Future police in training?

As I've blogged about for the last few days, there was a lot of bustle in downtown Downey on Saturday morning. But this scene, just as I was leaving, was more about hustle.

These kids are members of the Downey Police  Department's Explorer program. The program provides a way for local high school students to contribute to the community while exploring law enforcement as a career. The Explorers typically meet on Saturday mornings. Here, they are wrapping up their morning with some physical training.

Under construction

The front window of the Stay Gallery in downtown Downey reflects the bustle both inside and out. The reflection shows the busy new Downey Gateway food court across the street.

And the words give a hint of the bustle on the inside, where construction is progressing, including a custom-made spiral staircase that leads to the new loft.

Where comfort is king

Have you ever wondered about the small businesses that line Downey Avenue in downtown Downey? With the shopping mall a couple of miles away, and "downtown" no longer the commercial center it once was, how do these small shops stay busy?

Well, all the increased bustle in downtown Downey is benefiting these small businesses. Emery Sipos, owner of the family-owned E & E Orthocraft "The Foot Comfort Center" shoe store, has been in the shoe business since 1985—for 15 years here on Downey Avenue. He says that business has been picking up with the increased foot traffic downtown.

The shoes (men's and women's) are cute—stop by sometime and check them out, and say "hi" to Mr. Sipos.

In the "small world" department, it turns out that Mr. Sipos's daughter and DDP blogger Allison used to sing together in the Downey High School jazz choir.

Bustling downtown

Downtown Downey was bustling with activity this Saturday morning.

Let's start at the farmer's market. When you think about a farmer's market, you usually think about fruits and veggies and eggs. And as you can see below, there were a lot of those being sold.

But on the other side of the street, there are the prepared-food vendors, where I picked up some of my favorite coffeecake from the Tropicana stall. And at the end of the street, the ladies above were enjoying an early lunch from (I think) the Greek food stall.

More about the bustle tomorrow...

Secret garden

Do you ever wonder about what's beyond the gate? I so want to think there is a secret garden, or maybe a rabbit's hole to another land.

Every house has a story

I was out looking for some pictures the other day and saw these bunnies. I couldn't pull over right away because of a car behind me so I had to go around the block. When I got back on the bunny street I wasn't sure which house they were at so I parked the car and started up the sidewalk. At each house I passed I didn't find the bunnies, but I found something worth photographing. It reminded me of what my wife always says, "Every person has a story." Today I saw that, "every house has a story."

So for today I'll show you the bunny house, they're hiding, and the wishing well house, notice the missing bricks. I'll save the others for another day.

Have you written down your story?

Imagine the possibilities

Last week we looked at several vacant buildings here in Downey. We showed how they can invite non-owners to use the property for purposes other than what the owner had intended.

Today I wanted to show you that a vacant building can be changed into a beautiful place of business given the right person with a little imagination. Uyuky is just such a person. She has taken an empty shell of a building and transformed it into an inviting retreat.

The POSH hair and makeup studio is lined with comfortable chairs for its customers and a makeup studio complete with right angle mirrors.

"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea."
~Francis Bacon

A quiet moment

I spent some time at this "pond" on Sunday. It was beautiful and peaceful. There were hundreds of dragonflies of different colors buzzing around the lily pads and bees making themselves at home.

It was also dinnertime for the koi fish living here. Koi are such interesting-looking fish. According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would become transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, the koi became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.

It reminded me of a koi experience we had years ago on vacation. A koi was plucked out of a pond by a bird. The koi struggled so much the bird dropped him on the ground, right in front of my daughter. She didn't hesitate for a minute. She scooped up the koi and tossed him over a hedge that separated us from the pond. Hearing the splash of him landing in the water, we were sure he was some amazing fighting koi.