Who knew Downey had so many possums? I sure didn’t.

I’ve been with the Downey Patriot for seven years, but only until three weeks ago was I an actual resident of Downey.

Now that I live here, I see things in a new light. I see things I never before noticed, like the profusion of wildlife rattling in the trees.

From my second-story kitchen window I see squirrels and possums as they scamper on telephone cables. It would be a lovely sight if not for the fact that possums are hands-down the ugliest living creatures God ever created. They give me chills. The last time I saw a face as ugly as a possum’s, it had a hook in it. (And squirrels aren’t exactly cute when you look directly into their bug-eyes, but their reputations are spared by a fuzzy little tail.)

None of this I knew before I moved to Downey. I have made several other personal observations – good and bad – since moving here:

•Arthur’s Restaurant does, indeed, have a great breakfast, but it sure would help if it was permissible to make a U-turn north on Lakewood Boulevard at Telegraph Road.

•Speaking of traffic signals, a new one just went up outside the Rio Hondo Event Center on Old River School Road. I can think of about five intersections that should have received one first based on pedestrian safety (Downey Avenue and Arnett Street tops my list).

•There’s a whole lot of ducks at East Middle School in the morning.

•Nothing is sweeter than the music of the Downey High School band as they practice into the evening.

•The city of Downey’s website should have a section devoted specifically for new residents to welcome them to the city and help them get acquainted with local services.

•The empty shoe store at Paramount and Florence would be a great spot for a Trader Joe’s. Or Downey Ford?

•The Columbia Memorial Space Center is beautiful, but its grand opening is long overdue.

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Published: June 19, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 9