TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, PHOTOS WITH SANTA FRIDAY, NOV. 30. SEE PAGE 21A. /2018 12 From left are Marvin Martinez, ELAC president; Viken Kiledjian, chair of the ELAC Physics Department; Dr. Julienne Bernard, ELAC department chair of anthropology, geography, and geology; Scott Svonkin, LACCD Board of Trustees member; Mike Fong, LACCD Board of Trustees president; Aradhna Tripati, associate professor at UCLA; Dr. Francisco C. Rodriguez, LACCD chancellor; Nancy Pearlman, former LACCD trustee and current ELAC adjunct Alhambra’s Rose Parade float, Home Tweet Home, is the City’s 91st float entry. professor of anthropology; and Colleen Mieko Tamashiro, ELAC student speaker and anthropology major. Ribbon cutting ceremony Alhambra enters presented for new Physics & 91st Rose Parade float Earth Sciences building at or 91 years, the City of Alhambra has en- sal language. The float is centered on birds and tered a float in the most famous parade in their music and is entitled Home Tweet Home. East Los Angeles College the world, the Rose Parade in Pasadena, on The float, built by the Phoenix Decorating FNew Year’s Day. The year 2019 is no exception. Company of Irwindale, is 16 feet, 6 inches tall; 18 n Nov. 13, a ribbon and students were joined by The whimsical theme of this year’s parade is The feet wide; and 35 feet long. The frame has already cutting ceremony officials from the Los Angeles Melody of Life. It celebrates music — the univer- been built. All that remains to be done is to add the took place for East Community College District >> see ROSE PARADE FLOAT Page 7A OLos Angeles College’s (ELAC) (LACCD) and many others new Physics & Earth Sciences for the hour-long celebration building. The ceremony was in front of the new building. the culmination of a two-year, Dr. Julienne Bernard, ELAC $17 million construction department chair of anthropol- Fremont School Spanish Dual project that began in October ogy, geography, and geology, 2016 and was completed in was the master of ceremonies, summer 2018. More than who introduced each of the Immersion kick-off features 100 college faculty, staff, speakers. >> see ELAC Page 21A LA Times’ Esmeralda Bermudez arents from the West San Gabriel Valley and Fremont PElementary Spanish Dual CITY NEWS PAGE 2A Immersion first graders CHAMBER NEWS PAGE10A gathered to meet a special guest. Esmeralda Bermu- COMMUNITY NEWS PAGE 13A dez, an award-winning Los Angeles Times reporter ACADEMIC NEWS PAGE 23A recently named one of 15 Latina Journalists of the Year, was on hand for the ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Alhambra USD Spanish 104 S. First Street Dual Immersion Kick- Alhambra, CA 91801 off. “You have double the power when you speak two languages,” Ms. Ber- Mrs. Urena’s first-grade students in Fremont Elementary’s Spanish Dual Immersion mudez told parents and program listen closely to LA Time’s reporter Esmeralda Bermudez. “You have twice the students before she the power when you speak two languages," she told the students. >> see FREMONT SPANISH DUAL IMMERSION Page 26A 2A CITY NEWS AROUND ALHAMBRA 12/2018 Mayor’s Corner Farewell to three councilmembers, welcome to three new colleagues Vice Mayor Ayala has an extensive Messina. Councilmember Messina is a true Adele Andrade-Stadler in District 5. I re- resume of public service, serving in key po- Alhambra institution, having served in cently had the great pleasure of personally sitions at the city, county, state, and federal public office in Alhambra for 32 years, not welcoming each of them to the city family, levels. Throughout his tenure, Vice Mayor including the years of support she provided and I very much look forward to working Ayala has been a champion of constituent to her late husband, Michael, during his closely with all of them as we continue to services and has been a strong advocate of years on the council. She moved to Alham- improve our community. recreation programs for our young people. bra as a young woman where she has served This December, I would like to remind His well-reasoned and insightful approach as both a member of the City Council and all Alhambra residents that we have thriv- to policy making will be missed. I know Vice Alhambra Unified School District Board. ing entertainment and retail destinations Mayor Ayala will enjoy spending more time She wears her love for Alhambra on her throughout the city — on Main Street, with his very active family and will continue sleeve and has never been bashful about Valley Boulevard, and beyond. I encourage to advocate for improved children’s health sharing her feelings about what is best for you to support your local small businesses care in his role at Children’s Hospital of Los her hometown. I’d like to thank “Mama this holiday season. If you finish your Angeles. Messina” for her many years of leadership holiday shopping early, you might also Councilmember Stephen Sham also and service to our community. consider volunteering to help decorate Al- concludes an impressive run on the City As we say farewell to our three departing hambra’s float in the 2019 Tournament of Council. As a local small business owner, councilmembers, we also welcome three Roses Parade. This is a perfect way to show By Mayor Jeff Maloney his fiscal acumen and first-hand knowledge new colleagues to the council. In the your community pride and to bond with of economics has been crucial to ensuring elections in early November, Alhambrans other Alhambrans by decorating a moving that Alhambra adopted and embraced throughout the city had the opportunity artwork that will be seen by people all over sound financial policies. As an immigrant to vote for three new councilmembers. I the world on New Year’s Day. As the holiday season arrives and we and naturalized American citizen, Coun- would like to offer hearty congratulations I hope you and your families have a great look forward to gathering with friends and cilmember Sham made Alhambra history to our new councilmembers: Katherine Lee holiday season, however you celebrate. family to celebrate and welcome a new year, as the first Chinese American elected to the in District 1, Ross Maza in District 2, and Season’s greetings! the Alhambra family bids farewell to three City Council in 2006. I greatly appreciate City Councilmembers and welcomes three his support and mentorship over these last new colleagues. couple of years and thank him for his lead- VISIT THE CHAMBER ONLINE AT After 12 years of service, we offer a ership in Alhambra’s robust Asian Pacific fond farewell to Vice Mayor Luis Ayala, Islander community. alhambrachamber.org Councilmember Stephen Sham, and Last but not least, we also mark the Councilmember Barbara Messina. retirement of Councilmember Barbara 12/2018 AROUND ALHAMBRA 3A What are you doing New Year’s Eve? For the fourth consecutive positivity, health, and fitness for year, Planet Fitness will host the 2019.” biggest party on earth. In partner- As the world is rapidly learn- ship with Times Square Alliance ing, Planet Fitness offers very and Countdown Entertainment, low membership fees and plenty the Judgement Free Zone® is pre- of benefits. For instance, PF senting the 2019 world famous offers a hassle-free environment, Times Square’s New Year’s Eve brand name cardio and strength celebration. equipment, fully equipped Approximately one million locker rooms, flat screen televi- revelers in Times Square will ring sions, and more. Their mission in a “Judgement Free” New Year is to enhance people's lives by with bejeweled and festive party providing a high-quality fitness hats and balloons decked out in experience in a welcoming, purple and yellow – PF’s signature non-intimidating environment. colors. To find a local Planet Fitness “There’s no better place to be club, visit PlanetFitness.com. on New Year’s Eve than right in There is another benefit to the heart of Times Square at the PF membership. If you make a crossroads of the world, inspiring New Year’s resolution to reach people around the globe to be and maintain your fitness goals, kind to themselves and one an- they can help. Let PF’s expert other,” said Chris Rondeau, Plan- staff know what you want to ac- et Fitness CEO. “With more than Times Square New Year’s Eve sponsored by Planet Fitness. complish, and they can suggest 1,500 clubs throughout the U.S. exercise methods and a regime and Canada and memberships facing judgement.” Year’s Eve celebration. Witnessing that unifying sea for you to reach those goals. starting at just $10 a month, we Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Al- of purple and yellow throughout Times Square has They are on your side. encourage everyone to make their liance, agreed. “We are thrilled that our long-standing been a sight to behold for the past years, and we can’t Stop by your nearest Planet health and happiness a priority in partner Planet Fitness is back to spread their message wait to do it again. Through their exciting and robust Fitness and discuss your fitness the New Year, regardless of their of positivity throughout the city and around the platform, Planet Fitness will surely inspire countless resolution in a Judgement Free fitness level and without fear of world as presenting sponsor of Times Square’s New people as we ring in the New Year with a message of Zone®. 4A CITY NEWS AROUND ALHAMBRA 12/2018 Published by the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce. A monthly publication with a circulation of 40,000, Around Alhambra is mailed to every business and residence in the City of Alhambra and to all interested local, state, and county officials.