La Mirada NewsBites | October 2025 

Friends of La Mirada Library Book Sale Offers Bargains for a Cause

Book lovers, mark your calendars! The Friends of La Mirada Library are hosting their bi-annual Book Sale on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Blvd. Shoppers can browse a wide selection of books for children and adults, as well as DVDs and CDs, with payment options including credit card, cash, and check.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a special Bag of Books Sale from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., where you can fill a bag for just $4. Friends of the Library members get early access during a pre-sale on Friday, October 3, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Memberships can be purchased at the door for those eager to join and shop early.

All proceeds from the sale directly support the La Mirada Library, funding enhanced resources and services for the community. The Friends of the La Mirada Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to promoting the library’s offerings and encouraging community support through donations and volunteer efforts. For more information or to explore volunteer opportunities, email LaMiradaFOL@gmail.com. Don’t miss this chance to score great deals while supporting your local library!

Major Roadwork Begins on Valley View Avenue

Construction has officially started on Valley View Avenue for a two-part project designed to extend the life of one of the city’s key roadways. The comprehensive upgrade includes both pavement rehabilitation and a preventive maintenance slurry seal application.

The project, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2025, addresses two separate sections of Valley View Avenue.

• Pavement Rehabilitation: The section of Valley View Avenue between Imperial Highway and Rosecrans Avenue has exceeded its useful life and will receive a full rehabilitation.
• Preventive Slurry Seal: The section from Rosecrans Avenue south to 330 feet south of Alondra Boulevard, along with the northbound lanes from Park Place to Artesia Boulevard, will receive a slurry seal. This protective coating is a cost-effective way to seal cracks, provide a new wearing surface, and prevent further deterioration of the asphalt.

The work is expected to cause traffic disruptions, and drivers should allow for extra time when traveling in the area. Construction crews will be working to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible.

The road rehabilitation portion of the project has an allocated budget of $1 million and is funded by Prop C. Meanwhile, the slurry seal portion of the project has an engineer’s estimate of $600,000 and is funded through the fiscal year 2025–26 budget.

A joint participation agreement was required with the city of Santa Fe Springs for the portion of the project that falls within its city limits. The Santa Fe Springs City Council reviewed and approved the agreement on June 3, 2025.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to call the Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385.

Mobile Vaccination Clinic Update

Pet owners, get ready to protect your furry friends! The Heart for Pets organization will host a low-cost dog and cat vaccine clinic on October 30 in the Community Gymnasium parking lot. These clinics offer an affordable way to keep your pets healthy with essential vaccinations.

Reservations are required, so be sure to visit http://heart4pets.org to secure your spot. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure your pets are up-to-date on their shots in a convenient, community-focused setting. Mark your calendars and show your pets some love with this vital health service!

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the low-cost vaccination clinic scheduled for September 30, 2025 has been cancelled.

LM Theatre Presents Hilarious Chaos in Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Get ready for a side-splitting adventure as La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present Peter Pan Goes Wrong, a comedic twist on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, running from October 31 to November 23, 2025, at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. Directed by Eric Petersen, this production promises a whirlwind of technical mishaps, flying fiascos, and cast chaos, brought to life by the mischievous Cornley Drama Society.

Leading the cast is the legendary Cathy Rigby, a Tony-nominated actress and Olympic gymnast, who takes on the roles of Narrator, Francis, and Cecco. Rigby, celebrated for her iconic portrayal of Peter Pan in over 3,000 performances, is joined by a talented ensemble including Steven Booth as Peter Pan, Nicole Parker as Tinker Bell, and Josh Grisetti as Captain Hook. The production features flying sequences choreographed by Paul Rubin, with vibrant designs by Stephen Gifford (scenic), Steven Young (lighting), and Adam Ramirez (costumes).

From the team behind the hit The Play That Goes Wrong, this show delivers laugh-out-loud moments as the bumbling Cornley Drama Society attempts to navigate Neverland. Previews begin October 31 at 8 p.m. and November 1 at 2 p.m., with the official opening on November 1 at 8 p.m. Performances run Thursdays through Sundays, with tickets priced from $20 to $100. Special features include an open-captioned performance on November 15 at 2 p.m. and talkbacks with the cast on November 6 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling (562) 944-9801. Don’t miss this uproarious take on a beloved classic, perfect for audiences seeking a night of pure theatrical fun!

Vargas Wraps Impressive Season in NASCAR Canada Series

American stock car driver Ryan Vargas concluded his debut season in the NASCAR Canada Series on September 14, 2025, placing fourth at the Delaware Speedway in Ontario, marking a promising entry into the Canadian racing scene after years of international and U.S. competition.

Vargas, 25, a La Mirada native, entered 2025 with plans to run the majority of the 12-race schedule in the No. 28 Dodge Challenger for DJ Kennington Racing (DJK Racing), backed by Critical Path Security Canada. Initially slated for a part-time effort, he expanded to a near-full campaign, becoming the first U.S.-born driver to contend for the title since NASCAR acquired the series in 2007. The season kicked off on May 18 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), spanning ovals, road courses, and street circuits across five provinces.

Key highlights included Vargas’s strong oval debut at Riverside International Speedway in late June, where he earned a third-place finish in the NASCAR Canada 300—his first podium—and the “Move of the Race” award. Teammate and veteran DJ Kennington took the win, with Will LaRue in second, showcasing Vargas’s short-track prowess honed in prior NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and Xfinity Series stints. Earlier, at the season-opening road course at the CTMP, Vargas adapted quickly despite the series’ mix of track types, building momentum through events at Edmonton International Raceway, Sunset Speedway, and the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.

While full final standings and exact race-by-race results were not immediately detailed post-season, Vargas’s consistent top-10 runs positioned him solidly in the points battle among a competitive field led by defending champion Marc-Antoine Camirand (who faced a points penalty mid-season). Vargas, a two-time Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award winner and 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series full-timer, credited the series’ oval-heavy schedule for unlocking his potential, calling it “one of the best opportunities I’ve had to be competitive in NASCAR.”

Looking ahead, Vargas hinted at ARCA Menards Series appearances in 2026 while praising DJK Racing’s support. Fans can catch highlights on REV TV (Canada) or YouTube (U.S.), with the series’ growing international appeal drawing eyes from south of the border. For more on Vargas’s journey, visit NASCAR’s official site or follow @RyanVargasRacing on social media or @ryanvargas on Facebook, @rtv23 on Instagram or @ryanvargas_23 on X.

Arts Colony Welcomes Janna Arutyunyan as October Demonstration Artist

The Arts Colony of La Mirada is excited to present Janna Arutyunyan as its October Demonstration Artist, showcasing her stunning three-dimensional floral art at a free public event. Join the community on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Resource Center (13710 La Mirada Blvd) for a live art demonstration, raffle, and light refreshments.

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Janna’s creative journey has spanned fashion design, poetry, and mixed-media art. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1991 as a single parent, she embraced her passion for cultural exploration and artistic innovation. In 2018, Janna discovered acrylic fluid painting, leading to the creation of Janna Passion Art. Her signature Iris Garden series, crafted with eco-friendly resins and unconventional tools like straws, yarn, and water bottles, has captivated audiences at prestigious venues such as the Catalina Festival of Art, Calabasas Fine Arts Festival, Laguna Art-A-Fair, and galleries throughout Southern California.

Janna’s story of resilience and reinvention shines through her breathtaking floral works, which push the boundaries of traditional painting. “We’re thrilled to have Janna share her unique techniques and inspiring journey with our community,” said a spokesperson for the Arts Colony of La Mirada.

This event is free, open to the public, and promises an evening of creativity and inspiration. For more information, contact the La Mirada Resource Center at (562) 943-7277.

Santa Fe Springs Approves Dedicated Road Repair Tax, Commercial Traffic to Fund Fixes

Voters in neighboring Santa Fe Springs approved a new dedicated road repair measure in the November 2024 election to address the significant wear and tear on city streets caused by commercial truck traffic. While the measure was passed exclusively by Santa Fe Springs voters, the resulting street improvements may impact La Mirada residents who commute or travel through the area.

Known as Measure SFS, the initiative establishes a parcel tax on owners of commercial, industrial, and vacant lots within Santa Fe Springs. The tax will not be paid by homeowners or renters. According to city officials, the measure is expected to generate approximately $6 million in annual revenue to be used exclusively for road maintenance and repair projects.

The first phase of improvements, currently in its final stage, will target the industrial area along Stage Road and Iseli Road, located between Valley View Avenue and west of Rosecrans Avenue, an area some La Mirada drivers may use.

The project, which is currently underway, will involve:

• Removing existing asphalt.
• Placing a new base.
• Paving with fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete.
• Repairing and replacing limited driveways, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.

An independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits will be used to ensure the funds are spent properly.

The new tax measure was placed on the ballot by the Santa Fe Springs City Council to combat the road degradation caused by heavy industrial vehicles. The city will use the voter-approved funds for a variety of projects aimed at keeping arterial and industrial streets in good condition, improving traffic flow, and fixing potholes and curbs.