News
OBITUARY: Giant La Mirada Community Member and Original La Mirada Business Owner
OBITUARY: GERALD PEEBLER
La Mirada lost a giant in the community last Monday as Gerald Peebler, owner of Olive Lawn Memorial Park passed away this past Monday at the age of 96.
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| Gerald Peebler at the La Mirada Blog Fest August 21, 2012 where he was honored as a "La Mirada Legend." |
He was a member of La Mirada Kiwanis, a former president of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and long-time community servant.
He was the lore of La Mirada in every sense of the word.
He was born September 20, 1918 in Canada and first arrived in La Mirada in 1928 when his dad Byron Peebler and a partner eventually took over an abandoned cemetery at Luitwieler (LM Blvd) and Alicante (at that time an extension of Rosecrans). The cemetery original opened in 1924.
His first memory of La Mirada was as a a fourteen year-old kid in 1932, saying in 2012, “There were solid olive tree groves across the street (today’s Biola University), scary groves, dark groves.”
The cemetery formerly known as Graceland, was renamed Olive Lawn-named after those many trees nearby from the McNally Ranch.
While they were helping run Olive Lawn part-time, the Peebler kids including Gerald, helped their parents Byron and Ethel, run the Coachella Valley’s first successful laundry business in Indio from 1927-47.
In 1947, Byron Peebler and Ethel moved to La Mirada full-time to run Olive Lawn as they took over full ownership of the cemetery.
In 1946, Gerald and his wife Harriet opened and operated the “first drive-through cleaners in the country” in Santa Ana until 1972.
Gerald and Harriet were married in in 1941 after meeting in 1939 when Harriet was a sophomore at a high school in Indio.
Gerald and Harriet took over full operation of Olive Lawn Memorial Park in 1977 until recently as their son Scott has now taken over operation and ownership.
In 2011 to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, Gerald, 93, and Harriet, 90, traveled across the country alone in their automobile to visit relatives in Connecticut and places in-between with Gerald driving all 9,000+ miles himself over the 50-day trip.
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| Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Peebler at their home at Olive Lawn being interviewed for the the La Mirada history book, "Reflections from McNally's Mirror" -June 21, 2012. |
Mr. Gerald Peebler is survived by his wife of 73 years, Harriet; Sister Betty Mitchell, Mountain View, AK; Son Scott, La Mirada; Daughter Jan Delmonte, CT; Granddaughter Heather & her husband Andy Bevilacqua, Millford, CT; Granddaughter Kayse & her husband Jon Pratt, Elkgrove, CA; Grandson Seth, La Mirada; Great Grandchildren, Emily, Nathaniel, Jennifer, Jeff, Jillian, and Joseph.
GERALD PEEBLER MEMORIAL SERVICES:
Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014
Chapel of Memories, 12626 Woods Avenue, Norwalk.
1:00-2:00 p.m. Viewing
2:30-3:30 p.m. Memorial Service
4:00-6:00 p.m. Reception-La Mirada Activity Center
OBITUARY: Former Manager of Chamber of Commerce and Active Community Member
OBITUARY: EVELYN LEONARD
She was office manager for the Greater La Mirada Chamber of Commerce when it was considered one of the most prestigious in all of Southern California
Evelyn R. Leonard was born on August 4, 1925, in Wilmington, California, to George and Ruth (Smith) Hendrickson. She passed away last month on October 10, 2014 in Whittier, California at the age of 89. She was a second generation "native" and was raised in Inglewood, California.
Evelyn graduated from Inglewood High School and Los Angeles City College, with a major in International Relations.
She met and married, Robert “Bob” Leonard, who also is another second generation “native.”
She is also survived by her two sons, Paul and Matthew, who were born before the 1960 move to the present home in La Mirada.
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| The history of La Mirada caught Leonard's eye as seen in this 1965 drawing. |
Evelyn was involved in the activities of their new community, La Mirada, an involvement that has been shared by the couple during their 54 year residence in La Mirada.
She was the first director of the La Mirada Youth Employment Service in 1968, and two years later, the office manager of La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.
Evelyn and Bob are also Life Members of the Friends of the La Mirada Library. She was very active with the library and actually spent nights at the library watching the books that were on sale at the annual book sales back when the events were held outside the building.
Mrs. Leonard was also very active in helping with the preservation of La Mirada’s history.
She left the Chamber in 1984 to become a "full time" volunteer, enjoy her family, travel and take care of a home that was always open to international guests.
What’s Happened to Our Beloved Drive-In/La Mirada Woman Stabbed to Death in Dispute Over Parking
Santa Fe Springs~The former La Mirada Drive-In, once a community treasure filled with countless memories for La Mirada residents, now bears the Santa Fe Springs name and is for the most part a swap meet-and has been since the early 70's.
The complex was built in a orange grove adjacent to the brand-new, budding Interstate 5 freeway in the early 1950's and was originally called the La Mirada Drive-In because it was the closest named-area or town.
Movies are no longer shown and many would argue the swap-meet, once a teenagers dream for that first job, has become somewhat unstable since it instilled its Friday night version of the flea market.
The latest incident occurred this past Friday.
Elizabeth Yanez, 43, was stabbed in front of her adult children in a dispute over a parking space at the historic venue as reported by Brian Day of the Whittier Daily News here.
We normally don't refer our readers to other media outlets or the competition but we believe in some instances it is appropriate for the community to be informed.
Grade Separation Project Completed
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| Representatives from the Cities of La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Caltrans, LA Metro, and California State Assembly at the Valley View Avenue Grade Separation ribbon cutting ceremony. |
Santa Fe Springs~Stage Road is now open for traffic as the the Valley View Grade Separation Project is now complete after a little over two years of work.
Partners in the project, the City of La Mirada, the City of Santa Fe Springs, BNSF Railway and Caltrans participated in a brief ceremony at the site this morning along with Santa Fe springs Mayor Jaunita Trujillo and La Mirada Mayor Larry Mowles.
Construction on the $65 million endeavor began in the summer of 2010.
THE CARRIAGE: Decision Could Come in November for Fate of Cultural Diner
La Mirada~The La Mirada Planning Commission may be deciding the fate of the Carriage Coffee Shop at its regular meeting next month.
City Planner Gabriel Bautista told the La Mirada Blog the process is taking longer than he prefers, but hopes it will be on the agenda for the November 21st meeting.
Residents who consider the diner a cultural icon stormed city hall this past March to protest a decision by the owners of the property, Rich Development, to replace the 49-year-old diner with a McDonald’s.
Because of the traffic concerns expressed by residents at that meeting, the commission suggested a traffic study be executed to address these potential issues.
The final draft of the study has been completed and has been sent to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Traffic Division for final approval, Bautista told us.
The commission will then decide whether or not to grant McDonald’s a conditional use permit to construct a drive-thru at the new restaurant; paving the way for the apparent demolition of The Carriage.
Lewis Supporters Gather for Meet-and-Greet Fundraiser
SOCIAL SCENE
La Mirada~Friends and family gathered at the home of Hal and Barbara Malkin this past Thursday in support of La Mirada resident Zurich Lewis who is running for a seat
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| Hal Malkin and Zurich Lewis |
as Governing Board Member/Trustee for the Cerritos College Community District-Area Seven.
A beautiful array of food and refreshments was offered by the host Mrs. Malkin as guests mingled and discussed current news and events.
Lewis, a lifetime La Mirada resident is a Biola University student and sits as a Community Services Commissioner for the city.
Area seven for the district includes portions of the cities of La Mirada, Cerritos, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, and North Whittier.
For more photos visit the La Mirada Blog Back Page here.
Senate Candidate Mario Guerra to Speak at Chamber Breakfast
La Mirada~State Senate candidate Mario Guerra will be a guest speaker at the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce monthly Tuesday Breakfast at the Holiday Inn, 14299 Firestone Boulevard.
Guerra, 55, a Republican and a member of the Downey City Council will go up against Democrat Tony Mendoza for the 32nd state Senate District seat in the November 4th statewide general election.
Included in the district are the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Lakewood, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier along with unincorporated areas of Hacienda Heights, Los Nietos and South Whittier
Guerra came from Cuba at the age of six and was raised locally. After majoring in economics he co-founded Scanlon-Guerra-Burke Insurance Brokers and has been serving as president. His firm was recently named one of the Top 10 largest brokerage firms in Southern California by the Los Angeles Business Journal..
The breakfast is open to the public and the cost is $15. For more information contact the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce at (562) 902-1970, visit the chamber website at http://www.lamiradachamber.org/ or email the chamber at info@lamiradachamber.org
Jersey Mike’s Opening October 8th in La Mirada
La Mirada~Jersey Mike's is the latest eatery to open at the Croosroads Center and will open for business Wednesday, October 8th.
Franchise owner Alvaro Garcia will hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser through Sunday October 12th to support various community schools and organizations including: Eastwood Elementary PTA; Heights Christian Schools; the La Mirada Soccer Association; Los Coyotes Middle School, and Biola University.
The new restaurant, located at 14873 Telegraph Road, is circulating 30,000 flyers throughout the community containing various coupons. For each coupon that is 
redeemed, Jersey Mike’s will donate $3 to the respective beneficiary. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible.
“Working with a variety of local organizations for our grand opening fundraiser is an opportunity to raise money and invite customers to try Jersey Mike’s highly authentic product,” said Garcia.
Started in 1956, Jersey Mike’s now has 1,300 restaurants open and under development nationwide. In just three years, the company has nearly doubled in size.
The La Mirada store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. You can contact the location directly at (562) 944-2088.
RIBBON CUTTING
The La Mirada Chamber of Commerce will host an official ribbon cutting for the new Jersey Mike’s/La Mirada Tuesday, October 7th at 11:45 a.m.
Expected to attend are chamber members, the La Mirada City Council & staff, members of the local police and fire departments and Jersey Mike’s officials.
Fire Erupts at Santa Fe Springs Warehouse Filling La Mirada Skies With Smoke
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| Smoke fills La Mirada skies at 5:09 p.m. an hour after a Santa Fe Springs fire began as seen in this photo sent in by LM Blog fan @behindthelens5 |
Santa Fe Springs~A huge fire broke out earlier this afternoon at a small warehouse, apparently storing paint, located at 12927 Sunshine Avenue in Santa Fe Springs filling La Mirada skies with thick smoke for several hours.
Santa Fe Springs fire officials say dispatch received the call shortly after 4:00 p.m. The department was joined by other neighboring fire agencies as the blaze eventually became a 4-alarm call.
As the fire roared, many small explosions were reported being heard near the scene including by the editor of this website on our Twitter feed.
La Mirada Blog fan @ClarissaAlcala1 reported the fire at 4:17 p.m. followed by fan @Usc_MahBoy at 4:18 p.m.
We reported the incident at 4:30 p.m. and you can read the posts as the event unfolded at twitter.com/lamiradablog.
No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.
Many streets were closed in the adjacent Sunshine Acres neighborhood of South Whittier.
Female Pedestrian Killed While Crossing Rosecrans
La Mirada~An 86 year-old La Mirada woman was killed this morning while attempting to cross Rosecrans Avenue.
Amparo Garcia was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 40-year-old male traveling eastbound.
She was attempting to walk north across the street from Jacana Drive, according to Sgt. Anthony Fernandez of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
The incident occurred around 7 a.m. and the driver stayed at the scene. He was not detained and has been cooperating with authorities while an investigation continues.
We received numerous reports from our Twitter followers with the first coming at 7:12 a.m. from @iqmet and 12 minutes later @mandibeezkneez reported the accident.
Catch up with people are saying about the unfortunate incident on our Facebook feed here.
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