Bye, Bye, Bye Bakers Square

One of my first official jobs was working as a waitress at Bakers Square Restaurant located at Paramount Boulevard and Imperial Highway in Downey. For more than three years, I served plate after plate of homestyle-cooked food to customers who faithfully frequented the restaurant for their favorite dishes, and of course, pie.

Unfortunately, the restaurant is closing after more than 20 years of serving Downey. I'm not too sure as to the reasons behind the closure, but I can only assume that it has everything to do with our nation's dwindling economy.

This may sound really corny, but the thought of the restaurant closing makes me sad. I spent many hours there and not only built longlasting friendships with those I worked with, but also with those who ate there. I loved being a waitress and my experiences at Bakers Square have proved helpful in many aspects of my life, escpecially when it comes to providing excellent customer service.

There are so many memories to choose from when I reflect on my time at the restaurant but the one that stands out the most is that of my very last day. Believe it or not, my last day at Bakers Square was pretty emotional...I guess I didn't realize how attached I was to my job. My shift began with my family surprising me with a goodbye party and as the evening continued, numerous co-workers and customers (all of whom knew I was leaving) came into the restaurant to say their goodbyes and show their gratitude with cards and small gifts. I not only felt appreciated, but also very loved. I ended the night with one last walk-through of the restaurant because it would be the last time I would be known as "Brooke, the Bakers Square waitress."

I left the restaurant simply because I was offered a phenomenal job at the Downey YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor, but never have I had so much fun at a job and never have I been so sad to leave a job.

Bakers Square may not be Johnie's Broiler, but it was still a favorite amongst those in Downey and definitely a treasure chest of memories for myself and those who have worked there.

~Brooke

RIP San Pedro Magazine

In yet another sign of the times, the Press-Telegram has ceased publication of San Pedro Magazine and laid off its editor, Josh Stecker.

For more than seven years, local advertisers have faithfully supported the magazine, but the publication was a cost the Press-Telegram just couldn't afford.

"I want to be very clear that my parting from the Press-Telegram was an amicable one," Stecker stated in a release. "The situation that unfolded this past week was due to the incredible hardships facing the newspaper industry as a whole. I do not envy those in charge at the Press-Telegram, they have a huge mountain to climb and have to deal with a huge corporation that has completely lost focus of what it means to produce a quality local newspaper for the community. It's sad, really. Newspapers are dying, but magazines are alive and kicking."

Stecker may no longer be employed by the Press-Telegram, but that's not stopping him from producing a new, independently owned and operated monthly magazine for his hometown of San Pedro.

"Premiering the week of January 5, 2009, San Pedro Today will have the same great 30,000-copy circulation (still the largest circulation publication in San Pedro), free delivery to homes and condos, the beautiful glossy cover, and include all the great columnists and contributors who helped make the former publication the success it was," he announced. "I'm taking the best parts of what made San Pedro Magazine great and enhancing it with all the features I wanted to do but could never get done working for my former corporation."

I have only been working with Stecker for a few months now, but he is truly a person who is passionate about what he does. I was sad when I heard of his departure from the Press-Telegram, but was confident that the situation would not hold him back, but rather motivate him to continue to produce a quality publication for the city of San Pedro.

Thank you to all of the advertisers who have jumped onboard by continuing to give of their advertising dollars. We hope to serve you in the very same way you serve us.

~Brooke

DowneyConnect

For those living in Downey, you may have seen a new magazine called DowneyConnect, a free publication that features and highlights a variety of businesses, organizations and people throughout the city.

I met with Luis Sanchez, the magazine's publisher and editor, more than a month ago and he and I are partnering up to make the publication a successful one. We are working hard to provide the latest stories and advertising offers in each and every issue. The magazine comes out every two months and the current issue features the Columbia Memorial Space Center, scheduled to open January 31, 2009. Click here to read all about it.

The magazine may only consist of a few pages now, but our goal is to constantly expand the content of our publication to connect Downey residents to the best of the city's entertainment, shopping, dining, and even real estate.

If you get a chance, check out our Web site, http://www.downeyconnect.com/, or pick up a copy at one of our many drop-off points, including Albertsons, Ralphs, CVS Pharmacy, Bally Total Fitness and Blockbuster.

For more information on DowneyConnect, or if interested in advertising or sharing a story idea, call us at (800) 450-8564.

~Brooke

Elephant in the Room

'Tis the season for Secret Santas, office holiday parties, and the oh so classic Ugly Sweater/White Elephant Christmas Party.

I have gone to my share of White Elephant gift exchanges and every year, they seem to get more and more..."creative." For those not familiar with the term "White Elephant," it simply means a gag gift exchange. Finding a gift for this type of exchange is a no-brainer; just simply stop by your nearest 99-Cents Only Store or dig through your closet and drawers to find something you can throw in a bag. The gifts are supposed to be cheap, funny and memorable.

This year, I attended a White Elephant Gift Exchange being held for the youth at Florence Avenue Foursquare Church, and let me say, high schoolers know how to pull off a good White Elephant.

Gifts this year ranged from [the most coveted] tattered leather boxing gloves, to annointing oil, to a bag full of used kitchen utensils. But the gifts that demanded the spotlight were a Jesus action figure (which glided across a surface once wound) and a George W. Bush Voodoo Doll (which said, "Stick it to him like he's been sticking to you!"). Now, the doll wasn't that funny on its own, but it was hilarious how it ended up in the hands of one of the most conservative high schoolers I know. He was lighthearted about it and got a good laugh, but the gift was left behind. Shocking, I know.

We were all supposed to wear ugly sweaters as well, but I got rid of those back in the 90's.

~Brooke

Cover Girl

I have been freelancing for San Pedro Magazine for a few months now, and I'm excited to announce that this month's issue highlights my feature of the Point Fermin Lighthouse as the cover story.

I visited the lighthouse a few weeks ago and while there, I was given a tour of the beautiful structure by the Point Fermin Lighthouse Society, who also provided me with the lighthouse's extensive history. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of the view, one of which I posted on my blog the next day.

I would like to thank the Society for allowing me full access to the lighthouse - the Society works extensively at raising funds and keeping the lighthouse up and running. For those who have never been, it truly is one of Southern California's gems and I hope you would take the time to visit and learn about the very lighthouse that guided so many into the Los Angeles Harbor.

~Brooke

You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

I graduated from Warren High School in 2002 and the four years I spent in high school were more than memorable, mainly because of my involvement in the girls basketball program.

Playing basketball throughout high school was a challenge, as I tried to balance grades, work, volunteer service, and other extracurricular activities. But being a part of a team not only gave me something to do, but it kept me in shape and introduced me to some of the most infuencial people in my life. I will never forget the numerous memories - both good and bad - that came from my time with my coaches and teammates (pictured above).

Every year, the girls basketball program hosts a fundraiser that invites alumni to return to the court in a game against the school's current varsity team. I have played in a few of the alumni games over the years with this year being one of them.

I didn't go on to play college basketball so the only time I spend on the court nowadays is with my brother at the park or for my church's basketball league. So needless to say, I knew last Wednesday night was going to be interesting.

The game, which I consider to be more like a scrimmage, was fun and well, tiring. We had about 15 alumni return to play, many of which had graduated this year and last. There were a few girls from 2002 and one from the class of 1995. The game was the first for this year's varisty team and although they needed to take it seriously, I think they took it too seriously. I mean come on, did they really think we were going to win?

We didn't win, but the margin of loss was the closest I've seen it in the years I've played. I had a couple of good defensive plays and walked away with a nice bruise on my left knee. All in all, it was a great night - we got to play with some of our teammates, talk with some of the varsity players, and raise some money for the program!

~Brooke