AS3 sending input to a method

[As3272]

hi I am new with ActionScript 3, trying to apply a few things I have done in C++.
Does anyone know where I can find examples of event handling inside of a class method?
Specifically how to call that method and send the event parameter to the method..

heres my package / class (BTW I am just trying to make a circle move around when you press the arrow keys)

package {

import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.*;

public class Hero extends MovieClip {

var xV = 0; // x Velocity
var yV = 0; // y Velocity

public function Hero(){}

public function MoveIt()
{
this.x += xV;
this.y += yV;

}

public function handleKeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent)
{
switch(event.keyCode)
{
case 38: --yV; break;
case 40: ++yV; break;
case 37: --xV; break;
case 39: ++xV; break;
default: break;
}
}


public function handleKeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent)
{
switch(event.keyCode)
{
case 38: ++yV; break;
case 40: --yV; break;
case 37: ++xV; break;
case 39: --xV; break;
default: break;
}
}


}

}



and here is where I am stuck / getting errors.. not knowing how to use this stuff inside of the timeline:

var newHero:Hero = new Hero();
this.addChild(newHero);
newHero.x = 300;
newHero.y = 200;

stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN, newHero.handleKeyDown());




I can't figure out how to get the event passed into HandleKeyDown()