Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 26 with special programs honoring the achievements and contributions of Hispanics in the nation and in the local community. “This year we have an exciting assortment of cultural programs featuring films, art, and authors to celebrate the cultural heritage experiences of Latinos,” said Cindy Costales, Senior Librarian.

Muralist Norma Montoya will present an art talk program on Sunday, September 28 at 2 pm in the Friends Room. Ms. Montoya was one of the few female muralists to work on the Estrada Courts Boyle Heights public art project in the 1970s. The artist will present a presentation on her experience at Estrada Courts where hundreds of youth participated with her mural projects. An exhibit of her art work is currently on display at the library through October.

The public is invited to view a photography exhibit, “Cruisin Classics,” featuring eight fine art photographs of classic cars from Southern California car shows and Latino neighborhoods. The exhibit, currently featured in the library lobby on the first floor, will run through October.

Author Gene Aguilera will present a book talk and book signing on his new book, “Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles” on Sunday, October 5 at 2 pm in the Friends Room. The book, with more than 200 rare and vintage photographs, documents the personalities, lives and careers of the boxers and is one of the first to place all of the great Mexican American boxers of Los Angeles together in one book. Aguilera has invited a champion boxer featured in the book to attend the event. The public is invited to view an exhibit of Aguilera’s collection of boxing memorabilia at the library through October.

Author David Reyes will present a book talk and book signing on his book, “Land of a Thousand Dances” on Sunday, October 26 at 2 pm in the Friends Room. The book, a definitive history on California Chicano music pioneers highlights the roots and development of Chicano rock groups covering musicians like Ritchie Valens, Thee Midniters, Los Lobos, Quetzal and others.

For more information about the free programs please contact the library at 626-307-1398. Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the city’s public library located at 318 S. Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Library hours are Sundays 1-5 pm; Mondays & Tuesdays 12-9 pm; Wednesdays & Thursdays 10 am-6 pm; and Fridays & Saturdays 10 am-1 pm. For more City of Monterey Park news and information visit the city website at www.MontereyPark.ca.gov

City of Monterey Park Partners with The Mission Continues Fellowship Program to Host Six-Month Veteran Fellowship

The City of Monterey Park has joined forces with The Mission Continues Fellowship Program to provide United States Marine Corps veteran Mark Kleinsmith a six-month employment fellowship with the city.

The city is pleased to work with the Mission Continues Fellowship Program in support of our veterans. The Mission Continues Fellowship, whose goal is to empower returning veterans with a way to continue serving our country while succeeding in their career goals, affords veterans facing the challenge of adjusting to life at home new missions in their communities.

Mark Kleinsmith, coming from a military family, joined the Marine Corps to continue the family tradition. He served one tour in Iraq and one 31st MEU deployment. During his service Kleinsmith attained the rank of sergeant and was award the Navy Achievement Medal. Kleinsmith recently graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He will work closely with the director of management services to audit and analyze the vehicle replacement and information technology funds for the city. In addition, he will make policy recommendations to improve the cost effectiveness of city vehicles life cycles, and will also work to improve the equitable allocation of IT expense charges and services to departments. Working in the finance department, Kleinsmith will be able to apply what he learned in the classroom and gain valuable experience and knowledge about city financial operations.

Council Member Teresa Real Sebastian, who met Mark Kleinsmith at a veteran’s event, and brought this program to the attention of Monterey Park staff, said, “We are proud to support our veterans and are extremely pleased to be able to help Mark Kleinsmith continue his commitment to help others through the Mission Continues Fellowship Program with the City of Monterey Park.”

For more City of Monterey Park news and information visit the city website at www.montereypark.ca.gov. For more information about The Mission Continues Fellowship Program visit their website at www.missioncontinues.org.

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library to Participate in World Record Setting Children’s Reading Event

On October 16, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the Friends Room of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, the LAMP and Children’s Departments will hold a special story time event in honor of “Read for the Record,” a national campaign that mobilizes millions of children and adults to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record for the most people reading the same book on the same day.

“We are thrilled to participate once again in this record breaking event which supports early literacy awareness and school readiness”, said Acting Children’s Librarian Diana Garcia. “Last year, 2,462,860 children and adults in libraries and schools across the country joined together to read the same book and we look forward to even greater success this year.”

Children of all ages and their families are invited to join the festivities on October 16, 2014 as Monterey Park unites to read the children’s book “Bunny Cakes,” a comical story of sibling bonding and birthday fun, by bestselling author and illustrator Rosemary Wells. Space is limited to the first 100 participants. Refreshments will be served and all families will receive their own copy of “Bunny Cakes” to take home. This program is free, but participants must register in person beginning on Thursday, October 9 at the Children’s Desk of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library to secure their spot.

October 16, 2014 – Are You Ready for the Great Shakeout?

What you do now before a big earthquake will determine what your life will be like afterwards. In anticipation of an earthquake, the Fire Department encourages you to “Be Prepared, Not Scared!” What better way to learn how to be prepared than to participate in the Great Shake Out on October 16, 2014 at 10:16 a.m.

Register your participation in an earthquake drill at www.ShakeOut.org. Registration is free and will enable you to receive information on planning an earthquake drill and being prepared.

You may also visit our Disaster Preparedness page at http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/415/Disaster-Preparedness or become a member of the Monterey Park Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Classes start October 25th!

CERT Class Registration Now Open!

The next CERT Class Program begins October 25, 2014 through November 15, 2014. This is a free disaster preparedness training program offered by the Fire Department. It teaches residents how to identify types of hazards, how to prepare for a disaster, how to reduce potential hazards in your home or workplace, conduct medical triage and employ basic treatments. Classes are limited to 25 individuals.

Monterey Park Offering Business License Amnesty Through October 31

Program is designed to provide a business friendly way to encourage individuals and businesses to be in compliance with business tax rules while helping the city fund its essential services

The City of Monterey Park is offering an amnesty period to allow individuals and businesses to get an active business license and have any associated penalty fees waived.

To qualify for amnesty, the following requirements must be met between September 1, 2014 and October 31, 2014:

• Businesses that have been previously licensed, but whose license has expired, simply pay for the principal business license fees without penalty

• If previously unlicensed, an agency approval process must be completed to comply with the city’s requirements to start a new business.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the city planning counter to begin this process. After completing the agency approval form, all principal fees for the business license must be paid. Please note, any penalties that have been paid prior to September 1, 2014 cannot be considered for inclusion in the program and will not be eligible for a refund.

On November 1, 2014 the city will resume charging any associated penalties on business license transactions. The city will also begin actively canvassing to locate unlicensed businesses and all principal and penalty fees will be charged.

Business License Tax revenue goes into the city’s general fund which is the primary funding source of the police, fire, building, zoning, public works, park maintenance, recreation and library services for the city. The amnesty program is designed to provide a business friendly way to encourage individuals and businesses to be in compliance with business tax rules while helping the city fund its essential services.

For more information on this program, please visit the Business License Division at city hall, or contact the division by telephone at 626-307-1338.

City hall is open Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Acclaimed Children’s Author Edith Cohn to Visit Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, children’s author Edith Cohn will visit the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library to speak to young readers and sign copies of her new middle grade novel, “Spirit’s Key.”

Cohn’s debut novel, “Spirit’s Key,” published September 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, has received praise from readers, reviewers and fellow authors alike. Kirkus Reviews called “Spirit’s Key,” “An inventive story with a fresh setting and an upstanding moral compass.” Author Nova Ren Suma wrote, “’Spirit’s Key’ will sweep you away to an island of wonder and mystery. A beautifully imagined debut that enchants, surprises, and tugs hard at your heart; this is a magical story of overcoming loss and believing in the gifts of both the past and the future.”

Cohn (edithcohn.com) was born and raised in North Carolina, where she grew up visiting the unique beaches of the Outer Banks. She has worked in Hollywood, reviewing scripts for a production company, and as a New York City Teaching Fellow, obtaining a Masters in English Education from Fordham University while teaching 7th grade in the South Bronx.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. Copies of “Spirit’s Key” will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation. Readers of all ages are encouraged to attend the event.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the city’s public library located at 318 South Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Library hours are: Sunday 1-5 p.m.; Monday & Tuesday 12-9 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m.-6: p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.