La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
Incumbents Cruise in Norwalk-La Mirada School Board Race
Norwalk~The three incumbents, all from La Mirada, easily held off challenger Victor Juan last night, cruising to victory and winning another four-year term.
Karen Morrison (1,998 votes), Chris Pflanzer (1720), and Jesse Urquidi (1687) won in a race that was never close.
Board members will be overseeing the distribution of funds from Measure G approved by voters last November, eventually.
There were no other candidates in the contest. Juan filed papers on the last day and was criticized by unnamed inside sources for running in the race and therefore creating a need for an election. Sources say it cost the school district $300,000 to conduct an election.
Democracy at its best or worst or in the middle?
Business Landscape Changing in La Mirada
Dunkel Bros. Machinery Moving is….Moving.
The La Mirada-based company will be staying in town, but will be relocating to 14555 Alondra Blvd after the California Department of Transportation purchased its current facility on Firestone Blvd. for the I-5 Widening Project, it announced last year.
The firm is best known for the well-publicized move of the Space Shuttle Endeavor from LAX to its new home at the California Science Center two years ago.
They will be renovating the building on Alondra that was built in 1968 and utilizing it as its corporate headquarters. The building is 237,089 square feet building and sits on 12+ acres.
The building originally was scheduled to be demolished but the previous owner (Heitman LLC) received an offer from Dunkel they couldn’t refuse.
The 2015 holiday season may be the last chance for area residents to view the company’s famous light display that adorns the 5 freeway every year.
Full Steamed Buns Ahead
Plans to build a McDonald’s at the site of the iconic Carriage Coffee Shop are moving forward according to City Community Development Manager Alison Moore.
A fire broke out in the kitchen in December of last year and shuttered the eatery permanently.
Many people have commented and speculated publicly on this website’s Facebook page, the fire last year seemed suspicious at a time when the closure of The Carriage seemed imminent.
Moore told us indications from the developer, Rich Development, reflect that there should be “activity” on the site soon.
Diving Right In
Pacific Diving Academy USA, Inc. currently located in Santa Fe Springs will be moving to La Mirada after purchasing the former 24-Hour Fitness facility located on La Mirada Blvd.
The non-profit organization was founded in 1996 by Andy and Amy Kwan. Along with a world class dry-land diving facility, their training center houses a full size gymnastics spring floor, numerous gymnastics apparatus, dance studio, and a weight training center.
The company purchased the building outright. Kimco Realty Corp. are the owners of most of the remainder of the Theatre Center.
The City currently contracts, with the academy for some of their classes.
The former LA Fitness gym next to IHOP is currently undergoing a renovation you can see when you drive by.
La Mirada Shaquatics Hosts Scrimmage to Raise Funds for Injured Veterans
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| The La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo Club recently raised $343.00 at Biola University for injured veterans. |
La Mirada~The Shaquatics Water Polo Club based in La Mirada recently hosted a charity scrimmage benefiting Homes for our Troops.
On Tuesday, October 13th students participated in a water polo game at Biola University and families each donated $10 per player. In addition, t-shirt sales also added to the donation.
The group raised $343.00 for Homes for our Troops, an organization committed to building mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans post-9/11, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
For more information on the La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo Club visit www.shaquatics.net/
Norwalk-La Mirada Schools to Hold 4th Annual College Fair
Norwalk~The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District is inviting students and parents to attend its annual District College Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the John Glenn High School gymnasium.
NLMUSD Board President and Glenn alumni, Jesse Urquidi will kick off the event at a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolically opening the door to an exciting future for all students.
The fair is open to the public and will feature more than 50 college representatives and several college workshops in both English and Spanish.
John Glenn High School is located at 13520 Shoemaker Avenue in Norwalk.
Follow-up: More than 4,000 students in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District attended the District’s fourth annual College Expo on Oct. 21 at Glenn High School – nearly doubling last year’s attendance.
The Expo was part of an expanding stable of District programs aimed at boosting college- and career-readiness for students. Students and families met with more than 50 college and university representatives, attended workshops and learned about career pathways.
Interactive exhibits featured the District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Project Lead The Way programs; a VIP reception was catered entirely by Norwalk High’s Culinary Arts students using a mobile kitchen designed and built by Norwalk High’s automotive class.
California’s Most Dangerous Railroad Crossing Will Be Fixed
Metro will hold two community meetings on the grade separation project On September 30th from 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. at LM Resource Center
Santa Fe Springs~A Grade Separation Project is being considered at the railroad crossing at the intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt Avenues in the city of Santa Fe Springs, just beyond the La Mirada western border.
Los Angeles County Metro is partnering with the BNSF Railway along with the City of Santa Fe Springs and Caltrans. The project is fully funded by the State's Section 190 Program, Proposition 1A, Measure R and BNSF.
The crossing has been rated by the California Public Utilities Commission as the most hazardous grade crossing in California, thus it is ranked first on the priority list for crossings eligible for funding. The project is expected to cost $130 million.
Once constructed, motorists will be able to travel safely through the intersection without the possibility of train to vehicle collisions. It will also improve the efficiency of train movement and eliminate the need for required train horns at the intersection. Metro officials say approximately 130 trains and 45,000 vehicles use this crossing daily.
There have been numerous accidents at the intersection over the years the last being on January 7, 2013 when 26-year-old Emily Scott of La Mirada was killed when her automobile collided with a freight train. There have also been suicides and attempted suicides at or near the intersection.
In June of this year Caltrans released its Benefit-Cost Analysis of the project. The report stated four fatalities, six injuries, and five property damage only incidents have occurred over a 10-year period that involve this at-grade intersection.
On October 30 2012 two LA County Sheriff's deputies pushed a disabled vehicle off the tracks preventing a mass transit disaster. We reported here in 2009 of a train vs. car incident.
Residents can learn about the proposed alternatives, provide feedback and talk one-on-one with project representatives at the September 30th meetings.
Future meetings will be held. For more information visit here or call (888) 512-1198.
Metro representatives say construction could begin as early as spring of 2018.
Trujillo “Taking a Break” at La Mirada High
Coach retires from La Mirada High after over 40 years of coaching locally; interviews for new coach begin next week
La Mirada~After 17 years as head coach of La Mirada High School Softball, Rich Trujillo has decided to “take a break,“ and will not return next season.
“It’s been a lot of fun and I’m glad to have been part of it. I appreciate the opportunity,” Trujillo told us via telephone,” whoever takes over I wish nothing but success and good luck and if there is anything I can do to help out I will.”
Co-Athletic Director at the school Jimmy Zurn told us the job for new head coach will be posted this week and interviews are scheduled to begin the week of August 3rd.
The school still lists Trujillo as the head coach on their website.
Trujillo said his phone has been busy, “I’m getting lots of calls from (former) players and their families.”
Trujillo’s Lady Mats appeared in three CIF Southern Section Finals, unfortunately falling short each time.
La Mirada won the Suburban League championship 13 of the 17 years with Trujillo at the helm.
Before coaching at La Mirada, Trujillo coached four years at Cypress College garnering a state championship.
Russian Delegates Enjoy Their Stay at Biola University and La Mirada
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| Special Olympics athletes from Russia attended a welcome event this past Wednesday at Biola University and chilled with Councilman Larry Mowles. |
La Mirada~The City partnered with Biola University to host a welcome event earlier this week at Biola University for 2015 Special Olympic World Games athletes from Russia and Macau.
The event was held this past Wednesday on the Metzger Lawn with lunch provided by Chick Fil-A. Athletes and other attendees socialized and participated in games on the lawn.
Welcome speeches and presentations were given by La Mirada Mayor Pauline Deal, Whittier Mayor Fernando Dutra, Biola President Barry Corey, and delegates from Russia and Macau.
“La Mirada is honored to serve as a Host Town for the 2015 Special Olympics,” said La Mirada Mayor Pauline Deal. “It was a great experience meeting with athletes and delegates from Russia, and we hope they enjoyed their stay in our wonderful City.”
La Mirada served as the host town for Russian athletes and Whittier hosted athletes from Macau. Biola University provided housing for 240 athletes, coaches, and support staff Wednesday through Friday last week in campus dorms. The City hosted two welcome events including the summer concert on Thursday where athletes enjoyed activities including a "mini-oympics."
Athletes had access to train at City facilities, and the City also provided in-town transportation during their stay.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games is one of the largest events hosted by Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. About 7,000 athletes from more than 170 countries will compete in 25 sports during the event. Opening ceremonies took place yesterday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
La Mirada was one of about 100 Cities throughout Southern California selected to serve as a Host Town.
Community Services Director Lori Thompson, told us on our Periscope broadcast, that with close to 250 athletes, the City had the prestigious honor of hosting the largest delegation of the Special Olympics, “We could not have been a Host Town without Biola’s help, they were essential in the partnership.”
Thompson said La Mirada and Biola University were sought after by many of the delegations after the City was named as a Host Town in May of last year.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games continue through August 2nd at venues in Long Beach and Los Angeles.
La Mirada Crime Report: Cars Ransacked at The Villages
La Mirada Blog Facebook fan Jann Rodriguez reported two cars got ransacked in the early morning hours of July 21st at The Villages gated community in La Mirada.
The following is the crime report for La Mirada July 13th-19th 2015:
Aggravated Assault-A domestic assault was reported on the 14200 block of Gagely Dr. A male adult was arrested in connection with the incident.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15300 block of San Ardo Dr. Electronics and jewelry were stolen from the residence. A burglary to a garage was reported on the 14700 block of San Feliciano Dr. Various power tools were stolen from the residence. A bicycle was reported stolen from a garage on the 15200 block of Borda Rd. A burglary to a hotel room was reported on the 14400 block of Firestone Blvd.
Other Str
ucture Burglary-An attempted burglary was reported on the 15700 block of Pescados Dr. A burglary was reported on the 14100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Medical equipment was taken in the incident.
Vehicle Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 14500 block of Cortina Dr. Third row seats from the vehicle were stolen in the incident. A vehicle burglary and an attempted burglary were reported on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. An burglary was reported on the 14900 block of Firestone Blvd.
Grand Theft-Batteries from a cell tower were reported stolen on the 13800 block of La Mirada Blvd. A metal ramp was reported stolen on the 15800 block of Imperial Hwy. A shoplifting incident was reported on the 12300 block of La Mirada Blvd. A male adult was arrested in connection with the theft.
Grand Theft Vehicle- A truck was reported stolen from the 16500 block of Trojan Way. The vehicle was recovered several days later by the Whittier Police.A truck reported stolen from Buena Park was recovered on the 14900 block of Gagely Dr.
La Mirada Music Celebrating 18-Year Anniversary
La Mirada~Come by and grab a bite and shop for a great deal as La Mirada Music will be celebrating their 18 years in town this Saturday, July 25th from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Hot Dogs, Burgers and live music will greet guests and merchandise will be priced to move at this clearance event.
La Mirada Music is located at 14928 Leffingwell Road (just west of La Mirada Blvd) in La Mirada.
For more information call (562) 941-4495.
Sporting News Grill to Host Grand Opening Party
La Mirada~The city’s newest restaurant & sports bar, the Sporting News Grill, is now open and will be hosting a grand opening party Wednesday, July 15th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with drinks, prizes and giveaways.
It is located at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 14299 Firestone Boulevard at the 5 freeway.
The La Mirada Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon cutting preceding the grand opening at 4:30 p.m.
As part of the event, Sporting news Grill will donate 25 % of all proceeds to “From Maddi’s Closet,” a non-profit organization based in La Mirada that works to build public awareness of childhood cancer throughout our community bringing love, hope and joy to children battling the disease.
The La Mirada unit will be the first in California and the largest for the Holiday Inn chain of restaurants now operating all over the country.
The restaurant will feature a full-service sports bar and will offer over 20 flat screen TV's, one 80" flat LED TV and 24 beer lines.
The former home of Lew’s and more recently the Red Robin, the interior has been gutted and revamped. It is roomy and spacious featuring stonework and polished wood.
The menu includes appetizers, classic & specialty burgers, a wide variety of fresh salads, pizza, gourmet steaks and more.
For more information visit snglamirada.com.
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