Thursday, May 12, 2016 Vol. 15 No. 5 SPORTS NEWS FEATURES HEALTH 5-time Girls I’m a Walmart Taking away champs in STEM shopper the car keys SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 7 Police arrest 2 in Buffalo Wild Love it or hate it, Downey Walmart Wings brawl DOWNEY – Two people have been arrested for their roles in a wild now open for business Friday 77˚ brawl outside Buffalo Wild Wings “…We pouted. We cried. We were The public outcry has been Weekend last September, a fight that was heartbroken because this location prevalent since then Mayor Pro Tem at a captured on video and went viral on right here is special in the history Saab announced Walmart’s arrival Glance social media. of mankind…that was on May 10th. late last year. The public’s opinion We sat the next day and told our Saturday 6873˚⁰ Gabriel Fuerte, a 43-year-old was never more present when Friday resident of South Gate, and Josue staff, ‘You know, we get to pout over Downey Patriot Editor Eric Pierce Garcia, a 42-year-old Bell resident, the weekend, until May 14th that published an article entitled “I Will Monday. And then let’s get together Shop at Walmart (and you Probably surrendered to Downey Superior Sunday 72˚ Court on March 8, Downey Police and say what’s next. Folks, this is will too)” earlier this week. 70⁰ what’s next.” Saturday officials said Tuesday. The outspoken response to Their next court appearance was Mayor Saab also made a few Pierce’s article seemed primarily Thursday. comments and presented the store negative, with many saying that they with a certificate of recognition on Police say that Fuerte and Garcia would take their business elsewhere; behalf of the residents of Downey. THINGS TO DO were involved in a brawl outside some even claiming to boycott the Promenade all together. Very few the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant “This property is very sacred to supported the store’s opening, or at Stonewood Center on Sept. 20. us. This is the land where dreams instead decided to be optimistic. A bystander recorded portions of were reached, where people worked the fight and posted the clip on beyond imagination. We are very Originally, a higher end store Facebook. proud of this property, and this was planned to be the cornerstone Downey Police said they Photo by John Zander is where dreams will continue to of Downey’s latest dining, shopping, identified Fuerte and Garcia after “an flourish.” and entertainment enterprise. However, the final result of Walmart intensive investigation.” Downey Chamber of Commerce residents, including Mayor Alex was claimed to be out of the city’s Both men were charged with By Alex Dominguez President Cindy Kovach also Southeast CicLAvia Saab, former Mayor Mario Guerra, hands by Saab in an article published assault. Contributor spoke, adding “We are thrilled that Sunday - Lynwood, 9 a.m. a few of Downey’s royal court, and in last year’s Year in Review –Eric Pierce, editor [Walmart] are planning to be a CicLAvia comes to Southeast L.A. a section of the Warren Band led by magazine. partner with the Chamber and we Meet at Firestone and Long Beach DOWNEY – Walmart, the newest Band Director David Niemeyer. look forward to a great association Despite any negative feelings boulevards. addition to the still developing As a part of the opening to the with Walmart.” towards Walmart, however, Downey Promenade, hosted a ceremony, Guerra dedicated the Wednesday’s ribbon cutting stayed Cemetery hosting successful ribbon cutting and grand The addition of Walmart has store with a blessing. peaceful and quiet without any opening Wednesday morning, much been a hotbed of debate between known incidents. Memorial Day to the dismay of many of Downey’s “The Book of Proverbs says many of Downey’s residents, with residents. ‘Without vision the people shall many opposing its inclusion into the The store is now open to the program perish,’ and folks, on May 10th Promenade due to the store chain’s public. The morning’s ceremony DOWNEY – Downey Cemetery 2010, we got a phone call telling us somewhat infamous reputation kicked off at around 7:30 am, and will host a Memorial Day ceremony that this place here was not going and what some might describe as was attended by notable Downey May 30 at 11 a.m. to be the Tesla plant,” said Guerra. notorious clientele. Brush Strokes & Beverages The ceremony will feature a wreath-laying; rifle salute by Saturday - Norwalk Cultural Arts Center, 6 p.m. American Legion Post 270; speakers from the Downey Police Instructor-led painting, complimentary Department; songs by Ward, Price beverages, and snacks. $25 (must be Downey says goodbye to Don Knabe 21 or older) and Stauffer ASPIRE students; the Commissioner Louis Morales, and with various gifts, or committed miracles.” reading of winning essays written by Downey philanthropist Dr. Mary donations to Knabe’s Safe Surrender elementary students; and the playing During Rancho Los Amigos’s By Alex Dominguez Stauffer. program. Downey Rose Float also of Taps. time to speak, it was announced Contributor offered Knabe a seat on Downey’s The ceremony opened with that one of the new buildings The essay contest was open to 2017 Tournament of Roses entry. Lewis Elementary fourth and fifth DOWNEY – Several of Downey’s a few brief comments from erected as a part of the Rancho graders, as well as Stauffer Middle organizations and public leaders Mayor Alex Saab and his fellow Knabe’s longstanding and Rising 2020 project will be named School students enrolled in the gathered at City Hall on Tuesday council members. Following the outspoken support of Rancho Los in the Supervisor’s honor. ASPIRE after-school program. to honor Los Angeles County council’s comments, several of Amigos was a hot topic for many of The ceremony closed with the Supervisor Don Knabe, who will be Downey’s notable organizations the evening’s speakers. The ceremony will take place at presentation of a special tile to KROQ Weenie Roast terming out later this year. were allowed to share a few words the Veteran’s Memorial Wall and will “What I appreciated most about Knabe from the city, and with a few and make presentations. These Saturday - Irvine Amphitheatre, last about one hour. Don was Rancho, Rancho, Rancho” remarks made by the man of the 12 p.m. Supervisor Knabe was elected to included Downey Unified School said Councilmember Roger hour. Guests should park at the Green the LA County Board of Supervisors District, Arc, Downey Chamber Performances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Line transit station and take a in late 1996, and was re-elected four Brossmer. “…There is nothing he Weezer, The Lumineers, Empire of the of Commerce, Downey Historical “I’ve never seen a city like complimentary roundtrip shuttle to times in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. could have done more powerful Sun, and more. $45 Society, Downey Rose Float, Downey that sort of wraps its arms the cemetery. for his already amazing legacy than Downey Sister Cities Association, around each other…” said Knabe. Tuesday’s ceremony came ‘Rancho Rising.’” For questions about the before the City Council’s bi-weekly Downey Symphonic Society, Gangs “…To all of you, my heart-felt Memorial Day program, call Lorena meeting. out of Downey, Downey Lions “When times were tough in the thanks for your support over the FROM OUR FACEBOOK Arellano at (562) 299-6827 or (562) Club, both of Downey’s Kiwanis early 2000’s, when all the board was years. It’s meant a great deal to me. 904-7223. Many of Downey’s present clubs, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, telling Don ‘it’s time to shut it down, Downey has been a key supporter of Walmart opens in Downey and former leaders, as well as Rotary Club of Downey, Soroptimist it’s time to bring that to a close, it’s mine for all these years…It’s been a representatives of many of Downey’s International of Downey, Food served its purpose,’ Don was the one blessing too and I have enjoyed it.” Anthony Adams: I have never philanthropic organizations and Helps, Optimist Club of Downey, who stood up and said ‘We cannot shopped there and will never Knabe’s term officially comes to Soroptimist hosting notable citizens, were in attendance, and Assistance League. let this happen’” said Mayor Pro start. If that was the last store a close this November. on earth I would live off the including former mayors Mario Tem Fernando Vasquez. “…You see Several of these organizations land before shopping there. casino night Guerra, Kirk Cartozian, Davd Gafin, the Rancho Los Amigos today not and Meredith Perkins, Planning also presented Supervisor Knabe only thriving, but you see it making Aldo Aguilera-Lua: Maybe fundraiser we were foolish to believe DOWNEY – Soroptimist the city, but our city officials should have been upfront and International of Downey is selling communicated to its residents tickets to a casino night fundraiser as soon as they new that June 3 at the Rio Hondo Event Walmart was coming. Center. Portion of 5 Freeway in Downey to be renamed Tickets are $40 and include food, Briana Castillo: Downey needs to change it from entertainment, silent auction, raffles “Promenade” to “Shopping and $200 in playing script. Center”. A Promenade is much after Ricky Galvez more sophisticated than what Contact any Downey Soroptimist DOWNEY – A portion of in his personal vehicle outside the honoring fallen officers from the three served in Southern California: Downey put into it.