ActiveLab

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast. This episode features our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding Elected Official, Congresswoman Judy Chu. Since 2009, she has represented California’s 28th Congressional District. She serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, helping shape national policy on healthcare, social programs, and fiscal responsibility. H...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast. In this episode, we feature our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding San Gabriel Valley Business, Octavia’s Bookshelf. Nikki High is the founder and owner of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, California. As an early reader, Nikki always found safety in books, and her love for reading and storytelling only grew over the years. Guid...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today we are featuring our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding Community Organization, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). Since 2001, NDLON has defended the rights of immigrant and low-wage workers. In Pasadena, they operate the Pasadena Community Job Center (PCJC), which became a hub of relief during the Eaton...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today we are featuring our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding Local Advocate, Max Romero. Though he only recently graduated from high school, Max has already made a major impact on public transit in the San Gabriel Valley. As a member of Sierra Madre’s Public Transportation Subcommittee, Max helped restore Metro Line 268, which...

In this episode of the ActiveLab Podcast, host Alina sits down with Rene Salas to talk about the Merced Avenue Greenway Project, our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding SGV Project. The Merced Avenue Greenway is transforming South El Monte with safer streets, new bike paths, native gardens, and stormwater features that capture millions of gallons of water each year. The Greenway h...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today we are featuring our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding Public Agency, Clean Power Alliance. Represented by Executive Director Ted Bardacke, Clean Power Alliance provides clean, renewable electricity to about one million customers in 38 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. As the largest community choice e...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today we are featuring our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding Volunteer – the Brian Velez Memorial Award, Stephanie Pinedo. A dedicated educator and long-time Pomona resident, Stephanie has shown an unwavering commitment to building community through active transportation and environmental stewardship. Since returning to Califo...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today we are featuring our 2025 Noche de las Luminarias Honoree for Outstanding City Staff, Alana Johnson. As Transportation Services Manager for the City of Arcadia, Alana has led efforts to expand mobility, safety, and access for residents. She oversees Arcadia Transit, directs a comprehensive service assessment, and works closely with partner...

Join host Wes as he chats with South Pasadena Walking School Bus participants about this innovative program. Discover how it provides a safe, fun, and sustainable way for Marengo Elementary students to get to school while fostering stronger community connections. This episode dives into the program’s weekly walks, creative pop-up activities, and the lasting impact on families and neighborhoods. To...

Welcome back to the ActiveLab Podcast! We're featuring our 2024 Noche Honoree for Outstanding City Staff, Steven Mateer. Steven is the Transportation Manager for the City of Glendora, overseeing public transit, bicycle and pedestrian programs, and the Transportation Demand Management Program. He is currently working to secure funding for over 10 miles of active transportation improvements and...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today, we're featuring our 2024 Noche Honoree for Outstanding Local Advocate Je-Show Yang. As a program manager at APIFM, Yang champions policies improving air quality and public health in the San Gabriel Valley. He has led collaborations to develop crucial environmental policies and fought against car-centric projects to protect residents&...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today, we're featuring our 2024 Noche Honoree for Outstanding SGV Business Beastin Beauties Fitness Studio. Beastin Beauties, located in El Monte, is dedicated to empowering women through dynamic workouts in a supportive and inclusive environment. Founded by a fitness enthusiast who transformed her life through exercise, the studio aims to...

Welcome back to the ActiveLab Podcast! Today, we're featuring a special double episode with our 2024 Noche Honorees: the City of Alhambra for Outstanding City and Jeffrey Koji Maloney for Outstanding Elected Official. The City of Alhambra is a beacon of progressive, sustainable urban development and community-centered planning in the San Gabriel Valley. Alhambra has promoted sustainable and a...

Welcome to another episode of the ActiveLab Podcast! Today, we're featuring Grace Santiago, our 2024 Noche Honoree, for the Brian Velez Memorial Award—Outstanding Volunteer. Grace Santiago, a dedicated counselor from Boyle Heights, shares her journey and experiences as an invaluable volunteer with ActiveSGV. From participating in open street events, outreach initiatives, and ride marshaling,...

Welcome back to the ActiveLab Podcast! Today, we're featuring our 2024 Noche Honoree for Outstanding Community Organization: Trust for Public Land (TPL). Since its establishment in 1972, TPL has championed the cause of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the outdoors. As a leading national nonprofit, TPL creates parks and protects land to foster healthier, mo...

Today, 6/26, we are celebrating the love we have for the San Gabriel Valley community. We hope this day inspires you to visit one of your favorite local SGV spots or try something new. Whatever the day brings, we are happy to share this celebration with our San Gabriel Valley community. In a special episode of ActiveLab, our team members Alex, Alina, Andrea, and Carly share how they spent 626 Day...

Join host Carly and guest Gaby live from the Amtrak train with stunning beach views as they discuss Go Coastal, a program by ActiveSGV and the California Coastal Conservancy. Learn how this initiative made it easy to access the coast via public or active transportation, and discover its impact on reducing barriers for San Gabriel Valley residents. This episode covers recent Go Coastal events, high...

In the latest episode of ActiveLab, our host Alina interviews Pablo Tamashiro, the owner of Cyber Yogurt, a single-location, family-operated business in El Monte since 2009. Cyber Yogurt isn't just a local business; it's a community-centric hub shaped by Pablo’s dedication to health, sustainability, and active involvement in regional initiatives. Listen to learn about Cyber Yogurt’s comm...

In our latest episode of ActiveLab, we discuss Alhambra’s potential for transformation. Our guest, Jeshow Yang, a Program Manager of the Sustainable SGV program at APIFM and a long-time Alhambra resident, shares his insights on the exciting developments in active transportation within the community. Learn about dedicated bikeways to pedestrian infrastructure and how you can get involved. To learn...

In the latest episode of ActiveLab, join our team, Wes and Jazmin, as they enter into the world of GoSGV. Explore how GoSGV's innovative electric bike-share program is transforming sustainable transportation in the San Gabriel Valley. Discover upcoming GoSGV events where you can try out their electric bikes for free and learn what the future holds for this program.  To stay informed about all...

In our second episode of ActiveLab, we took a behind-the-scenes journey with Danielle, the program director of ActiveSGV's Open Streets program. Starting nearly a decade ago as an ActiveSGV volunteer, Danielle joined the staff in 2017 and has become a pivotal team member. Danielle and Wes share the evolution of Active Streets, its impact, and the future ahead. Learn about the challenges and t...

Welcome back to ActiveLabs! Our journey began during the pandemic, and after a short break, we're thrilled to be back, ready to talk about everything related to the vibrant San Gabriel Valley. To kick off our return, we have our hosts Carly and Andrea here to shed light on the Cal Fresh Healthy Living Project. To learn more about Cal Fresh Healthy Living: https://www.activesgv.org/projects/ca...

Gas companies have tried to convince us for years that it’s safe to use gas appliances in our homes, but research shows that burning gas is bad for our health and indoor air quality, not to mention the toll it takes on the environment. On this episode of ActiveLab, you’ll hear a recording of the Healthy Homes Info Session recorded on July 22, 2021. The panel, featuring the research team at UCLA, T...

This episode was recorded on 05/04/2021.  In this episode of ActiveLab, Brisa Aviles interviews Ana Zepeda from the Lundquist Institute, a 501(c)3 independent non-profit biomedical research organization, affiliated with UCLA and the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Kicking off the first podcast of the COVID-19 series, we talk about vaccine research, why practicing empathy during this time is especially...

Baldwin Park and Alhambra residents elected two fresh, new faces in November 2020. Mayors Sasha Renee Perez and Emmanuel J. Estrada share their thoughts on being elected to local office before turning 30, and what local communities can do to improve our health, address equity issues, and prepare for climate change. ActiveLab is made possible by the support of ActiveSGV members and the Liberty Hill...