REAL ESTATE: Though the Housing Market has Improved, Families Still Struggle in La Mirada
REAL ESTATE
Dear La Mirada Homeowner,
My name is Noel Jaimes, and I have called the City of La Mirada my home since 1975. I will be writing a weekly column here about La Mirada real estate in hopes of giving residents a general overview of what is happening in the real estate market each week.
I began my career in real estate when I was a student at Biola College, now Biola University. It is funny how 38 years later I still consider myself a tentmaker. Helping people buy their first home was an exciting job. Before the big financial crash of the last decade, people worked very hard and long to save 10 to 20 percent for a down payment.
I remember buying my first home after getting married and then worring about making the $690 mortgage payments. Yes, I did say $690 a monthly mortgage payments. You may be smiling and wishing that this was your current mortgage payment. But the reality is it’s a matter of perspective.
When we moved into our home there was a wonderful elderly couple living at the adjacent corner of where we lived. His name was Leonard. I can’t remember his wife’s name right now. Anyway, when I shared with him how hard it was to come up with $690 a month. He just smiled and told me that it would…. “get better.”
Of course I doubted him and he could tell by the look on my face that I did not believe him.
Leonard then proceeded to tell me how after returning from France after World War II, he bought his home on Gabbett Drive for only $7,200-brand new. His payments were $72 a month and back then he was worried, wondering how they were going to make it as newlyweds.
At the time of this conversation with Leonard I was just 27 years old, just graduated from Biola College, was working part time in real estate and full time at Ralph Grocery Company and was not able to fully swallow this tall tale by a man who is my senior by at least 50 years. So guess what Leonard did?
First, he invited me to his home. Once I was there, he walked over to a cover drawer where he removed a small box. I thought he was going to get his reading glasses. But instead he opened the box and handed me something that completely shocked me.
19th Annual Carnival Offers Tons of Fun and Opportunities for Local Groups to Raise Funds
La Mirada~A fun-filled weekend of rides, food, and entertainment is fast approaching for the 19th Annual "4 La Mirada Kids" Community Carnival to be held at Benton Middle School.
The carnival features a variety of activities for the entire family and sees over 10,000 people pass through the gates for the food, rides and entertainment.
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| Many local groups will once against perform at the 19th Annual "4 La Mirada Kids" Carnival this weekend, April 26-28. Photo Tony Aiello |
The initial concept of the carnival-to help local nonprofits and schools raise money for programs that benefit La Mirada kids-remains the same today.
Local non-profit groups including schools, sport leagues, and community organizations will be offering a variety of tasty food for sale and running game booths throughout the weekend.
You can come out and support Benton Middle School Cheer, La Mirada High School Wrestling, Band and Aquatic Boosters, Color Guard, Cross Country, and Girls League, St. Paul of the Cross, Hutchinson Middle School, La Pluma Elementary School, La Mirada Pop Warner and Bobby Sox, and Cub Scout Packs 803 and 919, among others
Exciting rides and amusements will be offered for those seeking thrills. Gentler, kid-friendly rides for younger children will also be available.
Pre-sale ride ticket books can be obtained for $10 at most La Mirada schools and the La Mirada Resource Center until 3 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Each booklet contains coupons for eight different rides, offering a substantial savings over purchasing ride tickets at the event.
Also, when you purchase your ride tickets ahead of time, a percentage of the pre-sale proceeds are returned to the local schools and organizations.
Entertainment this year will feature crowd-favorites the Squirettes, the Alohi Polynesian Dancers, and more including contests for kids. Tony Aiello, of the La Mirada Blog Media Network will be the MC for the entertainment line-up on Sunday.
The La Mirada Community Foundation sponsors the carnival to raise funds for youth groups and community organizations that provide a variety of educational, cultural and extracurricular opportunities in La Mirada.
Carnival days and hours are Friday, April 26, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, April 27, 12-11 p.m.; and Sunday, April 28, 1-6 p.m. For more information, call Community Services at (562) 943-7277.
Gaming and Entertainment at BEST Foundation Casino Night in La Mirada
La Mirada~Have a lot of fun and contribute to a great cause at Casino Night presented by the Southern California BEST Foundation.
The event will be held Saturday, April 27th at the La Mirada Volunteer Center, 11900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada
Happy hour and dinner run from 5:30-7:00, followed by gaming, raffles, and a live auction from 7-11 p.m.
The cost is $40 or $75 per couple and includes gaming chips, dinner and entertainment.
All proceeds to support the Southern California Best Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Now in its eighth year of operation, BEST (Business, Education, Scholarship, Training) has presented over $25,000 to local high school students.
Its partners include The La Mirada High School Business Academy, the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce, and the La Mirada business community and service groups,
Checks and credit cards accepted and sponsorships are available.
For more information contact Mimi Frick at (562) 943-3177 or (562) 458-9650.
See you this Saturday night for Casino Night in La Mirada!
REVIEW: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at La Mirada Theatre
La Mirada~Hand clapping and foot-stomping fun, along with a lot of hootin’ & hollerin’ is exactly what we experienced at The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this past Friday evening.
Set in 1850’s Oregon wilderness, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS-directed by Glenn Casale-was absolutely sensational with the costuming right on target.
We have not had this much fun at a theatre house in a very long time and the energy emanating was amazingly electric.
The music was superb and the choreography by Patti Columbo, which was assisted by Karl Warden, was outstanding, with the stage version being perhaps a little more risqué than the original MGM movie.
One of our female reviewers commented, “It was nice to see half-naked men on the stage for once, instead of half-naked women.”
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| The company of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, directed by Glenn Casale and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
We’re not quite sure where she was going with that comment, but we digress.
If you’re a sucker for true love in all its meaning then we highly recommend you take a night off from the norm, and be prepared to be entertained in the areas of love and humor, and by some show-stopping dancing and one heck of a talented team of actors.
Brides and Brothers is now playing through May 5th with Mondays and Tuesdays being dark and matinees on weekends.
Tickets range from $20-$70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior, Children and group discounts are available.
Splash! Pre-Season Sale On Now; Mother-Daughter Tea Registration Open
Buccaneer Bay season passes are the best way to enjoy La Mirada's award winning water park. Special pre-season sale ends May 31.
Plan now to spend the summer floating in the lazy river, splashing in the water spray areas, and taking a ride down our 25-foot water slides. A new toddler pirate slide has been added for the 2013 season.
Buccaneer Bay is open weekends May 25 through September 29, and daily from June 14 through September 2.
For more information or to purchase a pass, visit Splash!, call (562) 902-3191, or visit www.SplashLaMirada.com.
Also, registrations for the annual Mother-Daughter Tea Party at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center on Saturday, May 11 will be taken through April 26.
The cost is $27 for ages 12 and over, and $17 for ages 3 to 11.
For more information, call (562) 902-3160.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Now Playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie showing through May 5th
La Mirada~"Goin' courting" has never been as much fun as in this rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, adapted by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay.
Millie is a young bride living in the 1850's Oregon wilderness whose plan to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage
backfires when the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides.
Bursting with the rambunctious energy of the original film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is all boisterous fun and romance that harkens back to the glory days of the movie musical. Directed by Glenn Casale and Choreographed by Pati Colombo (the same team behind Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby).
Seven Brides is playing through May 5th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. For ticket information visit www.lamiradatheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801.
La Mirada Pledges Open and Transparent Government
CITY RELEASE
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council highlighted efforts to promote open and transparent local government at its meeting last month on March 26th. The Council presented an official proclamation to City Clerk Anne Haraksin, who described the City’s efforts to make information available to the public.
The proclamation notes the La Mirada’s commitment to providing open and accessible government, and effectively serving its citizens. The proclamation notes the City’s policy of abiding by all the provisions of the California Public Records Act, and acknowledges the City’s efforts to enhance government transparency throughout California through its work with the League of California Cities.
“The City Council supports openness and transparency in local government,” said Mayor Steve De Ruse. “This public declaration to the citizens of La Mirada indicates our sincere commitment to open and accessible government, and a promise to promote these principles in all city matters.”
La Mirada information is easily available on the City’s website at www.cityofmirada.org. Clicking on a new Transparency tab located on the website homepage gives citizens access to City meeting notices, agendas, minutes, financial and personnel information, as well as City contracts, permits and audits.
Steve DeRuse Selected as Mayor of La Mirada; Larry Mowles Mayor Pro Tem
CITY RELEASE
La Mirada~New leadership for the coming year was selected by the La Mirada City Council last month on March 26th.
Steve De Ruse was selected to serve as Mayor. Elected to the La Mirada City Council on March 8, 2011, he is senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Artesia and served nearly 13 years as a senior pastor at a church in La Mirada. He has been a small business owner, track coach for John Glenn High School, television program host, radio guest commentator, and featured speaker at men’s ministry conferences.
Mayor De Ruse served on the La Mirada Community Services Commission from November 2006 to March 2011. He served as Chairman from August 2008 through August 2010. Mayor De Ruse also served on the Citizen Task Force on City Finances and Operations from November 2009 to April 2010.
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| CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION -- The La Mirada City Council selected new leaders for the coming year during its annual reorganization on Tuesday, March 26. Pictured are (l to r) Councilmember Andrew Sarega, Councilmember Steve Jones, Mayor Steve De Ruse, Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence P. Mowles and Councilmember Pauline Deal. |
As a member of the La Mirada Clergy Council, he served as President of that organization from 2001 to 2005. He is also a member of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the La Mirada Rotary Club. Mayor De Ruse is the Chair of the Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority (SASSFA) Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Board for the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association.
Mayor De Ruse holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and a Doctor of Ministry Degree both from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. He has been a resident of La Mirada since 1976. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have been married for 41 years and have two daughters, Adrienne and Elaine, and one grandchild.
Lawrence P. Mowles was named Mayor Pro Tem. Elected to the La Mirada City Council on March 8, 2011, he has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years.
Off-Duty Deputy Shoots and Kills Himself in La Mirada
La Mirada~A Sheriff’s deputy apparently shot and killed himself in La Mirada early Saturday morning, the Coroner's office said.
There is very little information available at this time about the suicide other than the victim being a male and it occurred around 2:00 a.m. on San Feliciano Drive.
It is unknown at this time whether the deputy was a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
We are working to obtain more details.
16:34 NEW: We can now confirm that the deputy was a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and he was off-duty at the time, according to Steve Whitmore, Sheriff's spokesperson.
Suburban League High School Baseball: Kruip Throws Six Shutout Innings in Mats Win; Monsoons’ Carpenter Throws No-No
Norwalk~Kyle Carpenter no-hit the John Glenn Eagles, giving up only three walks, as Mayfair defeated John Glenn 10-0, in a battle of unbeaten Suburban League teams.
Although Glenn (10-7, 2-1) and Mayfair (13-5, 5-0) both entered the game without a loss in league play, the Eagles were clearly overmatched.
It was the 17th straight league win, dating back to last year, for the Monsoons who have won the league title the last two seasons.
Senior Justin Davis was 3-4 with 3 RBI’s, garnering a single, double, and triple-a home run short of the cycle. Senior Nico Olvera also had three singles and an RBI for the Monsoons.
Eagle ace Cesar Arzate, victim of some shoddy Glenn defense and some bad hops, gave up three runs in the first inning and never recovered, giving up seven runs and six hits in five innings overall.
Carpenter, faced only 24 batters (three over the minimum), had seven strikeouts, and did not allow a ball out of the infield.
The two teams will play the second game of the home-and-home series Friday at Mayfair beginning at 3 p.m.
In other Suburban League action:
La Mirada, trying to keep pace with Mayfair, improved to 4-1 in league with a 11-0 victory over Norwalk. Cody Kruip pitched six shutout innings for the Matadores. The Lancers fell to 0-3 in the Suburban League.
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