Good afternoon,
Did you come out last Saturday to enjoy our Cinco de Mayo market?  Hundreds of residents enjoyed an evening out in the Mission District with food, entertainment and a mercado filled with handcrafted goods.  

How about the performances at the Mission Playhouse?  San Gabriel is booking more and better concerts, educational programs and events to serve you -- take a look, and keep up with developments by reading City Beat.  

In today's issue, read about the changes to the parking citation review process which took effect on May 1.   Here's what else is going on in San Gabriel this week:
Dream your park...we want to hear from you!
The City of San Gabriel is completing a Needs Assessment as part of the development of the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. This plan will assess the city's current parks and open space, and explore opportunities to expand and enhance the city's facilities and programs. The plan will also prioritize projects moving forward. Community input is a very important part of this process. We want to hear from you!
 
A random sampling of San Gabriel residents were invited to take a survey by mail. These responses will provide statistically valid results. If you belong to one of these randomly selected households, we are still accepting input, so please complete your survey. It's important that you use the information that was mailed to you, so that we know to count your responses as part of this statistically valid random sample.
 
If you were not part of this random sampling of residents, we would still love to hear from you! All residents are invited to provide feedback by following this link: www.sangabrielparks.org/open.
 
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Rebecca Perez, Community Services Director at rperez@sgch.org or 626-308-2875.

  News from City Hall
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a designated sober driver
This Cinco de Mayo, plan your sober ride home before the party begins. Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, (DDVIP) free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free, non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature packed app even has social media tie-ins and a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

Officers from the San Gabriel Police Department's DUI Enforcement Team will deploy this weekend beginning Friday, May 5, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests. The effort is designed to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers. The deployment will include high visibility enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols. Research shows, crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

Click  here to view the news release.
Prescription drug take-back initiative receives positive response
The San Gabriel Police Department would like to extend a big thank you to those members of the community who participated in the 13th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this past Saturday, Apr. 29 and helped make the event another big success!

As part of a nationwide effort, the Police Department again served as a local collection site for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and retrieved over 125 pounds of unwanted/expired prescription medication from the public during the event, which has continued to provide San Gabriel a safe and convenient means of disposal for these items.

Be sure to look out for similar events both in the fall as well as spring of next year.
Youth summer programs are coming soon 
The San Gabriel Community Services Department is offering free drop-in programs at Smith Park, McKinley Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Washington Elementary and Vincent Lugo Park.
Participants can play games, make crafts, and take part in a number of day trips and special events (there is a cost for day trips). Jefferson Middle School is hosting the Bulldog Sports Camp for middle school youth who would like to practice fundamental basketball and volleyball skills, as well as enjoy other fun and exciting sports activities.  

The dates and times for summer program sites are as follows:  

Smith Park :  June 5 thru August 4
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Washington Elementary :  June 5 thru June 30
Monday-Friday 12 - 5:30 p.m.
 
Roosevelt Elementary :  June 5 thru June 30
Monday-Friday: 12 - 5:30 p.m.

        July 3 thru August 4
Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

McKinley Elementary:  June 5 thru June 30
Monday-Friday: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
 
Vincent Lugo Park :  July 3 thru August 4
Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Jefferson Middle School Sports Camp :  June 6 thru July 8
Monday-Friday:  12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
A free lunch program, sponsored by San Gabriel Unified, will be served weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for youth 18 years and under at Smith Park, McKinley Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary and Vincent Lugo Park.   
 
F or more information about summer programs, please contact Recreation Supervisor, James Lara at 626.308.2875 or jlara@sgch.org .
Parking citation review process 
changes May 1
The San Gabriel Police Department is announcing a change to its 
Parking Citation Review  process. Effective May 1, parking citation appeals will be accepted  by mail, online  or can be  dropped off inside the police station .  That's three different ways to file, and we'll work hard to expedite your review.

If you have received a parking citation from the City of San Gabriel, you will have two options:

1.  Pay the parking citation by mail or online.
2.  Appeal the parking citation.

For complete details, click  hereFor more information, contact Sergeant Rene Hernandez, Traffic Division at 626.308.2860 or  rh090@sgpd.com .
City of San Gabriel celebrates with Cinco de Mayo mercado
The City's first Cinco de Mayo Mercado was held on Saturday, Apr. 29 in the historic Mission District. The weather could not have been better for this event which included live entertainment on the outdoor stage with Ballet Folklorico Sol de Fuego and Las Colibrí, an all female string mariachi ensemble.  

The Mercado featured artists and crafters, kids' activities, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden provided by Pez Cantina restaurant.  
The Mercado was a pre-show event to coincide with Jornada , The Flourishing of Flamenco, which was held later that evening in the Mission Playhouse.   A great crowd turned out to enjoy this fun community event!
 
For more information about this and other community events, please contact the Community Services Department at 626.308.2875.
Community Services to offer water safety instructor training classes
The Community Services Department is offering an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Training class on May 21, 28 and 29. With the WSI certification, students can teach American Red Cross swim lessons.  An online blended learning class must be completed before the first training date.
 
For more information or to register for this class, please visit the city website at www.sangabrielcity.com or contact Community Services at 626.308.2875.
May is national bicycle safety month
The San Gabriel Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), call upon bicycle riders and motorists alike to be cautious during May's National Bicycle Safety Month, and every other month during the year.

The San Gabriel Police Department will be conducting a specialized Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Sunday, May 7 and on Friday, May 26, in an effort to prevent deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be patrolling areas frequented by bicyclists and where bicycle crashes occur.

California has the Move Over Law to share the road, requiring motorist to pass bike riders with at least a 3-foot cushion. Please support community efforts and become involved in bicycle safety, whether riding a bike or diving a vehicle. Officers will focus on violations observed by both motorists and cyclists.

Remember, "Safety First." Always wear a helmet when on a bicycle and a seat belt when in a vehicle. "Know the Rules of the Road." A bicyclist is considered a vehicle on the road with all the rights and responsibilities of motorized traffic. "Share the Road," by looking out for each other and showing mutual respect.

Click here to view the news release.
  Mission Playhouse
The Latin Wave begins this weekend
Catch the silent films, documentaries, play, symposium

The Latin Wave, a series that takes a look at the treatment of Latino culture from Hollywood's beginnings to the present, starts May 7 and runs through May 21.  The series features a silent film screening, documentary screening, an interactive play, two free events, an exhibition and symposium.

Come to the Playhouse May 7 at 2:30 p.m. for a silent film screening of The Gaucho (1927), starring Douglas Fairbanks and Lupe V élez with live Wurlitzer organ accompaniment provided by Bob Salisbury. Fairbanks plays 'The Gaucho,' an outlaw who undergoes a spiritual transformation and tries to recapture the city from a tyrannical general and his corrupt soldiers. Legendary for his stunt work, Fairbanks' equestrian skills and athleticism in the film light up the silver screen.

Later on at 6:00 p.m., the Playhouse will screen the documentary The Bronze Screen, 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema. It is considered "the most comprehensive archive featuring Latinos both in front of and behind the camera" featuring insights from stars including Anthony Quinn, Dolores Del Rio, Rita Moreno, Raquel Welch, Desi Arnaz, Cesar Romero, Antonio Banderas, Benecio del Toro, Cheech Marin, Jennifer Lopez, and many more.

The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is owned and operated by the City of San Gabriel. Unless otherwise stated, all events are presented by independent producers and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. The Mission Playhouse is not responsible for the content of such events, artistic or otherwise. The views expressed by these independent producers do not necessarily reflect those of the Mission Playhouse or the City of San Gabriel. 
  ACE construction updates
ACE photo of the week
Questions? Call the project help line at 888.ACE.1426
Agostino Court with new paving in place.  More improvements are yet to come to streets in and around the ACE construction zone as ACE begins repaving haul routes used during the San Gabriel Trench construction. Watch for alerts as repaving work moves onto major streets in the construction zone; keep your eye on  City Beat for further developments.
City Beat Photo by Daren Grilley
  On the agenda
Upcoming City Council meetings
STUDY SESSIONS
  • Thursday, May 11 - 5:30 p.m., Second Budget Study Session - Draft Operating & CIP Feedback Forum, City Hall, Conference Room A

REGULAR MEETINGS
  • Tues., May 16 - 7:30 p.m., City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers
  • Tues., Jun. 6 - 7:30 p.m., City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers
Learn More
Upcoming commission meetings
All meetings are held at City Hall in the Council Chambers.
  • Mon., May 8 - 6:30 p.m., Planning Commission
  • Mon., May 22 - 7:00 p.m., Design Review Commission
  • Mon., Jun. 5 - 7:00 p.m., Community Services Commission 
Learn More

  Upcoming Community Events
Here is a list of events coming up in the San Gabriel community:
More Events
  We're hiring!
The city is recruiting for the following positions:
  • Administrative Assistant II - Closes on May 5
  • Building Inspector - Open Until Filled
  • Plan Check Engineer - Open Until Filled
  • Administrative Assistant I - Continuous
  • Auto Mechanic Intern - Continuous
  • Firefighter/Paramedic - Continuous
  • Mission Playhouse Stage Crew - Continuous
  • Mission Playhouse Usher - Continuous
  • Lifeguard/Swim Instructor - Continuous
  • Police Assistant - Continuous
  • Police Cadet - Continuous
  • Police Dispatcher Clerk - Continuous
  • Police Officer (Entry Level Recruit) - Continuous
  • Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate) - Continuous
  • Recreation Leader - Continuous
Apply Now
City Beat is a weekly digital publication of the City of San Gabriel, published by the Administration Department. For questions or concerns, email Steve Preston, city manager, at spreston@sgch.org; or Melanie Benson, executive assistant to the city manager, at mbenson@sgch.org. You can call us at 626.308.2803.


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City of San Gabriel
626.308.2800