Downtown Alhambra Blog

The Downtown Alhambra Business Association and Alhambra Education Foundation will celebrate over a decade of community outreach with samplings from more than 40 Alhambra restaurants, brewing companies, and local wineries at Taste of Alhambra on June 2nd from 5-8 p.m.

“We are expecting nearly 1,500 attendees at the Taste of Alhambra event,” said Downtown Alhambra Business Association board member, Michael Fata. “Each year we see steady growth and involvement from the surrounding community.”

With a diverse selection of unique, flavorful food each restaurant strives to showcase their best food in support of the Alhambra Education Foundation. The local eateries, breweries, and wineries take pride in their top notch food at Taste of Alhambra, and they strive to represent themselves well at the event.

Long lines of people waiting to enter are expected, and the organizers are offering sponsor tables on the library patio with reserved seating and a view of the entire event.

Patrons are drawn to the diversity of Taste of Alhambra, with an extensive selection of beverages including: high quality wine, craft beer, martinis, and refreshing, homemade juices. All of the drinks complement the pan-Asian, Italian, American, and Latin cuisines served at this outdoor, festive event. The food and drinks will be paired with Grooveline Band and DJ Esco on stage to ensure the crowd will be rocking to the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today’s music beats.

Many of the sponsors will be providing entertainment in their booths along with some juicy giveaways. This year’s event will see the return of Volkswagen Alhambra as well as Ace Beverage with their popular truck serving cold beer on tap.

“AEF is proud to be the beneficiary of the annual Taste of Alhambra event, and we are truly grateful to the generous restaurants and vendors that donate the great food and their time,” said Steve Perry, president of the Alhambra Educational Foundation, co-host of the event. ”We invite everyone to experience the wonderful variety of Alhambra restaurants at this fun, community-building event.”

The AEF organization was founded 20 years ago by parents, community leaders, and teachers who were concerned about continual and drastic state budget cuts in the school system. AEF raises funds that benefit all Alhambra Unified School District students, and is the primary fundraising partner of the District. The Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to the District to support a variety of programs and services for students at various school sites.

There are more surprises and new participants coming to Taste of Alhambra this year, so be sure to get your presale tickets soon. Tickets are $50 before the event and include all food and beverages, they can be purchased online by clicking HERE, or they will be available for purchase for $60 the day of the event. Patrons can enter the the Taste of Alhambra event from First Street through the Alhambra Library sidewalk on June 2nd from 5-8 p.m.

Eight local residents stepped up to rock the Alhambra’s Best Body Challenge last January. This fun 90 day challenge will reveal who can burn the most fat while losing weight, and participants came from all over the San Gabriel Valley to participate. The Downtown Alhambra Blog caught up with two of the challengers, Monique Bueno and Hillary Hon, and we got all the juicy details on their vices, fitness background, and how they plan on winning Best Body Challenge that ends March 30th.

Where are you from?

MB: Alhambra, CA 

HH: I was born in China, and grew up in Alhambra.

What’s your fitness background?

MB: I’m pretty active, and I always participated in organized sports growing up. When I wasn’t in sports, I was running in my Alhambra neighborhood or hiking with my family in the local mountains. I did the gym thing, but really didn’t enjoy it. I discovered Pilates from reading fashion magazines, because all the celebrities were hyping it up. I started taking classes with The Fit Factor founder, Joanna Vargas, in 2008 to augment my running.

HH: I have been taking a kung fu class for 3 years now.

What’s your biggest vice?

MB: Sweets! So much so that I gave them up for Lent!

HH: My biggest vice was that I didn’t like working out and sweating. I only started loving to work out and sweat this year.

Monique Bueno

What’s your goal for this challenge, and why do you have the competitive edge?

MB: I want to be healthy. I couldn’t consistently workout last summer, so I lost a lot of the fitness I developed over the years. I have the competitive edge, because I am committed to regaining that lost fitness and becoming stronger than I was before.   

HH: My goal is to lose weight, have a healthy body, feel confident, and beautiful. I have the competitive edge, because I never give up or quit and always try my best.

Where do you want your fitness journey to take you?

MB: I want to be the healthiest I can be, so that I can enjoy an active lifestyle. I want to be hiking mountains in my 80′s!

HH: I want to keep growing and inspiring others through my fitness journey.

Winners of Alhambra’s Best Body will be crowned on March 30th, and will receive the following prizes for all their hard work:

• 1st Place: Will be awarded one month of free unlimited classes at The Fit Factor, 3 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.
• 2nd Place: Will be awarded 10 free classes in a one month period at The Fit Factor, 2 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.
• 3rd Place: Will be awarded 6 free classes in a one month period at The Fit Factor, 1 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.

Alhambra’s Best Body was created by founder of The Fit Factor, Joanna Vargas. “I hope to inspire people to make change for themselves,” said Joanna Vargas. “Even if they don’t compete in Alhambra’s Best Body, and they just follow it.”

The progress of the Best Body Challenge will be published in the Around Alhambra newspaper, and you can follow the transformations on The Fit Factor blog. This competition is designed for anybody who wants to change their physical appearance, and burn unwanted fat, while transforming their overall health and well-being. Every contestant will gain a deeper understanding about what works for them, and learn how to improve daily habits during their transformation journey.

“Let’s get people to change something about their health in 2013,” said Joanna Vargas. “Create a new habit, and get us all together in one journey moving forward.”

Think you got what it takes? The next challenge will start in April, and interested competitors must attend the Fitness assessment portion. Click here to take the plunge, and start Alhambra’s Best Body Challenge. Signing up for the challenge includes: complimentary guidance through the 90-day challenge, Fit Factor signature classes, weigh-ins, and nutrition guidance.

Got questions? Contact The Fit Factor Studio Manager: jennifer@thefitfactorstudio.com, or call 626-310-7454. You can get more information about The Fit Factor at http://www.thefitfactorstudio.com/. Don’t forget to “Like” The Fit Factor Studio on Facebook.

Gen Korean BBQ opened last December, and features all you can eat dining with an extensive menu of signature meats. The latest addition to Main Street is hosting a Valentine’s Day contest, and they will be giving away TWO dinners for 2. Read on to learn how you can enter the creative food contest, learn more about what the restaurant has to offer, and find out how the owners came up with the name of the restaurant.

“When visiting our restaurant customers can expect fresh ingredients, great ambience with consideration for design, and a high quality food profile of unique marinated meats,” said Gen Korean BBQ House manager, David Kim. The array of dips, garnishes, and toppings create the perfect flavor combinations to mix and match with marinated meats.

All the meat dishes can be ordered in half portions, which allows for trying a wide variety of options before getting too full. One of the most popular meats would be the Kobe chadol, which comes in thinly sliced frozen cylinders of American Kobe brisket. With a short grill time it is a popular meal starter at Gen Korean BBQ House. There’s also the top selling garlic chicken and bulgogi- which is thinly sliced marinated Angus prime rib eye.

While visiting the new addition to Main Street I was struck by the clean interior design. The two-storied 7,500 square foot restaurant features white booths, and lots of wood finishes. There are two large black and white banner paintings dramatically hung from the second to the first floor. Each table has its own grill to prepare fresh marinated meats brought over by a server.

As the first rounds of meats were brought to my table I noticed the menu includes an extensive list of beef options along with some pork, chicken, shrimp, and ox. With roughly 30 entrée options it’s enough to warrant several visits to try them all. The grill is surrounded by a smorgasbord of small side dishes, traditionally known as banchan. The ingredients include typical Korean fare: kimchee, pickled cucumbers, sesame oil, fermented bean paste, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper flakes, and chili paste – to name a few. They are accompanied by rice and a salad with house dressing.

The lunch and dinner prices are reasonably set at $14.99 and $19.99 respectively. The drink menu pairs perfectly with the cuisine, and includes beers, wines, sake and flavored soju (Korean rice wine), bottomless sodas, iced tea, and hot green tea starting at $1.45. Judging from the busy restaurant atmosphere it seems that a new option for Korean BBQ flavors is the perfect fit for Alhambra.

With over 100 employees, their new manager, Edwardo Briseno, and the staff have quickly adapted to serving the community. “Some of them have never served before in their life,” said Mr. Kim. “Restaurant work can be demanding, but our servers are quickly becoming the best at what they do. I’m inspired by them, and compliment them for their service.”

The original Gen Korean BBQ House opened last year in Tustin, and the word “Gen” means the first. Mr. Kim has partnered with the Tustin owners to open the Alhambra location, and there are two more locations in Oxnard and Huntington Beach. He hopes to continue to grow the brand, and introduce the Korean BBQ flavors to other parts of the country as well.

“Being in this location makes us a part of a very vibrant, lively, and active city. I invite the community to try the distinct flavors of Korean BBQ,” said Mr. Kim. “We have an extensive profile of marinated grill meats for everyone to enjoy.” The restaurant also has future plans to implement partnerships with local church organized food banks.

Below are the rules for the Valentine’s Day dinner giveaway:

Gen Korean BBQ in Alhambra wants to know how creative you are when it comes to your food.. they will be giving away TWO Dinners for 2!

How do you enter to win? Simple!

1. Stop by Gen Korean BBQ in Alhambra, and create your own dish.

2. Take photos of your delicious creation- share them with us on the Facebook page- along with the ingredients you used to create the dish.

3. We will vote between now and Valentine’s Day on our favorite dish.

4. The two lucky winners will each receive dinner for 2 at the Alhambra Gen Korean BBQ.

5. Need an example of what we mean? Click here to look at this example post. There are 5 pictures and beneath one of the pictures are the ingredients.

Gen Korean BBQ House is open from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday. They have a “reverse” happy hour from 9:30 p.m. to closing. The phone number is 626-407-2858. Visit Gen Korean BBQ House’s Web site. “Like” them on Facebook, and “Follow” them on Twitter @TheGenKoreanBBQ.

Are you ready for the flavors of Hawaii with a southern California twist? Shakas in Downtown Alhambra brings their signature home style Hawaiian flavors to Main Street. Their brick building is tucked behind the Starbucks, and located across the street from Gen Korean BBQ House.

“Hawaiian food is always changing,” said Shakas’ general manager, Benson Wong. “The inspiration for our recipes comes from the melting pot of cultures in Hawaii and the San Gabriel Valley.” Once a year, the owners and managers of Shakas take a trip to Hawaii to stay current with the latest trends. They even export their authentic pork lau lau — pork wrapped in taro leaf — from Hawaii to the mainland.

The extensive menu includes influences from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and China just to name a few. In the last 2 years, the menu
has expanded to accommodate the preferences of the customers. They recently added a new special to their regular menu, a buttery, hot, and flavorful tonkotsu — pork-based — ramen soup that is perfect for the rainy, wet winter. Other recent additions include a kids menu and new happy hour selections.

The kids menu is designed for children 12 years and under. While it includes some of the classics like chicken tenders and cheese burger sliders they also infuse some of the plates with Hawaiian style grub—  spam and egg sliders, macaroni and cheese with spam, and a pint sized moco loco which consists of a fried egg, gravy, and a hamburger steak over rice.

The happy hour food selections take their cues from an eclectic mix of Hawaii and southern California. Shakas serves their own version on the bacon-wrapped hot dog that can typically be purchased from local street vendors. The Shakas version is a slightly spicy and savory flavored sausage paired with grilled peppers and onions.

A top seller for happy hour is the Shakas sampler plate that comes with mouth-watering teriyaki beef skewers and golden deep fried sesame chicken cooked to perfection. It also includes Spam musubi — the Hawaiian spam version of sushi — which is Spam marinated in teriyaki sauce and rolled with rice and seaweed.

Another surprise was the jalapeno poppers stuffed with imitation crab meat. The whole popper was dipped and fried in tempura, and it had a light crunchy and spicy flavor topped with cheese sauce. They also serve the cheese topped surf nachos — it’s a delicious combination of fried wontons, pico de gallo, and pieces of chicken.

Their surf tacos come with several meat options: traditional chicken and steak, Mochiko, Kal-bi, and Kalua. Mochiko is Japanese rice flour, and the chicken is dipped in the flour batter and deep fried. The traditional Hawaiian dish gives the chicken a light and sweet flavor. Kal-bi meat is the popular Korean barbecue short ribs, and this taco is a sweet and savory beef option. Kalua tacos — a signature meat in Hawaii — are prepared with briny flavored pork.

Shakas got their start as a takeout business on Garfield in Monterey Park. At that time, they were the only Hawaiian takeout option that cooked home style food. Ten years ago they opened their second location in Downtown Alhambra, and the main difference between the two locations is that the Shakas on Main Street has a bar and dine-in restaurant.

The full bar is attached to the restaurant and serves several beer, liquor, and wine options. The personable bartenders are well-known locally, and the cheap drinks attract the club goers who want to pre drink before they head out to the clubs on Main Street.

Shakas has signature drink recipes including the mango, passion fruit, or lychee “Shakatini.” They added their own flair by mixing the “Shakatini” with soju — a Korean rice wine — instead of the traditional vodka mix. The result is a clean and light flavor that makes for a wonderful sipping drink.

Most recently bartender Brian Wong added a vacation inspired drink called the “Shakas Shark Tank” — it’s a refreshing punch mix of Malibu, Midori, pineapple and orange juices with 18 shots of alcohol. “The Shakas Shark Tank is perfect for birthdays or any other celebration,” said Mr.  Wong. “It can be shared between 6 people, and we offer it for $40.” They also serve 20 oz. mixed drinks for $9.

Shakas on Main Street draws patrons from Pasadena, West Covina, Torrance, San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, and Santa Clarita.
Recently they hosted a fundraiser for the Phi Theta Kappa sorority from Cal State Northridge. One customer said, “We have a friend in Alhambra that recommended we come here, so we drove over from Simi Valley just to try it.”

Stay tuned for new items including shrimp skewer steaks and ribs served in a family style buffet setting for birthday parties, graduations, and private parties.

“Like” Shakas on Facebook, and learn more about their restaurant on the Shakas website. to get the latest special deals. Happy hour is from 4 – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday. Mondays feature the $5 Shakatini’s served all day from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Want to rock a New You in the New Year? 2013 is here, and The Fit Factor is looking for Alhambra’s Best Body. It’s a fun 90 day challenge to see who can burn the most fat while losing weight, and anyone from the San Gabriel Valley can participate. The Fit Factor will kick off Alhambra’s Best Body competition with their signature FREE FIT-ness day on Saturday, January 5^th, and interested competitors must attend the Fitness assessment portion.

Once you have taken the plunge and signed up for Alhambra’s Best Body- The Fit Factor will give you the tools you need to get started on your journey. This will include the complimentary 90-day challenge, Fit Factor signature classes, weigh-ins, and nutrition guidance.

Fun filled FREE FIT-ness day schedule:

Complimentary classes:

8am – 50 Minute Factor (Maximum 10 spots)
9am – No Hold Barre (Maximum 10 spots)
10am – 50 Minute Factor (Maximum 10 spots)

Book your complimentary morning fitness class at:
http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=28917&stype=-7&sTG=22&sView=day&sDate=1%2F5%2F2013

Fitness assessments – 10-11AM, 1-3PM

Find out where you stand with your fitness so you know the path to take to accomplish your goals.

Schedule your personalized 20 minute Fit Factor fitness assessment here:
http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=28917&stype=-101&sView=day&sDate=1%2F5%2F2013

Fitness transformation workshop – 11AM

“The Fit Factor Challenge Workshop – 3 Steps to Transforming Your Body in 90 Days” (Max 30 spots)

In this workshop, you’ll receive:
*Free Fit Factor class sign ups
*Slim down weight loss tips
*Free shake samples
*Networking, Community & making new friends
*Most important…FUN & RESULTS!!!

Reserve your 11:00AM workshop seat here: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=28917&stype=-8

*Please note: you do not have to stay for all 5 hours. You may come to one class, complete your fitness assessment, and/or attend the transformation workshop- or stay for all. It’s up to you.

Weigh-in Dates for Alhambra’s Best Body are on the following Saturdays:

• Saturday, January 5^th
• Saturday, February 2^nd
• Saturday, March 2^nd
• Saturday, March 30^th

Winners of Alhambra’s Best Body will be crowned on March 30^th, and will receive the following juicy prizes for all their hard work:

• 1^st Place: Will be awarded one month of free unlimited classes at The Fit Factor, 3 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.
• 2^nd Place: Will be awarded 10 free classes in a one month period at The Fit Factor, 2 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.
• 3^rd Place: Will be awarded 6 free classes in a one month period at The Fit Factor, 1 half hour complimentary personal training from their choice of The Fit Factor trainers, and will be featured in the Around Alhambra newspaper.

Ok.. I’m sold. How do I enroll for the Alhambra Best Body?

Step 1: Go to this link, and schedule your fitness assessment here
Step 2: Log in to or create a profile on Mindbodyonline.com
Step 3: Click on the class and/or workshop you’d love to take
Step 4: Arrive to class early, with your workout gear, towel, water and energy!
Step 5: Feel amazing and come back for more!

Alhambra’s Best Body was created by founder of The Fit Factor, Joanna Vargas. “I hope to inspire people to make change for themselves,” said Joanna Vargas. “Even if they don’t compete in Alhambra’s Best Body, and they just follow it.”

The progress of the competition will be published in the Around Alhambra newspaper, and you can follow the transformations on The Fit Factor blog. This competition is designed for anybody who wants to change their physical appearance and burn unwanted fat while transforming their overall health and well-being. Every contestant will gain a deeper understanding about what works for them, and learn how to improve daily habits during their transformation journey.

“Let’s get people to change something about their health in 2013,” said Joanna Vargas. “Create a new habit, and get us all together in one journey moving forward.”

Got questions? Contact The Fit Factor Studio Manager: jennifer@thefitfactorstudio.com, or call 626-310-7454. You can get more information about The Fit Factor at http://www.thefitfactorstudio.com/. Don’t forget to “Like” The Fit Factor Studio on Facebook.

Are you ready to conquer the New Year with a New You? Downtown Alhambra had a 2012 filled with excitement and explosive growth that was supported by the diverse culture of the city. From brand new cafes, eateries, bars, and retail shops opening their doors, to the celebration of holiday and community events with live music and performances- it has been a whirlwind of exciting entertainment for the Main Street district. We can’t wait to see what the New Year will bring.

Do you have big plans for 2013? We put together a list of our top 4 tips to help you get motivated and make it happen! 

#1: Small Steps for Big Dreams

If you have a big goal in mind for 2013 set small action steps every day that will keep you stay engaged and get you closer to accomplishing the big picture. As your goals become a daily habit you will experience a sense of accomplishment.

#2: Go Social with your Goals

One way to keep yourself accountable is to announce your goals to other people in your life. Put it up on social media, and post updates as you cross tasks off your list. The best part is other people will offer words of encouragement, and share their own inspirational experiences.

#3: Change is the Name of the Game

You can keep your enthusiasm high when you challenge yourself in new and different ways.Keep your motivation in high gear by switching up your tasks when you want to dream big. 

#4: Learn to Lean on Support

We all need feedback when we are trying something new, and with family and friends cheering you on you become far more likely to succeed. Get the right people in your corner helping you through pitfalls, but they should also ready to raise a glass in your honor when it’s time to celebrate.

Downtown Alhambra will continue to switch it up, and keep you on your toes with new and exciting changes to the cityscape in 2013. Throughout the year there’s so much to discover in our town.

For the mature adult crowd there is dining that ranges from Italian and Hawaiian to Brazilian and American cuisine, an upscale cigar shop, cutting edge art galleries, live theatre, and nightlife. Family-friendly entertainment includes laser tag, music academies, dance studios, a monthly art walk, summer festivals, movie theatres, and frozen yogurt shops. Alhambra is a destination that offers many tastes and experiences today- just as it has for 100 years.

“Like” Downtown Alhambra on Facebook, and read more about their special events here.

Charlie’s Trio got its start in 1971 on Huntington Drive in Los Angeles. Originally it was a takeout place called Big Man Pizza — a nickname that stuck when Chuck Fata, Jr. was attending Lincoln High School.

When the restaurant reopened as Charlie’s Trio in the mid-80s there were 3 generations of Charlie’s involved in their restaurant business — Charlie Fata, Sr. who was born in Calabria, Italy and migrated to California, Chuck Fata, Jr. opened the restaurant as Big Man Pizza, and the third generation Chuck Fata who has kept Charlie’s Trio going over the years.

With the success of the Charlie’s Trio restaurant the Fata family decided to add a neighborhood bar to the Huntington Drive location. It became a lively place where the community could watch sports games and cheer together. In 1998, they decided to open a second location on Main Street.

“What makes this place special is that Charlie’s Trio was one of the first nice restaurants in downtown Main Street to open in the 1990′s,” said one customer and Alhambra resident. “Once they became established as a popular dining spots for locals, other restaurants and businesses started opening up on Main Street. We are thankful for what they’ve done for our community.”

The Charlie’s Trio restaurants on Huntington Drive and Downtown Alhambra share a family restaurant theme. Mike Fata -co-owner and brother of Chuck Fata- pointed out that the food items on the menus are similar as well. The main difference between the 2 restaurants is the layout- Charlie’s Trio on Huntington Drive has a bar attached and several TVs playing sporting events. While the Main Street location has a new wine bar called Vino at Trio’s, which opened last year, and is tucked behind the restaurant.

Mike Fata developed his expertise in wine when he moved to Marin County for work in the 1980s and traveled to the nearby Napa Valley wineries. He returned to Alhambra when his brother offered him a partnership in the expansion of Charlie’s Trio on Huntington Boulevard.

Although the food selection is consistent at both locations, there will be several new dishes developed by James Boyle who was recently named Executive Chef for Charlie’s Trio. He brings his background in the Patina Group- a food management company that specializes in fine dining. “All of James Boyles’ creations are flavorful and spectacular,” said Mike Fata. “Customers can look for the new specials on the menu to sparkle.”

Alongside their weekly food and wine specials- Charlie’s Trio is known for their catering. They accommodate large groups of 15 and up. Food has always been central to the Italian Fata family, and in Mike Fata’s travels he has discovered new flavors that he brings back to the restaurant.

“We have a deep appreciation for all the support we have received from the community,” said Mike Fata. “40 years at the Huntington Drive location and another 14 years here on Main Street, we feel like we fit the community, and we are so grateful.”

“Like” Charlie’s Trio on Facebook, and you can read more about their events and weekly specials on the Charlie’s Trio website. They are open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.- 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Do YOU want the Factor? Come celebrate the launch of the brand new Fit Factor studio in Alhambra with a Grand Opening Fitness Day that provides complimentary classes for fitness lovers this Saturday, November 24th from 8 am – 3 pm. Checking out the schedule, and signing up for classes is quick and easy on the website: http://www.thefitfactorstudio.com/. Regular scheduled classes will be open to the public, and will commence on November 26th.

Before & After The Fit Factor Studio

Each hour they will be offering 50-minute kick-your-butt sessions from their trained and professional instructors. The high-intensity signature classes focus on strength training, flexibility, and cardio geared towards fitness and weight loss.

Their space is designed to have you literally hit the ground running, since there will be a row of treadmills to kick start the class. This will quickly be followed by any combination of cardio and strength exercises- lifting dumbbells, squats, arms, pilates barre work- just to name a few. With a disco ball as the centerpiece of the room- and eclectic music selections from Frank Sinatra to Lincoln Park and Guns N Roses to Rihanna- if you’re not breaking a sweat then you’re not having a good time.

The Fit Factor covers all your physical fitness needs in one place and one class. They have streamlined every aspect, because time is precious to all of us. Alongside offering their high intensity interval classes they will also provide a signature pilates barre class called “No Holds Barre.”

These sessions will provide a total body workout fusing elements of ballet, pilates, and weights in an intense 50-minute session. The workout uses the resistance of your own bodyweight to leave you feeling tone and supple while strengthening your muscles. Registering and signing up for The Fit Factor’s signature classes can be done on the online reservation website.

As an action-packed community- The Fit Factor- was built when creator Joanna Vargas saw the need for an all in one workout that could fit her busy lifestyle. She found good classes, but nothing that she absolutely loved. That’s when she knew there was something missing from the Alhambra community.

She was looking for a class that was fun, community-based, with quick and easy online enrollment, and most importantly the workout had to kick her butt. That’s when she created The Fit Factor formula and decided to build a studio centered on getting your body results while smothering you in sweat, beat rockin’ music, and love.

Joanna has successfully owned 3 businesses in Alhambra for the past 10 years, and she is ready to fill another much-needed niche in the community. As fitness becomes life and your body becomes more tone and supple you’ll be left addicted and wanting more.

Being The Fit Factor empowers you to be excited to wake up in the morning, and to live the vibrant energetic gift that has always been inside of you. While we hold you accountable and push you to be your best, we keep in mind that your personal best is different every day. Invest in your life today, and become The Fit Factor at our high and low-impact circuit training party!

Have you been dreaming about reindeer and Santa flying over Alhambra lately? Christmas is fast approaching, and Downtown Alhambra is inviting everyone in the community to celebrate the holiday season during the lighting of the Christmas tree ceremony held on the corner of Main and Garfield. This annual holiday tradition takes place on the first Friday of the month, so join us this year on December 7th, in front of the Edwards Renaissance Theater from 5:30-9 pm.

The evening will be filled with holiday cheer, as Santa rides into town with the Alhambra Fire Department in the big red engine truck. There will be plenty of local vendors to kick off your holiday shopping as well as live music by LA Underground. They will be playing a collection of 80’s, 90’s, and today’s Top 40- so remember to wear your dancing shoes- and come to celebrate the holiday season.

Be sure to join the festivities early, since this annual event attracts over 1,000 attendees. The lines for a free photo with Santa have been known to wrap around the block, and while you’re waiting for a photo you can stay warm with free hot chocolate and a side of cookies provided by the Downtown Alhambra Business Association.
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is part of a series of events hosted by Downtown Alhambra that highlights the diversity and culture of the surrounding neighborhood. This is a fun-filled event centered on live performance, holiday cheer, and celebrating the festive season with the community.

The evening will showcase a diverse group of Jayvee Dance Center performances from hip hop to hula and jazz to ballet. Below is a lineup of the dancers set to perform:

•  Rated G is a childrens group performing hip hop
•  Family Bizness is an adult group performing hip hop
•  Wild Ones is an adult group performing hip hop
•  Jr. Hit List is a teen group performing hip hop
•  Hula Hotties is a childrens group performing hula
•  All Stars is a childrens group performing jazz
•  A pee wees group will be performing ballet
•  Nutcracker will be performed as an adult ballet solo

Join us on Friday, December 7th to start your holiday season- maybe grab dinner and watch a movie afterwards. Downtown Alhambra hosts lots of exciting surprises on Main Street. For the mature adult crowd there is dining that ranges from Italian and Hawaiian to Brazilian and American cuisine, an upscale cigar shop, cutting edge art galleries, live theatre, and nightlife. For family-friendly entertainment there’s laser tag, movie theatres, and frozen yogurt shops.

There will be a mosaic of tastes, sights and sound with a myriad of San Gabriel Valley residents uniting to form a beautiful scene of culture and diversity. This family friendly evening will have something for everyone! For more information please view the Facebook invitation.

As always the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is free for all attendees, and conveniently located at the Renaissance Plaza downtown (1 East Main Street). “Like” Downtown Alhambra on Facebook, and read more about their special events here.

Have you been thinking about getting a new piercing? JuL•head is a full service piercing shop, and prides themselves on having an extensive selection of body jewelry at 109 West Main Street in Downtown Alhambra. “We are very competitive with our pricing for all of our piercings,” said JuL•head co-owner, Peter Cazarez. “Our customer service and pricing is what sets us apart from other shops.”

The clean and inviting shop carries a large variety of jewelry, urban fashion and streetwear all under one roof. With a wide selection of piercing options the most popular service is the helix piercing also known as the cartilage piercing. Helix piercings are done in the upper ear lobe, and the jewelry commonly used is a small ring with a bead or a stud.

In keeping their prices affordable, they offer specials: for most plugs you can buy one pair and get the second pair for half off. The lip rings with a basic style are 2 for $10, and all of the piercing prices include jewelry.

Co-owners and Alhambra residents Peter Cazarez and Robert Verduzco understand the importance of making the customers feel comfortable before, during, and after their piercing. “Peter and Robert are super friendly and nice,” said one customer.”I feel like they can talk to anyone about pretty much everything. That being said pre piercing jitters definitely went away, since they made me feel so comfortable.”

Their focus is on safety, and ensuring their customers are fully educated about their piercings. They thoroughly explain the process, and make the piercing as quick and painless as possible. After the job is done the brave customers get to sign JuL•head’s autograph wall.

Both owners are natives of San Gabriel Valley, and they have lived in Alhambra for a little more than a year. When they opened their shop 3 years ago they felt there was no better time than the present, and they wanted to start their business venture in the heart of their community. In the near future they plan on opening a second shop.

“We would love to let Alhambra know that JuL•head is not the “typical” piercing shop,” said Mr. Cazarez. “We aim to break away from the stereotype most often associated with this industry. We love what we do, and we love to share our excitement.”

JuL•head is open from 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, from 12:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, and from 12:30 p.m.- 10 p.m. on Saturday. The phone number is 626-576-4323. Don’t forget to “Like” them on Facebook.