Reyes Celebrates Chinese New Year

Councilmember Ed P. Reyes today honored the Miss Chinatown Court and Little King and Queen with a special council presentation at City Hall.

Councilmember Reyes invites you to celebrate the “Year of the Ox” on Saturday, January 31, from 2-4 p.m. in Chinatown at the 110th annual Golden Dragon Parade. Thousands are projected to line North Broadway to watch floats, performances and other festivities that continue to make this colorful celebration a premiere cultural event for Los Angeles. A free Chinese New Year Festival, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, takes place concurrently with acrobats, martial artists, children’s games and Asian food.


Photos courtesy of Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles

110th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
Broadway and Hill Streets, L.A. 90012
Saturday, January 31 (2-4 p.m.)
http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com/

Chinese New Year Festival
Corner of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Streets and Central Plaza (943-951 N. Broadway St.)Saturday, January 31 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Sunday, February 1 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
http://www.chinatownla.com/

Reyes Honors Eighth Grader Picked for Presidential Inauguration

Councilmember Reyes recently honored Jacqueline Mendoza, the eighth grader from Highland Park who attended the 44th Presidential Inauguration. Mendoza, a stellar student at Florence Nightingale Middle School, was picked by the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference to attend the historic event. Before Jacqueline, 13, headed to Washington D.C., Reyes presented Mendoza with a $1000 check for her trip at a farewell reception he co-hosted with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Roberto Lopez Jr. Memorial Fund

Photo courtesy of Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Councilmember Ed P. Reyes has announced the Roberto Lopez Jr. Memorial Fund to assist the Lopez family as they mourn the death of their 4-year-old son. Those wishing to make donations to the charitable fund can go to any Wells Fargo branch and submit a check, money order or cash. Donors who are Wells Fargo customers may transfer funds directly. Questions about the fund can be directed to the office of Councilmember Reyes at (213) 485-0763.

Roberto Lopez Jr. was hit in the chest by a single gunshot Tuesday afternoon while he and his older sister walked from their home near Angelino Heights to a local community center. Police said at least one person opened fire on a car driving down the street and one of the shots struck Roberto Jr.

Highland Park Teen Readies for Inauguration

Jacqueline Mendoza is captain of Nightingale's Science Bowl and president of Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA).

Jacqueline Mendoza, 13, almost turned down the opportunity to attend the historic presidential inauguration. Her family couldn't afford the $3,500 trip.

But thanks to Councilmember Reyes, her science teacher and others, the Florence Nightingale Middle School eighth grader is packing her bags, which will include a special pink dress, for Washington D.C.

She is one of several students--and the only one from Los Angeles--selected nationwide by the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference to witness Barack Obama take the oath of office on January 20.

Jacqueline, who lives in Reyes' First District community of Highland Park, raised the money needed for the five-day trip. The funds include $1200 from David Meyerhof, her science teacher. Councilmember Reyes kicked in an additional $1000.

Now Jacqueline is getting ready for January 17 when she boards a Southwest Airlines flight to the nation's Capitol.

Not only will she be representing Los Angeles, she’ll be doing it with a fashionable vintage flair.

“The dress my dad made me for the trip is based on Jackie Kennedy’s style of clothes. It’s a coral pink dress with a hand-stitch top,” she said.

The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Jacqueline recognizes the advantages of education and opportunities her parents did not receive. She humbly attributes her success, thus far, to her parents.

“Some students who come [to Nightingale] don’t take advantage of the opportunities given here. Lots of students don’t like coming [to school], but I love it here. I love learning,” she said.

Once Jacqueline graduates from Nightingale in June, she hopes to attend Bravo Medical Magnet High School and later enroll at the University of Southern California to become a cardiologist.

“My parents always push me to study because it’s going to help me out so much in life,” she said.

Her advice to students: "Never give up. Always try your best. And remember, a little effort goes a LONG way."