Temple City Voice

Wind lapped at the pages of musicians’, but failed to diminish the musical impact of Temple City High School’s annual Pops Concert.

The event showcased numerous pieces derived from “popular” songs; however, deviating from the norm, the three symphonic groups (Beginning, Advanced, and Honors) debuted original pieces and arrangements produced by students and staff.

“Blue Ridge Legend”, a piece reminiscent of the Appalachians and rugged frontier, commenced the concert. The conductor of this symphonic group, composed of the Advanced Orchestra and Symphonic Band, Bert Ferntheil, merrily donned costumes for his arrangement “A New Hope for America” while violins hummed the tune of Superman, brass trumpets the Dark Knight Score, and the entire ensemble for “Thy Alabaster Cities Gleam.”

The Beginning Orchestra, only containing incoming freshmen, then joined the Symphonic Band and presented works (“Thunder and Lightning Polka”, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix arr.) under the direction of Mr. Phil Bailey.

The upper tier Honors Orchestra and Wind Ensemble closed the event in blues, battle, and brotherhood. Duke Ellington piped in a medley, while soldiers could be seen in a rendition of the HBO series “Band of Brother” theme. Cello section leader and composer Daniel Gee then conducted his “Philia Overture”, a piece celebrating friendship, used symbolic rhythms and modern musical convention.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 29, 2009.

The City Council was shown a presentation on proposed improvements to Rosemead Boulevard on Tuesday, February 17, 2009.

With PowerPoint, Elie Farah, a consultant with EFI, and Paul Nota, a sub consultant with Lost West, presented key aspects of the Rosemead Beautification Project.

The Rosemead Boulevard Project will be composed of landscape improvements and safety enhancements. Tree plantings, more lighting, new bus shelters and a new city monument were highlighted in the presentation.

In 2008, Temple City acquired Rosemead Boulevard, also known as California Highway 19. Since then, the city has expressed interest in ameliorating the road from its current condition.

City staff estimate the total cost for improving Rosemead Boulevard to be around $6-8 million dollars.

According to Public Services Manager Chuck Erickson, the city has secured about $6 million in grants. This amount does not include the supplemental $275,000 Temple City is expected to be given for traffic signal upgrades on the two streets: Longden Avenue and Broadway Avenue. Erickson revealed the newly secured federal grant for the Rosemead Boulevard cross-streets in the March 5 City Manager’s Weekly Report.

If the costs for improvements are above what the grant monies provide, the city could pay for the rest with its generous reserves or could pass the costs onto properties within an assessment district.

At a December city council meeting, the governing body voted to consider creating an assessment district for Rosemead Boulevard. Should the voters and city council approve of an assessment district, approximately 300 residences and business located on California Highway 19 would be affected.

Veronica Aguas, a representative for Avant Garde, did note that Temple City had enough grant money for the project during the Tuesday council meeting.

Future maintenance costs could still be funded by a lighting and maintenance assessment district stated Erickson, in response to a question by councilman Fernando Vizcarra.

City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin also commented that Temple City could foot the bill because of income generated by the costs of code and traffic enforcement on Rosemead Boulevard.

Without any opposition, the City Council unanimously agreed to move forward with the Rosemead Beautification Project. Councilman Dave Capra was absent.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It will be published in the Temple City Voice on May 29, 2009.

The Temple City Voice did not publish last week, May 22, 2009. We will resume publishing this Friday, May 29, 2009.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

From picking up trash at the beach to planting trees around the community, Environmental Club is a club that promotes environmental awareness among high school students and the community.

Environmental Club collaborates with other organizations to raise money for charity and to practice environmentalism. Every Friday, Environmental Club meets to discuss environmental issues and to organize community service activities that helps the environment.

In her first year as president, junior Veronica Lin explains the impact that Environmental Club has had in the community.

What is the main purpose of Environmental Club?

Our goal is to spread environmental awareness around the campus, encourage members to help the earth by watching the little things they do each day, and to participate in community service activities that benefit the environment.

What separates Environmental Club from other clubs?

We are different because our focus is on the environment. Although we do help out with other clubs and organizations for non-environmentally related activities such as the FBLA Benefit Concert, fostering a concern for the environment is our priority.

What kinds of events does Environmental Club hold?

We do various environmentally related events including tree planting, recycling, hiking, campus cleanup and beach cleanup. We have partnered with FBLA [Future Business Leaders of America] for their Benefit Concert in raising money to purchase water filters for people in Africa and have also done numerous recycling events with the Environmental Group in Gabrielino High School.

Why should students join Environmental Club?

There are many community service based clubs on campus, but Environmental Club provides a chance for students to understand the environment they are living in, the problems that exist and the things they can do to help in their daily life.

What experience have you gained by leading Environmental Club?

I have learned so much this year with handling tough situations, contacting event coordinators, working with different clubs/schools, speaking before a group on a regular basis and cooperating with different people. One of the most important things I have learned is to distribute work and learn to trust other people in projects that we do because it is impossible to do everything yourself.

What can Environmental Club do better next year?

We can definitely improve a lot next year by having consistent events, volunteering for non-environmentally related causes along with the events we do already and more organization. The meetings will be more fun and engaging, we will have a newsletter on the latest environmental issues and more socials.

This article was written by Darren Lai. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 15, 2009.

Academic performance among students of Latino and/or Hispanic descent continues to decline in the Temple City Unified School District (TCUSD).

“Latino decline is masked each year” stated Christina Luna, assistant Superintendent of educational services. “As a teacher, one should think, ‘What should I be doing? How can I help improve students’ work habits?’ ”

Luna presented statistics comparing the 2007-2008 Academic Performance Index (API) scores of students from the Asian, Caucasian and Latino backgrounds on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

Overall, the API score for Latinos fell 4 points. Latino students at Cloverly elementary, Emperor elementary and Oak Avenue Intermediate experienced a 20, 30 and 11 point increase, respectively. At La Rosa elementary, Longden elementary and Temple City High School, however, Latinos recorded losses of 1, 42 and 21 points.

The largest ethnic/racial group of students at TCUSD is Asian, at 61 percent. Latinos follow at 17 percent, whites 15 percent and unspecified at 7 percent.

“We need to see with a clear direction and promote hard work to see improvement in our students,” Luna stressed. “We hope to see a drastic increase in API scores over the next few years. We must take responsibility for [the] lack of achievement.”

This article was written by Katie Brown. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 15, 2009.

The statewide Election Day is today.

The Temple City Voice would like to remind all the registered voters, especially those in Temple City, to cast their ballots in the May 19 special statewide election.

Election coverage will appear on this blog site shortly after the results are announced.

A gymnasium could soon come to Temple City.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, the City Council discussed two proposals to add a gym at Live Oak Park. Both concepts, which place the site of the proposed gym at different locations, were presented by Cathy Burroughs, Parks and Recreation director for Temple City.

“Staff believes a City-owned gymnasium would be extremely beneficial to the community” wrote Burroughs in the City Manager’s Weekly Report on February 5.

The first site locates the gym at the west side of Live Oak Park. Doing so would remove the existing outdoor basketball courts, but places the gym near the multipurpose facility that began construction earlier this month. Construction of the multipurpose facility is expected to end in August.

The other potential site would locate both a gym and a swimming pool at the northeast corner of the park. If the City goes with this proposal, two tennis courts will be eliminated.

City staff presented the City Council with three options.

One, the City hires an architectural firm to provide a study for both locations, develop a design and provide an approximate budget. Fees for this choice ranged from about $31,000 to $62,250.

Two, the City selects a site and approves a budget amendment to construct the gym. The total budget cost for this option was estimated at $4-5 million.

Three, the City could defer the project to a later date.

According to Burroughs, grant monies for the project were not solicited because they were only available for outdoor areas and not indoor facilities.

After some consideration, the City Council voted 4-0 to defer action until May, but allow the Parks and Recreation department to look for alternative sources of funding or grants. Councilman Dave Capra was absent.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 15, 2009.

Being one of the oldest clubs at Temple City High School to date and one of the few that are cultural-based, French Club promotes both the French culture and its mutuality between club members. French club has been one of the most popular clubs on campus from its start long ago to this very day. Sophomore Heidi Chow discusses her views on the club as secretary.

What is the purpose of French Club?

French club is one of the few remaining cultural clubs that remain on campus. As a club, we’re all interested in French culture, but we also try to immerse ourselves with other cultures, too. For instance, we celebrate Chinese New Year’s with a party: Panda Express. We know it’s not authentic, but it’s something.

What sort of events does French Club do?

Pizza parties are traditional. We always have pizza parties open to the public. Sign up first and pay $3 by the deadline for 2 slices and 1 drink. Otherwise, we have our Chinese New Year party and our Mediterranean food party.

Every year during Christmas time, we take part and promote in “People for People”—a program where we go out make or buy gifts for those in need. Every year, we try to do some different fundraisers: In n’ Out, ice cream Party; they’re all ideas we have in mind. We also go out to see musicals when they’re in the area.

Why should students join French Club?

It’s fun. Nowadays students don’t seem to be as culturally aware as they should be and that’s where discrimination can come in. We like to have food events because we like to talk, to share, to socialize. The officers in French Club are like a family and we try to branch out to our other club members. Students should join French Club because they should immerse themselves in culture and make some new friends. We don’t bite.

What is unique about the club?

What other club serves pizza almost every month? We also offer some events that other clubs don’t, such as our Mediterranean food party. Mediterranean food is amazing, as are French pastries, [especially] crepes. Last year, as a club, we went to see Phantom of the Opera.

How long has the club been active?

15 years to this date, which began with Madame Des Rochers and is now continuing with Madame Hodang. No other cultural club has lasted this long.

Why do you think that a cultural club has existed for so long?

We are an organized club. Each officer shows dedication. We always pass down our knowledge and advice on how to run the club, or rather what has worked in the past. Also, before the school year, the officers go out and bond. If the officers are close and keep a good attitude, it reflects back on the club members. That, and the fact that nous adorons le français – we love French and that’s how it all starts.

This article was written by Jason Alvin Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 1, 2009.

The days of mad mobs and lynching and Montgomery strikes are over, run over by the civil rights movement. If validation of racial equality is required, glance at the presidential power- half colored, half white. American.

But despite the cheery assertion of racial equality, blinding joviality fogs the notion that the -ism- racism, classism, sexism- exists, dangerously lurking beneath implicit barriers.

We remain segregated, and voluntarily so. The projects of Compton remain predominantly African American, and Beverly Hills a swath of white. And despite their proximity to colored and the lack of regions, neither muddles the mixture, allowing certain colors (and classes) in, eschewing non-Blacks with fear and crime.

In the West, Asian populations are received as intellectual coolies, Hispanics Gringoes. Both are typecasted immediately: the former a quirky intellectual, the latter a family of ten.

Assimilation, appearing to proselytize, reveals society’s inherent differences through television portrayal. Children shows are incredibly susceptible to this principle.

Behind the Anglo-Saxon actor or actress follows the goofy, often inept, Latino, Chinese, or black sidekick. Many sitcoms cast the racially disadvantaged as needing the superior White man.

We remain segregated and yet have come far. Bill Cosby revealed the strength of a Black community. Hispanic and Asian stars slowly inch onto the mainstream.

We have treaded far, but the steps of hypocrisy still hound us. Inherently, invisible, racial stereotypes still nefariously pervade our minds, secretly assaulted. To go further, drop the preconceptions, the expectations and pause to see the world.

All colors.

This opinion was written by Randy Shun. The views of this author do not reflect the views of the Temple City Voice or its staff. This was published in the Temple City Voice on May 1, 2009.

Once lauded as a symbol of economic revitalization, the Piazza at Temple City is now seen as a failure for Randy Wang, the developer and owner, and the City of Temple City.

“It is my intention to push forward” said Wang in the January 2009 Temple City Life community publication. “I am committed to the project.”

Wang filed a counter-suit against Temple City in September 2008, accusing councilman Dave Capra, councilwoman Cathé Wilson and councilwoman Judy Wong of bribery to gain approval of the Piazza project. Former city council and state assembly candidate Scott Carwile is also mentioned in the suit.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office-Public Integrity Division has been investigating the case. In the suit, the developer alleges he gave Capra, Carwile and Wong $13,000 in cash during the March 2007 elections. He also states Wilson requested for a condominium in exchange for support.

According to Financial Services Manager Monica Molina, Temple City has spent $120,000 defending the City against the developer’s suit.

City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin noted during a January 20, 2009 city council meeting that councilmembers accused will be legally represented by the City unless they are found to have committed a felony or violation of the law. If any of the councilmembers are convicted, they will lose their seat on the City Council.

Also at the Tuesday city council meeting, councilman Capra reiterated his innocence in the matter. None of the accused has admitted to any wrongdoing.

The Piazza at Temple City, formerly known as the “Piazza Las Tunas” and “Temple City Galleria” had once promised 52 one-bedroom condominiums and a large retail center. The project also included the construction of a banquet facility, a want the Temple City community has requested for in years.

Since its approval in May 2006, the developer has had two groundbreakings.

“Mr. Wang has had the application to start the revisions for almost one month, and he has not yet returned the signed application so that the requisite hearings could be held” wrote Martin in his weekly report on January 8.

In December 2008, the City Council voted to send the Piazza project back to the Planning Commission for review. Wang and his third construction management team had re-submitted a revised proposal that would scrap the residential condominiums.

“This is another delay caused by the developer” accused Martin.

In addition to the lack of development on the corner of Las Tunas Drive and Rosemead Boulevard, a string of negative publicity has hit Temple City.

The Pasadena Star News reported on January 8 that prosecutors with the District Attorney’s office seized tape recordings the developer had recorded while conversing with city officials. This incident follows the interviews, conducted by the D.A.’s office, of City Council members in December 2008.

The Los Angeles Times followed with a news story of their own on January 26.

Wang has until August 23, 2009 to complete the Piazza development as originally proposed. If it is incomplete, Temple City has the option to purchase the 3.7 acre lot for $5 million.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on May 1, 2009.