La Mirada Students Adapt to Covid-19 in Silver Award/Mental Health Campaign Effort
La Mirada~Eighth graders Sofia Orozco and Alexa Martinez co-created the “Mental Health Tackle Team” to earn their Girl Scout Silver Award and ended up developing a timely resource for students when school moved outside of the classroom due to COVID-19.
This project has taken away the stigma around mental health and helped students understand, cope and learn to live in an uncertain world.
The girls began planning in September of last year to find a community-centric topic both were passionate about. After much research, it was clear that Mental Health was a much-needed forum in an already troubled world.
The girls met with local counseling centers to explore and develop their plan. They wanted to create a safe forum for open dialogue and education to remove the stigma and help students understand, cope and function during these unprecedented times.
The originally planned four-week campaign was to be launched during Mental Health Awareness month this past May and Sofia and Alexa began with the mission statement, “To promote positive mental health through awareness and open discussion and to encourage students with tools and resources to successfully TACKLE their mental health.”
Their plan was to highlight one topic per week that included coping skills. The sessions were to focus on definitions and discussions around anxiety, depression, and stress. Each week a coping mechanism was presented through video calls, which included; belly breathing, creative outlets and open discussions around social distancing and COVID-19 at Safer-at-Home guidelines.
Superior Grocers Opens Second Location of The Market
La Mirada~Superior Grocers, one of Southern California’s largest independent supermarket chains, rebranded a small-format store under a new banner, The Market by Superior. Traditionally known for its large stores and displays, the retailer rebranded the 29,000 sq. ft. store at 12721 Valley View Avenue
The Market has an enhanced itemization catered to the neighborhood. An expanded selection of liquor, beer, and wine has been added. 5 Star Choice Beef and a wider assortment of fresh seafood are offered along with organic produce to compliment the vast variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. A full-service bakery and kitchen provide the convenience of a complete take-home meal, said the grocery chain in a press release.
Pro-Law Enforcement Demonstration Planned for La Mirada City Hall July 18th
Local organizers are inviting the La Mirada community to join a campaign to gather at city halls across the nation to support law enforcement.
The event will take place Saturday July 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at La Mirada City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard.
Peaceful Protest Planned at La Mirada Regional Park June 5th
La Mirada~Anti-hate is the theme for a planned protest scheduled for Friday, June 5th at La Mirada Regional Park at noon.
Two of the organizers are Brittany Johnson and Christian Rodriguez-Paz of La Mirada.
“We are coming together to peacefully protest racism and police brutality/injustice for black people in America and tell the world, that their lives matter,” Johnson told the La Mirada Blog.
“George Floyd was a horrific occurrence that should not ever happen to anyone, but this public outcry and unrest comes from a long history of repeated offenses towards all people but especially those who are black. And although our city and our law enforcement are some of the good ones, it’s bigger than that and we have to come together and have conversations in order to promote change,” she said.
According to Johnson’s Facebook page organizers will be meeting up at the Adelfa Drive side of the park.
Public Speaking Workshop at Civitas Coffee
La Mirada-Learn the basics of public speaking and be empowered to use communication to impact your community at Civitas Coffee Thursday February 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Miles Aiello of One Eighty Brand will discuss key aspects and rudimentary concepts of creating a good speech, how to captivate your audience and cover essential details that he learned through his experiences at Cerritos College and University of California, Berkeley.
This is a unique fundamental workshop that will provide you with the tools to become a better speaker.
Admittance is $5.00 and includes a complimentary drink! Cash or Venmo at the door. Please arrive early-space is limited.
Civitas Coffee is located at 14218 ½ Rosecrans Avenue at Valley View Avenue in La Mirada.
For more information call (562) 712-2629.
Candidates for 2020 La Mirada City Council
The campaign season is underway with the La Mirada City Council election set for March 3rd.
This will be the second election in the city’s history (2017 was the first) utilizing the by-district system, where voters in a given district vote for one person to represent them.
Seven candidates are vying for three spots in Districts 3, 4 and 5.
District 3
Incumbent Ed Eng is seeking a second term and faces challenger John Accornero.
District 4
Incumbent Steve De Ruse trying for a third term will be challenged by Jackie Fowler.
District 5
Three candidates will be vying for an open seat: Matt Morse, Anthony Ortero and Noel Jaimes.
Plan Your Own Tour of La Mirada Holiday Light Displays
There are some great holiday light displays in La Mirada. The city recently released the winners of its annual home decorating program. Judging took place December 1-12. Plan your own self-guided tour of La Mirada homes and you’ll probably find some hidden treasures in addition to the winners listed here. Send us some pics we would love to see!
North La Mirada
Winner: 15102 Fairacres Drive
Honorable Mention: 11921 Los Coyotes Avenue
Gardenhill
Winner: 14424 Plantana Drive
Honorable Mention: 14346 Alicante Road
Biola
Winner: 14833 Turlock Road
Honorable Mention: 14818 Calpella Street
Creek Park
Winner: 15650 Olivebranch Drive
Honorable Mention: 12710 Ocaso Avenue
News Ticker: Last Carnival in La Mirada Shuts Down
Last Remaining Carnival in La Mirada Shuts Down
October came and went this year and an annual event didn’t take place in La Mirada and it appears to have signaled the end of yet another era in town.
The St. Paul of the Cross Fiesta was the last true “carnival” in La Mirada that featured the classic rides, food, games, an entertainment stage and so much more.
Beatitudes of our Lord Church discontinued their event this past decade and of course the “4 La Mirada Kids Carnival” at Benton School shut down in 2017 after 23-year run.
The three-day St. Paul event dates back to the 1970’s as far as I can tell, after speaking with some neighbors, a representative from the church and by utilizing my own recollection.
Organizers were unable to pull it off this year cited by a number of reasons: the amount of hard work along with the time the volunteers put in with not enough profit to show for it and also the cost of permits and security seems to be an issue.
They did host a one-day “feast” this year to commemorate St. Paul’s death on October 18th, 1775 and it was held on October 20th in Gannon Hall.
La Mirada resident Diane Whetsell said many neighbors looked forward to the celebration every October, “I sure did miss it (this year)! A lot of parishioners and friends got together for this event.”
The church has not completely ruled out bringing back the carnival next year.
Trogman Joins PIH
La Mirada resident Richard Trogman, FACHE, has joined PIH Health as System Chief Operating Officer (COO) & President of PIH Health Hospital-Downey. Trogman is a seasoned healthcare executive with 29 years of progressive healthcare experience. His first day with PIH Health was on Monday, October 7th.
Annual Art Show
The annual Mirrors of Your Mind Art Show presented by the Arts Colony of La Mirada is now underway through Friday, November 22.
Exhibit hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
An award reception will conclude the show on Saturday, November 23rd from 3 to 5 p.m.
Sponsors include Century 21 Westworld Realty; Prime One Escrow; Art Supply Warehouse; Oriental Art Supply & Gamblin Artists Colors.
Artists interested in joining the Arts Colony of La Mirada are encouraged to visit acolm.org or call (562) 941-4116 for additional information.
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Family Resource Fair set for Foster Road Elementary
La Mirada~The annual Foster Road Elementary School Thanksgiving Dinner and Family Resource Fair will take place on Thursday, November 21st from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Open to all, the resource fair will include city and county community services and businesses designed to enhance the quality of family life. Insurance, real estate, finance and banking services will be on-hand for questions and opportunities. La Mirada middle schools will also present their programs.
This year, organizers are giving the turkeys a break as Chick-fil-A of La Mirada will provide the dinner: chicken of course!
During the meal, former La Mirada High School counselor and community advocate Oscar Diaz will be recognized for his tireless service and affection toward Foster Road Elementary School's students and families.
Event sponsors include: the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce; Los Angeles County; Banc of California; Chick-fil-A La Mirada; EDCO; Suburban Water; City of La Mirada; Living Faith/La Mirada; Kiwanis Club of La Mirada; La Mirada Rotary Club; La Mirada Ebell; Friends of the La Mirada Library and the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.
Freedom Christian Center to Host Spine-Chilling Halloween Maze and Live Production October 25-27
Freedom Christian Center (FCC) announced that it will host its third annual Night of Terror event October 25-27th featuring a Halloween maze and live production and also will include photo booths and food trucks for all guests.
Night of Terror has achieved a best-kept secret reputation since its first year in 2017, when 3,500 people attended the five-night event. Last year, 5,000 people attended the three-night event. FCC anticipates a continued growth and is preparing to draw over 7,500 people this year.
“We’re expecting one thing this year,” said Pastor Jason Lozano, lead pastor of Freedom Christian Center. “For thousands of people to enjoy this production and get the hell scared out of them.”
Night of Terror will hold a 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. showing each night, beginning on Friday, October 25 and ending Sunday, October 27. The event will take place at Freedom Christian Center, 13808 Imperial Hwy at the Santa Fe Springs/La Mirada border.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.
About Freedom Christian Center: Freedom Christian Center was established in 2002 by Pastor Jason Lozano and Pastor Liz Lozano in Whittier, California. Freedom has an average combined weekly attendance of 5,000 at their Santa Fe Springs and Uptown Whittier locations.
ANOTHER MAZE: The folks at Alondra Boulevard and Elmbrook Drive in La Mirada will once again be providing some Halloween fun this year. Check out their haunted maze preview night on Saturday, October 26th before the big night on the 31st.
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