2 spotlight on montebello – montebellochamber.org october ......tebello and east los angeles...

2 october-november 2019Spotlight on montebello – montebellochamber.org

By Chairman Armando ArenasThere is a lot going on around town right now, especially

if you have been driving as of late. Montebello surface streets are receiving long overdue repairs and improvements.

North Montebello Boulevard is being improved with a median that extends from Lincoln to Paramount. That stretch will soon be resurfaced, helping to beautify one of Montebello’s most important traffic corridors.

If you blinked, you may have missed the resurfacing at the intersection of Wilcox and Beverly that happened at breakneck speeds over the course of two weekends. Asphalt surfaces that were littered with potholes, dips and bumps were replaced with concrete surface finish.

Many other streets are being repaired or slated for resurfacing. It’s great to see these improvements. We all know a broken window invites more problems, and improve-ments are a magnet for more improvements. A big thank you to our city council and staff for being able to push these street improvement projects through!

On October 3rd, the Montebello Chamber will be hosting The State of the City Luncheon at the Quiet Cannon Event and Conference Center. Mayor Jack Hadjinian will be presenting a formal state of the city address informing attendees on various projects, financial matters and the overall picture of Montebello moving forward.

In attendance will be council members, Rene Bobadilla (new permanent city manager) and new Assistant City Manager Arlene Salazar. Montebello is poised for growth and positive change. KTLA 5 News reporter Ellina Abovian will be a special guest at the event. Don’t miss out.

The Taste of the Town returns Friday, October 18th, at the Bagramian Hall! The Chamber’ s signature event of the year. This is the 11th year that the Chamber brings together the best local culinary artists, pastry masters and craft brewers, impress-ing guests with their fantastic array of flavors and aromas. This event is open to the community and draws a big crowd every year. It’s always a great time, with music, dancing and door prizes. Make sure to buy your tickets early.

We are very grateful for all the support we receive throughout the year from our community. The Chamber is always working to be the best it can be. On behalf of the Montebello Chamber, I want to wish everyone a very special and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. May your table be blessed with plenty.

chairman’s commentary

An Official Publication of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce2019-2020 Officers

Chairman of the Board . . Armando Arenas, Century 21 George Michael RealtyVice Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ilma V. Avila, Ilma V. Avila, CPATreasurer . . . . . . . John Pringle, Esq., Roquemore, Pringle and Moore, Inc.Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michele L. Robinson, Kaiser Permanente

Board of DirectorsSusan Ayala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Athens ServicesStepan Boyajian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montebello Tire Pros Denise Campos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SoCal Gas, A Sempra Energy UtilityRay Galan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RG Pacific, LLCDarrell H. Heacock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homer R. Heacock Realty Greg Millsap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Shops at MontebelloJay Nomura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M’s FlowersGeorge B. Pacheco . . . . Law Offices of George B. Pacheco & AssociatesVeronica Ramirez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beverly HospitalBarbara Risher Welch . . . . . . . . . . Risher Mortuary & Cremation Services

Chamber StaffAni Minasian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President/CEOAdriana Dugan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership Services Specialist

AmbassadorsMartha Alvarez, Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guerra Gutierrez MortuariesRena Garcia, Vice Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing with RenaJenny Louwers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . World Financial GroupLydia Minasian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goldex Fine JewelryRhonda Newborg . . . . . . . Pasadena Service Federal Credit UnionBetty Peralta . . . . . . . . . . . . Soroptimist International of MontebelloMaggie Rios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNIFY Financial Credit UnionJean Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose Hills Memorial ParkVictor Sanchez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNIFY Financial Credit Union

Montebello Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.109 North 19th Street, Montebello, CA 90640(323) 721-1153 • Fax (323) 721-7946montebellochamber.org

Spotlight on Montebello is individually addressed and mailed to homes and businesses in Montebello through USPS as well as distributed to high-traffic areas and events in the region. (15,000 distribution)

for more events, see montebellochamber.org

comIng eventsstate of the cIty@ quIet cannonrsvP (323) 721-1153

free e-waste recyclIng event@ cIty hall9 am to 4 Pm

99th annIversary cIty Parade & festIval@ cIty Park10 am to 4 Pm

free bIz mentorIng@ montebello chamber offIcersvP (626) 593-1120 or (714) 850-7369

11th annual taste of the town@ bagramIan hall (montebello)tIX: (323) 721-1153 / montebellotaste.com

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18halloween festIvItIes@ cathy hansel youth center5 Pm to 9 Pm

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31free bIz mentorIng@ montebello chamber offIcersvP (626) 593-1120 or (714) 850-7369

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moonlIght mIngle@ locatIon to be determInedrsvP (323) 721-1153

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ad deadlIne for dec-jan sPotlIghtreserve sPace: (323) [email protected]

free bIz mentorIng@ montebello chamber offIcersvP (626) 593-1120 or (714) 850-7369

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800-810-02721460 S. Greenwood Ave. Montebello CA 90640

Call for Pricing and Tasting InformationWE OFFER CATERING FOR ANY OCCASION

WEDDINGS • QUINCEAÑERAS

CORPORATE EVENTS • BANQUETS

ANNIVERSARIES • CHARITIES / FUNDRAISERS

HOLIDAY PARTIES • BIRTHDAY / GRADUATION

ITALIAN • CHINESE • AMERICAN • MEXICAN • MIDDLE EASTERN

haPPy thanksgIvIng!(chamber offIce closed)

nov

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3october-november 2019 Spotlight on montebello – montebellochamber.org

2018: 5 Stars on all National Clinical Quality Measures

2017: 5 Stars on all National Clinical Quality Measures

Award 2016: 5 Stars and beyond on all Quality Measures

Award 2014: Outstanding Diabetes Management



Award 2009: Excellence in Diabetes Care

Welcome, neW members

Oportun, Inc.1201 W. Whittier Blvd.Montebello, CA 90640

(650) 417-8394oportun.com

Academy Awning, Inc.1501 Beach Street Montebello, CA 90640(323) 721-2929cabanasbyacademy.com

American Legion Post #272616 W. Cleveland AvenueMontebello, CA 90640(323) 721-4878americanlegionpost272.net

Island Style CateringMontebello, CA 90640

(323) 999-8593Instagram: @islandstylecatering32

The Montebello Chamber has been hosting SCORE’s one-on-one business mentoring sessions which are currently available on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

A new mentor and Montebello resident, James Kline, has recently joined the SCORE mentoring team and will provide the mentoring sessions at the Chamber’s offices.

James Kline is an experienced prop-erty casualty insurance agent broker with knowledge in many aspects of small business development and operation including entity structure. He has experience in building a small business from beginning to successful operation, as he did with his own business, Smith & Kline Business Services.

He has worked for over 40 years with small business owners and has developed a good understanding of what is needed for start-up, marketing, finance, and cash control in many areas of business.

Kline earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Insurance from UCLA. He has served as the Director of the Vernon Com-merce Credit Union as well as President of the Huntington Park Chamber, Kiwanis Club of Huntington Park, and the Hunting-ton Park Youth Federation.

Mentoring appointments must be sched-uled in advance by calling (626) 593-1120 or filling out a request on SCORE’s East San Gabriel Chapter website: eastsangabrielvalley.score.org.

New SCORE Mentor at Montebello Chamber


Multi-Chamber NetworkingNetworking events help business people to make contacts and build

partnerships with other local business representatives, as well as to attract new clients. With multi-chamber networking events, prospective contacts cross city lines and expand on the opportunities for attendees to meet new people and increase their reach.

September’s installment of the 323 Chamber Inter-change events broke with tradition by incorporating a special session of announcements during which all the business representatives present were allowed to intro-duce themselves and their businesses to the group. The attendees representing the members, staff and guests of the Montebello, Greater Huntington Park, South Gate and Commerce Industrial Council Chambers of Com-

merce gathered inside a ballroom at the Bicycle Hotel and enjoyed networking over a delectable breakfast spread.

Raffle prizes, ranging from gift cards to bottles of wine, were doled out to lucky winners whose business cards were randomly selected. Wish you were there? Check our event calendar on montebellochamber.org for the next networking event!

Morning Mingle at Bicycle Hotel & Casino

After-Hours Mixer at Wells Fargo Bank

On August 22nd, Wells Fargo Bank hosted an after-hours mixer for the Mon-tebello and East Los Angeles chambers of commerce at its Montebello Branch located at 777 W. Whittier Blvd. After a warm welcome by staff from the two chambers, Neftali Davila, a Business Banking Specialist with Wells Fargo, shared information about the bank’s business services.

Elizabeth Andon-Martinez, Senior Field Deputy for Supervisor Hilda Solis, presented certificates to the two cham-bers as well as to the four restaurants who had donated food for the event, including Montebello’s own Golden Skewer Restaurant.

Attendees made the most of the oppor-tunity to network and build connections with other business people, and some even walked away with raffle prizes.


Moonlight Mingle at Crowne Plaza

The Montebello and Commerce Industrial Council chambers of commerce teamed up in August for their monthly mingle, this time inviting the East Los Angeles and Para-mount chambers to join them for an outdoor after-hours soiree on the 2nd floor terrace of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Commerce.

Arriving guests were greeted with glasses of champagne, appetizers and live funk music by the Dane Drewis Band from Venice, California. Crowne Plaza’s own Di-rector of Catering, Stacey Kauhaahaa, was thanked by the chambers for graciously hosting the event. No networking event is complete without raffle prizes, and this mingle was no exception—a few lucky winners went home with valuable prizes such as gift cards and bottles of wine.

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Ribbon Cutting for Montebello’s First All-Electric Bus

On August 27th, City Councilmembers, city staff and community members gath-ered inside a pristine garage of the Montebello Bus Lines for a special ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the addition of the first all-electric bus to the MBL’s fleet.

Tom Barrio, the City’s Director of Transportation, revealed that soon 36 buses would be equipped with zero-omission technology thanks to a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Mayor Jack Hadjinian recalled riding the Monte-bello buses as a preteen to his family’s jewelry store in downtown LA, while Councilwoman Angie Jimenez was reminded of how she rode the bus while pregnant with her daughter and unable to drive. Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez expressed his pride and thanked the staff for their hard work, as did Councilwoman Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne.

Griselda Ortiz made a presentation on behalf of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez who Griselda said is committed to bringing federal funds into our community. Edgar Estrada presented a certificate on behalf of Assembly-woman Cristina Garcia who has worked diligently towards better air quality in her district.

Barrio projected that, in the next 2 years, more electric buses would join the fleet as would a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell.


Shahan Savoian, OwnerMy Car Broker540 N. Montebello Blvd., Ste. E, Montebello, CA 90640(323) 543-4333MyCarBroker.com

In 1993, while attending Schurr High School, Shahan Savoian was working part-time at a pharmacy near an army recruiter’s office when a series of recruit-ment conversations led to his enlisting in the army through the early-entry program.

Then just 17 years old, he was eager to see the world and gain his independence, following in the footsteps of his father who served in the Marines. After com-pleting boot camp, he spent 3 months at Fort Knox in Kentucky training to be a tank mechanic and, beginning in January 1994, he was stationed in Germany.

During his service in Germany, Shahan worked on all the vehicles in the motor pool with a specialty in servicing the turret (gun) on tanks. He spent 6 months in Kuwait receiving training to adapt to desert conditions. Before completing his service in 1999, he also served 3 years stateside at Fort Carson in Colorado. But when his son was born, he began to think about returning to civilian life.

Shahan credits his military service for teaching him to rely only on himself, a skill that is necessary for any entrepreneur and business owner.

With the support of a VA loan, he purchased his first home at the age of 20. Shahan values the comradery with fellow veterans and remains in contact with many of the army buddies he served with.

Shahan excelled in auto sales at Honda World in Downey for 17 years. He was a Gold Master Salesman from 2006 to 2015, and distinguished himself as a Top 100 Salesman out of 23,000 salespeople in both 2014 and 2015. Shahan was promoted to Sales Manager before striking out on his own, starting his own car brokerage.

Today, Shahan Savoian is the owner of My Car Broker where he helps car shoppers to cir-cumvent the grueling car-buying experience at dealerships while saving them time and money.

VETERAN TALES In honor of Veteran’s Day, we pay tribute to both the fallen and surviving veterans who served in the military with true-life stories from members of our local business community.

Bob Tapia, Senior ConsultantAmerican Advisors Group 1435 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640(323) 697-2100

Bob Tapia was only 17 years old, just having graduated from James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, when President John F. Kennedy’s call to action, “Do Something for Your Country,” inspired him to enlist in the military.

He could not know then that his service would be marked by many milestones in JFK’s own life. Bob was stationed in Germany during the Cuban crisis and was there when the Berlin Wall went up. And when President Kennedy made an official visit to Berlin, Bob was selected by his group to serve as an Honor Guard greeting the president’s plane. Finally, when he completed his service at age 20, Bob returned to the United States on the very day that President Kennedy was killed.

As a veteran, Tapia has worked to ensure that other local veterans who did not return are remembered. He served as vice president of the committee that erected the veterans’ monument in 2016 at Garfield High School.

The granite memorial is inscribed with the names of all the students and alumni of the school who served during the Vietnam War era and lost their lives in service of their country. The committee raised the funds to establish the memorial which to date is the only such monument on any school grounds in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Bob Tapia now helps senior citizens extend their retirement resources while con-tinuing to live in their homes through reverse mortgages.


why two hearing aids are better than oneContributed by Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy Hearing

Our auditory system is made up of our two ears, our hearing nerves and the brain, and all parts work together to decode the sounds we hear, understand speech and pay less attention to background noise. Wearing two hearing aids, also called binaural hearing aids, makes intuitive sense.

When we don’t move and use our muscles, they tend to weaken and can even atrophy over time.Don’t risk ‘auditory deprivation’

Even though your ears aren’t muscles, depriving them of sound can make the auditory nerve pathways and the associated centers in the brain less effec-tive at decoding the sound around you. Understanding speech, particularly in the presence of noise gets more difficult even when the sound is loud enough for you to hear it. Far better sound quality with two hearing aids

One of the biggest reasons you may be considering getting hearing aids is that, besides not being able hear at normal levels, you find that even if you can hear speech, the sound isn’t clear. Research has shown wearing two hearing aids makes for clearer conversation. You won’t have to set the amplification as high

Wearing two hearing aids provides binaural summation--when a listener perceives greater intensity (volume) of sound when both ears are presented with a stimulus at once compared to hearing the stimulus in either ear alone. Having an increased perception of volume from wearing two hearing aids means you’ll be able to get more “bang for your buck” in terms of loudness. This can help you conserve hearing aid batteries and may even mean you can wear smaller hearing aids since not as much power is needed. You’ll better know where sound is coming from

Not only is finding the source of sound helpful in everyday life, it can be an important safety consideration. Knowing where those ambulance sirens are in relation to your car helps you know when and where to pull over to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Higher user satisfaction

If the above reasons aren’t enough for you, many hearing healthcare pro-fessionals know their patients report higher hearing aid satisfaction when they wear two hearing aids instead of just one. Reprinted with permission from www.healthyhearing.com and edited for space. This article placement is sponsored by Virtue Hearing Aid Center located at 134 S. Montebello Blvd. in Montebello, (323) 530-0223, virtue-hearing.com.

On August 8th, the Montebello Chamber of Com-merce, along with seven other local chambers of com-merce, jointly organized a State of the Nation Address Luncheon featuring Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez. Members, staff and guests of the Montebello, Norwalk, Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Cerritos, Pico Rivera, La Mirada and Artesia chambers attended the event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles-Norwalk.

Congresswoman Sanchez had undergone emergency surgery the day before the event and was still recovering but determined to keep her promise to the attendees, so she addressed the crowd from a reclining position on a sofa placed on the stage.

The congresswoman shared that she supported a bi-partisan spending agreement that would prevent future shutdowns of government.

Speaking about the upcoming Census 2020, she stressed the importance of obtaining an accurate record of the population because it could impact the funding that our district and our state receive from the federal government. 1.5 million Californians were not counted in the last census and as a result, the state lost 2 seats in Congress. She was happy to announce that the question about an individual’s citizenship would no longer be included in the questionnaire. Congresswoman Sanchez said her office was working with the ethnic media to get the word out: “We need a full accounting.”

Congresswoman Sanchez serves on the Ways & Means Committee which has jurisdiction over tax code, foreign trade and social security. In that capacity, she has been working to pass bipartisan bills which would help individuals save for retirement, create pension plans for retiring employees, and increase transparency of prescription drug costs to make drugs more affordable for consumers.

The Child Dependent Care tax could result in a credit for some working parents if they earned more credit than the tax they owe. In terms of foreign trade, San-chez said she would be fighting for better provisions in NAFTA, uplifting labor standards in other countries and enforcing those provisions so that local companies could be more competitive

Locally, Sanchez mentioned that the restoration of the Whitter Narrows Dam was named as the highest priority by the Army Corps of Engineers, and that she was working to get funding for the project which was necessary to prevent flooding of most cities in her district. She helped to get funding for the new state-of-the-art Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling

and Environmental Learning in Pico Rivera which will recycle 3 billion gallons of water.

The congresswoman answered multiple questions from the audience on gun violence, homelessness, and President Trump, and concluded by saying that there is bipartisanship in government, and that she would continue to fight to improve the quality of life for people in her district.

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez’s State of the Nation

Wish your ad Was here? Call (323) 721-1153

or [email protected]


City of Montebello News

— Paid for by the City of Montebello —

City Rolls Out New Electric Buses

The City of Montebello rolled out three new electric busses this past September as part Montebello Bus Lines’ ongoing efforts to make an environmental impact by improving the air quality in the neighborhood and surrounding cities.

Montebello Bus Lines Director of Transportation Tom Barrio is enthusiastic about the project as it is proactive in implementing zero emission vehicles ahead of the California Senate Bill AB 739 mandate.

As the third largest municipal bus system in Los Angeles County serving the public for eighty-eight years, Montebello Bus Lines’ zero emission initiative is a forward-looking necessity as the bus line services over 4.5 million passengers a year.

The new buses will include zero emission propulsion system technology with an all-electric-drive system. The bus interior has been revamped with composite floorings, lightweight seating and an electric HVAC system to regulate temperature in the bus. The driver seat will also feature a cool/warm setting to keep the bus operator comfortable. The bus will use all LED interior and exterior lighting. Additionally, electric air compres-sors and power steering pumps have been installed to improve the bus. The new electric buses will also be quieter than gas powered vehicles.

“We are looking forward to our first all-electric buses. We believe this is going to be a positive first step toward the next generation of our vehicles moving forward,” said Barrio. “As part of the Transportation Department’s continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, Montebello Bus Lines will continue to obtain vehicles that have the most advanced technology to reach Cali-fornia’s zero emission goals.”

New Playground Opens at City ParkBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

Montebello City Park can boast of a new playground thanks to the efforts of the City, the Recreation and Community Services Department, and the Montebello Lions Club in securing a Community Build Grant from Kaboom, along with over 100 volunteers that partici-pated in the build.

While Kaboom supplies the playground equipment and the certified playground installer through their funding partner Keurig Dr. Pepper, the grant requires volunteers from the community help on the final day of the build.

“The playground selected for the new equipment is the oldest in the City, some 20-plus years,” said Mon-tebello Director of Recreation and Community Services David Sosnowski.

On July 26th, volunteers gathered at City Park to begin assembling and installing state-of-the-art slides, climbers, and other playground equipment.

“We are grateful to all the volunteers here today to help build this great playground for our city,” said Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez. “I want to thank Kaboom, Keurig Dr. Pepper, the City of Montebello, Recreation and Community Services staff, and the Lions Club for all their help.”

“The Lions Club is excited to partner with the City and Kaboom,” said Lion Manny Sanchez. “This new playground fits our purpose to the serve the commu-nity.”

“What you see here today is a testament to teamwork by individuals that live in our community and organiza-tions made up of good individuals like the Lions Club, Kaboom, Keurig Dr. Pepper, and Northgate,” said Mayor Jack Hadjinian. “Just remember how many kids are going to enjoy this playground and how many smiles will be put on their faces.”

“We had some of the hardest-working volunteers on site this week, “said Gabby Mena, Kaboom project manager. “They were amazing, super organized, posi-tive attitude, they were incredible.”

The new playground was designed with input from local kids and prep work for the build, which included removing the existing equipment, began the end of June aided by Montebello Recreation and Community Services staff and volunteers.

“Thank you again to all of the partners and volunteers for making this possible,” added Hadjinian.

The build was complete in six hours with the new playground ready for the official ribbon-cutting.

New Officers Welcomed into MPD FamilyBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

Chief Brad Keller and the Montebello Police Depart-ment (MPD) have welcomed Officers Trevor Goetz and Ryan Senn-Castillo into the MPD family.

“Becoming a police officer is what I’ve wanted ever since I was a kid,” said Senn-Castillo. “It is a very honorable career and being able to protect people on a daily basis is something to be proud of. I don’t see myself doing anything else but constantly working to be the best police officer I can be.”

Born in Long Beach, Senn-Castillo’s outside interests and hobbies have always been sports-related.

“Remaining fit is very important to me, especially being in law enforcement,” he said. “I enjoy being able to set goals and achieve them at the gym.”

Long-term goals include promoting within the Depart-ment with exposure to different assignments, including narcotics and SRT.

“I look forward to serving and protecting the Mon-tebello community,” he added.

Goetz feels blessed to begin his career with the MPD and is “excited to meet and serve the people of Montebello.”

“I became a police officer to protect people. I want to make the community a safer place for all,” he said. ”

Born in Pasadena, Goetz is a Bishop Amat Memo-rial High School graduate who enjoys playing baseball, working out, and spending time with family and friends. Long-term goals include being assigned to a specialized unit such as K9, Special Response Team (SRT), or De-tective Bureau. He also wants to continue his education and obtain his degree.

According to Montebello Police Captain Luis Lopez, the new officers are assigned to the Training Unit for a two-week orientation where they receive instruction on policy, range training, first aid, less lethal weapons, and weaponless defense.

“They are then assigned to a training officer to begin the formal field training program, which is divided into four phases, each phase lasting between three and six weeks. Each phase must be successfully completed before moving on to the next,” said Lopez. “The train-ees are evaluated daily by their training officers. An end-of-phase report is completed by supervisors and submitted to police administration. During the final phase of training, if determined competent to perform at a solo officer level, the training period is complete.”

The officer is then placed on a patrol team and can patrol a beat by him or herself.

“The training program is not easy and requires total commitment on the part of the trainee,” said Lopez. “The training officers, supervisors, managers and command staff closely monitor their progress and are committed to the success of each trainee.”

“We wish each of them much success,” added Keller.

Parking Spot to Honor Veterans Installed at City HallBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

Veterans now have a designated parking spot in honor of their service and sacrifice for use when conducting business at city hall.

The parking spot was spearheaded by Councilwoman Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne, “I got the idea when I noticed a designated veteran’s parking spot at a home improvement store and thought what a great idea. A way to thank our veterans for their service every day of the year, not only on Veteran’s Day.”

The parking spot located at the west entrance of city hall with a placard designated Veterans Only, sports a wheel stop with a patriotic design and color scheme and will be enforced via the honor system.

“I see this parking spot as the City thanking veterans for their service year-round,” added Cobos-Cawthorne.

“What a lovely idea,” said one resident. “I have faith that people will respect our veterans enough not to park in the space.”


City of Montebello News

— Paid for by the City of Montebello —

Former Resident on Scleroderma Awareness QuestBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

When former Montebello resident Sheryl Bishop was diagnosed with scleroderma, she became interested in raising awareness “because no one knew of it, and 14 years later it still isn’t very well-known.” She is on a quest to bring awareness to, and more importantly, find a sure for this disease.

According to the Scleroderma Foundation, sclero-derma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoim-mune rheumatic diseases. While hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease and symptoms vary from patient to patient, scleroderma also harms blood vessels, internal organs and the diges-tive tract.

“Scleroderma does not discriminate between age, race, or gender,” said Bishop. It can be as bad, if not worse, than cancer. There is no cure and many treat-ments are not FDA approved. We need more funding for research.”

Bishop recently spearheaded a fundraiser at Angry Horse Brewing in Montebello to raise not only aware-ness, but donations for the Scleroderma Foundation Southern California Chapter. The event was well-at-tended and had the support of Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez, Councilmembers David Torres and Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne, and Culture and Recreation Commissioners Oliver Jimenez and Byron Jackson.

“I’m proud of what Sheryl and her team accomplished here today and I like seeing our community unite for a great cause,” said Melendez.

However, Bishop’s efforts don’t end here. She plans to continue to raise awareness by “having a presence at various Montebello community activities, and hopes to make June Scleroderma Awareness Month in Mon-tebello.”

“This campaign is to make scleroderma as well-known as breast cancer,” she added. “With your help, we are another step closer to a cure. The scleroderma com-munity is truly grateful for your support and so am I.”

Bishop thanked those in attendance for their time and efforts in helping create scleroderma awareness.

Improvements Underway with City’s Annual Concrete and Sidewalk Repairs ProgramBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

With its annual Concrete and Sidewalk Repairs Pro-gram currently underway, the City has earmarked 75 locations for repair and/or replacement this fiscal year.

“The City is responsible for the maintenance of side-walks, curbs and gutters, cross gutters, driveways, and sidewalk ADA ramps,” said Juan Hernandez, Street Maintenance Supervisor. “The City has a list of concrete repairs that need to be made and we work off that list.” “

The City will be spending about $270,000 to repair or replace the 75 locations identified. As part of the City Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the City Council allocated funds for these repairs using a combination of Measure R, Measure M, and TDA-3 funds received from LA County Metro. No general funds are antici-pated to be used this fiscal year.

According to Hernandez, the list is compiled by city employees identifying areas that need repair and from residents that call in requesting repairs.

“We then prioritize the locations based on greatest need,” he said. “Any concrete surface that has uplifted more than one inch or higher is considered a priority.”

“We’re looking forward to having work done on our sidewalks and our streets,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sal-vador Melendez. “We want to assure that we continue to work on our city’s infrastructure.”

Any resident with a sidewalk or curb issue can call 323-887-1200, ext. 555 for additional information.

“Not only do these improvements make our sidewalks safer, but improve the overall look of our neighbor-hood,” said one resident.

City Beautification Underway with Tree Planting, TrimmingBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

With the City’s tree planting program currently un-derway, residents that would like a tree planted in their parkway are encouraged to contact the City’s Public Works Department.

“If someone wants a tree or has been without a park-way tree for many years, we welcome their call,” said Montebello Director of Public Works Danilo Batson. “We appreciate the willingness of our residents to beautify our community and improve the environment by planting a tree in front of their home.”

According to Assistant Tree Maintenance Supervisor Mario Ortiz, all trees will be planted with tree stakes and ties, and watered once a week for the first 90 days by the City’s contractor, West Coast Arborists, Inc. After 90 days, it becomes the homeowner’s responsibility to water the tree.

“Residents can request several types of trees that are not invasive to sidewalks or residential sewer lines,” said Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian.

Tree choices include a crape myrtle, Chinese pistache, or evergreen pear tree.

Only residents qualify for a tree, and if the existing tree was removed due to plumbing issues or disease, the tree will be replaced.

The City will also be planting trees in public parks and the golf course.

In addition, the City’s annual tree trimming program continues citywide.

“The contractor has nearly completed the pruning of all Chinese elms, eucalyptus and ficus trees in order to prevent property damage as a result of weather condi-tions including heat or wind,” said Ortiz. “The grid pruning program is also underway.”

For additional information or to request a tree, call 323-887-4640 or email [email protected].

“I encourage residents that do not have a parkway tree in front of their home to call Public Works and request a tree to be planted to keep Montebello looking beauti-ful,” added Ortiz. “The goal is to plant at least 100 new parkway trees citywide this year and in future years.”

City Holds Fun Skateboard ContestBy Anne Donofrio-Holter

The summer heat did not keep local skateboarders from showing off their skills July 13th as the City hosted its quarterly skateboard competition at the City Park skate park.

“We host this event to give the kids on summer break something fun and positive to do,” said David Sos-nowski, Director of Recreation & Community Services.

Competing for skate gear and gift cards, the partici-pants ranging in age from five to over 18, competed in several categories including Best Trick, Best Run, and A Game of SK8.

“A Game of SK8 uses rules similar to the H.O.R.S.E. game played by basketball players,” explained Com-munity Services Coordinator Jacob Castillo.

City staff served as event judges and made sure there was plenty of water on hand to keep the participants hydrated.

“We want to thank first place sponsor Priscilla Araiza for donating three $10 gift cards,” added Castillo.

“Our next skateboard competition is scheduled for October 19th which will also celebrate the City’s skate park’s 17th anniversary,” added Sosnowski.


La Bufadora Baja Grill Ribbon Cutting

The family-owned restaurant chain, La Bufadora Baja Grill, recently expanded their enterprise from four to eleven locations, one of which was opened here in Montebello. On August 16th, they hosted a fabulous celebration at the Montebello location which coincided with their ribbon cutting ceremony.

Live music was provided by a mariachi band, singer Mario “El Cachorro” Delgado and Que Buena 96.1 FM radio station. Attendees were treated to celebrity appearances by professional boxer Josesito Lopez, social media personality Mexi Papa, and QueBuena 96.1 FM disc jockey Carlos Moreno.

Gift cards and prizes were given away but the real star was the money machine—raffle ticket winners were invited to step into the machine and grab as much as of the cash bills flying around them as they could.

Owners Cinthia and Rogelio Ruiz and administrator Rigo Espinoza were presented with con-gratulatory certificates from several dignitaries. Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez, along with Councilmembers Angie Jimenez and Kimberly Cobos-Cawthorne, presented on behalf of the City of Montebello. Field representative Hector Chacon presented a certificate on behalf of Senator Bob Archuleta. Board Chairman Armando Arenas along with board members Ilma Avila, John Pringle, George Pacheco and Darrell Heacock, presented certificates on behalf of the Montebello Chamber, as well as Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia in their absence.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed the restaurant’s signature Ensenada-style tacos, champagne, cake and frozen treats.

La Bufadora Baja Grill is located at 2809 Via Campo, #H in Montebello, (323) 246-4985, labufadorabajagrill.com.

Photo by Alex Dominguez, Downey Patriot

‘Pride of 58’ award Presented to risher mortuary

Assemblwoman Cristina Garcia recently distinguished Risher Mortuary and Crema-tion Services with her coveted “Pride of 58” Award. The award recognizes exceptional indivduals and businesses throughout the year for their service and dedication to the betterment of the community.

Barbara Risher-Welch and her husband Greg, owners of Risher Mortuary, have been very active in community service. They founded a scholarship program which unlike most scholarships is not based on grades but rather aspires to help kids that have faced difficulties in school but want to continue their education.

Recently, Risher Mortuary organized the services for a local veteran who had been missing in action for decades.

Risher Mortuary and Cremation Services is located at 1316 W. Whittier Blvd. in Montebello, (323) 728-1261, rishermortu-ary.com.

Join the Montebello Chamber of Commerce!

(323) 721-1153 montebellochamber.org


11th Annual Taste of the Town October 18

The Montebello Chamber of Commerce will present its 11th annual installment of the Taste of the Town on Friday, October 18th at Bagramian Hall located at 900 W. Lincoln Avenue in Mon-tebello.

The premier foodie event in Montebello featur-ing local restaurants, caterers, bakeries, wineries, breweries and more will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

This year’s event will sport a fun and indulgent “Cruiseline” theme. Attendees can choose from general admission or VIP admission tickets. Gen-eral admission tickets cost $45 through October 13th (the price goes up to $60 thereafter) and includes unlimited sampling of food, desserts, wine, beer and tequila, plus a souvenir wine glass.

VIP admission costs $85 and includes compli-mentary valet parking, priority check-in, parting gifts, and reserved seating in an exclusive VIP lounge with dedicated champagne bar.

Attendees will enjoy live DJ music and a free raffle ticket when turning in their ballots to name their favorites for the Best Taste Awards in 3 categories: Entrée/Appetizer, Baked Goods, and Adult Beverage.

Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase, and guests can choose the raffle prizes to which they will apply their chances to win. Raffle prizes will include gift cards to local res-taurants, great gift baskets and more.

Taste of the Town is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: The Shops at Montebello (Presenting “Champagne” sponsor); Armenian Apostolic Holy Cross Cathedral and White Arrow, Inc. (“Cabernet” sponsors); and M’s Flowers and UNIFY Financial Credit Union (“Shiraz” sponsors).

Sponsorship opportunities are still available with promotional benefits including coverage in the December/January issue of Spotlight on Montebello.

Tickets can be purchased online at Montebel-loTaste.com, by phone at (323) 721-1153, or at the Chamber office located at 109 N. 19th Street in Montebello.

MHS Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony October 10

On October 10th, the Montebello High School Alumni Association will present the Induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner at the Mon-tebello High School Gymnasium, 2100 W. Cleveland Ave. in Montebello. The event will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the celebration of Homecoming.

The Hall of Fame inductees will be Jeff Schwartz (Class of 1972) who has served as a teacher, coach, and Montebello High School Principal for 18½ years, and Dan Hernandez (Class of 1977), host of the TV program Sport Fishing with Dan Hernandez and founder of the Dan Hernandez Youth Foundation.

Tickets are $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door. For more information or to pur-chase tickets, contact Carmela Hobley at (323) 721-9432.


For the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 29th at Rios Eubanks APC, the law offices were filled with not only dignitaries, Chamber members and relatives of the owners, but also with families who have benefited from the advocacy the partners have provided for special needs children in their respective school districts.

Partners Elizabeth Eubanks and Devon Rios each developed their expertise in special educa-tion matters then joined forces to form Rios Eubanks APC, together educating parents about their rights and fighting for the resources and ac-commodations in schools needed by children with special needs and disabilities. The far-reaching influence of their work has resulted in decisions impacting the Los Angeles Unified School District, Pomona Unified School District, Calimesa Joint Unified School District, and schools in San Bernardino County. One parent called them “superheroes” and many parents and children presented gifts to the attorneys.

Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez shared how a relation in his own family had been impacted by the duo’s hard work, then presented them with a certificate on behalf of the City of Montebello. Field Representative

Hector Chacon presented a certificate and offered congratulations on behalf of Senator Bob Archuleta. Chamber CEO/President Ani Minasian also presented certificates on behalf of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce, as well as on behalf of Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez in their absence.

Attendees gathered outside the street window for a ribbon cutting ceremony, then mingled over wine, craft beer and refreshments among dozens of art works adorning all the walls of the offices.

Rios Eubanks APC is located at 516 W. Whittier Blvd. in Montebello, (323) 530-0560, rioseubanks.com.

National Night OutOn August 6th, the Montebello Chamber joined local businesses and non-

profit organizations by setting up a booth at National Night Out. The annual tradition returned to the 1600-1700 block of Victoria Avenue behind the police station which was closed off for family fun, food trucks, vendor booths, and demonstrations by the Montebello Police Department’s Special Response Team (SWAT), K-9 teams, and Police Explorers.

The Montebello City Council, Montebello Fire Department and the city’s new City Manager Rene Bobadilla all came out to meet and greet the residents. Mayor Jack Hadjinian, Councilmember David Torres and Police Chief Brad Keller all took turns in the dunking booth.

Florencio Briones, Senior Field Deputy of the Office of Supervisor Hilda Solis, presented the City of Montebello and Montebello Police Department with certificates. The family-friendly fun ended with an outdoor movie screening in Acuna Park.

Rios Eubanks APC Ribbon Cutting


FMUSD’s Service to Education to Honor Three Programs

The 2019 “Service to Education” Awards of the Friends of the Montebello Unified School District Foundation, a non-profit organization that works independently from the school district, will be presented at a banquet on Sunday, October 27, 2019. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Bagramian Hall, located at 900 W. Lincoln Avenue in Montebello.

This year’s awards will recognize three programs which have had a power-ful impact on MUSD students: College Bound Today (CBT), AdvanceVia Individual Determination (AVID), and Pathways to College and Career Success.

CBT is a non-profit college access mentoring program dedicated to encour-aging and enabling high school graduates to apply to and attend four-year colleges and universities. AVID provides resources and tools for academic rigor. It is a college readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities. PATHWAYS to College and Career Success is an effective educational approach to high school that integrates academic course work with Career Technical Education.

Tickets are priced at $85 each and are available through the Foundation’s website (FMUSDF.org). Reservations are requested by October 12th.

The Friends of the Montebello Unified School District Foundation was founded in 2012 by community leaders and former educators of the school district with the purpose of supporting student achievement.

Soroptimist and Entrepreneur Veronica Diaz Passes

On August 24th, 2019, Veronica R. Diaz, founder of The Daily Brew coffeehouse and once active member of the Montebello Cham-ber of Commerce, passed peacefully at the age of 62, surrounded by her loved ones after a long courageous battle with breast cancer.

Over the course of her life, Veronica Diaz owned and operated the Expresso Cafe, the Garden Cafe, and lastly, The Daily Brew. Her dream was to create a safe and positive hub where everyone—local artists, musicians, poets, students, seniors—could come together to build community.

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Diaz was also very active in community organizations. Her involvement with the community started when her children were young. She was involved with the Girl Scouts, became a Boy Scouts troop leader, ran Golden State and PAL basketball, Peace Camp, and volunteered as a teacher’s assistant.

When her children became older, Veronica’s service became civic in na-ture. She joined Soroptimist International of Montebello twenty years ago and served in many leadership roles including the inception of the annual community walk to raise breast cancer awareness.

She also was a member of the Montebello Historical Society and served as its treasurer until her passing. Veronica was among the first community members to serve on the Citizens Patrol for the Montebello Police Depart-ment. Most recently she served as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner and advocated for the arts in our community.

She also volunteered and supported the Ashiya Sister City organization and served as a member of the Montebello-Commerce YMCA Board of Manag-ers. On any given weekend she could be found at fundraisers, charity walks, community events and so much more. Veronica loved her community, and passionately worked towards enriching her surroundings.

While Veronica wore many hats, she was also a beloved sister, mother and grandmother as well as a compassionate and caring friend who gave of herself completely and unconditionally. She will be deeply missed by the family and community to which she devoted her life.

On October 5th, the annual Pink Shawl Walk which Veronica initiated will be held at The Shops at Montebello. If you want to participate and/or donate, please register at the following link to provide FREE mammogram services to women who can’t afford it: shopsatmontebello.com/event/thinkpink/”

ecologica Launches new skin Care Line with tV CelebrityFatima Ranjbar, owner and founder of Ecologica Medical Spa in Monte-

bello, has partnered with American television personality and businesswoman Rosie Rivera to create the Ecologica Organic Skin Corporation skin care line.

On September 12th, a media event launched the new partnership at Eco-logica Medical Spa and was covered by Estrella TV and El Aviso Magazine who interviewed Ranjbar and Rivera. The Montebello Chamber presented both women with congratulatory certificates, wishing them success with their new business venture.

The new skin care line offers innovative products such as a stem cell crème and growth factor serum for all skin types. The product boasts rejuvenating benefits generated by bio-sourced epidermal growth factors which encour-age the process of cellular renewal while boosting the vibrancy of collagen,

elastin and hyaluronic acid in the epidermis.The serum contains five natural source growth factors

plus powerful plant-derived extracts which fortify and sup-port the dermal matrix. It also features passion fruit and lemon fruit acids which gently encourage cellular turnover resulting in a more youthful appearance. Also included in the new product line is a CBD tincture anxiety formula.

Ecologica Medical Spa is located at 1200-A Beverly Blvd. in Montebello, (323) 888-8805, ecologicamedspa.com.

Follow us on Facebook: @montebello.chamber


Mayor Jack Hadjinian to Deliver State of the City Address

On Thursday, October 3rd, the Mon-tebello Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 2019 State of the City Address and Luncheon featuring Mayor Jack Hadjinian. Emmy-nominated KTLA 5 News reporter Ellina Abovian will be a special guest at the event, which will be held at the Quiet Cannon Event & Conference Center located at 901 Via San Clemente in Montebello beginning at 12:00 p.m. Other special guests at the event will include Montebello’s new City Manager Rene Bobadilla, new Assistant Manager Arlene Salazar, and heads of the city departments.

Tickets may be reserved online at MontebelloChamber.org, by phone at (323) 721-1153 or by visiting the Cham-ber office located at 109 N. 19th Street in Montebello. Ticket prices are only $20 each (includes luncheon) thanks to the generous support of the following presenting sponsors: ABM Building Solutions, Fiesta Taxi, Montebello Cannabis Association, NASA Services, Nationwide Environmental Services, San Gabriel Valley Water Company, and Southern California Edison.

ars nairy Chapter saturday school accepting students

Registration for the 2019-2020 aca-demic school year is now open for students wishing to attend the Saturday School of the Armenian Relief Society’s local Nairy Chapter.

Now in its 38th year, the school provides Armenian cultural education to students aged 4 to 16. The school’s curriculum includes Armenian language, literature, history, dance, music, and painting on the campus of Armenian Mesrobian Elementary and High School in Pico Rivera.

Under the direction of Principal Naira Ouzounian who has 23 years of experience in the field of education, the school’s well-trained and educated faculty prioritize building the students’ self-esteem and confidence to help them achieve in a warm, supportive environ-ment.

The small student body also ensures that students build close bonds with one another. The school provides students with textbooks and uniforms.

ARS Nairy Saturday school has earned countless awards from many different organizations. Last year the school held a graduation ceremony with 11 students receiving a diploma for their academic achievement in the Armenian language.

Classes are held every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 8420 Beverly Road, Pico Rivera, CA 90660. For more information, please call (323) 887-1636.

Chamber Joins Community for Coffee with Councilman David torresOver the past several months, Councilman David Torres has been regu-

larly hosting his “Coffee with Councilman” events at local coffeehouses and other venues to tackle pertinent topics with residents, business people and government representatives. On September 18th, the Montebello Chamber and the City’s Director of Community Development Manuel Mancha were Councilman Torres’ special guests for coffee and conversa-tion at Marin Café in South Montebello.

Joining us were residents, business people and college students for a lively discussion about economic development projects in Montebello, the challenges faced by local businesses, and the program and services the Chamber is currently offering as well as hoping to develop in the future to respond to the changing needs of the business community and the economic landscape of Montebello. All the attendees bonded over shared ideas and the hope for a brighter future for Montebello.

Pretty Nail Lounge Ribbon Cutting

The ribbon cutting ceremony at Pretty Nail Lounge was a family affair with owner Thuy Nguyen’s relatives, young and old, joining in the celebration on

August 1st. More than just supporters, Nguyen’s mother and aunt also work in the salon executing manicures and pedicures.

Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez congratulated Nguyen and thanked her for helping to revitalize Downtown Mon-tebello with her attractively decorated nail salon. Melendez and Councilmem-ber Angie Jimenez presented Nguyen with a certificate on behalf of the City of Montebello.

Chamber CEO Ani Minasian presented Nguyen with certificates on behalf Con-gresswoman Linda Sanchez, Senator Bob Archuleta, and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia in their absence.

Board Chairman Armando Arenas welcomed Pretty Nails Lounge to the Chamber and the community while pre-senting them with a certificate on behalf of the Montebello Chamber.

Attendees assembled outside the store-front for a ribbon cutting ceremony and then were hosted to refreshments inside the salon surrounded by walls decorated with 3-dimensional flowers and colorful rows of nail polish.

Pretty Nail Lounge is located at 500 W. Whittier Blvd., Ste. A in Montebello, (323) 888-1168, Facebook: @pretty.nail.lounge.


City of Montebello’s 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony

On September 11th, the City of Montebello honored the memory of those citizens who lost their lives 18 years ago in the tragic terrorist acts of 9/11. The commemorative ceremony began with a somber and inspiring march starting at Acuna Park during which an enormous American flag was carried by military personnel, explorers, boy and girl scouts past gathered veterans, city officials, youth groups and residents.

The moving procession ended at the front steps of City Hall where the crowd was addressed by Mayor Jack Hadjinian, Police Chief Brad Keller, and Fire Chief Fernando Pelaez who all shared their personal stories about where they were when the 9/11 attacks occurred and the emotional impact it had on them. The program continued with words from Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Melendez and Councilmembers Angie Jimenez, Kimberly Cobos-Cawthorne and David Torres.

Ribbon Cutting for K-9 Protective Services, Inc.

On July 25th, civic, business and com-munity leaders came together for a rib-bon cutting ceremony at K-9 Protective Services, Inc., a new security company specializing in the use of canine officers and providing security services to the healthcare industry.

Founder and CEO Fernando Padilla shared with attendees how his grandfa-ther used to be an officer in Mexico and that he honors him by hanging a painting of his grandfather in his office.

Padilla received congratulatory cer-tificates from Mayor Jack Hadjinian and Councilmembers Angie Jimenez and

Kimberly Cobos-Cawthorne on behalf of the City of Montebello. Field Rep-resentative Raquel Ramirez presented a certificate on behalf of Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, while Board Chairman Armando Arenas presented certificates on behalf of the Montebello Chamber as well as on behalf of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and Senator Bob Archu-leta in their absence.

In addition to health facility security, the company also provides executive protection, and security for residential, commercial and industrial properties. They offer a free security analysis and property walk-through. K-9 officers per-form hourly sweeps observing any prop-erty damage or malicious acts such as loitering, tagging, vandalism and theft.

Although it was a blistering hot sum-

mer day, attendees stayed cool in K-9’s chilled offices where they were served refreshments. Everyone went home with a K-9 branded candy apple, while some lucky winners also took home raffle prizes.

K-9 Protective Services, Inc. is located at 1800 W. Beverly Blvd., Suite 203 in Montebello, (800) 385-6144, www.K9PS365.com


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