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Volunteers Sought for Homeless Count
The City of La Mirada is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2018 Homeless Count. Each year, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) coordinates a count of homeless persons in the region to estimate the homeless population in Los Angeles County. This year’s Count will be held on Wednesday, January 24 from 8 to 11 p.m.
The Homeless Count involves volunteers canvassing predetermined areas and tallying homeless and transient persons from a distance. Volunteers are not allowed to engage with the homeless.
Volunteers will receive training at a briefing prior to the Count and should expect to assist in La Mirada from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24. Volunteers are needed to participate as drivers using personal vehicles, navigators, team leaders, and counters. Participants must be over 18 years of age.
For more information or to sign-up, contact the La Mirada Resource Center at (562) 943-7277.
Supervisor Hahn Presents New Mobile Stroke Unit
On Monday, January 8, Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at LA County Fire Station #30 in Cerritos to mark the launch of a Mobile Stroke Unit in the southeastern region of the county.
The Mobile Stroke Unit is equipped with a portable CT scanner that allows UCLA medical professionals to diagnose and treat stroke victims. The Mobile Stroke Unit was developed to eliminate delays in treatment and meet the specialized needs of stroke victims in the fields. Mobile Stroke Units can save lives and prevent or reduce the long-term brain damage and disability associated with strokes. The technology is new and this particular unit is the first in the Western United States.
The Mobile Stroke Unit is part of a pilot program launched by UCLA Health and funded by both the philanthropic efforts of the Arlene and Henry Gluck Foundation and the County of Los Angeles. Six months ago the county Board of Supervisors agreed to fund the pilot program by passing a motion authored by Supervisor Hahn to provide $1.5 million to fund and expand this pilot program.
This Mobile Stroke Unit is now available to respond to stroke-related emergency calls in the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada, Norwalk, Paramount, and Signal Hill, as well as the area of unincorporated Whitter.
La Mirada Offers AARP Tax Assistance Program
The City of La Mirada offers residents the opportunity to receive free tax assistance with the AARP Tax Assistance Program at the La Mirada Activity Center. With this program, free federal and state income tax assistance is offered to seniors and low-income community members.
Taxpayers are asked to bring driver’s license or California ID, records of income and deductions including forms W-2, W2P, and 1099’s, statements showing interest and dividends, a copy of last year’s return, affordable health care statements, and any other pertinent records.
Income tax assistance for seniors will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the Activity Center and low-income tax assistance will be held on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. This program will begin on February 6 through April 13.
Appointments are highly encouraged. Walk-ins are taken on a first-come, first served basis. Space is limited. The Activity Center is located at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
For additional information, call the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
La Mirada Welcomes LA County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jeff Dusky
The La Mirada City Council recently introduced Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jeff Dusky, who will serve as the new La Mirada Service Area Lieutenant.
Lt. Dusky is a 31-year veteran of the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. He has worked on a variety of assignments at Norwalk, Firestone, and Lynwood Sheriff’s Station and Field Operations Support Services from 1989 to 2000. During those years in Field Operations, he was a member of La Mirada’s Special Assignment Officers (SAO) team for four years.
Since 2000, Lt. Dusky has held the ranks of Narcotic Detective, Sergeant, Chief’s Aide, and Lieutenant, which he promoted to in 2015. Lieutenant Dusky is looking forward to continuing to enhance law enforcement in La Mirada.
“I am proud and honored to return to the City of La Mirada as the Service Area Lieutenant and serve its residents once again,” said Dusky. “La Mirada has a team of dedicated deputies working together to keep the community safe and the City Council and residents are supportive of the team’s efforts.”
La Mirada Councilman Andrew Sarega Announces Campaign for Congress to Replace Rep. Ed Royce
La Mirada City Councilman Andrew Sarega, a Republican, announced Tuesday that he will be a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives to replace retiring Rep. Ed Royce in Congress.
Sarega said he will commit $200,000 to help fund his campaign and will file documents with the Federal Election Commission.
“I have grown extremely frustrated with the careless manner in which both Sacramento and Washington D.C. politicians enact laws that negatively impact our communities,” Sarega said.
“As a Councilman, I have seen firsthand how these laws take local control away from residents and replace our neighborhoods with one-size- fits-all policies. Out-of- touch politicians need to be held accountable. Many are entrenched in their jobs, serving special interests at the expense of their constituents.”
La Mirada News Bites #10
One of La Mirada’s Original Businesses Moving its Pharmacy
The owner of Valley View Rexall Drugs is moving the pharmacy portion of the business out of the building at Roseview Center North across the street to Roseview Center South, occupying two units.
The current store will remain and continue operation as a compounding drug manufacturer, mail center, and sellers of in-home supplies and mobility equipment, among other things.
The drug store operates as the retailer of its parent company, Valley View Drug Co, Inc.
Roseview North and South were the first retail centers built in La Mirada in the mid 1950’s. The very first La Mirada city hall was housed at the south center.
Pastor Jack Exits Living Faith
Pastor Jack Miranda held his final mass for Living Faith Church at Foster Road Elementary on December 31st.
The current La Mirada Kiwanis President told us via e-mail that his family will remain in La Mirada and he will “continue to serve our community as an invested citizen.”
Steve Camarillo and his wife Maria, are the new pastors at the church.
Living Faith was founded by Miranda and his wife Eileen in 1999.
Sylvia Piltz Dies at 98
Also on December 31st, Sylvia Piltz, wife of former City Councilman and Mayor Lou Piltz died at 98 we have learned from Mark Royston of the Kiwanis Chronicles.
The Piltz’s were married in 1941 and moved to La Mirada in 1957 starting a long span of community service.
While Lou manged the Hiram’s grocery store that would eventually become a Lucky store, Sylvia ran their Orange Julius stand at the original La Mirada shopping center.
Cup of Joe with Ian
California State Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, who represents La Mirada’s District 57, will be hosting a Community Coffee on Saturday, January 20th inside the Benton Middle School multipurpose room at 15709 Olive Branch Drive from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Residents are invited to have a cup of coffee and ask questions about local issues and state legislation.
For more information call (562) 692-5858 or visit asmdc.org/gw.
Agrusa’s Moves to La Habra
After over 20 years at the same location, at the corner of southwest corner of Valley View and Rosecrans Avenues, Agrusa’s Italian Restaurant has moved to La Habra.
The little hidden gem with staying power was actually not located in the city of La Mirada, but in Santa Fe Springs, directly on the border of the two cities.
Their new location is at 1240 W. Imperial Highway, just east of Beach Boulevard.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17th at 11:30 a.m.
UPDATE: 15:53 01/28/18 The La Mirada Blog has learned Agrusa's will be re-opening its Santa Fe Springs/La Mirada location sometime in February for lunch only Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. As of this time we expect only sandwiches and pizzas will be served. Stay tuned!
OBITUARY: Miriam “Mrs. O” Oxman
Miriam Oxman, 95, of Buena Park passed away November 18, 2017. She started a mail-order business at Rosecrans and Valley View Avenues in Santa Fe Springs in 1961 with her husband Jerome Oxman that would become Oxman’s Surplus, a landmark in Southern California for its extraordinary military museum, war memorabilia, and surplus military sales to the public
Miriam Averbook was born August 26, 1922 in Superior, Wisconsin, and married Jerome Oxman of Duluth, Minnesota, in 1947. The couple came to California on their honeymoon and never went back.
Together, Mr. and Mrs. “O” created “Oxman’s Surplus, which grew into a sprawling military surplus outlet and a military museum. Miriam established a military-themed cafe in the store, featuring hot dogs, chicken nuggets and MREs, the military ready-to-eat meals that soldiers eat on the battlefield.
Oxman's is a favorite of generations of La Mirada kids.
Even in her 90’s Mrs. O was a fixture in the store, coming to work every day to be with the customers who cherished and loved her. Veterans from all over the world came to the store, for treasured memorabilia which was impossible to find anywhere else. Miriam got such a kick out of serving customers.
City Bites
Help those less fortunate this holiday season with La Mirada’s annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive. Now through December 11, donations of new, unwrapped toys, and nonperishable food items will be accepted at the following City facilities: Activity Center, City Hall, Community Sheriff’s Station, Gymnasium, La Mirada Library, Splash!, and the Resource Center. This wonderful program will help provide holiday gifts and meals for La Mirada families in need during the holiday season.
The La Mirada Activity Center will be hosting free dental screenings on Wednesday, November 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. No insurance is necessary. New Age Dental will be providing a dentist to conduct screenings to seniors age 55 and above. The dentist will be performing checkups only. If there is something of concern during a checkup, community members will be advised to go to their regular dental care facility for treatment. For additional information, contact the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
Registration for winter swimming lessons at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center opened earlier this week. Registration can be completed online, by phone, or in person at Splash! or the Resource Center. Splash! offers a variety of swim lessons for all ages and ability levels with morning, evening, and weekend classes available, If assistance is needed to determine class level, skill tests are available prior to registration. Participants may come to Splash! during recreational swim hours for testing. For additional information on swim lessons or other aquatic programs, call Splash! at (562) 902-3191 or visit splashlamirada.com.
La Mirada Lamplighter Publisher Under Fire for Fake News Story
Los Angeles~In a startling departure from traditional standards of journalism, Los Cerritos Community News and La Mirada Lamplighter publisher Brian Hews claims the ability to read the minds of people with whom he has neither met nor spoken with.
In a series of sworn statements made under oath, Mr. Hews made several astonishing admissions regarding the fake news story that he authored and published falsely accusing Central Basin Municipal Water District Board Member Leticia Vasquez and Montebello City Councilwoman Vanessa Delgado of attempted bribery and extortion.
The June 26, 2016 article states that during a meeting with Cook Hills Properties LLC officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado attempted to extort money from and solicit bribes from officials of the Newport Beach real estate development company.
Cook Hills’ officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado have all provided sworn statements in Ms. Vasquez’s Los Angeles Superior Court defamation lawsuit (Case No. BC658053) against Mr. Hews denying the allegations and stating that the whole story is fabricated.
La Mirada Library Hosting Halloween Events for Kids and Pets
Great ways for kids and pets to celebrate Halloween are on slate for the La Mirada Library this month.
October 27th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Practice your reading skills with a friendly and gentle dog! Read to a trained therapy dog and volunteer handler from the Pet Prescription Team. Recommended for school age children. Parent permission and sign-up is required.
October 28th at 10:00 a.m. Meet and greet dogs, cats, and rabbits of various breeds and colors. Come meet and greet the stars of this amazing library tour. Keep the fun going with the on-site adoption opportunities. All ages welcome!
October 28th at 10:00 a.m you can have fun designing your own mask. Wear it for Halloween or just for fun. There will be several themes to choose from.
October 31st Celebrate Halloween at the La Mirada Library! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and enjoy an afternoon of Swazzle’s Musical Monster Mash-Up puppet show from 6:00-6:45 p.m followed by a tasty treat. All ages are welcome to attend. Recommended for children 5 - 10 years-old and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the La Mirada Library.
For more info view the event flyers here.
Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project Community Meeting at Resource Center
La Mirada~Residents are invited to the Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project community meeting to be held Tuesday, October 17 at the La Mirada Resource Center from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with presentations at 4:30 and 6:00.
Long recognized as the most hazardous rail crossing in the state by regulators, construction is expected to begin in just over a year on a project that will grade separate the Santa Fe Springs intersection above the BNSF railroad tracks.
Three deaths and 20+ incidents have occurred there from 2013-2015, many we reported right here. The railroad tracks cross through the intersection diagonally, apparently making it more difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see oncoming trains.
The industrial intersection is located about a football field south of the La Mirada city limits. The southwest corner was a haven for West La Mirada teenagers and their dirt bikes in the 70’s when it was just a huge dirt lot, as this writer can personally attest to.
La Mirada area residents have been hearing the train horns well before incorporation since the tracks were laid in the late 19th century.
The Metro Transportation Authority (Metro) will oversee the $137 million+ funded project and along with Caltrans, they have studied ways to improve the crossing.
In March 2016, Metro identified a preferred alternative to grade separate Rosecrans and Marquardt from the railway after two community meetings were held in La Mirada to discuss various options.
Since then, the project team has been working on refining the alternative, completing the environmental process, and getting the project ready for construction.
At the upcoming community meeting on October 17, residents will learn more about the status of the environmental and design process and the anticipated next steps leading to the construction phase and be able to provide feedback.
Oh, and those train horns.
Just up the tracks to the east, the Valley View Avenue Separation Project was completed in 2014. So, when the Rosecrans project is complete, train horns will not be heard in this area for the first time in over 120 years.
Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and be completed sometime in 2021.
Latest La Mirada Ticker
Tickets are now on sale for “The Magic of Christmas” by the Young Americans, a spectacular show playing again at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this holiday season.
The popular La Mirada “Dollar Theatre” at Adelfa and Rosecrans has apparently has been bought by the AMC theater chain and is now the AMC Classic-La Mirada 7. At one time, admission for the dollar theatre was actually $1.00 when it debuted way back when. Grapevine rumors are indicating AMC plans call for a major remodel that will include ultra-reclining seats and a bar with food entrees. Stay tuned.
Speaking of beer, after a long process, right next door to AMC, Cabo Taco Baja Grill appears to be another step closer to the city allowing them to serve beer and wine in their remodeled patio. It’s long overdue-good news!
Last chance to enjoy Buccaneer Bay for the season is Saturday, October 14th. For additional information, call (562) 943-7277 or visit splashlamirada.com.
The La Mirada Symphony recently announced their new Board of Directors-David Derks, President; Hiten Ratanjee, Treasurer/Director of Finance; Pilar Graves, Secretary; Chris Kawate, Director of Ways and Means and Antoniette Saunders, Creative Director.
Latest La Mirada Crime Summary
The following is the crime summary as reported by the City of La Mirada for August 7-20, 2017
Notable Arrests-A suspect was arrested for trespassing and drunk in public near Telegraph Rd. and Leffingwell Rd. A suspect was arrested for felony vandalism on the 14500 block of Figueras Rd. Five suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for various warrants and narcotics violations. A drunk driver was arrested in the early morning hours near Imperial Hwy. and Telegraph Rd. A suspect involved in aggravated assault was arrested without incident at his residence in La Mirada. Three suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for various warrants and narcotics violations.
Other Structure Burglary-Cash was stolen during an early morning door smash burglary was reported on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. An overnight burglary of a bicycle was reported on the 13700 block of Biola Ave. Various computer and video equipment was reported stolen during an overnight door smash burglary on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. A candy dispenser was reported stolen during a daytime burglary on the 12700 block of Valley View Ave.
Vehicle Burglary-A daytime window smash burglary was reported on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. No items were reported missing from the vehicle. A briefcase was reported stolen during a daytime window smash burglary on the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd. A wallet and backpack were stolen during a morning burglary on the 13500 block of Brazo Rd. The stolen items were later recovered and the suspect was arrested. Several tools were reported stolen on the 15900 block of Golva Dr. An overnight burglary was reported on the 14400 block of Rosecrans Ave. Paperwork was reported stolen. A wallet and a pocket knife were stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14800 block of Tacuba Dr.
