordinance to Recreation at 562.801.4430. classes offered at the Pico Rivera City Council in early 2020. Center, call 562.222.1482.