Shooting on Los Coyotes Avenue
La Mirada~A shooting has been reported inside a home in the 12100 block of Los Coyotes Avenue.
The La Mirada Blog reported the incident at 5: 28 p.m. PT.
Sheriff's personnel and residents confirmed hearing at least two shots fired.
An elderly woman was evacuated from the residence.
Check the La Mirada Blog on Twitter for the latest.
021016 23:02 UPDATE: At around 10:30 p.m. the sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau entered the home after several unsuccessful attempts to contact barricaded suspect. Upon entering the home, officers found a male deceased from an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound.
City Council to Discuss Recording Meetings
La Mirada~Yes, it's been a long time coming.
Following a staff presentation at tonight's study session meeting, the city council is expected to discuss the recording of meetings and making them available on the city's website the next day.
Cost to the City would be an initial $3,500 set-up fee and $500 per month for web hosting services.
The City conducted a survey this past September and the report indicates 79 percent of respondents were supportive of city council meetings being recorded and made available online.
Mockingbird Flies Into La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
If you are one of the many who pre-ordered and read last year’s “Go Set a Watchman” last summer, you may have distaste for me merely bringing up the subject.
That release of Harper Lee's possible first draft or possible sequel to the beloved and Pulitzer- prize winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingird”, was not met by all with open arms. Some (like me) refused to read it-- us librarians tend to be finicky on literary integrity and sources.
It is true what the author Neil Gaiman has put so eloquently: "Google will bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian will bring you back the right one." So how is this librarian to determine if Watchman was a sequel to Mockingbird? Was the book never meant for publishing in the first place? Or is it better to just pretend that Watchman was never released and focus on Lee's beautiful masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird? I prefer the latter.
For me, I first read Mockingbird in ninth grade. Soon to follow was me partaking of the film version. In case you have never seen the film, you'll catch a glimpse of a young Robert Duvall and a not-to-be-missed Gregory Peck. The film (released in 1962 by Universal) could not have been more poignant for a country at a turning point. The Civil Rights Act was on the table amongst our country's law makers. Dr. King was a household name for the non-violent protest movement. JFK was in the White House. I fell in love with the book. I fell in love with the film. To Kill a Mockingbird is a story that transcends time.
Now, in 2016, Phantom Projects takes on the stage version of To Kill a Mockingbird. Steve Cisneros, the producing artistic director of Phantom (and a La Mirada native) follows up on a phenomenal performance of “Number the Stars” with Lee's Mockingbird.
Taking stage for ONE DAY ONLY (shows at 10:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT), 1:00 p.m. (SOLD OUT), and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18th); I encourage you not to miss out.
Cisneros’ goal, to bring to stage performances that tackle topics for teens, is a one of a kind mission; Phantom Projects is unlike any other theatre troop you'll find nationwide. Each season, two performances are based on literary pieces (previously presented were Lois Lowry's The Giver, S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, and Christopher Paul Curtis' The Watsons Go to Birmingham). The third upcoming show of the current season, "Center of the Universe” was written by co-founder Bruce Gevirtzman and shows April 21st. Concluding the season with the fourth show is "The Young Artist's Project" on August 6th, wherein a cast is given only 14 days upon meeting to put together their best performance.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a story set in 1930's Maycomb County, Alabama. Atticus Finch, a widowed lawyer, is left to raise his two children- inquisitive Jem and tom-boy Scout. Jem and Scout are set on finding creative ways to lure the neighborhood recluse, Boo Radley, out of his home, their imaginations run wild in true childlike innocence. When Atticus takes on a case of defending a young African American man, Tom Robinson, accused of raped, a lesson in race relations in the Jim Crowe south unfolds and Jem and Scout discover their fathers shoes are not easy to fill.
Remember, Harper Lee's Mockingbird was released in the early 1960's, a time that could only be better than if it were released in present day. If you are curious of the timing of this stage performance, take heed that Cisneros chose this piece about two years ago yet the timing couldn't be better to bring this book to life.
Teen Series Continues at Temporary Library Location
La Mirada~Although closed for the first major renovation in its 46-year history, the La Mirada Library continues to offer free programs, including a series aimed at teens, at its temporary location.
The $4 million dollar construction project, being managed by the city, was approved in 2004 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The City of La Mirada has graciously set up space on the bottom floor of the Resource Center for scaled-down library services to continue. The center is located just across the civic center courtyard at 13710 La Mirada Boulevard.
Some might remember this space as The Basement recreational teen center which was dedicated in June of 2003, but never really resonated with the youth in the area. The area later housed a computer center.
NEW! How to be a Grown Up for Teens Series
Part 1: Tuesday, February 9th 2016
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Part 2: Tuesday, February 16th 2016
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
As part of a State grant, La Mirada Library has been selected to provide a series of programs to local teens. This series is aimed at teaching teens essential life skills and a leg up on adulthood.
Topics include finance and budgeting, physical fitness, and etiquette. If you’re not blessed with the gift of gab learn to speak with confidence and eloquence for crowds large and small. A public speaking expert will give you tips and tricks to speaking in this two part program geared at teens 12-18 years of age.
NEW! The Whole World's Talkin'
Saturday, March 5th 2016, 2:00-3:00 PM
You can bring the whole family for folktales from Korea, Ghana, and India! A storyteller from Enrichment Works will bring a magical compass to transport us all over the world, revealing folktales from various countries and cultures.
The Enrichment Works series is made possible through the generous funding by the LA County Board of Supervisors Fourth District Arts Education Partnership Program.
Both events will held at the Resource Center, Meeting Room #1
REVIEW: Empire Captures the Spirit of New York City
Skip the search for a restaurant for Valentine’s Day weekend. Instead, take the one you love, or even make it a family trip, to go see Empire, the latest production from The McCoy Rigby Entertainment Group. La Mirada’s Performing Arts Center hosts the first run of Empire, an entertaining and Broadway bound musical about the construction of the Empire State Building. This musical is entertaining, intriguing, and you as La Mirada residents get to be the first to enjoy this marvel!
Empire opens in New York City’s “Hey Day” of the roaring 20’s-- glitz, gold, glamor, wealth! All the magic and feeling you've read about in books by the likes of Fitzgerald, this is the time, striking while it's hot! But as quickly as that wealth may have come, it's quickly lost as America is hit by the stock market crash of 1929 and The Great Depression. What are the money makers who have held on to their money and still soaring high to do? Ask John J. Raskob and Al Smith-- a High Financer and the former governor of New York. Together, Raskob and Smith have one goal in mind-- build the largest building in the world to rule the New York city skyline. For such a task, they enlist architect, Michael Shaw, and Smith's "Can-Do" gal, Frankie Peterson.
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| Kevin Earley (far left), Stephanie Gibson (center) and the workers are featured in the musical “EMPIRE” - directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
To create a monument of such stature, Peterson tackles the workforce and Shaw the design. Together they gain the trust of their employees, a diverse migrant work force. We see the Al Smith building become a symbol of the power, magnitude, and enigmatic spirit of the people of New York, the “Empire State." Irish, Italian, and Mohawk Indian, all join in to earn an honest living and end up being the integral part of the story and reflecting the beauty of this building.
Enjoyable, lively, and a performance filled with romance and laughter, Empire is a delight and truly one of the most enjoyable productions to come to the La Mirada Performing Arts Center. Mesmerizing use of scenery projection and a cast pulling off dance numbers and acrobatics are all part of a special and nostalgic musical ready for Broadway.
Cast includes Kevin Earley, Stephanie Gibson, Tony Sheldon, Michael McCormick, Charlotte Maltby, and Joe Hart. Ensemble cast: Josh Walden, Cooper Stanton, Justin Michael Wilcox, Caleb Shaw, Tommy Bracco, Michael Baxter, Michael Starr, Juan Caballer, Joe Hart, and Caitlyn Calfas, Rachel Osting, Rachel King, Fatima El-Bashir, Tory Freeth, Christine Tucker, Richard Bulda, Jordan Richardson, Gabriel Navarro, Rodrigo Varandas, Katharine McDonough, Josh Walden, Tommy Bracco, and Juan Caballer.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Caroline Sherman and Robert Hull. Musical Direction by Sariva Goetz. Directed and Choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Produced by Sue Vaccaro, Ricky Stevens, and The Rivet Gang. Production Stage Manger: Jill Gold. Assistant Stage Manager: Nicole Wessel. Flying Sequence Choreographer: Paul Rubin. Casting Director: Julia Flores. Scenic and Co-Projection Designer: David Gallo and Brad Peterson. Costume Designer: Leon Wiebers. Lighting Designer: Jared A. Sayeg. Sound Designer: Philip G. Allen.
Kiwanis/Lou Piltz Memorial Spaghetti Dinner Scheduled for January 29th
Dinner benefits La Mirada Meals-on-Wheels, serving home-bound residents since 1975
La Mirada~The 29th Lou Piltz Memorial Spaghetti Dinner will be served at the La Mirada Activity Center on January 29th from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The menu will be spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for $8.00. Coffee and soft drinks will be available. La Mirada Ebell Womens’ Club will provide delicious desserts. A 50/50 drawing, opportunity prizes and live entertainment featuring choral and musical groups from La Mirada High School will complete the evening.
Tony Aiello, editor of the La Mirada Blog, will be the guest MC for the evening’s festivities.
Guests are warmly welcomed to attend, and all profits will benefit the MOW program in the community. Tickets may be obtained through any Kiwanis member or may be purchased at the door.
This is a major fundraiser for the La Mirada Mels-on-Wheels organization which is entirely volunteer-driven except for two part-time employees.
La Mirada MOW, since its inception in 1975, has served over 400,000 meals to shut-ins and provides food and comfort along with support and encouragement for those unable to provide for themselves, in our community.
The activity center is located in the Civic Center complex at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
For more information call (562) 943-0037 or visit the MOW website.
UFC Announces Opening of New La Mirada Gym
Former Toys R Us building will be their largest in the world
La Mirada~UFC GYM®, the fast-growing franchise that combines mixed martial arts (MMA) and fitness, today announced the opening of its new, 46,000 square foot location in La Mirada, set for this Saturday, January 23rd at 8 a.m.
The gym, located at 14920 La Mirada Boulevard at the former Toys R Us site, will make history as the largest UFC GYM since the organization’s inception in 2009, with more than 135 clubs currently located throughout the United States, Australia and Canada.
As one of the brands signature gyms, this location will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, joining the regions Corona, South Corona, Rosemead and 
Torrance locations with the same distinction in Southern California.
“This gym raises the bar as the premiere fitness destination of Los Angeles County,” UFC GYM President Adam Sedlack said. “Opening day will give the entire community a chance to experience what makes our gyms different. Thousands of members around the world have transformed their lives by combining the best of traditional fitness with the innovation of how the world’s best athletes train. I am so proud to bring our largest location to the great City of La Mirada.”
Highlighted by a 30-foot Octagon®, members of this top-of-the-line signature gym will have access to strength training and cardio machines, battle ropes, agility ladders, bag room, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio, large group fitness rooms and other functional training equipment for dynamic workouts. The gym’s explosive workout environment uses cutting-edge training techniques inspired by UFC® athletes and provides members with everything needed for the entire family to sweat, move, live and Train Different®.
La Mirada Mayor Pauline Deal will be present to officially kick off the celebration with a ribbon cutting coordinated by the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce at 9:30 a.m. Following the cutting, there will be family-friendly activities such as drawings, giveaways and discounts at the Arm Bar Café. A DJ, kid’s jump house and face painting station will also be on site.
UFC GYM will host a variety of activities including demonstrations of the brands most popular group and individual fitness programs throughout the day. Demonstrations will showcase striking exhibitions to include: boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Daily Ultimate Training® (DUT®), group fitness (Zumba® & P90X®) and youth programs.
All activities are free and open to the community.
OPENING DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8 a.m. Gym Opens for Members and Guests
9:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting
10 – 11:30 a.m. Morning Demonstrations in Octagon
1 – 2:30 p.m. Afternoon Demonstrations in Octagon
4 – 5:30 p.m. Evening Demonstrations in Octagon
ALL DAY Members and Guests can workout anytime
A team of elite Personal Coaches helps members achieve indisputable results through individual and group training. The new location features a UFC GYM retail store, UFC GYM Kids’ fitness classes, Kid Club offering childcare, full amenity locker rooms with dry saunas, Arm Bar Café and towel service.
The La Mirada Blog has partnered with UFC. Contact Matt Hamel, General Manager at La Mirada direct at matt.hamel@ufcgym.com for La Mirada specials.
In addition to the corporate owned signature clubs, UFC GYM also offers the unique opportunity to own and operate a UFC GYM franchise domestically and internationally. For franchise information, visit www.ufcgym.com/franchising.
For more information about UFC GYM La Mirada visit http://ufcgym.com/lamirada.
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/ufcgymlamirada/ or follow us at https://twitter.com/ufcgymlamirada or subscribe at www.youtube.com/UFCgym.
La Mirada Prepares for Possible Very Wet Winter
Local agencies statewide have ramped up preparations for what forecasters are predicting could be a winter with heavy El Niño-driven storms. The City of La Mirada is taking steps to ensure it is prepared to respond to hazardous conditions El Niño may create.
City and Los Angeles County crews continue to work hard to prepare storm drains, roadways and City facilities for what may become a very wet winter. Preparations included inspecting roadways and clearing inlet areas of rocks, vegetation, and dirt to ensure storm runoff can be adequately drained from the roadways, and surveying hazardous areas for mud, debris, and low lying areas.
City officials are also working with the County to ensure flood control catch basins have been cleared of debris and sandbags are readily available at local fire stations.
Residents and businesses should also take steps to prepare for the heavy rain. Residents and businesses are encouraged to fix leaks, inspect and repair roof coverings, and clean out gutters and downspouts. An emergency kit with adequate supplies for the entire household, including pets, should be created.
Ring in the New Year With the New You
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, New Year’s resolutions are a good thing. If you struggle to believe that, it’s probably because of a history of failed resolutions. This year, however, you owe it to yourself to become the new person you want to be. Not in order to impress other people. You’re going to do it to remind yourself that yes, you can do whatever you put your mind to—you can become a better person.
Ready to get started on the road to a new you? Keep reading to find out what you’ve got to do this the year to make the new you happen!
Talk about It-After a few years of failed resolutions, you may want to keep your plans a secret. But don’t! If your family and friends don’t know what your goals are, you won’t have their support in your journey. They may scoff or snigger when they find out you have big plans for the coming year, but don’t let them get you down. Most likely, they’re jealous. So whether you want to be more committed to your gym routine, eat better, or be more patient with your kids, don’t keep your resolution for a new you to yourself!
Start with Pre-Tests-Next Monday may be when you’ve decided to really begin committing to your new self, but don’t wait that long. Start today with some pre-tests. Once a day, find a way to implement your new lifestyle into your routine. That may mean skipping dessert one night. Or maybe it’s letting your spouse have the remote control. Then again, it could be chewing on a carrot instead of going for a cigarette break when stressed. Whatever it is, scoring these small victories lets you know that you can indeed become the new person in the New Year that you desire.
Expect Success-There’s a reason New Year’s resolutions are the punch line for countless jokes. There are people, however, who beat the odds and stick with their resolutions. This time around, you’re going to be one of them. Not because you’re better than other people who can’t keep from overeating. And not because you’re smarter than people who don’t read a book every month (like you’re planning to do this year). The reason you’re going to succeed is because you want it, and nothing is going to stop you. When you expect success and realize it is possible—which it is—you’re prepared to do what it takes to find that success. Now go for it!
