Authentic Gratitude for Holidays and for Good
The holiday season can seem like both the best of times and the worst of times. Many people, especially those of us living in urban areas, may be vacillating between two thoughts: “here comes the joyous season of thanks and giving” and “here comes the stress of the holidays”. While many people look forward to the holidays as a time to share cheer with family and friends, admittedly, preparing for all this cheer takes time and money. Plus, other circumstances may add to the stress, like being cooped up with people you see just once a year and maybe don’t have a lot in common with and living under temporary arrangements in someone else’s home. While all this can add up and easily sap joy from us, the fact is that this holiday state of affairs—making the best of times, despite the stress of the times—presents us with optimal circumstances for learning the importance of choosing gratitude.
Dealing with the Stress of the Holidays
First, let’s deal with the stressful part. Many of us have fallen prey to negative emotional contagion -- the tendency for people to feel and mimic the emotional expressions of others during social interactions. For instance, we experience sadness or negative moods as a result of a friend’s tragedy or a family member’s cynicism. Studies show that automatically mimicking the expressions of a friend (e.g., a frown) tricks our brains into assuming the emotions associated with that expression, such as anger or frustration, as our own. Well recent research shows that even commonplace rudeness from people who we aren’t close with psychologically spreads too. This research shows that when people are the target of annoying or rude behavior, or even just witnesses of it, that this activates negative thoughts, which then leads them to interpret ambiguously benign behaviors as rude and, worst, to behave rudely or even vengefully toward others. Thus, even low-grade negativity can infect us.
Choose Gratitude, But Do it Your Way
Luckily, research shows that happiness and positive emotions spread too. So I’m gratified to see societal trends toward extending empathy or compassion more toward others (e.g., solidarity in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris or the call to take in refugees from Syria). And while I’m also happy to see service and charity surge during the holiday season, the sheer amount of talk circulating both in daily life and in the media about the importance of being “grateful”, “giving thanks”, or being “generous” around this time of year can backfire if people see it as forced or inauthentic. Therefore, I’d like to clear the air and hopefully inspire you to “choose gratitude” now and beyond the season of thanks and giving.
You may have considered the fact that expressions of gratitude can be trite during Thanksgiving, and research supports you not just bowing to the seasonal pressure but figuring out a way to do gratitude your own way. So here’s the bottom line: the choice of gratitude is within your power more than you think and the choice itself tricks our brains and bodies more potently into feeling genuine joy than mere emotional contagion.
Carter Scores 25 in Matador Debut; Reynoso-Avila Sidelined
Anaheim~The La Mirada High Boys Basketball team picked up where they left off last season by winning their first game of the 2015-16 campaign in a convincing 87-62 win over Paramount in pool play at the Canyon/Esperanza tip-off classic.
Serra transfer Ian Carter scored 12 points and Anthony Newman seven in the first quarter as the Matadores jumped out to a 27-15 lead.
Carter finished with 25 points total, Newman had 18 and Dylan Banks added 17 for the defending Suburban League and State Champions.
The Matadores (1-0) will take on Northwood tonight at 7:30 at Canyon High School.
Vittorio Reynoso-Avila, one of La Mirada's top seniors, and potential Princeton product, has been sidelined until January 6th with a broken metatarsal in his foot, his father told the La Mirada Blog.
120215 23:12 UPDATE: The Matadores beat Northwood 65-63 on a driving layup by Dirk Helaire as the game winded down.
120315 22:40 UPDATE: La Mirada improved to 3-0 by beating Servite 59-55.
120415 19:56 UPDATE: The Mats improved to 4-0 on the season by beating Canyon 70-54. Anthony Newman lead all scorers with with 26. Dirk Helaire at 14, Ian Carter 12 and freshman Bryce Craver had nine.They will play in the Canyon/Esperanza Tournament championship game after sweeping through the brackets, Saturday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Long Beach Jordan at Canyon High School.
120515 20:21 UPDATE: La Mirada improved to 5-0 on the season by beating Long Beach Jordan 85-76, capturing the Esperanza/Canyon Tip Off Classic title.
La Mirada to Host Annual Chili Holiday Celebration
Celebrate the holiday season in La Mirada at the Chili Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment, crafts, and games. Free chili, hot dogs, hot cocoa, warm drinks, and cookies will be served. Keepsake photos with Santa and train rides are also available.
Guests can take part in the Festival of Trees Silent Auction. The fresh holiday trees are fully-decorated by local non-profit organizations and businesses. Trees come with free local delivery to your home within a 10 mile radius and can also be donated to a family in need. All proceeds from the auction will be supporting community programs and events.
Nonperishable food items and unwrapped toys will also be collected in partnership with the Holiday Toy & Food Drive, which provides help to local families in need this holiday season.
For more information about the Chili Holiday Celebration, call (562) 943-7277 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org. Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center is located at 13806 La Mirada Blvd.
Phantom Projects Tackles Tough Topics Through Live Theatre
I was driving in my car the other day when my five year old asked me, "Mommy what does bombing mean?"
For once, my reply wasn't, "Where did you hear that from?" Rather, I found myself turning off the news radio channel and tried to answer my son’s question. Part of me felt my child had a right to know what a bombing was because he needs to know right from wrong, but the other part of me, like most parents, didn't want to discuss anything and change the subject altogether. Truth be known, today's current events are sparking conversations, questions, and confusion from our children and as parents we may find ourselves in a predicament we simply are unfamiliar with. We don't know the answers--- and you know what? That's okay.
This is not the first time mankind is questioning the actions of some. Why is there suffering in the world? What is the reason for such acrimony and discourse? How do we begin to make peace with one another when the focus is often on our own differences? When movies depict war, television blasts non-stop political banter and books take past events and put a modern "Hollywood spin" on conflict, what are parents left to tell their children?
This week, I had the pleasure of attending Phantom Projects production of Number the Stars, based on the book by Lois Lowry. I read this book years ago as a sixth grader and now as a school librarian, it sits quietly on my book shelves only to be checked out occasionally. In Number the Stars, ten-year old Annemarie Johansen goes about life in Denmark in 1943 with her best friend, Ellen Rosen. Confused by the looming presence of German Nazi soldiers, Annemarie, Ellen, and 
Kirstie (Annemarie's younger sister), have so many questions for their parents, all of which can't be explained or the complete truth withheld from the young girls. Soon, Ellen's parents are gone and Annemarie and Kirstie are told they must pretend Ellen is their sister. The Johansen’s, with the help of their late daughter's fiancé, Peter and Uncle Henrik, assist in the escape of The Rosen’s and other Jews to Sweden. At the doorstep of fear, Annemarie chooses bravery and soon discovers many others do as well.
Under the direction of Steve Cisneros, Number the Stars pulled together a cast of actors that excelled in their portrayal of Lowry's characters. The young actors in this cast (Veronica McFarlane as Annemarie, Molly Malia Arii as Ellen, and Noelle Lidyoff as Kirsti) were extremely talented and believable. Their hard work and dedication (as well as the entire cast) was visible as they stay true to the character Lowry's created. I was extremely pleased with this performance and am eager to see the additional productions from Phantom Projects under the direction of Cisneros. It's not often a cast and director take a chance on a book that only a few may have heard of-- those of you that have read the story understand fully how brilliant it is to take this story to stage, especially in light of recent events.
Matadores to Play La Serna at Home in CIF Finals
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| The La Mirada High Matadores celebrate in Los Angeles this past Friday night after their convincing victory over Cathedral. Photo (c) La Mirada Blog 2015-courtesy D. Barrett. |
Los Angeles~The La Mirada High Football team will be heading to the CIF finals after beating Cathedral this past Friday night 38-7 in the southeast semifinal in Los Angeles.
Sei-J Lauago rushed for 188 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns as the Matadores return to the finals for the first time since 2012.
La Mirada (10-3) returns home to take on La Serna (11-2) for the Southern Section Southeast Division title this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Goodman Stadium.
UPDATE 120515 22:21: The Matadores beat La Serna 45-20 to capture their first CIF title since 2009. Sei-J Lauago rushed for 300 yards and scored three touchdowns.The Matadores earn a spot in a State Regional Bowl game, taking on Oceanside at home December 11th beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Last Remaining Remnant of La Mirada Landmark Appears to be on Chopping Block
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| The last trace of Valley View Farms, the Van Dam home, has been fenced off for apparent demolition. |
La Mirada~The home of the Van Dam’s, one of La Mirada’s pioneer families, has been scheduled for demolition a family spokesperson has told the La Mirada Blog.
Cornelius Arie Van Dam opened Valley View Farms on the northwest corner of Rosecrans and Valley View Avenues in 1954 and it quickly became one of the few dairies that produced, processed, and distributed its own milk.
Born in the Netherlands, he was on the forefront of the dairy industry in southeast L.A. County in the 1950’s
Other than Olive Lawn Mortuary that opened in 1928, Valley View Farms is really considered La Mirada’s first business.
Shortly after opening, Van Dam opened a drive-thru retail outlet to sell his milk and other products to the new, burgeoning population of La Mirada.
The “Cash-n-Carry” as it was called, is thought to be the first drive-thru dairy store in Southern California.
The dairy operation was a huge hit for school field trips, where children learned everything from raising cattle to the production of milk; some even witnessing the birth of a calf. His pastureland and fields were a haven for neighborhood kids.
The last of the Valley Views Farms herd was shipped to Idaho in March of 1995 and the land was ultimately developed with industrial buildings, ending an era in La Mirada.
This was a big cultural shock for this small town; however La Mirada’s most famous modern-era home, where Van Dam and his wife Florence raised their family remained, to this day.
He told us in 2005, “It was just too much, all at once, we wanted to keep the house.”
Van Dam died in late 2007. Florence remained at the home until earlier this year when she was moved to a “wonderful living facility” because she was having small issues moving around and about.
Biola’s Holmquist Notches 900th Victory
La Mirada~This past Tuesday night, a journey that’s taken 1,255 games and 38-plus seasons hit another major meaningful milestone as Head Coach Dr. Dave Holmquist became the eighth collegiate men’s basketball coach to hit 900 career coaching victories.
A 79-60 victory over the Bethesda Flames at home got coach Holmquist to the big number as the 2015-16 Biola Eagles team improved to 9-1 to start the season.
“It feels great to have done this with so many people who have been here over the years,” said Holmquist. “I have so many good memories about so many former players and teams, and I feel very grateful that I was able to stay at one place for so long.”
Holmquist is in his 36th season at the helm of the Eagles and 39th season overall. He began his career in 1975-76 as he coached the first of his three years overseeing the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds.
The win even more firmly secures the coach’s place in history as he reaches a 900 win club that includes the likes of Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boheim, Don Meyer and Bobby Knight.
The next illustrious head coach that Holmquist will pass on the all-time wins list is the legendary former Indiana Hoosier head coach, Knight. Three more victories this year would move Holmquist past Knight’s 902 and into seventh place all-time. Holmquist is already the winningest active coach in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I, and he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2002.
“This is such a good place to work,” said Holmquist. “It’s a place where people want to help you. I’ve been blessed to work here at my school. I feel so fortunate to have the job I’ve had and coach the people I have. I just feel very blessed.”
Residents Invited to Participate in Home Decorating Contest
La Mirada~Get out your decorations and start planning your festive holiday display. The City of La Mirada’s annual Holiday Home Decorating program is fast approaching.
Residents are encouraged to decorate their homes to spread holiday cheer throughout La Mirada. No application is needed for this program as every decorated home in La Mirada is considered for recognition.
Judging will take place December 1 through December 13. Winners will be selected in the categories of Most Original, Best Use of Lights, and Best Holiday Scene. Award winners will receive a holiday ornament and will be announced on the City’s website at cityoflamirada.org.
For more information on the Holiday Home Decorating program, call the La Mirada Community Sheriff’s Station at (562) 902-2960.
La Mirada Rotary and Walmart Team to Help Local Families
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ROTARY ASSISTS GOOD SAM PANTRY – Members of the Rotary Club of La Mirada donated $1,100 worth of Thanksgiving turkeys, canned goods and other items to the Good Sam Pantry at Beatitudes Church in La Mirada. Pictured are (l to r) Chris Robinson, Rick Jones, John Lewis, Tom Polley, Jose Lombera, President Russell Hall, Hal Malkin and Sean Bracey. The donation, which was made possible by a grant from the Walmart Community Foundation, is one of several Rotary projects to assist needy families. |
La Mirada~The Rotary Club of La Mirada marked the Thanksgiving holiday by donating $1,100 in turkeys, canned goods and other food items to the Good Sam Pantry at Beatitudes Church in La Mirada.
The donation, which was funded in part by a grant from the Walmart Community Foundation, purchased complete holiday meals for 40 families.
Rotarians purchased the food at the Walmart Neighborhood Market, located at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard, on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 19. The food was then distributed to needy families that afternoon by volunteers at the Good Sam Pantry.
Rotary plans to donate a similar amount of meals for local families prior to the Christmas and Easter holidays.
The Rotary Club of La Mirada performs a variety of community service projects throughout the year. The group meets on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. at the Elephant Bar Restaurant on Firestone Boulevard North in La Mirada. Visitors are welcome to attend.
Public Hearing Regarding Luxury Condos Continues at City Hall
La Mirada~The public hearing regarding the proposed construction of 33 luxury condominiums on La Mirada Boulevard will continue tonight at city hall.
On October 27th, the city council continued the public hearing on a 5-0 vote after residents and council members expressed concerns about traffic, land use, and other impacts the project may have.
Tonight, The Olson Company, the developer of the project, is expected to address concerns related to the company's plans to build 33 luxury condos/townhomes on 2.72 acres located at 12000 La Mirada Boulevard.
The plan calls for 30 duplexes and three detached units to be developed and they are expected to fetch from 
$600,000-700,000 apiece.
The property is currently occupied by two buildings including a closed pre-school.
The city council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
112415 11:30 UPDATE: The city council voted 4-1 in favor of the proposed project with Andrew Sarega being the lone no vote. A second reading is due in January.
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