The bus will leave the Woman's Club, 9813 Paramount Blvd., at 8 a.m. sharp, and return to Downey between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
Ample parking is available at the Woman's Club. Doris Patterson, chair of the event, said, "Their up-to-date gaming facilities promise a fun-filled day for all." Cost is $11 per person (must be at least 21 years of age), $6 if you are a member of the Woman's Club. Participants will receive a $5 voucher which will be good for casino play or a free buffet. All reservations must be paid at least one week prior to departure date.
There will be bingo offered on the bus both going and coming.
Other trip dates include Feb. 18, March 18 and April 22, with no trip planned for May. Trips will resume June 10, July 1, Aug. 12, Sept. 23, Oct. 14, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 (dependent on 40 guests per month).
It will be closed for two years while a $66 million construction and renovation is completed. The project has been made possible by the passage of a bond measure and a number of private donations, including $1 million from Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy and his wife, and $1 million from the W.M. Keck Foundation. The plan is to create a modern facility while retaining the classical architecture that makes it so distinctive on the southland skyline.
It is expected to re-open in 2005 - not as a science or education center but rather a place where visitors can practice the ancient art of star gazing.
The observatory, along with the Greek Theater, was a gift to the City of Los Angeles from Col. J. Griffith, and is now owned and operated by the city's Department of Recreation and Parks.
It will remain open from 12:30 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 6. For information, call (323) 664-1191.
The meetings take place at the Chamber offices, 11131 Brookshire Ave.
Members and guests convene weekly to network, exchange leads, and promote their individual business services and products.
For information, call 923-2191.
Appearing in the Carpenters' hometown for the first time since the publication of his book, Schmidt will discuss the career of Karen and Richard Carpenter, and his experiences in putting together "Yesterday Once More," a collection of over 40 articles, essays, reviews and interviews which chronicle the lives and career of the acclaimed pop music duo. Autographed copies of the book will be available during his appearance.
In addition to the book, Schmidt has served as a consultant for documentaries on the Carpenters, including VH1's "Behind The Music" and A&E's "Biography." His appearance here coincides with the Jan. 11 concert at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, featuring legendary pop singer Petula Clark with special guest Richard Carpenter.
"Yesterday Once More: Memories of the Carpenters and Their Music" is published by Tiny Ripple Books, P.O. Box 1533, Cranberry Township, PA the book can be found at www.tinyripple.com. The book is available in many bookstores and from major online bookstores.
The increase is triggered by the provisions of a 1991 law, because the state faces a $12 billion deficit due to the slow economy, higher energy rates, and the effect of the Sept. 11 attacks.
There are a variety of other new laws on the books as well, ranging from tighter regulations on the sale of tobacco to minors to the creation of a "do not call" list of residents who don't wish to be bothered by telephone solicitors.
Agriculture was a big winner with new laws to assist state growers, and several new laws for added funding for law enforcement. And there are new laws beefing up consumer protection.
Most of the boost to agriculture comes as part of the governor's Buy California campaign, with the state providing $5 million in seed money and $90 million in grants to the industry for energy conservation. There is also $40 million in agricultural sales tax exemptions.
In the realm of public safety, Davis approved a bill providing $50 million for use by local law enforcement for DNA tests in cases of sexual assault, an additional $25 million for local crime labs, and $337 million for a program to provide more police officers. Also under public safety, he approved a bill by state Senator Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach and Downey, which allows a woman convicted of murder to file an appeal based on the battered woman syndrome. And Davis approved AB-35 by Kevin Shelley, D-S.F., which prohibits the purchase of a handgun without first obtaining a handgun safety certificate approved by the Department of Justice.
SB-9 by Nell Soto and approved by Davis increases the criminal penalty for careless storage of a firearm around children under the age of 18 (previous penalty set the age at 16).
SB-52 by Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, stipulates that no one under 21 years of age can receive a handgun safety license.
SB-780 by Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, makes it a crime to threaten or attack abortion clinics or clinic workers.
AB-1012 by Ellen Corbet, D-San Leandro, makes it a crime for a convicted sex offender to possess child pornography.
SB-771 by Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont, allows residents to put their names on a "do not call" list which must be respected by telemarketers.
AB-245 by Mark Wyland, R-Vista, increases the penalty for obtaining personal information about another person without their consent.
AB-466 by Virginia Strom-Martin, D-Santa Rosa, offers teacher incentives to meet new standards.
AB-620 by Howard Wayne, D-San Diego, establishes new high tech programs for high schools.
AB-284 requires the state Resesarch Bureau and state Department of Health to compile and publish a study on toxic mold.
And SB-221 by Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles, prohibits a city or county from approving a new development unless there is written verification that there is sufficient water supply.
SB-1169 by DeDe Alpert, D-San Diego, allows distribution of the so-called "morning after" pill for contraception through pharmacists under established physician protocol.
The program for children ages 2-4 is a one-day class held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and March 22. Each class will be held in the Gallatin Room.
For a fee of $5 per child, the children will be read stories and will do crafts related to the stories before winding down for bed. Participating children must come in pajamas and bring a pillow and blanket. A parent is required to participate with their child.
Registration is required. It will run until filled at the Community/Senior Center or Community Services located on the second floor of City Hall.
"I think both parents and children will benefit from this class. Parents will get one-on-one time with their child," Fowler said. "Parents may not know how to find special time with each child so this class will teach them how to do so."
Sign up as soon because space is limited. For information, call 904-7223.
The workshop, to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, in the Lakewood City Council Chambers, 5050 Clark Ave., Lakewood, will provide insurance agents and lenders with specific instructions relating to the mandatory purchase requirements, preferred risk policies, grandfathering, and policy cancellations and refunds with respect to the map revision.
Registration will be accepted from 1:30 to 2 p.m. before the meeting. Those planning to register are asked to fax their business card to (916) 780-7904. Information is available by calling (916) 780-7889.
The class is free and offers one hour of continuing education credit for licensed property and casualty insurance agents.
The group, with a membership of more than 80 community and business leaders, is the largest service organization in the city and is noted for providing positive assistance to make the community a better place.
The Rotary provides financial contributions and volunteer help for many worthwhile endeavors, including Gangs Out Of Downey (GOOD), Meals on Wheels, the Arc, Downey Family YMCA, and the Downey Unified School District Principal's Assistance Fund, to name a few.
Downey Rotary each year sends a group under the direction of Wilcox, a local dentist, to Mulege, Mexico to provide free dental work to the needy.
As 2002 dawns, the club will participate in a group study exchange program from India. Other appearances of interest to kick off the year include City Councilman Kirk Cartozian on Jan. 29; the Press Telegram's Tom Hennesey on Feb. 12, Cerritos College President Jane Harmon on Feb. 19, and Chamber of Commerce President John Tilley on Feb. 26.
The Downey Rotary meets at noon each Tuesday at the Rio Hondo Country Club, 10627 Old River School Road.