Que pasa? - PEOPLE AND EVENTS

* “We have to accept where a child comes from--culturally, linguistically and ethnically,” said Norma Mota-Altman, an award-winning bilingual teacher at Alhambra’s Emery Park School, describing her success in the classroom.

Named Los Angeles County “Bilingual Teacher of the Year” in 1987, she was a runner-up for California Teacher of the Year honors this year.

“We have to encourage children to share and to learn from each other,” said Mota-Altman, 37, a native of East Los Angeles who has taught for 12 years. “I am very proud of being a bilingual teacher. I feel very flattered to be a role model.”

* Spain’s King Juan Carlos I has bestowed the Cruz de Caballero, his government’s highest honor for educators, upon William Anton, Los Angeles Unified School District deputy superintendent. The highest-ranking Latino in the district, Anton was honored with the Cross of Knighthood for his contributions to bilingual education.

Anton, who retires in June after 37 years of service in the district, said the award is recognition that “Spanish is an important language. Our students should continue to use it and keep it, the same way more than 300 million people around the world do.”

* Corrupt politicians have a long tradition of buying votes, but landscape architect Frank Villalobos was elected honorary mayor of Lincoln Heights by selling them. “The election dates back to 1917 when each vote cost 25 cents,” said Villalobos, president of Barrio Planners. “That doesn’t go very far in today’s world. Tickets now cost a dollar.”

Villalobos, 43, sold $16,000 in tickets to win office. The Optimist Club of Lincoln Heights will get $8,000, he said, and $8,000 will go to the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce to buy Christmas gifts for children and holiday street decorations.