Features

'Pro-fireworks' winning campaign war with dollars

Figures as of Jan. 19

By John Adams
DOWNEY-The group opposed to Measure L, a ban on backyard fireworks in Downey, has far outstripped those in favor of the measure, at least in terms of early fundraising according to documents filed with the Downey City Clerk's office.

The matter of the proposed ban, Measure L, will be decided by voters at the polls by ballot on March 5.

Through Jan. 19
Documentation for fundraising through Jan. 19, filed Jan. 25 with the City Clerk by the "Save Our Community Groups, a Coalition of Downey Nonprofit Groups, Fireworks Wholesalers and Residents-No on Measure L", indicate monetary contributions of $20,200 thus far, $20,000 of which came from American Promotional Events, Inc. (dba TNT Fireworks) of Fullerton. The same company also contributed "General Office Overhead and Staff Expenses" equivalent to $900.

This compared to "Citizens for a Safe Downey For Measure L", who filed that through Jan. 19 they had collected $3,023 in contributions.

Of this they had spent $480 for an ad in The Downey Eagle, leaving a balance of $2,543. Their largest contributors were Betty Ferraro (who is a member of the Board of the Downey Unified School District), who contributed $500; and Bob Winningham (who is a member of the Downey City Council), who gave $480. Winningham is also the group's treasurer.

The "Committee For a Safe Downey Committee For Measure L" declaration was received and filed by the City Clerk Jan. 24.

Expenditures against the measure
The largest expenditure by the group opposed to Measure L as of Jan. 19 was $11,397 for the services of Voter Connect Communications of Sacramento. The group opposed to Measure L also paid for numerous slate mail slots, including $900 to the California Voters Guide of Torrance; $800 to the Democratic Voters Guide in Los Angeles, and $920 to the Voter Information Guide of Sherman Oaks.

The treasurer for "Save Our Community Groups, a Coalition of Downey Nonprofit Groups, Fireworks Wholesalers and Residents-No on Measure L," is listed as Colleen C. Andrews of Santa Monica.

Downey homeowners
The Citizens For Measure L are counting on a large number of Downey homeowners and older residents to rally to their cause, citing the noise, danger and nuisance associated with backyards fireworks. They believe a single community-based City-sponsored fireworks show is far safer than the present proliferation of backyard explosives.

Opponents of Measure L cite the traditional patriotism associated with fireworks and the 4th of July, and claim the Safe and Sane fireworks sold by local clubs are not a problem.

Both the Downey Fire and Police Chief have expressed their favor for the ban and Measure L.

Reported earnings from fireworks

DOWNEY-Of the 18 clubs or organizations licensed to sell "Safe and Sane" fireworks in the City of Downey, 16 have met the requirement to report their sales figures from last year to the City.

Surprisingly, two groups still have not filed the required report, even though more than six months has passed since July 4. They are West Downey Little League and Downey Pop Warner, according to the City Clerk's records.

16 filed
Of the 16 groups that did file, as required by the current city code, a total of $87,578 was reported as net profit from the sales in year 2001. The biggest net profit was Downey AYSO soccer which netted $12,285, followed closely by Downey High School Football which reported a net of $11,138, and the Warren High School Band Boosters which reported $11,035. The Downey Rose Float Association reported a net figure $8,247, followed by the Downey Elks Lodge No. 2020 at $4,993 and Northwest Downey Little League at $4,594.

The Moravian Church reported net earnings of $4,516, the Optimist Club $4,326, and Job's Daughters $4,116. Downey J.O.C. followed with a reported net figure of $3,772, then Warren High School Football with $3,708, followed by the American Legion (Hollydale Post) with $3,569, and the Lions Club with a reported net of $3,411.

No Fear Soccer reported $3,255, Downey First Christian Church $3,229, and C.C. Four Square Church $1,384.

The clubs sell so called "Safe and Sane" fireworks during proscribed hours before 8 p.m., July 4.

But police and firefighters say "Safe and Sane" fireworks are often modified, becoming as dangerous as the illegal variety, and presenting law enforcement with a problem determining what is legal and what is not during the peak hours leading up to July 4.

Several of the clubs have expressed dismay over the proposed ban on backyard fireworks (Measure L) on the March 5 ballot, claiming there is no way they can make up the loss of revenue if such a ban is approved. Measure L is written to not take effect until 2003 to allow the clubs to develop alternative means of funding.

Gypsy Johnson circle holds a book festival

By Henry Veneracion
DOWNEY-You could tell that all who attended the Storytime Festival at the Stonewood Mall last Saturday, Jan. 26, were having a jolly good time. The children, their parents and sundry relations who came eagerly lapped up the book reading and the more than 1,000 children's books that were there for the taking; the youngsters lined up to have their faces and arms painted with butterflies and such.

Six reading, two book give-away, and two face painting tables had been set up in a circle by the Gypsy Johnson Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Downey. The members, 50-strong, conducted proceedings in the mall's Fountain Court, located in front of the inner entrance to Robinson's-May. Platooning Auxiliary members, composed mostly of Downey Unified School District teachers and administrators but with other busy professionals in their ranks as well, read stories to wide-eyed preschoolers, even their elders, while teenage Assisteens (high school girl volunteers working on various community projects, and earning service hour credits thereby) there also in force, did the face painting honors. Both contingents could hardly keep up with the steady stream of customers.

Huge crowd
If the intention was to draw a huge crowd to the literacy-driven philanthropic project, the Auxiliary certainly succeeded. Indeed, as soon as a group of the eager listeners vacated their spot, another excited group would promptly take its place. This was true also of the goings-on at the two face painting tables. And this went on unabated, for more than three hours. The schedule called for an 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. session, but the members started reading as early as 10:30 a.m. to accommodate early arrivals.

That an innocent and fun undertaking such as face painting led to unintended and comical consequences hadn't dawned on this reporter until a beaming, obviously game Auxiliary member approached another and said: "One of my students [all awash in water-based paint] just gave me a hug, and look at my dress!"

Flyers...
More than 10,000 flyers announcing the increasingly popular program, enjoying its seventh year of operation, were disseminated among all the public and private schools in Downey, and the effectiveness of this additional promotional tactic was not lost on the members. Storytime Festival chair Sharon Hudgens, 2nd grade teacher at Unsworth Elementary, did not forget to note that a mention a week earlier in The Downey Eagle didn't exactly hurt the attendance, either.

The free children's books were fairy tales, history books, nature books, stories about food, animals, holidays and a host of other subjects. Some youngsters got 5-6 books of their choosing, made possible by their rotating among the reading tables, and having their bookmarks stamped or validated by overburdened Auxiliary members.

Milling about and manning the barricades were: Assisteens co-chairmen Stacy Brabant and Cathy Calvert; Cheryl Andresen and Margo Hoffer; Robin Martin and Carmen Funk.

Hudgens said preparations took four months. They bought the books, bookmarks, as well bright costumes and props, to enliven the tables, and the occasion.

The League...
Storytime Festival is only one of several philanthropic projects in the Assistance League of Downey's arsenal. Officially becoming a chartered chapter of the National Assistance League in 1976, it conducts in concert with its Auxiliary such philanthropic projects as Operation School Bell, which "provides clothing to the less fortunate," referred by schools in the D.U.S.D. system, and H.O.M.E. (Housing of Medical Emergencies), which is "a kind of a medical Ronald McDonald House," according to Hudgens. Operating as unique Auxiliary projects are: Tiny Togs, which provides layette kits; Vision Care, which provides glasses and vision-screening; A.S.K. (Assault Survivor Kits), which provides personal hygiene bags for those who have been attacked and/or raped; and Back-to-School Kits, which provides school supplies (crayons, school boxes, etc.) to schoolchildren.

Hudgens, who has been with the Assistance League in various capacities for 18 years, is Auxiliary philanthropic chair. Helen Lanners is chair of Gypsy Johnson Auxiliary. Johnnie D'Allesandro is chair of the Assistance League of Downey. All have several years of service with the League. As explained by Hudgens, the Gypsy Johnson Auxiliary is a non-profit, non-political and nonsectarian organization devoted to philanthropy within the Downey community. She adds: "We are dedicated to the original purpose of the founders of National Assistance League, which is, "To act as a friend at all times to men, women, and children in need of care, guidance and assistance, spiritually, materially, and physically."

Gypsy Johnson
Gypsy Johnson was the wife of Parley Johnson, a prominent citrus rancher whose family developed the Valencia strain of oranges. Parley's father was one of the founders of the Automobile Club of Southern California. Parley, who was born in Riverside in 1890, had Casa de Parley Johnson built on Florence and Rives, a 6,000-square ft. residence designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by the well-known architect Roland Coate, who was a major proponent of the Monterey style in Southern California.

When Parley died in the late 1940s, Gypsy (as her friends called her) lived in the house until her death in 1986. She bequeathed the house to the Assistance League of Downey. Johnson was an early founder of the League.

The circle of darting, wide-eyed preschoolers, grade schoolers, the equally eager parents and relations, and the busy teachers and Auxiliary members, as well as the Assisteens who had their hands full, last Saturday seemed like a microcosm of the larger world of teachers doing their thing in classrooms trying to open young minds to the magic world of books, ideas and values, with parents ever at their side, in a friendly business setting.

And just as Gypsy Johnson willed her house to a group of service-minded professionals to benefit the community, last Saturday's circle of storytelling symbolized the continuing League's tradition of giving, to minds that need them most.

Warren's Welch resigns as coach

DOWNEY-Warren High School's football coach, Jeff Welch, announced Monday he is quitting coaching and will spend more time with his family.

Welch, 39, also will devote more time to the Downey Christian Early Learning Center, a family business.

News of his resignation shocked the campus.

Welch spent his entire 18-year career with the Bears, the last nine of which were as head coach.

His teams compiled an overall record of 52-44-1, advanced to the playoffs six times, and were ranked in the CIF-SS divisional polls each of the past five seasons.

A 1980 graduate of Warren, he played football for the Bears and Cerritos College before attending Long Beach State.

Warren Principal Earl Haugen said Welch, "built our program into a playoff contender every year, but the best thing was that he ran a super-clean program and taught all the right morals and values to our children."

Haugen said the school is actively seeking a new coach, and urges applicants to call him at 869-7306.

Symphony Guild gala with Gregory Feb. 8

DOWNEY-The Downey Symphony Guild will hold its annual gala with a theme of Moulin Rouge Friday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Chef Gregory Andro, maestro of culinary art and owner of Gregory's Restaurant at the hotel, will prepare one of his unique dinners for those attending the gala.

The theme of Moulin Rouge suggests the entire evening will have a French treat theme. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne. A table laden with appetizers and crudites will precede Gregory's French feast featuring onion soup, pasta escargot, filet roulade, chicken chanticleer, Asian pear and avocado salad, and a special Gregory crepe jubilee for dessert.

Chef Gregory will conduct the live auction at the gala in his own spirited way. There will also be a silent auction. Music for dancing that evening will be provided Bill Lovelace, the Mobile DJ.

Cost for attending the gala is $60 per person, a portion of which is tax deductible. Proceeds from the event benefit the Guild's Music in the Schools program.

Pauline Hume, Guild president, extends a warm "Bienvenu" to the community to join in this evening of

"fellowship and good cheer."

For information call 869-2120.

End Features