Physicians from Kaiser Permanente join in to ride with the kids
Photo by John Zander

Downey schools took part in National Bike To School Day on May 8th. CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Thank you to Alexander Gayton for sending over the video!
Video by Mr. T.

The post Downey Schools Join In National Bike To School Day – VIDEO appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.

Photo by John Zander

On Thursday evening 10 Downey PD officers and one Chaplin volunteered their time at Carino’s restaurant at the Downey Landing to work as waiters. The focus of the event was to raise funds for the Special Olympics. The funds raised will go to helping the Special Olympics Athletes pay for uniforms, equipment and other expenses. All of the tips from the event went to the cause. The officers and the Carino’s customers raised over $3, 500 for the Special Olympics.

Photo by John Zander

The event has headed up by Downey PD Corporal Mike Pope. Corporal Pope said of the event, “We met so many people and it was such a positive experience. Most contacts that we have with people are negative (fights, accidents, deaths, etc). it was so nice to have such positive contacts with people and realize how many people appreciate and support us.”

Photo by John Zander

The Downey PD and the Special Olympics will be coming together again this year for the Torch Run, which will also help the athletes offset some of the costs that come along with competing. There will also be another Tip-A-Cop event next year. The Downey Beat will keep you informed as always.

Photo by John Zander

The event was really something to witness. Each officer was partnered with a Carino’s waitperson, who kind of showed them the ropes as it were. Many of the guests were there to support the department and the event, but there were of course others who had just come into the restaurant for dinner and ended up having an armed officer come over to the table and ask, “May I get you something to drink?” Quite the surprise! The restaurants guests were all supportive and having a great time with the officers.

Photo by John Zander

At first, some of the officers looked a bit nervous. It was a real fish out of water scenario. But the officers knew what they were getting into and were there for one reason, to help the athletes of the Special Olympics. The Carino’s management and staff were really helpful and it wasn’t long before the officers were getting into the swing of things. Carino’s waiter Nestor Aranda said, “This is interesting, I have never been followed by a cop on my job, but it really is a lot of fun!”

Also attending the event in support of the Special Olympics was Athlete Shandy Gausen. Shandy has been competing in the Special Olympics for 25 years in Basketball, Softball and Swimming events. She awarded each officer with a Special Gold Metal, which they wore throughout the evening. It was really sweet.

Corporal Mike Pope with Special Olympics Athlete Shandy Gausen
Photo by John Zander

As I mentioned, the customers were all very supportive, not to mention secure! Customer Roberta Cuthrell came in for dinner with friends and said, “When I saw the Police Officers, I felt very safe coming in here.” It made me think, imagine someone with the intention of holding up the restaurant coming in the front door and seeing the room filled with 10 armed Police Officers, all on their feet in various parts of the restaurant! Indeed, a safe night to eat Italian.

Photo by John Zander

Corporal Pope told me that last years event was held at the Elephant Bar and they raised $2,000. He hoped to break that record with this years event, which they did. Almost doubled it. The Downey PD officers have a habit of going above and beyond for our residents and a good cause. No questions asked. If you need them, they will be there. The next time you see an officer driving by, wave, give them a smile and say “Hello” or “Thank you.” Something like that from the residents really means a lot to them. Corporal Pope said, “I’d like to personally thank everyone who took the time to come and support such a great event.”

The post Downey PD Tip-A-Cop Fundraiser A Huge Success appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.

Photo by John Zander

Downey, CA, May 15, 2013:  The public is invited to attend a FREE community open house at the Rio Hondo Golf Club, a public golf course owned by the City of  Downey.

Photo by John Zander

Bring your family and friends as we open the grounds with no golf-play, for the first time ever, to allow the public an opportunity to leisurely walk around and view the course.  The community open house will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 2-6pm.

Photo by John Zander

Free activities throughout the afternoon will include golf skill demonstrations from Golf Pros, golf instruction tips, putting on the greens, some driving range play and access to walk around the golf cart paths.  Light refreshments and appetizers will be provided.

Photo by John Zander

This is a great opportunity to see what the Rio Hondo Golf Club has to offer.  Come and see the course including lakes, pristine fairways, a driving range, and banquet and restaurant facilities.  Whether you are a veteran golfer or have never been on a golf course, we invite you and your family to this first-ever event that allows you to take a free glimpse of our community treasure.

Photo by John Zander

Rio Hondo Golf Course Manager and Head Course Professional Stephen LaBarge said, “We want to open the course and showcase it to the residents of Downey and make them aware of all we have to offer.” Along with the beautiful course, there are also amazing food and beverage facilities at the Hackers Bar & Grill and the Rio Hondo Event Center. The event center is the perfect place for everything from small meetings to the largest wedding. Hackers serves and amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Something that LaBarge noticed while speaking with residents at Downey’s recent Street Faire was a large number of people who thought that the Rio Hondo Golf Course was private, and not open to the public. LaBarge continued, “The event is really to get exposure and create awareness of the golf club and all it has to offer, above and beyond golf itself.”

This will be a very special day where residents can come out and walk on the course and get a first hand look, and have any questions answered. I hope to see you there!

The Rio Hondo Golf Course is located at 10627 Old River School Rd. Downey, CA 90241

The post Rio Hondo Golf Club Open House – An Open Invitation To Residents appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.

As part of National CPR Week, June 1 – 7th, the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), is coordination a countrywide sidewalk cardio pulmonary (CPR_ public education event on June 4th, 2013.

Downey Fire Department will be participating in this valuable public education opportunity by providing FREE Sidewalk CPR training to anyone willing to learn how to save a life.The community is being asked to take 10 minutes to learn how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and give effective, “hands-only” CPR.

The training will take place within Downey’s Stonewood Mall (Center Court) from 10am to 1pm. Please come out and take a few minutes to learn this valuable life saving skill. Consider that the life you save with this training, could very well be a family member.

“Approximately 74% of cardiac arrests happen at theme and potential survival depends on immediately calling 911 and starting CPR,”said Dr. Stratton, Medical Director of HCA Emergency Services. More than 300,000 people will die from out-ot-hospital cardiac arrest this year. “Immediate CPR can substantially improve a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.”

The post Free Sidewalk CPR Training – Skills To Help Save A Life appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.

The City of Downey and the family of Michael Nida, through their respective attorneys, are working to bring an end to a legal case arising from the officer-involved shooting on Oct. 22, 2011, that claimed Mr. Nida’s life.  Any proposed settlement must be reviewed and approved by a federal judge.  Until that time, the insurance risk pool’s decisions for this matter are beyond the City’s control.

With regard to the actual facts of this case, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office report is available and provides an unbiased assessment of the shooting.  The City invites anyone who is interested in the real facts to review that report.

Click here to read the DA Letter

The post The City of Downey And The Nida Family Working To Bring An End To Legal Case In Officer Involved Shooting appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.

The Alley Cats started out as a hobby for four young and talented singers in their collage years. Mando Fonseca and Royce Reynolds are the groups founding members. Starting out performing concerts in the park and moving up to a regular act at Disneyland which was followed by several TV appearances, the Alley Cats have not stopped working since 1987.

Fonseca said, “We have had members change since then, but we pretty much stayed the same.” The foursome became so busy that in 2001 they quit their jobs and concentrated on performing full time. The Alley Cats show is a fun mix of some of your favorite Doo-Wop songs and comedy. The group works with the audience in such a way they they become a part of the show.  ”We like to say that we break down that wall between audience and performer.” Fonseca said. The show really is a fantastic family event. The audience can expect to hear some of the biggest rock classics and Doo-Wop favorites like, Run Around Sue, Under The Boardwalk, Barbara Ann and Shaboom just to name a few. The Alley Cats have a song list 80 strong, so you are bound to hear many favorites in the show.

The post Alley Cats Go From Disneyland To Touring The Country And The Downey Theater This Sunday appeared first on DowneyBeat.com.