Hacienda Heights student a finalist in $10,000 video contest

Hanna Koh of Hacienda Heights, left, and Mio Larasati of Indonesia pose with video crew. (Photo courtesy of Hanna Koh)

Hanna Koh of Hacienda Heights, left, and Mio Larasati of Indonesia pose with video crew. (Photo courtesy of Hanna Koh)

Getting a mariachi band to perform a Barry White cover is difficult. Especially when the director doesn’t speak Spanish and the band doesn’t understand English.

But it sure can make a great viral video. A video that may win $10,000 for Chris Onesto of Whittier, Charles Lee of Los Angeles and Zak Marx of Burbank.

The three students at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena decided to enter a video competition. They were joined by several other student teams, which included Hanna Koh of Hacienda Heights and Emmett Sutherland of Pasadena.

Tequila Avion collaborated with the Art Institute of Design on the project. At the end of July, the company will announce the winning viral video as well as a winning commercial and award team members $10,000 each.

Read more in VIRAL.

Marionettes and wildlife coming to Rowland Heights Library

The Franklin Haynes Marionettes will present puppetry magic for all ages from 3-4 p.m. July 16 at the Hacienda Heights Library.

A live animal program, “Wonders of Wildlife,” will be offered 3-4 p.m. July 23.
On July 30 from 3-4 p.m., opera, comedy and magic collide in “Opera-Kadabra” with Patrick Bell, the world’s only opera-singing magician.

Programs are sponsored by The Friends of the Hacienda Heights Library.
The library is at 16010 La Monde St. in Hacienda Heights. For more information, call 626-968-9356.

Caltrans posts closures on 60 pavement project

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close portions of SR-60 from the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) to the Orange Freeway (SR-57) separation, as part of a pavement rehabilitation project.  Closures are as follows and subject to change.

Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18

Eastbound SR-60

  • ·         10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Up to three lanes between I-605 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         11 p.m. to 5 a.m. – High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane CLOSEDbetween I-605 & Azusa Avenue

Westbound SR-60

  • ·         11 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Up to three lanes between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         10 p.m. to 4 a.m. – HOV lane CLOSED between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue

Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20

Eastbound SR-60

  • ·         10 p.m. to 8 a.m.   – Up to three lanes between I-605 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         7 p.m. to 9 a.m.     – Seventh Avenue on-ramp CLOSED
  • ·         12 a.m. to 8 a.m.   – HOV lane CLOSED between Seventh Avenue & Hacienda Boulevard
  • ·         11 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Connector from north- and southbound I-605 to eastbound SR-60 CLOSED

Westbound SR-60

  • ·         12 a.m. to 4 a.m.   – Up to three lanes between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         10 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Fairway Drive and Old Brea Canyon Road on-ramps CLOSED
  • ·         12 a.m. to 8 a.m.   – HOV lane CLOSED between southbound SR-57 & Nogales Street
  • ·         11 p.m. to 10 a.m. – Connector from north- and southbound SR-57 to westbound SR-60 CLOSED
  • ·          Friday 11:59 p.m. to Saturday 5 a.m.  –FULL FREEWAY CLOSUREbetween southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue

Detours will be posted. New pavement will improve mobility and enhance safety for motorists.  Flatiron West Inc. is the contractor on this $121.5 million project which is expected to complete fall 2014.

Puente Hills Concerts in Park set in Schabarum Park in Rowland Heights

Summer concerts will be held 7-9 p.m. Tuesday nights until Aug. 12 at Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park, 17250 E. Colima Road, Rowland Heights. Admission and parking are free. Food, beverages and desserts are available.

Upcoming concerts will feature: July 15, Hot August Night with Dean Colley, a Neil Diamond tribute band; July 22, Vaud and the Villains, a 19-piece 1930s New Orleans orchestra and cabaret; July 29, Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Shootout featuring tribute bands Abbey Road and Jumping Jack Flash; Aug. 5, Cold Duck, one of Southern California’s premier dance bands; Aug. 12, Three Mo’ Tenors featuring 10 styles of music from opera, to jazz, to Broadway and more.

For more information, visit www.concertsinthepark.com or call 626-854-5560.

Beginning Bowka Fitness at Rowland Heights Library on July 12

Beginning Bowka Fitness with Jackie Hasty will be held 2-3 p.m. July 12 at the Rowland Heights Library, 1850 Nogales St., Rowland Heights.

Try this new cardio, low impact group fitness session for seniors, adults and teens. Led by certified Bowka instructor Jackie Hasty, Bowka participants will draw letters and numbers with their feet while moving together to today’s popular music.

Sounds fun and it’s free! Sign up at the information desk or call 626-912-5348.

Nogales High School undergoes massive facelift in Rowland Unified

The giant steel beam twisted in the wind as the bright, red crane hoisted it high above Nogales High School in La Puente. Iron workers clambered up steel I-beams to guide the burly beam in place on the roof of the new two-story administration building.

This spring, work crews began to construct the new buildings that will completely change the face of Nogales High School. Eight-foot-tall metal letters will proudly proclaim the new Nogales.

Four new structures, as well as parking and entrance areas, will revitalize the school. The projected cost is between $30 million to $35 million, with a grand opening in the fall of 2015.

“It will be a beautiful campus when it’s finished,” said board member Lynne Ebenkamp. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during the construction. But the wait will be well worth it.”

Construction began almost two years ago, when contractors came in to install new utilities throughout the sprawling campus. Open trenches were the order of the day, but finally new electric, water, gas and sewers were safely underground.

Then, contractors began the process of remodeling the classrooms wings. After gutting the old buildings, work crews rebuilt them from the inside out. New walls and ceilings provide quiet, comfortable classrooms that save energy and lighting. A new digital infrastructure permits the latest technology for teachers and students.

Last year, demolition crews came in to raze the front of the school, bulldozing the administration building as well as several others. Hazardous materials contractors cleaned up any asbestos and other toxic substances.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story NOGALES.

Adult Summer Reading program sizzles at Rowland Heights Library

The 2014 Adult Summer Reading Program is under way at the Rowland Heights Library, 1850 Nogales St., Rowland Heights.The program runs through Aug. 16.

Get a reward for your first book review and earn a chance to win weekly drawings and an iPad Mini. Participants must have a valid county library card and visit the library to pick up rewards.

For more information, call 626-912-5348.