Saturday, March 28, 2009
Gals and Guys SHINE Bright during Artesia-Cerritos Woman's Club Annual Fashion Show!
What a BEAUTIFUL event today at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. KUDOS to the Artesia-Cerritos Woman's Club for the BEST Fashion Show EVER!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Cerritos City Council to take action on Commission Roles, and what to do about our Rose Float! My take....
COMMISSION PLAN:
The Plan to change the Cerritos commission structure has been debated for the past couple of months.
This plan needs to be defeated by the Cerritos City Council.
If IT AIN'T BROKEN....IT DON'T NEED FIXIN!
Sure, we all need to tighten our belts during these hard financial times. But, lets not throw the baby out with the bath water. We should actually create MORE Committees and Commissions here in CERRITOS, not ELIMINATE them.
Cerritos needs MORE community members to be engaged, empowered, and INVOLVED. The backbone of our community is The People. Not just 5 or 10 or 20 people, but 55,000 people who love Cerritos.
We need to establish a Senior Citizens Commission.
We need to establish a "Human Relations Commission" that out reaches to those with special needs, and to engage our "at risk youth."
We need MORE voices and MORE people to help make our community more caring and compassionate.
This Commission "restructuring plan" was devised by Councilman Joseph Cho and his "brain" trust (Parks Commissioner) Alon Barlevy. It is full of flaws, and needs to be defeated. I hope the Cerritos City Council sees this Proposal for what it is, and for WHAT it IS NOT!
EVERYONE who cares about GOOD Government BY and FOR ALL PEOPLE should speak out against this rotten plan.
ROSE PARADE?
How is the BEST way to get Cerritos down Colorado Boulevard without costing taxpayers a single Dime?
Also to be debated, is HOW and IF the City of Cerritos should be invovled with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.
I believe the time has come that the community needs to oversee this Project, NOT the City Council.
This must become a true "community project" by and for the community. I recognize the importance of participating in this annual iconic All-American event that is seen by literally BILLIONS of PEOPLE all over the WORLD.
For too long, the Rose Parade Float has been a "pet project" by and FOR the Cerritos City Council.
I support allowing the People of Cerritos, and our Business leaders to fund, coordinate, and plan this ENTIRE project.
We have tons of creative people here in Cerritos, and I think WE can handle this project with GUSTO. By allowing the "People" to coordinate this project, the better our COMMUNITY will be ENGAGED in promoting Cerritos to the World....without costing the taxpayers A DIME.
See you at the People's Podium tonight! What are your thoughts? Write me at Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com@gmail.com
Randy Economy
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Adele STEALS the SHOW on Dancing With The Stars! Richards is OUT, The Woz LIVES to Dance ANOTHER Day!
Now for something TOTALLY not on the recent election scandal over at Norwalk City Hall.
Tonight was Go Home-See Ya and Don't Let The Door Hit You In The Behind Night for Denise Richards on Dancing With The Stars.
In my opine, the HOT performance of the night was from my new fav singer Adele, singing her Grammy Award Winning song "Chasing Pavements." The two sultry stars dancing here in this number is Alec and Edyta Sliwinska.
Get outta da' way, Cloris, Steve is my hero. Dance on Woz!
Randy Economy
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Barack-A-Bowl-Brew-Ha-Ha: Special Olympic Champ to Obama -- "Get a NEW BALL!"
Randy Economy
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Outrage over the AIG Screw Up: Start Explain' Obama on WHY you gave these Crooks BILLIONS
Kids, that's One Hundred Seventy Eight Billion Dollars...to ONE company. One crooked, greedy company.
AIG Execs are all laughing in the face of Obama this week...all the way to the bank.
How much was paid to AIG execs this week in the name of a "sound economic recovery plan?" Let's see. Hummm? $200,000,000.00 was given to top AIG execs in "bonuses."
President Barack Obama is going to be in Southern California today.
I hope EVERY single person at his "Town Hall Meeting" at the Orange County Fair Ground asks him over and over again why he was so quick to line the pockets of those CROOKS at AIG.
No more give aways for AIG. Let's THINK how to build a BETTER ECONOMIC SYSTEM. We can do better....we CAN'T do worse...or can we?
No more free money to these crooked Wall Street Fat Cats.
No more. None.
It's time for a Revolt here in America against Corporate Greed.
The Chairman of AIG needs to be brought up on Fraud charges.
Follow-Up:
After watching President Obama in Orange County today, he totally lacked "rage" over the AIG Pay-Off. He said he takes "full responsibility" for the situation, but this smells rotten to me.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HOLY GREAT DISCOVERY: The Story behind how I preserved the History of Norwalk for Generations to enjoy!
As you may recall, my house suffered a fire last June 15th, 2008. Everything in my garage was lost to the blaze. Remarkably in the ash and trash, I found this tattered article about the history book I wrote in 1983 on Norwalk, California.
From fire comes Blessings, and this FIND was literally a true MIRACLE!
Here's a little background:
I was hired as the Public Information Officer for the City of Norwalk in 1982 when I was 22 years old. At the time, I was the youngest Municipal Public Information Officer in California, according to the California Association of Public Information Officers.
Prior to joining the City of Norwalk, I was the City Editor of the Norwalk Herald American, where I was responsible for the editing, writing and producing a twice weekly newspaper to Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier and Los Nietos. We had more than 80,000 weekly readers, way back before the invention of the Internet.
As the Norwalk Public Information, one of my first jobs, was to embark on writing, editing, and composing a 144-page pictorial history book on Norwalk's rich past.
I worked closely with former Norwalk Mayor Margaret I. "Peg" Nelson on the project. It was a true labor of love, and one that I will always cherish.
I only had a budget of $25,000.00 to complete the entire project. Now a days, cities in our area will spend OVER $25,000.00 EACH month to print ONE city newsletter. Since this original printing, the City of Norwalk has reprinted literally thousands of these local "history" books.
The above article was written by Southeast News Reporter Mark Higgins, and the date of the article appeared May 6, 1983. Click BOTH articles to see larger. Hey, Mark, if you happen to stumble upon my blog, drop me a note at RREconomy@aol.com.
The History of Norwalk, California is amazing. Did you know that Norwalk use to have an airport, was the home to California's largest ostrich farm; and was the "halfway point" between Los Angeles and Anaheim in the late 1890's for stagecoaches.
It also was the located of film many major motion pictures including "The Postman Always Rings Twice" with Lana Turner and John Garfield....
...and also hosted a major celebrity charity concert at Excelsior High School Auditorium with the legendary Jayne Mansfield and her husband Mickey Hargitty (seen with former Norwalk Mayor Demy Apodaca and his wife, Genevive backstage) .
Norwalk was also the site of one of Los Angeles County's worst air disasters when in 1958 a huge four engine Air Force Transport Plane collided with a sleek twin-engine Navy Anti-Submarine Bomber. More than 50 people lost their life in the horrific crash, and more than 250,000 people invaded the sleepy Norwalk community on the day after the crash occurred.
I am STILL proud of this book that has helped literally thousands of children in Norwalk learn about the history of their community.
Make sure you click BOTH the TOP and BOTTOM news clips in order to read.
Monday, March 16, 2009
President Obama visits Long Beach, Costa Mesa and Pomona this Wednesday. Here's the scoop!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House today announced that President Barack Obama will make stops in California on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, President Obama will hold a town hall meeting in Costa Mesa followed by a tour of the Edison International Vehicle Electrics Plant in Pomona, CA on Thursday. Please note media must RSVP by 5:00 PM EST TODAY for the Costa Mesa town hall meeting. President Obama’s tour on Thursday is pool press only. See below for logistical details and RSVP information.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
Long Beach, CA → Orange County, CA
Long Beach, CA
AIR FORCE ONE ARRIVAL
Long Beach Airport
4100 Donald Douglas Drive
Long Beach, CA 90808
All media wishing to cover the President’s arrival on Air Force One must meet at the check-in location separate from the physical airport location by 12:00 NOON PST. All media will need all equipment for coverage at that time, and all equipment will be subject to search.
Media Access: 12:00 PM (All media must arrive by noon. Media who arrive late will NOT have access to cover the Air Force One arrival.)
**Media Check In: Long Beach Fire Department, 3205 Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach, CA (Note media will not meet at the physical airport, but will instead meet at the Fire Station to be swept and caravan to the site.)
Air Force One Scheduled Arrival: 3:00 PM
Throw: 200 ft.
Cable run: 500 ft.
Live truck parking: Directed on site. All live trucks must meet at the media check in location by 12:00 PM
Media Coverage: The event is open to the press. For credentials, please email media_affairs@who.eop.gov. All media must RSVP by 5:00 PM EST Monday, March 16. All names submitted for credentials must be accurate and reflect the identification media presents to obtain a credential on site.
Orange County, CA TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA OC Fair and Event Center Building
1288 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Media Pre-set: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (Equipment must be dropped at the site by 10:00 AM; media will not have access to the site from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.) Media Access/Gates Open: 1:30 PM Program Begins: 4:00 PM Throw: 60 ft. Cable Run: 500 ft. Live Truck Parking: Live trucks ONLY should enter from Arlington Drive into Gate 4 and proceed to the Green Gate to drive to the Main Mall. Parking will be directed on site. Live trucks must be on site and cabled in by 10:00 AM. Media Entrance: Media should enter from Arlington Drive into Gate 8 and park in Lot I. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required and will be available at the following ticket distribution location beginning at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 17. Tickets will be limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis: OC Fair and Event Center (Enter at Gate 1 or Gate 10; Park in Lot A.) 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners permitted. The OC Fairgrounds will be charging $5/car for on-site parking. Media Coverage:
The event is open to the press. For credentials, please email media_affairs@who.eop.gov. All media must RSVP by 5:00 PM EST Monday, March 16. All names submitted for credentials must be accurate and reflect the identification media presents at the check point. THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Pomona, CA Pomona, CA PRESIDENT OBAMA TOURS ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLANT Edison International Vehicle Electrics Plant Ticketing Info: This event is not open to the public. Media Coverage: The event is POOL PRESS ONLY.
Friday, March 13, 2009
You Know You Grew Up in Cerritos When You Remember.....More Great Memories, compliments of Cerritos icon Gail Grossman!
going to the Feed store on Pioneer to buy feed for your rabbits
when you couldn't decide if you wanted Pioneer Chicken or KFC
you lined up at the ABC School District offices to sign up for Pre School classes
you remember the balloon launch at Cerritos Elementary in the rain and one balloon landed in Germany
when your parents social life from February to August was either at the Little League or Softball fields
you watched calves being born at the dairy by CPE
when you bought paints at Standard Brands
when Ralphs was Market Basket
when Liberty Park had a pig roast
when Heritage Island was built and there were no ducks
when the Cerritos Library was only one floor and only books
when Shane Mack played on the 1984 Olympic baseball team
when the Olympic Bicycle races rode by on the 91 Freeway
when Ernest Vitale and Joe Mendoza were just recreation referee for the city
Send me your Cerritos Memories to RRECONOMY@aol.com also, send me some of your OLD pics of Cerritos PAST as well. This is really been FUN walk into our cities past!
Randy Economy
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cerritos Memories: Mystery Meat at Cerritos Elementary School in the 70's
I came across your page by mistake. My friend told me about a Cerritos List. I’m waiting to hear from her. She went to Cerritos Elementary School with me.
One more memory is:
you remember eating beef and barf at Cerritos Elementary School.
BTW, your house is looking really nice! Anyway, take care and see you around!
--Dawn
"Thanks Dawn for your Memory!" Send me more to RREconomy@aol.com .
Randy
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
CERRITOS COW Memories.....These are WONDERFUL!
Here's a few more for your list.
Jay Gray!
Thanks Jay!
R
YOU KNOW YOU GREW UP IN CERRITOS WHEN YOU REMEMBER.....
gopher invasion when they began landscaping for the towne center
picking strawberries where the library/city hall now sit.
pick other
fruits and veggies around town.
waking up in the moring to find cows wandering the streets.
reading about cow thefts not auto thefts
the smell of cows, not the propane burning ones we have now
lining up along the barb wired fences, after school, to watch the cow
give birth
When students rode their bike or walked to school
When elementary schools used busses for students
Attending a new elementary school each year waiting for the elementary
school down the street to be built
when the classrooms had no walls in between classrooms
city hall in the trailer
only one stop light on 183rd between Carmenita and Bloomfield
183d was a two lane street that flooded
riding go karts and big wheels down the 183rd hill (overpass) because
there were rarely any cars on the road
The little park at 183rd/Shoemaker Ave now Guadalajara St.
the radio station & antenna that sat near where Heritage Park now sits
gas stations on nearly every corner
Uncle Tony's on Artesia Blvd. now a tofu place
Market Basket
4th of July block parties w/fireworks
When Croky's son took over the business (didn't last long after that)
did I mention the smell of cows
When trains ran on the old PE right away
motorcycle park where the sports complex now sits
Before there was a sports complex and it was just Regional Park
Parnelli Jones in the Gemco parking lot
Belly Busters (best sandwich shop ever) in the Cerritos mall
Texas tomato burger (pup 'n taco) and three hot dogs or 3 tacos for a $1
Hilton (fine dining @ CHS)
World of work building at CHS [electronics, drafting, wood shop, metal
shop, auto body/mechanics, child care, accounting]
the first library remodel, the first library computer room
George Bush Sr. made a campaign stop at Heritage Park
Pat Nixon House
Bull fights at Artesia's Portuguese Hall
The small plane pilot that threatened to crash into a home near
183/Shoemaker and had to be talked down
Weekly calls from the Sheriffs helicopter PA system telling the
motorcycle riders to leave the field (where the town center now sits)
"Teachers Pet" - Gahr/Gary Densham/Funny Car
Casa Maria (gridley across from the Cerritos mall)
Send me your Cerritos Memories to: RREconomy@aol.com
Randy
More Memories....keep em' coming!
You use to hear the train whistle from Knotts Berry Farm You know where Sutherland Lumber was
The train that ran thru Cerritos
The smell of cow manure and flies
The Model Homes at Shadow Park
Plow Boys
Riding a bike to the ocean on the San Gabriel River
First Chinese Food restaurant
Japanese Deer Park (above left)
Alligator Farm
Indian Guides
Tot Lot
Fishing in Regional Park
Big Yellow House (above right)
Thanks to Gordon for sending this in! These are GREAT....
Randy
I have joined the FACEBOOK Group: "You know you grew up in Cerritos when...." What a RIOT!
One HOT HOT Group that is a MUST JOIN is "You KNOW you GREW UP in CERRITOS WHEN...."
Here are some of the hundreds of memories posted on this Facebook Group. Check them out, and JOIN this group and be part of 1,276 others who love telling stories about our Tony/Snooty 'Hood!
Randy Economy
you bought your clothes at Chess King.
you wore karate shoes but you didn't know any martial arts.
you made a sling shot out of the patch on your Toughskins.
you went to that barn pre-school where you take naps in the hay beds.
you were absent at CJHS and the next day you had to get a “re-admit” slip and have all your teachers sign it.
you lived by the YKK zipper factory and you'd always check your zipper to see if it was a YKK.
you had Pottery Class at Gahr High School with Washington Redskin Head Coach Jim Zorn (below)
you ACTUALLY got a TOPPS Trading Card with Jim Zorn on it when he was the Seattle Seahawks QB! (Below)
Send me your memories about growing up in Cerritos to: