Honor for Young Scientist

Robert Jones of Compton will be honored at a luncheon today as the 1987 national gold medalist in the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO, as it is called, is a project of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People to support black youths in developing excellence in academic and cultural pursuits. Jones is a senior student at King-Drew Medical Magnet High School and won his gold medal for a chemistry research project about ailments inherited from parents or grandparents. He also is working on a science fair proposal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with funds from a minority biomedical research grant at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

The luncheon at the Sheraton Grande Hotel in Los Angeles is being presented by Digital Equipment Corp. and the community interface program of Rockwell International. Curtis Graves, deputy director of civil affairs for NASA, will speak.

Walkin’ Willie Off to Capital

William Croker of Hawaiian Gardens stepped off on another trek Tuesday on behalf of cancer research. He got a send-off from county officials and American Cancer Society leaders at the Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles, accompanied by music by the Long Beach Jordan High School jazz band. Then, clad in a blue jogging suit, Walkin’ Willie left on foot for Sacramento. He expects to arrive there April 18, the start of Cancer Awareness Week. Since three members of his family have died of cancer, Croker, 40, says he has dedicated his life to raising public awareness and to helping find a cure for the disease. He walked across the nation last year and in 1975 walked from his home to Las Vegas.

Honor for Retiring Mayor

The City of Commerce will honor retiring Mayor Michael V. Guerra with a golf tournament and dinner March 31. Guerra, 75, a retired chiropractor, is stepping down from the City Council after 16 years as an elected official, including four years as mayor. He has been a resident of Commerce since 1950, which is 10 years longer than the city has been incorporated. Mayor Guerra Day will begin with registration at 9 a.m. and tee-off at 10 for the golf tournament at the Montebello Country Club. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. at Stevens Steak House in Commerce.

Public Access TV Facilitator

Long Beach public access television has added Peter Sears to its staff. He previously was programming director for a cable TV service in Arlington, Va. As public access facilitator, Sears’ major goal will be to inform the public of the availability of public access programming and to provide technical assistance to video producers. Public access, a result of the franchise agreement between the city and Simmons Cable, offers free workshops for Long Beach residents to learn basic skills of television production.

Winners of Art Guild Show

The Lakewood Artist Guild has announced the winners of its annual membership arts and crafts show. In traditional art, Lorraine Harris won first place; Betty Flint, second place, and Mary Cummings, third place. Winning designers of contemporary art are Linda Gunn, first place; Judith Brody, second place; and Carleton Kelley, third place. In the crafts category, awards went to Carol Ieradi, first place; Pat Dearring, second place; and David Salazar, third place. Master artist winners were Chuck Hammond and Jean Madueno.

18 Named to ‘Who’s Who’

Eighteen Cerritos College students have been named for inclusion in this year’s edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.” Those chosen for their academic records, leadership abilities and school achievements are Tina Adele, David Carpenter, Robert Cottrell, Melissa Drayer, Kenneth Fewer, Wendy Harris, Allen Holland, Vernon Johnson, Danielle Kessenich, Alex Macksoud III, brothers Daric and Darin Manser, Kevin Maudlin, Ed McGinn, Mark McKernan, Robert Pence, Sandy Rajyagor and Al Reyes.

Teacher to Mark 50 Years

Lois Stokes, a Sunday school teacher at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Long Beach, has marked nearly 50 years of continuous service in her volunteer position. She has taught classes for children ages 3 to 12 without a break or a substitute. Stokes, 77, is retired from the dressmaking business. She is the mother of 7 children, and has 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Stokes also was a Cub Scout den mother for 10 years, and has for 20 years been a Boy Scout merit badge counselor in citizenship and genealogy.

Alcoholism Work Honored

Robert Ward of Long Beach was selected by the state Advisory Board on Alcohol-Related Problems to receive the Robert W. Wetzel Award for his work in public relations and publicizing the needs of disabled people who have alcohol problems. Ward is Supervisor Deane Dana’s appointee to the Los Angeles County Commission on Alcoholism.