El Monte - Temple City - Duarte - South El Monte - Monrovia - Sierra Madre - Arcadia - Rosemead - San Gabriel
117 years ago 39 residents of Arcadia voted to become an incorporated city In This issue
July 27, 2020 Vol.3 No.7
On July 27, 1903, 39 residents of Arcadia voted to become an incorporated city. In honor of this anniversary, we’re sharing this 1941 map of Arcadia from our collection. In the early 1940s, the land that is now the Los Ange- les County Arboretum & Botanic Garden was owned by Harry Chandler (publisher of the LA Times) who bought it from Anita Baldwin in 1936.
By 1947, at the urging of the Arboretum Committee of the Southern California Horticultural Institute, the State of California and County of Los Angeles jointly purchased 111 acres from Chandler to create an arboretum around Lucky Baldwin's home-site. Read up on more Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden history on our website: https://www.arboretum.org/explore-2/our-history/.
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden Chronology ca. 500 B.C. A native village later identified by Hugo Reid as Aleupkigna (“place of many waters”) is established near the-natural lake on today’s site.
1771 Mission San Gabriel is founded. Native inhabitants are referred to as “Gabrielinos.” Ca. 1800 Rancho Santa Anita is established as an agricultural outpost of Mission San Gabriel.
1839 Don Perfecto Hugo Reid petitions for 3 square leagues (13,319 acres) of Rancho Santa Anita. He will re- ceive provisional title in 1841 and full title in 1845.
1840 Hugo Reid constructs “a house of stone” near the lake at Santa Anita.
1847 Henry Dalton purchases Rancho Santa Anita from Hugo Reid for $2,700.
1854 Dalton sells Rancho Santa Anita to Joseph Rowe for $33,000.
1858 Rowe sells Rancho Santa Anita at a loss to Albert Dibblee and William Corbitt
1865 William Wolfskill purchases 11,319 acres of Rancho Santa Anita for $20,000.
1872 William’s son Luis Wolfskill sells about 8,500 acres of Rancho Santa Anita, including the lakeside property, to Harris Newmark for $85,000.
1875 Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin purchases Rancho Santa Anita for $200,000. ca. 1877 Baldwin renovates the Hugo Reid Adobe, creating an 8-room, L-shaped home with a new wooden wing attached to the old adobe structure. ca. 1879 The red and white Coach Barn is constructed. ca. 1880 Baldwin imports peafowl from India to adorn his new Santa Anita property.
1885-86 The Cottage, Baldwin’s guesthouse, is completed on the shore of Baldwin Lake. ca. 1887 Lucky Baldwin deepens the lake basin by 10-12 feet and lines the perimeter with a granite boulder- WWW.CARDONMEDIA.COM topped wall. Continued on Page 2
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Continued from Page 1 1890 The Santa Anita Depot is constructed at today’s Colorado Blvd. and Old Ranch Rd. using Baldwin-manufactured bricks.
1909 Lucky Baldwin dies of pneumonia in his Adobe home.
1912 Anita Baldwin constructs her own 50-room home, Anoakia, at the corner of today’s Baldwin Ave. and Foothill Blvd.
1936 Anita Baldwin sells the remaining 1,300 acres of Rancho Santa Anita to Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times.
1936-47 Chandler’s real estate organization, Rancho Santa Anita, Inc. undertakes subdivision of the old ranch lands.
1947 With urging from Dr. Samuel Ayres’ Arboretum Committee of the Southern California Horticultural Institute, the State of California and County of Los Angeles jointly purchase 111 acres from Rancho Santa Anita, Inc. to create an arboretum around the Baldwin home-site (deed granted Feb. 17; recorded Oct. 2).
1948 The California Arboretum Foundation is incorporated as a non-profit organization to sublease and administer the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum (Feb. 20).
1948 Dr. Frans Verdoorn is hired as the first Director of the Arboretum (Oct. 1). Dr. Verdoorn secures the first 1,000 volumes for an Arboretum library. George Spalding is hired as Arboretum horticulturist.
1949 An Historical Committee is created under Susanna Bryant Dakin to oversee the restoration of the historic buildings on The Arboretum grounds.
1949 The first Arbor Day ceremony is held at The Arboretum with the planting of a holly oak near the Coach Barn.
1949 Los Angeles County purchases a 9-acre, 200-foot wide strip along the eastern boundary (Baldwin Ave.) from Rancho Santa Anita, Inc. to cre- ate an esplanade and parking area.
1949 Pre-fabricated wooden buildings are erected on the grounds at the Old Ranch Rd. gate. The larger serves as an administration building/library and the other is the caretaker’s residence.
1949 The first Arboretum greenhouse with adjoining lath house is constructed in today’s African section.
1949 All plants growing on the grounds are inventoried and mounted specimens are made for Herbarium files.
1950 A Master Plan created by Harry Sims Bent is adopted by the County of Los Angeles and the California Arboretum Foundation.
1950 Dr. Russell Seibert is appointed Director of the Arboretum (June 1).
1950 County capital improvements include removal of trees from road areas, grading of roadways around the lake and west acres, and re- positioning of the lake outlet from south to north.
1950 An official weather station is established on The Arboretum grounds.
1950 Test plantings of Eucalyptus and Acacia are established in today’s Australian section.
1950 Los Angeles County contributes $34,000 toward an Arboretum research program for testing, propagation and introduction of new species and varieties of plants from worldwide sources.
1950 Volume 1, No. 1 of LASCA Leaves, an Arboretum quarterly journal, is issued (October).
1951 The first permanent plantings on The Arboretum grounds are initiated with some 1,000 trees.
1951 County capital improvements include grading the remainder of the major road system and installation of water main and sewage lines.
1951 The new Baldwin Avenue alignment is set; through access from Colorado Blvd. to Huntington Dr. will be available within a year.
1952 Restoration of the Queen Anne Cottage begins under the direction of the Historical Committee. It will be completed in 1953.
1953 The California Arboretum Foundation relinquishes direct management of The Arboretum to Los Angeles County, which establishes a new Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens to administer the property (July 1).
1953 Two additional parcels of land are purchased along Baldwin Ave. to bring the Arboretum to its present 127 acres.
1953 The first greenhouse is constructed for the new nursery/propagation area in the northeast corner of The Arboretum.
1953 The first wing of the Service building is begun. The complex will be completed in 1955.
1954 Photograph and slide files are begun.
1954 A hedge of bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) is planted along the Baldwin Ave. fence as a sight and sound barrier.
1954 Public restrooms are completed at the Baldwin Ave. entrance.
1955 The Arboretum is formally opened to the public (Jan. 9), though tours are available on Sundays only at first.
1955 The Herb Garden is laid out by members of the Herb Society of America, Southern California unit.
1955 Director Seibert resigns. Dr. William Stewart becomes the new Arboretum Director.
1956 Color postcards of Baldwin Lake, the Queen Anne Cottage, the Coach Barn and the Jungle area are sold by CAF.
1956 The Herb Society of America plants a Victorian Rose Garden not far from the Herb Garden.
1956 The Annual and Perennial test and display garden is laid out in semi-circular beds in the west acres (today’s Meadowbrook).
1956 Archaeological work is begun in the Hugo Reid Adobe courtyard. The project will continue through 1958.
1956 California State Assembly Bill #430 authorizes the Arboretum to distribute new plant introductions at cost to commercial nurseries.
1956 Storm drains are completed underground across the entry (Bauer Pool) lawn.
1956 The Administration building and Gatehouse complex is completed.
1956 The Arboretum is opened to the public on a 7-day a week basis (December).
1957 The first 3 of 4 orchid greenhouses are constructed just west of the service area. Continued on Page 4
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1957 Avocados, ornamental figs and an economic fruit orchard are added to Tallac Knoll plantings. Continued from page 2
1957 A formal Youth Education program is initiated with Saturday and after school classes for children.
1957 A formal Adult Education program begins in the fall. with eight classes taught by staff members. Subscribe to the San Gabriel Valley NOW digital newspaper to receive it in 1957 A school field tour program is begun using staff as guides. your inbox for FREE!! 1957 A system of grid markers is installed throughout The Arboretum at 200-foot intervals to facilitate a complete mapping of the grounds.
1957 Research topics include plant introductions, fire retardant plants, smog and plants, turf grasses, oak root fungus, and experiments with gibberellic acids.
1957 The Arboretum presents its first plant introduction, Felicia amelloides “Santa Anita” (a blue marguerite daisy). Plant introductions will continue on a yearly basis through 1991
1958 Sunset Home Demonstration Gardens are dedicated (May).
1958 The Lucky Baldwin Coach Barn is restored by the State of California.
1959 The Southern California chapter of the American Begonia Society donates a glasshouse for the Arboretum begonia collection.
1959 The Library/Lecture Hall complex is completed.
1959 The Biblical Garden atop Tallac Knoll is completed.
1959 Reconstruction of the Hugo Reid Adobe is undertaken by the State of California. Four native kiys are part of the project.
1959 Restrooms in the Historical Section are completed.
1960 The Arboretum auctions off almost 150 peafowl.
1960 Pancho the burro arrives at The Arboretum.
1960 Demonstration turf plots are planted north of the Library as is a display of ground covers.
1960 A formal Herbarium is started with specimens dating back to 1949.
1961 Grading begins and water lines are installed for the entryway project.
1961 A citrus grove is planted around the Rose Garden.
1961 The Baldwin Boathouse is reconstructed on its original site near the Queen Anne Cottage.
1963 The entryway project, consisting of the central Bauer Pool and gateway (or McFie) Pool, is completed and lawns are planted between the pools and out to Baldwin Avenue. 1963 The South American plant section is moved from an area near Old Ranch Rd. to the south slope of Tallac Knoll. 1964 Over 70 trees are moved from other areas of the Arboretum to the formal entryway near the Bauer and McFie Pools.
1966 A 215-car parking lot is constructed at the south end of the Arboretum to replace parking which must be ceded on the north for new freeway ac- cess.
1967 Las Voluntarias, The Arboretum volunteer group created by Maria Stewart, is formally organized.
1967 Peacock Pavilion is completed with a coffee shop on the upper level and Gift Shop/CAF offices below
1968 Training programs for volunteer school tour leaders begin.
1968 A juniper display garden is planted just north of the Library.
1968 George Spalding starts the Plant Information “hot line” at the Arboretum.
1969 The month of January breaks a 20-year rainfall record with 20.49 inches recorded, including 7.16 inches on a single day.
1969 Ground is broken for relocation of the old Santa Anita Depot to the south parking area of The Arboretum. The Depot will be dedicated the next year.
1969 A series of 13 public service television programs on The Arboretum are filmed and televised under the title “Green Leaves.”
1969 The Manfred Meyberg waterfall is constructed with cascades from the top of Tallac Knoll.
1969 A fire starts in the jungle and rapidly spreads through the Historical Section and into a nearby neighborhood (Dec. 26).
1970 Francis Ching is appointed Director of the Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens.
1970 The first Baldwin Bonanza is held in the Lecture Hall under volunteer chairman Alice Frost Douglas. There will be no Bonanza in 1971, but the sale resumes in 1972 with a focus on plants and has continued yearly since.
1970 The Research building is completed between the nursery and service yard areas.
1970 The Baldwin Boathouse and Gabrielino kiys destroyed in the 1969 fire are rebuilt.
1971 A series of Sunday afternoon lectures given by staff for the public begins a 10- year run.
1971 The Aquatic Garden is completed on top of Tallac Knoll.
1971 The first Queen Anne Frolic is held on the lawn in front of the Cottage. The dinner/dance fund-raiser will continue as a biennial event through 1985.
1971 The Gift Shop adds books, plants and craft items made by volunteers to its inventory.
1972 A series of Sunday morning guided walks led by staff members begins what will be a 10-year run.
1972 With completion of the Foothill (210) Freeway, The Arboretum joins with the City of Arcadia in a planting project along the new Baldwin Ave. me- dian strip and in areas adjoining on and off ramps.
1972 Arbor Day celebrations held at The Arboretum are discontinued in favor of in-school tree planting programs. Continued on Page 5
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Continued from Page 4 1972 The Annual and Perennial Garden is replaced by Meadowbrook, with its 1,000-foot winding stream and plantings that emphasize seasonal color.
1972 The Garden for All Seasons is begun north of the juniper collection by Las Voluntarias as a combination flower and vegetable garden.
1972 Under President Alice Frost Douglas, CAF initiates a drive, which increases membership from 700 in 1972 to over 2,000 in 1974.
1973 George Spalding writes A History of The Arboretum – The First Twenty-Five Years.
1973 A new Gatehouse is constructed just east of the entrance steps, and visitors are now directed to enter The Arboretum through the Rotunda.
1974 Loran Whitelock donates an extensive collection of cycads for placement in the Prehistoric and Jungle Garden.
1974 The first Spring Extravaganza is held at The Arboretum with horticultural exhibits, demonstrations and lectures provided by staff and various plant societies. Spring Extravaganza will continue yearly through 1978.
1975 The Tropical Greenhouse is completed and opened to the public.
1975 A new entranceway is completed off Baldwin Ave. with a curving drive around a new fountain and pool.
1975 A large natural materials mural of the Queen Anne Cottage, designed and executed by volunteers Grace Robinson and Ruth Brankey, is hung in the Rotunda. In 1978 they also created a second mural depicting a lake scene.
1975 Arboretum attendance for fiscal year 1974-75 is 836,933, an all time high.
1976 The Prehistoric and Jungle Garden is completed with additional cycads plus ferns, dawn redwoods, gingkoes and magnolias that share a pre- historic lineage.
1977 The 450-volume horticultural library of German Seed Co. is donated to The Arboretum Library.
1977 LASCA Leaves is incorporated as an 8-page insert into a new, bimonthly national magazine, Garden.
1978 California State Proposition 13 is approved by the voters in June. Staff positions are lost immediately, and in August The Arboretum inaugu- rates entrance and tram fees to offset budget cuts. Fees are $1.00 for adults, 50 cents for children and seniors and $1.00 per person for tram seats.
1978 Youth Education programs are terminated due to personnel losses.
1978 A volunteer mapping crew begins a quadrant by quadrant survey of all plants on The Arboretum grounds.
1978 The first Christmas Open House for the public is held at the Queen Anne Cottage.
1979 Los Angeles County initiates “free admission” day at The Arboretum on the third Tuesday of every month.
1979 Four ongoing research programs are terminated due to personnel cutbacks. The entire research division would be shut down in 1981.
1979 The California Arboretum Foundation funds the first summer Horticultural Student Intern program at The Arboretum.
1979 CAF and Arcadia Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor a fund-raising concert on the lawn featuring Les Brown. Summer concerts would contin- ue with various artists into the 1980’s.
1979 Flagstone walkways replace dirt paths in the Herb Garden.
1979 Fall Garden Fair replaces Spring Extravaganza through 1980.
1980 A major windstorm fells over 100 trees including 60 eucalyptus and the 104-yearold coast redwood planted near the Coach Barn by Lucky Baldwin.
1980 Seven coast redwoods are planted in the grassy triangle near the Historical Section restrooms.
1980 The Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn are recognized for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
1980 Construction begins on the 8,900 sq. foot Hall of Environmental Education. It will be dedicated in 1981.
1981 Private contractors are employed for lawn mowing, weed control and maintenance of Baldwin Ave. parkways.
1981 The reconstructed Baldwin Boathouse is destroyed by vandals.
1982 Arboretum admission fees increase to $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for seniors and children. Tram fares also increase to $1.50 per seat.
1982 A 4-panel Interpretive Center is constructed in the African section.
1982 Fall Garden Show is inaugurated at The Arboretum. The weeklong shows would continue annually through 1989.
1983 The Hall of Environmental Education is re-dedicated as Ayres Hall in honor of the founding father of The Arboretum.
1983 The Gift Shop relocates from Peacock Pavilion to an expanded version of the old gatehouse at the former exit-way.
1984 New walkways are constructed west of Ayres Hall with monies donated by Garden Show 1983 steering committee.
1984 The Australian section Interpretive Center is completed.
1984 The California Conservation Corps completes a year-long restoration of the Hugo Reid Adobe, courtyard and nearby kiys.
1984 A computer system is installed in-house for processing plant records.
1985 Landscaped steps and landings are constructed to connect Sunset Home Demonstration Gardens to Ayres Hall, with labor and materials do- nated by California Landscape Contractors Association.
1985 The Rotunda is remodeled and enclosed to accommodate 4 new ticket stations.
1986 Construction of the Library annex adds 3 new offices on the east side of the Library building.
1986 Ground is broken for the Henry Soto Water Conservation Garden.
1986 With a grant from the California State Air Resources Board, twin smog greenhouses are constructed in the African section to demonstrate the effects of smog on plants.
Continued on Page 7
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San Gabriel Valley NOW is always interested in your feedback, opinions and ideas for events or stories. Do you attend local or city events and want to share it with your community? Do you write stories that affect your daily life or maybe you like to take pictures of your city and community for our “Community First” section?
Well, we want to hear from you because your voice makes a difference. Go to www.sgvnow.com to submit your articles, stories, opinions or pictures.
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1987 Arboretum admission fees increase to $3.00 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and 75 cents for children.
1987 A Special Events Coordinator position is added with responsibility for rental of the grounds and facilities for groups, weddings, etc.
1987 A volunteer Speakers Bureau is formed to take narrated slide programs out to community groups.
1988 The State of California quitclaims its interest in The Arboretum to the County of Los Angeles (April). The deed of transfer will be recorded Feb. 23, 1989.
1988 CAF sponsors publication of Don Hodel’s book Exceptional Trees of Los Angeles. Thirteen specimens from The Arboretum are included in the book.
1988 A new 4,500 sq. foot orchid greenhouse is constructed just east of the older orchid houses. Innovative features include rolling benches, motorized screens, and Dynaglass walls and ceilings.
1988 A state grant is secured to install fire sprinkler systems in the Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn, and to upgrade alarms in each of the histori- cal buildings.
1989 CAF acquires professional photographer Bill Aplin’s collection of plant and landscape prints and transparencies. Volunteer Ken Quigley takes on the job of accessioning and cataloging the collection.
1989 Garden magazine is replaced by the California Arboretum Foundation News.
1990 Director Francis Ching retires. Rumors abound of a possible merger of the Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens with the Museum of Natu- ral History, but the proposal is tabled.
1990 Landscaping begins on the 7,000 sq. foot Grace V. Kallam Garden located on the west side of Meadowbrook.
1990 Peacock Cafe is renovated with new kitchen, new interior decor and construction of extended outdoor dining terraces. Brown Jordan designs a line of peacock feather motif furniture for the project.
1991 Ken Smith is appointed Director of the Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens.
1991 The tram waiting area is renovated with teak benches and potted shade trees.
1991 Baldwin Lake dries up. As the water recedes, fish are removed and protective fencing is erected around the lakebed. The water table would come back up the following year.
1992 The Tropical Forest project is initiated. Overgrowth is cleared, the area is graded and new paths are mapped. Several trees, some donated and others relocated from other Arboretum sites, are planted in the project area.
1992 Summer hours are extended through twilight to encourage visitation.
1992 A statuary garden is begun near the waterfall with the donation of a 7-foot tall white marble sculpture commissioned by Anita Baldwin in 1930 for her Anoakia estate.
1993 The Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens is merged with the Department of Parks and Recreation effective January 1. Ken Smith resigns prior to the merger.
1993 The Rose Garden is renovated with the addition of perennials, companion plants and 150 new roses.
1993 Arboretum entrance fees are increased to $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors and $1.50 for children.
1994 The Herb Garden is renovated to emphasize color. Casa Colima assumes major maintenance duties.
1994 An artificial pond with re-circulating water is added to the Tropical Forest.
1994 CAF initiates “Roots and Shoots,” a flower and vegetable gardening program for children, located on the site of the removed caretaker’s residence near Old Ranch Rd. “Tour and Taste” is initiated the same year as a summer program with short, specialized tours of a segment of the Arboretum fol- lowed by dinner on Peacock Terrace.
1994 Shuttle tram service replaces narrated tours of the grounds. Information boxes are placed at tram stops and other attractions.
1994 The name of the garden is changed from Los Angeles State and County Arboretum to The Arboretum of Los Angeles County. A new redwood sign will be installed at the Baldwin Ave. entrance in 1995 incorporating the new name and departmental reorganization.
1995 The flowering tree section atop Tallac Knoll is renovated with large-scale pruning and installation of a trail system through newly accessible plant- ings.
1995 The Lucky Baldwin fountain in front of the Queen Anne Cottage is restored with new plumbing and electrical systems and a fiberglass-sealed ba- sin.
1995 The California Arboretum Foundation presents “Gardens of Our World” (Oct. 18-22), anew and expanded Garden Show featuring garden vi- gnettes, tablescapes, lectures, demonstrations, and shopping opportunities. Robinson-May and the Los Angeles Times support and help underwrite the project. With changing themes, the show was intended to continue on a yearly basis.
1996 Los Voluntarios designs and publishes Garden of Eatin’, a cookbook of favorite recipes. Proceeds will benefit The Arboretum.
1996 Security lighting for the parking lot and decorative lighting at the entranceway fountain and sign are installed by Parks and Recreation.
1996 A new tram, the first to be handicapped-accessible, is purchased for The Arboretum through Parks and Recreation.
1996 Meadowbrook’s 1,000-foot streambed, plagued with leaks and silt build-up, is completely reconstructed through County Regional Park and Open Space District funding.
1997 Conductor Victor Vener moves his new California Philharmonic Orchestra to The Arboretum for a series of five summer concerts. Sell-out crowds and favorable reviews are promising.
1997 The Arboretum looks forward to the renewal of participation of Sunset magazine in the design, planning and funding of the Home Demonstration Gardens. The joint County/Sunset modernization project was completed in late 1998.
July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 8
New Program Looks To Pair Unemployed El Monte Workers With Jobs In City Of Industry
El Monte and the City of Industry are launching a platform to help residents who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic find work. The two cities announced that the Virtual Job Placement Program will help serve The San Gabriel Valley NOW is published digitally bi-weekly on as a “one-stop shop” to connect recently www.sgvnow.com & printed once a month. laid off El Monte residents with business- es in the City of Industry. San Gabriel Valley, Ca www.sgvnow.com The program is exclusively for El Monte 626-941– 6674 residents. Publisher CARDON Media Inc. While the City of Industry only has a few hundred residents, it is home to over 3,000 businesses which employ tens of thousands of people. Editor/Production Damaso Puente The program is a collaboration between the city of El Monte and the Industry Busi- ness Council, a nonprofit business organization. Advertisement/Distribution “This partnership is a part of our proactive work to be an exceptional resource for Carlos Puente our resident’s during these uncertain times,” said City of El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero said in a statement. “By partnering with our neighbors in the City of Indus- Contributing Writers try, we hope to match all residents in need of work with a quality job in their com- Jo Anne Disney - Lily Chung - Lorena Alvarez - Sidny Ramirez - munity and in turn provide the business community with qualified applicants.” Jane Barrera - Mia Perez - Hugo Escobar - Lisa Manuelian - Juliette Funes - Aries Millan Contreras - Niko Su COVID-19 has delivered an economic blow to the Los Angeles metro area. As of mid-June, Los Angeles County’s unemployment rate was 20.9%, prompting the CARDON Media Inc., All contents in this publication are copyrighted county to launch a more than $100 million renters relief program. and may not be reproduced in any manner without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The city and county of L.A. has also started the L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund, which is offering millions of dollars in loans and grants to help keep small The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not neces- businesses afloat. sarily that of the publisher, management and staff of CARDON Media Inc. and San Gabriel Valley NOW.
If you have any questions or comments please call 626– 941– 6674 or email [email protected]
San Gabriel Valley NOW provides community news and information to those living in San Gabriel Valley while highlighting community events, activities and promoting various services offered by both the public and private sector.
San Gabriel Valley NOW creates a voice on a platform that is commu- nity oriented, which educates, informs and entertains which we believe will directly result in its ability to make a difference in the community.
San Gabriel Valley NOW is your voice in the community and we want to hear your thoughts and opinions. Give us your feed back at [email protected] or call 626-941-6674.
San Gabriel Valley NOW is always interested in your feedback and ideas for events or stories. Do you attend local or city events and want to share it with your community? Do you write stories that affect your daily life or maybe you like to take pictures of your city and community for our “Community First” section, well we want to hear from you because your voice makes a difference. Submit your articles, stories or pictures to: [email protected] , include your full name and city for writing and picture credits.
San Gabriel Valley NOW is published by CARDON Media Inc. which was founded here in San Gabriel Valley.
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WWW.SGVNOW.COM July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 9 July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 10 Man Hangs Himself From 60 Resources for emotional support Freeway Overpass In South El and well-being Monte The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances. You’re not alone.
There are strategies for managing stress such as:
• Be mindful of your intake of information from news sources about the virus, and consider taking breaks from it. • Maintain social contact with supportive relationships like friends, family or others, by phone, text, or internet.
• Treat your body kindly: eat healthy foods, avoid excessive alcohol, and exercise as you are able.
• Call your health care provider if your anxiety interferes with your daily SOUTH EL MONTE (CBSLA) — A man died by hanging himself from the activities. 60 Freeway overpass in South El Monte on Sunday night, closing down all southbound lanes. Learn about additional strategies to manage your stress for health. He was first spotted on the freeway at Peck Road around 9:25 p.m. and Hotlines if you need to talk to someone died shortly after, according to the California Highway Patrol. If you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel The man’s body was removed and turned over the coroner’s office. like you want to harm yourself or others, you can call the National Suicide He was not identified and no further information was immediately available Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. about the circumstances leading up to his death. There are additional resources available if you are in crisis: Seeking Help Los Angeles County’s Department of Mental Health has a 24-hour access • Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) or center that can be reached by calling 1-800-854-7771. text TalkWithUs to 66746 for 24/7 support.
Los Angeles Unified School District also offers a hotline for students and • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support. families that can be reached by calling 213-241-3840 on weekdays be- tween 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. • California Suicide & Crisis Hotlines: Find phone numbers and links to all the suicide and crisis hotlines by county in California. People can also text HOME to 741-741 to be connected with a crisis coun- selor at the Crisis Text Line or reach the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800- • CalHOPE Peer-Run Warm Line: Call 833-317-HOPE (4673) Monday – 273-8255. Friday from 7am – 11pm for COVID-19 specific non-emergency sup- port.
• California Warm Peer Line: Call 855-845-7415 for 24/7 for non- emergency support to talk to a peer counselor with lived experience. Find behavioral and mental health services
If you have Medi-Cal and are in need of mental health services, call the number on your health plan membership card, or call your local county mental health line. For help finding what services are covered, call the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman at 888-452-8609 Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.
If you have a health plan through your employer or purchase your own health insurance, and are in need of mental health services, call the number on your health plan membership card.
If you feel like you are coping with your stress by drinking or taking drugs, there is help available from the substance use disorder programs in your county or call the national treatment locator at 800-662-HELP.
Call the California’s Aging and Adult Information local service line at 800-510-2020 for help finding information and assistance in your area.
If you feel unsafe
Partner abuse is never okay and there are people standing by to help, especially during this health crisis. If you can, call the National Domestic Violence Hot- line at 800-799-SAFE or text LOVEIS to 22522 for 24/7 help in English or Spanish. If you can’t call, visit TheHotline.org to learn how to create a safety plan or get immediate help with the 24/7 “Chat Now” feature.
Call or text the Victims of Crime Resource Center at 800-VICTIMS line for information on victim services programs in California.
Visit the California Victims Compensation Board website to find information on county victim service providers in California.
There are additional resources available:
• California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: Call 1-916-444-7163 Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:30pm for assistance finding local pro- grams.
• Safety planning guide: Use this guide to help with safety planning if you are a survivor of intimate partner violence.
• Domestic Violence Service Providers list: Find information about programs across the state.
• Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Victim Service Provider List: Use this list to find local resources if you are a victim of sexual assault or human traf- ficking.
• California Youth Crisis Line: Youth ages 12-24 can call or text 800-843-5200 or chat online for 24/7 crisis support.
• TEEN LINE: Teens can talk to another teen by texting “TEEN” to 839863 from 6pm – 9pm, or call 800-852-8336 from 6pm – 10pm
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text 838255 for 24/7 support.
County Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services: Call 833-401-0832 24/7 for concerns about adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 11
We recently went on a Safari around the city and had a wonderful time!
Your City Safari is going all over Southern California putting up giant inflatable animals one city at a time! They provide you a digital map giving you approximate locations of the animals in the selected city. When you lo- cate the animal, there will be a sign next to it which have a secret letter on the corner. Write down these let- ters as you visit each animal. When you gather all of the letters, it will spell out a 3 worded phrase. When you figure out the phrase, send it to Your City Safari to be entered in their raffle to win several prizes.
They ask that you stay INSIDE your car. We saw so many people getting off which defeats the purpose of having this safe event during the pandemic. The great bonus is that they provide a drive thru photo opportunity with a green screen to have a great memory of this adventure.
This safari we visited was dinosaur themed and happened in the city of Azusa.
This is such an amazing experience for kids to get out of the house and have a fun safe adventure. It took us a little over an hour to find all of the dinosaurs and we had so much fun!
This is all completely free, but they do accept donations and ask that you support the sponsors showcased at each location to keep it going. To find out what city will participate next, you can join their mailing list or follow them on social media.
https://yourcitysafari.com
@yourcitysafari July 27, 2020 San Gabreil Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 12 El Monte Strip Mall Fire Caus- Crash leaves 1 dead, car pinned under ice es Extensive Damage cream truck in Duarte
Saturday A 29-year-old Duarte man was killed in that city on Saturday evening when the car he was driving slammed into an ice cream truck, authorities said. First responders arrived about 6:12 p.m. at the residential ad- dress of 1928 Shamrock Boule- vard to find a car pinned be- neath the truck, said Imy McBride, a supervising dis- patcher with Los Angeles coun- EL MONTE (SGV CityWatch) - It took 25 firefighters under ty fire. one hour to knock down a massive fire in an El Monte strip One individual had to be extricated from one of the vehicles, McBride said. Paramedics de- mall Saturday morning that was affected by fire previously. clared one person dead, she said. The fire burned in a strip mall at 10113 E. Valley Blvd. around 1:32 a.m. July 25. Firefighters could only knock The man who died later was identified as Miguel Colon Gonzalez of Duarte. down flames from the outside due to structural integrity is- sues caused by the previous fire, according to the Los An- He was driving recklessly fast south from Hurstview Avenue when his Honda Civic collided geles County Fire Department. with the 1988 Chevy-model truck, injuring the 61-year-old Montebello man behind the wheel, according to the California Highway Patrol. While the Los Angeles County Fire Department said that the structure was affected by a fire one month prior, there were The ice cream truck was traveling north at 10 miles per hour, said Officer Mike Cazares of at least two major fires that burned in the last two months the CHP’s Baldwin Park Station. alone to the same location for structure fires. “Shamrock Avenue is a residential street with an undivided roadway,” he said, adding the weather was clear and sunny at the time. A portion of the same strip mall burned July 20. No victims were found. Both men were determined to have been wearing seatbelts in the department’s preliminary This same strip mall originally burned May 14. A third-alarm investigation. response was called after fire in the attic portion of the strip mall caused extensive damage throughout the structure. The ice cream truck driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The cause is under investigation. Shamrock Avenue was closed from Hurstview to Euclid Avenue for about three hours. Anyone with information about the collision was asked to call Officer Mike Cazares at the CHP at 626-338-1164. Rose Parade canceled due to the coronavirus
PASADENA, Calif. — The 2021 Rose Parade has been canceled because of the impact of the corona- virus pandemic on planning for the New Year’s Day tradition and the risk of spreading infections among its huge audience and participants, organizers said Wednesday.
The Pasadena, California, Tournament of Roses Association said the decision was put off until organ- izers were certain that safety restrictions would prevent staging of the 132nd parade.
Planning for the Rose Bowl college football game that traditionally follows the parade is continuing, the association said.
The parade is held every Jan. 1 except when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday and the event is pushed to Jan. 2.
Since its inception in 1891, the parade has only not occurred during the wartime years of 1942, 1943 and 1945, the association said.
“The health and well-being of our parade participants and guests, as well as that of our volunteer members, professional staff and partners, is our number one priority,” Bob Miller, the 2021 president of the association, said in a statement.
The event is people-intensive, starting with hundreds of members of the association.
Thousands of spectators normally jam the 5-mile (8-kilometer) parade route through Pasadena, some camping out overnight on sidewalks to ensure a good view.
For days ahead of time, volunteers work to decorate the flower-laden floats that are the trademark of the parade.
There are also marching bands from across the nation and around the world and equestrian units that not only take part in the parade but in other events.
The association said a feasibility report by public health experts from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine found that even with intensive efforts to ensure social distancing and use of face coverings the event would be a high-risk environment for spread of the virus.
It noted that many attendees would be in high-risk groups such as older people and that national and international travel could cause two-way transmission of infections.
Preparation for each parade normally begins during the preceding February.
“In addition to the advance planning required by our band and equestrian units, the construction of our floats takes many months and typically requires thou- sands of volunteers to gather in ways that aren’t in compliance with safety recommendations and won’t be safe in the coming months,” said David Eads, the executive director and CEO.
The association said it was working with broadcast partners and sponsors on an alternative celebration and promised details in the coming weeks.
The Jan. 1 Rose Bowl football game would be a college football playoff semifinal.
“While the safety and well-being of the student athletes, university personnel and fans is our top priority, we remain hopeful that the Granddaddy of Them All will take place on New Year’s Day,” Eads said July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 13
Surviving Financially During Challenging Times
By Hugo G. Escobar Email: your [email protected]
Personal finances can allow us to live a balanced life when it comes to living expenses, leisure activities, giving, long-term investing and the list goes on and on. On the other hand, the opposite can lead us to financial struggles. What about when life happens? Do we implement our emergency plan with emergency funds? How long will our emergency funds last?
What about the current worldwide crisis of COVID-19? How has this affected you or those you know financially? Talk about an on-going emergency that has affected the entire world in some capacity. Most likely you activated your emergency plan and if so, how is that going? The current on going crisis is an extreme example of why we should be prepared for financial emergencies. During this time, some people stopped working, some people lost their jobs and some have gone back to their jobs. Some people used their emergency funds, while others used unemployment benefits to bridge the gap. Everyone has a different story and some stories are more challenging than others.
Communication is key during these challenging times. This may take place within a household, with your lenders, at work and adjustments will be important as well. When I bring up adjustments, I am referring to- can you reduce expenses in certain areas? You will also have to adjust your priorities when it comes to living expenses, leisure activities, who you can pay and who you may not be able to pay. If you have to pause on the extra perks in life at this time, do so. Once things get back to normal or the new normal, you can continue with the sweet perks of life that we can afford. Communication can also reduce stress and we want to reduce stress as best as possible when we can.
Thinking outside of the box financially during these times can bring in additional income. One example is do you have something you don’t need, use or want that you can sell? If you are in a situation where you are still not making ends meet, selling something you don’t need, use or want is a great way to bring in additional money. Pay attention to what is working for you and what is not working for you.
No one likes to struggle financially and no one likes to be stressed out when it comes to money. The Checkout the City Pages at current crisis appears to be here for a while and uncertainty is a part of our current norm. Depending on your current situation, look for local resources that can help you improve your situation. Remember that WWW.SGVN O W.COM often the best resource you may have begins with you. You are the one who can prepare as best as possible for unexpected life events.
WWW.SGVNOW.COM
SGVNOW @SGVNOW @SGVNOW July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 14
Nikki Rey the Fitness Chef
There’s nothing like having a nice BBQ on a summer’s day with family and a couple of good friends by your side. One of my favorite go to meals are these delicious Lime Cilantro Chicken Kabobs that are full of the bright fresh flavors of summer. They are easy to make, healthy, cost efficient, and there is always more than enough for everyone to enjoy.
Lime Cilantro Chicken Kabobs
Total cost: $12
Yields 6-8 servings
Ingredients
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thigh meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
½ cup fresh lime juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ bunch cilantro, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1 bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 Yellow squash, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 red onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
Instructions
In a bowl mix together all ingredients (except vegetables, set aside) toss chicken in marinate until evenly coated. Cover and place in refrigerator for 2 hours.
Cut vegetables into bite size pieces (1 inch). In a bowl lightly coat veggies with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Next assemble kabobs by threading chicken and veggies in an alternating pattern until the skewer is half way filled.
On a preheated grill first place Kabobs on the grill where it’s about medium to high heat for 10 minutes while turning the kabobs every 2 minutes for even cooking. Then move the kabobs to the sides of the grill or wherever there is indirect heat for another 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Chef Nikki Rey Tips
If using wooden skewers for kabobs, presoak them in water before hand for 30 minutes. When shopping on a budget buying in bulk is a good way to save money, usually family packs will be priced at a cheaper price per a pound for protein. When shopping for produce it’s more cost efficient to purchase the items that are in season. July 27, 2020 San Gabriel Valley NOW WWW.SGVNOW.COM 15
Online Community College: A Viable, Cost-effective Alternative During Extraordinary Times
This fall, online instruction will be the norm for Califor- nia’s 115 community colleges and its more than two million students. The same will be true for the Califor- nia State University system, the largest four-year public university system in the United States
With a few exceptions, such as courses that require clinical or lab-based learning in a physical setting, these institutions have made the decision to utilize an increasingly sophisticated and successful delivery mode of instruction, while limiting the transmission of COVID-19 and cutting costs. Many other four-year col- leges and universities are now following suit.
This may seem like one more dark cloud on the hori- zon, like those that cast shadows on our health, the economy and even our futures in the spring. This switch by community colleges to online instruction, however, has more than one silver lining.
Among the many perks of virtual college attendance, cost is one of the most significant. Students attending college from home save on the cost of transporta- tion—one of the biggest expenses for community college students. The flexibility of online instruction allows students to organize their study and class times, thus maximizing work schedules, and students with children can avoid much, if not all, of the cost of daycare.
But students aren’t the only cost savers. Taxpayers save too.
Given the realities of COVID-19, in-person instruction would place an added strain on California’s state budget—a budget which is already facing a deficit in excess of $50 billion for the coming year. Classroom instruction would require smaller class sizes, the need for additional classrooms, repeated sanitizing and cleaning of facilities and personal protective gear for faculty and staff.
Throughout the spring semester, California community colleges made a commitment to continue their push for improving student equity and outcomes, as well as maintaining the rigor and quality of online offerings. And, online students have access to faculty, counselors, library resources, tutors, and other stu- dent support services.
Citrus College has also set up a webpage to help students transition to online instruction. Called the Owl Success Hub, it provides resources for students new to online instruction. Information on accessing mental health services and scheduling counseling and other appointments can also be found on the page.
Community colleges will soon begin enrolling students for fall 2020, and classes will start in August. Now is a great time to explore programs of study and the careers they make possible.
Even though college life may have changed, your goals for the future don’t have to.
About the Author:
Dr. Edward C. Ortell is the senior governing board member at Citrus College and a Professor Emeritus at Pasadena City College. He has served on the Cali- fornia Community College Trustees (CCCT) state board of directors and 11 terms as president of the Citrus College Board of Trustees.
El Monte Union Adopts 100% Distance Learning Model for Fall 2020
EL MONTE – El Monte Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year on a 100% distance learning schedule, with the option of transitioning to a hybrid model later in fall semester should health conditions improve.
Under the District’s Reopening of Schools Plan – approved by the Board of Trustees during its July 15 virtual board meeting – students will take three classes from Aug. 18 to Oct. 16 (Fall 1 term) and three classes from Oct. 19 to Dec. 17 (Fall 2 term).
While Fall 1 term will be completely online, Fall 2 term could see students return to school should conditions improve. The District will monitor local and state health data, reassess the schedule by Sept. 25 and make a recommendation to continue with a distance learning, hybrid or an in-person instructional model on Sept. 28.
“There is no perfect model that will beat in-person instruction, but under these fluid conditions, we need to rethink, reinvent and reimagine what learning and teaching look like while ensuring the health and well-being of our school community,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “Working in collaboration with our teachers, staff, union partners and administrators, we have developed a rigorous distance learning plan that will allow students to continue their education from home and is adaptable to changing health conditions.”
Under Senate Bill 98, the District must engage in daily instruction, monitor student progress and maintain school connectedness. To guide its planning efforts, the District created a Reopening of Schools Taskforce, which includes administrators, teachers, union representatives, classified staff, parents and students.
The District also solicited feedback from students, parents and staff through surveys. A second survey was released this week to gauge their preferences for instruction and comfort level with returning to school given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County. The city of El Monte has the highest number of positive cases in the San Gabriel Valley.
“Right now, it is clear that is not safe to physically return to our campuses and we want to honor the concerns of our staff, families and students,” Zuniga said. “We will take an incremental approach to our decision-making and use our plan as a blueprint for how to safely move forward.” They are finally here!!!
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Right now with most city events, yard sales & fundrais- ing events being cancelled there are some community organizations trying virtual events & fundraisers for the 1st time with some success.. We know how hard it is to raise $$ during this time on Zoom & that's why we are waiving the $25 fee to post your flyer on the WWW.SGVNOW.COM Community Bulle- tin Board & newspaper.... We are removing the "Pay" button starting tonight for 2 months so you can upload your fliers on our website to be posted on our website, social media & newspaper... WWW.SGVNOW.COM We have made the process easy for you with these payment options for your convenience. Go to: WWW.SGVNOW.COM