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Montebello E-News

 February 28, 2010

There is nothing so good for the human soul as the discovery that there are ancient and flourishing civilized societies which have somehow managed to exist for many centuries and are still in being though they have had no help from the traveler in solving their problems. Walter Lippman

Is Lippman trying to tell us Americans not to be the policemen of the world? Do we reply to him that our national interests depend on our being policemen? Does he, in turn, reply, that there is something wrong with our interests which compel or coerce our neighbor to change his ways?

1. Announcements
 2. Who Are the Real Needy Ones?
4. About Montebello E-News and “My Montebello”

Video sale. The Montebello Friends of the Library is having a video sale on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Montebello Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd, Montebello. Over 400 videocassette titles will be available. The public is invited to purchase their favorite titles for a reasonable price. For more information, call (323) 722-6551.

A train through Montebello? The Gold Line, which opened not long ago, is to be extended. The scoping meetings are the first step in the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (Draft EIS/R) in accordance with the requirements of NEPA and CEQA. This is the first of many opportunities to learn about the proposed project, provide input on the alternatives and the evaluation process used to identify and mitigate environmental impacts. The format of the meetings will include an open house followed by a presentation to inform participants and provide an opportunity to ask questions and submit comments. ... Thursday, February 25, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Montebello Senior Center, south wing, 115 South Taylor Avenue, Montebello. There are two possible routes from which to choose: (1) along the Pomona Freeway and (2) along Washington Boulevard.

What would you do with all the money you save? Remember that Toyota jingle? Here is some interesting information, yet to be corroborated, about our recall election. If you had your druthers, where would you put that money? ... The recall is costing the city about $150,000, according to Lillian Guzman, the council secretary. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign money has been spent for the city's upcoming and recent elections. The regular November election pulled in nearly $400,000 in campaign contributions, while all sides have spent just over $300,000 on campaigning for Tuesday's recall.  

Good news, important news. The following is excerpted from the February, 2010, Spotlight on Montebello, published by the Montebello Chamber of Commerce. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. In fact, among all U.S. Women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease. All people, men and women, should take steps to prevent heart disease. From Soroptimist International of Montebello. // Risher Mortuary and the United Methodist Church of Montebello hosted their annual Community Holiday Remembrance service on December 2 at the Methodist church. // Montebello AYSO Region 105 has received more than $650 in both funds and equipment from Montebello Tire Pros and Uniroyal tire as part of an ongoing commitment. // Montebello High School Adult Transition Program for Special Needs Students will be sponsoring "Flea Markets Crafts Fair" the second Saturday of every month throughout 2010 to raise funds for program enrichment activities. Spaces for vendors cost $15 for one parking space and $25 for two parking spaces. To reserve your space, call Marie Madsen at 323.356.0439. [Comment. I like it that somebody is doing something other than a car wash in the parking lot. The car wash wastes water.]  // The Montebello District Board of Realtors had its annual Christmas luncheon and silent auction, where the Montebello Christian School choir provided holiday music. // Thanks to the Montebello Rotary Club, the Montebello Gang Diversion Task Force, the Montebello Division of Parks and Recreation and other sponsors, [Montebello City Park] became a temporary winter wonderland when 27 tons of freshly blown snow "fell" December 19 to the delight of young and old alike. // Over 300 volunteers came together to serve lunch to more than 3,500 needy local residents at the 21st annual Christmas at the Cannon program, held December 24 at the Quiet Cannon. // Any cancer diagnosis can be devastating news, not only to the patient, but to the family. The three most diagnosed malignancies in the United States today are breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. // For the past 11 years, Montebello Rotarians have made a trip to Ensenada and Tijuana the first weekend in January where they participate in the club's first service projects of the new year. // The Thanksgiving and Easter food basket program is truly a three service-club project. The Montebello Lions, Montebello Rotary, and Montebello Soroptimist working together to make life a little better for families in need. // For more than 20 years, the holidays have been made brighter for needy local families thanks to the generosity of the Montebello Police Department, the Montebello Elks Club, and donations from others in the community. // For the past several years, Montebello firefighters have brightened the lives of needy children throughout Montebello by providing toys for the holidays. // See "Who Are the Real Needy Ones?", below.

2010 business expo. The [Montebello chamber of Commerce] is proud to be able to promote the business community through our annual business expo. It not only provides networking opportunities for our participating members, but also helps build a strong local economy. This dynamic event will be held on Thursday, April 1, from 11:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. At the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello. ... For more information or reservations, call the chamber at 323.721.1153. ... From the February, 2010, Spotlight on Montebello

Help for renters. When disputes arise over rent increases and other rental housing issues, the Housing Mediation board provides an important resource to Montebello rental housing property owners and tenants. ... For more information, please contact Ms. Monet Loubet, in the Economic Development Department, at 323.887.1394. From the February, 2010, Spotlight on Montebello

Keeping your house. The HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA). ... Call 1-800-255-5342 for more information. Additional program details may also be found at www.hud.gov/hopeforhomewoners and by contacting your mortgage bank. The city's economic-development staff is also available for information at 323.887.1390. From the February, 2010, Spotlight on Montebello

Applicants available for youth ambassadors. Once again, the Montebello-Ashiya Sister city Association is urging the youth in Montebello to participate in the student exchange program for 2010. ... For information on the exchange program and availability of applications, please contact the City of Montebello at 323.887.1365. From the February, 2010, Spotlight on Montebello

When right is wrong? There are things which defy common sense, meaning that common sense can be wrong. Here might be one of them: Severe Snow Supports Global Warming. With some climate denialists in Washington citing a severe winter as evidence the long-term trend of man-made global warming and further catastrophic climate change is a fraud, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research says more severe snow is further evidence of global warming. Warmer oceans mean more water vapor hovering over the surface, which results in more snowfall for coastal cities. National Public Radio (2/15) From UN Wire, 2.15.10

I was going to write about something else, but after seeing all the news about Montebello organizations helping needy people, summarized above, I changed the subject; hence, the question, "Who Are the Real Needy Ones?" Are the real needy ones those who have a need to satisfy a spiritual hunger by giving to others? Why do I ask this? Has any benefactor asked why people are needy and what can be done so that they not come next year as "needy local residents", "needy families" or "needy children"? Should we even ask that question? If so, one thing to do is to proactively, in person, inform people of rights, benefits, and available resources, and to help them avail themselves of these, which might be enough to give them enough, so that they not come to an event for the needy. How could we do that? 1. We research about rights, benefits, and available resources. 2. We make a video specific to Montebello. 3. Our Interact, Leo and Key Club members watch the video and train. 4. When next we have an event for the needy, these trainees go into action, helping people to alleviate, if not eliminate, needs.

To learn about this newsletter, Montebello E-News, and the accompanying, growing Web site, “My Montebello”, visit www.mymontebello.com.  Also, you will find instructions and contact information for submitting announcements for publication in this newsletter, and for submitting stories to “Montebello Memories” at the Web site.