REVIEW: The Wonderfully Magnificent Mary Poppins at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
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| Brandi Burkhardt stars as Mary Poppins (center) and Leigh Brian Wakeford (on knee) stars as Bert with the company in the LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS/McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT production of MARY POPPINS, directed by Glenn Casale and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
Editor’s note: We would like to introduce Sandra Green to the La Mirada Blog team as a theatre reviewer. Welcome aboard Sandra!
La Mirada~As the last showcase of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment series for the 2014-2015 season, the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts welcomes the wonderfully magnificent Broadway musical Mary Poppins, now showing through June 21st.
Not just for kids, theatre goers of all ages and tastes will enjoy this production directed by Glenn Casale and choreographed by the late Dan Mojica. In no way do you need to be familiar with the Disney movie or original book by PL Travers-- Mary Poppins brings to life the fun and magical antics of a British nanny trying to tame the mischievous Banks children.
For those who are familiar with the Disney film Mary Poppins (also celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year), you will enjoy the beloved score featuring “Chim-Chim Chiree”, “Step in Time”, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, and many more.
Brandi Burkhardt (Mary) and Leigh Wakeford (Bert) lead the strong vocals in this show as well as engage the crowd with their show-stopping performances both “above” stage and crowd (choreographed by Paul Rubin).
La Mirada Resident Alexander “A.J.” Hernandez Graduates From Boston College
CHESTNUT HILL, MA~Alexander "AJ" Hernandez, son of Michael & Leticia Hernandez of La Mirada, was awarded his Undergraduate Degree in Communication and a minor in Environmental Studies from the Morrissey School of Arts & Sciences, at the 139th Commencement of Boston College recently on Monday, May 18, 2015.
AJ Hernandez is a graduate of Servite High School. At Boston College, AJ was a Thea Bowman Scholar, a member of co-Ed a Capella group BC Dynamics, and is a mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. He is employed with Ogilvy Public Relations in Cambridge, MA.
Congratulations A.J. from the La Mirada Blog!
Send us the info about YOUR La Mirada graduate to news@lamiradablog.com; we would to share the good news! Word up!
Barricade Causes School Lock Downs
La Mirada~A suspect barricaded himself inside a home early Wednesday afternoon resulting in the temporary lock down of both Eastwood Elementary and Los Coyote Middle Schools.
The incident began around 11:30 A.M. and is still on-going with suspect reportedly still inside home on near the intersection of Ashworth Drive and Mercado Avenue in La Mirada.
All roadways in the surrounding area of the incident have been adversely affected.
It is unknown to us at this time what the suspect is wanted for; earlier unconfirmed Twitter reports suggested the suspect had weapons.
Follow the La Mirada Blog on Twitter for the latest and check back here for more updates.
UPDATE: 19:25 052715: Suspect taken into custody, https://twitter.com/LaMiradaBlog/status/603724607141638144
Memorial Day Service at Olive Lawn
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| HONORING FALLEN VETERANS -- Rotary Club of La Mirada members present a wreath during Memorial Day ceremonies at Olive Lawn Memorial Park in La Mirada. Pictured are (l to r) Mayor Pro Tem Steve De Ruse, Chris Robinson, John Lewis and Zurich Lewis. Speakers at the event included Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Mayor Pauline Deal and former Mayor and Councilmember Wayne Rew. |
FROM THE EDITOR: New Healthy Lifetsyle Column Coming to the La Mirada Blog
We are pleased to announce a new column is coming to the La Mirada Blog-Healthy Mama Diaries by Amanda Denker.
Amanda's column will feature healthy cooking, fitness and lifestyle tips for busy mamas who want the best for their family. Amanda says, "Life is good, it's better when you are healthy!"
Amanda is also a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and will offer information on essential oils from doTERRA.
She is a La Mirada native and still lives in La Mirada with professional baseball player Travis Denker. Needless to say because of hubby's profession they do a lot of moving around. La Mirada is home-base for the fam, but I have a feeling Amanda will be providing some Mama Road Tips.
She is a first-time mom to 18-month old son, Jet. She is also a part-time counselor at a residential treatment center, helping clients overcome eating disorders.
She enjoys spending all the rest of her time being a mom and lives and loves a healthy balanced lifestyle through healthy eating and exercise (I should take some hints from her).
For a sneak preview, check out her Instagram feed @healthymamadiaries.
Look for her first column to debut soon. Welcome to the team Amanda!
FROM THE EDITOR: La Mirada Blog Expanding Its Horizons
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| Look for the new La Mirada Blog website to debut in 2015, a long way from our first post in 2004 (pictured). |
These are exciting times for your La Mirada Blog.
In late 2003, with the La Mirada community craving for a local print newspaper, I decided to jot/type down a few news items (I was already covering local news) on something called a web-log or blog, on the still relatively-new Internet.
You long-timers might remember we were on a site called weatherscout.com and you still had to type in the www. The first official post was on January 30, 2004 (see insert) and the La Mirada Blog was born, ushering in the hyper-local news movement.
Of course, when we started there was no such thing as Facebook our Twitter or social media. Now, the LM Blog is approaching 3,000 followers on Twitter and 8,000 on Facebook-a total of almost 11,000 fans, a fifth of the La Mirada population. We are also on YouTube, Instagram, Tumblr and Flickr.
I am thrilled to announce 2015 has and will be an exciting year for the La Mirada Blog.
OBITUARY: La Mirada Loses a Valuable Community Member
It is with a heavy heart we report to the La Mirada community that Dr. Stephen Peter Sokol, “La Mirada’s Eye Doctor,” passed on May 15th at the age of 78. His funeral was held on May 18th.
Dr. Sokol was a true part of the La Mirada community, woven into its fabric, proven by the countless comments we have received from fans about Dr. Sokol over the years on the La Mirada Blog Facebook page.
Dr. Sokol is one of many people that we as a community and city will always be thankful for; because of people like him it is why La Mirada is such a great place to live in today and we are so happy he opened his practice here!
Around 1940, Dr. Sokol’s Dad, Louis was a medical doctor in the army and got stationed in Paris, Texas and moved his family there; they stayed there until the end of WWII.
They moved from Texas to Beverly Hills and our Dr. Sokol attended Beverly Hills High School and graduated with honors in 1954. He then went on to college at USC and majored in psychology.
Dr. Sokol was president of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and graduated in 1958.
After finishing USC, Dr. Sokol took a few years off and traveled and after that he applied and entered Los Angeles College of Optometry (LACO) and graduated in 1965.
Dr. Sokol’s father had a very large medical practice in Beverly Hills. Myra Phyllis Weiner worked as a nurse at this practice. In 1962, Dr. Sokol came to see his father at the office and met Myra.
The elder Sokol had a big Christmas party in Palm Springs that year and Dr. Sokol and Myra danced and got to know each other. Later, they started dating after that and married on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1965.
In 1969, Dr. Sokol decided to open his own optical practice in La Mirada, so he moved his family here.
In 1971 Dr. Sokol and Myra bought a house three miles from Stephen’s practice at Valley View and Imperial and they still own that house today.
Scouts Rise Early to Decorate Olive Lawn Memorial Park
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| Members of Boy Scout Troop 438 (Whittier/La Mirada) and Cub Scout Pack 919 (La Mirada) placed flags at Olive Lawn in preparation of the annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony honoring our fallen military servicemen and women. See additional photo on Instagram @lamiradablog. |
Memorial Day Observance Program at Olive Lawn
La Mirada~Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9148 will host a Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Olive Lawn Memorial Park in La Mirada.
The service will include a Memorial Day address by the La Mirada VFW, patriotic songs, a special tribute to fallen soldiers, and placing of memorial flowers by community organizations, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Ladies' Auxiliary. Seating is limited so feel free to bring lawn chairs.
Olive Lawn Memorial Park is located at 13926 La Mirada Blvd. For more information, call La Mirada VFW Post #9148 at (562) 941-4097 or Olive Lawn Memorial Park at (562) 943-1718.
La Mirada Crime Report; Vehicle Thefts on the Rise
The following is the crime report for La Mirada May 11 - May 17, 2015
Aggravated Assault-A domestic assault was reported on the 15200 block of Borda Rd.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 16100 block of Reeve Dr. Cash and firearms were stolen from the residence. Cash and electronics were reported stolen in a burglary on the 14600 block of Figueras Rd. Two subjects were taken into custody in connection with a burglary on the 14500 block of Valeda Dr.
Other Structure Burglary-Portable radios were stolen in a burglary on the 14600 block of Mercado Ave.
Grand Theft-Vehicle tires were reported stolen from two trucks on the 14300 block of Macaw St.
