Monterey Park Library Foundation Boardmember President Peter Chan, Secretary Virginia Greene, Richard Gorman, Alicia Martinez and Deana Sewell, Librarian Barbara Williams, Trustee President Nancy Ishino-Gilmore, Christina Yueh, Erena Shu and Norma Arvizu greeted the guests at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Holiday Gala held in Monterey Park on December 10.

Richard Gorman welcomed all to the 5th anniversary of the library’s remodeling.  He thanked the sponsors of this event that included Thelma Huebsch, Ruth Willner, Barbara Rush from the Monterey Park Woman’s Club and Peter Chan.

President Peter Chan introduced the Foundation Boardmembers that included Treasurer Francisco Alonso, Secretary Virginia Greene, Agnes Arakawa, David Barron, Richard Gorman, Marian Hallin, Vicky Law, Alicia Martinez and Deanna Sewell.

He welcomed all to this event to unveil the mural “Outpost of Wonder” created by Ricardo Mendoza. He thanked the Foundation Boardmembers and the artist committee for their support.

State Senator Ed Hernandez said it is a pleasure to be here Monterey Park. We have an incredible library and he thanked the Library Foundation, the artist and everyone. He wished everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season. Happy Holidays.

Trustee President Nancy Ishino-Gilmore thanked everyone for coming and providing support for the library.

Librarian Barbara Williams introduced her staff Ralph Rebello, Gwen Kishida, Christine Yuek, Erena Shu and Norma Arvizu.

She stated now is the time to develop courses to be held in this building. The Foundation has been helpful in securing various books to provide the kind of library that this city deserves.

She introduced State Senator Ed Hernandez, Assemblymember Mike Eng, Alhambra School Boardmember Adele Andrade-Stadler, Montebello School Boardmember Ed Chau, Dr. Matthew Lin, Yukio and Lilian Kawaratani to the audience.

Mrs. Andrade-Stadler stated that she was raised in Monterey Park and went to the local schools. She supports the students and this library is very important to all of us.

Mr. Chau said he has served on the Montebello School Board for the last 12 years. It is his pleasure to serve Monterey Park. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Ricardo Mendoza said his mural is baked with love. He thanked Ruth Willner and Yukio Kawaratani for their support of his mural and all of other people who were involved in the project. He called it cosmic art. It has been an honor to create art for this community.

Mike Eng presented proclamations to Ricardo Mendoza, Trustee President Nancy Ishino-Gilmore and Foundation President Peter Chan for their support of the library. He invited Ed Hernandez and Barbara Williams to join in the honor.

He stated that Peter Chan said some of the original inflatable tent for sale walls are part of the new library building. He helped to support this library while he was a boardmember and a councilmember.

He asked for a round of applause for all the people who worked to create this library.

Mr. Eng spoke about his latest visit to Hawaii where his and his wife Congressmember Judy Chu climbed Mauna Kea, which is the highest mountain in the world. The temperature was 85 degrees at sea level and 32 degrees at the top of the mountain. In fact 12 new planets were just discovered from that site.

This mural is here to invite discovery in this library. It is a remarkable discovery.

Monterey Park was the only city out of 88 cities that won the Library Grant that we used to build this new building.

Mark Keppel High Schools Aztec Singers sang Christmas carols, Frank Aguilar played the mandolin and Bill Fountain played the guitar to the delight of the guests.

“Outpost of Wonder” is located over the front door of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library at 318 South Ramona Avenue in Monterey Park.  Ricardo Mendoza and Mike Eng, Barbara Williams, Adele Andrade-Stadler and many longtime library supporters admired the mural on display for all to see and enjoy.

Barbara Williams thanked everyone for coming and Officer Adam Deng for providing security.

Peter Chan thanked the artist, entertainers and the guests for making this event special. Merry Christ and Happy New Year.

For information on the library hours, the bookstore or making donations please call 626-307-1269.