Thursday, March 23, 2017 Vol. 15 No. 50 NEWS NEWS HEALTH ENTERTAINMENT Norwalk Physician The power ‘Beauty & the politicos retire mourned of prayer Beast’ review SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 7 SEE PAGE 8 PTA hosting For final concert of 2016-17 season, colorful fundraiser Downey Symphony turns to Beethoven DOWNEY – There is still time FridayWeekend70˚ to register for Downey Council orchestral version of Bach’s with “a charming theme, and 10th season conducting the PTA’s first ever Color-A-Thon “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” at a event. then Tchaikovsky finds unique orchestra. She ranks among Glance conducted by this year’s baton different musical characters for the best local conductors and Saturday 68˚⁰ The Color-A-Thon will be held winner, Downey resident Terry each variation, showing off the has brought great music to Friday 68 April 8 at Columbus High School. Wright. cello’s range beautifully.” thousands of adults and children in Downey. The audience will be According to Downey Council The opening rhythm of Lash plays a cello made in invited to raise a toast to her and PTA, the main goal of the event Beethoven’s 5th—short, short, Italy around 1850 that has a rich Sunday 70˚ ⁰ to congratulate the orchestra at 70 is to advocate health, family and short, long; short, short, short, and resonant tone. He aims Saturday a complimentary champagne community. All schools in the long—happen to be the same to pursue a career with many reception in the Theatre patio district at every grade level are as the Morse code for the letter sides—performing, teaching, being encouraged to participate. “V.” In World War II, that stood following the concert. playing in ensembles as well as THINGS TO DO Students, their families, for “Victory,” and the symphony solo. He’ll also be performing With the Downey Arts and community members who became the unofficial anthem at the annual concert for all Coalition, the Symphony also participate will run or walk a track, of the Allies. Even people who Downey fifth graders, which organizes an exhibit of work occasionally getting doused in have never been to a classical takes place on April 5. by local artists at each concert. colorful powder. concert recognize and love this The theme for this show is Terry Wright is a long-time music. “Earth Recycled,” and artists will According to longtime PTA Downey resident who won feature recycled materials. member and current Downey Benjamin Lash, a 26-year-old the auction for the baton at Benjamin Lash, a talented 26-year- Unified School Board member Chicago native, began playing last April’s concert. Working Doors open at 6:30 pm. old cellist, will perform at the April Martha Sodetani, this activity cello at the age of 6. By his teen with Music Director Sharon Maestra Lavery will give a pre- AutoCon 2017 8 concert at the Downey Theatre. is being held in lieu of two years, he had already won many Lavery, she chose an orchestral concert talk at 7:15 pm. The Sunday - Los Angeles Convention fundraisers that had been competitions and performed version of one section of Bach’s concert begins at 8 pm. Center, 1 pm traditionally held in years past. DOWNEY – Beethoven’s various cello concertos. He renowned cantata, with its very Hundreds of unique vehicles, Tickets are $35 or $30 product launches, exhibits, live music, “As far as PTA’s, there’s mighty “Symphony no. 5,” a came to Los Angeles to study beautiful peaceful and lyrical depending on seating prizes and giveaways. generally two big drives per year brilliant young cellist, and a with a great cello teacher at melody. section and are available at – one in Fall, one in Spring,” said complimentary champagne the Colburn School and is now Sodetani. “That has the students reception will make for a finishing a doctorate at USC. The Symphony will once downeysymphony.org or by out selling things like wrapping memorable end-of-season again auction the baton at this calling the Theatre Box Office Lash loves the cello because paper, candy, [and] things like concert by the Downey concert, so patrons should come at (562) 861-8211 or in person “it has so many possibilities, a that. So Downey Council PTA – Symphony on April 8 at the ready to be inspired by Terry (open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday made up of all the presidents of Downey Theatre. huge range of pitch but also Wright and make their own bid through Friday and beginning PTA’s – thought ‘well we can put various musical colors.” to conduct the orchestra next at 6:30 pm Saturday). Rounding out the evening this on in lieu of each PTA having April. are Rossini’s “William Tell He’ll be playing Tchaikovsky’s Free parking adjacent to to be responsible for trying to get “Variations on a Rococo Theme.” The Symphony is also the Theatre at Firestone and Overture” (the familiar “Lone Bubble Run funds for the school themselves He notes that the piece starts celebrating Maestra Lavery’s Brookshire Ave. through the children…” Ranger” theme) and an Saturday - Angel Stadium, 8 am Cost to participate is $30. Run, walk, dance or play through 3.1 miles of colored foam. Participants will be given a t-shirt, backpack, and a pack of colored dust. There will also be ‘Star Wars’ inspires new fitness class opportunities for high school students to volunteer in order to earn their all-so-important at Nifty After Fifty volunteer hours. Several food trucks, vendors By Alex Dominguez “I feel like I’m in the movie,” said 76 year-old Maria Elena. and community groups will also Staff Writer be present to promote healthy This was the first time that Downey’s location offered the class. DOWNEY – The “Force” was strong within Nifty After Fifty’s Pro Wrestling choices and living in the multi- According to staff, the class’s repeated availability depends on its walls, as a new “Power Saber” Fitness class took place last Thursday. Saturday - American Legion faceted event. reception. in South Gate, 8 pm “This class, it features our members where they’re working out “PTA is a well-known Last week, however, the Padawans in attendance were all smiles. Former WWE star Blue Meanie to a more Star Wars theme I suppose,” said Nicole Leon, a Wellness headlines AWS Promotions’ 15-year organization, so we want to Coach at Nifty After Fifty. “It’s more of an aerobic workout. You Jeanine Marak, Director of Wellness operations, described the anniversary show. refresh the name and invite class as an “instant hit.” everybody,” said Downey Council know, they’re moving their bodies, they’re moving around trying to PTA member Celilia Gonez, who get fit for the most part.” “It seems that whenever we have ‘toys’ – that’s the attraction at sits as one of the chairs for the Many of the class’s participants are in the right age group to be first – they just love anything with a flare, a bling type of thing…,” event. “And again, advocate fairly familiar with the Star Wars franchise, with several having seen said Marak. “…It works really on their agility, their balance. And they for health, healthy living, the films when they originally came out in theaters. don’t even know it because they’re having fun.” exercising…” This only added to the fun of the workout. Proceeds from the event will go to each PTA unit to be used for scholarships, school events, Friday Night Painting and/or fieldtrips accordingly. Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award presented Friday - Norwalk Cultural Arts Center, Those interested in 7 pm participating can register at www. Novice or master, learn to paint schoolathonca.com, using code in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. to Al Ballesteros 21 and older, $25 Downey Council (DWCN99) healthcare needs for the most vulnerable and often times polarized sector of society. In 2015, the non-profit organization, Wesley Health Centers Exchange Club (formerly known as JWCH Institute) opened its doors in Downey at 8530 Firestone Blvd., across the street from Downey High School. annual gala With 17 community clinics throughout Los Angeles County, they April 1 remained focused on their mission to improve the health status DOWNEY – The Exchange and well-being of residents through the direct provision and coordination of health care, health education, services, and research. Blessing of the Bikes Club Family Support Center, a Sunday - Blessed Sacrament Church Downey nonprofit that works to Wesley Health Centers would not be possible without the vision in Hollywood, 3 pm prevent child abuse, will hold its and leadership of its CEO, Al Ballesteros. Family-friendly motorcycle event annual gala fundraising event featuring food, vendors, rafflles, April 1 at the Columbia Memorial Al is one of the nation’s foremost leaders on healthcare reform and contests, and more. Space Center. federally qualified health care centers. Growing up, Al experienced and witnessed the disparity and lack of quality healthcare for some The evening begins at 6 p.m. of the most vilified segments of society. That’s led him to use his All space center exhibits will be Photo courtesy HKF Consulting, LLC. position and capacity to create a model system that provides hope TWEET OF THE WEEK open for guests. for the most vulnerable; regardless of your ability to pay, nobody The gala also will include By Fernando Vasquez gets turned away. @CarolKearnsLA: The silent auctions, with proceeds Mayor of Downey Al has been a leader in our community for many years and has Epic Lounge does it again - benefiting the center’s programs served on numerous boards by remaining keened to his vision.