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Montebello E-News

 June 30, 2009

If advertisers spent the same amount of money on improving their products as they do on advertising then they wouldn't have to advertise them.

Will Rogers

(It is a gem like this which endears Will Rogers to us.  How true is his statement?  Is Rogers implying that word-of-mouth advertising is a powerful way to bring consumers to a product?)

1.  Announcements

2.  A Fourth of July without Fireworks?

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

ATM theft.  Have you seen a report on television or in a magazine about how thieves steal your ATM information, by installing illegal parts on a legitimate ATM machine which then read your information as you use the machine?  There is another way in which thieves steal your information.  They insert something into the card slot which keeps your card from coming back out.  You wonder what to do and, guess what, a Good Samaritan appears to help you.  He actually is the thief and he is trying to get your card information, which you are too happy to give him in order for him to get your card out of the slot.  Suggestion.  Ask your bank or credit union what security they have in place to keep thieves from stealing your personal information when you are using the ATM machine.

Good luck?  On 09.09.09, that is, September 9, 2009, Montebello High School launches festivities for its hundred-year reunion.  To volunteer to help, to sponsor or to get the particulars of the festivities, contact Ms. Denise Hagopian at 323-728-2728 or montebelloreunions@msn.com.  The high schools’ Web site is at www.mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us.

Past the confusion.  It impressed me when noted conservative and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that we had to take climate change seriously.  It is cause for considerable concern that scientists are saying that they expect climate change to have worse consequences than what they thought a few years ago.  We have mentioned in past issues of E-News that the consequences of climate change could lead to war.  With that in mind, we must do everything possible to go from “climate change” to “climate control”.  Here is one thing which we can do today:  http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/lets-repower-america?id4=ES

Our happily noisy library.  The Hikari Taiko Drummers will perform at Montebello Library on Saturday June 27, 2009, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the library meeting room.  Taiko performances are very exhilarating, earth-shaking and even called a spiritual experience.  Taiko is entertainment enjoyed all over the world. The program is free and fun for all ages.  Also, the Montebello Library has invited Peggi Ridgway, author of “Sending Flowers to America,” to present a slideshow of the lives of early flower growers from Santa Barbara to San Diego, including a number of flower growers whose farms were in Montebello. The program will be held on Tuesday June 30, 2009, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the library meeting room.  The program is free and all ages will find the pictures and stories fascinating.  The Montebello Library is a County of Los Angeles Public Library, located at 1550 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA.  For more information please call (323) 722-6551.

It is that time of year again.  Fireworks and the Fourth of July.  Why are fireworks necessary for the Fourth of July?  Would I feel less patriotic or love my country less if there were no fireworks?  Fireworks are so environmentally damaging.  And what would animals say if they had a voice?  To the best of my knowledge, fireworks do not create many American jobs.  In light of all the negatives, why do we stay with them year after year?  Yes, without a doubt, fireworks are an excellent fundraiser.  In some instances, they get people to sit down and listen to a bit of American history.  They are an activity for families and friends to do together.  Do these outweigh the damage, now that climate change has become a most annoying phenomenon?  What makes fireworks inherently attractive?  The light, noise, smoke?  How can we keep the attractive qualities of fireworks while eliminating the harmful qualities?  Can it be done?  If we put our minds to it, Could we create a different, people-, pet- and Earth-friendly culture for the Fourth of July which still would give an annual economic stimulus?  Americans are inventors.  Maybe an X Prize for the best idea for a truly safe and sane Fourth?