/2020 07 ‘No Place like Can we return to normal? he events of the last few months have been hard on everyone. e sheltering in place, seclusion, and Home’ theme Trefraining from accustomed business and social activities added to the scramble for food, water, and toilet paper have taken honors my love their toll. Now the rst important steps to returning to a normal life are being taken. By mid-June, economic and social activity for this city really began to pick up in phase 3 of the BY SUZI DUNKEL-SOTO, 2020-2021 CHAMBER BOARD PRESIDENT Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommendations for opening social am so excited to serve as activities with appropriate modi cations. the Alhambra Chamber Businesses such as restaurants, bars, wineries, Board president for the and breweries have been allowed to o er I2020-2021 term. dine-in service on a limited basis. Nail salons, Manager Enrique Sanchez said, ‘We're excited to open our Alhambra is the only place tattoo and massage parlors, gyms, movie doors and welcome members back into our facility. Our I have ever called home. In theaters, casinos, race tracks, and retail stores sta is stepping it up with relentless cleaning e orts. We honor of my love for this city, have reopened with distancing policies. All of want everyone to know that Planet Fitness has your back!" my theme for this coming year this is an important trial to determine if the is does not mean the community can let its guard is “No Place Like Home.” As a economy can completely open up as it used to down. To take the test for COVID, check out the Health Realtor® I have the pleasure of be without spreading the COVID-19 disease Department’s website at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/ helping others nd their home. any further. testing/ to nd out where testing is taking place. Many of the business owners Business leaders are cautiously optimistic e “new normal’ requires everyone to be vigilant about in Alhambra are also Alhambra as they open up. Vanessa Montes at Bun-N their own personal wellbeing and that of loved ones. Wear residents, those who do not Suzi Dunkel-Soto, 2020-2021 Burger on Main Street said she is happy to masks, wash hands, and engage in social distancing. Be reside in Alhambra refer to it Chamber Board president. have the support of members of the commu- smart about this. With caution and common sense, ev- as their second home. e City nity who have used the take-out service and eryone will get through these challenging times and enjoy of Alhambra is such an amazing place to live because it is lled are now returning to dine in the restaurant. At one another’s company in the parks, restaurants, and other with diversity, culture, history, and outdoor spaces that foster Planet Fitness on Valley Boulevard, Regional businesses. community. Since the pandemic and “safer at home” orders took place in March (our businesses and families have all been impacted), my plan is to sit with business owners to see how the Alhambra Cham- AUSD re-opens Aug. 12: ber can help them stay strong. Being raised in Alhambra, I have seen the changes of this great city, businesses have come and gone, and community events have grown or transformed. I would like to revive some community events that I recall so fondly. I have some It will be di erent ideas up my sleeve. I plan to work with some of the Alhambra ith a massive state budget Commissions to engage the residents of Alhambra. shortfall facing all California >> see 2020-2021 CHAMBER BOARD PRESIDENT Page 10 K-12 public schools and an extensive,W expensive, and ever-changing protocol from Los Angeles County De- partment of Public Heath to keep students safe during a pandemic, the watchword for the AUSD 2020-2021 school year is CITY PAGE 2 “ exible,” according to Superintendent BUSINESS PAGE 5 Denise Jaramillo. Some version of a hybrid COMMUNITY PAGE 7 program, combining in-class and distance learning, is one option. Safety is the para- e Alhambra Uni ed School District Marengo building, 1515 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE PAGE 11 mount priority. W. Mission Road, Alhambra 91803. SCHOOL PAGE 15 “So much is in ux — from possible funding, to the timing of funds or the lack SENIOR PAGE 17 thereof, to the encyclopedic guidelines we open in phases and, no matter what, there will be an emer- HEALTH PAGE 18 are being given for pandemic protection and gency plan in place to immediately convert all curriculum DINING & ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 21 social distancing,” added Ms. Jaramillo. “We to distance learning should the need arise. are preparing for every possibility.” At press time, not enough con rmed details were AUTO & REAL ESTATE PAGE 22 e expense and logistics of pandemic known to give a de nitive plan for the Aug. 12 re-opening. protections at schools is daunting. Everything “No school year in history has been given such exhaustive from small class sizes for social distancing, thought, and never have we had to plan for so many pos- ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE the need for more sta ng, new instruction sible scenarios,” said Ms. Jaramillo. “One thing is sure: We 104 S. First Street Alhambra, CA 91801 guidelines, and new ways to organize are being asked to provide 150% of the work with 80% of lunch, after-school activities, recess, and bus the budget.” transportation, to universal mask wearing, Ms. Jaramillo thanks the AUSD community for temperature-taking, and constant sanitation working together for the bene t of students. “We have of classrooms all must be thought through seen such impressive collaboration and inventiveness and carefully. support among our parents and sta and students during Ms. Jaramillo said AUSD schools could this crisis.” 2 CITY NEWS AROUND ALHAMBRA 07/2020 Mayor’s Corner By Mayor Ross J. Maza Don’t be fooled by scams Vice Mayor David Mejia and I have ere are several scams the past. Another scammer taken the opportunity to visit several out there; here are a few to will appear claiming to be a Alhambra restaurants that have reopened be aware of: mechanic and o er to x the for dine in. • Donations. In-person problem for a payment or ask We have been so impressed with their solicitors, via e-mails, you for the keys to the car. commitment and dedication to continue GoFundMe pages, text mes- ey will either scam you for to work their businesses and serve the sages, etc., are asking for do- money or steal your car. If Alhambra community. nations, so do your research you think you are having car Please visit these and more outstanding before providing personal information trouble, call a tow company, or take it to businesses. 38 Degrees Ale House and Grill, 100 W. or giving them money. Please remember, an automotive garage you trust. Main St. Mayor Ross Maza, left, and 38 police departments in general do not go • Payment app. If someone asks to use Degrees manager Brian Seguita. door-to-door soliciting. your smartphone, be cautious! Once you • IRS. e Internal Revenue Service hand them the phone, the thief scrolls (IRS) won’t ever call you or ask you for through your phone looking for payment money over the phone. apps. It may appear they are texting, but • Unpaid utility bills. Calls from they could be using the payment app to “utility companies” asking for payment transfer funds and immediately delete on unpaid utility bills will often include the app to avoid noti cations of transfer. threats to shut o your water and elec- • Phone scam. When you answer the tricity and request payments in the form phone, and the person (recording) on of Visa gift cards or instruct the victim to the other line asks, “Can you hear me?” go somewhere to wire money. You should and you respond, “Yes,” your voice is take down their information and call the recorded to be used as a voice signature entity they are claiming to represent. Call for scammers to authorize fraudulent the number on your statement, not the charges over the phone. Bon Appetea Café, 7 S. Second St. From Baja Cali Fish Tacos, 31 E. Main St. one they provide you. • Virtual kidnapping. e scammer left: Vice Mayor David Mejia, Bon Appetea From left: Jaime Alvarez, Vice Mayor • Fake websites. Fake websites are will call the unsuspecting victim and tell Assistant Manager Michael Lin, and Mayor David Mejia, Mayor Ross Maza, and making themselves look like legitimate them a loved one has been kidnapped. Ross Maza. Lorena Varela. credit bureau companies o ering reim- e scammer will then demand a large bursement for being a victim of a data amount of money on prepaid credit cards breach. Instead of clicking onto a link or wire money. Contact the person the that pops up, go directly to the actual scammer claims to have kidnapped to bureau websites, or call the credit bureau check on their welfare. directly. • Staged tra c accident. Look out • Impersonation of a government for suspicious cars following too close or agency. A government agency will never driving slowly in front of you and hitting ask for any type of payment over the their breaks to cause a collision making phone, bank account information, or you at fault. If you are involved in an ac- credit card information. Do not get cident, write down their name, address, pressured by a threatening caller. Hang phone number, vehicle information, up and verify the story.