Phantom Projects and La Mirada Blog Partner to Provide Free Theatre for all La Mirada Students
La Mirada~On April 21 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Phantom Projects Theatre Group will continue it’s mission of using live theatre as a way to reach and teach teen audiences, with the powerful production of THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. The production, which mixes multi-media presentations and live theatre, focuses on the overall value of human life by comparing tragic historical events with stories inspired by today’s headlines.
The production features an all-youth cast, and an engaging post-show discussion with the audience and the performers.
Thanks to the 2015/16 Season Sponsor, La Mirada Blog, the message of the production, which also tackles bullying, racim, violence and intolerance, will be available for free to all students of La Mirada schools, and students living in La Mirada. The offer, which is only available in person at the La Mirada Theatre Box Office (14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada) is valid on new orders only.
La Mirada’s Phantom Projects Presents The Center of the Universe April 21st
Journey into the past and gain new perspective on the present as stories from slavery and the Holocaust are woven with events inspired by today's headlines.
Phantom’s Project’s next production of their 2015-16 season presented by the La Mirada Blog, The Center of the Universe will leave you motivated with an unforgettable message about the value of human life.
The Center of the Universe, written by Bruce Gevirtzman and directed by Steve Cisneros shows April 21st, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard.
Tickets: $10.00. Box Office: (562) 944-9801. Web: www.LaMiradaTheatre.com/PhantomProjects
One Killed, Two Injured in Late-Night Crash On Valley View
La Mirada~A single-vehicle fatal traffic incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. last night near the intersection of Valley View Avenue and Artesia Boulevard along the La Mirada/Cerritos border.
The vehicle struck a tree and killed a male passenger and injured two females, one of them the driver. They remain hospitalized in serious condition.
Sheriff's officials, who have indicated speed was a factor, continue their investigation of the crash.
The Habit Coming to La Mirada; McDonald’s Plans Continue to Move Forward
La Mirada-If current plans continue, the city will have another dining option, The Habit Burger Grill.
City Planner Gabriel Bautista told the La Mirada Blog that The Habit has submitted plans for tenant improvements at the old Starbucks facility located at the
southwest corner of La Mirada Boulevard and Imperial Highway.
The plans call for The Habit to convert the store and also take over part of the current wireless retail outlet adjacent to the unit.
With the amount of work to be done, including the installation of a full kitchen, no time frame can be set at this time for the possible opening of the restaurant said Bautista.
With headquarters in Irvine, The Habit currently operates 147 fast-casual stores, according to its website. It was founded in 1969 by two brothers in Santa Barbara.
We are hopeful, if plans continue to move forward, that the opening of the new restaurant would be before the end of the year.
Other Development News
Let’s hope The Habit doesn’t take as long as McDonald’s.
Across the street, as far as we can tell, McDonald’s still plans to lease and build where the iconic Carriage still stands at The Crossroads Center at Imperial Highway and Telegraph Road.
The project continues to move forward, even though now it’s been over two years since Rich Development (property owners) and McDonald’s announced the agreement.
Residents stormed city hall to save The Carriage, a famous La Mirada eatery, in March of 2014. It was then shuttered by a major kitchen fire in December of 2014.
The plan for the new Mickey D’s has already gone through the city planning process for approval, including two public hearings last year. Yet ,there has been little movement, even though McDonald’s presented tenant plans in February of last year.
Bautista told us McDonald’s, as far as he knows, still has intention to build however they have yet to pull a demolition permit for The Carriage.
REVIEW: Catch the Dream at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
When it comes to diversity in the arts, the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Group is ahead of the game (you know what I'm talkin' about), especially with their latest presentation, the Tony and Oscar Award winning musical Dreamgirls, currently in its off-Broadway run from now through April 17th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts that continues to bring phenomenal productions to our own diverse community.
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| Brittney Johnson, Jasmin Richardson and Danielle Truitt star in the production of "DREAMGIRLS" - Directed and Choreographed by Robert Longbottom and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
Set in the early 60's when the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York was busting at its seams with performers like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and The Supremes, an amateur night of sorts is where Dreamgirls begins.
This musical moves quickly as The Dreamettes (channel The Ronettes) miss out on their chance of stardom. They are quickly offered to sing back up for the star known as Jimmy "Thunder" Early and despite hesitation by the groups lead singer, Effie (played by Moya Angela) Lorrell (Brittney Johnson) and Deena (Jasmin Richardson) the other two-thirds of The Dreamettes convince Effie this can be the groups "big break."
Cut to The Dreamgirls, now taking stage with Early, popular with hit after hit--- no. What actually happens is indicative of the early 60's when musicians like Little Richard or Muddy Waters penned the songs that would be sung by the non-African American contemporary--- a popular hit on the backs of an artist not credited. Soon the tension becomes apparent amongst The Dreams (formerly The Dreamettes) and a split and replacement of a lead singer transpires. Over a course of nearly a decade, we see the evolution of a female trio, the decline of a musical genre, and the success of writers and performers alike.
I went to see Dreamgirls without much known of the story as I have never seen the movie that starred Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson. I'm happy I didn't because going in with preconceived notions on how this cast "should" perform hits like "one Night Only" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" would be unfair to the cast.
Progress Continues on La Mirada Library Renovation
La Mirada~As part of Supervisor Don Knabe’s “Operation Libraries” project, over $45 million is being invested into the restoration of County libraries in the Fourth Supervisorial District, including $4 million to renovate the La Mirada Library.
The City is managing the design and construction of the renovation project and the library will be returned to the County following completion of the work. Emar Studio for Public Architecture is the architect on the project and Citadel CPM, Inc. is the construction management firm.
The project will be completed in two phases, a demolition phase and a construction phase. The project team has completed the first phase of the project which
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| The library renovation team completes the first phase of the project which includes the removal of the interior walls and fixtures. The $4 million dollar project is expected to be completed at the end of this year. |
included the removal of the majority of the interior walls and fixtures.
The architect also prepared plans and specifications for the second phase. Work includes modifications to the lighting and ceiling; new carpet, paint, and service desks; improvements to electrical, mechanical, and telecommunications infrastructure; installation of new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage; replacement of all existing window framing and panels with energy efficient dual glazing; and required ADA upgrades.
The City Council recently awarded the contract to The Nazerian Group. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-April.
The temporary library is located on the lower level of the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Boulevard. The library operates at the following hours:
Monday – Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday – noon to 5 p.m. Saturday – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday – Closed
La Mirada Receives High Ranks for Fiscal Health
The City of La Mirada was recently ranked in the top 96th percentile for overall fiscal health from United States Common Sense. United States Common Sense is a national organization dedicated to opening government data to the public and educating citizens about how their governments work.
The United States Common Sense organization collects Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) statements annually from governments across the United States and uses the data to create a free, comprehensive public finance database.
Since it was founded in 2010, United States Common Sense has been featured in well-known publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Reuters, and more.
For this year’s ranking, evaluators received CAFRs for more than 13,000 local governments and all 50 states, and reviewed almost 10,000 audits. The information is used to rank governments on budget balance, asset flexibility, and pension funding.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report
The following is the La Mirada crime report for March 14 - March 20, 2016 as provided by the City of La Mirada:
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. A firearm was used to demand cash from the victim. No injuries were reported. The incident remains under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported at La Mirada Blvd. and Excelsior Dr. The incident remains under investigation. A domestic assault was reported on the 14800 block of Springford Dr. The incident remains under investigation.
Vehicle Burglary-A book bag was stolen in a window-smash burglary on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A vehicle burglary was reported on the 15800 block of Alicante Rd. A baseball bag with equipment was stolen from the vehicle. A flat screen television was stolen in a window-smash burglary from the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Car speakers and various tools were stolen from a vehicle on the 14200 block of Gannet Rd. A cell phone was stolen in a window-smash burglary on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd.
Grand Theft-A theft was reported on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. A commercial air conditioning unit was stolen.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A sedan was reported stolen from the 14300 block of Galicia Dr. The vehicle was recovered later the same day by La Mirada deputies on the 14500 block of Hardaway Dr. A pick-up truck was reported stolen from the 11600 block of Toerge Dr. A commercial truck was reported stolen from the 14400 block of Firestone Blvd. The vehicle was recovered by the Los Angeles Police Department two days later.
Teen Series Continues at La Mirada Library
The La Mirada Library is pleased to announce the “How to be a Grown Up for Teens”, a life skills series, will continue at the La Mirada Resource Center during renovation. This project was supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
This program series is ideal for teen’s grades seven and higher to gain essential life skills for surviving adulthood. Don't get caught off guard, come learn about getting fit and staying healthy and how to present the best you to the world.
Upcoming topics include:
Cyber Safety and Social Media on April 5, 2016, 6:00-7:00 PM Fitness on April 19, 2016, 6:00 -7:00 PM
Please note: The La Mirada Library is closed for refurbishment and this program will be held in the La Mirada Resource Center lower level at 13710 La Mirada Blvd.) For more information about this program please call 562-943-0277.
For other programs in this series please visit the County of Los Angeles Public Library website: colapublib.org.
Easter Egg Hunt at La Mirada Regional Park
The City of La Mirada invites community members to attend the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 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. After the egg hunt, the Kiwanis club invites everyone to join them at Splash! for the annual Duck Derby, which raises funds to support various community causes.
For more information, call the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
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