History Happening Now
MVWSD Trustee Ellen Wheeler Steps Down After 20 Years
By Pamela Baird MVHA President
After twenty years of serving as a trustee on the Mountain View Whisman school board , Ellen Wheeler decided to retire at the end of 2022 . In a celebration at the start of the December 8 board meeting a resolution was passed honoring her service to the community . More than a dozen local leaders spoke about her commitment to Mountain View at the event .
Local elected of�icials , including Supervisor Joe Simitian , U . S . Rep . Anna Eschoo , state senator Josh Becker , and state assemblymember Marc Berman provided proclamations . The Mountain View City Council issued a proclamation , which was read by Mayor Lucas Ramirez .
Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit !
By Pamela Baird MVHA President
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year for East and Southeast Asian cultures . Chinese , Vietnamese and Korean communities celebrate the �ifteen day holiday .
Tied to the lunar calendar , the New Year typically begins with the second new moon that occurs after the winter solstice . In 2023 it begins on Sunday , January 22 , and ends with a lantern festival on Sunday , February 5 , the date of the rising of the full “ Snow Moon .”
The Chinese zodiac utilizes animals to signify the different signs . For 2023 it is the year of the rabbit , which is considered the luckiest of the twelve animals of the zodiac . The rabbit symbolizes mercy , elegance and beauty .
New City Council Leadership
By Nicholas Perry MVHA Past President
On January 10 , after nearly three years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Mountain View City Council returned to the council chambers at Mountain View City Hall for its �irst-ever virtual / in-person hybrid meeting . During the meeting , the council voted unanimously to appoint Alison Hicks as mayor and Pat Showalter as vice mayor of Mountain View for 2023 . The meeting also served as an opportunity to thank out-going Mayor Lucas Ramirez and Council Member of Sally Lieber who vacated her position after being elected to the State Board of Equalization . Mayor Hicks , along with Council Member Lucas Ramirez and Council Member Ellen Kamei were all reelected to the City Council during the November 2022 election and were sworn in for the second terms at the meeting .
Ellen was �irst elected in 2002 when her youngest child attended Bubb Elementary School . She served �ive terms as a trustee . During her tenure the board hired six superintendents and opened three new elementary schools . Ellen stated :
I decided it was time to step off and give someone else a turn . I ’ ve been very proud of the work we ’ ve done . As you can
Ellen Wheeler imagine , we had ups and downs , but lots
of ups and I ’ m glad to end on a high note . Thank you to all six of the superintendents I worked with and multiple school board teams .
In addition , Ellen has been a member of the local League of Women Voters , serving in education and leadership roles . Ellen also served for eight years with the Santa Clara County School Boards Association .
As with many winter solstice celebrations , the symbolic darkness of long nights is banished by the light of �ireworks , lanterns , and candles . The celebration is a time for honoring deities and ancestors , as well as family gatherings .
Food is an important feature of the Lunar New Year . Many families make round or crescent-shaped dumplings stuffed with cabbage or pork , which are to symbolize good fortune . Eating long noodles symbolizes the hope for a long life .
For many years Mountain View hosted a Lunar New Year parade on Castro Street .
On January 28 the city of Mountain View is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration . The event will be held 10:00 a . m . to 4:00 p . m . at the Community Center . Participants will enjoy a day of Asian arts , music , and games as well as learning the rich customs of family , friends and neighbors .
Mayor Alison Hicks
Vice Mayor Pat Showalter
Mayor Hicks is a long-time supporter of the MVHA and volunteered as one of our Directors-at-Large in 2017 – 18 . Vice Mayor Showalter previously served as Vice Mayor in 2015 and Mayor in 2016 during her �irst term on the City Council . Congratulations to Mayor Hicks and Vice Mayor Showalter !
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