Thursday, April 27, 2017 Vol. 16 No. 3 HEALTH ENTERTAINMENT NEWS FEATURES Paging What’s new DAOR marks Flower shop Dr. Frischer on Netflix 70 years relocates SEE PAGE 7 SEE PAGE 8 SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 10 At State of the City address, mayor puts emphasis on public safety APRIL 28 Defying Gravity By Alex Dominguez FridayWeekend86˚ Staff Writer DATE: Friday, April 28 at a TIME: 8 pm Glance LOCATION: Columbia Memorial DOWNEY – Mayor Fernando Saturday 6888˚⁰ Space Center Vasquez outlined several new Friday and developing programs within APRIL 29 Downey’s near future during Carnival of Champions Wednesday’s State of the City Sunday 86˚70⁰ DATE: Saturday, April 29 address. Saturday TIME: 8 am The mayor delivered the LOCATION: Warren High School address at the Rio Hondo Event Center. Electronic waste collection THINGS TO DO “The days of being archaic Saturday, April 29 DATE: and waiting for things to happen TIME: 9 am are far behind us,” said Vasquez. LOCATION: Stonewood Center “In this day and age, a local government has to go out and Prescription drug take-back find the right opportunities, and DATE: Saturday, April 29 that means having a city council TIME: 10 am that has a vision…” LOCATION: Downey Police Station One of the first things Mayor Mayor Fernando Vasquez and Police Chief Carl Charles at the State of the City address. Carnival of Champions Vasquez addressed was the effects MAY 1 Photo by Mario Guerra Saturday - Warren High, 8 am of Measure S now being seen in Ribbon-cutting ceremony Watch as middle schools compete the community’s law enforcement. in a variety of track and field events. DATE: Monday, May 1 This includes the addition of where you live. As a result of that, Unified School District Board by former professional Soccer Free admission. 12 pm TIME: 10 new officers that have been this system will allow us to get embraced us. They embraced us Player and current scout Sacha van LOCATION: Urgent Care AME recently hired by Downey Police information for our 911 dispatch with the opportunity to be able der Most van Spijk. Medical Group system is where you’re at, what to do this…we have a responsible Department, two of which were “What it is is you’re going to medications are you taking, who civic partner in Downey Financial in attendance and introduced by have a six week course – third is your healthcare provider, where Partners Credit Union, and we MAY 2 Chief Carl Charles. A new K-9 was grade to fifth grade – we’re going do you store your medications, have a school district that’s always Ribbon-cutting ceremony also introduced. to be teaching you the basics are you allergic to anything, who is wanting to think outside the box.” of soccer, and also with that is… DATE: Tuesday, May 2 Measure S has also allowed for your healthcare prime, and which The Mayor also addressed the students from local high schools TIME: 10 am the upgrade of DPD’s radio system is your hospital within network… community’s growing concern – Downey, Warren, St. John Bosco Chargers DraftFest LOCATION: Chase bank at the to the tune of about $1.5 million, this will allow all residents to opt over coyotes. and St. Matthias – these high Saturday - StubHub Center, 9 am Promenade said the mayor. in and voluntarily sign up for free.” school students will get their “Often times what happens “This is going to take a Join the L.A. Chargers as they celebrate Downey will also be partnering coaching license under the watch day 3 of the NFL Draft. Autographs, MAY 5 community-wide effort; the is our radio frequency systems, with Wesley Health Care Centers of Sacha.” food, games and more. Casino Night fundraiser city cannot do it alone,” said we are unable to communicate on the issue of homelessness. DATE: Friday, May 5 outside of our jurisdiction,” said Vasquez. “We’re going to have to The course will end in a skill “We’re seeing a challenge engage our neighborhood watch assessment. TIME: 6:30 pm Vasquez. “So with the latest addition, we are joining now all throughout California…and groups, engage our local police LOCATION: Rio Hondo Event Along with the new soccer Downey is not immune to that,” department, SEAACA, and also the Center the county wide system that course, Vasquez also announced said Vasquez. “With that also California Department of Fish and will allow our police officers to the installment of new futsol communicate with other agencies comes opportunities.” Game.” MAY 7 courts for community use. as they continue to do their police “…90% of all homeless Vasquez said that more Downey Ride & Stride Vasquez closed with the services.” people have some type of mental information on the city’s response announcements of developments DATE: Sunday, May 7 health condition in LA County… to the coyote issue should be Beer Festival Downey’s Fire Department recently opened and yet to TIME: 10 am We are addressing it. Wesley coming within the next 60 days. Saturday - Samta Fe Springs Swap is also currently undergoing a come, including Mi Cielo, the LOCATION: Various parts of Health Centers has close to 17 Meet, 6 pm physical needs assessment due to Probably the most imminent Algeria Restaurant coming to Downey clinics…they will be instrumental Beer and live music with tributes to the Measure S. announcement of the afternoon the former Avenue Theatre, the in this, because they have a lot Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and was that of a new soccer program recently approved 3 ½ star hotel Led Zeppelin. Downey Street Faire “Close to 81% of our 911 of experience in dealing with being kicked off the very next day to be located on Firestone, a DATE: Sunday, May 7 phone calls today are now coming the homeless population and for emergency medical services; at Unsworth Elementary School. new La Barca restaurant, and the TIME: 10 am substance abuse.” they’re no longer your traditional expansion of Downey Nissan. LOCATION: Downey Avenue, The program is being headed Currently, the issue is being between Phlox and Stewart & Gray fires,” said Vasquez. “As a result of the building code and safety spearheaded by Councilmember over the years vastly making Rick Rodriguez. MAY 9 improvements, what that’s also Ribbon-cutting ceremony Vasquez also addressed changed [is] the needs for our financial literacy education, calling Tuesday, May 9 DATE: urban fire services.” it “One of the biggest campaigns TIME: 12 pm Fords Forever Vasquez also took time to we launched this year.” LOCATION: Xclusive Nutrition Sunday - Knott’s Berry Farm, 10 am speak on the new “Smart 911” “One of the things I find very system that was announced late The biggest all-Ford car show on the personal to me is financial literacy, West Coast. Free for spectators. MAY 12 last year, describing it as “the first especially coming from immigrant of its kind in LA County.” Family Stone live in concert parents where the financial DATE: Friday, May 12 “Close to 85% of our phone institution system is very different,” said Vasquez. “How do we educate TIME: 8 pm calls that people call 911 [from] now are cell phones,” said our youth? How do we provide LOCATION: Downey Civic Theatre economic empowerment to our Vasquez. “Where you register Mayor Fernando Vasquez and his wife, Donna. your cellphone is not necessarily youth…Dr. Garcia and the Downey MAY 13 Photo by Eric Pierce STEAM Festival DATE: Saturday, May 13 Lemon Festival TIME: 9 am Measure S oversight committee includes All Weekend - Downtown Upland LOCATION: Downey Federal Credit A celebration of all things lemon, Union featuring food, live entertainment, carnival games and more. GENTRI live in concert 3 former mayors DATE: Saturday, May 13 TIME: 8 pm DOWNEY – When Downey voters approved Measure S, a half- ■ Jeanette Baumann, executive vice president of the Downey TWEETS OF THE WEEK LOCATION: Downey Civic Theatre cent sales tax increase last November, it included a stipulation that Association of Realtors, appointed by Mayor Fernando Vasquez; and an independent oversight committee would ensure the money was At ■ Dorothy Pemberton, a realtor and civic leader, appointed by @BlancaNPacheco: spent as intended: on public safety and quality of life enhancements. JUNE 2-4 Councilman Rick Rodriguez. Latina Action Day. Honored On Tuesday night, the City Council formally approved the to be selected as Latina Downey Greek Festival The City Council has already begun allocating proceeds from the committee members; of the five members, three are former council Advocate by @AsmGarcia! DATE: June 2-4 sales tax measure, voting two weeks ago to bolster the Downey Police members and mayors. TIME: 10 am Department by hiring 10 additional police officers. @YoCheerMama: Just Members include: LOCATION: St. George Greek “[Last week’s] actions demonstrate our commitment to carry heard the good news! Julie Orthodox Church ■ former mayor David Gafin, an accountant by trade, appointed out the voters priorities under Measure S,” Mayor Vasquez said in a Ledesma is the new Miss by Councilmember Blanca Pacheco; statement. “By adjusting this year’s budget to include the hiring of ten Downey. Congrats to her & JUNE 10 new officers, we continue to stay true to our commitment in always the new court! ■ former mayor Mario Guerra, an insurance broker, appointed by keeping public safety the city’s number one priority.” Relay for Life Councilman Alex Saab; DATE: June 10 Eric Pierce, editor Follow us! ■ former mayor Roger Brossmer, an assistant superintendent at @DowneyPatriot TIME: 9 am Downey Unified, appointed by Mayor Pro Tem Sean Ashton; LOCATION: Downey Adult School 2 | The Downey Patriot Thursday, April 27, 2017 In Memory of Lawrence R.