51st La Mirada Symphony Season to Open This Sunday
La Mirada~Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue is the theme of the first season concert of the La Mirada Symphony on Sunday, October 20th at 3pm at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Dr. Robert Frelly conducts a varied program of modern and classic pieces beginning with John Adams’ Short Ride on a Fast Machine and ending with Overture to William Tell.
The highlight of the program will be Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue performed by acclaimed pianist, Grace Fong. Ms. Fong has performed across the globe from the Disney Concert Hall to major cathedrals and concert halls throughout Europe.
Admission and parking is free, with a $5 donation suggested. For more information visit http://www.lamiradasymphony.com/.
Saturday Walk at Creek Park Will Raise Awareness For Children With Apraxia
La Mirada Resident Coordinates Local Event After Daughter Receives Help From National Organization
La Mirada~-A local woman, Laura Wetzel, is coordinating the La Mirada Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech event on Saturday, October 19th at La Mirada Creek Park. Already nearly 100 registered participants have raised over $6,000. All proceeds will benefit important Apraxia programs and research of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA).
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a very challenging and complicated neurological speech disorder in children. This little known disorder makes it difficult or impossible for children to accurately produce sounds, syllables, and/or words despite having a good understanding of language. The Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech® is held as a means to heighten awareness and funding.
Latest La Mirada Bi-Weekly Crime Report; At Least Four Assaults Reported
Aggravated Assault-A domestic assault was reported on the 15300 block of Loretta Dr. The suspect, who was the victim's significant other, attacked the victim while asleep. The incident is under investigation. A shooting occurred on the 12900 block of Duffield Ave. The victim was standing with friends in front of a house when a trio of suspects pulled up in a vehicle. After a short exchange of words, one of the suspects brandished a handgun and began shooting, then fled the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the foot. The incident remains under investigation. An assault was reported on the 13200 block of Parise Dr. The suspect, who is related to the victim, was arrested by responding deputies for choking the victim. A stabbing was reported on the 14900 block of Gagely Dr. The victim was stabbed after confronting the suspect in the street regarding suspicious behavior. The incident remains under investigation.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15500 block of Loretta Dr. Jewelry and electronics were stolen from the residence. An incident occurred on the 12800 block of Colima Rd. It is unknown if any property was stolen. A burglary was reported on the 13300 block of Clearwater Dr. Various items and jewelry was taken from the home. Cash was reported stolen in a burglary reported on the 14300 block of Manecita Dr. A burglary was also reported on the 15400 block of Illora Dr.
Other Structure Burglary-A motorcycle was reported stolen from a garage on the 14000 block of Whiterock Dr.
Grand Opening for New Model Homes Scheduled for November
La Mirada~Brandywine Homes marked the start of construction on The Orchards housing development with a groundbreaking ceremony last month. The new residential development on Alondra Blvd. will include 41 single family homes.
“We are very excited about the enhancements this new neighborhood will bring to our community,” said Mayor Steve De Ruse who lives nearby, “I have watched this site since 1975 and I know all my neighbors and everyone who knows about this are really waiting for this project and are really excited about it.”
“Brandywine has a record of building quality neighborhoods throughout our region, and I’m certain The Orchards project will meet these high standards,” De Ruse added. “This neighborhood will be an important addition to the supply of quality and attractive homes in La Mirada.”
The two-story, Craftsman-style homes will range from approximately 1,300 to 2,000 square feet. Each home will offer three or four bedrooms, two and one-half to three and one-half bathrooms, two-car attached garages and will feature private fenced rear yards. A new decorative block wall, perimeter landscaping, and street and sidewalk improvements will also be completed as part of the project. Four model homes will open in mid-November.
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| Mayor Steve DeRuse tells the gathering he is very excited about the new new community currently under construction in La Mirada. Photo Bishop Imaging |
This was the last ceremony for former City Manager Tom Robinson who told the La Mirada Blog, “We are very pleased to see the Brandywine project move ahead. It’s been four years in the making (with Brandywine). We are pleased we have gone through the various steps of the process that were necessary and get this project moving. I think we’ll see some real high-quality product that people can live in and enjoy for many years to come.”
“La Mirada is an excellent place to live and raise a family, and these homes will be a fine addition to our community,” said Robinson.
Brandywine indicated that a grand opening for the model homes is scheduled to be announced for mid-November.
For more information about the model homes and new neighborhood visit: livetheorchards.com.
For additional photos of the groundbreaking ceremony visit our Flickr feed here. Photos courtesy Bishop Imaging.
Fire Guts Strip Mall Just North of City Limits
South Whittier~A fire broke out at an aging strip mall early this morning in South Whittier across the street from the La Mirada city limits.
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| A vacant pet store is one of many businesses fully engulfed in this exclusive photo sent in by La Mirada Blog fan @MsDaizzzy. |
No one was injured in the three-alarm blaze that started shortly after 3:00 a.m. at the northeast corner of Leffingwell Road and La Mirada Boulevard in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
No one was injured although a firefighter reportedly received minor burns.
Authorities believe the fire started in a laundromat on the property. A liquor store and a pet store were also among the five businesses damaged. Neighbors on the scene told the La Mirada Blog the former reptile and fish store was vacant.
Los Angeles County firefighters knocked down the blaze by 5:30 and a few hours later trash bins and bulldozers were already on scene.
The fire was first reported on our La Mirada Blog Twitter feed by @andygmz416 at 3:30 a.m.
The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time and is currently under investigation.
See additional exclusive photos of the aftermath cleanup on our Flickr feed here.
Superior Grocers Opening La Mirada Location
La Mirada~Superior Grocers will be hosting a grand opening for their latest store to open this Saturday, September 28th at 7:00 a.m. in La Mirada, at 12710 Valley View Avenue at Imperial Highway.
The independently owned Santa Fe Springs based chain opened its first store in Covina in 1981 and today is the largest independently-owned chain of grocery stores in Southern California, operating over 40 stores in Southern California, with most in Los Angeles County.
The new store is expected to offer an extensive produce selection, full-service bakery, full-service meat and in-store restaurant.
The company’s website indicates they are committed to being active partners in the communities they serve.
Get a sneak peek of the Saturday grand opening specials here.
The building was the former Vons La Mirada that opened in 1968 and closed March 27th, 2010. It was then replaced by Bestway Supermarkets until July of this year.
Winter Begins Second Stint as President of La Mirada Kiwanis
La Mirada~Dr. Michael Winter was installed as La Mirada Kiwanis President for the 2013-14 term on Friday evening, September 13 at the banquet hall at Biola University in La Mirada. Frank Barry, Lt. Governor designate for Kiwanis Division 30, was the installing officer. Mike Winter is a well-known dentist in the area and has been a member of the Club since 1987 having served previously as President in 1990-91.
Rick Bee, long-time friend of Winter and Senior Director of Alumni at Biola, introduced Winter to the guests. He described him as a compassionate and wise man, musically talented, and an avid recruiter, all valuable credentials for leadership in Kiwanis where high values, education, the arts, altruistic service, especially for children, and community involvement are priorities.
Dr. Winter’s goals for the coming year include continuing major projects for which the club is well known: $10,000 in scholarships, pancake breakfasts for youth sports’ groups, fireworks stand to benefit charitable projects, the Duck Race at Splash! to benefit non-profit organizations in the community, participation in the City’s annual 4th of July Celebration in the County park, and sponsorship of several Kiwanis Key Clubs in local schools and colleges.
Winter says he intends to enhance giving to other civic and charitable causes as the needs arise and the Kiwanis International objectives of justice, patriotism and goodwill will be high on his priority agenda.
Three Former La Mirada Rival Musicians Now Playing Together
La Mirada~At this year’s la Mirada Olive Fest, three musicians who once competed against each other growing up in La Mirada will perform as The Groovetones at this year’s la Mirada Olive Fest, Saturday September 21st from 11-4 at Regional Park.
This is the second year in a row the band has played at the festival.
Guitarist Steve Gage was born and raised in La Mirada and started playing the guitar when he was eight years old. He took guitar lessons at the old La Mirada Music Box from 1964-1967 and started playing in various bands since when he was about 10.
In 1968 at 12 years old, Gage played at the old La Mirada Movie Theater on Halloween and at Pepe's Pizza Parlor in La Mirada.
He also played at the first and third La Mirada Regional Park 4th of July event 1972 and 1974 with a band called Audio and continued playing shows, with Johnny Winter, Eric Burden and the Animals, Mountain with Leslie West and Corky Lang and the Zombies.
Today, he still lives in La Mirada and currently plays in a Jimi Hendrix Tribute band called Crosstown Traffic.
Drummer Rick Morton was also born and raised in La Mirada and his first performing band was Elipse, with all members being from La Mirada.
They played at three different Fiesta de Artes, two shows at the La Mirada mall and one at the La Mirada Stadium.
Morton also played in a battle-of-the-bands for the opening of the old La Mirada Civic Theatre, and the opening of the Kling Teen Center.
The members of Eclipse changed and the band became Slyder, playing for the opening of Roberts Department store and at a dance-a-thon for Muscular Dystrophy at the La Mirada Mall.
Morton attended Eastwood Elementary, Los Coyotes Junior High, and La Mirada High School and lived in La Mirada until recently.
Bass player Steve Bravin moved into La Mirada in 1959 and went to Mesa Elementary School, Benton Middle School, and La Mirada High School.
He played music with a lot of friends in the area, and ended up in a band called Fuze, with all members from La Mirada. They played the Fiesta de Artes Battle of the Bands and won first place.
Gage still lives in La Mirada.
The Groove tones are set to perform at the Olive Fest at 12:30 p.m.
La Mirada Cub Scout Pack 919 to Host Recruitment Night
If you want your son to have some fun, excitement, camp, hike and bike in the outdoors, and a chance to participate in a program where he learns how to “Do your Best” and be helpful to others then Cub Scout Pack 919 La Mirada has the program for you.
Cub Scouting is a home and neighborhood centered program designed to support and encourage quality family involvement for boys 1st through 5th grades. Each Cub Scout learns to respect his home, country and other people.
If interested, Pack 919 is hosting their annual Round Up this Friday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church of La Mirada located at 13701 Hillsborough Drive in La Mirada.
For more information on Pack 919 La Mirada, contact Kati Dominguez at (714) 723-2066 or cub master Brandon Van Scoy (626) 260-6331. You can also email to get info at pack919info@pack919.org or visit their website at www.pack919.org.
ABOUT PACK 919
Pack 919 is a Cub Scout unit chartered through Community Presbyterian Church La Mirada assigned to the Los Angeles Area Council serving areas of La Mirada, Whittier, La Habra, Buena Park and surrounding cities. Cub Scout Pack 919 La Mirada has been serving the community for almost 50 years. Boys in first through fifth grade can join Pack 919 anytime. Den and Pack meetings are held September through May with additional fun events throughout summer.
McCoy Rigby Anniversary Season Begins at Theatre This Friday
La Mirada~This Friday marks the beginning of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts “Broadway’s Best” 2013- 2014 season of shows, as they also celebrate McCoy Rigby’s 20th Anniversary season with the award-winning theatre!
The anniversary season begins Friday at 8:00 p.m. with Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning masterwork BROADWAY BOUND running through October 13th.
The season continues with two of the most acclaimed recent plays of our time, the Tony Award & Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire and Yasmina Reza’s comedy of manners (where there are no manners!), GOD OF CARNAGE; followed by two of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever CATS and the regional theatre premiere of a brand new production of LES MISÉRABLES!
Add into the mix the bonus options of its new “Onstage Series” production of FLOYD COLLINS and the unmistakable harmonies of THE OAK RIDGE BOYS and La Mirada and the Southern California area will certainly have the “Best of Broadway” and beyond coming its way in 2013-2014!
For tickets visit www.lamiradatheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801
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