Community
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.
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.
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.
Name Change for Festival Reflects La Mirada’s Heritage
La Mirada~The 4th Annual La Mirada Olive Fest (formerly the La Mirada Blog Fest), in cooperation with the La Mirada Symphony and the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce, is set for September 21st at La Mirada Regional Park from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The free event, which celebrates the history of La Mirada, along with its artistic and musical heritage, will feature live entertainment, an art walk, a La Mirada Legends meet-and-greet, an opportunity drawing with a $500 grand prize, food trucks, and vendors selling arts and crafts.
“La Mirada is a special place and it really deserves its own family-friendly unique event that it can call its own,” says La Mirada native and Olive Fest Committee President Tony Aiello, “What we seek to do is incorporate elements from past events in La Mirada that have proven to be successful; the olive trees are so encrusted in our heritage, it was an obvious choice for a name.”
“We have taken ideas from the old Fiesta de Artes, (an outdoor art show that was very popular in the 70’s and 80’s). Also, we have ideas from the Celebration in the Park at Neff, the La Mirada Kids Carnival, and the La Mirada Chamber Business Expo. We are talking about adding an olive recipe contest, olive oil tasting, Mr. and Mrs. Olive and more as each year goes by.”
“This is our fourth year, and each year we have grown in size. We have always considered ourselves a grassroots organization and we have somehow sustained ourselves the first three years. We are very excited to have new sponsors aboard and new groups involved. We love the idea of community organizations using our event for a fund raising opportunity. The seed has been planted to maintain an annual community-driven event that celebrates growing and living in a great town.”
Residents May Apply to Serve on City Charter Exploratory Committee
The City Council established the City Charter Exploratory Committee during their August 27th meeting. The five member committee will be charged with reviewing the potential advantages of becoming a charter city and preparing a draft charter for the Council’s consideration.
Applications will be accepted for those interested in serving on the City Charter Exploratory Committee until September 20. Committee members must be at least 18 years old, United States citizens and residents of La Mirada.
The City Charter Exploratory Committee will meet at least monthly, or more often if needed, to review charter city issues and draft the proposed city charter. The committee will explore the differences between charter cities and general law cities, review municipal affairs over which charter cities have authority, identify advantages of becoming a charter city, discuss charter contents, and prepare a draft city charter.
There are currently 121 charter cities in California, including nearby Buena Park, Cerritos and Whittier.
“Charter cities work under the home-rule provision of the state constitution,” says City Manager Designee Jeff Boynton. “This committee will be looking at whether a charter could increase local control and provide other benefits for La Mirada.”
Residents interested in serving on the committee may complete an application and submit it to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. Applications are available at City Hall and on the City’s website www.cityoflamirada.org.
New Web Page Offers Updated Construction News
La Mirada~It seems everywhere you turn these days there is some kind of construction going on in the La Mirada area.
The City of La Mirada has responded by adding a new Capital Improvement Projects page to the city's website to provide information and photos of the numerous infrastructure improvements underway throughout La Mirada.
Located on the city's homepage under the Reference Links section, the Capital Improvement Projects page offers information on neighborhood street improvements, Interstate 5 Freeway mitigation projects and the Santa Gertrudes Avenue sidewalk improvements.
Information will be updated regularly to show each project's progress through the latest news and photos. Future projects will also be highlighted.
To access the page click here.
Sidewalk Improvements Continue Along Santa Gertrudes
La Mirada~Sidewalk improvements along a large stretch of Santa Gertrudes Avenue in La Mirada, from Lemon Drive to Rosecrans Avenue, continue this week. The project was approved by the City Council earlier this year and is part of an aggressive plan to repair La Mirada’s infrastructure over the next several years.
“The sidewalk will be completely removed and replaced with a new layout scheme and landscaping,” says Public Works Manager Gary Sanui. “Overgrown ficus trees and their roots caused most of the damage to the pavement, and will be removed also.”
The new sidewalk path will feature an attractive walkway with alternating landscape strips of camphor street trees and plants, an automatic irrigation system, and new curb access ramps to meet current state and federal regulations. Damaged sections of curb, gutter, and street pavement will also be replaced.
Kasa Construction, Inc. was awarded the construction contract in March with a bid of $794,657. The company has successfully completed similar construction projects for the City in the past. The project is scheduled for completion later next month.
La Mirada Little League Junior All-Stars to Play in So-Cal Championship Series
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| Coaches and players celebrate last night after LMLL Junior All-Stars capture Southern California/North Championship |
Playing in the ten-year anniversary season of going to the World Series, the La Mirada Little League Junior All-Stars are on the road to going back
Santa Ana~The La Mirada Little League Junior All-Star team beat Glendora National last night, 11-0, to capture the Junior Division Southern California North Championship title.
La Mirada will play again starting this Friday July 26th at Memorial Park in Santa Ana in a best-of-three series against the So-Cal South Champion (yet TBD).
The two teams will play for the Southern California Championship, with game time Friday at 6 p.m.
The last time the LMLL Junior Division went this far was in 2003, when they went all the way to the Junior World Series and won it all, ten years ago.
Should the team win the series this weekend, they will be traveling to Vancouver, Washington to compete in the Western Region Tournament for a chance to go back to the Junior League World Series which is held in Taylor, Michigan.
In 2003, La Mirada overcame numerous obstacles including postponements caused by the famous blackout of 2003 that stretched from the Midwest to the East Coast, and multiple rain delays.
La Mirada beat Santiago, Panama 8-7 in front of an ESPN audience-the last California team to win the Junior League World Series title.
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