"From the music programmed, 'A Shakespearean Excursion,' through the informal after-concert reception," says Bill Hare, Symphonic Society President, "this pleasant evening promises to be a delight for everyone."
Under conductor Thomas Osborn, the orchestra will perform works based on four of Shakespeare's plays: the "Othello" Concert Overture by Dvorak, the Suite from the 1964 film score for "Hamlet" by Shostakovich, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture by Mendelssohn and the "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy" Overture by Tchaikovsky.
Ticket holders who wish to learn more about the music may attend Dr. Osborn's preview talk at 7:15.
In addition, the spring concert traditionally includes an opportunity for the winner of the famous Baton Auction to appear as guest-conductor of the orchestra.
This year, that highest bidder is Dorothy Osborn Wise. As the daughter of Tom Osborn, she was reared with music, and confesses that, as a little girl, she would watch her father conduct, and then would go off by herself, put some classical music on the stereo, and practice leading an orchestra, in secret.
Dorothy says, "It is a thrill for me to support the Downey Symphony by getting the chance to conduct...especially since this is the orchestra which my father conducts and in which my mother and sister play the violin."
Following the concert, audience and orchestra members are invited to the theater's patio area to mingle and enjoy refreshments provided by the Symphony Guild.
Tickets to the April 6 concert may be purchased at the theater box office, 8435 Firestone Blvd. at Brookshire, the evening of performance. They are also offered on Wednesday, April 3, at the box office between noon and 4 p.m.
For further information, call 403-2944.
Representing the District, Assemblywoman Sally Havice (D-Cerritos) exclaimed: "It is with great pride that my friend, Mary Loya, will be representing the 56th Assembly District as its Woman of the Year. Mary has shown tireless dedication to every endeavor she has ventured into. She is a civic participant in the truest sense and contributes to our community with selfless devotion."
Each year, one woman is named Woman of the Year from each legislative district. Mary Loya participated in State Capital festivities including a reception hosted by Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, a ceremony on the Assembly floor, and a tribute from California's first lady, Sharon Davis.
Loya was also recently recognized by the Downey Chapter of the League of Women Voters with their Women Making History Award, 2002. She is also a member of the National Woman's Political Caucus-Mid Cities Chapter, and the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce.
"The record of Mary's community involvement and accomplishments is impressive on the large landscape. But what impresses me most about Mary, a resident of Downey since 1951, is that she remembers her roots and takes care of her neighbors in Downey," Havice commented. Loya's involvement in Downey includes membership in the following: Downey Chamber of Commerce (as well as the Bellflower, Cerritos, and Norwalk Chambers); American Association of University Women Downey Chapter (as well as the Cerritos and La Palma chapters); Advocates for Multicultural Harmony of Downey; and the Downey Historical Society.
"I honor Mary's public record of achievement. But more important to me is the value of my friendship with a woman of distinction," said Havice.
The contract approved at Tuesday's regular Council meeting is with Tatsumi and Partners, Inc., in the sum of $25,975.
The project includes grading and drainage, the installation of an irrigation system using reclaimed water, and fine grading and landscaping, and trees if the budget permits.
The Council approved the City's application for State Park Grant funds for youth field improvements at Columbus and introduced an ordinance approving a cooperative agreement with the Downey Unified School District for the work on July 10, 2001. The agreement between the City and School District is for 15 years.
In other action the Council:
* Approved an agreement with Caltrans for further study of the use of groundwater being pumped from beneath the I-105 Freeway.
* Approved the consent to assignment of lease property at 11190 Florence Avenue from Massey Cadillac to Sonic Automotive and the execution of an Estoppel Certificate.
* Put off any decision on an agreement with Rauch Communication Consultants for the development of a groundwater use program in the West and Central Basins to the next meeting.
* Set a public hearing for a proposed shared-use parking agreement between 8206 Firestone Blvd. (Downey Billiards), 8222 Firestone (Redzone), and 8224 Firestone (Net Electronics).
* Approved the removal of an item from "tabled" status on a request for zone change for property at 11221 Paramount Blvd. (owner, the estate of James Ferber), from C-3 and M-1 (Central Business District and Light Manufacturing) to C-3 (Central Business District), and referred the request to the Planning Commission.
* Appointed Mike Monaco to the Cable TV Citizens Advisory Committee.
* Expressed opposition to Senate Bill 1664, which would amend the number of members on the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River Mountain Conservancy.
* Approved the destruction of certain obsolete Police Department documents.
* Approved a final subdivision map for 7945 and 7951 Stewart and Gray Road.
* Approved the installation of a stop sign on Eglise Avenue at Gotham Street and declared Gotham a through street.
* Adopted an ordinance approving a Specific Plan for property at 12214 Lakewood Boulevard (Owner City of Downey), applicant Downey Landing LLC/Kaiser Permanente, to guide the development of the 160-acre former NASA property.
* Heard an administrative report and then approved the closure of Brookshire Avenue May 4 for the Downey Street Fair.
* Approved the execution of a professional service agreement with Nascimento Engineering Corp. for preliminary engineering work on the Lakewood Boulevard Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $312,383.
* Approved a cash contract for traffic signal conversion city-wide to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) at a cost of $25,643.
* Approved a cash contract for improvements and a skate park and tennis center at Independence Park and granted authority to advertise for bidders.
* Approved an amended contract with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants for Water Engineering Services in the area of water system improvements, water quality, and regulations impacting water systems.
* Approved appointments to the General Plan Review Committee. These included Stella Machado from District 1; Mary Lou Trevis, District 2; Harold Tseklenis, District 3; Carol Winningham, District 4; and George Redfox, District 5.
* Approved the extension of an agreement for professional planning services with Hogle-Ireland.
* Set a hearing for April 9 on Kaiser Permanente's application for California Statewide Communities Development Authority for Tax Exempting Financing.
* Presented the Mayor's Soaring Eagle Award to Desi Gutierrez, junior civil engineer.
Mayor Meredith Perkins told them that the investigations already under way have been joined by a federal probe being undertaken by the FBI.
During Council's closing comments, Mayor Perkins said the Martinez protesters would be allowed to hold a demonstration march planned for April 20, from the place where the shooting occurred to City Hall.
Councilman Kirk Cartozian said he had heard complaints of dim lighting at Golden Park, and asked that staff look into it. He also said the Chamber of Commerce has requested "no skateboarding" signs be posted downtown. And he noted the Gangs Out of Downey luncheon Wednesday.
Councilman Richard Trejo said he had been pleased to accompany J.R. Redmond, running back for the NFL World Champion New England Patriots, on a tour of Downey High School. Redmond's message to students is to study hard and stay in school. On another matter, Trejo expressed concern over recent Downey Junior Athletic Association games in which different age groups played each other. And he closed by wishing all a Happy Easter.
Councilman Bob Winningham said he and other members of Downey's Council had enjoyed attending a recent Norwalk City Council Installation. And he also said he enjoyed the recent Chamber-sponsored City Employee Recognition Luncheon.
Councilman Keith McCarthy said he had testified at a recent State Water hearing of a city appeal of costly runoff regulations which may prove ruinous unless they are softened.
The next public meeting of the City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
Included on the list are: Desiree Wilson, Downey Retirement Center, April 2; Chris Roth, World Financial Group, April 9; Fionnuala Anderson, Western States Glass, April 16; Greg Hafen, World Financial Group, April 23; and Budson Ellsworth, Healthy Horizons, April 30.
May speakers are: Barbara Briley Beard, Pro Networkers, May 7; Joe Keays, Downey Plumbing and Heating, May 14; John Lacey, Crystal Properties, May 21; and Sally Soto, Countrywide Home Loans, May 28.
Chamber members and guests meet weekly to network, exchange leads, and promote their individual business services and products. Complimentary coffee and breakfast treats are provided. For information call 923-2191.
The production has been described as a musical joyride through the jungle of the modern-day suburban mating game and is purportedly the longest-running off-Broadway musical revue.
Tickets range from $20-$45 for adults, with discounts for children, seniors, and groups of 12 or more.
For information, call 430-2324.
Each year the Guild offers the luncheon to help acquaint the community of its works and to gather new members. Pre-lunch activities will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. with the lunch starting at noon. There will be door prizes. A musical program will be offered at 1 p.m. featuring the Wilson Piano Quartet, whose members play piano, violin, cello and viola.
Reservations for the event are $25 per person. Invitations will be mailed to members shortly after April 5. Reservations must be made by May 10. Checks should be made payable to the Downey Symphony Guild, and sent care/of Marie Eckstrom, 9700 Garnish Dr., Downey 869-2120.
Guild memberships are available at $30 for individuals or $40 for couples. The Symphony Guild sponsors the Music in the Schools program and helps sustain the Downey Symphony Orchestra.
Gary Soto has written over 15 children books including picture books and chapter books that are set in Mexican American communities and 10 poetry collections for adults. He has won numerous awards including the National Book Award and the L.A. Times Book Award. His volumes have sold over one million copies. As a poet he is one of the youngest to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. Among his most popular children picture books are Too Many Tamales and Big Bushy Mustache.
Families are invited to attend the presentation in which he will address the writing process, how to become a writer, his experience growing up in a Mexican American community and how to become a success. Soto will be available to sign books and will have a variety of books for purchase.
"Those that attend will get an insider's view of a publisher-writer and the value of books and reading in their lives," said Jan Palen, senior librarian. She adds that Soto is an appropriate speaker because he is a California writer and he incorporates cultural diversity and values of family in his writing.
National Library Week, April 14-20, was begun in 1958 by the American Library Association to celebrate the contributions of the nation's libraries and librarians. The library will have various other activities that week such as "Preschool Storytime," featuring Mayor Meredith Perkins on Tuesday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Registration is required for the presentation by Gary Soto. For information or to sign up for this free event, stop by the Reference/Adult Information Desk at the library or call 904-7360, ext. 32.
Music Director Thomas Osborn led the Symphony Quintet in the music program's kick-off performance for 2002 at Gallatin Elementary School Feb. 19.
The Quintet has a full schedule of appearances at local schools through the academic year. Parents and relatives who would like to attend the mini-concerts may make arrangements by contacting their child's school directly.
In addition to the Quintet's visits to the elementary schools, the Downey Quartet performs at the middle schools. The third grade theater concert and the mid-August concert in Furman Park round out the educational outreach program.
This year's Music in the Schools is dedicated to the memory of C. Larry Hoag, who directly and through the C. Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation generously supported the Society and Music in the Schools.
For more information, call Harold Tseklenis at 928-8967 or Jerry Elicks at 862-4075.
DeBord is director of Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center's dental clinic for severely-disabled persons. She is being recognized for her 16 years of dedicated leadership and her commitment to cost-effective and quality care at the Center.
The Port of Long Beach will be honored for many years of support for the activities of Rancho Los Amigos and the Foundation.
The traditionally glittering black-tie affair includes a champagne reception and silent auction, as well as a live auction conducted by the evening emcee, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe. Proceeds of the event will benefit the patients and programs at Rancho Los Amigos.
For tickets and more information, call the Foundation's Glenn Maddalon, 401-7053.
"Camp Wilderness," will be held at Wilderness Park for children ages 6-10. "Spring Adventure Camp," held at Wilderness Park and is for children ages 11-12. Both camps will offer activities such as: arts/crafts, cooking, games, skits, an excursion and social, interactive activities. "Sports Camp," at Apollo Park is for youngsters ages 8-12. This camp will offer children a variety of sports such as: volleyball, basketball, soccer and baseball/softball.
Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and extended camp hours are 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Camp fees are $50 per child and $45 for each additional family member. Extended camp fees are $25 for the first child in a family and $20 for each additional family member. Fees will cover materials, supplies, supervision, lunch beverage and snack and an excursion to Knott's Berry Farm. Campers must bring their own lunch.
"Children really like these camps because they meet new friends and have fun" said Sheila Nichols, recreations supervisor of Community Services.
Registration is at the Community Services Department, located on the second floor of City Hall. For information, call Sheila Nichols at 904-7238.
After lunch and a little shopping at Ports O' Call Village in San Pedro, the group will return to the Banning residence for another tour. Lunch is not included. It is suggested that you plan on spending $7-$14 at the Ports O'Call Restaurant, or carrying a sack lunch (snacks are also available along the shore).
The group will meet at the south end of Apollo Park in the parking lot at 10:45 a.m. and return at about 5 p.m. Cost of the trip is $15, which includes all transportation and tour fee at the Banning residence. Send your check to the Downey Historical Society, P.O. Box 554, or bring it to the History Center in Apollo Park between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on any Wednesday and Thursday before April 15. For more information, call 862-2777 or 927-5255.