Acoustic Christmas Tod Corrin: school Story of toy drive board president Miguel Esquitin See Page 2 See Page 2 See Page 4 Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Vol. 13 No. 34 8301 E. Florence Ave., Suite 100, Downey, CA 90240 SHARED STORIES: THE TIES THAT BIND Rain or shine, Downey Christmas A Tourist in the Land Parade this Sunday Weekend of Music at a Glance 71⁰ Even before her son Phillip was a year old, Barbara Sparks knew he had a Friday talent for music. Phillip plays with several bands and has performed at the Roxy and Whiskey A Go Go His day job is that of lawyer. Shared Stories is a weekly column featuring articles by participants in a writing class at the 72⁰ Norwalk Senior Center. Bonnie Mansell is the instructor for this free class Saturday offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. Curated by Carol Kearns By Barbara Sparks 71⁰ My tour through the land of music began quite unexpectedly, and my tour Sunday guide was a surprise. There stood my nine-month-old son Phillip, holding the side of the crib while moving his head in perfect rhythm to the music on Sesame Street. That movement of his head to the beat of the music was a preview of what was to come. My tour through the Land of Music, led by my Things To Do son, took me to many places and through many genres of music. In the car, on the way home, I was taught all the songs that he sang in Jennifer DeKay Carl Charles Mark Gillaspie preschool. When he was in elementary school, I traveled to performances and sometimes to special meetings with his teachers. These teacher visits were California. He is also a graduate potential customers, playing a key music-related. • Christmas Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. on Downey Avenue; of the Sherman Block Supervisory role in launching DirecTV PARA One year he could not perform in the Christmas Program because he Jennifer DeKay is grand marshal. Leadership Institute. Carl has been TODOS, the company’s first Spanish- continued to talk to other members of the choir during practice. He couldn’t happily married for almost 20 years language programming service, and understand why he couldn’t talk. After all, he always sang when he was and has two children. aiding in the initial development supposed to sing. He only talked to his friends when the music teacher was of the company’s advertising co-op DOWNEY – Now in its 63rd year, Jennifer DeKay giving directions. He also insisted that he should be allowed to sing in the program. the Downey Christmas Parade takes Jennifer DeKay is owner and section with the girls, but the music teacher would not grant his wish. When Community involvement has An annual place this Sunday -- rain or shine -- publisher of The Downey Patriot, Downey Christmas Parade - I asked why he wanted to be in that section, he answered, “I want to sing the always been important to Jennifer. tradition, the Christmas parade starts on on Downey Avenue. Downey’s award-winning weekly high notes.” She is a member of Downey Rotary, Downey Avenue at Florence and heads The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. newspaper. south to City Hall. and is a board member for the Since music is in my son’s soul, music went everywhere with him. In his at Downey and Florence avenues, As owner of The Downey Patriot, Downey Rose Float Association. She Sunday, Downey Avenue, 1:30 p.m. second grade classroom I was asked to meet with his teacher. She was quite heading south to its ending point at Jennifer ensures Downey has a served as a Miss Downey chaperone concerned about Philip’s behavior during scripture reading. It seems that City Hall. newspaper that serves both as a in 2012. Phillip was using his pencil to beat on the desk to whatever musical vibrations Presented by the Downey watchdog for the city and sounding She was named Woman of the were in his head. When I asked why he wasn’t reading with the rest of the Chamber of Commerce, the parade board for the city’s 111,000 residents. Year by the National Association of students, he said, “I know how to read and I can read the Bible by myself.” features floats, marching bands,The newspaper is produced by an Professional Women for 2011-12. In I explained very firmly that I knew he could read, but he had to follow equestrian units, clowns, fire trucks, independent team of employees and 2010, Assemblyman Hector De La school rules and drumming on his desk was against the rules. Of course there Santa Claus, and more. community correspondents, resulting Torre named Jennifer a Woman of was no established written rule because no one had ever used a desk before as This year’s parade grand marshal in fair, robust and well-rounded Distinction and Woman of the Year in a drum. is Jennifer DeKay, publisher of The coverage of Downey news and events. the Media category. Phillip’s grandmother paid for piano lessons. The only problem was that he Downey Patriot. Police Chief Carl Since taking over The Downey In recognition of her significant didn’t like to practice, even though he enjoyed the lessons. He had to practice Charles and Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie Patriot in 2006, Jennifer has accomplishments, Jennifer was - Assemblywoman Cristina are the community parade marshals. introduced a Sports page, a twice- Walk ‘n Talk in the church all by himself and he said it was dark and scary. We stopped the inducted into the Downey High Garcia will be at Wilderness Park for a casual L.A. County Supervisor Don monthly column by Dr. Alan Frischer, walk and chat with residents. lessons but Phillip didn’t stop playing. He started playing the keyboard, and he School Hall of Fame in 2013. Knabe and former Downey Civic a restaurant page, and special didn’t need the written notes because he could play by ear. Somehow, he would Jennifer enjoys staying active in Saturday, Wilderness Park, 8 a.m. Light Opera executive director advertising sections that cater to find the notes for the songs that he liked. He always had an explanation for why the community with her 4-year-old he did things his way. Marsha Moode will host the parade, Downey’s business community. She has also invested in the daughter, Alexis. The next stop of the tour took me to middle school where he exhibited a their 28th year. Patriot’s future, ramping up the Mark Gillaspie Throwback Thursday new talent. To the surprise of the school’s assistant principal and myself, he Below are bios on each of the marshals, as provided by the Downey newspaper’s website and social media Mark Allen Gillaspie was born entered a school talent show with two of his friends. Phillip is the ultimate Chamber of Commerce. presence. Today, the Patriot’s website and raised in Grinnell, Iowa, where nerd, or so people think. However, he and his friends won the talent show with enjoys continued growth while the much of his family still lives. In a rap that Phillip wrote. Phillip does not look, talk, or act like a rapper. Carl Charles its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 1985, after spending the summer in Chief Carl Charles was born In high school Phillip joined a band and played the drums. He had no accounts continue to engage readers Downey with a college roommate, and raised in Inglewood, California, formal lessons but he played them anyway. This was a time that I was happy and foster community discussion. Mark decided to remain in California and attended local public schools. that I had no room in my garage for cars because that meant there was no room Jennifer has been a Downey girl and soon thereafter began pursuing He graduated from Morningside for band practice. her entire life. She attended Good his fire service calling. High School in 1985. When Carl The parents of his best friend Steve let them use their bonus room. The Shepherd Lutheran School and East Mark attended Rio Hondo was a sophomore in high school, Middle School before graduating College’s fire academy prior to band played at Steve’s parents’ house for a New Year’s Eve Party, in the Whitney he attended a law enforcement from Downey High in 1990. Jennifer joining the Downey Fire Department. The Silver Saddle Inn. Photo courtesy Talent Show, at the Roxy, and at the Whiskey a Go Go. presentation by a canine officer, and was a cheerleader in high school, and He began his fire service career Larry Latimer/Downey Historical Society It was during this period that Phillip started writing music and lyrics for was immediately convinced that was named varsity co-captain with volunteering as an auxiliary two bands – Feedback and Nocturnal Overload. My favorite song was “So police work was the job for him. Christine Foslien her senior year. firefighter with the Downey and Santa Says the Queen.” This song was about me – I was the queen in the song and Chief Charles began his law Jennifer was very active while Fe Springs Fire Departments. During of course, as the queen, I had absolute power. The theme of the song was a enforcement career with the Downey Facebook Conversation growing up in Downey. During that time, he also served as a part- mother’s use of the words “NO! You can’t!” I loved the song. The bands didn’t Police Department in 1990 when he her elementary years, she played time dispatcher with the department.