La Mirada Kiwanis Announce Scholarship Recipients
La Mirada~The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada recently announced their recipients for this year's scholarship awards to high school seniors who are interested in continuing their education.
"We are excited to present the awards to our 2012 group, who are a great bunch of kids," said La Mirada Kiwanis Scholarship Chairperson Lou Piltz.
For over 30 years, the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada has offered the scholarships; open to all current high school seniors.
Scholarship amounts are awarded in the amounts of $500 and $1000, this year totally $11,000, with 14 students overall, receiving gifts.
To qualify, students must reside in La Mirada, but can be attending any high school.
Piltz said the applicants were judged on "their merit, grades, school activity; along with their community involvement and accomplishments, and other determining factors."
This year, three students attending high schools outside of La Mirada were rewarded. They include Alexa Ortega-Ramirez of La Serna High School who received $1000; Jonathan Reveles, Whittier Christian High School, $500; and Caitlyn Cappadona, St. Joseph High School (Lakewood), $500.
El Camino High School winners were Courtney Morrison ($1000) and Zoraya Silva ($1000).
The remaining winning students are all attending La Mirada High School. They are: Teresa Co ($1000), Phyong-Lien Ngheim ($1000), Megan Hoyarek ($1000), Ramon G Visaiz ($1000), Christy Pflanzer ($1000), Melissa Aceves ($500), Eric Matheny ($500), Nicholas Sanchez-McCormick ($500), and Nicholas Popoy ($500).
For La Mirada High School students, they will be presented with their prize by Kiwanis, at a tea on the campus Monday June 18th. The time is still yet to be determined.
For the El Camino students, a presentation ceremony will be held Thursday, June 21st.
La Mirada Millitary Banner Program Recognizes Troops
La Mirada~Banners featuring the names of those serving in the United States Armed Forces are now on display from utility light poles on Rosecrans Avenue."La Mirada is home to many brave men and women in serving our country," said Mayor Gabe Garcia. "These banners are a reminder of their efforts to protect our great nation."
La Mirada's Military Banner program recognizes La Mirada residents who are currently serving in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, or National Guard.
To be eligible for the program, the serviceperson being recognized must be serving on active duty and be a current La Mirada resident. An immediate family member may also submit an application for the program on their behalf.
Participants need to complete an application and include a copy of the driver's license or a current utility bill showing proof of residency of the military serviceperson or his/her immediate family.
For more information, call (562) 943-7277.
La Mirada Salutes Veterans at Olive Lawn Memorial Park
La Mirada~A beautiful La Mirada spring morning greeted over 300 people as they attended the annual Memorial Day Program at Olive Lawn Memorial Park in La Mirada this past Monday.The traditional program was hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) La Mirada Post 9148, its Ladies Auxiliary, and Olive Lawn-along with added support provided by the City of La Mirada.
Past Commander of the Post, Rick Bergquist, presided over the ceremony, informing the crowd the holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day, and originated after the American
Civil War. But by the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.
He explained that in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order "to create a convenient three-day weekend," which drew a chuckle from the crowd.
Numerous American flags peppered the cemetery on this day, placed on veteran's graves by Boy Scouts, "La Mirada is well represented by the veteran community here," said Berquist.
Christopher Guerra (Troop 919), a Boy Scouts of America Life Scout, led the crowd for the Pledge of Allegiance.
An inspiring Memorial Day address was given by Captain Roy Twaddell, Chaplain, California State Military Reserve.
The glorious voice of Jacinda Perez filled the park, captivating and consuming the crowd with her rendition of "God Bless America."
Olive Lawn and La Mirada VFW to Host Annual Memorial Day Service
La Mirada~A Memorial Day Program will be conducted Monday, May 28th at Olive Lawn Memorial Park, 13929 La Mirada Blvd.
Proudly supported by the City of La Mirada, the event is hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars La Mirada Post 9148 and its ladies auxiliary, and Olive Lawn.
Community service organizations including the boy scouts and cub scouts will participate with floral presentations.
This year's Memorial address will be given by Captain Roy Twaddell, Chaplain, from the California State Military Reserves.
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. sharp, and is scheduled for one hour.
Seating is limited, so lawn chairs are not only allowed, but recommended.
For more information, call the VFW Post at 562-941-4097.
Community Foundation, City Council Honors Haugh, Jenkins Scholarship Winners
La Mirada~The La Mirada Community Foundation has awarded new scholarships to local high school students in a special ceremony at the La Mirada City Council meeting this week that honors community pioneers Bob Jenkins and Ray Haugh.
This year, 19 applications were received for the Bob Jenkins Scholarship and nine hopefuls were submitted for the Ray Haugh Vocational Scholarship.
The Foundation's subcommittee selected four recipients for the Bob Jenkins Scholarship and one for the Ray Haugh Vocational Scholarship.
Bob Jenkins Community Service Scholarships were earned by Krystal Tapper, Jonathan Reveles, Ramon Gerardo Visaiz, and Garrett Yniguez. The Ray Haugh Vocational Scholarship was captured by Courtney Morrison. All of the recipients live in La Mirada.
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Krystal Tapper displays her $1,000 scholarship presented by Mayor Gabe Garcia and the La Mirada City Council this week. Tapper is also joined by members of her very proud family. Tapper has been volunteering for several years with Brothers of Charity. She also spends countless hours preparing hundreds of sandwiches to distribute throughout the Los Angeles area to feed the homeless. |
Here is more about this year's honorees: Krystal Tapper displays a high level of volunteerism in the community. Miss Tapper has been volunteering for several years with Brothers of Charity. She spends countless hours preparing hundreds of sandwiches to distribute throughout the Los Angeles area to feed the homeless. She also volunteers at special events and activities for the school and community. Miss Tapper is the Finance Director for the La Mirada High School Rotary Interact Club where she is actively involved in participating with fundraising activities.
Jonathan Reveles is extremely motivated to help where he is needed. As a youth leader, he has volunteered for a number of years at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital. He devoted over 240 hours to the hospital as an ambassador where he assisted with discharging patients, taking them flowers, and providing emotional support. Reveles also received the Los Angeles County's Junior Volunteer of the Year award for his volunteer efforts at the hospital. In addition, Mr. Reveles is an active member of Key Club and is currently serving as President. He has been instrumental in organizing events such as beach clean-up days, Toys for Tots fundraiser, and volunteering at City wide events.
La Mirada City Council Moves Forward With Budget Despite Continuous Lambasting of State Actions
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council took the first major steps into adopting a new fiscal budget for next year on Tuesday night.
La Mirada and many other area municipalities will be going into the new budget year without the luxury of having income generated from "economic engines" such as community redevelopment agencies.
City officials said that La Mirada's worst financial challenge stems from the State of California actions that have "impacted the City's budget far more than the Great Recession."
"The State's elimination of redevelopment agencies will have far-reaching negative impacts. The State's process for dissolving redevelopment was poorly conceived and executed, and has caused financial chaos and confusion for local governments throughout California," said Kevin Prelgovisk, Assistant City Manager.
But, overall, La Mirada's financial position is better than most area cities, however, without changes to the current law, La Mirada's General Fund could lose nearly $58 million, almost twice the annual operating budget.
"Financial blows of this magnitude will have severe negative impacts on La Mirada's ability to provide services and make critical infrastructure repairs," Prelgovisk said.
Councilman Steve Jones was blunt in his assessment of the new budget challenges from Sacramento.
"The state of California is acting like your addicted uncle who has the keys to your house," Jones quipped.
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Bermudez, Calderon Campaigns Engage in War of Words Over âPornoâ Mailers
The campaign battle between local state assembly candidates Ian Calderon and Rudy Bermudez has taken yet another twist with the wife of Bermudez diving into the fray with a week and a half before voters head to the ballot box.
Calderon and Bermudez are engaged in one of California's nastiest primary campaigns in the newly created 57th Assembly District.
Voters on Friday and Saturday will be receiving a giant sized post card from Nancy Bermudez, the longtime wife of the former assemblyman that attacks the first time candidate Calderon for portraying her husband for supporting a bill that "wrongfully" portrayed him as "supporting child pornography."
The Los Cerritos Community Newspaper was emailed an advance copy of the campaign mailer from Bermudez campaign advisor Bruce Young.
In the mailer, Nancy Bermudez states "Ian Calderon sent out a mailer claiming Rudy voted with the porn industry on AB 281, which is an outright lie."
"As you can see, AB 281was a bill sponsored by the District Attorneys to increase the penalties for child porn. Even Ian's uncle, (Senator) Ron (Calderon), voted for the bill. Ian Calderon needs to stop lying. Ian hasn't earned the right to lie about someone who risked his life to keep us safe." The signature of Nancy Bermudez appears at the bottom of the mailer.
The bill, that Bermudez and every other member of the State Assembly voted to support, increases the penalty for possession of child pornography by making the possession of more than 100 prohibited items an alternate felony misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail or by imprisonment in state prison for 16 months, 2 or 3 years.
Mayor, City Council Celebrate Mary Pearson’s 90th Birthday With Her
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council honored longtime resident Mary Pearson for celebrating her 90th birthday with a special recognition at this week's meeting.
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| Mayor Gabe Garcia highlighted many of Pearson's accomplishments and pointed out that she was born in Billings, Montana on May 15, 1922 |
Pearson was thrilled with the honor and thanked the city for "a lifetime of memories."
Mayor Gabe Garcia highlighted many of Pearson's accomplishments and pointed out that she was born in Billings, Montana on May 15, 1922.
While in high school, she met her future husband Nilis Pearson.
Nilis was enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was schedule to be deployed on a mission in January of 1941, and the couple was married on January 1, 1941. Mary worked at a coat factory in the Bronx until Nilis was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1943. In 1943, their first child, Karen, was born.
In 1944, the Pearson family moved to Hawthorne, California. After several years in Hawthorne, they moved to Big Bear, where they lived for 22 years and established and pioneered a Chinchilla Farm. While establishing the Chinchilla Farm, the Pearson family founded Chinchilla Standard Select, which became internationally known as the leading standard in American Chinchilla Pelt Production. Mary was the office manager of the business for many years before retiring and moving with Nilis to Canoga Park in 1976 to be closer to the family.
57th Assembly Campaign Turns Into a War of Charges and Counter Charges; La Mirada’s Jaimes in Race
The race for a local California State Assembly seat between Democrats Rudy Bermudez and Ian Calderon has literally turned into a steel cage match that now includes charges of money laundering, and hiding personal income sources, and the filing of complaints with state campaign regulators.
Did Assemblyman Tony Mendoza mastermind an elaborate money laundering scheme to skirt California campaign finance laws to help benefit the campaign of the candidate who is running to take his place in Sacramento?
Did assembly candidate Ian Calderon fail to report $60,000 in income to state officials?
State campaign reform officials have opened up an official inquiry to determine if Mendoza and Assembly candidate Rudy Bermudez worked in tandem to avoid campaign contribution limits after $50,000 in donations were allegedly transferred between at least a half dozen campaign committees involving at least four local elected officials.
Mendoza is a former Chairman of the controversial Latino Caucus that is comprised of elected officials in Sacramento who serve as members of the Assembly and State Senate.
This week Latino Caucus Chairman Assemblyman Ricardo Lara blasted Mendoza in a statement that has sent several political observers into a tailspin.
La Mirada Resident Has Helped La Mirada Community Garden Grow
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| Bob Berklite and Jeanne Jenkins stand in front of entrance to La Mirada Garden |
See the Print Version in This Weeks Edition of the La Mirada Lamplighter!
La Mirada~ For more than 20 years, every morning, one can find longtime La Mirada resident Bob Berklite at the La Mirada Community Gardens tending to his garden, and talking soil with his friends.
Recently, Berklite and the others on the five-member advocate committee decided to hand over the day-to-day business of the garden to a new generation.
Now, Jeanne Jenkins, Chris Stevens, and other La Mirada baby boomers are geared up to lead the new garden committee.
Jenkins, who's in charge of membership, told us, "There are a lot of diverse people, I enjoy being here and I love talking with everyone, I learn a lot from them."
The garden, one of over 80 in Los Angeles County, is located at the Fountain of Light church (formerly Mt. Olive Lutheran) at 13518 Biola Avenue.
With yellow foxgloves around us and birds singing in the background, I sat down at the garden for a few minutes recently with the 87-year old who says he will still maintain his own personal garden space, but it's time for a new group of people to head up the committee, which oversees operations.
"We had a member die recently, that happens a lot around here," he said jokingly referring to the older age of a lot of the gardeners.
At 43,000 square feet, and occupying approximately one acre of land, the sanctuary is divided into 43 plots, each assigned to one gardener. Most of the garden spots are approximately 20' x 30' in size, and currently the garden has two plots available.
Some grow to save money on their produce bills, and some grow for the love of it, but most people are a combination of the two. The gardeners often share their bounty and it really makes for a nice social setting.
"We just had a sign put up; the community doesn't even know we have a garden here," said Berklite.
The garden also recently added a community blog on the Internet.
Plots cost $120 annually, but you can share a spot with someone to cut the price in half. Also, the large area is just too much for some, so dividing it makes sense, to maintain productivity.
Each plot is equipped with its own water supply valve.
The garden is open basically from sunup to sundown, and each gardener receives their own access key, since the garden is enclosed and secure.
The City of La Mirada handles all the costs associated with the garden including, administrative duties, the water bill, and other utilities and costs.
Not only is the garden one of the best kept secrets in La Mirada, it has been around for quite some time, and is now fueling a new generation of cultivators.
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