Mayor Luis Ayala
 
as published in the May 2008 issue of
AROUND ALHAMBRA (Alhambra's local newspaper)

Nearly everyone looks forward to summertime, which unofficially kicks off over the Memorial Day holiday later this month. While it’s easy to become preoccupied with long-awaited activities such as trips to the beach, backyard barbecues and thoughts of Summer Jubilee (which we can now disclose will include legendary entertainers: Foreigner (Aug. 2), Kenny Loggins (Aug. 9), The Fab Four (Aug. 16), plus additional all-time favorites performing on July 19 & 26, as well as August 23 (to be revealed next month), this issue of the Mayor’s Corner would like to bring your attention to several community fundraising events in Alhambra, as well as national observances.

SUMMER JUBILEE is just around the corner and we've got quite a line-up of fantastic performers at this year's celebration!

First plan on having lots of pancakes this month, beginning on May 3 with a Pancake Breakfast at the Alhambra Police Dept. Headquarters (211 S. First St.) that will help support the Alhambra Police Explorer’s Program & National Police Officers Memorial Fund. Then on May 10, come to an “All You Can Eat” Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA’s “Help Send a KID TO CAMP” Program.    Breakfast on both occasions will be served from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. The YMCA breakfast will be located at the West Side Parking Lot of their facility, located at 410 West Corto Street. Adult tickets at both events cost just $5. (Tickets for children 3-11 at the YMCA breakfast are $3; kids 3 and under are free).

Previous Mayor's Corner Issues January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008

Most of us have had a connection at one time or the other to someone who has had cancer.
The annual “Alhambra Relay for Life,” being held May 18-19 at Alhambra Park, is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event whereby event volunteers take turns during a 24-hour walkathon to raise funds for cancer research, education, community programs and advocacy. In turn, survivors are honored with an opportunity to take a first lap or walk around the track. It’s a wonderful and inspirational event (especially to light luminarias in honor of loved ones who have been affected by this terrible disease). If you would like to participate, call Lisa Cleary at the American Cancer Society, (626) 848-8329 or email lisa.cleary@cancer.org.

On June 1, the entire community is invited to come to Downtown Alhambra for a truly delectable wine, food & music festival with proceeds to benefit Alhambra’s local charities. The “Taste of Alhambra,” sponsored by the Alhambra Downtown Association, will take place at First & Main from 5 to 9 p.m. Here, residents will have a once-a-year opportunity to enjoy the unlimited flavors of Alhambra’s diverse restaurants, great wines, brews, and spirits, in a fun and festive outdoor environment that includes dancing and mingling with friends and neighbors. Come hungry and ready for a good time! For tickets ($55 per person), call (626) 282-8481 or (626)284-4943, or click here.  

“Older Americans’ Month” is another “celebration” happening in May. Here in Alhambra, older residents can celebrate their longevity with pride almost daily at the Joslyn Center by taking advantage of a wide range of free or low-cost activities and services, including various recreational opportunities, luncheon celebrations, day trips, educational workshops…and more.

Most people are aware that a safe, reliable water supply is critical to their community; however, many fail to take specific measures to conserve. So each year in May, Water Awareness Month is brought to the attention of water users (that’s everyone), to reinforce the fact that saving water should be a way of life—not just a practice during dry years. To highlight how residents can save more water (and also save on their monthly utilities bill), the Alhambra Utilities Department will host a variety of events—including its annual Children’s Water Poster Contest; an information booth at Shorb Garden on water awareness and stormwater pollution prevention along with giveaways, Tuesdays during May from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and “Poster Contest judging” and information booth at the Alhambra Relay for Life event (noted above).

Every day, our Nation's dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow Americans safe. Already since January 2008, 30 officers have been killed in the line of duty across the U.S. On May 15, in recognition of “Police Officer’s Memorial Day,” all U.S. flags are to be flown at half-staff as authorized in 1994 by Congress and then President Bill Clinton, to honor the remarkable men and women in blue, who through their bravery, are working to protect the rest of us.

Finally, this Memorial Day (May 31), take a moment to remember that the ongoing liberties and freedom we enjoy today were secured under difficult circumstances by the many fallen heroes throughout our county’s history who believed that the ideals of democracy must be preserved at all costs.