My name is David Palomares and I’m the Executive Director at Community Media of the Foothills / KGEM-TV. I’ve been married for going on twenty-five years to my better half, Monica Palomares. I have three wonderful adult-age children whom I consider to be my greatest achievement; Danielle, David Jr. and Christian. I love art, photography, videography, travel, music, nature and reading. My mission is to suck the marrow out of life while attempting to lift up my fellow human beings, and to leave this earth better than I found it.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Share a little about your childhood and your family.
I was born in Pasadena and spent the first eight years of my life in Mexico. My Dad was originally from Mexico, and he came to the U.S. to study English when he was a teenager. He met my mother, who was from Arcadia, and they ended up getting married at the San Gabriel Mission. At the time, it was very unusual to marry outside your race. I always give credit to the TV show “I Love Lucy” for my existence. I am the youngest of six children.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Since the early age of eight, I have always aspired to be a story teller. It all started with my first visit to Universal Studios in 1974. That’s when I fell in love with the magic of movie making. I got my first camera when I was twelve and never looked back. I was in video production in High School, I got a degree in Radio-TV-Film from Cal State Northridge, and I have worked in various production and post-production jobs in the film industry. My goal is to use story telling to connect us with each other and be a positive tool for change.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Mikomi Sushi, Cafe de Olla and the Diplomat.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
We first moved to Monrovia in 2008 when we purchased our 1880’s fixer-upper. Our place was the blight of the neighborhood. Shortly after our escrow closed, there was a gang shooting a block away from our home. We immediately thought we had made a huge mistake. Soon after, the City reached out to us and helped us with some redevelopment funds to continue fixing up our home. They also encouraged us to attend the Monrovia Area Partnership program. After taking those classes, we started to feel more empowered. Hal Levens and John Watson also showed up early on in Hal’s white Lincoln adorned with small flags and welcomed us to the neighborhood. Their kindness and the City’s outreach are some of my favorite memories of Monrovia.
Q: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you’ve met here in our community who helped you get to where you are or inspired you?
Ralph Walker, Steve Baker and Rena Delgado are three individuals that have inspired me. Each of them have given a tremendous amount of their life and energy to the community of Monrovia, as volunteers. A large part of why Monrovia is such a wonderful place to live in is because of all the great volunteers that live here.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Yosemite and Maui. I am fortunate to have travelled throughout this amazing world, but both of these places are magical and have a unique energy that I’ve never felt anywhere else. Whether it’s the positive ions from all the waterfalls or the Aloha spirit that embodies the people of the Islands, to me each place feels like a little bit of heaven on earth.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has always been one of my favorites, and I still enjoy the soundtrack. TV shows are always changing, but I really liked The Good Wife when it was on, and love the CBS Sunday Morning show.
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
For me, giving is one of the main secrets of finding purpose and happiness in life. There’s very little of anything to be found in a mirror.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To write and direct a movie that will win an Oscar. You’ve gotta have dreams and goals.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
U2 has been my favorite band since 1983. But the truth is, I really enjoy all types of music. Jazz, American standards, Opera, Pop, Rock, Bosanova, Classical. I’ve attended hundreds of concerts in my life, and my taste has always been very eclectic.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Valley Hardware store with the model train and the Monrovian Restaurant are two locations that I miss. Places like Farrell’s also makes me nostalgic for my youth.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would probably like to sit down and share a pint of Guinness with Paul David Hewson, aka Bono. I think he’s a remarkable human being, and I believe it will happen someday. I’d want to meet him in my backyard so there’s less chance of being interrupted.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
Sorry, there are too many things to narrow it down to one; The mature oaks and trees throughout the city. Our beautiful mountains. All the art in public places throughout our community. The older homes throughout Monrovia. The old town charm of Myrtle. Library Park.
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
The funniest mistake I ever made was not handing a VHS copy of a short film I created to the director it was intended for. I was so excited to meet him that I forgot I was holding on to it. It taught me that mistakes will always happen, but how we bounce back from them is really what matters.
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I’m a dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S. I became a Mexican citizen to honor my father when he passed away. He was an amazing human being.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Florence, Italy and Yosemite National Park.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children are number one and my marriage comes in at a close second.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Music
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
The movement of volunteerism and looking out for your fellow beings.
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Integrity, honor and perseverance.
