Youth Science Center in Hacienda Heights hosts field trips

The Youth Science Center in Hacienda Heights still has some room left on several field trips this summer.

The center will visit Research Tool and Die Works Manufacturing Plant in Carson on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. This is a behind-the-scenes tour of a manufacturer of marine electrical systems hardware. This facility houses some of the most advanced fabrication equipment available.

The center also will visit Bentley Prince Street Carpet Mill on Friday, Aug. 7, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bentley Prince Street operates a large carpet-making facility in Industry. The group will see the entire carpet-making process, from graphic design to the giant mill equipment.

The tours are free for members, $3 per family for nonmembers. Interested families must register for the field trips at youthsciencecenter.org.

Teens learn Korean silk scarf painting at Hacienda Heights Library

The Hacienda Heights Library will hold its final event in the Teen Summer Reading Program today at 3:30 p.m. Teens can learn the art of Bojagi, Korean silk scarf painting.

The last children’s event in the 2009 Summer Reading Program will takes place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. A carnival will be set up, where children can use the tokens earned from summer reading to play games and win prizes.

Cold Duck plays Puente Hills Concerts in Park

The Puente Hills summer Concerts in the Park continue with a performance by Cold Duck at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights.

This dance band was founded in 1969 by trumpet player and vocalist Jose Cuadra. The eight-piece band is a popular fixture in the concert series.

Sponsors for this individual concert include Hill Brothers Chemical, Southern California Edison, Foothill Transit, and John and Helen Michaels.

Sponsored by Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department and Supervisor Don Knabe, this series presents free musical concerts.

The concerts are a great way to spend summer evenings with family and friends. Admission and parking are free. Food, drink and desserts are available.

West Nile virus confirmed in San Gabriel Valley

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has received the first confirmation of West Nile virus (WNV) activity in the San Gabriel Valley this year. Two dead birds collected and tested by the Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health on July 20 were positive for WNV infection. The birds were collected from the cities of La Verne and La Puente.

Many birds are highly susceptible to WNV infection and reports of dead birds in the
community are often the first sign that the virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes.

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting dead birds to the State’s WNV
Hotline at (877) 968-2473 or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. While all birds might
not be collected and tested, the reports are analyzed by the California Department
of Public Health to identify problem areas. These reports help mosquito control
officers find and address issues early and can save lives.

This year, 218 birds, 168 mosquito samples, and 10 sentinel chickens have tested
positive across the State for WNV however no human cases have been reported.

West Nile virus has been detected in multiple cities in Los Angeles County indicating widespread activity again this year.

Residents throughout the County must take precautions now to break the mosquito lifecycle and prevent bites and infection with WNV:

Check properties and remove all sources of standing water to kill immature mosquitoes and eliminate places female mosquitoes use to lay eggs.

Report inoperable pools or other sources of standing water to the District. One algae-filled pool can breed thousands of mosquitoes per week and affect properties for blocks around.

Use effective repellents if outdoors when mosquitoes are present (between dusk and dawn)

Ensure doors and windows are properly screened to keep mosquitoes outside.

All residents, regardless of their age or health, can get sick from WNV. Those over 50 years of age or with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing the more severe form of the illness which can be fatal.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that almost 29,000 people have been reported with WNV disease since 1999. Of those, 11,760 have been serious and over 1,100 have died.

Research continues to show that even the ‘milder’ forms of the disease can cause significant illness which lasts for weeks. West Nile virus must not be taken lightly.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District is a public health special district dedicated to the control of mosquito and other vector-borne diseases. The
District can be reached at 626-814-9466 or on the web at www.sgvmosquito.org.

San Gabriel Valley Chamber installs officers

The Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley installed its new officers at an installation and awards gala on July 8.

Chief Executive Officer Heidi Gallegos served as mistress of ceremonies for an agenda that included honoring outgoing president Larry Black.

Congratulations to the new officers: Michael Brown, chairman of the Board; Yvonne Yen, chairman elect; Venita Sadowski, chief financial officer; and Vice Presidents Ben Su, Mike Shay, Bob Nelson and Szu Pei-Lu.

Homestead Museum collections manager wins award

Congratulations to Paul R. Spitzzeri, the recipient of an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History for his book “The Workman and Temple Families of Southern California, 1830-1930.” Spitzzeri is the Collections Manager at the Homestead Museum in the City of Industry.

Only 59 individuals and organizations received the 2009 awards. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards are the nation’s most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. This is the 64th year for the awards.

Since joining the museum staff in 1988, he has published numerous articles in regional journals and authored many encyclopedia entries about immigration, law and western icons. He is currently researching for a study of criminal justice administration in Los Angeles from 1850 to 1875.

Spitzzeri’s book tells the story of the transformation of Los Angeles as experienced by the Workman and Temple families, whose houses and family cemetery are the centerpieces of the six acre Homestead Museum site.

Family members worked as cattle ranchers, farmers, politicians, bankers, entrepreneurs and real estate developers.

Their successes and failures are explored in the book, which can be purchased at local bookstores, at Amazon.com or at the museum, 15415 Don Julian Road in the City of Industry.

Hacienda Heights loses to La Verne

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Bummer!

With his team down to its final strike, Sean Heberer came through with the La Verne All-Stars’ biggest hit of the postseason.

Heberer kept La Verne’s season alive Tuesday with a two-run single in the top of the sixth inning, and La Verne defeated Hacienda Heights 3-1 in a Little League Section 3 championship-round game at Highlander Field.

La Verne’s win forced a deciding rematch with Hacienda Heights at 6:30 Wednesday night at Highlander Field.

The La Verne All-Stars needed no such late-game comeback in the Little League Section 3 championship game at Highlander Field the next day. La Verne exploded for three home runs and 11 hits as they defeated Hacienda Heights 11-1 to win the section crown.

The game ended in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. La Verne advanced to the Southern California Divisional Tournament’s North Bracket, which begins play Saturday at Encino.

Read the whole story in the Hacienda Heights Highlander.

Behind the scenes at Homestead Museum

Ever wonder what’s in the basements at the Homestead Museum? The museum will offer hourly behind-the-scenes tours on Saturday and Sunday, July 25, 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will be taken to places seldom seen by the public. Reservations are recommended because space is limited for each tour.

The museum is at 15415 East Don Julian Road, City of Industry. For information, call (626) 968-8492.

Hacienda Heights juggles its programs

Juggler David Cousin returns to the Hacienda Heights Library on Wednesday, July 22, at 3 p.m. The popular entertainer will perform amazing feats of juggling skill.

The library is at 16010 La Monde St. For more information, call Paula Vannucci or Kathie Ibacache at (626) 968-9356.