Madru is one Teacher signing Symphony gets special woman copies of book local support See Page 2 See Page 8 See Page 10 Friday, March 27, 2009 Vol. 7 No. 49 8301 E. Florence Ave., Suite 100, Downey, CA 90240 Mayor feels good Allison Iraheta – our very own Idol Allison Iraheta, 16, is about Downey’s among the finalists on ‘American Idol.’ circumstances BY ERIC PIERCE, CITY EDITOR Mayor Mario Guerra touts upcoming projects in State DOWNEY – Allison Iraheta is of the City address. only 16, but she’s already an idol in the eyes of millions of Americans. BY ERIC PIERCE, Crimes against persons, a sta- Allison, who lives in Downey, CITY EDITOR tistical category that encompasses is among the 10 remaining contest- murders, rapes, robberies and ants on FOX’s hit show, “American DOWNEY – With several aggravated assaults, dropped near- Idol.” development projects already in ly 13 percent in the last year, Allison has been singing since mid-construction or preparing to Guerra said. But property crimes, age 3. Although she’s a resident of break ground, Mayor Mario Guerra particularly vehicle thefts, have Downey, she currently attends delivered a steady dose of confi- risen 2.7 percent. school at Animo Ralph Bunche dence and optimism in his State of “That’s Charter High School in Los State of the the City address last week. more a sign Angeles. City Highlights Guerra took a mostly positive of the times. The school held an “American tone as he spoke before a capacity With Rio •Coca-Cola is plan- ning $100 million Idol” viewing party Wednesday, audience at Rio Hondo Event Hondo expansion by late where friends, family and students Center on Friday. The event is [Event 2010. phoned in to vote for Allison. sponsored annually by the Downey Center] and “The voting last week was very Chamber of Commerce, and usual- Downey •BJ’s Restaurant will scary. When they announced ly includes the city’s mayor as fea- Landing, open by July 1. Allison was in the bottom three we there’s more tured speaker. •13% drop in violent all thought, ‘this is it.’ I was places to Downey resident Allison Iraheta is progressing rapidly on “American Idol,” but she needs votes to stave Using a PowerPoint slide, crime last year. relieved when they finally said she steal cars,” Guerra used charts, figures and sta- Property crimes was safe,” said Sarah Iraheta, off elimination. Photo courtesy FOX Guerra said. tistics as he spoke about Downey’s rose 2.7% Allison’s sister and a teacher at A chap- current fiscal state. He summarized Animo Ralph Bunche. “That is Allison has also made a fan of “She has demonstrated exceptional through hard work and effort. lain with the the city’s $138 million annual why this viewing party [was] so Mayor Mario Guerra, who attended talent and sportsmanship in the “We are always happy to see Downey Police Department, he budget, of which nearly $48 mil- important to us, we need to make the viewing party. competition. She has been a great one of our youth make a positive heavily praised local law enforce- lion is allocated to the police and sure Allison doesn’t land in the bot- “The city of Downey is very example to our young adults and impact on others.” fire departments. ment and their efforts to combat tom three again.” proud of Allison,” Guerra said. teens about achieving your dreams The city continues to be conser- graffiti. Last year, 148 arrests vative with its money while invest- were made for graffiti-related ing in public safety, Guerra said. crimes that totaled more than City Hall currently has 197 full- $22,000 in property damage, Kathia Morales takes time employees, down from a high Guerra said. More than 3,300 of 209 in 1990, while the Downey instances of graffiti were inputted Police Department today employs into the police department’s graffiti 264 full-timers, up from 241 in See ADDRESS, page 2 throne as Miss Downey 1990, according to the slide. BY BRIDGET SAGRERO & and top 11 for the Miss Teen MICHELLE MÜLLER, Downey, the judges deliberated Rising star to delight INTERNS while the audience viewed a small clip of the ladies’ three months of DOWNEY – Kathia Morales, preparation. Downey audience 22, was crowned Miss Downey and This year, the panel consisted Sandy Fernandez, 16, won Miss of 12 judges from various areas. Teen Downey at the 54th annual The panel included former NBA BY JOYCE SHERWIN, Miss Downey Pageant, presented player like James Cotton; theatrical DOWNEY SYMPHONY Saturday by the Downey Rose and motion picture executive Keith Float Association at the Downey Hurt; UNET Music & DOWNEY – Astronomers give Theatre. Entertainment co-owner Linsey names to newly-discovered stars. The doors opened to the public Onken; Miss Long Beach 2006 Helps to sort them out and makes at 6 p.m., where they were greeted Christy Van Der Westhuizen; R&B us feel a connection with their light by last year’s court and directed to singer Uné; actor Ernest L. shining way off in time. their appropriate seats. Once the Thomas; active member of the pag- We now would like to suggest a crowd was seated, Pageant eant industry Sara Hilt; president great name for a new star: Nigel Director Susan Domen welcomed of Sports Legends Incorporation Armstrong. everyone and introduced the mas- Gene Rotundo; city of Lakewood This star can be viewed from ter of ceremonies, Rick Porcaro. resident and volunteer Rita Downey tomorrow night, Saturday, Following Porcaro’s introduc- Gallardo; pageant industry expert March 28, rising time shortly after tion, the ladies performed their Barbie Myer; and Financial 8 p.m., and you don’t even have to opening number, “Labels 4 Love.” Investment Firm employee Ingrid go outdoors with telescopes. Nigel The various categories that contest- Martin. Armstrong will be visible from Nigel Armstrong ants competed in were Sportswear, “We try to get a variety of peo- your seat in the Downey Theatre Business Wear and Evening Gown. ple [to judge],” said Domen, when and you can expect some uncom- Armstrong will play Prior to the selection of the top mon music of the spheres in his Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 See MISS DOWNEY, page 8 10 in the Miss Downey category appearance as violin soloist with on a program which includes the our symphony orchestra. Brahms Second Symphony and the At 19, and a student at the appearance of Rhona Weinberg Colburn School in L.A., he has Gewelber as Baton Winner con- already performed with the Boston ducting Johann Strauss, Sr’s Habitat for Humanity Pops Orchestra, the Berkeley and Radetzky March. Bozeman Symphonies, and the Tickets priced at $20 and $25, building house in Downey American Philharmonic of Sonoma $10 for students, are available in County, which is home turf. the theater box office the evening DOWNEY – Low-income They must also invest 500 hours of Armstrong received first prize in of performance, Saturday, March Downey residents are invited to “sweat equity” and qualify for a concerto competitions with the 28. Sharon Lavery gives the pre- apply for a new home through the 0% interest mortgage. Boston Symphony and the San concert lecture at 7:15 p.m., con- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Applicants must attend a Francisco Youth Orchestra and cert time is 8, and you are invited Los Angeles. mandatory orientation session now it is Downey’s turn to recog- to a complimentary reception in the A groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow at Downey Adult School nize his talent as the winner of our theater patio at the conclusion of for the new home, located at 12812 (1:30 p.m. in Spanish, 3 p.m. in symphony’s new Young Artist the evening. Blodgett Ave., will take place English) or Tuesday at the Barbara Competition. The Downey Civic Theatre is at tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. J. Riley Community & Senior “That was a very competitive 8435 Firestone Boulevard, at the Habitat for Humanity will also Center (6 p.m. in English, 7:30 event,” says Downey Music corner of Brookshire, close to be offering free exterior home p.m. in Spanish). Director Sharon Lavery, “and I was Mimi’s Café, which will honor repairs to nearby homeowners Habitat for Humanity has made thrilled with the level of the final- your concert tickets with a 10 per- through its Brush with Kindness the home available through part- ists. The caliber of contestants was cent discount. Plenty of free park- Kathia Morales, right, was crowned Miss Downey at a pag- program. nerships with the city of Downey’s very high, and some of L.A.’s most ing, not a bad seat in the house, eant last week. Sandy Fernandez was named Miss Teen Applicants for the home must Community Development prominent musicians made up the gorgeous music and a new star. See Downey. Photo by Paul Heidecker either live or work in Downey and Department and local Lutheran panel of judges to pick the winner.” you there. meet certain income restrictions. congregations. Classes available for young and old DOWNEY – A variety of classes and activities are planned this spring at the Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center Seniors are invited to socialize as they enjoy their favorite trivia games, board games, cards and puzzles every Thursday from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday Walkers has begun for residents over age 50 who are inter- ested in joining a walking club. New walkers should arrive at 8:30 a.m., and walking/stretching begins at 9.