MONTEBELLO People, Places, & Events Follow us on facebook www.MontebelloReporter.com VOL. 7 NO.4 APRIL 2021 GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND Montebello resident and Boy Scout Ram Alen Garcia dedicates Eagle Scout project to Beverly Hospital’s Frontline Heroes After learning about the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortage from numerous articles, media outlets, and his own mother, Ram Alen Garcia was inspired to take action and to help his local frontline heroes. He decided to start crafting face shields by hand. He made his first donation of face shields to Beverly Hospital back in April of 2020. But he knew there was more he could do. Ram, a member of Boy Scout Troop 476, was preparing for his Eagle Scout project late 2020. When it came to selecting the beneficiary, he chose Beverly Hospital because he felt in his heart the desire to help healthcare heroes come home safely. “This project is one that meant a lot to me, because I think a lot about my mom when she leaves the house to go to work, and I constantly worry about what will happen to her there,” said Ram, “(I think about the) front- liners who leave their own families to protect others. I wanted to help protect them so they can return to their families happy and healthy.” After receiving project approval, the boy scout set out to raise the much needed funds on GoFundMe. Within 14 hours, his fundraiser received nearly tripled the requested amount. After receiving the funds, he taught and enlisted the help of his fellow boy scouts for creating quality face shields. The project was complet- ed within a week! The young leader presented 410 handcrafted face shields, a multitude of snacks, and a monetary donation to Beverly Hospital on March 10, 2021. Continued page 19 Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for one who believes." MONTEBELLO MAYOR HELPS CELEBRATE VETERANS 100TH Long time Montebello resident, Mel Askanas, celebrated his 100th birthday on March 13, 2021. The celebration took place at his daughters home in La Habra with a drive-by parade. He was honored to have many La Habra police officers, a Fire Truck, American Legion, La Habra Mayor Rose Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Medrano, and former Mon- tebello Police Chief Steve Simonian and La Habra Councilmember James Gomez in atten- dance. He also was honored to have Montebello Mayor Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne, whose is a good friend of Mel’s there. Mel is a World War II Army Veteran. He was assigned to the 3881st Quartermaster Truck Co. He was transported on the SS Queen Mary from New York City Harbor across the Atlantic to Europe and was on Utah Beach Normandy on D-Day. Continued page 16 Pictured: Mel Askanas with Montebello Mayor Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne and husband James Cawthorne Great Way to Honor & Surprise Mom! THE MONTEBELLO REPORTER WILL BE HONORING MOTHERS IN OUR MAY ISSUE FOR MOTHERS DAY! Please send us your favorite photo of your Mom and we will select random pictures to be published in our May issue. LUNCH RAISED SPIRITS AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL STORY ON PAGE 17 Send picture to [email protected]. APRIL 2021 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 HOLY THURSDAY GOOD FRIDAY April Fl's Day Nat'l. Burrito Day 4 5 6 7 Nation 8 9 10 Beer Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 MONTEBELLO COUNCIL MEETING 6:30pm 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HAPPY RECOGNIZING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 25 26 27 28 29 30 MONTEBELLO COUNCIL MEETING Duke 6:30pm Ellington Day 60 Fwy Exit Garfield Ford of Montebello has over 500 New Fords, Certified Fords and a variety of Pre-Owned Vehicles. Good credit, bad credit, come see us. Shop our vehicles online or call to upgrade your vehicle today! FORD OF MONTEBELLO 2747 Via Campo Montebello, CA (888) 852-8565 www.fordofmontebello.com MONTEBELLO REPORTER APRIL 2021 Community 3 SHOPS HOLD VIRTUAL FASHION SHOW The Shops at Montebello in partnership with Schurr High School’s FIDM Fashion The virtual event took place in a vacant store and featured DJ Tempoe in the mix Club hosted an Instagram LIVE Fashion Show on Friday, March 15th. Due to LA and a festive décor. In addition, the first 200 High School students to RSVP County Public Health strict mandates, the annual Prom Preview Fashion Show received a DIY swag bag filled with blue light glasses, a zoom selfie light and pivoted to a digital Instagram LIVE Fashion Show featuring looks from eight more. Center retailers including Macy’s, Forever 21 and H&M. Students were invited to decorate their tote bags and submit their designs for a FIDM Fashion Club members were challenged to design three looks around a chance to be featured in the Fashion Show. The Fashion Show was broadcasted staple piece and within a given budget. What resulted was 24 unique and fresh on the Center’s Instagram account and can be viewed on their IGTV channel. looks inspired by each student’s style. Photos by Ernest Peralta Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for one who believes." Valid for new non EXAM & insured patients. DR.PHILIP CHANG Must present coupon. X-RAYS Expires 04/30/21 USC GRADUATE BRACES SPECIAL Se Habla Español Emergency Care Available 0% Interest Financing Available FREE CONSULTATION for qualified patients Limited Time Offer. Must present coupon. We Accept Dental Insurance & Medical On cases over $3700. Expires 04/30/21 IMPLANT & We Open on Saturdays IMPLANT SPECIAL ORTHODONTICS get a BRIGHTER, WHITER smile Including Abutment & Dental Crown. Limited time offer. Some restrictions apply. Must present coupon. Expires 4/30/21 in about an HOUR Valid with this coupon. Expires 4/30/21 MONTEBELLO REPORTER 4 Community APRIL 2021 MONTEBELLO REPORTER THE MAYOR’S CORNER is published monthly. Gilbert Espino Co-publisher and Editor Sarkis Sandukhtyan Co-publisher and Editor Anne Donofrio-Holter Contributing Writer Fred Zermeno Dear Residents, ● Gym. Fitness Centers, and Yoga Studios: Indoor Sports Page operation will be allowed at 10% capacity, Climbing walls will First and foremost, the progress we have made in our fight be available for use, gyms may offer personal training, and Isaiah Roa against the virus should be commended. The countless masks will always be required Bearington Post sacrifices made by our frontline and essential workers have ● Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums: Will be restricted to an allowed our city and our state to move from the Purple Tier indoor capacity of 25% ● Wineries, Breweries and into the Red Tier. With over 2 million Covid-19 vaccines Distilleries: where meals are not served may open outdoors administered our state has taken the first step to opening up Ernest Peralta our economy safely and effectively. The change from Purple only. Guests must remain seated at a table and must be Contributing Photographer to Red Tier will allow for more lenient restrictions on local limited to 90 minutes. businesses and public centers which will surely come as a Publisher shall not be liable for errors or damages from relief to many. While this is certainly a time for celebration, it is most errors in advertising except up to the actual occupied The following includes the changes to the statewide definitely not a time for complacency, our fight against the by the item appearing in error. Montebello Reporter reserves the right to approve or reject any and all Covid-safe protocols which will be followed under the Red virus is still far from over and for now this will continue to be copy and assumes no responsibility for errors not of its Tier: our new normal. We must remember not to see our progress making. This newspaper cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited news release or photograph. as a sign that we have passed the worst that is yet to come ● Schools: may reopen fully for in-person instruction, but as a sign that our efforts were not in vain. This is just the We welcome letters, emails, photos, press releases, however it will be up to Local School Officials to decide if and and contributing items; however, we cannot first step in a long journey to protect our citizens against this guarantee publication or return. when this will occur, furthermore adherence to LA County Public Health school re-opening protocols will be required virus and we just continue to fight, the best thing that we can 923 Media Group all do right now is to continue following the science and ● Churches and Places of Worship: may open indoors Montebello Reporter with modifications, including a maximum of 25% capacity. safety protocols. We can continue to follow the science by Outdoor services and cultural ceremonies are still strongly practicing social distancing, washing our hands frequently, 1514vWashington Blvd. recommended. and wearing masks. These simple actions have and will Montebello, CA 90640 ● Restaurants: May allow indoor dining with modification, continue to slow the spread and are imperative to protect our 323-513-7581 including: a maximum capacity of 25% capacity or 100 neighbors as we continue to get this virus under control. people, 8 feet of distance between tables, and one [email protected] household portable with a limit of 6 people. In addition, Thank you all and remember to stay Safe, Happy, and Outdoor dining will expand from one household per table up Healthy, to 3, or up to 6 people To Advertise Call ● Movie Theaters: Indoor operation will allow for a maximum of 25% or 100 people,whichever is fewer, and Mayor Kimberly Cobos-Cawthorne 323-513-7581 reserved seating will be required or 626-319-1620 MONTEBELLO REPORTER APRIL 2021 Community 5 KAYLIE WELCH IS PROMOTED TO AIR FORCE CAPTAIN Kaylie Welch, daughter of Barbara Risher Welch and her husband Greg, owners of Risher Mortuary, has been promoted to Captain in the United States Air Force.