City Manager Says State Being Irresponsible
La Mirada~The La Mirada Redevelopment Agency will lose $4,839,372 next week and another $995,391 next year as a result of a court decision upholding State budget actions. These funds will not be returned to La Mirada.
The combined total of $5,834,763 is equal to about 18 percent of the City's General Fund Budget, and is more than the salaries of the City's entire full-time staff for a one year period.
The State Budget approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in July 2009 called for a $2.05 billion raid on local redevelopment funds to pay the State's bills.
New Symphony Conductor Sought
La Mirada~Following a long and distinguished career as violinist, concert master, and, for the past nine years, usic Director and Conductor of the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra, David Stenske will be leaving the organization to pursue further endeavors. His talents as a violinist will be greatly missed and his dedication during his tenure as Conductor will be noted as having brought the orchestra to exceptionally high standards.
The Symphony Association is now seeking candidates for the position. Following a process of application, interview, observation and evaluation, the Association Board will select nominees who will be assigned as guest conductors for concerts throughout the 2010-2011 Season. The final choice will be made after the last concert on May 21, 2011 of the New Beginnings Season.
Interested musicians who qualify with education requirements and experience as a conductor are welcomed to contact the Association at lamiradasymphony@aol.com or to visit the website lamiradasymphony.com for more definitive information.
Mats See Ghost; Escape With Win
La Mirada~The Matadores survived--and that's putting it mildly--their fourth straight year of beating Cerritos by a run to inch one victory away from the Suburban League championship with Friday's 5-4 come-from-behind nailbiter.
La Mirada improved to 19-8 overall and 9-1 in league and almost delivered another gift from Artesia when the Pioneers took Bellflower (17-5, 8-2) to 10 innings before succumbing by the same score, 5-4. La Mirada and Bellflower will lock horns in a pair of Senior Day festivities next week to determine the league crown, the Buccaneers' surprising loss to Artesia on Wednesday giving the Matadores the leeway of a split to capture their 11th title in 12 years.
Cerritos and its ghost--perhaps taking refuge in the nearby empty lots of the Auto Square--almost gave some leeway to Mayfair, which was officially knocked out of the race when the Matadores scrambled back from a 3-0 deficit to the Dons.
After playing so well the past few weeks, with almost flawless execution, the Matadores were brought back to reality with a lot of Paranormal Activity courtesy of the Cerritos Ghost.
High School Football Guru Returning to LM Blog
La Mirada~Last football season was a special one for the La Mirada Blog as "The Guru" provided exclusive, in-depth, team-by-team, reports and analysis for Suburban League high school football. We read, watched and listened as the Matadores of La Mirada High captured a CIF title.
Well, ladies and gentleman, The Guru is back. Starting in just a couple of days, you can get all the Suburban League football you can handle, all the way through the end of the season in December.
It's just days away, exclusively, right here, on the La Mirada Blog, La Mirada's news source, then and now.
Matadores Rout Cerritos; Take First Place Alone
Cerritos~Nicko Lancaster singled four times in the first four innings, 15 of the 16 players who batted scored at least a run and 10 batters knocked in at least one to lead the Matadores to a 20-2 drubbing of host Cerritos.
With its 15th victory in the last 16 contests, La Mirada improved to 18-8 overall and remained atop the Suburban League with an 8-1 record. Bellflower, was upset by Artesia 3-0, giving the Mats sole possession of first.
The one-sided affair was one more indication that this 15-senior, six-junior squad has grown up a lot in the past two seasons, learning some humbling lessons along the way.
Not looking ahead to the epic showdown with Bellflower next week with the league championship on the line was just another way the Matadores have showed their maturity in 2010. But even more revealing was the fact that they cruised at a House of Horrors that not only the baseball team almost always struggles, but so does the basketball team.
Monsoons Gone With the Wind
Lakewood~-Mayfair has left the building.
More specifically, the Monsoons--on a terribly windy day that befit the hosts' nickname--have all but left the race in the Suburban League. Perhaps they are still on the porch.
With La Mirada's heartstopping, 4-3 victory Friday over Mayfair, both the Matadores and Bellflower are 7-1 with the Monsoons falling to 5-3. Some unexpected help from huge underdogs next week is the only way Mayfair can possibly grab a share of the league title as La Mirada and Bellflower are set to close the regular season with a pair May 11 and 13.
In the meantime, La Mirada has one more non-league contest, a very challenging one Saturday morning that includes a long road trip to face a strong club from the deep Marmonte League in Moorpark to close out the Redondo Tournament.
First Showdown Goes to Matadores
La Mirada~One of the wonders of the game of baseball is, whenever you think you've seen it all, you know you never will.
In today's game, the Matadores-in a crucial first-place battle with Mayfair looked like as if they were on their way to losing, with no momentum, as Mayfair was in control 2-0, through four innings.
With the Matadores batting in the bottom of the fifth and two outs, Andres Rodriguez struck out swinging, but the Mayfair catcher dropped the ball and allowed Rodriguez to reach first base-extending the inning.
The Matadores then scored 10 straight runs in the frame; and eventually going on to win 10-3.
The Matadores (15-8, 6-1), now have sole possession of first place in the Suburban League, with five league games remaining.
Mother-Daughter Tea/Luncheon Set for May 8th
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada will host its annual Mother-Daughter Tea Party on Saturday, May 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. Grandmothers, mothers, and daughters are invited to enjoy a garden luncheon.
Dress up in your prettiest hat and gloves and participate in the fashion show. Those in attendance will be served a four-course tea complete with tea sandwiches, scones, and a dessert finale. Favors and children’s crafts will be included in the festivities. Special photos will be offered for a nominal fee.
The cost is $27 for ages 12 and up and $17 for ages 3 to 11. Registration must be received by April 27.
To register or for additional information, call the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.
19th Edition of the “4 La Mirada Kids Carnival” Returns to Benton this Weekend
La Mirada~ Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to the "4 La Mirada Kids" Carnival this weekend, as it returns for its 19th year, April 23-25, at Benton Middle School in La Mirada.
The Carnival supports programs that benefit youth in La Mirada. Schools and organizations throughout La Mirada use carnival funds to support many educational and extracurricular opportunities.
Pre-sale ride tickets are available for $10 at the La Mirada Resource Center until April 22. Purchase your tickets today!
Sponsored by the La Mirada Community Services Foundation, the event raises funds for youth groups and community organizations in La Mirada. Volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to make the carnival a success.
Thousands of people are expected to file through the gates as the usual great fare and local entertainment will be provided. The event has become an annual family destination and provides a venue for local nonprofits and schools to raise money for programs that benefit La Mirada kids.
AdviceRadio.com personality & La Mirada Blog Publisher Tony Aiello, will be the announcer and the MC for the entertainment during the three-day event.
Local youth cheer groups, dance groups, and bands are expected to fill the stage throughout the entire weekend with the following highlights: Friday, "Joe May and the Joe May Orchestra", 7:00 PM; Saturday, "The Kingsmen" form Biola University, 1:00 PM, The Biola Musical Theatre Childrens Group, 2:00 PM, Shakedown, 3:00 PM, The Academix, 8:00 PM; Sunday, Alohi Polynesian Dancers, 6:00 PM, "Stupid Pony", 7:00 PM.
The Carnival will be open at Benton Middle School on Friday, April 23 from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, April 24 from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, April 25 from 1 to 9 p.m.
Review: The Buddy Holly Story Thru May 2nd at LM Theatre
WOW! I wasn’t even born yet, and though I did not live this moment, I was still able to feel the shiver of the unforgettable tragedy that Americans endured and shared the day that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson died in a tragic plane crash following their February 2nd performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa; in McCoy-Rigby’s latest La Mirada venture, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story now playing through May 2nd at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing arts.
The cast features: Brandon Albright as Buddy Holly; along with Steve Alderfer, Jack Bartlett, Omar D. Brancato, T.J. Dawson, Darrin Glesser, Bill Lewis, Christia Mantzke, Maegan McConnell, Manuel Romero, Arthur L. Ross, Brent Schindele, Andy Taylor, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Matt Wolpe and Cody Wood. Casting Director Julia Flores knew exactly what she was doing when she decided on this talented group.