They are playing a couple of times over the upcoming Halloween weekend, including a show, appropriately, on Halloween Night. Check the internet or Facebook under the band’s name for information on show times and venues.

http://www.johnnyvatos.com/shows.asp

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnny-Vatos-Boingo-Dance-Party-BAND/175058705851642

Johnny has taken a couple of stabs at tribute shows in the past, in 2005 and 2006, but hopefully he will keep this going for years to come. That way I can rest in peace knowing that the true soundtrack for Halloween is secure.
Maybe then I will have visions of skeletons dancing in my head every Halloween season. That is how I like it this time of year.

Bill Dunn has been a published opinion columnist for 14 years. Any comments can be sent to either our exalted editor at tmiller@beaconmedianews.com or to Bill directly at dunnsinferno@casegod.com You can also find Bill on Facebook at : www.facebook.com/WhenAllisSaidandDunn

Head on accident causes down pole and intersection closure. - Photo by Andrea Olivas

At approximately 12:30pm a head on accident occurred at the corner of El Monte Ave and Freer. According to residents in the area, a family of four ran head on in to a car that was turning with an elderly woman in it.  The car with the elderly woman was forced in  to a pole on Freer in front of a local church.  Edison arrived at the scene but claimed it was not their pole. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was remained on scene blocking off the intersection to through traffic, until the company responsible for the downed pole is

Photos by Andrea Olivas

figured out. The city has no information to report at this time.

El Monte Ave has been a topic of concern from residents in the area. It is well know for having speeding cars vooming up and down the street.  Back in May of 2009 a car flew into a brick wall just north of this accident, which triggered a traffic calming survey of the street later that year.

The programs will help community residents and residential property owners who find it difficult to pay current, past due, or shut off notices from their electric or gas providers.  Some residents and property owners may even qualify for ELEAT’s Weatherization Minor Home Repairs Program, which makes energy-related home improvements in order to lower the cost of future utility and gas bills.

“It is more important than ever to help those in need, especially during these uncertain economic times,” said Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge.  “By relieving residents of their expensive monthly utility bill and repairing their homes to increase energy efficiency, they can then save money for other critical needs.”  Those interested in these assistance programs are required to meet qualifications based on household occupancy size, monthly income, and residency within Temple City and other neighboring communities.

ELEAT has been awarded a $17 million grant by the California Department of Community Services and Development to provide energy assistance services to Los Angeles AREA D.  AREA D consists of many Eastern Cities in Los Angeles County from Palos Verdes to Laverne, including Temple City.  Three million households reside within AREA D, and approximately 500,000 of these fall within the established income-based guidelines to qualify for ELEAT’s services.

Both Senator Liu and ELEAT’s staff hope to serve all those in Temple City who can benefit from this financially helpful and energy sustainable program. Those who are interested should contact the Senator’s District Office at (818) 409-0400 to see if they qualify. Upon qualification, they must also RSVP and attend a mandatory Energy Education and Application Filing Session.

•           WHAT: Utility Bill Assistance and Home Weatherization event

•           WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (March 17, 2011)

•           WHERE: Live Oak Park Community Center, 10144 Bogue Street

Senator Liu represents nearly 1 million people in the 21st Senate District, which includes Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, San Gabriel, Temple City, and several City and County of Los Angeles communities.

Provisional ballots will be tallied from the March 8 general municipal election; counts may change the vote rankings of those elected.  Final election results will be certified at a special March 21 City Council meeting.  More info: Mary Flandrick, (626) 285-2171, ext. 2316.

March 16:  County Starts Next Phase of Road Construction on Rosemead Blvd.

Now through August, road construction will occur on Rosemead Blvd. just north of city limits.  Lane closures and traffic delays are expected from Huntington Dr. to the Temple City border at Callita St.  Project updates and traffic advisories can be found at www.rosemeadproject.org

March 21:  Special City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers
Election winners Blum, Sternquist and Vizcarra will be sworn in to serve four-year terms on the City Council.  A new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will also be named for the coming year.  Reception to follow at 7 p.m. in the Temple City Park gazebo.  More info: Mary Flandrick, (626) 285-2171, ext. 2316.

March 24:  Rosemead Blvd. Community Meeting, 7 and 8 p.m., Live Oak Park (Community Center)
Learn about the City’s plan to improve Rosemead Blvd.  See what’s being proposed and provide your input before construction starts in 2012.  Two sessions are scheduled: English at 7 p.m. and Chinese at 8 p.m.  Free child care and refreshments.  More info: Steve Masura, (626) 285-2171, ext. 2306.

March 25:  Spring Fling, 6-9 p.m., Live Oak Park
Boys and girls 10-14 years of age are invited for an evening of fun.  Among the offerings: rock climbing, miniature golf, laser tag, dancing, and night hunts for candy filled eggs and gift cards.  Fee: $8.  Participation requires a signed permission slip.  More info: Cathy Burroughs, (626) 285-2171, ext. 2363.

March 26:  Used Oil Collection Day, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Pep Boys, 5839 Rosemead Blvd.

Dispose your used oil filters and up to five gallons of used motor oil at no cost.  Used oil must be delivered in sealed containers.  Those who participate will receive a free oil container and other promotional items while supplies last.  More info: Bryan Ariizumi, (626) 285-2171, ext. 2336.

March 31:  City Offices Closed

City offices will be closed in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.  Regular hours and programming will remain in effect at Live Oak Park facilities.

Planned improvements to Rosemead Blvd. will be the topic of discussion at a March 24 meeting hosted by the City of Temple City.

The meeting will be held at Live Oak Park Community Center, 10144 Bogue St.  Two sessions are planned:  English at 7 p.m. and Chinese at 8 p.m.  Child care will be provided.

The March 24 meeting is the first of three community meetings planned over the next six months to receive public input on proposed improvements for Rosemead Blvd., a regional corridor that includes a two-mile stretch through Temple City.

Improvements call for new sidewalks, street furniture, landscaped medians, and critical road and drainage enhancements.  The project will also unveil a series of firsts for the city including solar powered lighting, bike lanes and public art installations.

Initial design concepts will be presented at the March 24 meeting.  Click here for a preview.

“The City Council’s vision for the project is a pedestrian-friendly and attractive grand boulevard that sets the tone for upgrading the city’s commercial corridors,” said councilmember Carl Blum.  “We want the community to share in the vision, and to help create a blueprint for what Rosemead Blvd. will look like in the next few years.”

The project will break ground in early 2012.  Grants and redevelopment monies will cover its $13.6 million cost.

For more information, call (626) 285-2171.

The draft document assesses potential environmental impacts associated with a planned commercial center at the northeast corner of Rosemead Blvd. and Las Tunas Dr.  It also recommends mitigation measures to reduce impacts to a less-than-significant level.

Technically known as a subsequent mitigated negative declaration, the environmental document updates and revises the mitigated negative declaration prepared in 2006 for the Piazza Las Tunas Project.

The revised project involves a development change from mixed-use to strictly commercial.  The proposed Piazza Las Tunas Project called for 125,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and 58 residential condominiums; the renamed and downsized Gateway Project proposes a 75,000 sq. ft. shopping center with a major retail anchor, two restaurant pads, office space and underground parking.  The updated environmental document provides analysis and mitigation measures for the project’s reduced scope and changed development design.

Additionally, the 2006 mitigated negative declaration assessed the project subject to a city development agreement and an owner participation agreement with the city’s redevelopment agency.  Both agreements were voided by a Superior Court of California judgment in City of Temple City v. TCD Enterprises, LLC.  The subsequent mitigated negative declaration analyzes the project in absence of these agreements.

A public meeting to solicit verbal or written comments is scheduled for March 15, 2011, 7:30 p.m., in the Temple City Council Chambers, 5938 Kauffman Ave.  Written comments on the updated environmental document can also be submitted by that date to the city’s Community Development Department, 9701 Las Tunas Dr.

For more information, call (626) 285-2171.

WHERE TO VIEW THE DOCUMENT:
Temple City City Hall, 5938 Kauffman Ave.

City of Temple City Website, www.templecity.us
Temple City Library, 5939 Golden West Ave.

According to Mayor Fernando Vizcarra, establishing a farmers market was a city council priority for 2011.  “We wanted to create an opportunity for residents and visitors to spend time in Temple City,” he said.  “But more importantly, we knew a farmers market would bring the community together and with an opportunity to buy fresh and sustainable products.”

The market is formally known as the Temple City Certified Farmers Market.  Its operator is 30-year veteran Gretchen Sterling, manager and co-founder of the renowned Pasadena Certified Farmers Market.

“Temple City’s farmers market will only have certified vendors,” said Sterling.  “This means they sell only what they grow.”  Among other products, the market will feature fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, eggs, specialty foods, bakery items and cut flowers.

Approximately 15 vendors will be present at the March 13 launch.  “It takes time for any farmers market to be established enough for more vendors to participate,” said Sterling.  “By this time next year, we’re hoping it will be twice that amount.”

The market is cash only.  Parking and admission are free.  For more information, call (626) 285-2171.

Cast your vote to elect three members to the City Council.  Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.  Unofficial results will be posted that evening on the City’s website and public access channel.

March 9:  Bicycle Master Plan Public Hearing, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers
Learn more about the city’s first bicycle master plan, which proposes a 29-mile network of designated bikeways and other safety improvements.  The draft plan will be posted to the City’s website March 4.

March 10:  Registration Opens for Spring Activities
A new season of Temple City’s recreational programming is here for Spring — classes start April 11.  The recreation guide can be found at city facilities and downloaded from the City’s website.  Mail-in and online registration begins March 10; walk-in registration starts March 14.

March 11:  Arbor Day Celebration, 3:30 p.m., Live Oak Park

Celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony.  Activities for the kids include nature crafts, tree bucket rides and a hot dog barbeque.  Free.

March 13:  Launch of the Temple City Certified Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m., City Hall
The new outdoor market will be open Sundays starting March 13.  Featured products include fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, eggs, specialty foods, bakery items and cut flowers.  Cash only.  Free parking and admission.

March 14:  March Madness Party, 2:00 p.m., Live Oak Park (Community Annex)
Teens 13-18 years of age can kick-off March Madness with basketball fun including a 3-on-3 match, shoot-out and hot-shot competition, and skills challenge.  Also planned are raffle prizes, a St. Patty’s shake drinking contest and hot dog barbeque.  Fee: $2.

March 15:  Gateway Plaza Public Hearing, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers
Provide your comments on the environmental document for the proposed Gateway Project at Las Tunas and Rosemead.  The document, which can be viewed at City Hall and on the City’s website, assesses potential impacts associated with the planned 75,000 sq. ft. commercial center.