If printing, please do so on the front and back of one sheet.

Montebello E-News

 April 15, 2009

Once you touch the biographies of human beings, the notion that political beliefs are logically determined collapses like a pricked balloon.
Walter Lippman

1.  Announcements

2.  Who Will Cast the First Stone?

3. About Montebello E-News and “My Montebello”  

Your Eyes on the Prize?  There¹s just [half a month] left for you to nominate a service-minded student for a $2,500 Barron Prize! The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is Thursday, April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit
http://www.barronprize.org/.  From K-12 listserv, March 30, 2009.

Nature Imitating Art.  Reminiscent of "24" episode a few years ago.  "Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated By Spies", Siobhan Gorman, Wall Street Journal, as abstracted in the BERC newsletter from the campus of UC Berkeley, April 13, 2009.  Senior intelligence officials report that computerized attacks have been carried out on electricity grids in the US. The attacks discussed in this article are dissimilar from geographically specific, shutdown-and-extortion type attacks that have taken place in non-US grids. Rather, the attacks were “pervasive” throughout the U.S. and entailed the incorporation of malicious code in the code of large grid operators’ programs. ...

This Hurts.  ...Again, while I don't want anyone to waste any of few precious moments we have on this Earth reading about nolies, I do think this illustrates Sommerville's points - that the goal of news is not to report the news, it is to generate readership. Interestingly enough, Sommerville was a prof at the U of F.  But because of this one ought not to think they are getting news of significance from the news, and we ought to be aware that we are being fed what will bring more readers, not what is necessarily significant. ...  "An Interesting Take on the News Business", via JOLLYBLOGGER by David Wayne on 3/21/09.

Uncle Sam Wants You!  From AmeriCorps listserv, 4.10.09.  Miley Cyrus and Youth Service America Join Forces to Ask Youth to Change the World on Global Youth Service Day. ... Miley Cyrus is joining forces with Youth Service America to promote community service for the 21st annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) on April 24-26, 2009. Through the new Miley.YSA.org website, Miley sends out a call to service to children and youth, ages 5-25, to take action and share their stories, videos, and photos for GYSD. ...

Book Sale.  Montebello Friends of the Library book sale on Friday, April 17, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1550 W. Beverly Boulevard, Montebello, California 90640.  More information, Mary Beas, 323.722.6551.

"Make It for Mom!"  Montebello Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640-3993.  Saturday, May 2, 2009, 2:00 p.m. ... Mother's Day is just around the corner! Have no ideas what to get your mom? Don't worry! Come to the library and make a cool card and gift. Surprise your mom with a special Kisses Bouquet you'll make. Hands-on program for grades 6-12.  Contact Nora Chen at (323) 722-6551 for more information.

Look up "dexterity".  Juggler David Cousin at the Montebello Library, 1550 W. Beverly Boulevard, Montebello, California 90640-3993.  Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 2 p.m.  Juggler David Cousin, holder of five world records in juggling, will be performing comedy juggling show at the Montebello Library. David's comedy juggling show consists of lots of audience involvement and music. A juggling workshop follows the show.  Contact Nora Chen at (323) 722-6551 for more information.
 

Big Anniversary.  Montebello High School announces 100-year anniversary.  On April 2, 2009, at the Montebello School Board Meeting, Montebello High School Alumni Association proudly announced the upcoming year long celebration marking Montebello High School's 100th year. ... a request to the students to interview their parents and grandparents.  We are looking for the oldest Montebello Alumni and would love to hear some stories for the 100 year celebration.  We are also going to award achievements to alumni by each decade and highlight people who haven't been acknowledged.  More information coming.

In the February 28, 2009, E-News, the brief essay “'Bravo!' or 'Oh, Oh'” mentioned glaring failures of leaders and role models in Montebello.  But that is not to say that Montebello is peculiar or cursed.  There was a mailer recently with the names “Judy Chu, Ph.D., and Mike Eng” at the top.  She sits on the State Board of Equalization and he is a state assemblyman.  The mailer was an announcement printed on two sides of one sheet.  Good for Judy and Mike.  Yet, my mailing address was printed on a separate sheet of paper and was the only thing printed on that sheet of paper.  Bad for Judy and Mike.

As the news about climate change seems to get worse, it is interesting to note that we continue to regard climate change without serious thought or urgency.  Who dares to cast the first stone of accusation?  Or better, should not somebody cast a stone to wake us all up?