Brenda C.

Sales Office Accessories, Inc.

Great sign & banner vendor. Provides quotes over the phone and sends fax confirmation. Receives files via efile or disk. Fast turnaround and works within budget. Will recommend various substraits of banner material available (nylon, vinyl, canvas, etc.) and type of ink (process, outdoor, UV, etc.) depending on your needs.

Chong Hing Goldsmith Corporation Limited

Great local jeweler with a lot of buying power. Offers fine designer watches, limited edition pieces, variety of jade & pearl items, gold Chinese zodiac figures & charms, and clocks. Carries Chopard, Mikimoto, IWC, Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Omega, Franck Muller, Bvlgari, Mont Blanc, among other brands.

Marco's Auto Body Shop

Excellent body shop with top-notch technicians and highest standards. Service personnel will inspect the auto inside and out for any damage and recommend what would need to be replaced. Only uses new factory brand parts, never second-hand or used. Will turn down work if used parts or non-certified parts are required.

PROS: Only uses new factory brand parts
CONS: Will turn down work if used parts or non-certified parts are required.

Nellies Exercise Equipment

Great little sports fitness equipment shop on Las Tunas. Looks crowded, but this shop has a huge variety of equipment in stock. Will special order if needed. Everything on the floor can be tested. Started by former bodybuilder and has sold equipment to some of the top people whove been in the biz.

PROS: Products in stock!
CONS:

Smith Hardware

Old-time local hardware shop does it all from cutting pipe, punching keys, threading wire, lettering, you name it. In a day when big business home improvement stores have taken over, this local shop is still in business, with knowledgeable, friendly people who know how to service customers and the community.

Frank Seward Florists

Old-time floral shop handles huge bouquets for weddings, funerals, and special events. Floral designers can create smaller pieces and arrangements for whatever you need. Gift selection (mugs, plush, figurines, etc.) was a bit dated and dusty. Parking on street. Located on San Gabriel, close to Las Tunas, down the street from Friar Tux.

City of Alhambra Library

Excellent city library with great childrens department. Always new book selections being added, thanks to tremendous community donors & support. Childrens Summer Reading Program complete with prizes & drawings and Wednesday shows. Toddler storytime available during rest of the year. Used bookstore on-site with its proceeds directly supporting library programs.

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Newly remodeled areas, including Sea Lion Cliffs at its new 60-foot entrance, Childrens Discovery Center, and a coming-soon Gorilla Refuge and Elephant Haven. At the Sea Lion Cliffs, visitors can watch the sea lions either through the glass underwater viewing area, at water-level view, or at the above-water seating area. If you go to the zoo often, get the membership package (very affordable).

PROS: Newly remodeled areas for great viewing, accessibility
CONS: Still construction going on, but be patient

Kidspace Children's Museum

This kids museum is not all that its cracked up to be. The back gardens area is small and barely developed. The crafts tables are outdoors in the hot sun. The only interesting part is an open track in the courtyard in which kids can ride some unusual tricycles, bicycles and other wheeled transportation.

PROS: Good location in Brookside Park, across from Rose Bowl
CONS: Small gardens area and outdoor crafts table

Pacific Asia Museum

Beautiful interior with select, quality pieces, representing many different Asian cultures. Often hosts free cultural festivals in its courtyard, complete with food sales, live demonstrations, costumes, and kids coloring pages. Festivals are very crowded because courtyard is so small and confined. Courtyard is beautiful with Bonsai trees and koi fish pond.

PROS: Beautiful museum & courtyard
CONS: Small area can get very crowded