As Memorial Day weekend looms over Southern California many communities prepare for a summer season full of festivals, live music events, barbecues, beach days, and a time for carefree family fun. In Old Town La Puente, the partnership of local business, artists, educators, performers, civic leadership, and charitable organizations promise to ring in the summer with another edition of the increasingly popular La Puente Art Walk.

The Nuvein Foundation for Literature and the Arts, an El Monte based arts organization, began organizing of the community arts event in the winter of 2011. The Foundation and the La Puente community launched the event, Un Poquito Mas Arte, as a quarterly art walk series in February 2012.  When asked about its success, Chris Trevilla is quick to point out, “The La Puente Art walk began as a project of the Nuvein Foundation, a project in which the combination of community, business, civic leadership would be immersed and familiarized with the rich local arts community in their midst. The end of this project was to allow Old Town La Puente to be reinvented by the arts, with direct input and involvement by all members of the La Puente community”.

Now in it’s second year, the La Puente Art Walk promises to showcase artists, performers, custom cars, live music, vendors, and much more for the upcoming June 15th, 2013 edition.

The June La Puente Art Walk will host over 7 different art spaces and galleries, as well as vendor bazaar of artisans and crafts traders. Among the art exhibitions will be a photography show at the ViP Café, a California Car Culture themed art and music show at Tic Tac Restaurant, an art show showcasing reinventions and reinterpretations of classic rock album covers at the RiT Gallery & Center, a graffiti art and reggae and underground music　 inspired show at GQ Cuts, an art show featuring educators across various districts in Southern California, a group art show and rock memorabilia at Vinyl Saurs Records, a crop and shop workshop at Scrapbook Café, a live street performance area called the Poet’s Corner inspired by the Venice Boardwalk, and over 50 vendors of fine arts, crafts, and custom creations.

The La Puente Art Walk is scheduled for June 15th, 2013 from 4pm to 12am, in Old Town La Puente, along Main Street, from Glendora Ave. to 3rd Street. For more details on the event, visit the La Puente Art Walk Facebook page www.facebook.com/LaPuenteArtwalk or e-mail Chris Trevilla of the Nuvein Foundation at ctrevilla@nuvein.org.

The Mountain View Vikings traveled down the 605 Thursday and engaged in a four-way toss with Bellflower, Downey, and Schurr.

The Vikes were undermanned against the Southeast powerhouses and a physical Schurr team, but they competed.

“We have a lot of guys out today,” said second year HC Victor Ambruso. “Lot of stuff going on down at school, that’s our third string quarterback.”

The third string quarterback flinging the ball fearlessly was Steven Barrers.

Rumors of Ambruso scrapping the double-wing have proved to be untrue.

“We’re going to run some stuff out of shotgun, but we’re stilling going to be a wing team,” he said.

Puig hit four home runs in his first five games and had three more hits on Sunday but after seven games since Puig was called up the Dodgers are…drum roll please…4-3. They won two of three from San Diego but after splitting four with Atlanta they are a very mediocre one game over .500 since the days of Puig. That’s not going to cut it.

Puig is hitting but nobody else is. Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford are out and Andre Ethier might as well be. Hanley Ramirez is suddenly injury prone and the pitching continues to be a disaster.

I know Don Mattingly is trying to plug in holes on a staff that has been banged up but please, isn’t there anybody…anybody…better than Matt Magill? After getting shelled on Sunday his ERA is 6.51. He has more walks (28) than strikeouts (26) while allowing six home runs. We’re really supposed to buy Mattingly’s assertion that Magill is the best guy available when he runs him out there every fifth day? It doesn’t matter how many Puigs you have, it won’t make a difference with Magill on the hill. This guy needs to be on the next flight to Albuquerque.

People are comparing Puig’s remarkable start to Mike Trout and his debut for the Angels last year. It’s a good comparison but remember where the Angels finished last year?

Speaking of the Angels, I guess it could be worse for the Dodgers. They could be the Angels. Albert Pujols needs to sit down. Put him on the 15 day DL. Two weeks without him in the lineup isn’t going to matter. It hurts just to watch him play.

It didn’t hurt to watch Rosemead’s Steven San Miguel play this year. In fact San Miguel just completed what may have been the most prolific athletic prep career in Rosemead High School history. He was named the team MVP in football, basketball and baseball. In baseball he batted .466 and in football he was named a National Football Foundation scholar athlete award winner. He was named Athlete of the Year for Rosemead, made All League in all three sports and was also team captain on all three. Often there is an athlete who excels in one specific sport but it’s rare to see somebody excel in all three like San Miguel has over a four year period. San Miguel has a bright future in front of him.

Drove down the 605 twice this week. I saw four schools throwing at Bellflower on Thursday and checked out the 605 All-Star game on Friday night. Jorge Reyna is back at  at quarterback for Downey and that alone puts the Vikings in the hunt. Junior running back Justin Huff returns as well giving Downey maybe the best one-two punch in the area.

“We lost some leadership, that’s for sure,” said Downey HC Jack Williams. “We have a lot of our studs back (Reyna, Huff, etc.) but we definitely lost some guys that were in leadership roles.”

Keep an eye on Downey linebacker Chris Tuiasosopo.

“He’s a big kid and tough and he’s only a sophomore. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley,” Williams said.

Southpaw Sal Chavez is looking good for Schurr. Swain Williams returns at quarterback for Bellflower but will be facing some competition this year from Sebastian Sanchez according to Buccaneer HC Derek Brown. Both players are seniors.

The 605 game dragged for three and a half quarters but the East rally late in the fourth and into overtime made it worth the drive. It was nearly 10:45 when a West pass fell to the turf and touched off an East victory celebration in the second overtime.

When I saw the kids sprinting on to the field and leaping on each other in jubilation it reminded me of one thing. Football season has definitely arrived.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.

San Dimas, Azusa and Rosemead traveled to B.L. Bergstrom Stadium last Tuesday to participate in a four-way through with the Arroyo Knights as the summer passing season has opened up.

…Even with many schools still session.

What is accomplished during these tosses. Small things, mostly its an opportunity to see new faces in familar places and just the opposite.

Former San Gabriel running back Joseph Mayorga was out in his new San Dimas gear.

We got a better look at Rosemead quarterback Steven Nava.

A glimpse at Arroyo running back Gabriel Gomez who seeks to pick up the carries left behind by the graduating Peter Aholoka.

And we saw former Temple City player, assistant, and San Gabriel assistant Matt “Suave One” Lopez coaching for the Saints.

Yeah, I know the Heat rolled on Sunday night but they did it without LeBron James. James got fat after the game was decided. The blocked shot was nice though.

Again, I never had a problem with the way he left Cleveland. My only beef, repeated like a broken record, is him being declared among the greatest of all time without really achieving anything great.

He’s got so much talent, so much ability, but he is always so underwhelming…

Yasiel Puig is the best thing out of Cuba since Desi Arnaz…

I thought it was a good year for the Kings all things considered…All things being its hockey, we’re in California and the games are way overpriced…

Last Add LeBron: If only the IRS was as underwhelming as LeBron…Now that would be a tax system I could live with.

Home runs, pennant chases, great pitching…and all the sabermetric people can come up with is: “Don’t bunt!”

Does anyone remember former Jacksonville Jaguar receiver Mike Sims Walker? You probably don’t, because I was the only dork that invested in him for my fantasy team.

Note to Dodger Fans: If Puig goes into a slump, blame me. I signed him to my fantasy team. Generally anyone I sign, in any sport, goes into an immediate tail spin when they get on one of my fantasy rosters.

I really enjoyed watching Mt. View throw the ball on Thursday…Now don’t get crazy, I’m not predicting anything or saying they are going to make a run. I just liked the way they went out on the field against bigger stronger teams like Downey, Bigflower, and Schurr.

I said trade Andre Ethier a month ago…and now “smart” baseball people are saying he would be a good fit for the Mets…If the Mets are still the New York team that enjoys taking on bloated contracts of players past their prime then, yes, Andre Ethier would be a good fit.

I wonder whatever happened to Justin Sellers?

Do you think the Angels still wish they had Ervin Santana?

Expect a local coaching change, another one, very very soon.

How tolerant am I? Well I wouldn’t let Miami Heat forward Birdman Andersen through my front door, date my daughter, or hirer him to cover football for us in the fall…But I would make sure he got big minutes along the front line of my basketball team. Dude, does a good job.

Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com

I’ve always been proud of being a Daddy;

With children God blest us with three.

Two sweet little girls and a rugged laddie;

And they are as different as they can be.

I wouldn’t trade them for any other;

A lot of joy they give to me and their mother.

Love and happiness is what they bring;

and often they make me feel just like a king.

They all three knew about God at the start;

And live knowing that Jesus is in their heart.

They are so thoughtful, considerate and kind;

I’m so grateful to be able to call them mine.

There were times that each of them were a pill;

But I’ll always love Gail, Kirk and our baby Jill.

There’s so many good memories that survived;

That makes me the happiest Daddy alive.

The Kiwanis Club of Temple City recognized four outstanding students from Oak Avenue Intermediate School. Accompanying the students were Oak teachers Jason Rose and Amanda Kasuyama.

Rachel is 13 years old and has an older brother. She enjoys listening to music, reading books, and watching movies.  Rachel said, “The best things about Oak Avenue are the clubs, activities, teachers and staff.”  The best thing that ever happened was being accepted into Honors Biology for high school.  Personal goals are to change the economy, build a shelter for the homeless, go to college, maintain good grades, and get into A.P. classes in high school.

Katie is 14 years old and has two older brothers. She enjoys volleyball, hanging out with her friends, shopping, and reading.  Katie said, “The best things about Oak Avenue are the teachers, sports activities, and the campus.”  The best thing that ever happened was going to Mexico and ziplining at Astrocamp, Catalina.  Personal goals are to build a skyscraper, be a doctor, travel the world, and learn to drive.

Michael is 13 years old and has two older brothers. He enjoys playing baseball and playing the trumpet in the school band and Pasadena Youth Symphony.  Michael said, “The best things about Oak Avenue are sports, music programs, fun activities, the teachers and joyful staff.”  The best thing that ever happened was being able to travel to Vienna, Prague, and Salzberg.  Personal goals are to eliminate discrimination, build a orphanage, get into a good college, have a good career, and to help those in need.

Amanda is 13 years old and has a younger brother. She enjoys playing the piano and flute, writing, music, and volleyball.  Amanda said, “The best things about Oak Avenue are the ‘second-home’ type of environment, the teachers, and friendly peers.”  The best thing that ever happened was being born.  Personal goals are to change the way the world judges, build a homeless shelter, maintain her 4.0 GPA in high school, and to take all the opportunities that come her way and make the best of them.

Each week the Temple City Kiwanis Club is pleased to recognize outstanding students and their teachers from Cloverly, Emperor, Longden, Oak Avenue, and the Dr. Doug Sears Learning Center.  Kiwanis treats students and their teacher to lunch.  Students receive a certificate, a letter for their parents, a bumper sticker, a gift certificate from The Hat Restaurant, and a photograph of them receiving their award.  Their photo will also be published in Temple City Life, Mid Valley News, Temple City Tribune, and displayed in the Temple City Unified School District lobby.

Temple City Kiwanis has been serving our community since 1939.  Members are dedicated men and women who desire to make a difference in the quality of life for the youth of Temple City.  Kiwanis meets at 12:00 noon each Tuesday at Denny’s Restaurant.  To find out more about Kiwanis, please call Jerry Jambazian at (626) 286-2444.  You can also visit their website at www.templecitykiwanis.org.

On June 2, 1013, the Olympia Philharmonic Society presented the Cal-State, L.A. Symphony Orchestra and the Olympia Youth Orchestra, “in Talents of San Gabriel Valley, celebrating the centenary of the City of San Gabriel.” The Music Director and Conductor was Fung Ho, who “is on the violin and symphony orchestra faculty of Cal State University, Los Angeles; and, chamber music and string orchestra faculty of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.  He has also assumed the position of Music Director & Conductor of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra in the fall of 2012.” The orchestra did an outstanding job!

Two world renowned soloists, mezzo-soprano, Suzanna Guzman and soprano, Alba Quezada performed. Both Ms. Guzman and Ms. Quezada are San Gabriel Mission High School Alumni. The audience was mesmerized by their amazing voices!

Ms. Guzman “is one of the original Associate Artists of Los Angeles Opera and has appeared as principal soloist with symphonies and opera houses around the world.” Among her many awards and accomplishments, Ms. Guzman has received “the Hispanic Scholarship Fund 2012 Mentor of the Year, 2012 California Latino Caucus Spirit Award, 2012 Legacy Award for Women in Theatre, 2012 Mexican American Opportunity Fund Woman of the Year, just to name a few. Currently, she can be seen weekly on the KCET’s series OPEN CALL.” In addition, Ms. Guzman is the Director of Community Engagement at the L.A. County High School for the Arts.

Ms. Quezada “has performed in operas, musicals and on the recital stage throughout the United States and Europe. She has worked in recording, film, television, and radio.” Some of Ms. Quezada’s many highlights include: “an original cast member of Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, the title role of Frida at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Maria in West Side Story at the Teatro Tivoli in Barcelona, a Community Concert Artist, and the featured soprano in the Grammy nominated recording for Best Classical Album, Carlos Chavez: Vol. 3.” Currently, Ms. Quezada is on the singing faculty at Long Island University in Brooklyn; is an Associate Professor of Voice at the New School for Drama; and is on the voice and speech faculty at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in New York City.

Another performer was Ms. Celia Liu, who “is an internationally renowned musician and virtuoso of two major Chinese musical instruments:  the Pipa (Chinese Guitar) and the Gu-Zheng (Chinese Harp).” She has worked with such groups as “the Hollywood Bowl Symphonic Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and she also concurrently recorded for soundtracks for several TV series and movies with studios such as Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and NBC’s Good Morning Sunday show.” Recently, Ms Liu “has been working with composer and music producer Jeremy Zuckerman to record music for the TV show Kung Fu Panda.”

Other performers included 13 year old “Tiffany Wee, who played the violin, and 14 year old Danna Xue, who played the cello.

The concert concluded with film score selections of Nathan Wang, who was a special guest pianist.

Mr. Wang is “one of the most successful composers in Hollywood and Asian cinema.” Among his accomplishments include “writing music for Jackie Chan movies, Steven Spielberg documentaries, live-action and animated movies for Disney, DreamWorks and Sony Studios.”

“Friends of Norwood Library” in El Monte is seeking volunteers.  The address of the library is 4550 N. Peck Rd (just south of Lower Azusa).  If interested, please attend on Friday, June 14th, between the hours of 10AM to Noon.  If you cannot make it or need additional information, e-mail richardbleuze@sbcglobal.net with the word Nita in the subject line.

Get out of the heat and into the pool!  The Recreation and Community Services Summer Swimming Program will be open for lessons and open swim at the Arcadia High School Pool, 180 Campus Drive in Arcadia starting Saturday, June 15, 2013.  For open swim the pool will open at 1pm and close at 5pm.  Walk-in, fax-in and online registration are now underway for Session I (June 17-28) swim lessons only by logging onto  www.ci.arcadia.ca.us.

For Session II (July 1-12) online registration for Arcadia residents begins June 21st.  Walk-in registration for everyone begins June 24th at the Recreation Department located at 375 Campus Drive.  No class on July 4, 2013. For more information regarding swim classes and the online and walk-in registration dates for Sessions 3-5, please call 626.574.5113.