![Latest Community Event News](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Latest Community Event News
Arts Colony of La Mirada to Host Art in the Garden Tour
The Arts Colony of La Mirada presents its Art in the Garden Tour on Sunday, April 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the rear parking area of the Activity Center.
Four home gardens will be viewed that showcase various gardening styles and artwork from members and students. Light refreshment will be served.
For more information, call (562) 941-4116 or visit here.
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
A great selection of quality secondhand hardcover and paperback books, as well as audio and video materials will be available for purchase at bargain prices during the semi-annual Friends of the La Mirada Public Library Book Sale!
The book sale will kick off with a “members-only” pre-sale on Friday, April 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the La Mirada Activity Center. Non-members may purchase a membership for $10 during the pre-sale to take advantage of the early bird shopping event.
The book sale is open to the general public on Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The popular “three-bucks-a-bag” clearance sale will begin at 1:30 p.m.
For more information about the book sale, call (562) 943-0277.
La Mirada Know Your Roots Tree Scavenger Hunt
Join in the fun! The City of La Mirada will be hosting its first tree scavenger hunt in celebration of Arbor Day on Saturday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Neff Estate, 14300 San Cristobal Drive. Community members will use the arboretum guide to find some of the oldest trees in La Mirada, many planted by La Mirada pioneer Andrew McNally.
For more information, contact the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
![La Mirada Resident Dies in Cerritos Crash](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/lamiradablog-logo.jpg)
La Mirada Resident Dies in Cerritos Crash
Cerritos~A La Mirada resident, 58-year-old Ronald Franken, was killed after he was involved in a two-car crash this past Friday evening. His name was released this morning by the coroner's office.
The accident occurred at Marquardt Avenue and Artesia Boulevard around 9:15 p.m. in the city of Cerritos. He passed a few hours later at UC Irvine Medical Center.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. The condition of the passenger in the other vehicle is unknown.
![Man Injured in Fight at La Mirada Movie 7 After Seat-Kicking Incident](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/lamiradablog-logo.jpg)
Man Injured in Fight at La Mirada Movie 7 After Seat-Kicking Incident
La Mirada~A man was injured last night at the AMC Movie 7 after a fight started inside the theatre when a patron complained about another patron kicking their seat.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. during the 9:50 showing of “Belko Experiment,” a witness told us.
The witness said two couples began arguing in the back of the theatre and a fight ensued. At one point a female allegedly pulled out a “box-cutter” type knife and began stabbing the male victim.
The couple fled the scene and were caught a short time later when, “deputies conducted a traffic stop nearby and arrested the suspects on an assault with a deadly weapon charge,” said Sergeant Jason Cunningham from the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station who confirmed that the seat-kicking seem to spark the incident.
Cunningham said it is unclear whether the weapon used was a box-cutter or an actual knife.
Photos from the scene from a La Mirada Blog Twitter fan, seem to indicate a slash-type wound. WARNING: Graphic photos.
Afterwards, blood could be seen around the auditorium seats as witnesses assisted the victim, who was treated at the scene and released.
![Easter Egg Hunt and Kiwanis Duck Race April 15th](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Easter Egg Hunt and Kiwanis Duck Race April 15th
The City of La Mirada invites the community to attend the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.
The free event is perfect for the whole family to enjoy and features crafts, games, music, and the popular Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt is for children ages 10 and under and begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the event and is available for photos for a small fee.
Support the La Mirada Kiwanis Club as they will be serving a pancake breakfast before the egg hunt.
For more information, contact the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
Immediately following the hunt, head on over to Splash! as the Kiwanis Club will host their 10th Annual Going Quackers for Kids Derby Duck Race.
This fun–for-all-ages event will take place at Splash! Bring a blanket, and enjoy some family time. All kids’ games and activities are FREE! The Duck Race is sponsored by La Mirada Kiwanis and benefits multiple La Mirada community groups.
Purchase your duck today for your chance to win big. Fifty percent of duck sales go directly to the selling groups. With $3,500 in cash prizes, and many other prizes, your odds are better than the lottery, and more fun! There is a corporate race and the main race with over 5,000 ducks.
Individual ducks for main race are $5.00 or 6 for $25.00, visit the Duck Race web site for more information including how to be a duck sponsor.
We’ll see you and your family Saturday, April 15th at Splash! after the Easter Egg Hunt!
![Latest La Mirada News; City Council Bypasses Sarega Again](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/lamiradablog-logo.jpg)
Latest La Mirada News; City Council Bypasses Sarega Again
TICKER: The old traffic signals from the 1960’s have been removed and upgraded at Imperial/Telegraph. Shabuya Restaurant looks like it’s about to open soon. The Habit Burger Grill also looks like it will be opening soon. Receiving reports Oxman’s Surplus may start selling guns. City reporting eviction notice will be served at the end of the month to marijuana dispensary at Green Hills Shopping Center South. It appears The Flag Man may have been evicted from his home at De Alcala/Valley View. The City Council is considering banning smoking in all La Mirada parks. K-Grill cuisine has opened at Roseview Center North.
Council Reorganizes
John Lewis and Andrew Sarega were sworn in as the newest La Mirada City Council members March 28th at the reorganization meeting after their recent election victories. The council elected Ed Eng as the new Mayor and Larry Mowles as the Mayor Pro-Tem. Sarega was bypassed for a third time, sparking a war of words at the meeting, with Eng and Councilman Steve DeRuse saying Sarega is “unqualified” to lead the city. Sarega, disappointed, said that the Mayor position in La Mirada is mostly ceremonial. Traditionally, La Mirada Mayors have “taken turns” being Mayor since the city was incorporated in 1960. The only other time a councilperson was bypassed, as far as we can tell, was Ken Jones in the late 1970’s.
La Mirada Jazz Band
The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes is a duo out of La Mirada that arranges and performs jazz versions of classic video game music. They’re currently booking about three to four gigs a week and have a residency every Wednesday night at Eqeko Peruvian Cuisine in Santa Ana. They are also working on their first EP. They just finished performing at BeachCon, a CSULB gaming convention. Check out their website and Facebook page.
Relay for Life La Mirada
The event will take place May 20-21 at Splash! Aquatic Center benefiting the American Cancer Society. The relay is partnering with Clothes for the Cause. This year they need as many donations as possible. Here is a link to their Facebook Event Page.
Where: IQ Air Headquarters at 14351 Firestone Blvd. in the parking lot on Saturday April 8th taking donations until 1:00 p.m. or call (949) 463-6061 for early Saturday pickup.
![La Mirada High Sophomore Receives NASCAR Award Recognizing Racing Skills](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
La Mirada High Sophomore Receives NASCAR Award Recognizing Racing Skills
La Mirada~Zooming across a black-and-white checkered finish line at 140 miles an hour in a 400-horsepower car is not unusual for La Mirada High School sophomore Ryan Vargas, who’s been racing since he was 11.
“Growing up, I always loved monster trucks, demolition derbies and Thomas the Tank Engine,” Ryan said. “When my dad took me to a NASCAR event at Irwindale Speedway, I found out that kids could actually race cars and saw it as an opportunity to do something I loved.”
Since then, Ryan has tied for national championships in the Bandolero division in 2014, set five track records across Nevada, California and Arizona, and earned Rookie of the Year in 2015 at The Bullring at Las Vegas. In 2016, he competed in 27 races, placing in the top five 12 times and top 10 25 times, along with reaching fifth place in the California state standings.
Most recently, he was awarded the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award by NASCAR, which recognizes a high-performing minority or female driver contributing on and off the track in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“I’m just really, really thankful,” Ryan said. “Being selected to receive this amazing award is such an honor in my life and in my career.”
![La Mirada Arts Colony Home Garden Tour April 23rd](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
La Mirada Arts Colony Home Garden Tour April 23rd
The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold their next meeting on Monday, April 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Resource Center located at 13710 La Mirada Blvd
Watercolor artist Jim Shalchak will demonstrate his technique by emphasizing the importance of selective vision through simplification and focus. The meeting is free to the art appreciating public.
The Arts Colony will be presenting its Art in the Garden Tour on Sunday, April 23 from 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the parking area east of the Activity Center at 13810 La Mirada Blvd.
Four home gardens will be viewed that will showcase various gardening styles and artwork from members and students. Light refreshments will be served. For information call 562-760-3175, 562-944-4535. Art entry forms for garden tour available here.
![Jacks Leads La Mirada Expansion](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/lamiradablog-logo.jpg)
Jacks Leads La Mirada Expansion
La Mirada~IMPACT Properties, a premier real estate agency with more than $128 million in transactions, recently announced its expansion into Los Angeles County with the opening of a new office in La Mirada to meet market demand.
In addition to the agency’s headquarters in Orange County, the new space doubles IMPACT’s footprint in Southern California.
Don Jacks, a real estate veteran with more than 20 years of experience, was tapped by IMPACT Properties’ founder and CEO Aaron Zapata to lead the new office which offers residential listings, foreclosures and property management services.
Seasoned Real Estate Professional Takes Helm of New Office
With more than two decades of experience selling homes in communities throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, Don Jacks will lead the new La Mirada office, effective immediately. Jacks is ranked in the top three percent of REALTORS® nationwide, and is a real estate coach for one of the leading real estate coaching and training companies in the world and brings his coaching experience to help his agents succeed.
A proud father of four, Jacks has coached youth soccer since 2000 and is a founding member and president of the La Mirada Soccer Association, serving the soccer needs of more than 1,000 children in the community.
“As a local resident, I am invested in this community and look forward to leading the L.A. office,” said Jacks. “IMPACT’s approach to achieving results for our clients with unparalleled customer service and innovative marketing tools drew me to the agency. I look forward to working with the team of agents and the community to support their real estate needs.”
IMPACT Properties’ new office is located at 16700 Valley View Avenue, Suite 300 in La Mirada.
![3rd Annual La Mirada Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast April 7th](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
3rd Annual La Mirada Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast April 7th
La Mirada~ A morning of inspiration is promised at the 3rd Annual La Mirada Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Friday, April 7th at the Holiday Inn.
The keynote speaker will be La Mirada resident Tony Corrente, former Neff and La Mirada High School social science teacher, current NFL referee and throat cancer survivor.
Tickets are $20 and includes a buffet breakfast, musical entertainment and of course, prayers.
For more information and to purchase tickets direct, visit the event website here.
![Latest News From The Hall](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/lamiradablog-logo.jpg)
Latest News From The Hall
Extra Revenue is Always a Good Thing
The City Council recently reviewed its annual mid-year budget report. The report showed an improving economy as key revenue sources remain stable with some expected to exceed budget estimates. Overall, General Fund operating revenues for the current year are expected to reach $43.8 million, which is $2.1 million over the budgeted amount. General Fund operating expenditures are projected at $30.9 million, which is slightly below the budget. These figures do not include fund transfers for capital improvement projects. The estimates reflect ongoing efforts to manage costs even with conservative budgeting.
The mid-year report also emphasized the City’s continued commitment to maintaining public safety as a top priority and ongoing investment in local infrastructure. At mid-year, Measure I revenues were $2.22 million. Revenues are projected to reach $6.10 million at year end, an increase of $425,000 or 7.48 percent above the conservative budget estimate. This funding source is used for neighborhood infrastructure repairs, and the third phase of improvements is currently in progress. The one percent Measure I sales tax ends on March 31, 2018.
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