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California roads one step closer to being a source of energy Shortly after being elected, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) had a conversation with a friend who had just returned from Israel. Expecting to hear emotional descriptions of religious sites, Gatto was surprised to hear his friend rave instead about a road that produced energy. After putting aside his credulity and researching the issue, Gatto found that engineers in Israel, Italy, and Japan had successfully installed piezoelectric sensors underneath roadways and railways. The technique uses tiny devices that look like watch batteries, embedded in pavement, to recapture energy that would be otherwise lost as vehicles rumble along. The energy from the tiny vibrations can be converted into electricity to power roadside lights, call boxes, and neighboring communities. Gatto immediately understood that the Please see page 4
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014 - FEBRUARY 16, 2014 - VOLUME 3, NO. 6
Alhambra boxer looks to future championship Monterey Park PD to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous, careless motorists
screen of Alhambra City Council Member Gary Yamauchi. Yamauchi said it is an honored Ramirez deserves, even at this young age. “He’s a wonderful kid,” Yamauchi said of Ramirez. “He’s amazingly mature for his age. He seems to be ready for all the challenges. He knows he has a tough road ahead
The Monterey Park Police Department will be conducting a special Traffic Safety Enforcement Operation on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where officers have responded to frequent collisions cracking down on driving and pedestrian violations that cause collisions, injuries and fatalities. Motorist failing to yield to pedestrians and those walking into traffic are a serious safety concerns that puts everyone on the road at risk. In the most recent release of data - 2010, 578 have been killed and 11,429 seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved pedestrians. In Monterey Park officers have investigated 44 pedestrian involved fatal or injury collisions.
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-Photo by Terry Miller
BY SHEL SEGAL For Julian Ramirez, boxing isn’t quite a family affair. But it sure came in handy growing up. “I was with my cousins and they were boxing already,” Ramirez said. “I wanted to learn how to fight with them, to beat them up. It worked. At first, I got beat up, but then I started learning and I got better.”
Now 20 and a professional fighter, Ramirez – an Alhambra resident and graduate of Alhambra High School – was honored by the Alhambra City Council on Monday night for his work in the ring. And things have been going well for Ramirez, who is a featherweight, who is undefeated in his professional life. “It’s good,” Ramirez said. “I’m 10-0 now and
Mardi Gras celebration at All Souls Alhambra Mardi Gras will take place at All Souls School in Alhambra on Saturday evening, March 1, 2014 from 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm. The entire community of parents, parishioners, alumni and the general public are invited to renew old friendships, make new friends, share memories of the school’s past 91 years, and rejoice in the distinction of the new school model of the future in language immersion. All Souls School Family Guild and Alumni Association are hosting this MARDI GRAS fundraiser which includes dinner (from 5:30 7:30 pm), music & dancing, memorabilia tables from the
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Father knows best BY SHEL SEGAL
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school's past, school tours, and some surprises. when prepaid (or $40 at the door) and includes a Mardi Gras mask, dinner,
I’m a ‘Golden Boy.’ I have like eight years boxing.” He added he is looking for more success in the ring. “Hopefully, I can go to the top and be a champion one day,” he said. And as for being recognized by the city of Alhambra, Ramirez said that was something that was never on his radar screen. “I’m shocked,” he said. “I didn’t expect it.” But it was on the radar
dessert and one complimentary beverage. To purchase tickets, please contact: allsoulsevents@gmail.com Please see page 2
Sometimes your parents know best. Sophia Song, a 15-yearold sophomore on the Keppel High girls’ basketball team, can attest to this as it was her father that introduced her to the sport when she was in the first grade. “My dad got me into it,” Song said. “A couple of my friends started playing basketball. It looked like a lot of fun and ever since then I just loved it.” Song, who said she would like to play basketball at UCLA after she graduates, said while she is having a good year, there is much more on which she can improve.
“Driving to the basket and shooting are good,” she said. “But I need to work on my defense and rebounding. I need to guard the post better. In college, I want to play guard, so now I need to get more physical with my game.” She added she really likes playing for Keppel coach Joe Kikuchi. “I love Coach Joe,” Song said. “He’s like the coolest coach ever. I’ve known him since fourth grade. I remember when he used to help out with my club team.” She also said she credits Kikuchi with strengthenPlease see page 3
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