Kenneth Jay Walsh

May 12, 1962 - June 10, 2017

Kenneth Jay (KJ) Walsh passed away Saturday, June 10th, 2017 at his home in Downey, CA. KJ was born on May 12, 1962 in Santa Monica, CA to Jerry Walsh and Janet (Hammeras) Walsh.

KJ enjoyed sharing his knowledge, and worked for over 20 years as a school teacher and administrator for LAUSD, where he developed teacher programs for science classes. He connected easily with all types of people, but especially children and animals and he always had numerous pets around him. After retiring from LAUSD he started his own business as a dog trainer. He enjoyed performing magic tricks, camping and fishing, cooking and playing pool.

KJ is survived by his wife, Gemma Walsh, his mother, Janet Walsh, his two brothers, Vince Brooks (Heidi) and Sean Walsh (Diane), and his sister, Cindy Flynn (Bruce) as well as his uncle and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Downey on Saturday, June 24th at 2:00 pm.

G1 Special in the US: It's not just another wrestling show

On July 1 and 2, the Long Beach Convention Center will be hosting a show featuring the stars of wrestling company New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). While next weekend’s festivities may just seem like another wrestling show to an outsider looking in, it actually holds some serious historical significance, as well as potential for the future.

Let’s be honest in terms of the American “sports entertainment” market. When it comes to wrestling, there is pretty much one fish that owns a vast majority of the pond, and that is World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

There is currently no company on American soil that can produce a show as consistently and on the scale of WWE. Despite other wrestling companies and shows such as Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor (ROH) and Anthem’s recently acquired Impact Wrestling, WWE might as well have monopolized the market, causing other groups to try and provide a passable alternative instead of directly competing.

It wasn’t always like that, however. 

Back in the 1980’s is when American wrestling fans really started to see the beginning of what wrestling has become today. Two companies – WWE and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) – drew their lines in the sand and went head to head to establish who would be the premiere wrestling brand.

Wrestling fans know this as the “Monday Night Wars,” and it spanned from the late 80’s to the early 2000’s. The conclusion of the war saw the defeat of WCW, which WWE eventually purchased and absorbed (along with Extreme Championship Wrestling).

With no real competition and to keep things fresh, last year WWE returned to a brand split, with two separate and exclusive rosters for its weekly Raw and Smackdown shows; instead of competing with other companies, WWE competes with itself with a varying amount of success.

This leaves fans who may not be entirely satisfied with the WWE product scrambling to get their fix in some other location.

Enter New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Photo 

New Japan is a major wrestling promotion in, you guessed it, Japan.

While many wrestling fans may not know the company itself, many of New Japan’s former stars are now household names in the sports entertainment genre.

Well known current WWE superstars such as AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Luke Gallows, “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson, Brock Lesnar and Finn Balor have all had very successful and lucrative careers with New Japan; and they’re just the tip of the iceberg of the talent pool.

NJPW have competed here in the states through various avenues, yet this particular show is historic in the fact that it is the first of its kind for New Japan. The company is stepping into America, and potentially into a new whole new market.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, it’s important to acknowledge that WWE is very much still a giant compared to a David sized New Japan in comparison. This by no means is going to be an easy three count on the mat.

NJPW isn’t exactly the easiest thing to get onto our TV screens here at home. Many of the promotions fans here in the states have to rely on a paid subscription service through the company’s website.

Still, NJPW isn’t coming into this opportunity totally unprepared. Thanks to partnerships with ROH and other American promotions, there is a humble following of American New Japan fans.

Add in a clothing deal between Hot Topic and villainous group The Bullet Club – one of NJPW’s most popular stables – and you’d be hard pressed to deny that there’s a buzz.

So much of a buzz, in fact, that tickets for the event sold-out within hours of going on sale, and all without the luxury of an announced card to produce a draw at the time of release.

The first ever IWGP US Champion will be crowned in Long Beach. Photo from Ring of Honor

If all goes well in this endeavor, we could quite possibly see a new contender step up and establish itself as a new, credible face in the world of American mainstream media wrestling. We won't know until after the weekend, but seeing as NJPW will be crowning the first ever IWGP United States Champion, there seems to be a fair amount of faith that the company is here to stay.

Next Saturday and Sunday’s shows are so much more than a historical event in the wrestling industry; they will act as a way for NJPW to get their feet wet and test the waters in a predominantly WWE-centric atmosphere.

Downey High water polo train hard and early for next season

DOWNEY – The Downey High School boys and girls water polo teams are busy preparing for next season. 

Practices are taking place Tuesday-Thursday from 6- 8:30 a.m. at the Downey Aquatics Center on the campus of Downey High School. Each morning 20-plus boys and 20-plus girls are in the pool practicing. Several students leave the pool at 7:30 a.m. because they are enrolled in summer school while other student-athletes remain practicing until 8:30 a.m.

Head coach Uriel Villa is now coaching both teams. Some names to watch out for next season for the boys are Anthony Torres, Andrew Cabrera, Nathan Lopez, Brian Repreza and Jerry Aquinada. All players have experience and skill and are looking forward to getting better. 

Coach Villa, his staff and players are all looking forward to next season. Cerritos and cross-town rival Warren will be the teams to beat in league play.  

■ The Downey High School boys’ volleyball team made a strong run in the C.I.F. Division 4 playoffs before falling to La Palma Kennedy in five sets at Cerritos College. 

As a result of Downey’s strong finish, two Vikings were selected to the All-C.I.F. Team. Sam Carcamo and Matt Brito earned those honors. 

Coach McCarthy and his staff are extremely proud of Sam and Matt and what they accomplished this season. The two All-C.I.F. players have set the bar high at Downey and the goal for next season is “get the ring in 2018.”

■ The Downey High School volleyball program will be offering several camps this summer for student-athletes of all ages. There will be four high school camps, one middle school camp and one elementary camp. 

The first high school camp will take place July 10-12 and will be for girls only. The second high school camp will be from July 17-19 and will be for boys and girls. The third high school camp will be from July 24-26 and will be for girls only. The last high school camp will be from July 31-August 1 and will be for girls only. 

Camps will take place Monday-Wednesday and will be from 8- 10 a.m. in the gymnasium at Downey High School. The high school camp for boys will cost $60.

The middle school camp will be for student-athletes entering grades 6-8. It will be from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Camp will be Monday-Wednesday and the cost will be $60. The elementary school camp will be for girls entering grades 3-5 and will also be from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 
Camp will be Monday-Wednesday and the cost will also be $60.

The girls summer league for varsity players will be Tuesday and Thursday and will take place July 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27. The junior varsity dates will be Mondays and Wednesdays and will take place July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26. The cost for high school girls will be $190 and includes weight training in June and July, summer league, weekend travel tournaments and all camp dates.

Walk-ins are accepted if space is available. Special features to the camp include a t-shirt, age/group training, skill development and quality coaching. Coach McCarthy can be contacted at rmccarthy@dusd.net or bopmac1956@gmail.com or by cell at (559) 259-4561. Coach McCarthy hopes to see you on the volleyball court this summer.   

■ The Warren High School boys’ cross country team is busy preparing for the start of next season. The high school cross-country season starts right as school starts in mid-late August. 
Workouts are and will be taking place in June, July and August and the cost is $90. 

Head coach Ramon Miranda and assistant coaches Eddie Rodriguez and Faustino Diaz are busy preparing to make a run at another S.G.V.L. title and beyond. In July, Warren’s top 15 runners will be invited to run and train in the altitude at the Lake Tahoe Camp. In early August, 30 runners will be invited to run and train at the Desert Camp Training. 

This is an exciting time for runners because all the sacrifice and hard work thus far will be put on display as only the top seven runners will compete in varsity competitions.

The goal of the Warren cross-country program is “to bring out the best in every student/athlete, by leading through discipline, respect and overall body awareness.” Warren qualified for the state meet in 2013 and 2014 and have been San Gabriel Valley League champions in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Coach Miranda can be contacted with further questions by e-mail at championshipyear@msn.com or by cell phone at (562) 842-5115. Coach Miranda, his staff and runners hope to see you at a cross-country workout this summer.     

■ The Warren High School football team is looking to improve on their 2-7-1 finish from a season ago. The Bears were young and inexperienced a season ago and that age and experience is a year older now and is looking much better this summer. Players have gotten bigger, faster and stronger and are working hard to get better.

The varsity team is in the weight room from 8-10 a.m. and is on the field practicing from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Warren appears to be deeper and more experienced on both offense and defense. 
Assistant coach Daniel Singh likes what he sees and is upbeat for the season to start. Coach Singh added that “Warren won their passing league contest last weekend.”

Some offensive players to keep an eye on are quarterback Chris Venegas, wide receiver Robbie Colenzo, running back Nikko Tuala-Fierro, wide receiver Desmond Carnes, Sebastian Guerrero, John Herrin, Joseph Vargas, Justin Mendez and Mikel Trujillo. These athletes are impact type players who are bringing more experience and skill to their positions.

On defense, senior defensive lineman Steven Miranda, senior defensive lineman Diego Garcia and junior linebacker Alex Ortiz will all be stronger and more experienced this season. 

The Bears will also have an excellent kicker on special teams. Senior kicker/punter Ismael Montoya will help the Bears score points from distance as well as help in the battle of field position. Senior long snapper Jeremy Serrano will also play a key role with providing good snaps. 

Coach Lara, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of the 2017 football season.  
 

Joanna Peterson installed as Chamber of Commerce president

DOWNEY – The Downey Chamber of Commerce held its 114th Installation of Officers and Directors Lunch on Wednesday, officially ushering in a new president in Joanna Peterson.
 The luncheon was held at the Embassy Suites, and was attended by representatives of several of Downey’s businesses, organizations, and city government.

Three new incoming directors – Mike Murray of Grocery Outlet, Sue Robison of Security Land Escrow, and Mariana Pacheco of Pacheco Realty and Associates – were sworn in.

The event also served as an opportunity to honor outgoing president Laurie Tyler, who addressed the room with a few brief words.

“It truly has been an honor to have served as your chamber president this past year,” said Tyler. “Due to the creativity of the chamber board and staff, we have had a lot of firsts… this would not have been possible without the support of the executive board, the board of directors, the ambassadors and the chamber staff.”

She also gave a few words of encouragement to her successor.

“Joanna, I can’t wait to serve with you as you take over the helm of this great ship. You are in for a wonderful amazing adventure. Know that you have an army of people behind you that are here to support you,” said Tyler.

After being sworn in by Mayor Fernando Vasquez, Peterson also addressed the room.

“I will continue on to serve the city and the chamber,” said Peterson. “At a time where other chambers are losing members, we have raised our numbers. What does that say about us? Downey is a vibrant city rich in history and community. It is quickly growing and expanding its horizons…”

Alternative Medicine: Etheric Cords

Etheric what! That's one of many words used to describe the connections linking a person to the other. 

To a person who can see energy, these cords look similar to a water hose. Interlacing two people. Inside the water-hose-like  structure, energies of love, compassion, etc., flow between people. But it's not all lovey-dovey. On our not-so-great days, the predominant energies consist of the icky-like textures of anger, bitterness, etc.

The question we should be asking is: why are these etheric cords so important and why do they exist? The best way to describe a positive-filled cord is that of the bond between a mother and child. It's said women tend to have a heightened sixth sense. Somehow we intuitively pick up on the needs and wants of a baby who can't speak. Part of this "knowing" emanates from the etheric cord bonding mother and child. It's flooded with incalculable love and compassion. Making mom ultra sensitive to the higher energy frequencies shared through the cord. 

The opposite is true. When a cord by majority is filled with negative energy it becomes toxic and we feel it through the emotions of anger, resentment, inability to forgive, etc. This energy if left untreated has the possibility of being harmful. What is conveyed through this cord is one of the reason why we find ourselves continuously thinking and judging that person who did us wrong. In reality we are contributing to this energy. What happens when you add fuel to fire? The fire will continues to burn. 

I'll share two simple yet effective techniques. 

To pump additional positive and loving energy into an already loving etheric cord simply imagine a water-hose like structure bonding you and the other person. Picture in your minds eye filling this cord with tremendous amounts of light-pink light. Hold this thought up-to 3 minutes. Repeat as often with anyone!

How do you transform a negative spewing cord into one of joy and love? Simple! Follow the same instructions given in the above exercise. With the following added step: practice forgiveness towards the person who hurt you, it may even be towards oneself. 

Have a question regarding this article or maybe you’d like to suggest a topic? Write to me at: m_arrieta@yahoo.com. Next article we will talk about intuition.

Marcela Arrieta is an alternative modality practitioner with over five years of experience in this field. She is also an entrepreneur who resides in Downey. She can be reached at m_arrieta@yahoo.com.

City of Downey goes to court to clean up Rives Mansion

The city of Downey went to Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday to begin property abatement proceedings on the historic Rives Mansion, which has fallen into visible disrepair. 

Accompanied by a police escort, city workers gained access to the property Wednesday and began clean-up efforts. A lien will be added to the property’s title to recoup costs.

The mansion’s current tenants are expected to vacate the property by June 27. 

“The City of Downey has a longstanding tradition respecting private property rights, however, the historic Rives Mansion has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair that is unacceptable in our community and unsafe for its neighbors,” said Mayor Fernando Vasquez.

Last month, the mansion’s perimeter fence collapsed under the weight of overgrown vegetation, exposing filthy conditions and evidence that people were illegally living in the property’s garage and water tower. 

Crews dispose of a perimeter fence that collapsed due to overgrown vegetation. Photo by Eric Pierce

The property is currently in foreclosure proceedings and has been the subject of litigation between its current owners and lease holders. 

“The city has continued to monitor the site and attempted to work with the foreclosure agency to address the neglected items on the property,” city officials said in a prepared statement. “However, after much discussion and little progress from the foreclosure agency, the city took matters into its own hands filed with the L.A. Court.” 

On Wednesday, city employees began clearing debris from the mansion’s backyard, including at least two sofas, two dozen chairs, a washing machine, patio furniture, a desk, children’s toys, and mounds of trash bags. 

Crews also removed 8-ft. tall weeds, mowed the lawn, pruned palm trees, and discarded the collapsed fence. A temporary chain-link fence will be installed in its place. 

City officials said they would continue to maintain the property “until the property is sold to a new owner.” 

“The city is doing everything it can within its legal limits to ensure the health and safety of the neighborhood surrounding the Rives Mansion while taking action with the foreclosure agency to ensure the property is brought back up to our community’s high standards,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sean Ashon. 

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Built in 1910 by Superior Court Judge James C. Rives, the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1910 by Superior Court Judge James C. Rives, the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed by Los Angeles architects Neher and Skilling, the Rives residence sports a classic Greek Revival facade and chronicles a unique, local history that started with an industrious pioneering family that rode into Downey at the turn of the century.

Built during the Craftsman Movement, the Rives Mansion features six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a library, dance hall and a large water tower, which today sits on a retired well.

On the first floor, there is a spacious entry way with a parlor and the library on the right and an elegant dining room on the left. Just beyond the dining room are the kitchen, butler’s pantry and breakfast room. 

A grand staircase takes visitors to the second floor where all of the bedrooms are located and a narrow, wooden stairway from the hallway leads to the third floor, revealing a 30 x 60 foot dance floor, used by the Rives’ who hosted regular dinner parties. 

In the backyard, the water tank house and a walnut drying shed are still standing on the site, both necessary features that supported the Rives’ agricultural lifestyle. 

Police officers monitor clean-up efforts at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Following the death of James Rives, the land was subdivided and other homes were built on the Rives property. Rives Avenue bordered the 75-acre estate and thus takes its name from the pioneer family. 

In 1946, after the death of Mary Lee Rives, the family sold the home to Downey real estate broker Clarence Mocabee and his family who lived in the home until his death in 1981. Three years later, Mocabee’s children sold the property to the Hendricks, a Swedish family that operated several Swedish-language newspapers in Los Angeles. In 1996, the Rives Mansion was transferred into the Hendricks trust and in 2005 it was bought by Carmen and Oscar Rivera for $1.7 million.

The Rivera’s leased the property to Lauren Baumann, president of Stewardship Estates, a company that offersed a variety of services including marketing, event planning, real estate and financial services. In addition to living in the home since 2008, Baumann also offered the Rives Mansion as a venue for community events and fundraisers.

In 2011, Baumann pleaded guilty to wire fraud, admitting that she lured more than two dozen people in Orange and Los Angeles counties to invest in Christian “battle of the bands” contests and real estate deals with false promises. She raised nearly $1 million, and in the end, her investors lost $560,000.

In July 2013, Downey resident Ralph Verdugo signed a 7-year lease to open a high-end steakhouse on the property. 

Those plans were halted a year later, however, when it was revealed that the Riveras were behind on their monthly mortgage payments by nearly 60 months, prompting foreclosure proceedings. 

Verdugo went on to open another steakhouse -- Mi Cielo -- in downtown Downey. 

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Clean-up efforts began at the Rives Mansion on Wednesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

Editor Christian Brown and staff writer Alex Dominguez contributed to this report.

Kathleen Becker passes away at 90

Kathleen Becker, born Kathleen Merrick on Christmas day, 1926, passed away June 4 at age 90.
 
She was a loving mother, wife, friend, and belonged to many service organizations, including Soroptimist and American Association of University Women. She loved teenagers and worked with them at mark Keppel High School for 52 years, first as a physical education teacher, then as a guidance counselor, and ultimately as an assistant principal.
 
She was pre-deceased by her husband, Fred Becker, and her two sons, Ron and Cliff Becker. She is survived by her daughter, Janet Trippel, and her granddaughter, Sahara Becker.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kay Becker to:
Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
1004A O’Reilly Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Toll Free (US only): 86-Myotonic (866-968-6642)
www.myotonic.org. 

Three seats on School Board up for re-election in November

DOWNEY - Three seats on the Downey Unified School District Board of Education are up for re-election in November this year.

This year, the seats currently occupied by DUSD board members Barbara Samperi, Martha Sodetani, and Nancy Swenson will be eligible for election. (Trustee map)

Samperi has been on the school board since 1993. She is currently the Vice President of the Board. She has been re-elected five times, and represents Trustee Area seven.

Sodetani was elected in 2005. She currently sits as the President of the Board. She has been re-elected two times, and represents Trustee Area one. 

Swenson has also served since 2005. She currently serves as the Clerk for the Board. She has also been re-elected two times, and represents trustee area five. 

 All three incumbents are supported by the Downey Education Association, as announced by DEA President Jim Mogan last week.  

Potential candidates will have from July 17 to August 11 to file for candidacy.

Those wishing to vote by mail must submit a written request for ballot no later than seven days prior to Election Day.  Mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 pm on Election Day to be counted.

The election will be held in November.

UCLA supporters announce Southeast Bruins Scholarship

Giselle Del Carmen of Maywood walking during the traditional Commencement Ceremony at UCLA on June 18.

DOWNEY -- The Southeast Bruins Network is concluding the 2016-17 fiscal year with the creation of an official "Southeast Bruins Scholarship."  The accomplishment comes after over eight months of collaboration among the Southeast Bruins Board of Directors, officials at UCLA, and local UCLA supporters.  

The initial Southeast Scholarship Award will be granted to one student from the Southeast Los Angeles region in the fall of 2017.  This marks the first time in the history of UCLA that the University's Office of Scholarships and Student Support Initiatives awards this region-specific scholarship.  

The first scholarship recipient will be announced at an inaugural annual event in the fall.  

The initial scholarship is in the amount of $4,000 and the recipient will receive it over the span of four years in four annual disbursements. This merit-based scholarship was made possible by the generosity of multiple local UCLA alumni and friends. The Southeast Bruins Network have expressed special gratitude to Joseph's Bar and Grill, Law Offices of Miguel Duarte, La Barca Grill and Cantina Inc., and Downey's very own past mayor Mario Guerra and current Mayor Fernando Vasquez and Mi Cielo Restaurant and Rooftop Lounge.  

Officials at UCLA note that the annual cost of tuition at UCLA is $13,254, but caution that the true cost of attendance can rise to over $33,000 per year once room and board and other costs of living expenses are factored in. To relieve some of the financial pressures accompanying students during their college career, the Southeast Bruins are making a call to action and strongly encouraging all those who are in a position to do so to consider contributing to the official Southeast Bruins Scholarship Fund. 

Anyone wishing to make this tax-free contribution to the Southeast Scholarship fund is encouraged to contact George Touma, Director of Development at UCLA, at (310) 983-3065 or by emailing him at gtouma@support.ucla.edu. Additionally, supporters can contribute directly by visiting the following website: giving.ucla.edu/SoutheastLA

Letter to the Editor: No more Rush Limbaugh

Dear Editor:

Journalism and the community would be better served if irrational and inhumane Republicans like Rush Limbaugh were not allowed to voice opinions uncontested.

Yes, he and local conservatives too have every right in this country to be heard. Any dog can bark. We are hearing them on the television every day. But it is important to balance ridiculous opinions with intelligence. It would give the newspaper some some semblance of credibility and has been here in the past.
 
The second article on the opinion page -- a philosophy diametrically opposite to that of Limbaugh, by Peter Montgomery — is a good counterpoint to Limbaugh’s article. Even more than rational and humane, it is factual. In times of great difficulty such as we live in now, it is important to maintain and support voices of reason.

It is Important to contest every voice that undermines credibility and humanity. It is important to refuse to feed the basest instincts. Tragedy is often born of hysteria.
 
Rush Limbaugh, like the Tin Man, could use a heart. And a proof reader. Hopefully, in the future, The Patriot will not give him the stage and spotlight uncontested.
 
Roy Anthony Shabla
Downey

Letter to the Editor: Higher standards for post office

Dear Editor:

I have to agree 100% with the letter from Ruben Macias regarding the Downey post office on Firestone Boulevard.

Just this week I tried to renew my passport and was unable to get through their phone system. I walked into the office to try an in-person renewal and was told I needed an appointment and they were booked the whole month of June. Just ridiculous.
 
I Googled and Yelped reviews of this office to find out that I was not the only one who had the same problem with the office not answering their phones. This is a consistent habit for the Downey office and our community needs to speak up.

Until the time that this issue gets fixed, I hope to see a letter every week in the Patriot about this problem to show the post office we are taking this seriously. Are they doing the same?

In the meanwhile, I have to say the Santa Fe Springs office has excellent service. This is proof that the job can be done if you are willing to do the work.
 
Mark Lopez
Downey

Downey proposes $169.1 million budget for fiscal year 2017-18

The Downey City Council on Tuesday is poised to consider a $169.1 million spending plan for fiscal year 2017-18, representing a 4.8% increase over last year’s budget. 

The budget increase can be mostly attributed to Measure S, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by Downey voters last November. Revenue generated by Measure S will be used to bolster public safety goals and fix local infrastructure.

“Ten new police officers, funded by the Measure S local sales tax increase, will be added to the city’s public safety workforce,” city manager Gilbert Livas wrote in the budget proposal. “And Measure S will also provide for a complete overhaul of the city’s 50-plus-year-old fire stations and a master planning process for the 60-year-old library building.”

The spending plan proposes the creation of several new positions related to Measure S, including six ambulance coordinators; one ambulance operator coordinator; one fire training captain; one public safety dispatcher; one public safety system network engineer; two parking enforcement officers; one human resources specialist; and one finance department management analyst. 

Measure S notwithstanding, city officials are anticipating continued gains in property and sales taxes, citing strengthening sales at the Promenade and Downey Landing retail centers, and the recent openings of commercial complexes at Lakewood Boulevard and Gallatin Road. More than 130 new businesses opened in Downey during the calendar year 2016.

The budget proposal also revealed that Kaiser Permanente intends to build a new six-story hospital tower with an additional 96 hospital beds -- along with a new parking structure -- adjacent to its Downey hospital, which opened in 2009. 

Downey's proposed 2017-18 budget includes funding for 10 additional police officers. Photo by Pam Lane, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

Meanwhile, Downey real estate values continue to rise and officials expect rents for multi-family residential units and commercial space “to remain strong.” 

“The strong Southern California mid-luxury multifamily housing construction trends continue through Downey,” wrote Livas, noting the construction of a 28-unit townhome development on 3rd Street; a proposal to build six new apartments at a vacant lot on 2nd Street; the construction of 39 townhomes at Telegraph Road and Tweedy Lane; and a proposal for a three-story, 24-unit condominium project on Firestone Boulevard, near the intersection of Stewart and Gray Road. 

“Property tax revenues are estimated to increase slowly as property values continue their measured upward trajectory,” Livas wrote. 

While the budget proposal is mainly optimistic, there are also significant financial obstacles, notably an increased $1.5 million annual obligation to CalPERS, the public employee retirement system. 

“[The] city’s financial obligations have increased $1.5 million without adding a single new program, piece of equipment or position,” Livas said. 

Also, even with the approval of Measure S, there is the issue of how to fund $16 million in necessary road repairs, a question “not easily answered without courageous and difficult decisions from local, regional and state elected officials,” wrote Livas. 

Another challenge is a looming exodus of experienced police officers. The department expects
to lose 30 percent of its officers over the next five years due to retirement, said Councilman Rick Rodriguez.

Council members will discuss the budget proposal Tuesday at 4 p.m. inside council chambers. The spending plan is expected to be formally adopted at the June 27 regular council meeting. 
 

Public art piece with LED lighting coming to intersection of Paramount and Firestone

A new public art project is coming to the busy intersection of Firestone and Paramount boulevards. 

Approved by the City Council last week, the artwork will be installed on a block wall on the southwest side of Firestone Boulevard.

"The centerpiece of the public art element of the design is a specialty metal fabric which is etched to create the artistic motif," assistant city manager John Oskoui wrote in a staff report. "The art piece would also incorporate LED light fittings, resulting in a lighting effect which provides for a stunning night time experience but it is subdued enough not to distract drivers.

"The art motif also provides pleasant visuals during the daytime," Oskoui added. 

Drought tolerant landscaping will frame the art, and there will also be a garden between the block wall and sidewalk. 

Total cost of the art piece and garden is estimated at $170,000; of that total, $70,000 will be paid from Downey's Art in Public Places Fund. 

Shared Stories: My Cat for 25 Years

Kay Halsey shares the story of a beloved feline who wandered into her yard one day and stayed for decades. Shared Stories is a weekly column featuring articles by participants in a writing class at the Norwalk Senior Center. Bonnie Mansell is the instructor for this free class offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. Curated by Carol Kearns

By Kay Halsey

When I had children at home we often took our supper out of doors in the lovely backyard where it was cooled by orange and apple trees. My husband would enjoy feeding a stray cat under the table when I wasn’t looking. Cat loved his donations and stayed around. He became my cat.

He could jump from the roof to the ground and run very fast. Other cats stayed away, but Cat found our house his home. Eventually, when my husband had died and my four children had left home, he was my companion.

He was my companion for 25 years. He sat by me, with his rear towards me, guarding me. His tail always lightly touching my leg. He slept in the mornings until I made my breakfast. I would find him sitting in the chair waiting for me to come and eat, hoping I would let him lick my cereal dish.

One morning I missed him. When I went outside I found him lying on some weeds, enjoying the warmth of the sun. His long tan and black hair had turned to white.

Anytime I stopped working and sat down, he joined me. He jumped in my lap, hoping I would scratch his neck.

Cat talked to me – a guttural sound was a Good Morning greeting, a high-to-low growl was notice that he wanted more to eat.  

He had been around for 25 years at least. He would ask for food, but smell it and not eat. His body was long and thin. His rear quarter dragged and he’d lost his jumping ability. Inability to swallow and difficulty in movement seem to go with age.

The stress of caring for an old cat was immediate. I tired of seeking out accidental messes, shed fur, fleas, and smells. I myself was having trouble keeping my home clean.  

I made an unplanned decision to take him to SEAACA, a facility that humanely disposes of cats. It was reason instead of emotion.

I put him in my arms and put him on the back seat of the car. I registered him with the clerk at SEAACA for $35. I was told to drive to the back of the building and wait my turn in the tent.

I held him in my arms. A man in green gloves came out of the gate and put him in a wire cage. I saw his sad eyes! I knew this was the loss of a wonderful companion so necessary for both of us. A neighbor told me that the clerk gives the animals a shot for termination. This was a sad day in my life.

There are many losses when you grow old and find yourself alone. I am safer and now more active in Tai Chi, fine art painting, and writing for memoirs class.
 

Letter to the Editor: Sustainable landscaping

Dear Editor: 

In my efforts at xeriscaping (using drought-tolerant California natives) I've discovered some practical principles about sustainable gardening, here in Downey, that I'd like to share.

The first is that you don't need to xeriscape everything in order to save significant amounts of water. In deference to the 60-year-old star pine in my front yard, I use garden-tolerant plants in it's root zone and water it weekly. In the back, a quarter of the yard hosts two 60-year-old avocados and another quarter is lawn (a place to play with the dog), and they also get watered every week. But by converting approximately 2000 square feet into xeriscape, I managed to save, on the average, 30% of my water usage. That's a lot!

I hate my electric bill, and am doing everything I can to reduce it. So I planted three canary island pines to the west of the house because they're (1) fast-growing, (2) narrow, and fit the space (3) sidewalk-and-foundation friendly, (4) are beautiful to look at and (5) tolerate thinning quite well, which will be necessary as they're just off to the side of the power lines. They're not drought tolerant, and they don't particularly like our hard water, but they like our sandy-loamy soil and overall do very well with weekly water. I also planted an island oak out front. It's narrower growth habit fits the yard, and one day, it will be majestic.

In fact, most people think that xeriscaping means cactus, succulents, and rocks. Nothing could be further from the truth! Once you see the heat shimmering above bare, unshaded landscape, you realize that it's reflecting a lot of heat onto the home and into the neighborhood. Trees shade the ground directly, prevent ground-level air from heating up, and allow cooling breezes to blow through. There's a tree for every landscape, from desert willows to towering ashes, so don't sacrifice trees in order to save water. 

If you're looking for maximum shade, plant tall trees along north-south lines - they will cast long shadows to the west and east during the morning and evening. My star pine shades the house in the morning and the road in the evening, and people love to park there.

But don't count on trees to shade your roof or walls in the middle of the day: At noon, the sun is high in the sky and the shade is a small puddle directly under the tree. For noon shade, you would be best planting a wide tree (like an oak) that will keep the property generally cool. As an aside, there are cool roofs that reflect sunlight and heat, and they come in all kinds of materials. Did I mention that I hate my air conditioning bill? We selected a cool roof when we re-roofed.

By focusing on California natives, I've enticed all kinds of birds, butterflies, hummingbirds and bees onto my property. Where it was once rather quiet, scrub jays, orioles, goldfinches, monarchs and honeybees busy themselves in my backyard, and the squirrels and lizards are an endless source of amusement (and frustration) for the dog. 

And finally - style. There isn't a landscape that I don't like: woodland, beach scrub, meadow, prairie, desert - I love them all. In experimenting with different plants, I've managed to create everything from woodland to coastal scrub to English cottage garden (sometimes accidentally) and I've learned that there isn't a style that can't be reproduced (except maybe tropical) with the right choice of water-wise plants. So, what kind of landscape brings you joy when you look at it? You can achieve it and be water-wise too.

Joan Niertit
Downey

Whittier Union names attorney-turned-Cal High educator 2017-18 Teacher of the Year

WHITTIER – Before becoming an English teacher at California High School, Lori Davies spent 12 years as a successful corporate lawyer, analyzing writs, combing over legal briefs and winning cases for her clients. But it was her passion for transforming the lives of students through teaching that led her to transition from the courtroom to the classroom.
 
Now after 15 years as an educator, Davies is equally successful at administering exams, reviewing common assessments and teaching the works of Steinbeck while helping to guide students on their path to college and growing the school’s acclaimed Puente academic support program.
 
For her dedication, Davies has been named the Whittier Union High School District’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year.
 
“Students often describe Lori Davies as their Puente Mom and, in fact, she treats every single one of her students like family,” Superintendent Martin Plourde said. “Lori is the epitome of teachers in Whittier Union and consistently upholds the District’s values of rigor, relevance and relationships. We can’t thank her enough for her passion and commitment to our students and their success.”
 
Davies ­– who earned her bachelor’s degree in English and political science from Stanford University and juris doctorate from UCLA Law School – long contemplated leaving the law profession for a career in education.
 
Encouraged by her family and husband, Loring, the District’s deputy superintendent, Davies shifted careers and received her teaching credential in 2002. She hit the ground running at Cal High and has since been recognized for being open to incorporating new ideas in the classroom and dedicating her free time to supporting program activities, parent meetings and workshops.
 
She has become a valuable asset to the Puente Program since joining in 2003, establishing strong bonds with the students who were taking their first steps on the path to higher education, assisting them with a rigorous academic plan focused on college readiness, and staying on as their English teacher all four years of high school.

Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Martin J. Plourde introduces Cal High English teacher and Puente Program adviser Lori Davies as the WUHSD 2017-18 Teacher of the Year.

“I want to thank the Cal High administration, the Board of Trustees and the District for creating an environment at my school and across the District where students, teachers and classified staff are nurtured and supported,” Davies said. “The District is looked on as an example of what can be accomplished when the community at large puts a premium on the education of its children. It’s an honor to be in a position of influence and I am so humbled to be in that position every day.”
 
Students who had Davies as a teacher during their early years frequently ask for her help with their senior projects and college applications. She also routinely writes 20 to 30 letters of recommendations for students every year.
 
The Cal High Class of 2017 represents the 11th class Davies has known from their first day of high school.
 
“When students first walk into Lori’s classes, they immediately feel safe, nurtured and encouraged, and that’s the environment that our students have thrived in,” Cal High Principal Bill Schloss. “Lori has proven to be a great asset to our campus, building relationships with students, parents and staff and always being there when she’s needed. We are proud that she has received this well-deserved honor.”

Sports complex on south Rancho campus still a go, city officials say

DOWNEY - Planning for a $10 million sports center on the south side of the Rancho Los Amigos campus moved forward last week, as officials from Downey and county government also guaranteed a home for the Downey Rose Float Association.
 
City staff has been working with the County of Los Angeles on the project, which includes five acres that the county approved for recreational use.
 
Two potential layouts were shown to council on Tuesday, including a three-field option and a two-field option.
 
Of the two, council members appeared to favor the three-field option which would include soccer fields for AYSO U12 and AYSO U8 levels of play, as well as a high school-sized field.
 
The two-field option would include only the two high school-sized fields.
 
As planning continues, council members will work to make sure that the city is getting the most use possible out of the fields that are eventually put into place. This was supported by comments made by City Manager Gilbert Livas earlier in the evening.
 
“Our issue here is how do we configure this and get the most use out of it,” said Livas. “In this particular instance [the three-field option] you have the U12 which is – for lack of a better word – a medium sized field that could accommodate a number of the smaller fields. You can then also dice up the high school field and get more U8’s. It just gives you a little bit more variety in terms of usage.”
 
There was some confusion as to what sports the center would cater to, notably brought attention to by Councilmember Alex Saab. Saab expressed desire for the center to be “more embracing of other sports.”
 
“We’re calling it a ‘sports center;’ I see a soccer center,” said Saab.
 
This was quickly countered by Community Development Director Aldo Schindler, who clarified that the high school field could be utilized for sports such as football and lacrosse in addition to soccer.

A representative for L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she is committed to finding a home for the Downey Rose Float Association on the south Rancho campus. Joan Anderson, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

However, catering too much to other sports risked complicating the projects layout and effectiveness.
 
“We can, it just takes away from the soccer use,” said Schindler. “You can put in softball, baseball; but once again the configuration becomes much more challenging and you usually start to lose its primary use…the multi-use is here, it’s soccer, football, lacrosse.”

There was also a giant elephant-in-the-room that needed to be addressed: the fate of the Downey Rose Float Association’s current location.
 
Downey Rose Float currently resides on the south side of the Rancho campus. While nothing has been officially approved as of yet, the potential for the Rose Float to be moved lies within some of the plans presented – especially in the three-field option that council seemed to headed towards.
 
In those plans, the area currently inhabited by Downey Rose Float would be the site for a parking lot intended for the sports center.
 
However, a representative from the office of County Supervisor Janice Hahn emphasized that Hahn was committed to finding a place on the campus for the Rose Float Association should it need to be moved.
 

Things You Didn't Know About Downey: The men who came to your house

By Bobbi Bruce, Downey Historical Society

In the 1920’s and 1930’s, some of the men who came to homes in Downey were the Ice Man who brought 25 and 50 pound blocks of ice for the icebox. (Don’t forget people had to dispose of the ice water, especially in the summertime.)
 
Garbage men dumped garbage from your can into his truck -- paper items were burned in your incinerator.

Cleaners had panel trucks and the truck driver picked up dirty clothes and returned them freshly cleaned, laundered and pressed.
 
The milk man delivered dairy products to your front porch or to the cooler built into the side of the house. Glass bottles with cardboard caps were used for the liquids.
 
The junk man came to the house to buy newspapers and rags by the pound.
 
A produce truck brought fruits and vegetables to your front door.

The Good Humor Truck had tinkling bells to attract customers to buy ice cream bars coated with chocolate.
 
The scissors, grinder and knife sharpener man came around to keep your household and yard items sharpened.
 
The Fuller Brush Man, Watkins Man and Jewel Tea Man sold and delivered goods from their catalogues.
 
One of the most exciting visits was from the Helms Bakery Truck. It had a very familiar whistle and its sweet- smelling, fresh-baked items were well received by Downey customers. If you wanted service from Helms you had a card that you would display in your window and the bakery truck would stop at your house. Service was every day except Sunday and Thursday. Helms stated that their bakers were artists specializing in birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding cakes. Their card stated “Save a trip to the store…just walk to your front door.”
 
In Helms' final year of operation, a clever marketing campaign netted Helms a contract to furnish the first bread on the moon via the Apollo 11 space mission.
 
Helms' method of neighborhood delivery was doomed both by the expenses of sending their coaches (trucks) hundreds of miles each week and by the rise of supermarkets. Helms Company ceased operations in 1969.
 
One of the Helms coaches is on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
 
If you want to know more about the men who came to your house in Downey in the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s 50’s and 60’s, come to the History Center.
 

WWE Money in the Bank Preview and Predictions

Patriot readers got a bit of a wrestling break this month, as a rather lackluster Extreme Rules card (minus the main event) really didn’t leave too much to talk about, before or after the show.

However, one of my personal favorite (if not my absolute favorite) pay-per-views of the year – Money in the Bank – is upon us, and the card looks to have the potential to live up to the hype surrounding the briefcase that will be suspended above the ring.

Jinder Mahal (c) (with The Singh Brothers) vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship

I usually end with the championship match out of respect to the championship, but who am I kidding?

WWE went from a boring champion to a boring champion with an anti-American gimmick. Jinder is only slightly more entertaining as champion than Orton was, and the Singh brothers are still just the evil henchmen that flip-between getting in the way and getting slapped around.

I’ll give this one to Jinder, only to say that maybe the WWE is still giving him a shot to grow and develop as champion.

Prediction: Jinder Mahal retains

The Usos (c) vs The New Day for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship

We haven’t seen The New Day since they were traded to Smackdown during the Superstar Shake-up. However, part of their triumphant return includes a shot at the tag champs.

The Uso’s reign has been refreshing since the lackluster debacle that was the American Alpha. They’ve done a lot to bring some prestige back to the titles and the tag division itself.

I definitely feel that Jimmy and Jey will be dropping the titles to the Unicorn Stampede, however I don’t think that it will be happening just yet.

Prediction: The Usos retains

Naomi (c) vs Lana for the Smackdown Women’s Championship

It wasn’t too long ago that the Smackdown Women’s Championship meant something.

Yeah, I went there.

The blue brand’s women’s division seems to have fallen in a bit of an identity crisis as of late, which is unfortunate considering the wealth of talent in the division.

As exciting as many were to see Naomi win the title, her reign has seemed a bit scatter brained and uneventful; she didn’t even defend the title at the last Smackdown PPV.

Then there’s Lana, who up until recently has been the manager to her real life husband Rusev. Now – and quite randomly – she finds herself away from her husband in a wrestling role, and for the title no less.

This match screams red herring to me. I think Lana will put on a convincing performance in a losing effort, leaving a victorious Naomi battered and beaten. Then another woman’s – the winner of the women’s Money in the Bank match – music will hit.

Predictable? Yeah. Done before? Multiple times. But Naomi isn’t leaving with her title, and maybe it will bring some freshness and direction back to the Women’s Championship picture.

Prediction: Naomi wins, but gets “cashed in” on by MitB winner

Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella (with James Ellsworth) in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

In a word: history.

History will be made this Sunday, as for the first time ever the women of WWE will have the opportunity to ascend a ladder and grab a hold of their destiny in the form o a briefcase.

Because this is a “first time ever” sort of deal it’s a little hard to try and call. But here’s my take.

• Carmella is good, but she isn’t quite “there” to be a champion yet. She brings an awesome dynamic into the match with James Ellsworth, who I guarantee will try to climb the ladder for his special lady. Ellsworth should provide at least one extremely entertaining, high-risk bump.
• Tamina still needs some developing. Many – myself included – still don’t see her as much more than a glorified body guard type for another superstar.
• My poor Becky Lynch…WWE has been there, done that. She’s been kind of lost in the shuffle as of late anyways.

That leaves Natalya and Charlotte, both extraordinarily gifted athletes from a generational family of wrestlers.

While I’m sure many would put their money on Charlotte out of the two, I’m giving it to Natalya. Charlotte is still pretty over even without a title, and Natalya would be more the sneaky type to pull off the action I alluded to in my Women’s title prediction.

Prediction: Natalya

AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Any of these men would be a great person to hold the briefcase and be the next “Mr. Money in the Bank.” With such a star studded group of wrestlers, this easily is going to be a fast paced, high action spectacle.

Ziggler is the only one to ever win the briefcase before, but I don’t see him winning it again this time around. More than likely, he’s just in for some added flash.

Sami Zayn is the underdog from the underground. I still say he’ll eventually see his day, but like Ziggler I just think he’s some flash power.

It just makes sense to have the Phenomenal One in this match. AJ Styles tends to bring the best out of every match and opponent. He doesn’t need the title nor the briefcase, but man am I happy he’s in the match anyways.

I have long said that Kevin Owens and the Money in the Bank briefcase were made for each other. The problem is that he currently holds the US Title, and while the US Champion has won the briefcase before (Miz did it in 2010), he’s flourishing as “The New Face of America” and the briefcase may get in the way of that.

I thought Nakamura might be winning this match right up until he climbed the ladder during this week’s Smackdown and grabbed the briefcase to end the show. That puts a lot of eyes on Shinsuke (If they weren’t already on him) and opens the possibility for a surprise winner.

Baron Corbin has done well establishing himself as a “big man” and getting himself established in the main event scene. I still feel like he has a bit more to go before he’s championship caliber, however in my gut I feel like Corbin will be the one to stand victorious atop the ladder at the end.

Prediction:  Baron Corbin

Surviving the war was only half the battle

Downey resident and WWII veteran Harold Hougland survived a Japanese attack on the USS Franklin, but as he would later learn, surviving the war was only half the battle.

In the aftermath of the attack on the ship I was serving aboard, which nearly sunk us and caused heavy loss of life, I was re-assigned to the U.S. Naval Training Station in Ottumwa, Iowa.

My duty there consisted of entertainment, playing and singing with a big dance band – I had played in the ships band aboard the aircraft carrier. After the horrific experience of the bombing of our ship and helping bury at sea more than 700 of my shipmates, this was cozy duty indeed.  

Doing what I enjoyed while waiting to get out of the Navy on the points system (based on the amount of major battles participated in, etc.), I wasn’t regular Navy; only in for the war’s duration.

After a few weeks of enjoying my new soft-duty, I received a letter from my step-mother informing me that my best friend and high school classmate was in a psychiatric hospital in Indiana, not far from my hometown of Oakland City, in population of around 5000 souls.

According to her (my angel of a step-mother), he, my friend, Lennis, had been riding in a jeep with three buddies when they sustained a direct mortar hit, killing the three and blowing him from the vehicle, miraculously unharmed, physically.

Upon receipt of this news, I was devastated and began cogitating if there could be any possible way I might be able to help. According to the information in the letter, my friend wasn’t recognizing anyone visiting him; not even family members.

With this in mind I began to formulate a plan.

I thought that there might be a slim chance that my showing up to see him could possibly shock him into a semblance of reality – a chance I decided to take.

Armed with the letter I went to the commanding officer of the base (right to the top, no messing around). He listened intently to my story and my plan, and when I finished he said, “Will three days be all right?”

I said something like,  “Yes, sir, that will be fine, thank you. But don’t you want to see the letter?”

To which he replied, “No, that won’t be necessary. No one could possibly concoct a story like that just to get a three day emergency leave – here’s your pass and good luck with your buddy.”

I now resorted to the speediest form of transportation for a service man: hitch-hiking.

When I arrived at his facility and was guided to his ward, I looked through the metal grating searching for him. When our eyes met, he said, “Hougland, what are you doing here?”

Thank God, my slim chance plan worked.

Shortly after that he was released, with no memory of my visit, the hospital stay or the combat incident. When I asked him about the experience, he told me there was a period in his life that was a total blank.

Upon discharge he experienced no after-effects and lived a completely normal life. What a blessing!

Not me. I struggled for years with post war PTSD, wasting away years of my life in confusion and heavy drinking. Thank God I finally recovered, but will never be able to forget my war-combat, or stop grieving for my many precious lost shipmates.