Phantom Projects Theatre Group Announces PAY WHAT YOU WILL Day for All Shows at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~No longer will price have to be a factor for any teen, family, or student who wants to be part of a live theatre experience. Phantom Projects Theatre Group has made every show in its 2015/16 Season at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts available at any price. No patron will be turned away.
"The idea that anyone might not be able to be in the audience because of financial limitations pains me greatly. We are a non-profit, yes, and ticket sales are crucial, but at the end of the day, the educational element of what we do is far more important. We want to remove any excuse as to why someone can’t be a theatregoer,” commented Producing Artistic Director Steve Cisneros, who created the company at the age of 17 when pricing often limited his theatre-going abilities.
Pay What You Will tickets will be made available on Saturday October 17th, in-person only, at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Box Office. Tickets may be purchased from Noon to 4:00 pm. Tickets, available via cash only, will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The 4-Show season, any of which are available on this day, include: Number the Stars, based on the book by Lois Lowry (November 19, 2015), To Kill a Mockingbird based on the novel by Harper Lee (February 18, 2016), Bruce Gevirtzman’s The Center of the Universe (April 21, 2016), and the 10th Annual Young Artist Project (August 6, 2016).
“Butterfly Wishes and Golden Dreams” Event to Help Children Fight Cancer
La Mirada~Children fighting cancer will benefit from a fundraiser sponsored by From Maddi’s Closet on Friday, November 13 at the Friendly Hills Country Club.
The “Butterfly Wishes and Golden Dreams” themed event is one of the major fundraisers for From Maddi’s Closet’s efforts to assist children fighting cancer. In recent years, the local group has donated more than $230,000 to assist with children’s cancer research and provided emotional and financial support to thousands of patients and their families.
“Childhood cancer is the number one disease-related killer of children in our country, and it is critically important that we increase awareness of what we can do to fight this terrible disease,” says Donna Holmes, president and founder of From Maddi’s Closet.
Holmes has been actively carrying her message about the battle against children’s cancer to local groups. She has spoken with local Chambers of Commerce, service clubs, businesses and numerous other community organizations. She is available to speak to groups that are interested in learning more about the importance of working together to improve the lives of children and families facing this difficult battle.
From Maddi’s Closet is a local nonprofit organization started a decade ago after Madison Leslie Holmes lost her battle with cancer at four years of age.
Maddi’s family and friends began the organization to carry on the extraordinary spirit of generosity and compassion the young girl had shown to other children fighting cancer. Despite her illness, Maddi befriended other children undergoing treatment, and gave her own toys and clothing to those in need. She asked her family to sit with other children who were more sick, frightened or lonely when they had no family members at the hospital.
La Mirada Rotary Seeks Donations to Help Fight Polio; World Polio Day Marks Progress
La Mirada Rotarians are seeking donations to support efforts to end polio throughout the world as part of Rotary’s World Polio Day on October 23.
Established by Rotary International more than a decade ago, World Polio Day honors Dr. Jonas Salk, who led the team that developed the first polio vaccine.
“Rotary is very proud of the remarkable progress that has been made towards a polio-free world over the past 30 years,” says Russell Hall, president of the Rotary Club of La Mirada.
“No child anywhere should have to suffer from this terrible disease, which can be so easily prevented by immunizations,” says Rotarian Hal Malkin, whose Rexall pharmacy served the La Mirada community for many years.
“Rotary launched PolioPlus, the first global campaign to immunize the world’s children against polio in 1985, at about the same time I joined Rotary,” says Dr. Wayne Wong, a dentist who has served the La Mirada community for decades. ”At that time there were more than 350,000 cases of crippling polio each year in over 125 countries.”
In 1988, Rotary mobilized the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to join in this effort. Since Rotary began working with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to immunize more than 2 billion children, the incidence of polio has decreased 99 percent. Rotary has contributed over $1.4 billion and countless volunteer hours to polio eradication.
La Mirada Blog Announced as Official Media Sponsor of Phantom Projects Theatre Groupâs 2015/16 Season at La Mirada Theatre
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La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group, which has deep roots in the City of La Mirada, is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with another La Mirada favorite, the La Mirada Blog.
The Blog will become the official Media Sponsor of Phantom Projects’ 2015/16 Season, which includes the Los Angeles Premiere of Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Center of the Universe, The Young Artist Project, and The Phantom Cabaret.
"The La Mirada Community has been so supportive of us over our nearly 20 years in existence. From City Council, the residents, the theatre, and of course Tony Aiello and the La Mirada Blog,” commented Producing Artistic Director Steve Cisneros, a La Mirada High School Graduate, who created the company at the age of 17. “We have been featured in FORBES, LA Times, OC Register, KCAL, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, you name it. But to have support from a media outlet in our own backyard means the most.”
“The Arts have always been such an important part of the fabric of the La Mirada community,” commented Blog founder Aiello, “We are extremely excited to take our valued relationship with Phantom to a new level. We have always been strong believers in the profound positive effect the group has on our young adults and their involment in the community.”
The partnership will include numerous giveaways throughout the year which include season tickets, individual tickets, signed posters, inside looks at the behind the scenes process of building a live show, and more to be announced.
Plus, loyal La Mirada Blog readers will enjoy a special 10% discount, announced throughout the year.
For more information call (714) 690-2900.
Bicyclist Struck and Killed at California’s Most Dangerous Railroad Crossing
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| A bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene near his bicycle after being struck by a BNSF freight train Friday afternoon near the Santa Fe Springs/La Mirada border. Photo (c) Brian Feinzimer |
Santa Fe Springs~A bicyclist was struck and killed at the intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt Avenues earlier this afternoon just outside the La Mirada city limits shortly before 3:00 p.m.
It was first reported on our Twitter feed by @momofabc3 at 2:47 pm.
Witnesses on the scene told us a man was attempting to cross the track when his wheel became stuck in the rails and he fell off his bicycle. While attempting to get out of the way he was struck by the train. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rosecrans Avenue was closed in both directions for hours as officials conducted an investigation. Metrolink and Amtrak service was also delayed.
We have an unconfirmed report that the victim was possibly a transient from the North Fork Coyote Creek encampment near the Rosecrans bridge, just a couple of hundred yards to the west.
The railroad crossing at Rosecrans and Marquardt Avenues has been rated by the California Public Utilities Commission as the most hazardous grade crossing in California.
Just last week, as reported on this website, Metro officials announced plans at a community meeting held in La Mirada that a grade separation project has been proposed for the intersection. The project is fully funded with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2018 with Rosecrans Avenue more than likely to be reconstructed to go over the railway tracks.
La Mirada Arts Colony Monthly Meeting and Annual Art Show
The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold their October meeting on Monday, the 5th, at 6:30 p.m. in the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Blvd. The meeting will feature Judy Jansen of Whittier exhibiting her skill in stained glass art using a slide show. Techniques and questions will be addressed.
The Colony’s annual “Mirrors of your Mind” judged show will be held at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Blvd. (Civic Center Complex, behind the fire station) from November 9 through 21. Take–in for artists interested in submitting entries will be November 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information check the website, acolm.com, or call 562-941-4116 or 562-448-3427. The awards reception will be held on Saturday, November 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend our meetings and our art show.
Friends of La Mirada Library to Host Fall Book Sale
Join the Friends of the La Mirada Library at the Fall Book Sale to books at astoundingly low prices. The Friends will have their annual sale on Saturday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center. The Activity Center is located at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
A pre-sale for members only will be held on Friday, October 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The $10 annual membership can be paid at that time. A wide variety of books will be available.
For more information, contact the Friends of La Mirada Library at LaMiradaFOL@outlook.com or look on Facebook for Friends of the La Mirada Library.
California’s Most Dangerous Railroad Crossing Will Be Fixed
Metro will hold two community meetings on the grade separation project On September 30th from 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. at LM Resource Center
Santa Fe Springs~A Grade Separation Project is being considered at the railroad crossing at the intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt Avenues in the city of Santa Fe Springs, just beyond the La Mirada western border.
Los Angeles County Metro is partnering with the BNSF Railway along with the City of Santa Fe Springs and Caltrans. The project is fully funded by the State's Section 190 Program, Proposition 1A, Measure R and BNSF.
The crossing has been rated by the California Public Utilities Commission as the most hazardous grade crossing in California, thus it is ranked first on the priority list for crossings eligible for funding. The project is expected to cost $130 million.
Once constructed, motorists will be able to travel safely through the intersection without the possibility of train to vehicle collisions. It will also improve the efficiency of train movement and eliminate the need for required train horns at the intersection. Metro officials say approximately 130 trains and 45,000 vehicles use this crossing daily.
There have been numerous accidents at the intersection over the years the last being on January 7, 2013 when 26-year-old Emily Scott of La Mirada was killed when her automobile collided with a freight train. There have also been suicides and attempted suicides at or near the intersection.
In June of this year Caltrans released its Benefit-Cost Analysis of the project. The report stated four fatalities, six injuries, and five property damage only incidents have occurred over a 10-year period that involve this at-grade intersection.
On October 30 2012 two LA County Sheriff's deputies pushed a disabled vehicle off the tracks preventing a mass transit disaster. We reported here in 2009 of a train vs. car incident.
Residents can learn about the proposed alternatives, provide feedback and talk one-on-one with project representatives at the September 30th meetings.
Future meetings will be held. For more information visit here or call (888) 512-1198.
Metro representatives say construction could begin as early as spring of 2018.
REVIEW: “First Date” at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
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| The company performs in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment Southern California Premiere Production of the Broadway Musical "FIRST DATE" - directed by Nick DeGruccio and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
Welcoming in the new 2015-16 McCoy Rigby Season is First Date, a musical comedy fresh from Broadway making its Southern California debut!
This charming and hilarious performance is set in real time as first time blind-dater, Aaron, and “dateaholic,” Casey, enjoy a few drinks and get to know one another. Nothing says awkward like, well, a First Date.
Casey (Erica Lustig) is energetic and artistic yet when it comes to meeting the right guy, her track record proves otherwise. Aaron (Marc Ginsburg), is an investment banker recovering from a previous relationship and is everything Casey isn't.
So how does their First Date go? Exactly as one would suspect; fellow restaurant patrons transform into best friends, family members, and those oh-so-bad boyfriends.
Talent is not limited though, as we see the intentions of a wickedly creative waiter also at hand.
Throughout the night, Casey directs Aaron over what questions he should ask (and not ask) and Aaron overshares his previous dating history or lack thereof.
What makes First Date truly unique is the quick wit of the other couples in the restaurant portrayed by supporting cast members Kelley Dorney (ex-fiancé/ Miss Google-thang herself), Scott Drier (a most musically and creatively inclined waiter), Stacey Oristano (Casey's perfect sister /Jewish grandmother), Justin Michael Wilcox (Aaron's best friend/"voice of reason"), and Leigh Wakeford (Casey's BFF/ Previous Rocker Boyfriend).
Citadel 10th Shopping Extravaganza Will Benefit La Mirada Theatre Group
Get exclusive deals, proceeds from tickets sold benefit Phantom Projects/La Mirada; Tickets on sale now for L.A.’s favorite shop-for-a-cause event at www.PhantomProjects.com or www.CitadelOutlets.com.
LOS ANGELES~Phantom Projects Theatre Group of La Mirada and L.A.’s Choice for Outlet Shopping, The Citadel Outlets, invites the public behind the Assyrian Wall for a day of fun, shopping and fundraising at the Center’s 10th Annual Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, October 3, 2015. As a participating charity, Phantom Projects will receive a portion of funds from the more than 4,500 Angelenos expected to attend one of the best shopping days of the year.
“We are always looking for new ways to raise funds, and as this is our first year year participating in Citadel Outlet’s Shopping Extravaganza we’re very excited to introduce this opportunity to the community,” said Steve Cisneros, Producing Artistic Director of Phantom Projects.
For many organizations, including Phantom Projects, Citadel Outlet’s Shopping Extravaganza is one of the largest single fundraising event of the year. The day of fun-filled shopping includes access to exclusive deals on top of Citadel Outlet’s daily savings of 30-70% off retail prices. From 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., event attendees can enjoy:
-Added discounts at over 90 luxury fashion brands
-Private catered lunch
-Live entertainment
-Complimentary Tasting by Stella Rosa by San Antonio Winery for guests 21+
-The chance at $90,000 in prizes including Grand Prize packs and gift cards to Michael Kors, Nike, Steve Madden, Kate Spade, Disney Outlet & more
Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at www.PhantomProjects.com or www.citadeloutlets.com. Selecting Phantom Projects Theatre Group from the drop down menu when purchasing ensures Citadel Outlets donates $25 of each ticket directly to the non-profit theatre troupe.
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