Residents can support breast cancer research by purchasing a pink patch from the SGPD for $10, and all proceeds will be donated to City of Hope at the conclusion of the project.

Watch the 2016 animated film "Sing" at Vincent Lugo Park this Thursday, June 22 at 8:15 p.m. as part of the city's ongoing Summer Nights series. Free popcorn will be served, and food trucks - including Austyn's Burger and Paradise Cookies & Ice Cream - will be on hand with options available for dinner and dessert.

Before the movie, games and activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. as part of Community Services' "Parks After Dark" series. For more information about this and other summer concerts, please contact Community Services at 626.308.2875 or visit this link.

With temperatures continuing to remain high this week, it's important to stay cool by limiting your exposure to the sun whenever possible and staying hydrated throughout the day. If you don't have access to air conditioning, the city's cooling center can be found at the Asian Youth Center at 100 W. Clary Ave.

Longtime San Gabriel resident, community leader and wife of San Gabriel police officer James Frederick McIntosh passed away on Sunday, June 4. She was 95.

Active in the PTA, Cub Scouts of America, the La Casa Community Center and at the San Gabriel Presbyterian Church, Margaret had moved to San Gabriel in 1945, meeting her future husband who served as an officer for the San Gabriel Police Department for 40 years. Margaret had also served in the United States Marine Corps before leaving after three years with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

She is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Worship Service will be held at the San Marino Community Church on Friday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. followed by internment at Forest Lawn Covina Hills with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rio Hondo College Foundation for the James F. and Margaret L. McIntosh Memorial Scholarship or the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

On June 14, the city welcomed Serob "Serj" Vardanyan as its new building inspector. Serj comes to us from RKA Consulting Services. Previously, Serj had owned a construction business for over a decade.

In his new role, Serj will serve under the direction of the city's building official and will perform inspections of residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings in all stages of construction, alteration and repairs. Welcome, Serj!

Last Wednesday, the San Gabriel Police Department began its inaugural Citizens Academy. A three-month course, the Citizens Academy is designed to instruct residents on the subjects of constitutional law, patrol procedures, investigations, community engagement and more. Sessions will take place every Wednesday over an 11-week period with instructors from the police department and the surrounding community.

The department has plans to hold two English and one non-English speaking session per year depending on availability and participation. For more information about the program, please contact Sgt. Rebecca Gomez at 626.308.2841 or at [email protected]. Alternatively, you may also view the program flyer here.

The city's monthly investment report, which includes an individual listing of all city investments and deposits as well as a summary of the portfolio's composition and investment compliance certification for the month ending May 31, 2017 is now available online. 

The Asian Arts Talent Foundation presents Butterfly Lovers this Saturday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. Explore China's cultures through dazzling costumes and captivating music. The event is free and more information can be found here.

In addition, be sure to visit the Playhouse on June 29 at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy the first of three talented and entertaining ensembles who bring Jazz Nights to the Playhouse from June through August. This free series begins with The Kelly Che Band, whose eclectic sound reflects influences from Cole Porter and the Beatles to Brazilian melodies and Korean folk. Learn more here.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 

A look at the Mission Road reconstruction project from Del Mar Avenue to Anderson Way which just finished construction earlier this week. The road was completely reconstructed as part of the ACE project.

Further improvements scheduled to occur this fall will include the installation of new street trees along Mission Road; completion of decorative elements associated with the new Mission Road bridge over the tracks; new landscaping associated with the construction of the new San Gabriel Police Facility, scheduled to get underway in the next year. In addition, unsightly overhead utility lines were removed and placed below ground along much of Mission Road as part of the city's underground utility program, conducted using Southern California Edison Rule 20A funds.