Skilled NLMUSD Students Head to State Competition
SkillsUSA regional winners advance to leadership conference
San Diego~Showcasing the vast array of skills acquired at Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District high schools, nearly 90 students will represent the district at the SkillsUSA 47th Annual State Leadership and Skill Conference this weekend, Thursday April 24th through Sunday April 27th.
SkillsUSA, a partnership of students, teachers and industry partners working together to ensure the United States has an accomplished workforce, will test the students’ expertise in a wide variety of career- and technical-education skills that range from automotive technology and welding to broadcast news production and nursing.
Students from La Mirada, John Glenn and Norwalk high schools and Southeast Academy advanced to the state competition after winning in the SkillsUSA Regional Competition that included students from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties.
This year, the La Mirada High SkillsUSA team expanded to include students in the ACE business academy and APPLE education academy Career Pathways programs, said LMHS Principal Bill Seals. In the past, the SkillsUSA team consisted of only welding students.
“Both first-time competitors and seasoned veterans performed very well,” Seals said. “The competition at the regional level was fierce, but our students showed very well. I’m confident they will pull out all the stops at the state level.”
REVIEW: Legendary Musical CATS Now Playing Through May 11th at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
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Daniel Dawson (center, leaping) and the Company of "CATS" perform in the LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS/McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT production, directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
La Mirada~Renowned choreographer Dana Solimando successfully directs and choreographs the epic classic musical Cats, and brings the lively production to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts stage. Despite the complexity of the Tony Award-Winning show, Solimando along with musical director John Glaudini and associate director/choreographer Billy Johnstone victoriously maintained a mesmerized, captivated audience.
Among many, one of the most impressive aspects of the show was the sensational choreography. From the very first number, "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", an intricate number which appeared to have been performed effortlessly, the abundance of talent from both the cast and the choreographers was evident. With not a step out of place, Solimando lives up to her reputation as one of Los Angeles' best choreographers.
With such a talented and experienced cast, it is no surprise that the production was such a success. Todrick Hall, best known as season nine finalist of American Idol, triumphantly took the stage as Rum Tum Tugger Hall's jubilant performance in "The Rum Tum Tugger" was one of the best moments of the production.
Students From La Mirada High Will Compete at SkillsUSA 47th Annual State Leadership and Skill Conference
La Mirada~Eleven La Mirada High School students will go on to compete in the SkillsUSA statewide competition from April 24-27 in San Diego.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce.
Students competed at the regional level in the areas of Criminal Justice, Speech, Job Interviews, Health Occupations, Entrepreneurship, Web Design, Early Childhood Development, Community Service, Human Services, T-Shirt Design, Manufacturing, Marketing and Welding.
La Mirada High earned 28 gold medals, 23 silver medals and six bronze medals.
Tony-Award Winning and Legendary CATS Opens at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~La Mirada theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fourth production in its 2013-1014 season of shows with one of the most popular musical events of all-time, the Tony award-winning, CATS, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, with musical direction by John Glaudini and directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando. CATS will feature Kelly Provart as Grizabella and Todrick Hall (whose hilarious YOUTUBE video parodies have been seen by millions of viewers) as Rum Tum Tugger.
Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats at which time one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer. A true musical theatre phenomenon, CATS opened at London's New London Theatre on May 11, 1981 and ran for a record-setting 21 years. CATS' London success was nearly matched on Broadway where it ran at the Winter Garden Theatre for just over 18 years.
CATS will preview on Friday, April 18, 2014 (with a press opening on Saturday, April 19) and run through Sunday, May 11, 2014.
Performances will be 7:30pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8pm on Fridays; 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays; and 2pm on Sundays. (with two added Sunday evening performances; May 4 and May 11 at 7:00pm).
There will be no matinee performance on Saturday, April 19. Talkbacks with the actors will be on Wednesday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 7.
Tickets range from $20 - $70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior and group discounts are available.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet. Parking is free.
Tony-Award Winning and Legendary CATS Opens at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~La Mirada theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fourth production in its 2013-1014 season of shows with one of the most popular musical events of all-time, the Tony award-winning, CATS, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, with musical direction by John Glaudini and directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando. CATS will feature Kelly Provart as Grizabella and Todrick Hall (whose hilarious YOUTUBE video parodies have been seen by millions of viewers) as Rum Tum Tugger.
Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats at which time one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer. A true musical theatre phenomenon, CATS opened at London's New London Theatre on May 11, 1981 and ran for a record-setting 21 years. CATS' London success was nearly matched on Broadway where it ran at the Winter Garden Theatre for just over 18 years.
CATS will preview on Friday, April 18, 2014 (with a press opening on Saturday, April 19) and run through Sunday, May 11, 2014.
Performances will be 7:30pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8pm on Fridays; 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays; and 2pm on Sundays. (with two added Sunday evening performances; May 4 and May 11 at 7:00pm).
There will be no matinee performance on Saturday, April 19. Talkbacks with the actors will be on Wednesday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 7.
Tickets range from $20 - $70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior and group discounts are available.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet. Parking is free.
Annual Derby Duck Race Follows Easter Egg Hunt at Splash!
La Mirada~Community groups and individuals are invited to participate in “Going Quackers for Kids”, a Derby Duck Race at SPLASH! Regional Aquatics center at the County Park in La Mirada on Saturday, April 19, 2014 following the City’s Easter Egg Hunt in the A.M.
Ducks can be “adopted” to race for a Grand Prize of $2500, a first Prize of $1000, 2nd & 3rd Prizes of $250 and many other great prizes! Individual adoptions include one duck for $5.00, 6 for $25, 10 for $100. Sponsorships for groups start at $250. All profits will be returned to the community for non-profit groups and service projects.
Detailed descriptions and contact information may be obtained at www.lamiradakiwanis.org, and click on the Duck! Fun for the whole family!
It’s Time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt
La Mirada~The City's annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held this Saturday, April 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.
Bring your family and enjoy games, crafts, music, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and an Easter Egg Hunt. Special photos with the Easter Bunny will be available for a nominal fee.
The Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 10 and under will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. Hunt areas will be separated by age groups. Participants should arrive at their Egg Hunt area based on their age 15 minutes prior to the event.
Children and parents can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Easter Egg Hunt hosted by La Mirada Kiwanis for a nominal fee. The Kiwanis Duck Derby will be held at Splash! following the event.
For additional information, call (562) 943-7277.
EXCLUSIVE: City of La Mirada Chosen as Host Town for 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada has been officially chosen to be one of the Host Towns for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games coming to Los Angeles in July of next year, the La Mirada Blog has learned.
It will be the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held in the U.S. in 16 years and the “LA2015” event marks the second time that the World Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. The Summer Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984 were also hosted in L.A.
Community Services Director Lori Thompson told the LM Blog that this will be the” largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.”
The Host Town Program is a special 3-day program that takes place prior to the Opening Ceremony. At their Host Towns, athletic delegations from around the world will be welcomed and celebrated.
As a Host Town, La Mirada’s schedule of events for the athletes will include meeting community members, taking part in unique cultural activities, and practicing for the games, all while making friends for life.
Thompson said the city partnered with Biola University and this endeavor could not have been accomplished otherwise, “They will provide much-needed services including housing and food for the athletes.”
There will be a special announcement ceremony at one of the city’s upcoming outdoor summer concerts, with the exact date still to be determined.
With 7,000 athletes representing more than 170 countries, along with 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, running July 25–August 2, 2015 will be the largest sports-and-humanitarian event anywhere in the world next year.
Valley View Grade Separation Project Continues to Move Forward Ahead of Schedule
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| The northbound lanes of Valley View will be open soon and will be used for both directions of traffic while the southbound lanes are completed and the detour road is demolished. photo Tony Aiello |
Originally slated to be completed in early 2015, lack of rain provides for an Autumn 2014 complete opening
La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project continues to make steady progress and is on track to be completed by early September.
With the railroad tracks successfully installed on the new bridge structure crossing over Valley View Avenue, crews have been busy completing excavation work to create the underpass. More than 103,000 cubic yards of dirt have been excavated from the site. The excavated dirt was transported and used as fill material on a separate construction project at the Port of Los Angeles.
Construction of the roadway has begun and will occur in two phases. The first phase will see construction of the northbound lanes. Once that is complete, phase two construction of the southbound lanes will begin. During this time, all traffic will be moved onto the newly built northbound lanes, with two lanes in each direction, and the current temporary detour road will be closed for removal.
See all of our photos from this story on our Flickr feed here.
Local Resident Picked for U.S. Paralympic National Team
Buena Park~Local resident Shea Cassidy was recently selected to represent the United States on the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team.
The U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team is an elite level program that selects players from across the United States in preparation for International standard competition.
The 22-year old Shea has TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and was only given a 5% chance of living after a skateboard accident a few years ago.
Not only did he obviously survive, he will now travel around the world to represent the United States.
To qualify to be on the team, players must have had a Stroke, have Cerebral Palsy or have had a Traumatic Brain Injury/Acquired Brain Injury.
Team USA trains at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and the StubHub Center in Carson.
In addition to friendly matches and invitational tournaments, the National Team competes in the following events: the Intercontinental Cup, Copa America, the World Championships, Parapan American Games and the Paralympic Games
The La Mirada Blog and the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Shea and the Cassidy family on this accomplishment and wish him the very best while he travels around the world representing the United States of America. Way to Go Shea!
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