Temple City Voice

Despite the amount of rain received last week, a lack of rain in the Los Angeles region is causing water shortage problems for many communities in Southern California.

Areas throughout the San Gabriel Valley have undergone tremendous water shortages. Although Temple City may not feel as impacted by the drought as the rest of Southern California, it is only time that is keeping us from experiencing a water ration.

In November, the city of Los Angeles announced the revival of the Drought Busters program, which was last used during the severe drought of the early 1990s. The city of Long Beach has already imposed drought prevention measures, mandating that residents limit their use of water.

Although water is not considered as limited a resource as crude oil, the quantity of usable water on earth has slowly been reduced. If rain continues to be sparse in our local region, grave rationing laws will be instituted by authorities.

Residents of Temple City can help to address the problem themselves, by using less water.

One idea is to take shorter showers and install low-flow shower heads which deliver 1.25 gallons of water a minute instead of the standard 3.2 gallons a minute. Water usage can also be reduced by hand-watering the lawn instead of relying on sprinkler heads that shoot off unto sidewalk.

For more information on ways to reduce water, check out this website http://www.eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm.

This article was written by Martin Mao. It was published in the Temple City Voice on January 16, 2008.

From June 2007 to September 2007, the Communications task force committee met to discuss solutions to better communicate with the citizens of Temple City. The Communications task force committee is one of four committees created by the Planning Commission to assist with modernizing the General Plan.

At a Planning Commission meeting on October 9, 2007, the Communications team delivered a presentation to commissioners and members of the audience.

In its packet, the Communications noted “to engage the residents and businesses in the General Plan update process, it is necessary that they easily understand the process and the information being used to make decisions.” The recommendation also urged that all information be available in a variety of formats and locations for residents and businesses to obtain.

Chaired by Planning Commissioner Carl Blum, the Communications task force committee split into three additional subcommittees during the time they met in order to make a presentation to the Planning Commission. The committees were Media, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and Education.

Each subcommittee was filled with citizen volunteers. In total, seventeen Temple City citizens composed of the Communications task force committee.

John Quintanella, chair of the Media subcommittee, stated “in every household, there [is] at least one e-mail [address]…which is a vital means of communicating to people [and] residents.”

The media subcommittee identified several means of communication with residents including, but not limited to: newspapers/newsletters, e-mail, websites, city events, organizations, and public bulletin boards. It also stated that current cable television channel 55, the city’s official T.V. channel was not watched frequently; and therefore, not an effective way of communication.

It recommended “focusing on the San Gabriel Valley Weekly and the Temple City website as the primary means of communication.” In addition, it stated “the other existing communication instruments should be used as supplementary to the primary sources.”

The purpose of the SWOT subcommittee was to identify residential opinions regarding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Temple City. Out of 1700 surveys, 146 responses were returned. A majority of which were responses garnered by senior citizens.

“We didn’t want to guide people to their answers. We didn’t want to steer them in the direction we wanted,” said Kathy Keelin, co-chair of the SWOT subcommittee. Keelin believes they got accurate results.

Despite the small number returned to the city, Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Blum stated “I feel that it was significant that 146 people filled out these surveys.”

The Education subcommittee stated that it would make a presentation toward the end of October, but it recommended the City update the website to include SWOT results and consider restructuring the city website “to provide ease of navigation and timely/coordinated updates.”

Commissioner Jerry Seibert made a motion to recommend to the City Council approval of the findings made by the Communications task force committee. It was seconded by Commissioner Vincent Yu and unanimously carried.

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on January 9, 2008.

Three new Board members, Rachel LaSota, Janet Rhee, and Robert (Bob) Ridley, were sworn in by Superintendent Dr. Joan Hillard at the December 12th Board of Education meeting. Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was supposed to have sworn in the three new Board members, but did not arrive until shortly after the superintendent had sworn them into office.

LaSota, Rhee, and Ridley defeated incumbent Robert McKendrick, former Councilmember Dan Arrighi, and former Temple City Board member Joan Vizcarra in a fiercely contested election in November. The three relatively newcomers trumped the three politically experienced elected officials.

After the three new Board members assumed their seats at the dais, an election was called to select the officers of the new Board of Education. Joe Walker, elected by voters in November 2005, was chosen to become the President. He succeeds Mukesh Luhar, who resigned earlier in the summer when he moved to another state.

Ridley obtained the Vice Presidency, while Board member Matt Smith was selected as Clerk.

A decision was made to keep the current Board meeting times as the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Board meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Regarding representative appointees, Rhee was appointed Representative to County Committee on School District Organization and Ridley was appointed Representative to Los Angeles County School Trustees Association.

It was also voted and approved that Dr. Hillard and Reed be Board Representatives in dealing with Employer/Employee Relations. Lynne Burkardt was reappointed as the non-voting District Representative to Temple City Chamber of Commerce.

Other voluntary board commitment assignments include Representative to Temple City Schools Foundation, volunteered by LaSota and Ex- Officio Representative to Temple City Chamber of Commerce, volunteered by Walker.

During the regular meeting, a special recognition was given to outgoing members Emilie Cales and Robert McKendrick. Cales was not in attendance; however, the Board recognizes her and McKendrick’s contribution over years they served as Board members. Both received plaques for their continual effort and support in the Temple City Unified School District.

McKendrick’s parting words included his intent to continue to stay involved with the school system and to contribute any efforts to ameliorate the District.

This article was written by Connie Lu. It was published in the January 9, 2008 issue of the Temple City Voice.

Temple City citizens gather one chilly night in order to attend the collection of festivities known as “Lights on TC.” The event begins from three o’clock in the afternoon and ends at eight. Although the event was to mainly attract small children, a number of Temple City’s devoted citizens appeared as well.

School and city organizations manage the many booths littering the park. The Parks and Recreation team establish “Toyland” near the library where they teach children how to make reindeer out of cookies and candy. Fliers for the “Royalty Contest” auditions are given out to first-graders who show potential for acting. An area near the driveway to the park is covered in fake snow and young children are allowed to engage in recreation there.

Temple City High School’s Brighter Side Singers dressed in dazzling green occupy the gazebo in the park. There they sing Christmas carols and joyful tunes including “Dancing to the 60’s.”

The Temple City Key Club has its members maintain the “Bounce House” and numerous other tents in the park. Key Club volunteers to help City Hall as an act of service to the community. “I’m happy if I see them happy” says Club President Jennifer Ma, “I like little kids okay.”
The First Lutheran School sells Apple Towers and “Shape Up Temple City” dispenses healthful muffins and brownies in the lunch shelters. Boy scouts offer to sell popcorn to citizens.

The park is visited by children’s heroes including Frosty the Snowman, Strawberry Shortcake, and Spiderman. Nevertheless, nearly all young children and their parents were expectant of the parade featuring jolly St. Nick. Santa is anticipated to arrive through the driveway of Temple City Park; gleeful little children wait along the railing with eager eyes.

A marvelous parade erupts on the street of Las Tunas as the Temple City High School Marching Band precedes the introduction of Santa Claus. The football and cheer teams of local elementary schools follow after the band; they are trialed by the Superstar cheer squad. Santa Claus arrives among the cheer squad in a green locomotive, saying his famous catchphrase, “Ho ho ho ho ho!”

The Temple City Marching Band advances towards the gazebo where Brighter Side singers have left. They begin to play Christmas melodies as Santa Claus walks up to the mayor of Temple City. Santa and Mayor Judy Wong are expected to pull the main electric switch that would light the many Christmas lights adorning the street of Las Tunas. “Even though it is a cold night, they still do it anyways and it is great,” says Temple city High School senior Jeff Lee,” It brings a small community together.”

City residents give their cheer as they see Temple City Park begin to glow with Christmas colors. With the lighting of the spectacular pine tree centered in the Temple City Park, the night eventually drew to a close and citizens gradually returned to their cozy homes.

This article was written by Martin Mao. It was published in the Temple City Voice on January 9, 2008. 

Advanced Drama showcased the performance of “Our Town” in Room 601 on two dates, Friday November 30 and Saturday December 1, both starting at 7:00 p.m.

Own Town consists of three acts by a famous American playwright, Thornton Wilder with the style of romance. In the first act, the play portrays daily life in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire in the 1900’s.

The main characters include George Gibbs, a doctor’s son, and Emily Webb, the daughter of a newspaper editor. There is very little scenery and props throughout the play. As the play progresses to the last two acts, the audience is able to see a deeper meaning of the characters’ lives.

Two actors and actresses play George and Emily in order to evoke a sense of a passing of time. Gabriel Jimenez and Isabel Yao play George and Emily, respectively, in both the first and second acts. Samuel Thorn and Michelle Leong were George and Emily in the third act.

George and Emily have known each other since they were very young. As they grew older, they had a strong affection towards each other and eventually they decided to get married. Before their marriage, however, there was a situation where George and Emily were uncertain of wanting to grow up.

In the last act, most of the townspeople have passed away and not many people are around Grover’s Corners anymore. When Emily visits her relatives, she realizes that she doesn’t want to be where they are. Emily wants to be happy like she used to be.

When her ghost travels back to one of her past birthdays, the setting of daily life and routine is brought back to the play. Later, she has to return which leads to the theme of the play: appreciate life to its fullest and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Overall, the performance rang in perspectives of life and attendees were able to learn how to appreciate from both the simple stage play and plot.

This article was written by Jackie Zhang. It was published in the Temple City Voice on December 19, 2007.

It is December 11, 2007, and the San Gabriel Civic is bustling with excited people from all around town. Onlookers wonder what could be the cause of such a massive gathering, and find their answers spelled out in black block letters plastered onto a majestic sign above: Temple City Holiday Concert.

The Holiday Concert had a total of twenty performances and lasted for three hours, which started off with the Festival Orchestra performing “Sleigh Ride.”

The crimson curtains then parted and the Combined Choirs emerged with the ladies clad in dazzling emerald dresses and the men dressed in dark tuxedoes, bringing to us the high-beat, “Holiday to Remember.”

The members of the Choreo Dance Team swept the audience off their feet in Rockette’s Marshmallow World. A segment of the performance included the girls, dressed in black miniskirts, raising their legs high in the air as if in a water ballet show, which drew waves of cheers from the audience. A slight commercial break was even inserted into the middle of the dance, with the team rearranging signs that appeared to spell a word with “Acne” at first, but then stealthily transfiguring into the message “Dance Concert Jan. 11″.

Junior Joan Kim, along with the Chorale, then brought onstage the Hebrew song “Bashana Haba’ah”. Kim’s violin, mingled with the angelic choir, resonated throughout the auditorium, leaving the audience touched and inspired. After the chorale left the stage, the curtains closed and the Festival Orchestra came on with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Next up were the Bright Side Singers with “The Telephone Hour” from the classic musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” The singers skipped around the stage in heavy clothing while singing surprisingly in tune.

Groups of what appeared to be conjoined Mexican twins then marched onstage in red and yellow ponchos and sombreros. They then pulled back their sombreros in one fluid motion, and sang, “Feliz Navidad”. These Brighter Side Men, with their comical performance, succeeded in leaving the audience with jubilant smiles on their faces
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After a twenty minute intermission, the curtains rose to reveal the Honors Orchestra seated in a graceful arc. They performed various Christmas songs, such as Home for the Holidays, Holly and the Ivy, and Mr. Santa. Their last performance, “Rhapsody in Blue,” had piano soloist Jack Zeng’s fingers flying across the piano rapidly albeit gracefully for almost 10 minutes straight, stunning the audience and enticing a one minute standing ovation.

The next performance was equally “out of this world”. In the “Twelve Groovy Days of Christmas”, the Brighter Side and Tomasulo Singers boogied in their hip, neon-colored 70’s style outfits. A personal disco-ball handler was even hired to jog around the stage for the three-minutes.

The show concluded when the Festival Orchestra, Full Ensemble and Vocal Arts Alumni joined together for the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

This article was written by Sophia Chang. It was published in the Temple City Voice on December 19, 2007.

This article is a continuation of last week’s “Council Halts Piazza Project” story.

After denying a name change from “Piazza Las Tunas” to “Temple City Spectrum”, the City Council moved to approve two additional changes, re-location of the banquet facility and removing the greenbelt initially proposed by the developers. Discussion continued over the five other proposed alterations at the special City Council meeting on September 25, 2007.

The idea of raising the height limits for several of the Piazza buildings caused a heated discussion among council members and the construction management firm, A & W Builders.

Councilmember Fernando Vizcarra, who was previous firmly opposed to the Piazza mixed-use development, stated that the only height increase he would be in favor of was for the banquet facility.

“We settled on 45 feet. That’s what we agreed upon then. That’s how I feel now” said Councilmember Dave Capra. He added, “I can’t make any findings in this particular thing to allow 47.5 feet when we knew from the very first date the agreement was drawn, 45 feet was the limit.”

“We had so much opposition when we started this” said Councilwoman Cathé Wilson and concurred with Councilmember Capra.

With opposition from three councilmembers, Mayor Pro Tempore Ken Gillanders suggested postponing the item. Mayor Judy Wong agreed.

Next on the agenda was the Venetian design aspect of the project. Although the developer was requesting for approval, drawings were not available for the Council to see.

“Like Councilmember Vizcarra said, we need to see the whole thing before we buy into it” said Councilman Capra.

Mayor Wong agreed, “We are asking for something we can see.”

Councilwoman Wilson moved to postpone the item for further discussion. The next item involved access routes for the project. By request of the construction management firm, the Council agreed to discuss access routes after dealing with the issue of a reduction in parking stalls.

“This [parking reduction change] would impact the whole neighborhood,” declared Councilman Capra. Councilwoman Wilson agreed.

Mayor Pro Tempore Gillanders added, “If indeed this project is successful, one of the major things you’re gonna find is that any decent banquet, and that banquet hall is going to attract an additional 200 cars minimum.”

Councilwoman Cathé Wilson then added, “We have to listen to our residents. You build this, you’re gone. We still live here.”

Despite the opposition from councilmembers, David Wilson noted that the number of parking stalls exceeds the requirements imposed by the City.

City Manager Charles Martin then asked if the number of parking stalls, 731, was an ultimatum made to the City Council. The Piazza team then backed down, “we need to have some direction.”

After much debate over the Piazza changes, the City Council moved to continue discussion during the third week of October.

During public comments, some residents urged the City Council to accept the changes, while others asked for more time to think over them.

“We need to have faith in the [Piazza management] people” said Linda Payne, a Temple City resident. “We have to be business friendly.”

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on December 19, 2007.

Hundreds gathered at Temple City High School’s holiday concert on Tuesday evening, November 27, 2007 to celebrate the joy of Christmas- by listening. And as the three orchestras played, onlookers stared, cheered, and absorbed some of that good ol’ Christmas spirit.

The Temple City orchestras are divided into three sections: Beginning, Advanced, and Honors. The Beginning Orchestra consists of incoming freshmen, who await placement in the Advanced Orchestra or by testing for a seat in the Honors Orchestra.

The Beginning Orchestra gently began the performance with “Creepy Classics”, a festive piece reminiscent of Saint-Saen’s Danse Macabre and other famous pieces. A rendition of “The Patriot” softly moved the audience with warm chords and deep lulls.

And now the winter party begins: the Advanced Orchestra follows, inciting Christmas spirit with airy “Silver Bells” and festive “A Latin Christmas”. The playing of the Sound of Music’s “My Favorite Things” made snowflakes and blue satin sashes appear as onlookers mouthed the lyrics in tandem with the familiar tune.

When the songs finally echoed out into silence, the Honors Orchestra replaced the Advanced Orchestra by filling up half of the previously-full two hundred seats. Jolly tunes, such as “Mister Santa”, and jazz (Home for the Holidays) mingled to liven up the auditorium. “The First Noel” invoked tears from the audience with its ancestral feel and chilling violin solo.

Finally, George Gershwin’s piano concerto Rhapsody in Blue, arranged by Temple City High School Junior Daniel Gee, sang out its score with piano soloist Jack Zeng flying over a grand piano.

With a final blast from the orchestra, the concert ended, helping “our community bond in what we can all relate to- music,” says orchestra member Catherine Wong.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on December 12, 2007.

Remembered for her friendly and bubbly personality, 19 year-old Angela Chung died in a car accident at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 2.

Making a left turn on Las Tunas Drive and Rosemead Boulevard, Chung was struck by a incoming car that had run a red light.

Chung was directly hit from the impact, whose Lexus also hit two other cars, injuring them as well. Chung was immediately admitted into the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in critical condition. She passed away about two hours later.

The incoming car was street racing and trying to escape an officer who was trying to pull her over. The driver is suspected to be a 17 year-old female resident of Rosemead. The suspect will face four felony and a vehicular manslaughter charges.

Chung was a 2006 Temple City High School graduate and attended Woodbury University. She held a part time job at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall as a concierge. Chung was always involved in charities and often seen lending a helping hand; many have been affected by her sudden death.

“We were both members of the swim team,” said Junior Sally Lu. “[I am ] shocked because before she graduated, she told me to invite her to my graduation. But now, well she’s gone.”

Even those who didn’t know Chung have been affected by her death, whether they saw her in the hallways or in Key Club meetings. In some sort of way, Chung’s death has left an imprint on many lives.

“I felt really bad for her, that she was caught into an accident and that she was innocent, ” said Senior Sharon Ouyang who only saw Chung at Key Club meetings. “It’s kind of scared me to the point that I don’t want to be driving very late at night or taking night classes next year when I’m in college.”

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 11th at Rose Hills- Skyrose Chapel from 9 A.M. until 11 A.M. in honor of Chung.

A scholarship has also been created in memory of Angela Chung. The Angela Chung Memorial Scholarship will be given each year to a student studying human resources in the school of business at Woodbury University.

A donation to the Chung scholarship fund can be made via check payable to Angela Chung Memorial Fund, c/o Staci Chung, P.O. Box 1016, Temple City, CA, 91780. For additional information, please call Howard Fitzgerald at 818-252-5207.

This article was written by Margaret Thi. It was published in the December 12th, 2007 issue of the Temple City Voice.

The Piazza Las Tunas project has been halted by the City Council while the Council considers the changes being proposed by the construction management firm, A & W Builders.

The Piazza Las Tunas mixed-use development was approved by a previous Council in May 2006. In recent months, the Temple City City Council and Temple City residents have expressed frustration and disappointment that construction has yet to begun.

At the special City Council meeting and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting on September 25, 2007, the Piazza team proposed eight modifications ranging from a name change to a reduction in the number of parking stalls.

One of the first changes discussed was the name of the project. “For a developer, the project’s name means a whole lot. It is like deciding what name to give your child” said Louie Aurelio, Senior Project Manager for A & W Builders.

On September 4, the Piazza management team expressed a preference in changing the name from Piazza Las Tunas to Temple City Spectrum.

Nevertheless, on September 25, much opposition was formed against the name change. “When you are born you are given a name and you don’t change it in the middle” stated Councilwoman Cathé Wilson.

Councilmember Dave Capra agreed, “Spectrum is too generic.”

Councilmember Fernando Vizcarra and Mayor Judy Wong cited their preference in retaining the name Piazza, whereas, Mayor Pro Tempore Ken Gillanders stated “A name is pretty much a name.”

Without support for a change in name, the City Council voted unanimously to deny the name of Temple City Spectrum and retain the name of Piazza.

The second change presented by the Piazza team involved the location of the banquet facility. The location of the banquet facility was a simple decision for the council members. It was approved unanimously without much opposition.

The third change involved removing a greenbelt of trees and replacing the trees with vines. Only one councilmember was opposed to the change.

“This is the first change that is in direct contradiction to what was told to the residents of Myda and Hermosa” stated Councilmember Vizcarra. Vizcarra cast the sole dissenting vote on approval of the change. The change was approved 4-1.

David Wilson, President of A & W Builders, then shared his concerns with the Council. He stated that many other cities were competing for the same tenants as the Piazza.

The next item up for discussion was the fabric membrane for the project. It was suggested to be discussed after the following item regarding increasing the height limits for the project.

Although this news story happened a few months ago, the Temple City Voice published this article to show the significance of the project to Temple City. Because of the length of the article, it was decided that the second part would be published the following week.

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on December 12, 2007.