La Mirada Boy Scout Eagle Project Improves La Mirada’s Oldest Home
La Mirada~Boy Scout Erik Moreno, 17, from La Mirada Troop 919 recently completed his Eagle Project at Neff Park in his effort to become an Eagle Scout-the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
To earn Eagle Scout status boys are required to earn 21 different merit badges along with planning, developing and managing an extensive project.
The scout must organize, lead, and manage the project that benefits the community-the Eagle Project-that demonstrates both leadership and a commitment to duty.
After tossing around some ideas he settled on providing an improvement for the George Home-La Mirada's oldest house located at the Neff Park Estate.
Formerly the foreman's home for the McNally Ranch, the house was lived in by Jack George, who became foreman of the McNally Ranch in 1914. The home was built about the same time as the McNally Mansion, around 1890. Anne George, widow of Jack lived at the home with her two daughters until 1960.
When deciding on a project Erik noticed the George House lacked a cement curb around it similar to the one around the mansion, so he decided a newly installed curb at the George House would dramatically improve the asthetics and landscaping of the house.
Escalona Elementary Reaches 907 API: Principal Follows Through on Deal by Kissing Pig
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| Escalona Elementary principal Bonnie Lytle makes good on a deal made three years ago-if her students ever scored over 900 on the state's API report she would kiss a pig. Figures were released last month and the school scored 907. Time to pucker up! Photo Victoria Pflanzer |
Hundreds of Students Squeal in Delight at Ceremony as Principal Keeps Her Word by Smooching Swine
La Mirada ~Escalona Elementary principal Bonnie Lytle made a promise to her students-if the school’s Academic Performance Index (API) ever reached 900, she would kiss a pig.
Although it took three years, Escalona scored a 907 when the figures were released last month-one of the first schools in the district to score over 900.
So, this past Friday Lytle followed through by kissing a pig named Olive- fitting for La Mirada-in front of hundreds of students, parents, and spectators.
The very cold winter-like winds didn’t dampen the spirit of the huge crowd at the after school outdoor celebration called “Pig Party.”
There was a petting zoo, along with booths selling popcorn and candy, and drinks. The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada was also there selling quarter pound hot dogs with the works.
The API is a major component of the Public Schools Accountability Act passed by the California legislature in 1999 and scores range from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. The scores are used as a measurement to monitor a school’s growth.
PTA President Monae Zamott said the kids worked hard, “They have been trying and trying to hit that 900. Each year they have inched a little bit closer, improving their scores all along. She (Lytle) didn’t want the kids to wait for their reward.”
Zamott said that the vow got the kids to study more, and that’s all that really matters, “It was a great challenge and a great motivator for them to study. We can’t wait until she kisses the pig.”
The school had a score of 858 in 2009, climbed to 890 in 2010, and then 907 for 2011.
The scores, compiled from testing done in the previous school year, are released every October.
Many of the students who were tested last year, are partly responsible for the score, but have moved on to Benton, Hutchinson, and other middle schools. They were also invited to the festivities.
Three Take Out Papers to Run For La Mirada City Council
La Mirada~Earlier this week, on Monday and Tuesday, three potential candidates pulled papers at city hall with the intention to run for City Council.
The three include incumbent Pauline Deal, 53, who was appointed last year in July to replace Susan Tripp, who resigned to pursue personal interests.
Deal was a member of the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board of Trustees from 1998-2011, leaving to take the council position.
The other two who took out papers are Randy Gray, 52, and Connie Balloue, 58.
There are two terms ending and up for grabs, one is Deals' and the other belonging to current La Mirada Mayor Gabe Garcia who has not pulled yet, but sources indicate he will seek another term.
The last to day to file for the March 5th election is December 10th, or December 12th if no incumbent files, which hardly seems the case.
Three CIF Home Games in One Week Treat La Mirada Sports Fans
La Mirada High Girls Volleyball Advance to Second Round With Big Win
La Mirada~Big week for La Mirada High Sports at La Mirada. Tomorrow night, THURSDAY at 7pm, girls volleyball enters the 2nd round of the CIF Division 3AA playoffs against Riverside Poly after their 25-17, 24-26, 25-10, 25-17 victory over Beverly Hills yesterday in La Mirada.
La Mirada (8-1) football begins a march to the finals playing in its first round game as the number one seed in the Southeast Division. The Suburban League champion Matadores are riding a six-game wining streak and will play at home as well, FRIDAY at 7:30 pm vs. Arcadia. The Apaches (4-6) who lost to La Mirada last year in the second round 31-28, stumbled a bit down the stretch in the Pacific League, and are losers of their last two.
School Board Approves Donations to La Mirada Schools
Benton Parents donate over $127,000 for Washington D.C. Trip: La Mirada Kiwanis and Rotary Donate Cameras
Norwalk~At a recent meeting, the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District board formally accepted several donations totalling thousands of dollars to benefit local schools.
Donations to La Mirada schools included:
-$112.88 by Target Take Charge of Education to Los Coyotes Middle School, to be used for material and supplies.
-$2,750 for Lodestone Adventures to provide Los Coyotes students with training activities that promote team building, talent discovery, and leadership.
-$10,000 to send about 50 Los Coyotes students and chaperones to leadership camp at the Alpine Meadows Retreat Center in Angelus Oaks, with funding coming from parent donations and the ASB budget.
-$34,100 to send about 124 Gardenhill Elementary students and chaperones and $23,386 to send about 88 Eastwood Elementary students and chaperones to Thousand Pines Pines Outdoor Science School in Crestline. Gardenhill will be going in March 2013 and Eastwood in February.
-$481.99 to Benton Middle School by Target Take Charge of Education to be used for the student donation fund.
-$350 To Benton by the Benton PTSA to be used for the student donation fund.
-$359.91 to Benton by Big Lots/La Mirada to be used for the student donation fund.
-$152,550 to send about 71 Benton students and chaperones on an "American Heritage Trip" that will send the group through Boston, New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia next summer with funding coming from fundraisers ($24,366), the ASB trust budget ($800), and parent donations ($127,383).
-Two Canon Powershot SX40 HS Cameras to Benton Visual and Arts Academy to be used by the photography class, separately donated by the La Mirada Kiwanis and La Mirada Rotary Clubs.
-16 refurbished computers with Microsoft Office site license for each to Escalona Elementary by the Escalona PTSA, to be used for instruction in classrooms.
La Mirada Voters Pass Measure I
City's First Ever Local Sales Tax Passed by Almost 2-1 Margin
La Mirada~According to the numbers coming out of the County of Los Angels Registrar-Recorder's office in Norwalk, La Mirada's Measure I has passed.
With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, 67% of the voters in La Mirada have voted yes on the measure.
As of now, the vote count stands at 8,949 voting yes and 4,612 voting no.
Measure I will raise $4-5 million annually by raising La Mirada's sales tax to 9.75 percent, from 8.75 percent for a period of five years.
The city says it needs the funds to maintain infrastructure.
An oversight committee will be formed to monitor the funds.
In other La Mirada related election news:
The Cerritos Community College District's school improvement bond, Measure G has passed by a wide margin receiving just under 70 percent of the vote (63,645 to 27,447). The district claim
s it needs the funds in order to continue meeting the existing needs and growing demands for expanded educational opportunities in the community. The bond will add $25 for every $100,000 of a home's assessed value and will be added to annual property tax bills for La Miradans.
La Mirada's Noel Jaimes (R) appears to be going down in defeat in the 57th State Assembly race. Ian Calderon (D) of Hacienda Heights has captured a little over 63 percent of the vote (65,297 to 37,696).
Bidding for her sixth two-year term, Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Lakewood, defeated Benjamin Campos in the race for the new 38th Congressional District.
Sanchez will now serve in the new territory that was created by redistricting, that will include La Mirada, she formerly 
served in the 39th District that included La Mirada.
Sanchez received just under 68 percent of the vote, doubling up on Campos, 106,844 to 50,889.
In the 29th State Senate District, it appears to be too close to call. With all precincts reporting, Democrat Greg Diamond has 96 votes more than incumbent Senate Republican leader Bob Huff (18,000 to 17,904).
Native American Pottery Artist Will Highlight La Mirada Arts Colony Meeting
La Mirada~The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold their next meeting on Monday November 5th at 6:30p at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13700 La Mirada Blvd.
Artist Rowlan Harrison will demonstrate his skills in the Native American method of coil pottery. Demonstration is free to the art appreciating public.
For information call (562) 941-4116.
La Mirada to Salute Veterans
La Mirada~The city's annual Salute to Veteran's Observance ceremony will take place Monday, November 5th at 6 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Scheduled special guests include Louis Zamperini, an Olympian, World War II veteran and former prisoner of war. Also, Staff Sergeant John E Mejia, a U.S. Marine with five tours of duty.
A video montage will feature La Mirada veterans and military banner recipients and their families will be recognized.
Veterans also will display their war memorabilia including medals and photographs.
La Mirada VFW Post 9148, along with its Ladies Auxiliary, and Boy Scout troop 438 will participate in the ceremony.
For info contact the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
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