Archive for August, 2012

Lots of missionaries at the library today

Aug 20, 2012 1 Comment

Eight, make that 10 after two more just walked in, Mormon missionaries were at the library today. I was going to ask them why, but I didn’t want to interrupt everybody studying.
Worst weather ever to be a missionary lately.
By the way, NPR on 89.3 FM had an in-depth story today on Mormons. There’s a lot …

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Teacher of the year speaking to get kids pumped about reading

Aug 20, 2012 No Comments

[ September 17, 2012; 6:30 pm; ] DOWNEY – The city’s library is bringing in the 2007 teacher of the year to show residents how to get children excited about reading.

Alan Lawrence Sitomer will speak from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 at the City Council Chambers, 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey.

Sitomer is the the author of the award-winning book “Teaching Teens …

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An illegal immigrant story

Aug 19, 2012 7 Comments

DOWNEY – City Councilman Luis Marquez and cleaning-crew member Carlos Salas, 22, have something in common.
Just before they started kindergarten, their parents moved from Mexico to the United States – illegally.
Marquez started his path to citizenship in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan offered amnesty to nearly 3 million immigrants who had moved to the United …

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I think I made it so you can comment without facebook

Aug 18, 2012 1 Comment

I just added a new way of commenting that should make things easier for those who don’t use facebook. But, of course, I think I screwed up some other formatting on the site. Anyway, give it a whirl if you want.

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Ashes still hot on cigarette battle

Aug 18, 2012 3 Comments

DOWNEY – Even with a law passed and new “no smoking” signs going up at Furman Park this week, those on the two sides of the cigarette debate still feel like arguing.
The youth on the Kiwanis Green Team on Wednesday held a party at Furman Park to celebrate the installation of the city’s first signs …

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Press-Telegram serves up solid story on new Walmart market coming to Downey

Aug 18, 2012 No Comments

Never met Kelsey Duckett at the Press-Telegram, but she did a nice job on a feature about Wal-Mart’s plans to open a new market in Downey at the old Alin’s Party Depot on Paramount Boulevard.
Click here to read the story.

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Planning Commission approves ‘green’ development for Gallatin/Lakewood

Aug 17, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a 46-unit town home development for the land on the northeast corner of Gallatin Road and Lakewood Boulevard.
The developer, Santa Ana-based City Ventures, specializes in energy efficient, green developments.
Click here for a complete story on the development.

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Alfa Romeo coming to Downey this fall

Aug 17, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – The famed Alfa Romeo sports car from Italy will soon be for sale in Downey, according to city officials.
Alfa Romeo is part of the Fiat group of cars, which also owns a  majority stake in Chrysler and has the Champion Fiat dealership on Firestone Boulevard along the western edge of the San Gabriel …

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Former billiards hall officially becomes a nightclub

Aug 16, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – The former billiards hall on Firestone Avenue is officially becoming a nightclub.
The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a request by owner Hayk Gevorkyan to lease 68 parking spaces from a nearby property, in essence allowing Gevorkyan to secure enough parking spots convert the pool hall into a dance hall.
The vote passed 4-0. Commissioner …

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Mayor responds to request from Ron Thomas that city officials meet with Nida’s family

Aug 16, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – Mayor Roger Brossmer on Thursday said it’s unlikely he would meet with the family of Michael Nida.
Brossmer was responding to a request by Ron Thomas at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that Brossmer and Police Chief Rick Esteves meet with Nida’s family.
Thomas’ son Kelly Thomas was beaten to death July 10, 2011 by Fullerton …

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City Council votes to allow entertainment in more of city

Aug 16, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – The City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 to allow more restaurants in the city to have live entertainment.
The staff will now begin crafting a new law that would have to be approved before the change goes into affect.
The law would create fairness for restaurants operating legally in land zoned for professional office use, …

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Ron Thomas calls for Downey City Council to meet with family of Michael Nida

Aug 15, 2012 No Comments

DOWNEY – The father of Kelly Thomas on Tuesday called for Downey’s mayor and police chief to have a sit-down meeting with the family of Michael Nida.
Ron Thomas, whose schizophrenic son was beaten to death July 10, 2011 by Fullerton Police officers, said Downey’s officials owed Nida’s family a face-to-face talk.
He said he understood that …

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