This year the event will be a fund raiser, as this is the last year state funding for the Community Policing program that has been so successful at the three Downey Unified School District's high schools, and which was originally secured through the efforts of Assemblywoman Sally Havice, will be received. All proceeds from the event will thus go to continue the Community Policing program.
Sponsorships which are being requested are as follows:
Platinum sponsors - $5,000 or more;
Gold sponsors - $2,500;
Silver sponsors - $1,000;
Bronze sponsors - $500.
All sponsors will receive a banner and their name, whether an organization or an individual, displayed at the luncheon.
The cost per person will remain the same as in previous years at $15 per person, with tables of ten available for $150. Individual lunches purchased at the $15 fee just pays for the lunch. Only the sponsorships will provide for the community policing funding.
Serving as master of ceremonies will again be Judge Roy Paul. The speaker will be Presiding Downey Judge Dave Perkins, a Downey resident and a GOOD Charter member.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning Feb. 4 and running through April 15, the Center will have trained AARP counselors preparing tax forms for seniors. The first appointments will begin at 9 a.m. with the last at 12:15 p.m. Individuals must bring with them their tax documents and W-2 Forms.
"This is a great resource for seniors to receive tax assistance. They feel comfortable with the place and the same people who provide assistance each year," said Dan Belling, Senior Center supervisor.
Appointments are required and can be made at the Senior Center. The tax assistance will be provided in the Information Referral offices.
"We often have many open appointments in the beginning of our tax assistance. Towards the end we have a lot of people making appointments, so they should sign up as soon as possible," Belling added.
For information, call the Senior Center at 904-7223.
She was named the recipient of the Schuyler C. Joyner Award of Excellence for her outstanding support of the merit principles with consistent creativity, dedication and success.
Merit systems in California schools ensure employment of classified employees on the basis of merit and fitness as shown by competitive exams, encouragement of career service, ensuring like pay for like service, prohibition of discrimination in employment, and providing an impartial hearing on appeal from disciplinary actions by classified employees.
In receiving the award she was recognized for her leadership in the field of human resources, which includes 11 years as an elected member of the CODESP Board, an organization which provides employee selection material and services to school districts within the state, and for serving in key leadership roles for many state-wide and regional conferences.
Her community involvement includes the Soroptimist International of Downey, the Arc of Southeast Los Angeles County, Gangs Out of Downey, and Habitat for Humanity.
The press conference last Friday, Jan. 11, at the Downey City Hall, was attended by state Assemblywoman Sally Havice (D-56th); Connie Sziebl, district aide to Congressman Steve Horn (R-38th); Downey Mayor Meredith Perkins; Downey Councilmembers Bob Winningham and Keith McCarthy; Downey City Manager Gerald Caton; and a throng of other mayors and political leaders from other cities in the flood zone.
All were elated that mandatory flood insurance required for several years by FEMA for local residents is no longer needed.
"This is an outstanding project for homeowners in the Lower Los Angeles River area (including Downey) and the County of Los Angeles," said Knabe. "Homeowners will no longer have to pay annual flood insurance premiums and will also be eligible for a refund on the current year's premium. Not only did the project come in under the projected budget, but was also completed five years ahead of schedule. I am pleased to say that the County has been able to help ease the costs of 50,000 homeowners in this area."
The completed work along the Rio Hondo Channel and Los Angeles River has removed the flood zone designation and restored overflow flood protection to affected communities in a 47 square mile area. Removal of the flood zone will lift the mandatory requirement for the purchase of flood insurance to 50,000 property owners, saving residents $22 million in annual insurance premiums. Affected property owners within the 12 communities (including Downey), will be eligible for a refund of their current year insurance premium.
For information on the areas covered by FEMA's Letter of Map Revision, to view the changes to any Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or to get information on obtaining flood insurance refunds and general flood insurance requirements, property owners should contact their communities at one of the numbers listed below or visit FEMA's website at www.fema.gov.
Knabe also announced that the official dedication of the LACDA Project will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at a location to be announced.
The LACDA Project is a flood control project which increased the flood-carrying capacity of the Rio Hondo Channel and Lower L.A. River. The project was originally estimated to cost $364 million. The current project cost is estimated at $210 million, thanks to research and cost cutting achieved through the Army Corps of Engineers.
The LACDA Project overflow area was 82 square miles. This final LOMR impacted 47 square miles. The Project included raising the height of 21 miles of levees and modifications to 23 bridges. It was originally expected to take 10 years to construct. However, increased federal funding allowed the project to be completed in only five years.
The project was 75 percent federally funded with the rest coming from the county.
Officials said the process of getting refunds could take between 30 and 90 days. It is important to apply for your refund before the policy expires.
FEMA also plans a mass mailing to inform property owners of the change and refund program.
A social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner will follow at 7.
The theme of this year's gala fundraiser, "Moulin Rouge," will be reflected in the room's decorations, and can-can dancers will perform. Bill Lovelace, known as "The Mobile DJ," will provide music for dancing. A live and silent auction is also planned.
Gregory of Gregory's Restaurant, meanwhile, has planned a special French menu for the occasion, beginning with French onion soup, pasta escargot, filet roulade and chicken chanticleer, a salad of Asian pear, avocado, and Roquefort. His ooh-la-la dessert will be his unique "Gregory" crepe jubilee.
All of this will cost $60 per person, a portion of which is tax-deductible.
Pauline Hume, Guild president, invites the community to join in the "festive, worthwhile happening." For more information, call 869-2120.
Community leaders, employers, teachers, coaches, and parents are all encouraged to nominate outstanding young people (grades 1-12), who are achieving academically, athletically, or improving themselves and the community.
Nomination forms are available at the Community Services counter at City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., the Downey City Library, and all Downey parks.
Across the nation, one-out-of-four Latina students drop out of high school and many struggle to stay in school, let alone excel in challenging science classes, according to a study released last year by the American Association of University Women.
Despite these obstacles, Modesto, a high school science teacher at St. Matthias High School in Downey, reports that many of her students have found rewarding careers in science, including two former Latina students who graduated with college degrees in science-one from Yale University who is now a research assistant at a Los Angeles hospital and another from UCLA who is now teaching science and chemistry classes.
Modesto finds that the key to academic success for her students is providing them with numerous labs and hands-on learning opportunities. In the classroom, her teaching style follows the structure of college science classes so her students are prepared and know what to expect when they attend college.
"This is my alma mater, and I can really relate to kids because I've been there," said Modesto, who was the first in her Mexican-American immigrant family to go full-time to college, graduating from Mount St. Mary's College with a bachelor's degree in biology and then earning a master's in counseling at Loyola Marymount University. "I love science, and I try to show that interest. Because I get excited about the subject-and can communicate that-then maybe they'll get excited about science too. The classes I teach are challenging. I don't water down my instructions, but I like to bring in a lot of personal experiences. I want them to love it the way I do."
There are scholarships available for students to attend Catholic schools like St. Matthias. The Los Angeles-based Catholic Education Foundation is the nation's largest philanthropic entity providing Catholic school tuition assistance to poor families. Nearly 4,900 students received grants to attend Catholic schools this year, including 48 at St. Matthias. The organization was founded in 1988 by Archbishop of Los Angeles Cardinal Mahoney, and since its beginning, has awarded more than 47,000 scholarships at a cost of approximately $36.5 million. With 100,000 students, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles enroll the third largest number of students in the state, after the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts. For more information about available scholarships, visit the Foundation's website at www.CatholicEd-Foundation.org.
"The passion that Ms. Modesto brings to her classroom is a good example of the commitment to quality education stressed by our Catholic school teachers," said Hugh Ralston, executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation.
Modesto also knows that traditionally female Hispanic students have been "turned off" by science and, consequently, few consider it as a career option. Modesto recalls a teacher at St. Matthias named Jeff Hansen who sparked her interest in the subject. Later, when she was having problems with organic chemistry in college, he again took the time to tutor her.
"I went right to Mr. Hansen's house one Halloween, because I needed help," she recalls, smiling at the memory. "I knew he would still be there for me. This one-on-one attention and heart-felt interest in my academic future changed my life. I want to be there for my students like Mr. Hansen was there for me."
Calderon, a Democrat, is running for a seat in the newly drawn and heavily Democratic 58th Assembly District which includes the northern portion of Downey, East La Mirada, Hacienda Heights, Montebello, Pico Rivera, South San Jose Hills, and portions of East Los Angeles, the City of Industry, Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel and Whittier.
"For Your Love," "Three Coins in the Fountain" and many other hits the group had in the '60s as the "Lettermen" will be offered on the Downey stage at 8435 Firestone Blvd.
Tickets are $12, $10 and $8 and may be reserved at Ensign Books, 15965 Piuma, Cerritos, or by calling 924-3776.
Season tickets are also available at a 10 percent discount, including five evenings of family oriented entertainment with the "Ambassadors" and Michael Hicks Feb. 25; Jeff Goodrich and James Oneil Miner on March 25; Michael Ballam April 29; and "Jericho Road" and Jennifer Madsen on May 20.
Children of all ages and their parents are welcome to attend a special evening in which they will be read three to four stories including two felt-board stories (geared for preschool children) by Children's Librarian Cathy Gillette. The evening will also include other activities for the children such as fingerplays, videos and music.
"The children just love the program. Children of all ages come to the program in their pajamas," said Jan Palen, senior librarian.
"I encourage parents to bring their kids to this program on a weekly basis," Palen said. She adds that "Family Story Night" gives families an opportunity to participate together in a weekly event at the library.
The event is free and will take place in the Library's Cormack Room. For information, call 904-7360, ext 27.
She is president/CEO of Tech Ed and is chair of the Chamber's Mentor Program to involve Downey High School juniors and seniors with local chamber business leaders and their employees as a means of assisting students in their personal development.
Chamber members and guests network each Tuesday morning to promote their individual business products and services. Complimentary coffee and breakfast treats are provided. For information, call 923-2191.