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Wallar to speak at Early Birds March 12

DOWNEY-Elton Wallar, who for 70 years owned and operated Wallar's TV & Appliances which was Downey's oldest retail store until closing last year, will be the featured speaker when the Downey Chamber of Commerce hosts Early Bird Networking on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:15 a.m. in the Chamber offices, 11132 Brookshire Ave.

Chamber members and guests convene each Tuesday to network, exchange leads and promote their business products and services. Complimentary coffee and pastries are furnished.

For information call 923-2191.


Songfest at Downey Theater on March 16

DOWNEY-The annual Interfaith, Multicultural Songfest will be offered at the Downey Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

The event features 10 musical groups. Tickets are free, and will be issued on a first-come, first-served-basis at the box office starting at 6 p.m. on the day of the performance.

The theater is at the corner of Firestone Boulevard and Brookshire Avenue. Free parking is offered in the adjacent City lots and at Downey High School across Brookshire just to the east of the theater.

Many groups

The songfest will feature choral and gospel songs and instrumental performances by talent from Downey and neighboring communities. These include:
* The New City Parish Choir,
* The Voices of Inspiration and Immanuel Community Gospel Choir,
* St. Mark's Episcopal School Bell Choir,
* Bishop Hershley Weeks and a gospel quartet from the Freewill Baptist Church,
* Tapestry, a choral group from Redondo Beach,
* Soloist, Paul Hill of the Hill Ministries,
* The Samoan Choir of Lynwood representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
* A trombone choir, under the direction of Rich Candelaria, will furnish prelude music, starting at 6:30 p.m., as well as participate in the main program.

Great opportunity

Lois Buchanan, community relations director for the Downey Stake of the LDS Church (and the event coordinator) said, "It is our pleasure to again offer an evening of music to the people of Downey and neighboring communities. It is also a great opportunity to bring together friends from various religions and from different cultures. May we continue to build upon the love and respect for one another throughout our communities. Everyone is invited to this free evening of musical togetherness. Come and enjoy this evening with us."

Free refreshments will be offered following the event. For information, call 904-3443.


Downey Calvary's Berokoff resigns

DOWNEY-Downey Calvary Chapel's basketball coach, Mark Berokoff, has resigned his post at the school.

Berokoff led Downey Calvary to its first CIF Southern Section basketball title in 2001. He referred to his resignation as springing from an "ethical difference" with the school's administration.

He began as a walk-on coach, and compiled an enviable record of 52-10 in two seasons at Downey Calvary, topped off by winning last season's Division V-AA Championship. He was subsequently named the Division's Coach of the Year.

Calvary Chapel went 24-5 this year with star Tim Drisdom leading the way. The season ended when they suffered a loss to Serra in the Division IV-A semifinals.

Berokoff told the press it was frustrating to work with three different athletic directors in a span of six months.

But he added he had a wonderful time and enjoyed the support of the parents, which he called "incredible."


Loya, Hoffer and Eckstrom are honored

DOWNEY-The League of Women Voters of Downey, as part of its observance of National Women Making History Month, honored three noteworthy women achievers at a luncheon at the Rio Hondo Country Club Saturday, March 2.

Mary Loya, longtime member of the Cerritos College Board of Trustees; Margo Hoffer, long a member of the Board of the Downey Unified School District; and Marie Eckstrom, a veteran of many years with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, were each honored for their achievement and years of dedicated service to the community.

Notables in attendance included former Downey councilwoman Diane Boggs, DUSD School Superintendent Edward Sussman; and Cerritos College President Jane Harmon.


Sanchez wins Demo primary 'squeaker'

BELLFLOWER-Linda Sanchez of Hawaiian Gardens defeated Hector de la Torre of South Gate and Sally Havice of Cerritos in a close three-way primary race Tuesday for a place on the Democratic ticket in November for the newly drawn 39th U.S. House District.

Sanchez, de la Torre, and Havice came down to the wire in a spirited primary campaign. Havice ran on her record as an incumbent Assemblywoman in the 56th District (which includes Downey). However, she will be term-limited out at the end of this year.

Sanchez drew heavily on the support of labor and her links to her sister, U.S. House Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Orange County.

Havice also had strong labor support, as well as law enforcement and educational endorsements.

Other candidates on the Democratic primary ticket were Ken Graham of Lakewood, Cecy Groom of Cerritos, and Helen Rahder of Whittier.

The newly drawn 39th is 55 percent Democratic and 28 percent Republican.

On the Republican ticket, Tim Escobar of La Mirada and Richard Owens of Lakewood vied for the right to oppose the winning Democrat in November.

The Libertarian Party is represented by Richard Newhouse of Garden Grove.


Sabroso and Friends entertain at Granata's

DOWNEY-Angel Sabroso and Friends are currently entertaining with Latin jazz and salsa music every Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Granata's Italian Restaurant, 11032 Downey Ave.

The band was established in 1990, plays pop and rock music in addition to jazz and salsa and has opened for many big recording headliners including Eddie Palmeri and Tito Puente.

Angel Sabroso recorded his first bilingual salsa record in 1993 with an original arrangement, "Love Won't Let Me Wait." The band performed at the Chicano Music Awards. All proceeds from this yearly event go to help young gifted Latinos get an opportunity for a college scholarship. The latest CD for the group is entitled "Making Ends Meet."

For information on the musical series call Paul Granata at 861-2997.


Easter egg hunts and other fun at parks

By Alicia Salazar

DOWNEY-The City's Community Services Department along with the Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis are offering children a fun-filled day at their "Easter Eggstravaganza," at several parks on Saturday, March 30.

Children to age 12 will enjoy activities from 10:30 a.m. to noon such as a Make-It, Take-It craft, games, face-painting and a framed Polaroid photo taken alongside the Easter Bunny for $1.25. The egg hunts begin at 11:30 a.m. at the following park sites: Apollo (12540 Rives Ave.), Dennis the Menace (9125 Arrington), Furman (10419 Rives Ave.), and Golden (8840 Golden Ave.). Youngsters will be divided into different age categories: 4 and under, 5-8 and 9-12. The children will be given rules before they are walked out to their area for the egg hunts. Collected eggs can be taken to a Redemption Booth for candy and special prizes (for specific type of eggs). Those who will be in attendance include: Police officers who will hand out candy and prizes, Police Explorers who will assist in setup and supervision, Downey Princess Court at some sites who will be doing face-painting, Volunteens who will help out with setup and arts/crafts and recreation leaders who will conduct the activities. In addition to this, City staff will be in attendance.

30-year tradition

"This event has been going on for thirty years. It's a springtime tradition," said Teri Hamilton, Community Services recreations supervisor. She adds that this offers youngsters a fun-filled morning. "The kids just love it."

Hamilton says that she gives many thanks to the Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis who has been a faithful sponsor by making monetary contributions to this event each year.

Children are encouraged to bring bags or Easter baskets to hold their eggs during the egg hunts. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras. The event will go on rain or shine. For information, call 904-7238.


'America's Women and Girl Inventors' set

By Alicia Salazar

DOWNEY-The Downey Library is joining in the celebration of Women's History Month with a free presentation for teens of "America's Women and Girl Inventors," on Wednesday, March 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Cormack Room.

The first part of author Susan Casey's presentation will be on her book "Women Inventors! Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World." Casey will highlight fascinating stories of women such as: Grace Hopper Marks (COBOL computer language), Josephine Cochran (dishwasher), Bette Graham (liquid paper), Rose Totino (Totino's frozen pizzas) and Hazelle Rollins (marionette puppets). The second part of her presentation will cover how to be an inventor, how to come up with an idea, how to patent and how to sell an invention.

"The month of March is Women's History Month and the library wants to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women," said Jan Palen, senior librarian. Palen says that teens will learn about famous inventions and they will be inspired to come up with new ideas of their own and perhaps follow through and become an inventor.

This program is being sponsored by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and is administered through the California State Library.

"The library has a number of good books on patents and inventions in the Reference Area and books to check out in the library on this subject," Palen added.

To register or for more information, call the Library's Information Desk at 904-7360 ext. 32.


Vets get medical care closer to home

Veterans living in Whittier, Santa Fe Springs and outlying areas along the 605 Freeway can now receive medical care close to home with the opening of a new community-based outpatient clinic in Santa Fe Springs sponsored by the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS). This new clinic at 10210 Orr & Day Road, Santa Fe Springs, offers primary care and preventive care services to eligible area veterans.

Services provided include annual physicals, lab and radiology services, and prevention and wellness programs, with specialty referrals sent to VALBHS. Over 200 veterans are already using the new clinic and the capacity is described as unlimited. The clinic's Medical Director and primary care physician, Dr. Hung Q. Nguyen, is Board certified in internal medicine. If the veteran needs specialty care, such as orthopedics, physical therapy, or optometry, they will be referred to the VALBHS.

Veterans currently using the VALBHS for primary care can now have their care transferred to the Santa Fe Springs clinic. The clinic operates like a private physician's office, with scheduled appointments and patients being seen within 15 minutes of their appointed time.

HNFS, which operates the clinic, has been providing care to active duty and retired military personnel and their families since 1987 through the Department of Defense's TRICARE program.

Veterans can call the clinic for information at 864-5565 or the HNFS toll free customer care line at (800) 621-6499.


Overflow crowd set for GOOD lunch

DOWNEY-The annual Gangs Out Of Downey luncheon set for Wednesday, March 27 at the Rio Hondo Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. is expected to attract an overflow throng.

The grassroots effort has turned into a very successful endeavor in keeping gang activity out of Downey, and annually is recognized by the community at this event.

History...

GOOD was founded when local businessman Phil Presicci contacted school Superintendent Edward Sussman, school board members Betty Ferraro and Margo Hoffer, and other community leaders including Bill Kirkwood, Bonnie Kehoe of the City of Downey and Stan Hanstad of the school district, and the Downey Police Department and proposed a community group organized to support police efforts and to fight gangs and drugs which had already made deep inroads into other communities and were threatening Downey.

GOOD grew to what it is today from these beginnings, through the tireless efforts of this core group.

Support Community Policing

This year's luncheon will raise funds to support the Community Policing Program, a joint effort of the School District and City through the Police Department. Funding will be raised through sponsorships to continue this highly successful program that places police on high school campuses in the role of counselors.

This year's lunch will honor Downey's service clubs and will feature Judge David Perkins, a Downey resident and a Judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

For information and reservations or sponsorships, call Bonnie Kehoe, GOOD President, at 904-7238 or Stan Hanstad at 904-3514.







End Shorts