Perceived reality

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is located here in Downey. It is located in several buildings once owned by Rockwell and Boeing, who even left several satellite dishes. One is about 20 feet across.

LACOE serves the citizens of Los Angeles County by helping the public school districts follow the educational laws of California. Another function it fulfills is to distribute federal funds for Head Start programs. The responsibility of dispersing these funds carries with it the responsibility of making sure that the funds are being used in the best interest of the children.

There are multiple organizations that LACOE funds with the Head Start monies. It tracks the progress of each of these organizations for adherence to federal standards. When an organization falls below the federal standards, LACOE assists them to improve their processes. If they do not improve within three years, they are released from the program and another organization is found to replace them. The children will probably never know there was a change unless they get a new teacher.

This group outside of LACOE's main building is protesting LACOE's decision to cancel the organization's funding. The organization got the parents and children to protest based on the assumption that the Head Start program their children were involved in was being cancelled. But only the provider of Head Start programs was being changed. Not the program itself. And it should improve.

What's in a name?

20th Century Insurance was founded in 1958 by Louis W. Foster. Did he think about the name becoming obsolete at the turn of the century?

Now, the company is called 21 Century Insurance (and is owned by Farmer's Insurance). And this building is just another office building with space to rent.

Surrounded by destruction

Well, the old Gallatin Medical facility has been completely destroyed, down to ground level and piles of rubble. Imagine my surprise when I discovered one building left. Apparently this orthodontist office was never part of Gallatin.

I hope they kept up that big smile while they watched and listened to everything coming down around them.

The tiny building at the tip of the red arrow is the only building left standing
on this large area of land.

All in a day's work

Some LACOE employees have worked for the company for over 40 years. LACOE is required to keep all records for all employees even after they retire in case there are any changes needed. Older records are sent to Record Retention for storage, others are kept in boxes close to the working area.



And some are kept on people’s desk.