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OBITUARY: La Mirada Loses a Valuable Community Member
It is with a heavy heart we report to the La Mirada community that Dr. Stephen Peter Sokol, “La Mirada’s Eye Doctor,” passed on May 15th at the age of 78. His funeral was held on May 18th.
Dr. Sokol was a true part of the La Mirada community, woven into its fabric, proven by the countless comments we have received from fans about Dr. Sokol over the years on the La Mirada Blog Facebook page.
Dr. Sokol is one of many people that we as a community and city will always be thankful for; because of people like him it is why La Mirada is such a great place to live in today and we are so happy he opened his practice here!
Around 1940, Dr. Sokol’s Dad, Louis was a medical doctor in the army and got stationed in Paris, Texas and moved his family there; they stayed there until the end of WWII.
They moved from Texas to Beverly Hills and our Dr. Sokol attended Beverly Hills High School and graduated with honors in 1954. He then went on to college at USC and majored in psychology.
Dr. Sokol was president of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and graduated in 1958.
After finishing USC, Dr. Sokol took a few years off and traveled and after that he applied and entered Los Angeles College of Optometry (LACO) and graduated in 1965.
Dr. Sokol’s father had a very large medical practice in Beverly Hills. Myra Phyllis Weiner worked as a nurse at this practice. In 1962, Dr. Sokol came to see his father at the office and met Myra.
The elder Sokol had a big Christmas party in Palm Springs that year and Dr. Sokol and Myra danced and got to know each other. Later, they started dating after that and married on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1965.
In 1969, Dr. Sokol decided to open his own optical practice in La Mirada, so he moved his family here.
In 1971 Dr. Sokol and Myra bought a house three miles from Stephen’s practice at Valley View and Imperial and they still own that house today.
La Mirada Crime Report; Vehicle Thefts on the Rise
The following is the crime report for La Mirada May 11 - May 17, 2015
Aggravated Assault-A domestic assault was reported on the 15200 block of Borda Rd.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 16100 block of Reeve Dr. Cash and firearms were stolen from the residence. Cash and electronics were reported stolen in a burglary on the 14600 block of Figueras Rd. Two subjects were taken into custody in connection with a burglary on the 14500 block of Valeda Dr.
Other Structure Burglary-Portable radios were stolen in a burglary on the 14600 block of Mercado Ave.
Grand Theft-Vehicle tires were reported stolen from two trucks on the 14300 block of Macaw St.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report
The latest La Mirada crime report:
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 13300 block of Fonseca Ave. Jewelry was stolen from the residence. An incident was reported on the 14500 block of Los Fuentes Rd. Jewelry was stolen from the home. A burglary was reported on the 13500 block of Parise Dr. It is unknown if anything was taken from the home.
Other Structure Burglary-Cash was reported stolen from a business in a burglary on the 14600 block of Imperial Hwy. A burglary to a trailer was reported on the 15000 block of Excelsior Dr. A male adult was arrested in connection with the incident. A burglary was reported on the 13500 block of Adelfa Dr.
Vehicle Burglary-Three window-smash vehicle burglaries were reported this week: An incident was reported on the 14700 block of San Feliciano Dr. Coins estimated at $300 were stolen from the vehicle. A camera and lens were reported stolen in a burglary reported on the 14700 block of Florita Dr. Various items were reported stolen in a burglary on the 15000 block of Stage Rd.
Grand Theft-A cell phone and car keys were reported in a theft on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle was reported stolen from the 15200 block of Alondra Blvd. An older model Honda was reported stolen from Hoback St and Woodridge Ave. The vehicle was recovered several days later by the Anaheim Police Department. A vehicle was reported stolen from the 14900 block of Firestone Blvd. The vehicle was recovered the following day in fair condition by the Whittier Police Department. A motor home was reported stolen from the 14900 block of Firestone Blvd.
Sporting News Grill Coming to West Coast; La Mirada First Location
La Mirada~A Sporting News Grill is coming to La Mirada and the restaurant is expected to open by July at the site of the former Red Robin restaurant located inside the Holiday Inn Select Hotel.
Richard Choi, General Manager of the La Mirada hotel, told us the facility is currently being “gutted” and revamped with a $1 million dollar renovation.
This will be the first Sporting News Grill on the west coast and the La Mirada restaurant will influence others Sporting News locations yet to open in the region including in Long Beach.
This will also be the largest restaurant in the nation for the chain.
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| Work continues on the new Sporting News Grill/La Mirada seen here last month. The sports-themed restaurant will feature over 25 TV's and is the first on the west coast. photo (c) La Mirada Blog 2015 |
The concept was born in 2006 when the magazine partnered with the hotel chain and built over 90 restaurants at the Atlanta-based companies’ Holiday Inn Select locations.
Sporting News officials say the restaurants are aimed at younger, action-oriented travelers as well as the local community.
"One thing (patrons) can't get with other sports-themed restaurants is the phenomenal archival assets that Sporting News has to draw on," Sporting News spokesman Drew Kerr said, noting that the magazine once known as the Bible of Baseball dates to 1886.
Locally, Choi said there will 24 taps and close to 30 TV’s for patrons at the La Mirada location.
He mentioned construction is continuing and they hope to have a soft opening later this month and they are shooting for a grand opening the last week of June.
Free Hazardous Household Waste Roundup in La Mirada
La Mirada~The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County will be hosting a free household hazardous waste roundup in La Mirada on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents will be able to safely dispose of household hazardous waste items at the La Mirada Regional Park in the Tennis Court Parking Lot, off of Adelfa Drive. The event is open to all Los Angeles County residents and proof of residency is required..
Materials such as motor oil, paint, turpentine, cleaners which contain acids or lye, household and car batteries, Electronic waste, Universal Waste, pesticides and garden herbicides can all be brought to the Countywide Hazardous Waste Roundup.
For more information call the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County at (800) 238-0172 or the City of La Mirada’s Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385.
New La Mirada Menchies Looking to Hire Crew
La Mirada~Menchies Frozen Yogurt is opening in La Mirada at the end of May and the new store is looking to hire.
Potential applicants may visit the company's Facebook page for more employment information here.
The store is located within the newly remodeled Crossroads Shopping Center at 12261 La Mirada Blvd. at Imperial Highway.
Menchie's opened its first store in Valley Village on May 15, 2007, by husband & wife team Danna & Adam Caldwell and holds today the prestigious status of the largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise in the world.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report; Residence Robbed While Home is Being Fumigated
The following is the La Mirada crime report for April 6th-12th, 2015
Robbery-A robbery was reported near Glengarry Dr. and Highpoint Dr. The incident remains under investigation. A robbery was reported on the 15000 block of Alondra Blvd. A masked gunman entered the business and stole about $100 from the cash register. The incident remains under investigation
Aggravated Assault-A shooting was reported on the 13800 block of Dilworth St. The shooting appears to be an isolated incident involving targeted victims. No injuries were reported. The incident is under investigation.
Residential Burglary-A burglary to a residence undergoing fumigation on the 15900 block of Lawnhill Dr. was reported. Jewelry, electronics, and a bicycle were stolen from the home. A burglary was reported on the 15600 block of Fada Dr. A laptop computer was reported stolen from the location.
Vehicle Burglary-A vehicle burglary was reported on the 15700 block of Stanbrook Dr. Electronics were stolen from the vehicle. An incident was reported on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Paperwork and a gate remote were stolen from the vehicle. Various tools were reported stolen from a vehicle on the 14400 block of San Dieguito Rd. A window smash burglary was reported on the 13800 block of Avenida Espana. A wallet was stolen from the vehicle. Bags containing various athletic equipment and other items were reported stolen from a vehicle's trunk on the 13900 block of Ramhurst Dr. Various items were reported stolen from a vehicle on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd.
City Reacts to Increase of Massage Establishments; Passes Moratorium
La Mirada~In October 2011, the State of California enacted a law (AB 619) that eliminated the City’s ability to regulate massage establishments. It also created a new regulatory entity, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), which was given tremendous oversight authority over these businesses.
Since the creation of CAMTC, many cities, including La Mirada have experienced a significant increase in the number of massage establishments in their communities. The number of massage establishment’s in La Mirada increased from one in 2011 to eight currently operating.
“Instead of professionalizing massage therapists, the legislation unfortunately created a way for massage establishments to proliferate because cities were effectively prevented from regulating them.” says Senior Administrative Analyst Mark Rounds.
In response to local government leaders calling on State Legislature to repeal the 2011 law, the State enacted Assembly Bill 1147, which restored some of the land use used in regulating massage establishments. The bill became effective January 1, 2015.
The new changes must be made in the form of municipal code amendments, which require additional time for consideration. As a result, the City Council recently approved a temporary moratorium, which will expire in approximately 10 months, on the establishment of any new massage business until the necessary code amendments can be made.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report
The La Mirada crime summary for March 30th-April 15th, 2015:
Other Structure Burglary-Copper wiring was reported stolen from a business on the 14600 block of Firestone Blvd.
Vehicle Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 13200 block of Royalcrest Ct. Electronics and jewelry was stolen from the vehicle. A window-smash burglary was reported on the 15900 block of Glazebrook Dr. A bag stolen from the vehicle was recovered nearby. Cash and a checkbook were stolen from a purse in a window-smash burglary reported on the 15500 block of Carrington Dr. A window-smash burglary occurred on the 16300 block of Eagle Ridge Ct. A cell phone and bag was stolen in the incident.
Grand Theft-Gold rings were reported stolen in a grand theft on the 15400 block of Fairacres Dr. A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported on the 11800 block of Armsdale Ave. Tools were stolen from the vehicle.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A Mercedes sedan was reported stolen from the 14600 block of Biola Ave. The vehicle was recovered the following day in the City of Orange. A Chevrolet sedan was reported stolen from Escalona Rd. and Excelsior Dr. An older model Honda was reported stolen from the 14000 block of Adoree St. A box truck was reported stolen from the 14500 block of Stage Rd. The suspects also attempted to steal two other vehicles and burglarized a third vehicle during the same incident. A vehicle reported stolen from Buena Park was recovered on the 14800 block of Barnwall St.
Vehicles Burglarized on Fairhope; Suspects Arrested
La Mirada~Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies arrested multiple suspects in La Mirada for burglary on Monday evening.
On April 6, the La Mirada Public Safety Team received a call of a possible vehicle burglary in progress. When Deputies arrived, they immediately detained a male on the 15400 block of Fairhope Drive. Shortly after, two other males and a female were detained nearby.
During the investigation, six victims were located. Of the six victims, four were parked on Fairhope Drive, one was parked on Harshaw Place, and one was parked on Bluefield Avenue. Each of the suspects were in possession of property stolen from the vehicles. Deputies also recovered property from the suspects that may have been involved in other incidents. The adults were subsequently arrested and the juvenile was detained.
The arrest is a great example of residents remaining vigilant and calling the Public Safety Team when they see a possible crime in progress. To report crimes against property or a suspicious person in your neighborhood, call the La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station at (562) 902-2960. Call 911 to report an emergency or crimes against persons.
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