Slinging cash
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, the Signal Hill Police Department held its second annual Tip-A-Cop event at Applebee’s. The purpose of the Tip-A-Cop event was to raise funds and build awareness for the local Special Olympics athletes. Police officers and other department staff worked alongside Applebee’s servers to provide a memorable evening and exceptional service for the diners. In return, diners could choose to donate their tips to the Special Olympics. The goal of the evening was to raise $2,500. After all the donations were received, diners had given donations totaling $4,400 toward Special Olympics. It was a great night for everyone who came out and enjoyed an evening together supporting this great organization.
Brian Leyn
Administrative Lieutenant
Signal Hill Police Department
Unsung heroes of the sea
I read the fine story yesterday by Denny Cristales about the Battleship Iowa [“A symbol of the American spirit,” Nov. 11, 2016] and thought you might like to know about Bob Despain, who grew up in Signal Hill.
I had the good fortune to meet Bob several months ago when I designed a solar system for his home. At first, he was a little off-putting as he glared and peppered me with a fusillade of questions. Then I asked him about all the Navy ribbons on the wall and the USS Iowa cap he wore. The glare turned to a sparkle, and he began telling me about the 17-year-old boy who survived the battle off Samar and the sinking of his ship, the USS Hoel. The Hoel sank with over 40 holes in her from the fleet of over 20 Japanese warships, including the battleship Yamato, that she and a few other small American destroyers ferociously fought off in defense of their sitting-duck convoy of American carriers. The tale is brilliantly illustrated in the book The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, and Bob, whose name and photo are in it, may sign a copy for you, as he did for my son. All you have to do is visit the Battleship Iowa any Saturday or Sunday and ask for Bob, who works there.
There aren’t many of these heroes left who did so much to defeat fascism and imperialism. If it were not for them, my son, whose mother’s birth country of Cambodia was occupied by Imperial Japan, would not be here today.
We owe them a lot for things most of us don’t even know about.
Todd Fanady
Signal Hill
Holy evasion, Batman!
I have lived in Signal Hill since 2003. I have a story and hope you can help give it a happy ending.
A few animal lovers in the area and myself would like your help in saving a dog’s life.
For over a month a black, small dog (breed unknown) has been living inside the Enterprise Rental Car lot located on the corner of Cherry and Wardlow Road. We have made several efforts to trap this dog because we would love to find it a home. Animal Control has made some efforts as well, to no avail, to catch him. Our efforts to trap this dog, whose name is Batman (yes, we named him), for some time centered around the Enterprise customer parking lot, since we are prohibited from entering the larger lot where rental cars are kept. However, about two weeks ago we were asked to leave the premises by an angry supervisor who said she had to look out for the safety of the cars on premises.
Since then we have focused our efforts to trap Batman from a different location. This new location is at the rear of the lot, completely off the Enterprise lot, close to Boeing property. Though we have come close to catching Batman, we have had no success. Batman continues to run into the Enterprise lot. Employees at Enterprise, as well as the owner of a car wash next door to Enterprise, have told us that they continuously see Batman roaming the area during the day looking for food.
Please, please, please help us. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Lupe Contreras-Shaw
Signal Hill
Ed. note: Those who would like to offer assistance may reach Contreras-Shaw’s friend Rosie Hill at (310) 890-6005.
