Dulles Elementary Staff Recognized for Rescuing Choking Second-Grader
La Mirada~The quick-thinking staff members at Dulles Elementary, including one teacher’s aide who performed the Heimlich maneuver, are being hailed for rescuing a second-grade boy who began choking while eating his lunch in the school cafeteria this month.
“I’m extremely proud of their quick and calm response to this life-threatening situation,” said Dulles Elementary School Principal Robin Padget. “I’ve always known of their dedication to students, but this serves as a wonderful example of how they will go above and beyond to ensure that our children are safe.”
On Oct. 2, Kevin Sandoval was eating his lunch when he began choking and hit his hands on the table. Caryn Cerda, a teacher’s assistant who works with the school’s special education students, including Kevin, noticed that Kevin was turning red. She and fellow teacher’s assistant Jimmy Perez immediately responded, with Perez calmly performing the Heimlich maneuver multiple times until the food was dislodged from his throat. The two staff members were assisted by custodian Juan Lara.
“I am very glad that Mr. Jimmy was there next to my son because he saved my son’s life,” said Kevin’s mother, Lucy Sandoval, adding that Kevin is a happy and outgoing kid who loves to ride his bike and give lots of hugs. “I love my son so much and I don’t even want to think about what might have happened if Mr. Jimmy wasn’t there.”
Norwalk-La Mirada Voters to Decide Whether or Not to Fund Schools, Again.
Norwalk~Tomorrow, voters in Norwalk and La Mirada will decide if they again want to subsidize the school system and approve a bond on the November 4th ballot.
The Board of Education of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has placed a $375 million dollar bond on the ballot they say is needed to modernize the schools-just 12 years after they asked for $165 million in 2002.
Opponents say:
-We are still paying for Measure S in 2002 and residents will essentially be “double-taxed” for the next 23 years.
-Measure G upgrades and proposals were supposed to be accomplished in 2002 with Measure S bond.
-La Mirada residents paid for the construction of La Mirada Stadium why should they pay for two proposed stadiums at Norwalk and John Glenn High for $100 million?
-There is insufficient room at Norwalk and Glenn campuses for new stadiums.
-Measure G is a “blank check” with the allocation of the bond proceeds possibly altered in the future by State actions and other variables.
-Of the $375 million asked for, only $160 million is for urgent infrastructure needs-the rest are “feel-good” wish list projects.
https://www.facebook.com/VoteNoOnMeasureG
Proponents say:
-The bond will pay for the repair of deteriorating classrooms, fix leaky roofs and bathrooms and remove asbestos paint.
-Will pay for the upgrade of science and computer labs and physical education facilities.
-Will fund improvements to campus security including fencing, fire proofing, smoke alarms, and communications systems.
-Includes tough accountability provisions and safeguards, every penny is required by law to be spent locally.
-Will provide air-conditioning in all adequate spaces on campuses.
-Will provide instructional technology and wiring projects at every school.
www.facebook.com/NorwalkLaMiradaVoteYesonG.
If Measure G passes, homeowners will pay $60 per $100,000 assessed value on their homes per year for the next 52 years. The assessed value is usually 50% or lower of the market value.
Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
OBITUARY: Giant La Mirada Community Member and Original La Mirada Business Owner
OBITUARY: GERALD PEEBLER
La Mirada lost a giant in the community last Monday as Gerald Peebler, owner of Olive Lawn Memorial Park passed away this past Monday at the age of 96.
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| Gerald Peebler at the La Mirada Blog Fest August 21, 2012 where he was honored as a "La Mirada Legend." |
He was a member of La Mirada Kiwanis, a former president of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and long-time community servant.
He was the lore of La Mirada in every sense of the word.
He was born September 20, 1918 in Canada and first arrived in La Mirada in 1928 when his dad Byron Peebler and a partner eventually took over an abandoned cemetery at Luitwieler (LM Blvd) and Alicante (at that time an extension of Rosecrans). The cemetery original opened in 1924.
His first memory of La Mirada was as a a fourteen year-old kid in 1932, saying in 2012, “There were solid olive tree groves across the street (today’s Biola University), scary groves, dark groves.”
The cemetery formerly known as Graceland, was renamed Olive Lawn-named after those many trees nearby from the McNally Ranch.
While they were helping run Olive Lawn part-time, the Peebler kids including Gerald, helped their parents Byron and Ethel, run the Coachella Valley’s first successful laundry business in Indio from 1927-47.
In 1947, Byron Peebler and Ethel moved to La Mirada full-time to run Olive Lawn as they took over full ownership of the cemetery.
In 1946, Gerald and his wife Harriet opened and operated the “first drive-through cleaners in the country” in Santa Ana until 1972.
Gerald and Harriet were married in in 1941 after meeting in 1939 when Harriet was a sophomore at a high school in Indio.
Gerald and Harriet took over full operation of Olive Lawn Memorial Park in 1977 until recently as their son Scott has now taken over operation and ownership.
In 2011 to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, Gerald, 93, and Harriet, 90, traveled across the country alone in their automobile to visit relatives in Connecticut and places in-between with Gerald driving all 9,000+ miles himself over the 50-day trip.
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| Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Peebler at their home at Olive Lawn being interviewed for the the La Mirada history book, "Reflections from McNally's Mirror" -June 21, 2012. |
Mr. Gerald Peebler is survived by his wife of 73 years, Harriet; Sister Betty Mitchell, Mountain View, AK; Son Scott, La Mirada; Daughter Jan Delmonte, CT; Granddaughter Heather & her husband Andy Bevilacqua, Millford, CT; Granddaughter Kayse & her husband Jon Pratt, Elkgrove, CA; Grandson Seth, La Mirada; Great Grandchildren, Emily, Nathaniel, Jennifer, Jeff, Jillian, and Joseph.
GERALD PEEBLER MEMORIAL SERVICES:
Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014
Chapel of Memories, 12626 Woods Avenue, Norwalk.
1:00-2:00 p.m. Viewing
2:30-3:30 p.m. Memorial Service
4:00-6:00 p.m. Reception-La Mirada Activity Center
League Title Game Moved to Goodman Stadium
La Mirada~One game will decide the 2014 Suburban League Football Championship and it has been moved to Goodman Stadium at La Mirada High.
The La Mirada Matadores (5-0, 8-1) will play the Norwalk Lancers (5-0, 7-2) this Friday November 7th with both teams undefeated in league and a title on the line.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Excelsior Stadium (Norwalk’s home field), but it was likely moved because La Mirada features a better turf and facilities.
The Matadores will be on the visitors side of the field. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
OBITUARY: Former Manager of Chamber of Commerce and Active Community Member
OBITUARY: EVELYN LEONARD
She was office manager for the Greater La Mirada Chamber of Commerce when it was considered one of the most prestigious in all of Southern California
Evelyn R. Leonard was born on August 4, 1925, in Wilmington, California, to George and Ruth (Smith) Hendrickson. She passed away last month on October 10, 2014 in Whittier, California at the age of 89. She was a second generation "native" and was raised in Inglewood, California.
Evelyn graduated from Inglewood High School and Los Angeles City College, with a major in International Relations.
She met and married, Robert “Bob” Leonard, who also is another second generation “native.”
She is also survived by her two sons, Paul and Matthew, who were born before the 1960 move to the present home in La Mirada.
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| The history of La Mirada caught Leonard's eye as seen in this 1965 drawing. |
Evelyn was involved in the activities of their new community, La Mirada, an involvement that has been shared by the couple during their 54 year residence in La Mirada.
She was the first director of the La Mirada Youth Employment Service in 1968, and two years later, the office manager of La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.
Evelyn and Bob are also Life Members of the Friends of the La Mirada Library. She was very active with the library and actually spent nights at the library watching the books that were on sale at the annual book sales back when the events were held outside the building.
Mrs. Leonard was also very active in helping with the preservation of La Mirada’s history.
She left the Chamber in 1984 to become a "full time" volunteer, enjoy her family, travel and take care of a home that was always open to international guests.
FREE: Electricity Safety Story Time for Kids/Adults at LM Library
La Mirada~Join the La Mirada Library for a special story time with a Southern California Edison Lineman this Saturday November 1st from 2:00-3:00 PM.
You can hear stories and learn about the importance of electrical safety. This program is ideal for school-aged children and their families.
No pre-registration required and coloring books and safety kits will be available for attendees.
For more information call (562) 943-0277 or visit www.colapublib.org
New Bike Trail Connection in La Mirada Opens
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| Mayor Larry Mowles and OCTA Officials at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Coyote Creek Trail segment of the OC Loop. |
Another option for La Mirada bicyclists and pedestrians as they can now travel from Imperial Highway to La Mirada Boulevard via the trail which includes an entrance at Behringer Park.
La Mirada~The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) officials recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony at La Mirada Behringer Athletic Facility. The ceremony marked the completion of a two-mile segment of the OC Loop, a path for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel throughout the county.
OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson and CEO Darrell Johnson led the ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Coyote Creek Trail segment that runs near Beach Boulevard, between the Cities of La Mirada and Buena Park. La Mirada Mayor Larry Mowles and other City, OCTA, and OC Parks representatives were also in attendance at the ceremony.
OCTA is working with transportation officials in cities along the OC Loop to create 66 miles of bikeway and pedestrian connections across Orange County.
The OC Loop provides a convenient pathway for residents to bike, walk and connect to some of California’s most scenic beaches and inland reaches. The OC Loop also provides commuters with connections to many bus stops and three Metrolink stations, as well as major employment centers.
The loop is about 70 percent complete. The County of Orange, through a Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) grant, is working with cities along the OC Loop on a feasibility study to close the remaining gaps. The study will provide cities with grant-ready information on their segments including design concepts and costs. Nearly 46 miles of the loop already in place are off-street trails along the San Gabriel River, Coyote Creek, Santa Ana River and the Coastal Beach Trail. 
When completed, bikers will be able to travel the 66-mile loop from La Mirada, south to Seal Beach, southeast to Costa Mesa, north to Carbon Canyon and back to La Mirada.
Another option for La Mirada bicyclists is the North Fork Coyote Creek.The trail head is on Foster Road just east of Marquardt Avenue in Santa Fe Springs just up the street from Frontier Park in La Mirada. That trail meets up with the San Gabriel River trail downstream and ends at Seal Beach-about a 13 mile ride declining slightly for most of the ride as the river leads to the ocean. Check it out here.
For more information on the OC Loop, visit www.octa.net/OCLoop.
Enjoy La Mirada’s Halloweenfest at the Neff Estate
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada invites families to enjoy a festive time at the City’s annual Halloweenfest on Friday, October 31 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the historic Neff Estate.
The free event will feature a haunted maze, a Jack-O-Lantern contest, games and crafts, and food booths. House tours of the historic Neff Estate will also be offered. This family-oriented event is perfect for all ages.
A costume contest for participants and their pets will take place throughout the evening. Arrive early to enter and win! The costume contest categories and start times are as follows: Pets, 5:00 pm; Children 2 and under-5:20 pm; 3 to 5-5:50 pm; 6 to 8-6:20 pm; 9 to 12-6:50 pm and kids 13 and up-7:20 pm.
For more information, call the City’s Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
La Mirada Theatre Receives 17 Ovation Award Nominations
La Mirada~The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment recently received 17 Ovation Award nominations from the LA Stage Alliance for their 2013-14 season. The La Mirada Theatre received the second most nominations for a theatre in the greater Los Angeles area.
The LA Stage Alliance announced the nominees at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. La Mirada Theatre award nominations include those for Best Season, Best Production of a Musical (Large Theatre), Acting Ensemble of a Musical, Music Direction, and several individual performers nominated for Best Lead Actor/Actress in a Musical.
Brian Kite, Producing Artistic Director for the La Mirada Theatre, is nominated for Best Director of a Musical for Les Misérables.
“We are honored and excited to be nominated among an incredible group of artists and theatres. We are proud of our 17 nominations and hope that they reflect the Theatre’s work in providing high quality programs to audiences throughout the Southern California region,” says Kite. “We look forward to the awards ceremony in November.”
Norwalk-La Mirada Schools to Celebrate Red Ribbon Week
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified schools will hold a series of activities October 27th-31st to celebrate Red Ribbon Week’s anti-drug message.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, Corvallis Middle School students will write positive statements about themselves or another person and place the notes on a banner to share them and at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, a SWAT team will visit Gardenhill Elementary in La Mirada.
The La Mirada High School band, color guard and cheer team will perform Wednesday at Benton Middle School in La Mirada, followed by a presentation by La Mirada Public Safety Education Officer Mary Cipres. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Norwalk High School band will perform during lunch at Los Alisos Middle School in Norwalk. M
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